What can an old picnic blanket teach us about the Kingdom of God? Perhaps more than we imagine. As summer begins to wind down, discover how faded fabric, shared meals, and simple hospitality reveal that God’s grace is often found in the ordinary moments where we make room for one another.
Tag Archives: Community
The Ministry of Bringing Dessert
What if one of the holiest ministries in the Church isn’t preaching or singing—but bringing dessert? With a smile, a touch of Stephen Leacock humour, and a reflection on parish suppers, hospitality, and the abundant grace of God, this Ordinary Time meditation reminds us that the Kingdom often arrives through small acts of generosity that make ordinary life just a little sweeter.
The Gospel According to the Cooler Full of Ice
On a hot summer day, few things are more welcome than a cooler full of ice and a cold drink. In this light-hearted reflection, Rev. Don Davidson explores how one of summer’s simplest sights points toward the heart of the Gospel. God’s grace often arrives through practical hospitality, quiet generosity, and ordinary people who think ahead so others can be refreshed. Sometimes the most powerful sermon is simply making sure no one goes away thirsty.
The Ministry of the Neighbour Who Waves
What if one of the holiest things we do each day is simply wave to a neighbour? In this light-hearted Ordinary Time reflection, discover how an ordinary greeting can become an extraordinary act of grace, reminding us that every person longs to be seen, welcomed, and known.
When the Power Goes Out
What happens when the power goes out on a hot July evening? Fans stop, Wi-Fi disappears, and candles come out—but something else often returns as well. In the unexpected stillness, neighbours reconnect, conversations begin, and ordinary grace quietly reminds us that community has always been one of God’s favourite ways of lighting the world.
The Theology of the Screen Door
Bang! The familiar sound of a summer screen door once meant neighbours dropping by, children racing in and out, and homes that always seemed ready for one more guest. In this lighthearted reflection, Rev. Don Davidson explores how that simple summer sound still has something to teach us about hospitality, belonging, and the Gospel’s invitation to leave the door—and our hearts—open.
The Great Canadian Porch Visit
What if one of the holiest moments of your week isn’t found in a grand event, but in an unexpected conversation on a neighbour’s porch? In a world that prizes efficiency, the simple gift of lingering with another person may be one of God’s quietest ways of building community. A light-hearted reflection on neighbourliness, holy interruptions, and the grace found in ordinary summer afternoons.
The Gospel According to the Neighbour’s Garden Hose
There is something wonderfully ordinary about a summer evening when neighbours appear with garden hoses, watering cans, and just enough time for a conversation over the fence. In this light-hearted reflection, discover how God often does some of God’s best work in the most unexpected places—and why even a chat about tomatoes might become holy ground. Ordinary Time invites us to notice that the Kingdom often blooms beside the petunias.
The Theology of Family Reunions
Family reunions are rarely orderly, often noisy, and occasionally bewildering—but they may also be one of God’s quiet gifts. Between the stories, the laughter, the familiar faces, and even the repeated tales, we are reminded that we belong to something larger than ourselves. In a world that prizes independence, family gatherings teach us the grace of belonging, the value of remembering, and the blessing of being loved despite our imperfections. This summer, there may be more theology around the picnic table than you expect.
The Gospel According to the Parking Lot
Summer has a way of slowing us down just enough to notice one another. A quick trip to the market, a stop for ice cream, or an ordinary errand can become an unexpected encounter filled with laughter, kindness, and grace. This reflection explores how God often meets us not only in churches and sanctuaries, but in parking lots, farmers’ markets, and all the ordinary places where people cross paths and share a moment of genuine connection.