HELLO!

It’s New Year’s Eve, a time to ponder our goals for 2026. Bethe and I recorded a video for United Churches for Dartmouth about our goals for 2026. https://www.facebook.com/groups/UnitedChurchesforDartmouth/ (Please note: this video will not be posted till Wednesday December 31^st at 8 am) What are your goals for 2026? Many of us are making lists. I joke that in June, when community yard sales are in high gear, there is an abundance of exercise equipment (mint condition), “how to” and “self-help” books, and for church goers “This is the year I will read the entire Bible”. Sidebar…The only person I have met, in 35 years of ministry, who seems to make good on the pledge to read the entire Bible is…Kaitlin.

At the six-month mark of my tenure here at Woodlawn Gus asked me if I had yet explored The Book Room. I had no idea what he was referring to. He took me downstairs, near the stage in the Community Room, and there I found a small room filled with books, all kinds of books, different kinds of books, fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help, spiritual, history, beach novels, etc…Gus explained church goers donate these books, he and Lisa sort through them, and people take one or more and pay a small fee or what they can. It’s a great deal and I was impressed with the variety of book I found. I recommend you give this room a visit.

In addition to the goals you will set for 2026, consider books you might read. My wife Kim is not a hoarder or a materialistic person. However, her weakness to “keeping stuff” is books. Kim loves fiction, her favorite authors are Louise Penny, Alexander McCall Smith (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency) and Miriam Toews. I love non-fiction, specifically I like books on my three favorite topics: sports (Jeff Pearlman), politics (Richard Ben Cramer) and religion (Anne Lamott). Currently I am reading a biography of architect Frank Gehry. I asked the 20-25 participants who attended the various faith studies I offered in 2025 to suggest book topics. The two suggestions I received were: the conversion of Saul-Paul (Book of Acts) and Moses (the Book of Exodus). I immediately ordered two books (Paul – N.T. Wright, and Moses – Walter Brueggemann. I look forward to offering faith studies in 2026 with these books as the focus.

What topics are you keen to address/learn about/engage in 2026? If you share these, I will include them in my sermon preparation, try to address the topic whenever it feels like a fit for the lectionary readings.

Peace, Kevin

PS Today Bethe and I were honoured to preside at the wedding of Mary Craig and Fran Steer at their home, surrounded by their children, family, and friends. Bethe was her usual warm and friendly self. I hugged Mary and Fran and then made straight for their dog Kita. Bethe took this photo.