“Walk your own Camino” was a refrain I heard from many folks before I left for Spain. It didn’t take long for me to realize the importance of that. Some people naturally walked faster or slower than my natural pace. Sometimes I would adjust my speed in the interests of engaging with them, but walking at a pace that is not your own is uncomfortable, regardless of whether it is faster or slower. On the first day, I encountered two people walking together – Hans from Germany and José from Peru....
Author: Éric Hébert-Daly
Rev. Éric Hébert-Daly is the Regional Executive Minister of Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council, Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council and East Central Ontario Regional Council of The United Church of Canada. / Pasteur Éric Hébert-Daly est le ministre exécutif régional du Conseil régional Nakonha:ka, Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council et East Central Ontario Regional Council de l'Église Unie du Canada.
On October 1st, Éric Hébert-Daly attended the special ceremony to raise the flag of Residential School Survivors on Parliament Hill. He was there representing the United Church of Canada at the invitation of the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. It was a powerful ceremony with 8 survivors sharing their story and their hope for healing. Learn more: https://nctr.ca/exhibits/survivors-flag/
As many will have heard, my decision to walk the Camino was rooted in a need to strengthen my ‘solitude muscles’ and to find balance with my normal extraverted tendencies. During my process to becoming a minister, the psychologist who did my assessment qualified me as a ‘galloping extrovert’ beyond anyone he had met in his 40 years of service. He warned me of the importance to develop some resilience in times of solitude. The Camino seemed like the right place to hone these skills when it came...
When I survey the wondrous work of the communities of faith in our regional council, I can’t help but be impressed at the work that so many are doing to be the hands and feet of Christ in their context. I am also quite aware of the challenges that face them… lack of ministry personnel, diminishing volunteers, dwindling funds and a sense that there is no future for our church in the years to come. It’s heavy. It’s not an easy burden to bear. It’s a lot like Holy Week. We keep doing what we feel...
God, Goodness, Lord of all, may the humble meditations of my heart and the reflections of Christ’s disciples gathered here, be acceptable to you. And may your corrective whispers in our ears help us hear your voice instead of our own desires. Souffle ton esprit parmi nous lorsque nous réfléchissons ensemble. Amen. Brothers and sisters in the faith, thank you for welcoming me in your circle. It is good to be gathered with those who praise God, those who gather in community to hear how we might...
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