We have all seen the images from this past weekend of thousands gathering in public places and ignoring physical distancing guidelines; images that make me uneasy.  We have seen and heard the messages of protest; some that seem selfish and reckless.  We understand the restrictive measures we are under have tested the resolve of some Canadians and many around the world.  We recognize the impact Covid - 19 has had on our economy, that there are many who are not working, who are struggling to pay their rent and to put food on the table, to care for their families.  I see all of this and wonder how do we respond as a people of faith, as the Church?

While I appreciate the concerns being expressed as we as a province and nation try to find the balance between protecting the health of our citizens and providing for our economic stability, I have to confess those images and statements that put individual choice above the well-being of others are to me disturbing.  I see the signs, 'my body, my choice'; I hear the comments, 'I have a right to work' or what I would consider a careless and reckless statement that 'I'm not afraid of the virus', and I want to shout, 'it's not just about you'!  We as citizens of this province and as Canadians, have a responsibility to one another.

Certainly this is a core value of the Church, a value rooted in the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul would write to the church in Philippi:  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)  I may be feeling well, but I have a responsibility to you, the people of Valley and to my wife and the residents she serves at Sunnybank Centre, and to our communities -- a responsibility to abide by the directives in place and to exercise wisdom in the choices I make.  James writes:  Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  (James 3:13)

Like many of you, I long to gather to worship once again.  As we discuss this as a Leadership Team and people, this value of being responsible in our choices is a critical factor in the decisions we make.  Please pray for wisdom and guidance, that any decision to re-gather is balanced by care and concern and by good practices that protect one another. 

Ambassador Matthew Rycroft in an address to the Untied Nations Security Council makes this observation: How a society treats its most vulnerable – whether children, the infirm or the elderly – is always the measure of its humanity. Even more so during instability and conflict. When a society begins to disregard the vulnerable and their rights, instability and conflict will only grow.  Is it any wonder we are seeing greater levels of instability and conflict today?  

May it be said of Valley and churches across our nation that we were of shining example of love and care during one of the darkest times in the history of our nation; that we looked to God for His protection and provision and that we loved one another deeply.  My friends at Valley, as we continue to walk through this together, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

As you read Paul's letters to the young believers in Thessalonica, it is very personal in nature, there is a tenderness in his words and he celebrates their faith and seeks to build then up in that faith.  Much like us, they were not perfect but there was an undeniable bond of love they shared.  I imagine they celebrated the  joy of just being together, as we do at Valley; I wonder if they sang a first-century version of the Family of God as they worshipped in community with one another! 

I think this church would have been able to relate to what we are experiencing in our day -- the profound disappointment of not being able to gather.  But much like us, they would have found ways to encourage and build up one another.  One of the great joys coming out of this current reality for is in seeing the strength and resolve of Valley; your faithfulness in supporting one another and continuing the work of the church has been a blessing to me as I continue to hear story after story of our people just being the church.

I want to express my appreciation to our Leadership Team for their faithfulness in giving strong and consistent guidance during this unprecedented 'shut down'; we continue to enjoy a spirit of unity and joy as we work together.  And I want to thank you, our people for staying in touch, for your prayers, support and words of encouragement, particularly during the time when Scott was hospitalized and he and Riley were recovering from the Covid - 19 virus.  (We have received hundreds of emails and messages during the last few weeks.)  We ought not be surprised by such encouragement for we have seen it over and over and over again in our time with you, but still there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude and appreciation for your love and support.  Thank you, Valley!  We miss gathering with you and cannot wait to meet again!!

Until then, we grieve what is lost, we wait, we adjust, we pray and we hope.

The Lord bless you and keep you.  (Numbers 6:24)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (1 Thessalonians 5:28)


As we anticipate at least three more weeks before we will gather again, understanding that some may still not be ready to join in a more public way, I want to invite you to share a greeting, a message of appreciation, a word of encouragement or a prayer of blessing with one another.  Use the form below or email me and I will post your comment.

There is within all of us, an increasing desire to be together in the house of the Lord.  Just when that will happen is yet to be determined.  As the Leadership Team meets to begin discussing how we move forward together, we will be looking to you, the people of Valley for guidance.  In the short term we will continue to provide an 'Online Gathering' experience that you can view on Sunday morning.  It is not ideal, we were meant to gather and worship in community, but it is a way to stay connected and to stay under His Word.

I want to thank you for your kind and gracious response to what has been posted each week.  I have been blessed by your comments.  John Kobylnik sends me an encouraging note each week.  (I'm waiting for that week, when John says, 'nice try on this one, Ken, but you need to pick it up for next week'!)  On average our Message page is accessed nearly 60 times on Sunday and 15+ times/ per day, each week.  We have seen a spike in the use of website, with the Message, Blog, Prayer Corner and Photo pages being accessed regularly.

I was recently asked, how this all comes together.  A few have been on site as we have recorded; you've been given a glimpse into how the recorded pieces are created each week.  (Just as an aside, I've sought to let you know when we are recording, so you can stop by if you wish -- physical distancing procedures in place, of course.)  I want to thank those who have helped with these recording sessions -- John Unger, our camera man and those who have helped with piano recordings, prayers and readings.

Pulling this kind of experience together has taken up to 40 hours a week to prepare.  Preparation begins as any week would, with the drafting of an order of service, but now instead of relying our worship team for the music, I'm searching music files and downloading songs for our use.  Each song is being prepared in the format you've seen these last few weeks.  I'm using a software programs that allows me to choose a background, then add the music file and words.  Each song takes 30-45 minutes to prepare -- the editing process is sometimes tedious and time consuming to get the words coming in at just the right time and to cut or fade the music as needed.  When the song is complete, I then save it as video. (As an added 'bonus' this is our 6 month period to report our activity for our copyright licence -- every copyrighted song has to be added to our report each week!)

The same program allows me to insert each individual song into a file that becomes what you see on Sunday morning. I then add the recorded pieces from the church or a video, like the one we showed yesterday for Mother's Day, into the appropriate place.  When all the individual clips are in place, I check the timing and then save that file to a video.  But, that video file is too big for our website, so I convert it to a different format.  The final step is to upload the video to our website, which often takes several minutes to complete as the file is also encoded for use on the site.

This morning, Monday, May 11th, I've spend 4 hours preparing the order of service and creating the first 3 songs for this week...five more to go!  And then there's the usual message prep, which is now completed by Friday morning, so we can record in the afternoon.  My preparation routine has been drastically changed!  I'm lost on Sundays!!  (Perhaps a reminder that this is not the way it should be.)

I am grateful we have this means to stay connected and commend you for doing just that.  As Dr. Henry has said, 'this is not forever, just for now'!  We do not want to become complacent and settle for something less; we need to be together, sitting in front of a computer screen or television just isn't the same, so lets keep praying for that day when we will be together again!


Some of us haven't seen each other for several week, so in the next few days, I will be creating a blog posting in which we can share an encouraging word with one another.  I want to invite you to add your note or greeting and include a photo if you are able to do so.  You can use the form on our website or send me an email and I will post it for you.  I hope we hear from many of you in the coming days!!  Your words to each other will serve to bless one another, the way so many of you have done for me with your words of appreciation and encouragement!

Like many of you, we first began to hear about Covid-19, early in the New Year.  By the end of January we were hearing reports of presumptive cases in Canada and in our own province, but it wasn't until mid-March when a global pandemic was declared that we began to hear the term 'social distancing' and talk of 'staying at home'; about flights being cancelled and schools and businesses closing -- within a few days, things had radically changed.

It was during this time that Janice and I were preparing to travel to Ontario to visit with Scott and Tiffany and see our grandson.  Just hours before we were scheduled to leave I received notice that our flights had been changed, but the changes only took as far as Edmonton! I spend two hours just trying to get through to the ariline and another two hours on hold before we could get this matter resolved; to say it was a bit stressful would be an understatement! But, we are so grateful to have had a few days with them, to hold Riley and celebrate his birth.

But even during that week, there was concern about what was unfolding and about getting back home; in the end Janice cut her visit short and we were able to return together. I was also in discussion with our Leadership Team Chair, Don Hargrave about the possibility of having to cancel our Worship Gatherings, which we did, to comply with the directives from our government leaders and health officials. 

When we arrived home on the 21st of March, it was indeed a different world for all of us.  We scrambled to take our Worship Gathering online, to record a modified worship experience for our people.  I am grateful that this has been a means to connect and stay 'in the Word' over the past eight weeks -- thank you for all the positive comments received.  It's not a perfect solution and we are limited in what we can do, but we've been able to make it work for our purposes.  It has been for me, a steep learning curve to prepare and quickly get up to speed with some new software / technology; I am grateful for your patience and kindness!

As many of you know it was shortly after arriving home from Ontario that we learned our son had been infected, he spiralled quickly and within hours was in hospital in Hamilton; that was a very difficult night. Scott spend four days in hospital and has been off work since the end of March.  He has now received a second negative report and is able to go back to work this week. Riley was also infected but thankfully had mild symptoms and has recovered -- they are all doing well now.  Thank you for sharing that journey with us and for all your prayers and words of support and encouragement.

In some ways we have 'settled' into a new and much different routine, as we all have had to do.  It has been a time of reflection and a time to re-affirm what it is we have as a people of faith.  We have been able to continue to experience the hand of God leading and blessing our lives.  We have what we need and have been able to stay safe and stay connected. 

For me, the overwhelming sense I have right now is that of gratitude.  I think of the words of the worship song we have used in our Online Gathering the past two Sundays...I come before You today and there is just one thing I want to say, thank You, Lord.  For all You've given to me, for all the blessings I cannot see, thank You, Lord.  To you, my friends at Valley, 'thank you' for sharing this journey together.  Give thanks to Lord, for He is good.  (1 Chronicles 16:34)