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For many people this is a tough time of year, but beyond the tinsel and gifts is the beautiful story of Christmas - about caring for those struggling in some way, encouraging us to live out the values it teaches.

At the heart of the spiritual traditions of our world, there is the opposite of the scaremonger culture. The Christian season of Christmas is a vital example.

In our contemporary world, the principles that guided Bilal bin Rabah - justice, equality, and unwavering faith remain relevant. They urge us to look beyond superficial differences and recognize the inherent dignity of all people.

Advent is a reminder that we are building a more just world. Meeting people and hearing their stories transforms fear about end times to breaking bread and building community together.

Annual General Meetings have the reputation of being rather dry events, but not this one! A difficult issue held us all in rapt attention and generated constructive conversation.

I have learned no matter the circumstances when one has a strong sense of purpose, one does not give up. It鈥檚 about how we show up. My source of hope, gratitude, strength and purpose is from my faith.

Grief does not end; our response to it does soften over time and life continues to envelope it. It adds to the tapestry of our life.

Last week, on Monday, November 11th, Remembrance Day presented an opportunity to reflect not just on the past, but our current world. Have we become so fixated on 鈥渢he now鈥� and moving to the future, that we鈥檝e forgotten to consider history?

Christian Science practitioner Mark McCurties will be giving an in-person talk, 鈥淭he Joy of beginning with God,鈥� on Sunday, November 17th at 2:00 pm PCT at 1205 Pandora Avenue. A Zoom link will be provided for online attendees at victoriachurch.ca.

The dead become spirit members of our communities鈥攖o be visited and 聽remembered, sometimes with 聽honour 聽and love.