Shelburne United Church

05/27/2026

05/12/2026

Sometimes this is all we can say. And that’s all right. God is always there, we just need to reach out.

🤎

05/10/2026

A Mother's Day Blessing
to all those who offer mothering love in so many ways,
to birth mothers, adopted mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, chosen mothers, grandmothers and godmothers,
to soon-to-be mothers and those yearning to be mothers,
to those of all genders who offer tender care and understanding to children,
to all who are missing their mothers and those grieving for their mothers,
to broken-hearted mothers grieving for their children, gone too soon,
and to all who carry pain in their hearts as mothers or because of mothers,
we pray that you will know God's presence with you
as you mark this day, whatever it means for you this year,
joy or grief, hope or fear, sorrow or celebration, frustration or delight.
May you know God’s love enfolding you with all the love you offer to others, and more.
God bless you, today and every day.

—Susan Lukey, High River United Church, High River, AB

04/18/2026

For this Earth Day weekend.

04/16/2026

Wisdom we can all use.

04/15/2026

The two most powerful men in the world couldn’t be more different – though one also wants to be the other. When Pope Leo XIV was elected, the US president posted an AI generated image of himself as the pope – this week the president took it a step further and posted himself as a Jesus-like figure.

The president doesn’t understand what Pope Leo understands – that being more like Jesus means walking the way of the cross. It means giving up power, loving your neighbour more and yourself less. It means putting down the sword and choosing a path of peace, of justice, of a love for all humanity or, as Pope Leo said it, “Too, too many innocent lives have been lost, and I believe someone must stand up and say there is a better way.”

[Image: PublicDomainPictures.net]

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!
“Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus there, but she did not know it was Jesus…supposing him to be the gardener.”
–John 20:14, 15

Mary Magdalene is the first person to encounter the risen Christ. It’s no accident that the gospel writer of John has Mary mistaking Jesus for the gardener. A gardeners work is like going home, with their hands in the soil ( humans from the humus). Just as Adam is created from the soil, Jesus is buried then risen from the dead, bringing new life. Both happening in a garden. John is hoping we notice the connection.

This is Jesus continuing to show us that resurrection and new life and our hope of heaven happen here on the ground. In the dirt, loving where it hurts in the humus of humanity. This is a Christ it may be hard to recognize. It is not a risen Christ in bright glowing robes, but Christ in muddy ones ( and in Rembrandt’s version of the moment, a beat up straw gardener’s hat and shovel) Jesus doubles down being human wounds and all. He’s showing us that he is to be found in the people and places where many are not looking. It’s Mary who is the first to recognize this Jesus. A woman becomes the first to share the first fruits of the resurrection. “An Apostle to the Apostles”

Using the traditional resurrection icons of Mary and Jesus on easter morning I wanted to flip the image around. Instead of Jesus towering over Mary Magdalene, I wanted to show Mary standing tall looking for Jesus and finding Christ the Gardener down on the ground with the plants. “Unless a seed falls into the ground and dies it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)

Icon:“Mary Magdalene and Christ the Gardener”

Signed Giclee Prints, Digital Download Available: kellylatimoreicons.com

04/05/2026

Happy Easter!!! Good News to All!!!
Even in the midst of war and sadness...
God's work and will lead toward...
life, hope, gladness, and grace...
Kyrie eleison...