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# All Saints' Anglican Church | Collingwood ON

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- [XML Sitemap](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Sunday September 13 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-september-13-2026/) - Sunday September 13 2026 BulletinSunday September 13 2026 AnnouncementsSunday September 13 2026 ReadingsHymn
- [Sunday September 6 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-september-6-2026/) - Sunday September 6 2026 BulletinSunday September 6 2026 AnnouncementsSunday September 6 2026 Readings
- [Sunday August 30 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-august-30th-2026/) - Sunday August 30 2026 BulletinSunday August 30 2026 AnnouncementsSunday August 30 2026 Readings
- [Sunday August 23 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-august-23-2026/) - Sunday August 23 2026 BulletinSunday August 23 2026 AnnouncementsSunday August 23 2026 Readings
- [Sunday August 16 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-august-16-2026/) - Sunday August 16 2026 BulletinSunday August 16 2026 AnnouncementsSunday August 16 2026 ReadingsFood Pantry Box
- [Sunday August 9 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-august-9-2026/) - Sunday August 9 2026 BulletinSunday August 9 2026 AnnouncementsSunday August 9 2026 ReadingsSunday August 9 2026 Hymns
- [Sunday July 12 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-july-12-2026/) - Sunday July 12 2026 BulletinSunday July 12 2026 AnnouncementsSunday July 12 2026 ReadingsSunday July 12 2026 Hymns
- [Sunday August 2 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-august-2-2026/) - Sunday August 2 2026 BulletinSunday August 2 2026 AnnouncementsSunday August 2 2026 Readings
- [Sunday July 26 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-july-26-2026/) - Sunday July 26 2026 BulletinSunday July 26 2026 AnnouncementsSunday July 26 2026 Readings
- [Sunday July 19 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-july-19-2026/) - Sunday July 19 2026 BulletinSunday July 19 2026 AnnouncementsSunday July 19 2026 Readings
- [Sunday July 5 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-july-5-2026/) - Sunday July 5 2026 BulletinSunday July 5 2026 AnnouncementsSunday July 5 2026 Readingshttps://vimeo.com/share/78b397d0-1397-43e7-9787-66f6d9694e18?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
- [Sunday June 28 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-june-28-2026/) - Sunday June 28 2026 BulletinSunday June 28 2026 AnnouncementsSunday June 28 2026 Readingshttps://vimeo.com/share/281558ec-aab3-4232-854c-5a0e0d1fef91?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
- [Sunday June 21 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-june-21-2026/) - Sunday June 21 2026 BulletinSunday June 21 2026 AnnouncementsSunday June 21 2026 Readings
- [Sunday June 14 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-june-14-2026/) - Sunday June 14 2026 BulletinSunday June 14 2026 AnnouncementsSunday June 14 2026 Readings
- [Sunday June 7 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-june-7-2026/) - Sunday June 7 2026 BulletinSunday June 7 2026 AnnouncementsSunday June 7 2026 Readings
- [Sunday May 31 2026](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sunday-may-31-2026/) - Sunday May 31st – 10:30am – Regional service with Bishop Riscylla ShawThis service will include a confirmation and the renewal of baptismal vows, marking both the Church’s history and its ongoing life in Christ.You’re invited: current and former members of Prince of Peace, the Regional Churches of South Georgian Bay, friends, and neighbours. All are
- [Property Manager](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/custodian/) - Robert Pierce
- [Worship](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/liturgical/) - Our liturgical ministry plays a large role in our services. They are responsible for preparing the church for service, organizing the staff, incorporating music and technology to enhance our worship experience and more. Chancel Guild It is the ministry of the Chancel Guild to prepare the Sanctuary area for all scheduled services of public worship.
- [Spiritual and Pastoral Care](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/spiritual-and-pastoral-care/) - We have developed many programs for spiritual and pastoral care in our community. Bible Study Book Club To encourage personal spiritual growth though recommended reading and through subsequent group discussion in an informal, supportive environment Church Kids (Sunday School) Our team of leaders create a positive, fun, inclusive, Christian learning experience for children &
- [Regional Ministry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/food-ministry/)
- [Parish Life](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/social-groups/) - All Saints is a community that includes people from all walks of life. Our parish life is fun, busy, and social, and includes pub nights, teas and dinners, Christmas parties and many other events. Like the old TV show Cheers, we aspire to be a community where “everybody knows your name”. Annual Golf Fun Day
- [Outreach](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/outreach/) - Giving back to and fostering our community is important to us at All Saints’ Anglican Church, and we do that through the valuable volunteers in our Outreach Ministry. CO3 (Coffee, Cookies and Conversation) We offer parishioners and the people of the community at large, regardless of faith affiliation, an opportunity to meet in a safe,
- [Associate Priest](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/reverend-sharon-sangster/) - Reverend Sharon Sangster
- [Incumbent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/priest-in-charge/) - Major (retd) the Rev. Dr. Michael Peterson, CD
- [Brodie](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/brodie/) - Brodie is All Saints’ Church Dog. A Border Terrier, he is often seen in Fr. Michael’s office, at smaller services, sometimes at choir practice and often at the Sunday coffee hour. He’s friendly, smart, likes being at church, and is an important part of our pastoral care team.
- [Deputy Rector's Warden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/deputy-warden/) - Janet Adams
- [Deputy People’s Warden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/deputy-peoples-warden-2/) - Jake Johnston
- [People's Warden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/deputy-peoples-warden/) - Dr. Catherine Raaflaub
- [Rector’s Warden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rectors-warden/) - David Trafford
- [Choir Director/Organist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/choir-director-organist/) - Barry DeSilva
- [Office Administrator](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/office-administrator/) - Nancy Zamborsky
- [What I'm Reading - Jane Hamilton's Disobedience](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-jane-hamiltons-disobedience/) - Some years back a relative mailed me a copy of this book, thinking that the content about American Civil War reenacting would be of interest to me. Actually I cringe a bit wondering how my family perceived me during that enthusiasm, and the reenacting content was incidental to my enjoyment of the book. Hamilton is
- [A Sermon for a Country Cemetery Decoration Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-a-country-cemetery-decoration-day/) - Decoration days are a custom that I only discovered after coming to rural Middlesex County as a pastor. Medway Cemetery is about 15 km north of London, Ontario. The cemetery board takes turns asking local clergy to speak.After getting the invitation I came across Joseph Bottum's excellent essay "Death and Politics" in the June/July issue
- [Sermon for Sunday, June 24th](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sermon-for-sunday-june-24th/) - From the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) gospel for Sunday, 24 June. A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday After Pentecost CGrace and St. George’s, June 24, 2007The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him; but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God
- [A Sermon for Canada Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-canada-day/) - Sunday fell on July 1st this year, Canada Day. Every church signboard around here had a "God Bless Canada" message or expressed a similar patriotic sentiment. While the Revised Common Lectionary used Luke 9:51-62 as the text, I felt the need to say something about the national holiday, though something of Luke creeps in. Perhaps
- [From My Workbench: German Anti-Tank Gun Minis](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-german-anti-tank-gun-minis/) - For those who don't understand my hobby/obsession, I play miniature wargames with similarly eccentric friends. The hobby combines the fun of little boys playing with Army Men, the craft of painting and model railroading, and the challenge of chess. Also, it keeps me off the streets.Just finished these models - they are German World War
- [](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/4321-2/) - Victor Davis Hanson's A War Like No Other: How the Athenians and Spartans Fought the Pelopennesian War (New York: Random House, 2005).I first ran across Victor Davis Hanson while at a friend's place, channel-surfing his gazillion TV stations. A quiet-voiced but intense academic was reading from a book on a war that occurred almost 2500
- [](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/4322-2/) - Summer Book Blogging ProjectThe Rev'd Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon's blog Titus ONE Nine ran a wonderful post recently describing a summer "Blog a Book" reading and blogging project. The project comes from Chuck Colson's BreakPoint - the description of the project is here and the list of recommended books by friends of BreakPoint is here.
- [Sevastapol Skirmish - A Wargames Report](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sevastapol-skirmish-a-wargames-report/) - Saturday, July 21st we had another go at the Troops, Weapons and Tactics (TW&T) skirmish rules by Too Fat Lardies. I acted as referee, and chose a Russian Front battle as I had long wanted to use my 20mm Soviet Naval Infantry. I've had these for years, but never actually gamed with them. Soviet naval
- [Polikarpov Down! - A Wargame Report](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/polikarpov-down-a-wargame-report/) - Saturday, July 14th was an agreeably silly evening in the wargames basement of James (CinC Hotlead ) Manto's Townhouse of Solitude. Dan Hutter offered one of his trademark shoot-em up games, using one of his typically simply, vicious, homebrew rules. James and my daugher Anna took the Finns, while Lorenzo "Weirdo" Gionet, Barry "Bolshevik" Holden
- [A Sermon for Sunday, 22 July, 2007](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-sunday-22-july-2007/) - A Sermon for the Eighth Sunday After PentecostGrace and St. George’s at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, 22 July, 2007Jesus Visits Martha and MaryNow as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s
- [A Sermon for Sunday, July 15th, 2007](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-sunday-july-15th-2007/) - A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday After PentecostGrace and St. George’s, 15 July, 2007The Parable of the Good SamaritanJust then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered,
- [What I'm Reading: Anne Rice's Christ the Lord Out of Egypt](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-anne-rices-christ-the-lord-out-of-egypt/) - Anne Rice, Christ the Lord Out of Egypt (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005).What do Harry Potter (especially in the first HP novel) and Jesus Christ have in common? Other than being the heros of bestselling books, both are (as imagined by J.K. Rowling and Anne Rice respectively) young boys who are growing into miraculous
- [What I'm Reading: Cormac McCarthy's The Road](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-cormac-mccarthys-the-road/) - Cormac McCarthy's The Road (New York: Random House/Vintage, 2006).Something in us dreams of our own destruction. Perhaps it is the spirit of our age, the pessimism that seeps into us with the news that resources are running out, that the world is dying and we are sickening, that the terrorists will get us. Esquire magazine's
- [US Army struggles with soldier who won't pull the trigger](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-army-struggles-with-soldier-who-wont-pull-the-trigger/) - By Mary Wiltenburg | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Schweinfurt, GermanyThe US Army sergeants waited on the couch, studying the floor. Family dogs skirted the sofa, growling. From time to time, one of the soldiers extended a conciliatory hand to them. On the floor, sixth-grader Rebecca Aguayo played a video game; her twin rollerbladed
- [A Sermon for Sunday, August 12th](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-sunday-august-12th/) - A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday After PentecostGrace and St. George’s, 12 August, 2007Isaiah 1:1,10-20; Psalm 50; Hebrews 11:1-3,8-16; Luke 12:32-40Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.
- [Army Picture Caption Contest](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/army-picture-caption-contest/) - From various 4RCR members:Carl began to question the wisdom of being the first to volunteer once he was actually in the butts.A cam and concealment lecture about to go tragically wrong. The Chinese are prepared should the Americans give the command "Don't fire until you can see the white of their eyes"Finally, the explanation for
- [When a US soldier in Iraq won't soldier](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-a-us-soldier-in-iraq-wont-soldier/) - By Mary Wiltenburg | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor from the August 13, 2007 editionWÜRZBURG, GERMANY - No one looked comfortable at the sentencing hearing. Not family and friends who packed the US military courtroom's straight-backed benches. Not the rookie Army prosecutor in stiff dress greens who flushed with every "Your Honor." Not Judge
- [What I'm Reading:  Achtung Schweinhund](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-achtung-schweinhund/) - What I'm Reading: Harry Pearson, Achtung Schweinhund! A Boy's Own Story of Imaginary Combat (London: Little, Brown, 2007). If you grew up in a family with a grandfather, father, or uncle who served in World War Two or Korea, then you are probably well on your way to appreciating this book. The World War Two
- [Words Unspoken Are Rendered on War’s Faces](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/words-unspoken-are-rendered-on-wars-faces/) - I cam across this by chance while visiting Baltimore crime writer Laura Lippman's blog. Say what you want to about the NY Times' political slant, the pictures are unnerving. Nina Berman's exhibit reminds us of our obligation to care for those who come home so badly damaged. One of the more shocking photographs to emerge
- [War Stress Pushing Army Suicides Higher](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/war-stress-pushing-army-suicides-higher/) - August 16, 2007 - 7:27pmBy PAULINE JELINEK Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON (AP) - Repeated and ever-longer war-zone tours are putting increasing pressure on military families, the Army said Thursday, helping push soldier suicides to a record rate.There were 99 Army suicides last year _ nearly half of them soldiers who hadn't reached their 25th birthdays, about
- [CBC Coverage of Afghanistan Casualties](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/cbc-coverage-of-afghanistan-casualties/) - Anonymous comments from army colleagues:Just found out about another two soldiers killed overseas. Another sobering day to be in the army. On another note, the CBC continues it's deification of Quebec soldiers at the expense of all the other soldiers in the CF.From CBC this morning: "The soldiers were from the famed Quebec-based Royal 22nd
- [U.S. Episcopal Church monks offer retreat for war-weary soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/u-s-episcopal-church-monks-offer-retreat-for-war-weary-soldiers/) - U.S. National Guard Capt. Jeffrey Cox watched soldiers lose sight of God in the violence and daily grind of the war in Iraq.He's hoping they can find their faith again in an Episcopal monastery along the Charles River.Prodded by Cox, the Society of Saint John the Evangelist is offering a “healing retreat” weekend in October
- [Robot Rampage Paralyzes Pottersville, PA - OR - A 1930s Pulp Game Report](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/robot-rampage-paralyzes-pottersville-pa-or-a-1930s-pulp-game-report/) - As part of our games day at the church last Saturday, a semi-regular event which the players have dubbed "AngliCONs", we fought a massive and very strange pulp game which was the brainchild of James Manto (of Hotlead fame) and Lorenzo Gionet, two gentlemen whose taste for the weird and the arcane is a cause
- [Lard Coffins, or Walter Gets His Wings](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/lard-coffins-or-walter-gets-his-wings/) - Last Saturday saw another gathering in my church hall for another gaming day, a semi-reglar series of events christened by the participants as "AngliCONs". For Anglicon III, Keith Burnett, one of the most industrious gamers I know, offered a World War One flying battle featuring the "Algernon Pulls It Off" rules published by club favourites,
- [Ethics, Psychology and Abu Ghraib - Bad People or Bad Systems?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ethics-psychology-and-abu-ghraib-bad-people-or-bad-systems/) - Ethics training in the CF currently focuses on helping personnel to make good choices, using individual "gut checks" to ask if a course of action is right, or asking themselves, "what would mom think if my actions were on the news". In this approach, abuses can be attributed to bad judgement or character flaws on
- [A Sermon for Remembrance Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-remembrance-day-2/) - Sunday, November 11, 2007, Grace and St. George’sNow he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.’ (Luke 20:38)This morning I want to offer a few comments about remembrance and hope. These two things are important to today, of course, but they are also important
- [All Saints Day Children's Program, November 1st, 2007](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/all-saints-day-childrens-program-november-1st-2007/) - On November 1st, St. George's of Middlesex Centre, one of the churches I serve, played host to the Deaner of Medway's All Saints Children's Day. This event is one of a series of events organized by deanery youth ministry coordinator Heather Brown. Medway deanery offers two events a year, one on All Saints Day (1
- [From My Workbench - Ruined Factory Model](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-ruined-factory-model/) - I am finding that I love modeling scenery as much as I love painting soldiers. I think miniature wargaming has the potential to combine the best of model railroading with toy soldiers to produce visually satisfying results. So that's the theory.Here's a model in progress. It was originally a Walther model railroad kit, which I
- [A Sermon for Sunday, November 18](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-sunday-november-18/) - A Sermon for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday After PentecostGrace and St. George’s, 18 November, 2007Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven. “But before all this occurs,
- [A US Army Chaplain in Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-us-army-chaplain-in-iraq/) - Military chaplains: a Presbyterian pastor patrols with his flock of soldiers in IraqArmy Capt. Ron Eastes carries a big responsibility - but no weapon - in his 'ministry of presence' with the 82nd Airborne.By Lee Lawrence | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor BaghdadRead the complete story from the Christian Science Monitor.
- [A Sermon for the Reign of Christ the King](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-reign-of-christ-the-king/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre 25 November, 2007“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers – all things have been created
- [From My Workbench - Ruined WW2 House](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-ruined-ww2-house/) - Ruined house model in 20mm (roughly HO or 1/72nd scale) by Sentry Models (AT06 Detached Ruined House), ordered from RLBPS (Bob Bowling). The house is a single resin casting, except for the bit of flooring on the second level. Enjoyed good service from these folks, would order more from them. The figure beside it is
- [What I'm Reading: Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq.](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-fiasco-the-american-military-adventure-in-iraq/) - Thomas E. Ricks’ Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq. New York: Penguin 2006. Thomas Ricks is the Pentagon correspondent for The Washington Post (would that Canadian media allowed reporters to specialize in military affairs to develop similar expertise). Ricks’ choice of title betrays both his anger and his aim in writing this book. In
- [A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent/) - Preached 2 December, 2007 at Grace Church, Ilderton and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre“Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” (Matthew 24:44) More than anyone I ever met, my mother loved Christmas carols. She loved them so much that she would walk down the sidewalk singing them
- [Healing the Wounds of War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/healing-the-wounds-of-war/) - Healing the Wounds of War by Benedicta Cipolla, from the PBS Religion and Ethics Website.War is, in some ways, the ultimate spiritual crisis. By its very nature, it requires participants to perform acts that would be considered legally and morally wrong in civilian life. "Your whole life, regardless of religion, you're told, 'Don't kill, don't
- [Troops Absences Tough on Holiday Traditions](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/troops-absences-tough-on-holiday-traditions/) - By Brian Hicks The Charleston Post and Courier, Tuesday, December 25, 2007They say it's the most wonderful time of the year, but there are some who might feel otherwise. It's impossible to pick them out of a crowd. They're shopping at the mall, stopping by neighborhood Christmas parties with their kids, decorating their homes in
- [A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-advent/) - Preached on Sunday, 9 December, 2007, at Grace Church, Ilderton and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre“The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.” (Isaiah 11:8) This Friday I watched a toddler taking those first steps that bring a thrill of pride
- [What I’m Reading:  The World Without Us](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-the-world-without-us/) - The World Without Us. Alan Weisman. New York: Harper Collins, 2007. American journalist Alan Weisman has written a brilliant and disturbing meditation on the fate of humanity and the fate of the world. Call it a work of non-fiction, call it a thought-experiment, call it speculative science, but this book calls upon the expertise of
- [An Anglican Ministry to Homeless Veterans in Pittsburgh](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-anglican-ministry-to-homeless-veterans-in-pittsburgh/) - Troubled veterans find heavenly haven at Shepherd's HeartBy Mike WereschaginTRIBUNE-REVIEWWednesday, December 26, 2007 The softly-lit, green-hued hallway is quiet and warm, and the 10 men inside their rooms are safe for the moment. Only memory can get to them here. The Rev. Michael Wurschmidt walks slowly past the closed doors, a sentry in cleric's clothing.
- [French IndoChina War 1952 - A Skirmish Game Report](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/french-indochina-war-1952-a-skirmish-game-report/) - In the last days of December, a group of questionable characters gathered in scenic West Lorne, in the heart of SW Ontario, for another Ricon, a seasonal gathering of wargamers. Our host was Rich (Rico) Brayton and his amazing and lovely wife, who turn the basement of their home into a day of snacking, beer
- [Rules For A Gunfight](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rules-for-a-gunfight/)
- [What I'm Reading:  At All Costs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-at-all-costs/) - At All Costs David Weber. Riverdale, NY: Baen Books, 2005. I had no idea David Weber existed until this book caught my eye at the public library after Christmas. My pastor’s brain was tired and I wanted some light relief, and the colourful dust jacket intrigued me. Likewise the cover’s blurb from Publisher’s Weekly: "like
- [Going to the Wars"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/going-to-the-wars/) - Yes, of course it was sinAnd no Christ would say 'FightFor the right' -But we had to win.When the chaplain would bluster and blowAbout laying the rodOf GodOn the back of 'his foe'.I knew it was all just a formAnd there was no fiery swordAnd the LordWas not in the storm.Yet - to have stood
- [A Sermon for the Baptism of Our Lord](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-baptism-of-our-lord/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre, 13 January, 2007“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isa 42:1) Last week the National Post ran a story about a group of
- [British Army Rules for Dealing With IEDs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-army-rules-for-dealing-with-ieds/) - AMENDMENT#93489321 (4TH EDITION) TO UK FORCES ( IRAQ ) SOPs: ACTIONS ON: IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE(IED) 1.Household Cavalry. Regard IED with haughty disdain and rustle Daily Telegraph angrily. Maintain presence of IED in Knightsbridge is "absolutely preposterous". Return to regimental main effort of defending Central London from the roundheads. 2. Cavalry. Declare IED as best thing
- [For Frere Jacques](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-frere-jacques/) - My friend and colleague Jacques is undergoing surgery for prostrate cancer today. Jacques and I were fellow candidates on the Reserve Chaplain's BOTC at the Chaplain's school at CFB Borden last May. A devout Roman Catholic priest, unfailingly cheerful and fun to be around, Jacques often kept us going with his songs and jokes. Jacques
- [From my Workbench - 20mm WW2 German Whermacht Infantry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-20mm-ww2-german-whermacht-infantry/) - These figures have been finished for a while, but I wanted some more miniatures wargame content here.The figures on single bases in the first two pictures below are from AB Figures in England. They are on the small side, being true 1/76 scale figures. The sculptures are excellent and are rather intimidating because I never
- [What I’m Reading: The Soldier’s General:  Bert Hoffmeister at War.](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-the-soldiers-general-bert-hoffmeister-at-war/) - Douglas Delaney, The Soldier’s General: Bert Hoffmeister at War. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2005.Among the papers I inherited from my dad is his class yearbook, Snowy Owl, from the Canadian Army Staff College (1955 ). Towards the end is a profile on the class of 1942, whose candidates included Bert Hoffmeister, then a Major and company
- [From My Workbench:  15mm WW2 Canadian Mortar Platoon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-15mm-ww2-canadian-mortar-platoon/) - My goodness I paint slowly, but I've finally finished this lot, intended for my Normandy project. These figures are produced by Battlefront of NZ, using their basing system for Flames of War. The figures represent a 3" mortar platoon, a indirect fire support unit at the regimental or brigade level. For about $30 Cdn you
- [4RCR Photo, November 2007](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/4rcr-photo-november-2007/) - Our Sierra Company picture finally arrived and I'm very proud to have a copy and to be in it (I'm seated, front row, far right). Our Company Sergeant Major was kind enough to let me be a part of the picture, even if as the padre I'm with HQ and not with S Coy. This
- [A Sermon for Ash Wednesday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-ash-wednesday/) - 6 February, 2008 (Intended to be preached at St. George's, Middlesex Centre, but the service was cancelled due to a winter storm).Isaiah 58:1-12, Psalm 103:8-18; 2 Cor 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-21Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke,to let the oppressed go free,
- [The Road to Ottawa: Pancake Half Marathon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-road-to-ottawa-pancake-half-marathon/) - The Road to Ottawa is a grandiose term for my efforts to get ready for my first marathon, in Ottawa on May 25.OK, there is no "Pancake Half Marathon", as attractive as it sounds. That's just my private name for my long run today, as assigned by my marathon coach, Sherry, who I met through
- [A Sermon for the Last Sunday After Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-last-sunday-after-epiphany/) - Preached at Grace Anglican Church, Ilderton, and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre, 3 February, 2008Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. (Matt 17:1) Two of our readings this morning, from Exodus and Matthew, involve
- ["Pirates' Journey to Easter Island" - An Ash Wednesday Children's Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pirates-journey-to-easter-island-an-ash-wednesday-childrens-event/) - I've included some materials that some colleagues and I put together for a children's ministry day sponsored by the Deanery of Medway, the Anglican churches in NW Middlesex Country (Diocese of Huron). They are posted here in the hopes that others might be inspired to do something similar. Christian ministry should be about sharing whatever
- [The Road to Ottawa:  Inscrutability Five K](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-road-to-ottawa-inscrutability-five-k/) - It's been ruddy cold these last few days. The weather talked about -10C, -20C with the windchill. However it was gorgeously sunny today here in London, ON, with none of the frightful wind of Sunday, and that helped me decide to get a late afternoon run in. I did however make a point of bundling
- [A Sermon for the First Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, 10 February, 2008 Genesis 2:15-17,3:1-7; Ps 32; Rom 5:12-19; Matt 4:1-11Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt 4:4) I spent Ash Wednesday with a bunch of pirates. Well, not pirates exactly, but kids
- [From My Workbench: Late World War Two Canadians](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-late-world-war-two-canadians/) - These figures are larger than the last lot I posted - these are 20mm, or in modeling terms, between 1/76 to 1/72 scale. You click on any of the photos to see a larger image.Platoon of Canadian infantry from 3rd Can Division (indicated by the light blue shoulder patch). These are plastic figures, manufactured by
- [What I'm Reading: The Diana Chronicles](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-the-diana-chronicles/) - Tina Brown, The Diana Chronicles, New York: Doubleday, 2007.Tina Brown's biography of the late and iconic Princess of Wales reads like smart cultural history rather than celebrity expose, and is therefore, I think, an important book. It's also an extremely even-handed account of a tragic life and death that has changed how we think about
- [A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at St. George’s of Middlesex Centre, 17 February, 2007 Genesis 12:1-4a, Psalm 121, Romans 4:1-5,13-17; John 3:1-17“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” (Jn 3:3)Does it make a difference to you, where you were born and who your ancestors are? My guess is
- ["How to Run a Marathon" - A Good Sermon for Runners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/how-to-run-a-marathon-a-good-sermon-for-runners/) - My friend Pastor Renee passed this link to me, from the Calvin Theological Seminary's Centre for Excellence in Preaching website. The preacher is Lora Copley, and she does a wonderful job of exegesis and application with Hebrews 12. Scroll down the podcast archive for L as in Laura, it's arranged alphabetically by the preacher's first
- ["Remain in Light": A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remain-in-light-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent-2/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, 2 March, 20081 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41“Remain in Light”He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, spread it on my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ Then I went and washed and received my sight.” 1They said to him, “Where is he?”
- [A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Grace and St. George’s, Sunday, 24 February, 2008, clocking in at an appalling eighteen minutes. Memo for next time - be shorter, much shorter.Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I
- [Paardeberg Ball, 2008](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/paardeberg-ball-2008/) - The anniversary of the Battle of Paardeberg, from the Boer War, is a fixture in the calendar of the Royal Canadian Regiment. In London, for the RCR's Fourth (militia) Battalion, the Paardeberg Ball is an opportunity to be glamorous. For me, is was an opportunity to debut in my mess kit, the traditional red jacket
- ["Then I Saw His Face" - A Chancel Drama](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/then-i-saw-his-face-a-chancel-drama/) - One of the congregations I serve, St. George's, is having a family or intergenerational service today, so I wrote this little skit on the gospel, Jesus heals the blind man in John 9. The idea isn't new - lots of others have seen that this gospel really lends itself to dramatic reading. My version is
- ["Can These Bones Live?"  A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday After Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/can-these-bones-live-a-sermon-for-the-fifth-sunday-after-lent/) - Ezekiel 37 is such a wonderful text to preach on! I was quite excited about this sermon, but with the torrents of snow that fell on Saturday, I thought I'd never get to preach it in person. However the weather cleared overnight and we had good worship. God is good.Preached at Grace Church,Ilderton and St.
- [Civil War Reeneactors To Reinforce Troops In Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/civil-war-reeneactors-to-reinforce-troops-in-iraq/) - Thanks to my friend Raivo for sending me this link from the Onion.com. I'm allowed to laugh because I've been (and still am, I guess) a civil war reenactor, which ranks slightly lower on the scale of attractiveness to women than being a miniature wargamer.For proof of this assertion, I offer as evidence a photo
- [White Death in Southern Slovenia, 1943 - a Partisan Warfare Game Report](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/white-death-in-southern-slovenia-1943-a-partisan-warfare-game-report/) - Saturday night my mates in Stratford, ON, put on another game from the crazed imagination of Dan Hutter in James Manto's Basement O'Rabbits. The scenario was an episode in the Yugo partisan war - a local villager, upset that the partisans have stolen/liberated three of hs milk cows, have ratted them out to the Germans.
- ["A Beautiful Mind" - A Sermon for Passion Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-beautiful-mind-a-sermon-for-passion-sunday/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton and St. George’s Anglican Church, Middlesex Centre, 16 March, 2008Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Matthew 26:14-27:66“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). Do you want to improve your mind? I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to improve their mind. If
- [Requiem for a Dungeon Master - RIP Gary Gygax](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/requiem-for-a-dungeon-master-rip-gary-gygax/) - I experienced a moment of sadness and nostalgia a week ago. I was sitting in a Second Cup in Ottawa, reading the Globe and Mail over breakfast, and came across this piece on the passing of Gary Gygax. Gary Gygax was a big part of my teenage years the way that rock stars and sports
- [Why is it called Good Friday?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/why-is-it-called-good-friday/) - One of my wargaming friends sent me an email the other day asking me to put on my priest's hat and asnwer a question that his six year old had put to him. It was a cracking good question! Why do we call it "Good" Friday? Turns out that there's not a quick or clear
- [From my Workbench - 20mm British Churchill Tank](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-20mm-british-churchill-tank/) - Plastic model tanks bring back all sorts of memories, especially of sniffing glue as a kid (wait a minute, that's not a memory, I'm still sniffing glue!). Mmmmmm, glue.This is a British Churchill tank, which saw use from mid to late World War Two in Allied (and Canadian) service. The kit is from Italieri, and
- [From my workbench:  15mm Canadian Trucks](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-15mm-canadian-trucks/) - Trucks (or lorries as Canadians stationed in England in WW2 probably were conditioned to call them) aren't a first choice for wargaming. They aren't glamorous like most tanks (who would paint a truck when they could be painting a King Tiger?) and they don't do much on the table except draw fire (hence the term
- [From My Workbench:  Tanker Burial in NW Europe, 1944 -  Vignette for Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-tanker-burial-in-nw-europe-1944-vignette-for-easter/) - The military funerals for the lads coming home from Afghanistan are big affairs, done with ceremony by troops immaculate in their dress uniforms. The funerals at the front in the World Wars were hasty affairs, just a few words of comfort and prayer offered over a hasty grave before those assembled returned to the fighting.
- ["The Stone was Moved" - A Sermon for Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-stone-was-moved-a-sermon-for-easter-sunday-2/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton and St. George's, Middlesex Centre, 23 March, 2008“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.” (John 20:1) The first thing we need to understand is that there was
- [Raising children this way is killing marriage](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/raising-children-this-way-is-killing-marriage/) - The theologian and ethicist Stanley Hauerwas said somewhere in his prolific writings that the true test and rational of Christian marriage was its ability to raise healthy (including spitiually healthy) children. Along those lines, there is much food for thought in this oped piece by Minette Marrin from yesterday's Sunday Times (UK):"Marriage was one of
- [What is Our Mission Statement?  A Sermon for the First Sunday After Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-is-our-mission-statement-a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-after-easter/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, and St. George’s,Middlesex Centre, 30 March, 2008Acts 2:14a,22-32, Psalm 16:5-11, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if your retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 20:22-23) A lot of organizations today spend much time and
- [Games at Hot Lead](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/games-at-hot-lead/) - One of the fringe benefits of Easter being early this year was that it allowed me some time to go to Hot Lead, Southern Ontario's gem among miniature gaming conventions. James Manto and his crew have been offering a fine venue, great games and good vendors for many years. I spent last Saturday at Hot
- [Tracking a Marine Lost at Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/tracking-a-marine-lost-at-home/) - The story below from the New York Times could easily be about a Canadian veteran back from Afghanistan. In fact, the London Free Press reported on 11 March of a soldier who walked away from his family home in Sarnia in November 2007 after "zoing out" and thinking he was back in theatre.PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.
- [“Create in Me A Clean Heart, O Lord” : A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/create-in-me-a-clean-heart-o-lord-a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-easter/) - This Sunday's gospel reading from Luke 24, the disciples' encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus, offers a feast of possibilities for the preacher. Perhaps the most obvious approach is to talk about the meaning of the Eucharist in light of how the disciples only recognize Christ when he shares a meal
- [Thieves and Saviours - A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/thieves-and-saviours-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-easter/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton, and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre, 13 April, 2008Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10The thief comes only to kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10) In light of today’s gospel lesson, I’ve been thinking about thieves and robbers. By
- [Battle at the Crossroads - A Saturday Night Skirmish](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/battle-at-the-crossroads-a-saturday-night-skirmish/) - A Saturday night pickup game this last weekend started comically as we waiting outside someone's condo, not knowing our supposed host was spending the day in Toronto. We finally got the game going in a church hall at 9pm. All the kit is from my collection, thrown quickly into boxes. The rules are Troops, Weapons
- [What I'm Reading - Two Books on Canada in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-two-books-on-canada-in-afghanistan/) - Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death From Inside the New Canadian Army. Christie Blatchford. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 2007. Outside the Wire: The War in Afghanistan In the Words of Its Participants. Ed. Kevin Patterson and Jane Warren. Toronto: Random House Canada, 2007.It may be years from now before the definitive history (if
- [A Mom and a Citizen on the Cost of War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-mom-and-a-citizen-on-the-cost-of-war/) - By chance, the post below from a thoughtful citizen and mum, Aileen Mory, intersected with something I heard on the Jim Lehrer News Hour last week about how the US military is being forced to make more and more exemptions to enlist people with significant criminal backgrounds in order to make its recruiting goals. The
- [Gods Known and Unknown - A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gods-known-and-unknown-a-sermon-for-the-sixth-sunday-of-easter/) - This sermon was preached the day I announced my resignation to the dear people of my parish, effective May 31st. After a month off in June, I'll be moving to Canadian Forces Base Greenwood to begin my first posting as a full-time chaplain in the regular Canadian Forces. While I will continue to preach as
- [Talking Veterans Down From Despair](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/talking-veterans-down-from-despair/) - I saw this article in today's New York Times and thought it worth sharing. According to the article, of America's 25 million veterans, 18 commit suicide every day. I have no idea what the statistic for Canada would be. It would be worth finding out. MP+ Talking Veterans Down From Despair By PATRICIA COHENCANANDAIGUA, N.Y.
- [US Troop Surge in Southern Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-troop-surge-in-southern-afghanistan/) - Interesting take by the G&M on the new US troop projection into Afghanistan. (I'm sure by the way the Marines are not literally "charging", though this being a piece by a Canadian journalist on the US military, there has to be some cowboy language thrown in to reinforce our own smugness. However, the idea that
- [Jefferson Gets a Dinosaur Penpal](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jefferson-gets-a-dinosaur-penpal/) - I came across this on a fellow blogger.com's site, Joe Mathlete Will Draw Anything You Ask Him To On An Index Card - https://joemathleteart.blogspot.com/. I dunno, I thought it was funny. Kind of renews my faith in the internet.I wonder what I would say to my dinosaur penpal? Maybe "Dear Dino ... what's it like
- [A Note from a Canadian army padre in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-note-from-a-canadian-army-padre-in-afghanistan/) - This note was forwarded to me from my brother Al. It well describes a padre's sense of call and responsibility to the people he or she serves. I don't know Jim Short myself, wish I did. Major Jim Short, a Padre with 39CBG, is on the current rotation to Afghanistan. He sends a report on
- [Is Afghanistan worth it? A brigadier general answers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-afghanistan-worth-it-a-brigadier-general-answers/) - DENNIS TABBERNOR Special to Globe and Mail UpdateApril 29, 2008 at 11:35 PM EDTI was recently asked if Afghanistan was worth the death of a Canadian soldier. It is a question that goes to the root of our nation's involvement in this vitally important region, a question made all the more poignant by the losses
- [Glimpses of Glory: A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/glimpses-of-glory-a-sermon-for-the-seventh-sunday-of-easter/) - Preached at Grace Church, Ilderton and St. George’s, Middlesex Centre, 4 May, 2008Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10,33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14,5:6-11; John 17:1-11“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1) “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord”. I’ve been so grateful to Angus
- [Why We Fight - Some Good Reasons From 2000](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/why-we-fight-some-good-reasons-from-2000/) - If anyone in Canada needs some perspective on what Afghanistan was like ten years ago (as if we cared about or understood it then), they would do well to read the book Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia (New Haven: Yale UP, 2000) by Ahmed Rashid. Rashid, a Pakistani journalist, has covered
- [From My Workbench: American Civil War Prisoner and Escort Vignette](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-american-civil-war-prisoner-and-escort-vignette/) - I recently finished an entry for the Guild forum's latest contest, any miniature project on the theme "Captured". My choice was a set that's been in my "lead mountain" for quite a while, from the out of print American Civil War line by Wargames Foundry. I haven't painted larger (28mm) figs in a while, and
- [Spirit Connections - A Sermon for Pentecost Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/spirit-connections-a-sermon-for-pentecost-sunday/) - Preached at Grace Anglican Church, Pentecost Sunday, May 11, 2008Numbers 11:24-30, Acts 2:1-21, John 7:37-39I am currently serving two congregations that don't often worship together. On Pentecost Sunday, which was also Mother's Day, we had a joint service preceded by a breakfast by the men for the mums and families. Since there was no Sunday
- [Farewell Sermon to my Parish](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/farewell-sermon-to-my-parish/) - Preached at St. George's of Middlesex Centre, on the Second Sunday After Pentecost, 25 May, 2008 It’s hard to believe that almost four years ago to the day, Kay and I came here for the first time. We were both in London for synod, and we knew that I would be coming to Ilderton for
- [New Canadian Victoria Cross unveiled](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-canadian-victoria-cross-unveiled/) - I can't help but wonder if the decision to render the words "For Valour" from the old Victoria Cross into the Latin "Pro Valore" is an attempt to avoid putting it in both official languages? FYI, the only Victoria Cross awarded to an army padre is the one awarded to Padre John Foote of the
- [Sigining My Life Away - Going Reg Force](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sigining-my-life-away-going-reg-force/) - "Going Reg Force" is an expression in the Reserve or militia portion of the Canadian Forces for people who transfer (CT or Component Transfer in CF jargon) to the Regular Forces.On Monday, June 2nd, I signed a six year contract to serve in the Regular Force as a chaplain, the end of a discernment process
- [A Sermon for D-Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-d-day/) - I had the honour of conducting the annual D-Day service at Victoria Park in London for the 1st Hussars when their padre, Fr. Chris Gillespie, was unavailable. As it was my first Sunday after resigning from my parish, and was the day before my transfer from the reserve to the regular Canadian Forces, it seemed
- [I would like a great lake of beer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-would-like-a-great-lake-of-beer/) - Last night I attended my last event in the Diocese of Huron, an ordination service at St. Paul's cathedral in London, to support two students who did placements in my parish, the Rev'd Brad Dunbar (ordained priest last night) and the Rev'd Jenny Sharp (ordained transitional deacon). It was hot and my fellow clerics were
- [Signs of the Times](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/signs-of-the-times/) - Today saw us one step closer to getting to my first posting at CFB Greenwood. After getting verbal clearance from the military's Relocation Program, we signed up with our realtor and got our house on the market. These placid pictures mark hours of frantic work tarting up the house and getting it ready to show.
- [Army Wives on TV](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/army-wives-on-tv/) - I don't watch cable TV, I just rent it and read about it in the New York Times. Recently I came across what seems to be a smart show about the costs of military service on families back home. I was intrigued by Ginia Bellafante's review in NYT of the series "Army Wives" on the
- [Pushed, Not Jumped - Losing Nukes a Career-Limiting Move](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pushed-not-jumped-losing-nukes-a-career-limiting-move/) - From the New York TimesBy THOM SHANKERPublished: June 6, 2008WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s senior civilian official and its highest-ranking general were ousted by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates on Thursday after an inquiry into the mishandling of nuclear weapons and components found systemic problems in the Air Force.Read the whole article:In other words, when
- [When Mess Dinners Go Horribly Wrong](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-mess-dinners-go-horribly-wrong/) - This link via YouTube from the old British series "Ripping Yarns" by Michael Palin and Eric Idle is worth watching, especially if you've ever sat through a full fledged military mess dinner. Click here.
- [Goodbye to 4RCR](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/goodbye-to-4rcr/) - While I ceased to be a member of the Fourth Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment on 1 June when my transfer to the Regular Force took effect, I wanted to say goodbye by attending the battalion's change of command parade yesterday, 12 June. The parade marked the end of LCol. Brock Millman's very successful tenure
- [In Hard Times, the Truck Stop Offers a Place to Pray](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-hard-times-the-truck-stop-offers-a-place-to-pray/) - From the New York Times. I've travelled through Breezewood, PA, on the way to other places. I never thought much about the spiritual needs of the long-haul truckers who pass through here or other truck stops.June 18, 2008By IAN URBINABREEZEWOOD, Pa. More than six million souls pass through this quarter-mile strip of all-night waffle houses
- [The Marathoner and the Newsman - A Cautionary Tale](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-marathoner-and-the-newsman-a-cautionary-tale/) - By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAYFor all their differences, NBC newsman Tim Russert and famed marathoner Jim Fixx, author of the 1977 best-seller The Complete Book of Running, have two things in common: Each died of a massive heart attack while still in his 50s. Neither one saw it coming.Russert, 58, died Friday while recording voice-overs
- [The Beekeeper, The Monastery, and the Foreclosure Crisis](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-beekeeper-the-monastery-and-the-foreclosure-crisis/) - From the New York Times. St. Francis and my late father would both have liked this story.April 20, 2008American AlbumFloridian One to Call When Bees Move In By JOHN LELANDCAPE CORAL, Fla. — In a county with one of the nation’s highest foreclosure rates, empty houses have attracted a new type of nonpaying tenant: bees.
- [Bookworms Take Heart](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/bookworms-take-heart/) - Proof that all those years hiding out in the high school library was good for you.MP+Socially awkward? Hit the booksHAYLEY MICK From Thursday's Globe and MailJuly 10, 2008 at 9:14 AM EDTFor a good chunk of the summer, 17-year-old Charlotte Spafford plans to hole up in her room so the words of author Toni Morrison
- [Join the Party!](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/join-the-party/) - This joke motivational poster from my friend Martin took me back to that History of the Soviet Union (remember those wacky lovable nutcases?) I took in my undergrad. It seemed like a good idea at the time (the course, I mean, though I suppose that could be a theme today for any course on the
- [Cycling the Valley](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/cycling-the-valley/) - One of the perks of being stranded here in Greenwood this week, while Kay is home preparing for our move (she has the hard job) is having time to tool around this part of the Annapolis Valley on Big Blue, my Canadian Tire $300 special. It's been a while since I cycled 35 miles in
- [House Hunting Adventures](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/house-hunting-adventures/) - (Remember that any of the pictures below can be enlarged by clicking on them).I've been offline for the last few weeks, mastering a military manoeuvre (man, I hate spelling that word!) called the House Hunting Trip. This is a perk of military service that gives you and your family a paid trip to the locale
- [What's At Stake at the Lambeth Conference](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/whats-at-stake-at-the-lambeth-conference/) - There's a lot of writing and blogging about the Lambeth Conference, the meeting of Bishops from across the Anglican Communion that happens every ten years. With many of the African and southern hemisphere bishops who represent the bulk of the Communion boycotting Lambeth following the GAFCON meeting in Jerusalem, and with conservative and liberal Anglicans
- [Minions of the Molemen - A Rugged Adventure](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/minions-of-the-molemen-a-rugged-adventure/) - My wargaming chums in SW Ontario (lads, it grieves me to leave ye!) love a subgenre of wargaming called "pulp". Pulp games are based on the comics and penny novels of the 1930s, the era of serialized movie adventures, Dick Tracy and Indiana Jones (back when Harrison Ford was young and the whole Indy thing
- [Fingers Feeling Weird](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/fingers-feeling-weird/) - From Married to the Sea.
- [Save the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus!  Thoughts on Whether the Internet is a Good Thing](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/save-the-pacific-northwest-tree-octopus-thoughts-on-whether-the-internet-is-a-good-thing/) - It's a cephalod, it spends part of it's life cycle in trees in the Oregan rainforest, it's an endangered species, and over 90% of people who learned about it on the internet think it actually exists. A study at the University of Connecticut by Donald Leu, who researches literacy and technology, introduced 48 students to
- [Peter Rabbit - Tank Killer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/peter-rabbit-tank-killer/) - Wargamer friend James Manto, owner of the Lair O'Rabbits, passed this onto me, and it was too good (and I'm too juvenile) to pass up. It manages to spoof two staples of my young (Sven Hassel) and younger (Beatrix Potter) reading.
- ["God's Field Rations" - A Sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gods-field-rations-a-sermon-for-the-seventeenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - A Sermon for the Seventeenth Sunday After PentecostSt. Mark’s Chapel, CFB Greenwood, NS7 September, 2008Exodus 12:1-14, Psalm 149; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 Today’s gospel offers the only specific instructions from our Lord to his disciples as to how to be church. Certainly much of Jesus’ teaching is about how to live our lives, but this
- ["Lord, Save Me!"  A Sermon on Matthew 14](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/lord-save-me-a-sermon-on-matthew-14/) - This sermon is the first one I've preached since coming to CFB Greenwood. It was preached in St. Mark's Protestant chapel. After several months out of the pulpit since resigning my civilian parish at the end of May this year, it felt good to preach again.But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath
- [Leaving London](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/leaving-london/) - We said gooddbye to London Ontario, our home for the last four years, on July 24 this summer as we set off for Greenwood, Nova Scotia. It was a hard thing to say goodbye for both of us, but especially for my wife Kay. A gardener invests labour and hope and love in a place.
- [From My Workbench - WW2 British Infantry swap for Rohan House](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-ww2-british-infantry-swap-for-rohan-house/) - Thanks to the email listerv for the Too Fat Lardies Wargames group, I bumped into Stephan Milan, a chap in the UK who can't paint miniatures any more due to carpal tunnel syndrome, but who enjoys making model buildings and can apparently still wield a mean exacto knife. I like painting and I suck at
- [A Home Sale With Divine Intervention](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-home-sale-with-divine-intervention/) - Just before the end of August, we got word from our realtor that we had an offer on our home in London, our much beloved house at 11 Crabtree Avenue. This call came as welcome news since we had not received one offer since listing the house on June 4th. Did we owe anything to
- [Life in Borden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-in-borden/) - The blog has been quiet lately because I've been offline in CFB Borden taking my Basic Officer Training Course at the CF Chaplain's School and Centre. Today it's turkey day and I am finishing my leave at home. Enough time to upload a few silly pictures. You can see a larger picture by clicking on
- [Moving to Greenwood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/moving-to-greenwood/) - This set of pictures (click on any to see a larger image) completes the story of our epic journey this summer from London, ON to Greenwood, NS. Our first day on the road, July 24th, saw us driving through a rainstorm just east of Toronto on the 401. For about half an hour we followed
- [A Warrior and an Artist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-warrior-and-an-artist/) - One of the DS (Directing Staff) on my Chaplain's course is Master Corporal Roger Chabot, one of the most amazing soldiers I've had the privilege to meet. MCpl Chabot isn't a big man, but his authority on the parade square is gigantic. He's an ex Airborne and PPCLI paratrooper, a veteran of Kosovo and Somalia.
- [Life in Borden Cont.](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-in-borden-cont/) - Today my section mates from the mighty Three Section and I are relaxing at a Williams Coffee Pub after completing the Green (military) phase of our Chaplain's BOTC course. Here are some more pictures of our green phase field exercise. As always, you can see a larger picture by clicking on each image: Myself (middle)
- [Caption Contest](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/caption-contest/) - This picture courtesy of my brother Al (you have to click on the picture to see the whole thing:Captions courtesy of military friends in London from 4RCR:"For this I shaved my legs??""I said, 'Watch out for the Shitzu'..." "At the 2008 All Alumni Olympics, the 1956 Chinese Women's Gymnastic Team enters the stadium.""Sexy Asian Villains
- [How Militaristic Has Canada Become?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/how-militaristic-has-canada-become/) - In this essay from today's Globe and Mail, Michael Valpy throws a bunch of points of view at the question of how militaristic we have become as a country. Certainly it's true that the military has a greater visibility today than it has since the Korean War. I also think Valpy is acknowledging a nerve
- [What I'm Reading:  Shock Troops](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-shock-troops/) - Tim Cook. Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War,1917-1918, Volume Two, Toronto: Viking Penguin, 2008.Tonight, most likely, officers and senior NCOs of my former reserve unit, Fourth Battalion of The Royal Canadian Regiment, are gathering in London, Ontario for an annual event called The Pursuit to Mons dinner. This custom falls on the Saturday before
- [Toying With History](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/toying-with-history/) - Toy soldier enthusiasts and Canadian chauvinists will enjoy this statue, currently on display in Toronto, as a reminder of the War of 1812. It depicts a British soldier from the War of 1812, triumphing over an American soldier. The war visited Toronto, then Fort York, in 1813. The whole story can be found here. The
- [New Veterans Hit Hard by Economic Crisis](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-veterans-hit-hard-by-economic-crisis/) - The fallout from the current financial crisis and economic slowdown in the US is impacting wounded and disabled veterans from America's current wars. This article from the New York Times offers some sobering facts about how these families are falling through the cracks. I have yet to see any comparable Canadian data. Here's an excerpt:November
- [Account of Charge of the Light Brigade Auctioned](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/account-of-charge-of-the-light-brigade-auctioned/) - It's always pleasant when the voice of the archetypal Private (or in this case Trooper) Bloggins is heard over the years. In this case, an ordinary soldier's account of the Charge of the Light Brigade was recently auctioned in England. As you can see below, he must have watched stonefaced but full of foreboding as
- [Britain Grapples With Role for Islamic Justice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/britain-grapples-with-role-for-islamic-justice/) - Anglican readers of this blog may recall the furor earlier this year when the Archbishop of Canterbury got himself in trouble for musing in public the inevitability of sharia law in Great Britain. This piece from today's New York Times reminded me of that debate and of how difficult the question of religious accomodation can
- [American Civil War Meets Jurassic Park](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/american-civil-war-meets-jurassic-park/) - This little gem came to me via the twisted minds and English humour of the chaps from the Too Fat Lardies mailing list. I've been to Virginia several times on Civil War reenacting trips, but I've never seen this little attraction before:The attraction, called “Professor Cline’s Dinosaur Kingdom,” imagines a lost chapter from Civil War
- [Weird Church News Roundup](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/weird-church-news-roundup/) - Three items of strange church news recently caught my attention as being suitably "mad" to merit mentioning on the madpadre blog. The first involves a Russian church that was was stolen, brick by brick, an act of blasphemy according to the Orthodox priest who is now hoping the police find his church.The second story is
- [This Week's Caption Contest](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-weeks-caption-contest/) - Click on the picture to see the full image. I don't know why blogspot is cutting off the right hand side of the pictures I post.The picture for this week's caption contest comes via my friend Martin.Here are the captions submitted thus far:"The World of Warcraft Convention swimming outing turned into a panic when someone
- [Iraq and Afghanistan veterans help their own](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/iraq-and-afghanistan-veterans-help-their-own/) - This video is produced by a US organization called Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. I learned about it through Bob Herbert's wonderful op-ed piece in the Nov 22 New York Times. Check out the video, read the column, and visit IAVA's website. There's a ton of resources there for chaplains and soldiers dealing with
- [As the Christmas Mess Dinner season approaches](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/as-the-christmas-mess-dinner-season-approaches/) - For military and civilian folks alike who are approaching the Christmas dinner season, this one is just too funny. I wish I could take credit for it.
- [Pastor Advises Flock to Have Seven Days of Sex](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pastor-advises-flock-to-have-seven-days-of-sex/) - I think Christians always get a bad rap for being anti-sex, so it always does my soul good to hear a pastor who is willing to defend sex as part of God's good plan for creation. This article from the New York Times caught my attention the other day and is worth repeating. I'm not
- [Do Books Have a Future?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/do-books-have-a-future/) - If you've followed Mad Padre for a while, you know that I'm a bibliophile. In face, I'm sitting here in my little room at Canadian Forces Base Borden, my home for another 12 sleeps (not that I'm counting!), and I'm looking at this stack of books that I've accumulated in the last three months:Hmmm, and
- [An American Air Force Chaplain in Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-american-air-force-chaplain-in-iraq/) - I'm always interested in the stories of military chaplains at work, even if it's the quiet, day by day work of chaplains living and ministering to ordinary service men and women. This piece, couresty of Kendall Harmon's Titus One Nine Blog, is from a Charleston, Virginia newspaper, and describes the work of one Air Force
- [The One Hundred](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-one-hundred/) - The announcement on Friday, Dec 5 of three combat fatalities in Afghanistan brings the total number of Canadian dead there since 2002 to one hundred soldiers and one diplomat, not including NGO workers and civilian aid workers. The latest three were all members of the First Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment. Their bodies will be
- [Will Ethical Robots Serve on the Battlefields of the Future?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/will-ethical-robots-serve-on-the-battlefields-of-the-future/) - Two weeks ago the New York Times ran a piece on a researcher, Dr. Ronald C. Arkin, from Georgia Tech, who is being funded by the US military to research robots that could "behave more ethically in the battlefield than humans currently can". The article claims that the technology, particularly software technology, to “allow autonomous
- [Afghanistan Honour Roll Reaches 103](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/afghanistan-honour-roll-reaches-103/) - Canada lost three more soldiers in Afghanistan on December 13th, killed by an improvised explosive device in the Arghandab distict,near the site of the three killed the week before. The latest three were all from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based out of Gagetown, New Brunswick. Two were fathers and all three were
- [Robot Roundup](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/robot-roundup/) - A lot's happened in the last week or so, including finishing my chaplain's basic officer training course, and I'll get to it in due course. Before I do, though, I can't resist revisiting the robot theme from my last post, a buddy sent me this link from the Globe and Mail, about an unemployed engineer
- [Appropriate Hitler Humour?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/appropriate-hitler-humour/) - When is it appropriate to make fun of Adolf Hitler, and when does that humour cross an ethical boundary into bad taste or, worse, trivializing the evil he stands for? Tonight I was discussiong books on the fall of Berlin in 1945 with a friend. He wants to read Cornelius Ryan's classic The Last Battle,
- [Preparing to Serve - A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/preparing-to-serve-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-advent/) - After three months away from the pulpit, it's a blessing to be able to preach again. This sermon is to be preached tomorrow at St. Mark's chapel, CFB Greenwood.2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, salm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38"Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according
- [Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year's Message](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/archbishop-of-canterburys-new-years-message/) - Being an Anglican Mad Padre, I'll take this opportunity to post the Archbishop of Canterbury's New Year's message. In it, Rowan Williams continues the emphasis on children made in his Christmas message, and it thus seems appropriate to follow on the heals of my post on my sponsor child. I join with the Archbishop in
- [Sponsor Child Update](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sponsor-child-update/) - One of the best things we got for Christmas at Chez Padre was an update from World Vision about our sponsor child, Nkiwane Thandolwenkosi. We've been WV sponsors for over two years now, and it's a great organization to work with. I heard World Vision CEO Dave Toysen speak at a graduation at Wycliffe College
- [Canadian Officer Faces Charges From Afghanistan Shooting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-officer-faces-charges-from-afghanistan-shooting/) - As a serving officer, I need to avoid making any personal comments while the case of Captain Robert Semrau is being decided. However, as this blog is interested in military ethics, amongst other things, I believe it important to flag this matter. Semrau, to my knowledge, is the first Canadian soldier to face charges for
- [In the Beginning - A Sermon for the Baptism of Christ](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-the-beginning-a-sermon-for-the-baptism-of-christ/) - Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, Canadian Forces Base Greenwood, Greenwood, Nova Scotia, 11 January, 2009.Readings for Year B:Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29, Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11(Hurrican Ike as seen from the International Space Station, 2008)In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the
- [Rest in Peace, Father Richard John Neuhaus](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rest-in-peace-father-richard-john-neuhaus/) - I was saddened to learn today, via Titus One Nine, of the passing of Fr. Richard John Neuhaus yesterday, January 8, at the age of 72. Father Neuhaus was for years the genius behind First Things magazine, an intelligent and lively journal of conservative Catholic thought. His book Death on a Friday Afternoon remains one
- [Treadmill vs Outdoors Debate - New Thoughts for Runners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/treadmill-vs-outdoors-debate-new-thoughts-for-runners/) - OK, no one told me when I got to Nova Scotia that the roads around here can resemble skating rinks (elles sont comme les patinoires, to use a phrase from my Canadian Forces French that I'm currently taking). Since I'm getting over an ankle sprain in November I don't want to do anything crazy, and
- [From my Workbench:  Lord of the Rings and ACW figures](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-lord-of-the-rings-and-acw-figures/) - It's been three months since I've been able to sit at my workbench and and produce some painted miniatures. Finally a chance over the holidays, and here's the result. Most are from the Games Workshop Lord of the Rings line, designed by the Perry brothers (whose own lines of figures are worth a plug as
- [More on My Sponsor Child and On Zimbabwe](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-my-sponsor-child-and-on-zimbabwe/) - I was bragging earlier this month here about my sponsor child, Nkiwane Thandolwenkosi, who lives in Zimbabwe. The other day the good folks from World Vision sent me this Christmas card, embellished by Nkiwane's artwork.I couldn't help but remember, as I looked at the card, a piece I had read very recently in the New
- [British Ministry of Defence Launches New Line of Action Figures](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-ministry-of-defence-launches-new-line-of-action-figures/) - Thanks to the British MOD webnews, I learned about this line of action figures that the British military has endorsed. If anyone from the Canadian Ministry of Defence is reading this and thinking "hey, what a good idea", I would be happy to model for an action figure. Just putting it out there. MP+
- [Words of Authority:  A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/words-of-authority-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-epiphany/) - Preached at St. Mark’s Chapel, CFB Greenwood, 1 February, 2009Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark : 21-28 This week I met that kind and gallant chaplain, Padre Foz, and he asked me if I could use a break from preaching, since I’m currently tasked to take full time French language training. “Mon Dieu,
- [Military Picture of the Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-day-3/) - This image of the day from today's United Kingdom Ministry of Defence blog is too good to pass up. The official caption mentions that even the Life Guards Squadron of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment have to ride to work in the snow. Several friends of mine have remarked that the onlookers seem more interested
- [Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-3/) - DND announced on January 31st that Sapper Sean Greenfield was killed that day in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was riding in struck a roadside bomb. The other occupants of the vehicle were assessed and returned to duty. A difficult day for them, to be sure. Greenfield was a sapper, which in army vocabulary means
- [British Military Chaplaincy Holds First Ever Armed Forces Sikh Prayer Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-military-chaplaincy-holds-first-ever-armed-forces-sikh-prayer-day/) - The UK MOD news blog often offers fascinating items, and this story is of interest to those in military chaplaincy who are trying to make interfaith chaplaincy viable in a post-Christendom age. This story from today's blog offers an example of what interfaith chaplaincy looks like.First Forces' Sikh Prayer Day a successA People In Defence
- [Some Terrain Efforts](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/some-terrain-efforts/) - Some of the more recent things off my workbench. First, an idea that's been kicking around my head for a while - a way to make cornfields for American Civil War 25mm collection. I drilled holes in a sheet of 1/4" pressboard, trimmed lenghts of artificial Christmas garland, and voila. Ms. Padre things they look
- [Work in Progress - 25mm ACW Rebel Infantry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/work-in-progress-25mm-acw-rebel-infantry/) - These chaps have been kicking around my collection for several years. Started them, did a rubbish job, laid them down in disgust, moved twice, and now I've got a major jones on for the ACW again and I'm getting them finished ASAP. Most of them are Redoubt, which makes a yummy ACW line, and a
- [A glimpse of how another NATO country announces Afghanistan casulaites](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-glimpse-of-how-another-nato-country-announces-afghanistan-casulaites/) - It's probably news to most people that the British military has been taking a steady number of casualties as they are aggressively engaging the Taliban in Helmand province in Afghanistan. One of the things I admire about the British Ministry of Defence is the substantial press releases they offer after losing soldiers. Each press release
- [Where Is God On This Bus?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/where-is-god-on-this-bus/) - In Halifax, here in Nova Scotia, a debate is currently raging over the decision of the city's transit authority to reject an ad campaign by a Freethought, an organization dedicated to atheism. I don't know much about Freethought, but I gather that it's protesting the Transit company's recent decision to reject another ad campaign by
- [Battle Report - American Civil War Game](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/battle-report-american-civil-war-game/) - One of my Christmas presents to myself was the set of American Civil War miniatures rules, They Couldn't Hit an Elephant, published by Too Fat Lardies. Like other TFL systems, these rules emphasize command and control and the friction of battle through command points for leaders and cards that activate units and leaders in a
- [A model of biblical proportions](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-model-of-biblical-proportions/) - This story combines the Mad Padre's love of a) things religious with b) things historical with c) crazy modeling pursuits. As a friend of mine commented, when the English farmer who built this massive model of King Herod's temple dies, his long-suffering wife should open it to tourists and charge admission. Has to be seen
- [Latest Afghan Casualties](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/latest-afghan-casualties/) - It's been a bad spell for the Canadians in Afghanistan. Last week we lost three soldiers to an IED strike. This summary from the Globe and Mail:Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, a reservist from the Lincoln and Welland Regiment in the Niagara Region, Corporal Dany Oliver Fortin from the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron in Bagotville,
- [Who Am I?  A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/who-am-i-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-lent/) - Mark 8:27-3827Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29He asked them, “But who do you say that I
- [Military Picture of the Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-day-2/) - My brother the mad colonel and I were both delighted by this image of the day from the United Kingdom Department of Defence website:Here's the DOD writeup (more info here):400 members of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, got into the swing of Red Nose Day just before they deploy for
- [CF to "mess with" the Army Reserve](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/cf-to-mess-with-the-army-reserve/) - The more time I spend here at CFB Greenwood, the more impressed I am with the folks who work here. This afternoon at French class, one of our students, a pilot with 413 Search and Rescue Squadron, did not return after lunch. He and his crew are probably out as I type this, circling over
- [A Day With Tusker 313](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-day-with-tusker-313/) - Since I've been posted to 14 Wing at CFB Greenwood, my training has prevented me from spending much time on the operational side of the base. Yesterday I had the chance to see what the Air Force does thanks to Captain Leighton James of 413 Search and Rescue Squadron. Leighton is currently doing French Second
- [From My Workbench:  28mm Confederate Infantry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-my-workbench-28mm-confederate-infantry/) - I'm happy to have finally finished these chaps, from UK manufacturer Redoubt Enterprises' brilliant 28mm American Civil War range. Acually the command stand are from Wargames Foundry's now defunct ACW range - they've been painted for some years and were just waiting for troops to command. The banner is a slightly oversized Mississippi state flag
- [Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan on March 20](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/four-canadian-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan-on-march-20/) - Last Friday, the same day I was flying with Tusker 313, came the unwelcome news that four Canadian soldiers were killed in theatre in two separate IED strikes. The story is related in full in Friday's Globe and Mail. Killed in the first blast were Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli, 28, Corporal Tyler Crooks, 24,
- [A New Concept in Wargaming - Edible Minis](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-new-concept-in-wargaming-edible-minis/) - My son and I did some preliminary research and here`s an executive summary of our groundbreaking idea on edibile minis gaming.1) Buy some gummy green army men at the local store (here in Canada we found them in the candy section of a store called Bulk Barn).2) Fight a battle using whatever rules set you
- [Portrait of an American Military Hospital](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/portrait-of-an-american-military-hospital/) - I admire the way that my Anglican brother Kendall Harmon makes room in his excellent blog Titus One Nine for stories about the military with attention to issues of spirituality, veteran's issues, and ethics. This lovely but brief portrait of the rehab unit of the Veterans' Affairs hospital in Augusta, Georgia, is from MSNBC's Nightly
- [Some of My Son's Miniature Painting Efforts](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/some-of-my-sons-miniature-painting-efforts/) - My fourteen year old son John continues to make Dad proud of his painting efforts. Recently he assembed some recent work for pictures for a school portfolio project illustrating some of his interests. I took the pictures and obtained his permission to brag on him a bit.First up are some 1/35 scale German World War
- [Cool Airplane Night](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/cool-airplane-night/) - Last week I was asked to attend the Air Force Mess Dinner, a big affair here at 14 Wing, Greenwood. The dinner celebrated the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, and was located in a hangar belonging to 413 Search and Rescue Squadron. The hanger allowed the dinner to feature as set pieces two
- [An Explanation of the Financial Crisis I Can Understand](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-explanation-of-the-financial-crisis-i-can-understand/) - From a banker friend of mine. It all makes sense to me now. Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Detroit. In order to increase sales, she decides to allow her loyal customers - most of whom are unemployed alcoholics - to drink now but pay later. She keeps track of the drinks consumed
- [Canadian Casualty in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-casualty-in-afghanistan/) - The latest Canadian soldier to be killed on active service in Afghanistan is Trooper Karine Blais, who was serving with the 12th Armoured Regiment when the vehicle she was riding in struck an improvised explosive device near Kandahar City on 13 April. Four other soldiers were wounded in the incident. She is the second Canadian
- [Resurrection Uncertainties - A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/resurrection-uncertainties-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-easter/) - A Sermon preached on the Second Sunday of Easter at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, Canadian Forces Base Greenwood.Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their
- [Repatriation of Trooper Blais causes controversy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/repatriation-of-trooper-blais-causes-controversy/) - Trooper Karine Blais, the second Canadian female soldier to be killed in Afghanistan, came home amid controversy last week. The flight carrying her body landed first in Ottawa to refuel and to allow over one hundred soldiers who had finished their rotations to disembark there. The plane then continued to Trenton with Trooper Blais' remains
- [A Contemporary War Poet](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-contemporary-war-poet/) - Students of British literature and of English literature (long may they thrive!) will know that there is a long tradition of poetry inspired by the experience of war. Wilfred Owen, Seigfried Sassoon and Keith Douglas are examples from the two World Wars. Today in the UK Department of Defence news round up I was pleased
- [Musical Adventures in Nova Scotia](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/musical-adventures-in-nova-scotia/) - This afternoon Kay (Mrs. Padre) and I drove across Nova Scotia to the south shore - our destination being the historic port town of Lunenburg. St. John's, Lunenburg was the venue for a concert by two musical choirs: The first was the Ernst Family Singers, a Lunenburg-based family choir consisting of parents Gregg and Jennie
- [Canadian Navy Captures Pirates, Has to Let Them Go](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-navy-captures-pirates-has-to-let-them-go/) - This article from today's Globe and Mail praises the good work of Canadian warship HMCS Winnipeg, whose crew captured a group of Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden after a seven hour chase, making the capture in the dark. However, because the capture occurred in international waters, the Navy had to release the Somalis
- [With An American Platoon, Ambushed in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-an-american-platoon-ambushed-in-afghanistan/) - This photo shows an American infantryman, running for cover after been dazed by an IED blast which killed a comrade and started an ambush of his platoon by Taliban forces.The accompanying article, published in today's New York Times, captures the frustrations and dangers faced by NATO troops fighting in Afghanistan while trying to determine friend
- [A Wargames Report - Canucks and SS mix it up in Normandy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-wargames-report-canucks-and-ss-mix-it-up-in-normandy/) - My son John, whose painting work has been featured here earlier this month, wanted to see all of Dad's 15mm WW2 miniatures collection on the table. Dad thought a lot of it wasn't ready for prime time, but he agreed, as it would an excuse to try out the Rapid Fire miniatures rules he bought
- [The Good Shepherd - Revisted](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-good-shepherd-revisted/) - I first posted this story on November 8 of last year. Today the UK's Department of Defence posted an account of how the stroke-blinded pilot, Jim O'Neill, had a chance last Friday to return to RAF Linton and thank his rescuers in person. Since November he's gradually been recovering his eyesight and was well enough
- [Visit Historic, Creepy Nova Scotia](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/visit-historic-creepy-nova-scotia/) - OK, is it anyone else, or just me, who finds the cover of this brochure just a little bit creepy?
- [US Military Health Issues and Health Care Roundup](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-health-issues-and-health-care-roundup/) - The other day I subscribed to some news feeds from the Pentagon website. A bit like drinking from a firehose but many items that are apropos to my trade.Here's an interview with Col. James Rice, the director of the US military's Army Wounded Warrior (AWW)program, as he discusses the launch of AWW affiliates, organizations willing
- [More Atheists Shout It From the Rooftops](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-atheists-shout-it-from-the-rooftops/) - "More than ever, America’s atheists are linking up and speaking out — even here in South Carolina, home to Bob Jones University, blue laws and a legislature that last year unanimously approved a Christian license plate embossed with a cross, a stained glass window and the words “I Believe” (a move blocked by a judge
- [British Army Celebrates St. George's Day in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-army-celebrates-st-georges-day-in-afghanistan/) - I'm posting this a day late, but the UK DOD just served up this great story about how one regiment of the British Army (2 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers) honoured the 40th anniversary of the amalgamation of the Regiment's four regional Fusilier antecedent regiments on St. George's Day, 1968, by wearing red and white roses
- [Canadian Casualty in Afghanistan - Maj. Michelle Mendes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-casualty-in-afghanistan-maj-michelle-mendes/) - A Canadian officer, Michelle Mendes, was found dead in her quarters at the Nato base in Kandahar, Afghanistan, yesterday afternoon.Information on the circumstances of death is sparse. A statement by the Department of National Defence can be found here. A piece by the Globe and Mail, linking this death to other suicides in the Canadian
- [Going to Church in Wisconsin Can Be Dangerous](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/going-to-church-in-wisconsin-can-be-dangerous/) - This story from the Chicago Sun-Times from Friday, April 24 is certified Mad Padre worthy. I'm not sure what's scariest in this story, but I'm pretty sure my homiletics instructor at seminary didn't recommend using actual weapons as sermon illustrations:SHEBOYGAN FALLS, Wis. -- The Sheboygan Falls pastor recently cited for a bow and arrow demonstration
- [As Fallen Soldiers Return Home, Chaplains Comfort the Living](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/as-fallen-soldiers-return-home-chaplains-comfort-the-living/) - This piece from the American Forces Press Service does a good job of describing one important facet of a military chaplain's work.DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del., April 24, 2009 – The night sky looked calm and tranquil from a gently soaring aircraft, miles above the Eastern Seaboard towns below. However, there was nothing tranquil or
- [Where Should We Bury Our War Dead](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/where-should-we-bury-our-war-dead/) - Almost a year after I reported on this story out of Australia, regarding the discovery of a mass grave of British and Australian soldiers killed at the Battle of Fromelles in France in 1916, the British government has announced that "The first new military cemetery to be created by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission since
- [Back to Blue Helmets Unlikely for Canadian Military](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/back-to-blue-helmets-unlikely-for-canadian-military/) - There's been some sustained commentary in the media and in interviews with Canadians that the Canadian military's mission in Afghanistan is a betrayal of Canada's historic participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. CBC journalist Brian Stewart explains why that view may be more nostalgic than realistic. Read his piece here.
- [Canadian Chaplain Starts Kandahar Tour the Hard Way](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-chaplain-starts-kandahar-tour-the-hard-way/) - This piece, courtesy of my brother the Mad Colonel, appeared recently in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald and was picked up on the DND news feed. The story makes the essential point that once chaplains are seen by the troops, then their services will be utilized.Tough start to female chaplain’s tour Belanger presided over ramp ceremonies for
- [Portrait of an Inspiring Runner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/portrait-of-an-inspiring-runner/) - I thought I was hurting this Sunday as I finished the local ZX 10km fun run. If I'd known about this guy then, I would surely have run faster.This is Royal Marine Ben McBean, 22 years old, who recently lost an arm and a leg while serving in Afghanistan. last Sunday, April 26th, he finished
- [Military Image of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-image-of-the-week-2/) - The Reverend Paschal Hanrahan who is padre to the British military Medical Group in Basra, Iraq, presides over a memorial service at the Basra Contingency Operating Base, Basra,service to the British Service personnel and civilians who have died since operations began in Iraq in 2003. This week the British and Iraqi governments announced an end
- [Why the Non-Religious Come to Need Churches](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/why-the-non-religious-come-to-need-churches/) - A poll reveals that most children raised unaffiliated with a religion later chose to join one to fill a need for spirituality.Defecting to Faith Charles BlowPublished in the New York Times, May 1, 2009 “Most people are religious because they’re raised to be. They’re indoctrinated by their parents.” Maybe, but a study entitled “Faith in
- [Can Unethical Conduct Be Ignored?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/can-unethical-conduct-be-ignored/) - There's been a great deal of comment on the Obama administration's decision to end practices (eg, waterboarding) deemed to be torture, but not to investigate and possibly charge those who conducted such activities under the Bush administration. Some have argued that investigations leading to proseuctions would inevitable be political, partisan witch hunts and not justice.
- ["They Don't Look Much Different From Us": A Sermon for Battle of the Atlantic Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/they-dont-look-much-different-from-us-a-sermon-for-battle-of-the-atlantic-sunday-2/) - Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, 14 Wing, CFB Greenwood, 3 June, 2009 I was asked to step in at the last minute and preach at one of the two church parades and commemoration services that are especially important and beloved in the Air Force community, the other being Battle of Britain Sunday in September.
- [Do I Have Swine Flu?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/do-i-have-swine-flu/) - Click here to find out.
- [The Scottish Military Field Hospital](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-scottish-military-field-hospital/) - From a friend, and too good not to post.The Scottish Military Field Hospital This is a particularly literary joke. Some will absolutely love it, and pretty much everyone else will hate it. - - - The new commander in Iraq hears that a Scottish regiment has a specialized field hospital that's doing fantastic things with
- [The Stories Soldiers' Tatoos Tell](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-stories-soldiers-tatoos-tell/) - It's a common sight in the combat arms - young soldiers, male and sometimes female, with elaborate tatoos on the arms, neck, and torso. This piece from the US Department of Defense daily news digest tells the story of what those tatoos mean to one soldier.By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press Service EN ROUTE TO DENVER,
- [A Canadian Muslim Soldier Guides the Faithful in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-canadian-muslim-soldier-guides-the-faithful-in-afghanistan/) - Religious and spiritual values motivate soldiers, and in a pluralistic and culturally complex military like Canada's, these values need to be given their due in respectfully and healthy ways. For the Canadian Forces chaplain's branch, this challenge is slowly transforming the Branch from a solely Christian organization to a post-Christendom, multi-faith model. This article below
- [With the Infantry in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-the-infantry-in-afghanistan/) - The New York Times continues to offer insightful and frontline coverage of the mission in Afghanistan. I haven't seen anything as good elsewhere. In Bleak Afghan Outpost, Troops Slog On By C. J. CHIVERSThe New York TimesPublished: May 13, 2009 KORANGAL OUTPOST, Afghanistan — The helicopters landed in blackness before the moon rose. The infantry
- [Some Changes to Mad Padre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/some-changes-to-mad-padre/) - Maintaining a blog is a labour of love, and it's been a surprise to me that I've found the energy to continue this project over two busy years. Despite the lack of reader response, I know that folks read it, no doubt for different reasons. Indeed, my own reasons for continuing the blog have changed.
- [A Deployed Husband and a Military Wife Communicate](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-deployed-husband-and-a-military-wife-communicate/) - Last week I posted a link to a Pentagon public affairs piece on the Her War blog by Melissa Seligman. My brief visit there gave me an impression of a smart, expressive person, and that impression is confirmed by this piece of hers carried in today's New York Times. MP+One Husband, Two Kids, Three Deployments
- [‘Her War’ Podcast Aims to Help Military Wives](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/her-war-podcast-aims-to-help-military-wives/) - A whole week's gone by since I posted last. It's been a very busy week, what with some busy cases at work, some cycling, and some volunteer hours. This Wednesday the Snowbirds, the Canadian Forces acrobatic team, came to CFB Greenwood, and I had some chances to see them while working in the food tent
- [Military Picture of the Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-day/) - Not really sure what needs to be said about this picture, other than "It's good to be King" and "Don't try this when you're the reviewing officer". MP+
- [Memorial Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/memorial-day/) - As a tribute to this blog's American readers and to Canada's US friends, this piece from the New York Times is worth repeating in full. MP+May 25, 2009EditorialThis Memorial Day Memorial Day often seems like a holiday that anticipates summer. But this year in the Northeast at least, it feels like exactly what it is
- [The Strange Hopefulness of Military Gardeners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-strange-hopefulness-of-military-gardeners/) - This spring Kay and I have been busy with gardening projects. Growing things is Kay's raison d'etre, and I love her passion for all growing things (well, except for roses, which is a long story). One of the sacrifices Kay makes for my career (as she tells me, I joined, she didnt) is the fact
- [To Open Or Not To Open](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/to-open-or-not-to-open/) - I appeared in print in The Maple Leaf, the Canadian Forces newspaper, last week. Here's how.The story behind this old bottle of champagne was told in The Maple Leaf, 8 April edition:To open or not to openby Steve FortinIt all started April 10, 1917. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was underway, and there were so
- [A US Marine Fights PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-us-marine-fights-ptsd/) - Wounded Warrior Diaries: Marine Uses ‘Real Warriors’ to Help OthersBy Navy Lt. Jennifer CraggSpecial to American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, May 28, 2009 – A Marine who returned home from his second deployment from Iraq knew that “something was definitely wrong” with him. Marine Corps Sgt. Josh Hopper was wounded in Iraq, and later sought
- [Another Canadian Falls](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-canadian-falls/) - Soldiers carry the body of Pte. Alexandre Péloquin, 20, into a waiting plane at Kandahar Airfield on Tuesday. (DND)Yesterday Canada welcomed home the body of Private Alexandre Péloquin . As the DND press release stated, "Private Péloquin was killed when an explosive device detonated during a foot patrol in the Panjwai District. The incident took
- [An Amazing Day in Church](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-amazing-day-in-church/) - This morning, Pentecost Sunday, started for me in Ottawa, where I was attending a Canadian Forces chaplains' function. A colleague suggested we attend a nearby Anglican church, St. George's, since the rector is the brother of our chaplain team lead at Greenwood. I can only say that the Holy Spirit blew my socks off this
- [Four Afghanistan Blogs Worthy of Note](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/four-afghanistan-blogs-worthy-of-note/) - A visit to slate.com this morning (check the Sandbox link if you're a Doonesbury fan and visit there a lot) yielded four websites worthy of note. All are blogs by US military or ex-military serving and working in Afghanistan. All give a grunts-eye view of the mission there and it's challenges. The bloggers are intelligent,
- [Ottawa Anglican Newsletter Profiles Work of Military Chaplains](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ottawa-anglican-newsletter-profiles-work-of-military-chaplains/) - This article in the June 2009 edition of Crosstalk, the newsletter of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, offers several good articles on the work of Anglican chaplains in the Canadian Forces. Since I can't link to specific pages in Adobe Acrobat articles, you'll have to click on this link and look at pp. 8-9. The
- [Corporal Martin Dubé comes home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/corporal-martin-dube-comes-home/) - Two small vignettes from the war in Afghanistan. Yesterday I had the privilege of being present on the tarmac when members of 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron came home to 14 Wing, Greenwood, after a deployment in Afghanistan. Actually, since I joined the squadron after they deployed, and since they didn't know me from Adam,
- [On Swords, Shields, and a Servant People - A Sermon for the Second Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-swords-shields-and-a-servant-people-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-after-pentecost/) - One of the pleasures of my job as an Anglican military chaplain is that from time to time I get to play the ecclesial tourist, visiting and sometimes preaching at local churches. This Sunday, June 14th, Archdeacon Lynn Uzans, the rector of St. James Anglican Church in Kentville, invited me to preach at the 10:30am
- [Recent Toronto Star Afghan Coverage Identifies Effects of PTSD on Canadian Veterans](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/recent-toronto-star-afghan-coverage-identifies-effects-of-ptsd-on-canadian-veterans/) - Toronto Star reporter David Bruser has recently published a series ofarticles on what it claims is a growing trend - young Canadian males whohave served one or more tours in Afghanistan and suffering frompost-traumatic stress disorder, now appearing in the courts system oncriminal charges relating to assault, domestic assault, drug abuse, andweapons charges.In his own
- [The Warhammer 40K Warp Vortex is Consuming Me](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-warhammer-40k-warp-vortex-is-consuming-me/) - As promised earlier, I've made some progress on my other blog, madpadrewargames.If this picture of little green men interests you, click here to see some Warhammer 40K spaceorks I've been working on lately.
- [British soldiers injured in Afghanistan treated to sailing trip](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-soldiers-injured-in-afghanistan-treated-to-sailing-trip/) - Another story today on helping wounded soldiers and veterans recover from their experiences. The word PTSD doesn't appear anywhere in this article from the UK Ministry of Defence, but the idea of teamwork and rigorous adventure as a means of recovery is not new and would seem to be effective. The article also highlights the
- [US Wounded Warriors Return to Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-wounded-warriors-return-to-iraq/) - A friend of mine asked here recently how Canadian and US programs aimed at helping wounded soldiers recover compare and contrast. That's an interesting question and one that I'll be doing some research on. While thinking about it today, I chanced to come across this piece from the US Armed Forces Press Service about a
- [Another Reason to Love the British Army](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-reason-to-love-the-british-army/) - I totally want to defect to the British Army and become the chaplain of the 101st Logistic Brigade. OK, that may not sound as sexy as the Brigade of Guards or the Highland Brigade, but the 101st Log Bde is also known as the Blackadder Brigade, after the character that Rowan Atkinson made famous (and
- [Alternatives to Lethal Force](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/alternatives-to-lethal-force/) - This article from the American Forces Press Service on "laser dazzlers" offers an interesting example of how technology can give modern militaries non-lethal options in their rules of engagement that can diminish casualties.Nonlethal Capabilities Provide Alternative to Deadly ForceBy Ian GrahamSpecial to American Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, July 6, 2009 – When shouting isn’t enough to
- [A Tale of Two Cities: A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-tale-of-two-cities-a-sermon-for-the-fifth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Lections for the Fith Sunday After Pentecost (Lectionary Year B)2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, Psalm 48, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 6:1-13Do you take pride in being from a big city, or from a small town? It seems to be a human trait that we like to compare the place we live with other places which we
- ["An extremely difficult week" in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-extremely-difficult-week-in-afghanistan/) - The words "extemely difficult week" from Canadian commander Brigadier-General Vance in Kandahar provide a sad understatement on Canadian casualties this last week.Yesterday we lost two soldiers, Master-Corporal Patrice Audet and Martin Joanette, when their Griffon helicopter crashed at a forward operating base in Zabul province in Afghanistan. A British soldier was also killed in the
- [Eight British Soldiers Come Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/eight-british-soldiers-come-home/) - This sombre picture from the UK Ministry of Defence News Service shows some of the price the United Kingdom has been paying lately for its committment to the NATO mission in Afghanistan.From July 9-10, eight British Army soldiers were killed in Afghanistan and their bodies arrived in the UK at RAF base Lyneham yesterday, July
- [The Globe and Mail Weighs In On Church Etiquette](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-globe-and-mail-weighs-in-on-church-etiquette/) - Given the public furor here in Canada about what Prime Minister Stephen Harper did with a communion wafer (or host) at the Roman Catholic funeral mass of former Governor General Romeo Leblanc last week, the Globe and Mail today offers this helpful "church etiquette" guide for those finding themselves in that most unfamiliar of places,
- [US National Guard Member Earns Chaplain of Year Award](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-national-guard-member-earns-chaplain-of-year-award/) - A great story - the quotes from Chaplain Montgomery speak to the heart of the call of military chaplaincy, as well as to some of its difficulties. A big salute to her from her Canadian colleagues. MP+By Army Staff Sgt. S. Patrick McCollumSpecial to American Forces Press ServiceARLINGTON, Va., July 14, 2009 – Chaplains have
- [US Web Site Features Jobs for Disabled Veterans](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-web-site-features-jobs-for-disabled-veterans/) - One of the things I admire the US military for is its commitment to look after its wounded and disabled veterans. To my knowledge, there is no equivalent program for wounded veterans from Afghanistan (and we do have them), and is something I would encourage Canadians to ask their elected officials about. MP+By Sharon FosterAmerican
- [New Bishop to the UK Armed Forces Appointed](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-bishop-to-the-uk-armed-forces-appointed/) - Military chaplaincy, for episcopally-led denominations (Roman Catholic and Anglican particularly) requires that chaplains from these denominations work under the oversight, direction and pastoral support of a bishop. I was therefore interested to read this announcement from the UK Ministry of Defence website. This article also has some interesting material on the Buddhist chaplain to the
- [A Prayer for a Change of Command Parade](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-prayer-for-a-change-of-command-parade/) - One of the purposes of this blog is to highlight the work that military chaplains do, and one of the chaplain's traditional places is at a change of command parade, when a unit's new commanding officer takes over. On such occasions, which are important moments in a unit's institutional life and identity, a chaplain can
- [News Roundup: US Military, Chaplains Continue to Grapple With Suicide Problem](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/news-roundup-us-military-chaplains-continue-to-grapple-with-suicide-problem/) - Several stories in the last few weeks about the problem of suicide in the US military - suicide rates in the US Army were at record levels in 2007 (115 cases) and in 2008 (139 cases). The American Forces Press Service announced that US Vice Chiefs of Staff were briefing congressional leaders on "The largest
- [Mike Bikes for Bibles, or, the Adventures of a Cycling Chaplain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/mike-bikes-for-bibles-or-the-adventures-of-a-cycling-chaplain/) - I don't wish to be smug about this, but the Canadian Forces recently paid me to ride my bike for a week. How great is that? The following is a report on the event which I wrote for Dialogue, the journal of the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy. MP+ Anyone driving through the quiet farmland and rolling
- [Virtual World will Aid US Veterans in Their Homecomings](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/virtual-world-will-aid-us-veterans-in-their-homecomings/) - Another piece today on the American Forces Press Service caught my eye, on a project to use the popular website Second Life to assist US veterans in coming home. The comment about how this project may be a 21st century answer to Veterans of Foreign Wars certainly seems to capture the zeitgeist of the age.
- [Three More Canadian Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/three-more-canadian-soldiers-killed-in-afghanistan/) - Two Canadian soldiers were killed on Saturday, August 1st, in the Zhari district in Afghanistan by roadside bombs. The Globe and Mail reported that "Two bombs detonated in succession – one to stop the convoy, the second designed to kill the troops after they emerged from their armoured vehicle". The two dead soldiers are Corporal
- [Last British Veteran of the Trenches Laid to Rest](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/last-british-veteran-of-the-trenches-laid-to-rest/) - I have a soft spot for reenactors, having been one myself, and so these gentlemen dressed as British soldiers of the Great War (or First World War) pay a suitable tribute to Britain's last "Tommy". Harry Patch, who died at the age of 111, served in the trenches as a conscript, and in the Second
- [A New Adventure in Atlantic Canada](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-new-adventure-in-atlantic-canada/) - Kay finished work at Den Hahn's nursery for the summer yesterday and for the first time this summer we had a Sunday together.After checking out King's Presbyerian Church in New Minas, and enjoying a very warm welcome and a laid-back summer service there (I'm sure we'll be back), we followed the advice of a coworker
- [Military Goats in the News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-6/) - This is Shenkin, mascot of the Third Battalion, the Welsh Guards, shown here on parade with his regiment last year. The British army has a long tradition of regimental mascots, a tradition which is loosely copied on this side of the ocean (see my post earlier about the change of command parade for 14 Air
- [Village Elder or Village Idiot?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/village-elder-or-village-idiot/) - Master Corporal Mike Wooley, an excellent soldier, accomplished photographer and former comrade from 4RCR, was kind enough to direct me to a cache of photographs maintained by 31 Canadian Brigade Group. I investigated the other day and was pleased to discover some photos of an Exercise entitled Maple Storm 1, which ran at the training
- [A Falklands War Hero Is Remembered](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-falklands-war-hero-is-remembered/) - (From a British MOD History and Honour News Release, 11 August, 2009)Members of the Second Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment (also known as the Green Howards), a British Army regiment, travelled to the Falklands Islands to remember one of their own who fell there 27 years ago. Captain John Hamilton was killed in action at
- [Good Bread - A Sermon for the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/good-bread-a-sermon-for-the-eleventh-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Preached at St. Mark’s Protestant Chapel, 19 August, 2009 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14; Psalm 111, Ephesians 5:15-20, John 6:51-58“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51)This morning
- [For Veterans of the Pacific War, Nightmares Persist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-veterans-of-the-pacific-war-nightmares-persist/) - From the New York TimesBy DAN BARRYPublished: August 13, 2009 MANCHESTER Township, N.J.A retired postal worker, living not entirely at peace in an adult community called Leisure Village West, recently sent remember-the-date notes to large newspapers and television networks, then followed up with calls that often bounced to voice mail. The 14th of August; remember
- [Muslim Chaplain Brings Unique Perspective to US Army](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/muslim-chaplain-brings-unique-perspective-to-us-army/) - - To self and to other chaplains - notice how often Chaplain Agbere's smile is mentioned in this article.By Melissa BowerSpecial to American Forces Press ServiceChaplain (Maj.) Dawud Agbere and his family pose outside of their home in Normandy Village on Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Aug. 11, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Prudence Siebert FORT LEAVENWORTH,
- [A Night With Ensemble Polaris](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-night-with-ensemble-polaris/) - What do a hurdy gurdy, a bass clarinet, a set of bagpipes, and Norwegian lyrics add up to? A rocking good time is the answer, as I discovered this weekend when I discovered Ensemble Polaris. The concert was one of the offerings of the Evergreen Theatre, one of the cultural treasures of the Annapolis Valley.
- [Out and About in Nova Scotia](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/out-and-about-in-nova-scotia/) - Just leaving for a five day tip up to the north shore of the Bay of Fundy, including a trip to the fossil museum at Joggins. We're hoping that Hurrican Bill or Bob or Billy-bog or whatever its name is will leave us in peace but it looks like we'll get a piece of it.Here
- [Firefighter For a Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/firefighter-for-a-day/) - Who hasn't looked at firefighters in action and thought, just for a minute, I'd like to do that? This Monday I had the chance to be a firefighter for seven minutes and seventeen seconds. That was enough.One of the units at 14 Wing I serve as chaplain is the Wing firehall. This group of roughly
- [Contemporary Photographs of the Western Front](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/contemporary-photographs-of-the-western-front/) - Mike St. Maur Sheil is a British journalist who was inspired to document the battlefields of the Western Front of World War One after visiting Dunkirk with his father, who was there during the evacuation in 1940. As St. Maur Sheil puts it, "Oddly enough he featured in what has become one of the iconic
- [US Soldier Recovers From Being Shot in the Head - Twice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-soldier-recovers-from-being-shot-in-the-head-twice/) - This story about a US soldier who survived two separate gunshot wounds in the head, and who wants to hike the Appalachain Trail as part of his recovery, is inspirational. It's also good to hear hopeful news about how the medical community is continung to learn from military injuries. MP+Chairman Honors Wounded Soldier for Selfless
- [A German Chaplain on the Russian Front](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-german-chaplain-on-the-russian-front/) - I'm always drawn to annecdotes in military history about the work of chaplains. This short and tantalizing story is found in Panzer Commander, the memoirs of Colonel Hans Von Luck, a German officer with a distinguished service record in World War Two. In Von Luck's account of 7 Panzer Division's retreat from Moscow in the
- [Lt. William Calley Addresses His Role in the My Lai Massacre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/lt-william-calley-addresses-his-role-in-the-my-lai-massacre/) - The My Lai Massacre was one of the most infamous moments of the Vietnam War, and is an important case study in military ethics of what can happen when regular soldiers are faced with the pressures of an insurgency campaign against unknown enemies amidst a civilian population. William Calley's words, and his evident contrition, need
- [Dan Baum on the Psychological Costs of Training Our Soldiers to Kill](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/dan-baum-on-the-psychological-costs-of-training-our-soldiers-to-kill/) - In July of 2004, when the Iraq war was still fairly new, the New Yorker magazine published a piece by Dan Baum entitled "The Price of Valor" with the subtitle, "We train our soldiers to kill for us. Afterward, they're on their own". Drawing on the experiences of veterans of that war, and contextualizing it
- [Canadian Embassy to Recreate Afghan Mission for US Public and Policy Makers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-embassy-to-recreate-afghan-mission-for-us-public-and-policy-makers/) - From Friday's Globe. Amazing that the DC authorities are willing to allow this simulated mayhem in the capital! Nice piece of PR work by the Canadian military - hope it works. MP+Paul KoringWashington — From Friday's Globe and Mail Last updated on Friday, Sep. 04, 2009 10:52AM EDT The Taliban will attack an Afghan village
- [US Defense Secretary Objects to News Photo of Dying Marine](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-defense-secretary-objects-to-news-photo-of-dying-marine/) - This story from the US AFPS raises what I believe are important questions about how the public understands the reality and human cost of war. While the motives of Secretary Gates are commendable in that he wanted to shield the family of the dead Marine, I wonder if privacy concerns will be used to censor
- [Afghanistan Roundup - A Hard Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/afghanistan-roundup-a-hard-week/) - In the time I've been away from this blog three more Canadian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, bringing the total number of deaths in theatre to 130. The three soldiers were all from the province of Quebec.Today there was a ramp ceremony in Kandahar as Private Patrick Lormand, an infanteer with the 2nd Battalion,
- [Crumbs From the Table - A Sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/crumbs-from-the-table-a-sermon-for-the-fourteenth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, CFB Greenwood, 6 September, 2009Lectionary Year B, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125, James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17, Mark 7:24-37But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” (Mark 7:26)For the quotation below from C.S. Lewis' "God in the Dock", I'm indebted to the
- [Nations at Risk - and Why It Matters to the Global Church](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/nations-at-risk-and-why-it-matters-to-the-global-church/) - In a recent article in The Christian Century, Philip Jenkins describes what happens when states can no longer deliver basic services and security to their people. He also notes that states are on the alert list to fail will by 2050 contain the world's largest Muslim and Christian populations. MP+Notes from the Global Church September
- [Training A "Flip Flop" Army](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/training-a-flip-flop-army/) - This piece from National Public Radio describes the challenges faced by western militaries in training the Afghan National Army to stand on its, a key part of Canada's strategy there going forward. MP+ Capt. Benjamin Tupper has some stories to tell about his work with new Afghan soldiers. His new book, Welcome to Afghanistan: Send
- [One Soldier's Take on What Victory in Afghanistan Might Look Like](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/one-soldiers-take-on-what-victory-in-afghanistan-might-look-like/) - I came across this thoughtful post on an American serviceman's blog, via "The Sandbox" forum on the cartoonist Gary Trudeau's website. As Canadians and Americans alike debate whether further sacrifice in this remote country is worthwhile, and ask what victory might look like, this post is worth reading. MP+A blogger friend, military supporter whose husband
- [A Sermon for Battle of Britain Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-battle-of-britain-sunday/) - The Sunday closest to September 15th is traditionally known as Battle of Britain Sunday. I had the opportunity to offer a few words Sunday afternoon at a ceremony hosted by the local chapter of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. The text I used came from the lectionary for this Sunday:Mark 9:30-37they came to Capernaum;
- [British Paratroopers Remember Operation Market Garden](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-paratroopers-remember-operation-market-garden/) - A History and Honour news article21 Sep 09To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem more than 500 British paratroopers have re-enacted the event in the presence of veterans and the public. On Saturday, soldiers from The Parachute Regiment and other UK airborne forces jumped onto the drop zone at Ginkelse Heath near
- [Private Jonathan Couturier Comes Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/private-jonathan-couturier-comes-home/) - This blog is determined to note and honour each of Canada's soldiers to fall in Afghanistan. The latest, Private Jonathan Couturier, was killed by an IED strike in Afghanistan on Friday, September 17. His body returned home to Canada on Sunday, Sept 20th. The same explosion injured eleven of his comrades. Pte. Couturier served with
- [Arkansas Guard Seeks Community Support in Preventing Suicides](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/arkansas-guard-seeks-community-support-in-preventing-suicides/) - American Forces Press ServiceNORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Sept. 21, 2009 – Senior leaders in the Arkansas National Guard, including the state governor, are asking for the public’s help to stop suicides among its troops. "We constantly call on our men and women in uniform to help us,” said Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, commander in chief
- [A US Chaplain Describes a Soldier's Calling](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-us-chaplain-describes-a-soldiers-calling/) - Army Lt. Col. John Morris, 34th Infantry Division chaplain, presents Army Staff Sgt. Bellatrix Estrella, a chaplain's assistant with the division, with a Bible during a religious support conference for unit ministry teams at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq, June 30, 2009. Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mark Miranda Face of Defense: Division Chaplain
- [Religious whack jobs on the streets of Ottawa](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/religious-whack-jobs-on-the-streets-of-ottawa/) - Sent to my via my brother the Mad Colonel, from Sept 25th's Ottawa Sun. This is especially funny to me because +Linda Nichols was an adjunct faculty of mine at Wycliffe College before she became a bishop. Nice to see that Anglicans are trying their hands at old-fashioned evangelism! MP+
- [A neuroscientist on torture and the brain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-neuroscientist-on-torture-and-the-brain/) - This piece from the Baptist website ethicsdaily.com goes beyond moral and ethical arguments against torture. According to a neuroscientist, torture is unreliable because it damages the brain and degrades the ability to distinguish truth from unreality. An interesting argument against the "ticking time bomb" case for torture which advocates the use of torture to advance
- [Is Worship Boring?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-worship-boring/) - This piece from the Washington Post by Erica Brown, a Scholar-in-Residence for The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, came to my attention via an Anglican clergy discussion list. Providentially, I read it the same day I had lunch with a chaplain colleague who had returned from a six month tour at the military hospital in
- [US Army Sergeant-Major offers God and coffee to troops](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-army-sergeant-major-offers-god-and-coffee-to-troops/) - Face of Defense: Soldier Serves up Counsel, Coffee By Army Pfc. J. Princeville LawrenceSpecial to American Forces Press ServiceCONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq, Sept. 25, 2009 – Army Sgt. Maj. Virginia Stickler enjoys serving up drinks and snacks, as well as a bit of advice, to her fellow soldiers here at a coffee shop that
- [When Mothers Go to War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-mothers-go-to-war/) - From last week's New York Times:Women at ArmsWartime Soldier, Conflicted Mom By LIZETTE ALVAREZ, NYTPublished: September 26, 2009 When Specialist Jaymie Holschlag returned home after 12 months in Iraq, a new set of children awaited her.Her son, Seth, 10, who had moved in with his grandfather, switching towns and schools, was angry and depressed. His
- [The Patience of Creation - Today's Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-patience-of-creation-todays-sermon/) - Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, 14 Wing, Greenwood18th Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary Year Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 8. Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall
- [Military Image of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-image-of-the-week/) - One of many pictures from the recent 60th National Day Parde in Beijing on September 15. This one shows "Soldiers from the PLA Airborne Corps massag[ing] their comrades during a break at a training session at the 60th National Day Parade Village in the outskirts of Beijing (REUTERS/Joe Chan). Is it just me, or do
- [On the Perils of Hot Sauce](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-the-perils-of-hot-sauce/) - When I was in a store in New Orleans and saw bottles of hot sauce with labels like "Nuclear Death", I had the sense to avoid them. This piece by Jeremy Clarkson in the UK's The Sunday Times tells what happens to people who aren't so sensible. MP+The Sunday Times October 4, 2009Help, quick –
- [No Drag Dragon Boat Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/no-drag-dragon-boat-day/) - 14 Wing's Dragon Boat team participated in an event on Lake Banook, Datmouth (near Halifax) as part of the Kiwanis Make-a-wish Community Dragon Boat Festival on Sept. 26th. Organized by a young and energetic air maintenance lieutenant and with a wide range of trades, ranks and ages represented, we scraped together about 20 adventurous souls.
- [US Military Announces New Steps To Address Domestic Violence](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-announces-new-steps-to-address-domestic-violence/) - Any military chaplain knows that a duty call to a military residential neighbourhood after hours may well involve some sort of domestic violence. While domestic violence also happens in the civilian world, for soldiers, stress and past incidents involving exposure to violence and trauma can trigger angry moments that can impact family members. The US
- [One Veteran Slowly Learns to Manage PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/one-veteran-slowly-learns-to-manage-ptsd/) - Mike Jernigan is a US Marine who was severely wounded and blinded in Iraq. The New York Times has been covering his slow recovery and integration into civilian life. In this latest instalment, he describes how he is learning, with help, to cope with the violent dreams that are part of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- [Debate on Canadian Involvement in Afghan Prisons Stalled?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/debate-on-canadian-involvement-in-afghan-prisons-stalled/) - The Canadian parliament continues to debate an ongoing investigation by the Military Police Complaints Commission into the handling of transfers of Afghan detainees from Canadian military custody to Afghan prisons, where the detainees are allegedly subject to torture and mistreatment. According to the Commission's website, the these hearings "focus on allegations that certain members of
- [Say What?  The Johannine Michael Jackson](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/say-what-the-johannine-michael-jackson/) - “This is it/ Here I stand, / I’m the light of the world/ I feel grand.”Lyrics from a posthumously released Michael Jackson song. Only a little pretentious. Lux mundi meets The Light That Failed.
- [On Living with Our (Growing Number of) Muslim Neighbours](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-living-with-our-growing-number-of-muslim-neighbours/) - Last week the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life published a report saying that nearly 1 in 4 of the world's population, some 1.57 billion people, is of the Muslim faith. Some impressive facts from the study:"The project, three years in the making, also presents a portrait of the Muslim world that might surprise
- [With a US Chaplain in Basra, Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-a-us-chaplain-in-basra-iraq/) - It often seems to me that while every chaplain's story is the same, each one is illuminating in its elements of call and service. Also, the ice cream angle is a nice touch here. :) MP+Face of Defense: Chaplain Provides Guidance, Friendship By Army Spc. Maurice A. GallowaySpecial to American Forces Press ServiceCONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE
- [With the US Marines in Helmand Province](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-the-us-marines-in-helmand-province/) - Ever wondered what life is like as a combat soldier in Afghanistan? The New York Times has published a slideshow and audio commentary by photographer and journalist Peter von Agtmael. His images and the sounds accompanying the photos capture the heat, fatigue, and terror of a foot patrol where hostile eyes and potential ambushers are
- [Afghan Prison Update](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/afghan-prison-update/) - I posted some articles here last week about a Canadian political controversy regarding the treatment of Afghan detainees handed over to the Afghan authorities. This week the British MOD reported on how the British military is taking steps to improve conditions for Afghan detainees. The first piece from the British Ministry of Defence describes a
- [US Defence Department and Sesame Street Team Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-defence-department-and-sesame-street-team-up/) - By Elaine WilsonAmerican Forces Press ServiceNEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2009 – To the envy of all the neighborhood kids, I was invited to New York yesterday to attend the taping of a special Sesame Workshop production aimed at helping military children. I was in awe when I walked down the real-world Sesame Street. As I
- [NATO explains itself for a new generation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/nato-explains-itself-for-a-new-generation/) - By chance I visited the NATO website today and came across three edgy, unnerving short videos promoting NATO's mission ("You want a life of freedom and stability. So do we. Peace and security. That's our mission.") on the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary (1949-2009).The three short films, which give the impression that they might have
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-51/) - From my brother the Mad Colonel. Don't know the provenance of this one but it looks like a chorus of Navy SEALS (or the Asian equivalent).
- [British police officer boosts Afghan female police](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-police-officer-boosts-afghan-female-police/) - Every now and then a story comes along which hints at the profound degree of change our involvement in Afghanistan can bring. Unless you're a total cultural relativist, I think you'd agree that it's a positive change. This story from the UK MOD speaks to how the role of women in Afghan society is changing.
- [Notable Quotable:  General Stanley McChrystal](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-general-stanley-mcchrystal/) - "We don't need 31 flavors to win a war." General McChrystal explains why he's banishing Baskin Robbins and other fast food outlets from American bases in theatre. From Newsweek magazine, 5 October, 2009. Read the piece online here.General McChrystal meets with U.S. and Afghan commanders at Forward Operating Base Delhi in Helmand Province. From the
- [Libraries and Readers Wade Into Digital Lending](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/libraries-and-readers-wade-into-digital-lending/) - This story from the NYT on how libraries are beginning to offer ebooks caught my eye for several reasons. As a former library board member, it was clear that even ten years ago the changing nature of literacy and changes in media were going to challenge libraries to diversify their holdings. Also, of late I'm
- [British Soldier and Artist Exhibits His Work From Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-soldier-and-artist-exhibits-his-work-from-afghanistan/) - Part of the story of our involvement in Afghanistan is being told by artists, and much of their work has yet to be seen. Today the UK Ministry of Defence released this image by Matthew Cook, a solider in the Territorial Army who is also an artist and who has portrayed some of his experiences
- [New Military Wife Writes Book on Her Experience](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-military-wife-writes-book-on-her-experience/) - I haven't read this book yet, but I can relate to the author's experience somewhat since my own wife, Kay, became a military wife somewhat late in life, with no real history in her family of anyone serving in the military. Books like this help explain the role of the "forgotten soldier", the military spouse.
- [Anglicans Welcomed Home?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/anglicans-welcomed-home/) - A lot of conversation at the breakfast table this morning on my chaplain's course at CFB Borden about the invitation issued to Anglicans by Rome yesterday. My protestant colleagues are wondering if I'm going to be swayed by this fellow:The New York Times reported and other media reported yesterday that the Vatican has made a
- [PBS Frontline Documentary Nails the Afghanistan Question](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pbs-frontline-documentary-nails-the-afghanistan-question/) - I'm a great fan of PBS' Frontline documentary show, and their show on Afghanistan, Obama's War,absolutely captures the potential and the pitfalls of the current moment and America's choice of how to proceed in Afghanistan. Besides the interviews with key players like General McChrystall, the best parts of the show come from journalist Martin Smith's
- [Church Joke of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/church-joke-of-the-week/) - I was thinking after my last post that if Rome is serious about welcoming Anglican clergy and their spouses, then they had better be prepared for the subgenre of church jokes involving clergy families, such as the one below. MP+A pastor's wife was expecting a baby, so he stood before the congregation and asked for
- [Notable Quotable:  A Canadian Captain on Afghan Detainees](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-a-canadian-captain-on-afghan-detainees/) - Quoted in Thomas Rick's blog The Best Defence, these words by a Canadian intelligence officer recently in Afghanistan offer a new take on the supposed mistreatment of Afghan detainees. MP+"[I]t's fair to say that every high level insurgent in the province has been through the mill at least once. More problematic to me was the
- [Rome's Anglican Overture Raises Celibacy Question](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/romes-anglican-overture-raises-celibacy-question/) - I was posting in jest yesterday about how Rome's invitation to Anglicans would expose RC congregations to jokes about married clergy. As yesterday's news is digested, some are now questioning if, as a friend of mine wondered aloud yesterday, this is the beginning of the end for celibate Roman clergy? MP+Offer Raises Idea of Marriage
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-50/) - It's Friday and it's time for another Military Picture of the Week, courtesy of my brother the Mad Colonel.Never a good thing to find that your banana hammock is leading the parade.
- [Top Canadian Anglican Not Worried About Rome's Overture](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/top-canadian-anglican-not-worried-about-romes-overture/) - Excerpt from the official response of Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, to the recent Vatican overture to Anglican church members to convert to Catholicism. "From a Canadian perspective I do not foresee a groundswell of response to these provisions. I say this knowing that even among those who have
- [Notable Quotable: John R. Allen on How Many Anglicans Might Go To Rome](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-john-r-allen-on-how-many-anglicans-might-go-to-rome/) - John Allen is Vatican reporter for the National Catholic Reporter. This quote comes from a panel discussion aired yesterday on Religion and Ethics Newsweekly:"ALLEN: Well, the signals from the Catholic side, at least, is that expectations are this is going to be a fairly small number of folks. When Cardinal Levada was asked this question
- [Book Review:  The Good Soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-the-good-soldiers/) - Most war stories follow the same narrative arc: a young and inexperienced group of soldiers go to battle. They are "baptized" by battle. Not all come home. Those who do come home are changed, damaged, and often disillusioned. The fact that this arc verges on the cliche does not diminish its truthfulness, nor does it
- [Different Takes on NATO](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/different-takes-on-nato/) - I was in Chapters today and while I was tempted by former Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier's autobiography, A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War, I opted for Mark Zuelkhe's excellent book on the Canadians in Normandy, Holding Juno. Apparently though everyone else is reading Hillier. Chantal Hebert writes in the
- [Notable Quotable:  On the Convenience of War By Remote Control](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-on-the-convenience-of-war-by-remote-control/) - "The debate is that we've been doing this so long we're now bombing low-level guys who don't deserve a Hellfire missile up their ass." Roger Cressey, former US National Security Council official.That quote is from Jane Mayer's excellent and provocative piece, "The Predator War", which appeared in last week's (Oct 26, 2009) issue the The
- [Mike Jernigan Again on Living With PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/mike-jernigan-again-on-living-with-ptsd/) - Earlier this month I posted a link to the NYT's Homefires series on Mike Jernigan, a US Marine who wounds in Iraq included the loss his vision in Iraq. In this piece he speaks more about coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Jernigan is an amazing guy and well worth reading to understand what wounded
- [Padre supports British troops in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/padre-supports-british-troops-in-afghanistan/) - From the UK MOD news blog. The quote at the end of the article is quite good. MP+A People In Defence news article28 Oct 09Support for British troops on operations in Afghanistan comes in many different forms, including chaplains, who cater for many religious beliefs as well as being a source of support for all
- [President Obama Attends Repatriation at Dover AFB](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/president-obama-attends-repatriation-at-dover-afb/) - In mil-speak, a "repatriation" is the return of the remains of the fallen from theatre. It's a new thing in military history. In previous wars, Canadian and American dead were mostly buried where they fell. Now they come home for burial. In Canada, because we've had a relatively and blessed few deaths, each of the
- [US Administrator  Resigns in Afghanistan, PTSD Part of His Story](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-administrator-resigns-in-afghanistan-ptsd-part-of-his-story/) - By all accounts, Zabul Province in Afghanistan, east of Kandahar and on the Pakistan border, is one of the most primitive place on earth one US Army officer has said that it is so undeveloped it is "Biblical". It has been in the news of late because a US State Department employee named Matt Hoh,
- [Data Shows Suicides in CF Increased Last Year](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/data-shows-suicides-in-cf-increased-last-year/) - Canadian Press ran a story yesterday reporting that the suicide rate within the regular Canadian Forces is climbing since the number of suicides in 2008 (15) is compared to the number for 2007 (11). The report also drew attention to the fact that the CF does not release data on suicides for CF reservists, who
- [Canadian Soldier Killed In Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-2/) - A young infantry officer, Lt. Justin Garrett Boyes, became the 132nd Canadian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. According to CBC News, he was killed yesterday, October 28th, by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on a foot patrol 20km from Kandahar in the Panjwayi district. Lt. Boyes was serving as a mentor with the
- [Christian Science Monitor Warns About Proposed Islamic Global Blasphemy Law](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/christian-science-monitor-warns-about-proposed-islamic-global-blasphemy-law/) - An interesting comment by the CSM about the limits of religious law in a pluralistic world. MP+As a new member of the UN Human Rights Council, the US must persuade other countries not to go along.By the Monitor's Editorial Boardfrom the October 27, 2009 edition Remember the Danish "Muhammad cartoons" that set off riots by
- [Vatican row delays Anglo-Catholic text](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/vatican-row-delays-anglo-catholic-text/) - Sounds like some internal dissenssion at GHQ Tiber WRT last week's overture to conservative Anglicans. MP+From Times Online October 29, 2009Richard Owen in RomeA row has broken out behind the Vatican walls over the "confusion" surrounding Pope Benedict XVI's opening to disaffected Anglicans, according to a papal biographer. Andrea Tornielli, the biographer of several modern
- [Yoga, Curry Make for Good Army Training](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/yoga-curry-make-for-good-army-training/) - There's been a joint US-India military exercise going on recently, but the press briefs from last week didn't catch my eye as much as this one today did. It's always nice when spirituality and cultural awareness are part of the takeways from training. MP+By Fred W. Baker III American Forces Press Service CAMP BUNDELA, India,
- [Another Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-canadian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan/) - The latest Canadian rotation in Afghanistan suffered a second fatal casualty yesterday when Sapper Steve Marshall, an engineer with 11 Field Squadron, 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, was killed by an IED while on foot patrol southwest of Kandahar City in the Panjwai district. Sapper Marshall was twenty four years old and had just over two
- [Busiest Month Yet for Mad Padre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/busiest-month-yet-for-mad-padre/) - If there's a fringe benefit to being stuck on course at CFB Borden without a car, it's that I had a lot of time to work on this blog. October 2009 was my most prolific month since I started Mad Padre in 2007. This blog began as a way tocommunicate with friends and family about
- [Pagans Have it Rough Too](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pagans-have-it-rough-too/) - I like to tell people who say they don't have time for "organized religion" that in fact it's pretty disorganized. Boring rituals? Trouble getting a congregation together? Difference over dogma and ritual? This piece from slate.com by Lee Ann Kinkaide suggests that our pagan friends suffer from the same problems. MP+In a grove near you,
- [Tragedy at Fort Hood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/tragedy-at-fort-hood/) - While I was on course last week I spent the last three weeks getting to know a very fine US Army chaplain who had come up to observe the CF Chaplains' School and Centre in Borden. My heart goes out to him and his colleagues as they cope with this terrible shooting incident in Fort
- [Women Warriors Also Fighting PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/women-warriors-also-fighting-ptsd/) - An amazing piece in this weekend's New York Times on women warriors (there are more of them than we might think) who are dealing with PTSD. Well worth reading. MP+November 1, 2009Women at ArmsA Combat Role, and Anguish, Too By DAMIEN CAVEFor Vivienne Pacquette, being a combat veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder means avoiding phone
- [Search and Rescue Spotter Training](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/search-and-rescue-spotter-training/) - This morning I had the opportunity, along with some twenty other members of 14 Wing, to learn a little about the work of Search and Rescue (SAR) crews. We had signed up as volunteer spotters with CASARA (Civilian Air Search and Rescue Association) and this was the ground portion of our spotter training.A spotter is
- [More on Fort Hood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-fort-hood/) - The CF Chaplain General's office told chaplains that if approached by the media about the Fort Hood shootings, we were to refer them to CF Public Affairs Officers, which is just as well, as I am, like everyone else, at a loss for words about this terrible event. I only hope that tomorrow some of
- [Giving Their All](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/giving-their-all/) - Preached at St. Mark's Chapel, 14 Wing, Greenwood, 8 November, 2009.23rd Sunday After PentecostRuth 3:1-5; 4:13-17, Psalm 127, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44"Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have
- [20 Years After the Wall Falls, Do We Know We're Free?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/20-years-after-the-wall-falls-do-we-know-were-free/) - "This could be why we don’t celebrate the anniversary of 1989 quite as intensely as we should. Maybe we miss living with the possibility of real defeat. Maybe we sense, as we hunt for the next great existential threat, that even the end of history needs to have an end." Excellent essay in today's NYT
- [On Being Military and Muslim](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-being-military-and-muslim/) - In the wake of the Fort Hood shootings, questions are already being asked about whether Major Hassan's rampage is related to his religion. Today the New York Times published a thoughtful piece on the difficult role of Muslims in the US military.November 9, 2009Complications Grow for Muslims Serving Nation By ANDREA ELLIOTTAbdi Akgun joined the
- [A Royal Navy Chaplain's Parish is an Aircraft Carrier](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-royal-navy-chaplains-parish-is-an-aircraft-carrier/) - Excellent piece from the UK Ministry of Defence on te work of a chaplain on the Royal Navy's flagship. MP+Navy chaplain's parish doubles overnightA People In Defence news article9 Nov 09Remembrance week is a busy time for Armed Forces chaplains but, on a recent exercise, one Royal Navy reverend found his 'parish' doubling in size
- [Chaplains Play Role in Helping Fort Hood Return to Normal](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/chaplains-play-role-in-helping-fort-hood-return-to-normal/) - Fort Hood Offers 24-Hour Grief Counseling By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joy Pariante Special to American Forces Press ServiceFORT HOOD, Texas , Nov. 12, 2009 – In the aftermath of the Nov. 5 shootings here that left 13 dead and 38 wounded, soldiers, family members and civilians who work on post are looking for answers,
- [Running in Theatre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/running-in-theatre/) - I'm always intrigued by stories of military personnel who meet their running goals while deployed in theatre. There are a lot of stories out there, and this one about a US Army officer is typical of the dedication and perseverance with which these folks meet their goals. If you have a running story from in
- [Canadian Soldiers Patrol With the Best](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-soldiers-patrol-with-the-best/) - A small shout out to the Canadian Army and to members of 3RCR for their excellent results at the first International Patrols Competition in Chile's Atacama Desert this September. Maple Leaf coverage here.Wasn't able to find any photos of the 3RCR team but this photo of the US Army team from the 75th Rangers gives
- [Vietnam, Iraq Vets Join to Tell Stories](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/vietnam-iraq-vets-join-to-tell-stories/) - Veterans often say that sharing stories with sympathetic listeners who share a common bond is a key to mental recovery and spriitual resilience. I'm especially interested in the upcoming PBS documentary mentioned in this piece (see link below). MP+Vietnam, Iraq Vets Recall War Experiences American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2009 - Generations of
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-49/) - It's Friday and that means another milpic of the week, courtesy of my brother the Mad Colonel. There are apparently Indian and Pakistani soldiers. Glad to see them competing at drill and not with H-bombs.
- [My Boss Looks Good in Green](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/my-boss-looks-good-in-green/) - As noticed in the Globe and Mail. Nice to see the GG wearing army green on Remembrance Day. She looks good even though the Prince is sporting more bling.
- [Today's Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/todays-run/) - 7.1 km today, 41m31s. Slow, but not too bad for someone about to turn 47 tomorrow. :)
- ["Do Not Be Alarmed" - This Sunday's Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/do-not-be-alarmed-this-sundays-sermon/) - Preached this morning at St. Mary's, Auburn and Christ Church, Berwick, in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, at the kind invitation of the Rev'd Charles Bull. Thanks to both congregations for a warm welcome and good worship. MP+A Sermon for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost,Preached at St. Mary’s Church, Auburn, and
- [A Much Needed Debate on Canada's Future in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-much-needed-debate-on-canadas-future-in-afghanistan/) - Start with this intelligent discussion between Macleans magazine columnists Andrew Coyne and Peter Wells, which includes this gem by Coyne:"I know you’re not necessarily advocating withdrawal, but the implication—that we can leave Afghanistan to its fate and all will be well, or at least better—underestimates our adversary. We chafe because we have been in Afghanistan
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-48/) - It's Friday and with Remembrance Day now safely behind us for another year, I hope it's now not too irreverent to post this photo, courtesy of my brother the Mad Colonel, who seems to have a line on shots of major uniform malfunctions.
- [](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/3997-2/) - Last Friday did this in 41.31, did it today in 40.43. :)Not a bad week so far. Ball hockey with the wing firefighters on Wednesday with accompanying scrapes and bruises, 7.5k in 45mins on the treadmill Tuesday, and a 45 minute spin class on Monday.
- [American Muslims Respond to Fort Hood Inquiry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/american-muslims-respond-to-fort-hood-inquiry/) - I was interested to read this piece in part because it shows a face of American Muslims in the military that needs to be remembered in the days ahead, and as well because I was not aware of the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council, whose duties include providing the ecclesial enforsements for
- [Late US War Hero had Canadian Connection](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/late-us-war-hero-had-canadian-connection/) - Other than the fact that this guy led the last known bayonet charge in US military history, my favourite part of the obituary below is that Millett deserted the US Army Air Corps in 1940 to fight with the Canadian army, then turned himself in after America entered the war. Quite the character and a
- [Teddy Roosevelt's Ten Reasons to Go to Church](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/teddy-roosevelts-ten-reasons-to-go-to-church/) - As noted on Ethics Daily.com, some good arguments from one of America's favourite presidents. Makes me wonder if a similar document came from a Canadian prime minister. Anyone know? MP+Teddy Roosevelt's 10 Reasons for Going to Church Barry HowardPosted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 5:20 am Some people go to church regularly, some go occasionally, and
- [Druids and Pizza](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/druids-and-pizza/) - A friend of mine in London noticed this poster at the University of Western Ontario.OK, I'm sorry if these questions lack the appropriate spirit of respect due to interfaith matters, but they do come to mind.How does one get to be an Archdruid? Seminary? Ordination? Is that beard real?How ancient is the druidic presence in
- [The Royal Visit - A Sermon for the Reign of Christ the King](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-royal-visit-a-sermon-for-the-reign-of-christ-the-king/) - The Royal VisitA Sermon for the Reign of Christ the King, Lectionary Year B2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37“One who rules over people justly, ruling in the fear of God, is like the light of morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning, gleaming from the rain on the grassy land.
- [Notable Quotable - Mammon Was Given A Pasting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-mammon-was-given-a-pasting/) - This quote by John Sentamu, the Uganadan-born Archbishop of York and #2 in the Church of England, on the aftermath of the crash of 2008 and the subsequent recession and credit crunch:"Mammon was given a pasting. We may go back up to where we were, in the belief that now the markets are becoming more
- [More on Canada and the Afghan Detainee Question](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-canada-and-the-afghan-detainee-question/) - Driving home from Halifax tonight I caught this discussion on CBC's the Current featuring two professors of international law, including Payam Akhavan, a former prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunals Court in the Hague.So as I understand these two professors, here's what the questions viz our treatment of Afghan detainees boils down to:1) The issue
- [Toe Still in the Water on EBooks](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/toe-still-in-the-water-on-ebooks/) - As Christmas approaches I've been considering making an e-book reader my present to myself. However, there are too many questions for me to have firmed up a decision. I haven't heard yet whether Amazon's Kindle reader is going to be available in Canada any time soon. Sony's reader is another choice, but Sony's selection of
- [Today's Running](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/todays-running-2/) - Last night's meeting of the ZX Cycle and Running Club must have inspired me, because I turned in just a shade over 8k in 45 minutes on the treadmill, a half km better than my last effort in that time. :)The club has several relay runs planned for the new year, including Rum Runner's (Halifax
- [On Spiritual Survivalism](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-spiritual-survivalism/) - Two weeks ago I preached a sermon using the movie 2010 for a launching pad on the apocalyptic words of Christ in Mark 13, focusing on Christ's words "do not be alarmed". I was reminded of this sermon when I noted this piece in today's Washington Post about Christian survivalists, which included this comment from
- [Today's Running](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/todays-running/) - Zero. Zilch. Nada. Chained to my desk working and finishing off an online exam for my OPME (Officer Professional Military Education, once fondly called Opey Dopeys) course Canadian Defence Management. (I didn't know it was managed - who knew?). Hopefully tomorrow, if the SAR training flight for spotters wasn't take too long. Yesterday I managed
- [A Soldier's Take on the Cost of Free Speech at Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-soldiers-take-on-the-cost-of-free-speech-at-home/) - Living in a military community I often see the bumper sticker "If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them". I can understand the sentiment. When you identify strongly with the military, either serving, retired, or connected to a military member in some way, it's easy to feel protective
- [(Real) Good News for Real People](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/real-good-news-for-real-people/) - A Sermon for the Second Sunday of AdventYear C, Baruch 5:1-9, Psalm 126, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, 14 Wing, GreenwoodIn the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region
- [New Call of Duty Game Poses Ethical Challenges to Gamers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-call-of-duty-game-poses-ethical-challenges-to-gamers/) - My son introduced me to the Call of Duty franchise on his XBox. I found the historical content of the WW2 games more interesting than the games themselves. OK, I liked the one about shooting Nazi zombies, that was fun. But as the games become more visually complex and even aesthetically pleasing, the simulation of
- [More Military Goats in the News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-military-goats-in-the-news/) - As the small and elite band of regular readers of Mad Padre will know, Military Goats are no stranger to this blog. Indeed, we at Mad Padre are determined to document the role of that most unsung of military goats and to give them their proper due.Courtesy of the UK MOD's "Image of the Day",
- [As Afghan Detainee Debate Rages On, CF Personnel Look Good](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/as-afghan-detainee-debate-rages-on-cf-personnel-look-good/) - An article in Monday's Globe and Mail cites concrete evidence that an Afghan captured by Canadian Forces personnel in 2006 and then handed over to Afghan police was indeed beaten and mistreated. While that is disturbing news, I drew some comfort from the fact that "Canadians intervened and took the detainee back ... Canadian medics
- [Electronic Rights Battle for Older E-Books](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/electronic-rights-battle-for-older-e-books/) - Continuing to track the news on the growth in e-books. An article in today's New York Times discusses the publishing battle over older books. When I was on a library board, we worried over the pressure to replace traditional print book stacks with internet computer terminals, new media shelves, etc. While these changes were good
- [Military Picture of the Week:  Santas Past and Present](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-santas-past-and-present/) - Two milpics of the week, courtesy of my brother the Mad Colonel, both reflecting the spirit of Christmas in uniform.British foot patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan:American troops bringing Santa to English children, 1942. Rather hard to see, but the tanker on the left appears to be wearing some sort of Santa suit under his regulation
- [British Vicar's Wife Enjoys Recounting Her Days as a Stripper](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-vicars-wife-enjoys-recounting-her-days-as-a-stripper/) - I can sympathize with Mrs. Stephenson, a Nottingham, UK woman tells people she was a stripper before she married her CofE priest husband - read BBC article here. My wife also dislikes being introduced as "the Vicar's wife" or "the Padre's wife", but she stripped furniture, not chickens. The Church of Rome may be thinking
- [Archbishop of Canterbury:  Marginalizing Christians is "Cultural Suicide"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/archbishop-of-canterbury-marginalizing-christians-is-cultural-suicide/) - I pity the spiritual head of my church, Rowan Williams. With his impossible eyebrows, professorial manner and nuanced approach to problems like homsexuality in the church, he seems a man out of synch with the times. So I was pleased yesterday to note Melanie Phillips in the Mail Online commending the Archbishop of Canterbury for
- [Mary For Us: A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/mary-for-us-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-advent/) - Preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, CFB Greenwood, 20 Dec, 2009The Fourth Sunday of Advent, Lectionary Year CMicah 5:2-5a, Luke 1:47-55, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:39-45This last Sunday before Christmas, before we are called to the manger on Christmas Eve to worship the newborn Jesus, our readings invite us to spend some time with his expectant
- [A Day With Rescue 309](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-day-with-rescue-309/) - I've mentioned here earlier that one of my secondary duties at 14 Wing is to serve if called as a spotter on Search and Rescue flights. A SAR spotter serves as the eyes of the search aircraft, and on a long search typically supplments the regular back end crew of SAR techs and loadmaster who
- [Notable Quotable - Stanley Fish on the Paradox of Christmas Generosity](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-stanley-fish-on-the-paradox-of-christmas-generosity/) - "In short, however much you try — indeed, because you try — you can’t be good or do good. A hard lesson, especially in this season."Read the whole piece here.
- [Asian Spammers Find Mad Padre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/asian-spammers-find-mad-padre/) - あなたのSM度を簡単診断、SM度チェッカーで隠された性癖をチェック！真面目なあの娘も夜はドS女王様、ツンデレなあの子も実はイジめて欲しい願望があるかも！？コンパや飲み会で盛り上がること間違いなしのおもしろツールでみんなと盛り上がろう If you don't know what this means, then sorry, I can't help you either, other than I think it's Japanese and not Chinese. However, I have learned two things in the last few weeks.1) If you put a post with the word "Job" or "Jobs" in it on blogspot, you'll attract the attention of
- [A Fantasy For Christmas Eve](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-fantasy-for-christmas-eve-2/) - I preached this sermon three years ago when I was the Rector of Grace Church, Ilderton, and St. George's Middlesex Centre. I don't normally use creative writing in preaching - this was a bit of an experiment, and I'm not sure what my parishioners thought of it, but I rather like it. MP+A Sermon for
- [Five Canadians Return Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/five-canadians-return-home/) - Today at Trenton, Ontario, was the repatriation ceremony for four Canadian soldiers and a journalist killed in Afghanistan on 30 December. Quoting from the DND press release, these five are "Sergeant George Miok of 41 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Edmonton, Alberta; Sergeant Kirk Taylor of 84 Independent Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, based in
- [In Between Holidays, Nothing Happens But Magic](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-between-holidays-nothing-happens-but-magic/) - The title of this post is taken from the title of a piece by Manny Fernandez that appeared in the New York Times on 30 December of last year, the same day that my wife Kay and I left New York after an all too brief visit. As Fernandez says, the period between Christmas and
- [Book Review - Jon Krakauer's Pat Tillman bio](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-jon-krakauers-pat-tillman-bio/) - Jon Krakauer. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman. New York: Doubleday, 2009.Early on in the West's latest intervention in Afghanistan as part of the "War on Terror" (a term that has gone out of vogue somewhat of late) came the inspiring and tragic story of the life and death of Pat Tillman.
- [Notable Quotable - John Ibbitson on the Afghan Mission](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-john-ibbitson-on-the-afghan-mission/) - Other than the "Can the Mission be Saved" headline coming on the heels of yesterday's repatriation of casualties in Afghanistan, which really irks me, John Ibbitson asks some good questions in the latter half of his piece in yesterday's Globe and Mail. MP+"[The Canadian Forces] have done far more than could ever have been asked
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-47/) - Despite record snowstorms throughout Britain, it's good to see from this MOD Image of the Day that the British military has not lost its sense of humour. MP+Troops from 16 Air Assault Brigade, the Army's premier rapid reaction force, based in Colchester, were back at work yesterday, Thursday 7 January 2010, despite the heavy snow.
- [A New Generation of GI Bill Students At School](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-new-generation-of-gi-bill-students-at-school/) - Shortly after WW2 my father, like many other Canadian and US veterans, started new campaigns on campuses - in my Dad's case, it was McGill University in Montreal, which until very recently had been a bastion of the privileged. He only told me a few funny stories about what it was like, but reading this
- [For Military Families, Stress Doesn't Always End With Reunions](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-military-families-stress-doesnt-always-end-with-reunions/) - Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Michael Henry, his wife, Kelly, and four children enjoy a Hawaiian holiday vacation. Henry, a family medicine doctor, had returned home to his family Dec. 2, 2009, after completing a yearlong deployment in Iraq. Spouse Describes Reunion, Reintegration ChallengesBy Elaine WilsonAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2010 – Kelly Henry was
- [Notable Quotable - The NYT on the Blackwater Mercenary Trial Dismissal](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-the-nyt-on-the-blackwater-mercenary-trial-dismissal/) - Thoughtful editorial from the NYT on why democracies shouldn't rely on mercenary soldiers. MP+"There are many reasons to oppose the privatization of war. Reliance on contractors allows the government to work under the radar of public scrutiny. And freewheeling contractors can be at cross purposes with the armed forces. Blackwater’s undersupervised guards undermined the effort
- [Book review: Rodney Stark on The Crusades](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-rodney-stark-on-the-crusades/) - My chaplain friend and colleague Paul Lynn, with the US Army currently at Fort Bragg, NC, shares my interest in reading and church history. Paul returned from theatre just before Christmas and he's been kind enough to pick up some of my posts on his blog Worth My Salt, to which I've added a permanent
- [Requiem for an ATO](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/requiem-for-an-ato/) - This young man is a British Army ATO (Ammunition Technical Officer), Captain Daniel Read of the Royal Logistic Corps, who served in Afghanistan as a High Threat Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Disposal Operator. The military acronym for this sort of work is CIED (Counter-Improvised Explosive Device). CIED specialists are the soldiers who locate and dispose
- [Clio and the Basterds](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/clio-and-the-basterds/) - Call me old-fashioned (like that's a stretch) but I miss the historical military films that actually tried to offer a complex narrative that more or less resembled an approximation of an event that more or less actually happened. OK, there's some post-modern historiographical slack in that thought, but I'm thinking of films from the late
- [Notable Quotable: Steve Coll on Al Qaeda](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-steve-coll-on-al-qaeda/) - "The attempted Christmas attack also put Al Qaeda’s resourcefulness on full display. In its third decade, under severe pressure, it has evolved into a jihadi version of an Internet-enabled direct-marketing corporation structured like Mary Kay, but with martyrdom in place of pink Cadillacs."Steve Coll in this week's New Yorker magazine offers what I think is
- [A Small But Mighty Runner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-small-but-mighty-runner/) - Like my previous post, this story is also about a soldier who deals with unexploded ammunition and bombs, but this story is, fortunately, happier. It's also a story I will keep firmly in mind the next time I hesitate to go for my run. MP+Face of Defense: Soldier Grabs Guinness RecordBy Roger TeelSpecial to American
- [US Military Urged to Care for Caregivers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-urged-to-care-for-caregivers/) - There is a military chaplaincy angle here which I've seen first hand in a chaplain colleague who recently returned from a six month tour at the NATO military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. His exhaustion was written all over his face. This piece is worth reading by chaplains, medical people, social workers, and the like. MP+Officials
- [In Kandahar, mourning a father figure](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-kandahar-mourning-a-father-figure/) - There are different metaphors for the role of the Non-Commissioned Officer, an older soldier, usually a senior sergeant or warrant officer, who gives stability, mentoring, and discipline to young soldiers as required. In German, as I understand it, the term for NCO, feldwebel, means "field wife", someone who cares for their soldiers. In the case
- ["Indiscriminate Firing in Camp is Encouraged"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/indiscriminate-firing-in-camp-is-encouraged/) - A friend from my Civil War reenacting days (which are firmly behind me now, I think) passed on this account of an event he attended in upstate NY some years ago which sounds worse than anythng I ever attended (and I could tell some stories). The advertisement for the event included the promise that "indiscriminate
- ["The Gift of Spiritual Speech"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-gift-of-spiritual-speech/) - A Sermon preached at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, CFB Greenwood, 17 January, 2010Epiphany 2C, RCL readings Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11,John 2:1-11Last Sunday, Padre Gordon said something that has stuck with me all week. He said of the 23rd Psalm that “The Lord can’t be your shepherd unless the shepherd is your Lord”.
- [British Military Discovers Scriptural References on US-Made Gunsights](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-military-discovers-scriptural-references-on-us-made-gunsights/) - One of the more bizarre stories I've seen in the military news of late. The British military has discovered that 400 recently purchased Advanced Combat Optical Gunsights, made by a US firm owned by a devout Christian, bear scriptural chapter and verse references within their part numbers. Some have raised concerns that this story will
- [UK Military Program Addresses Invisible Wounds](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/uk-military-program-addresses-invisible-wounds/) - Since at least the First World War, militaries have recognized that their members are exposed to pyschological as well as to physical risk. This profile of a British program called Trauma Risk Management has much in common with approaches such as peer to peer counselling and support used in Canadian programs such as OSISS (Occupational
- [Two Doctors at War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/two-doctors-at-war/) - One of the reasons why people responded to shows like M.A.S.H. was the paradox of watching doctors, committed to saving and restoring lives, working in a combat environment designed to injure and destroy the human body. The MASH doctors were cynical captives to the military, but for many doctors combat medicine is a calling that
- [Will No One Rid Us of This Troublesome Evangelist?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/will-no-one-rid-us-of-this-troublesome-evangelist/) - In my last post I mentioned Pat Robertson's stupid comment about how the Haitian earthquake can be explained because the Haitians made a pact with the devil to free themselves of French colonial rule (I'm not making this up - C.L.R. James is spinning in his grave - I'm pretty sure the deal with the
- [Wiccans, pagans gain stone circle spot at US Air Force Academy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wiccans-pagans-gain-stone-circle-spot-at-us-air-force-academy/) - Interesting example of how chaplains are called to serve military members of different faiths (religious accomodation) from USA Today, as picked up by the Titus One Nine website, where some of the comments are less than kind. MP+ DENVER (AP) (AP) — The Air Force Academy has set aside an outdoor worship area for Pagans,
- [Notable Quotable: Stephen Walt on Gays in the US MIlitary](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-stephen-walt-on-gays-in-the-us-military/) - Came across this piece on the Foreign Policy website today by Stephen M. Walt, a self-described "Realist in an Ideological Age":"As a senior officer commented during my visit to the Truman last week, it is a good thing for the U.S. military to be a fairly accurate reflection of American society rather than an artificial
- [Rabbits In My Basement - Shout Out](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rabbits-in-my-basement-shout-out/) - No rabbits in my basement, but that's the name of a blog launched by a friend. For several years James has been amusing his friends with wise and funny takes on life in his emailed "Adventures of Rubberman". His blog promises more of the same as well as shots of his painted miniature wargame figures
- [A Prayer for Military Leaders](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-prayer-for-military-leaders/) - Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chair of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast last week about the importance of reflection and careful reasoning by military leaders. He offered a prayer which is worth repeating in full, and worth saying for all in positions of military authority:"Father in heaven, we
- [Michael Valpy's Anglican Church Deathwatch](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/michael-valpys-anglican-church-deathwatch/) - In Tuesday's Globe and Mail (below), Michael Valpy suggested that Olympic tourists in BC visit an Anglican church while any are still open. I've read the report of the Diocese of British Columbia that Valpy cites, and to my mind it's a smart attempt to call local parishes to evangelism as well as a way
- [AWOL US Soldier, Single Mother, Not to be Court-Martialled for Child Care Issues](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/awol-us-soldier-single-mother-not-to-be-court-martialled-for-child-care-issues/) - Before every deployment, soldiers are expected to file family care plans detailing how their dependants will be looked after during the member's absence. For single parents, and there are more than a few in the military, arranging for child care during a lenghty deployment can be difficult. This piece from the NY Times shows how
- [The Archbishop of Canterbury's Presidential Address to the CofE General Synod](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-archbishop-of-canterburys-presidential-address-to-the-cofe-general-synod/) - I found much to admire in ++Rowan Cantuar's Presidential Address given this Tuesday,fand typical of his subtle-minded and careful reasoning. I like the way he starts by speaking of the dangers posed by governments overriding the freedoms of communities and groups, as with the legal euthansia debate in Great Britain, and then extends that same
- [A Canadian Casualty in Afghanistan, Feb 12](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-canadian-casualty-in-afghanistan-feb-12/) - It wasn't until yesterday in church that I learned of the death of Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker, killed in a training accident in Afghanistan on Friday, February 12th. Poor kid, between the Vancouver Olympics and the scandal over Canadian Forces Colonel Russell Williams, I wonder how many others didn't learn of your passing.Cpl. Baker was
- [A Military Chaplain: "The Silent Power of Good"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-military-chaplain-the-silent-power-of-good/) - I was very pleased to open February 3rd's issue of the CF newspaper The Maple Leaf and see a piece on my friend Padre Jean Francois Noel, chaplain to the 2nd Battalion of the French-Canadian Royal 22nd Regiment, based in Valcartier, Quebec. I had the privilege of doing Basic Training with J-F as we called
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-46/) - From a friend's brother's pictures of his trip to Paris, taken in 2009 at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Some fitness standards needed in the French military, perhaps?
- [US Military Affirms Focus on Mental Health](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-affirms-focus-on-mental-health/) - Military Leads Mental Health Care TransformationBy Lisa DanielAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2010 – The United States is in the middle of a “cultural transformation” in mental health treatment led by the Defense Department and the military services, the department’s top mental health expert told a congressional panel today. Mental health resilience “is fundamentally
- [Military Goats In the News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-5/) - It's been a while since I've posted anything WRT a subject dear to a Mad Padre's heart, namely the military goat. This last Thursday, March 4, was St. David's day and in honour of the patron saint of Wales, the Second Battalion of The Royal Welsh Regiment paraded with their mascot Taffy, seen here.Sounds like
- [Canadian Forces Decorations You Might Not Have Heard Of](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-forces-decorations-you-might-not-have-heard-of/) - I once heard a Canadian general say that one of the problems with the military is that we are obssessed with the "Three Ms" - Me, Money, and Medals. Typically soldiers are modest about their decorations (sometimes called gongs). My father, for example, was very self-deprecating about the Military Cross he won in Korea, implying
- [Preparing for a Soldier's Final Homecoming](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/preparing-for-a-soldiers-final-homecoming/) - It may seem like a gruesome subject, but spare a thought for the men and women who prepare their fallen comrades for their final journey home. This article by Elaine Wilson from the American Forces Press Service tells the touching story of the mortuary unit at Dover Air Force Base. I don't know details of
- [Notable Quotable: Craig Mod on ebooks](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-craig-mod-on-ebooks/) - Craig Mod is a technology blogger quoted in the New York Times as saying “Print is dying. Digital is surging. Everyone is confused. Good riddance." As the NYT summarizes Mod, the real breakthrough will be when ebook platforms and readers get beyond the need to replicate the experience of reading and turning printec pages:"For hundreds
- [Two Veterans' Takes On The Hurt Locker](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/two-veterans-takes-on-the-hurt-locker/) - I was very pleased that The Hurt Locker won the Oscar for best picture. I thought it was a tight, well-made picture that deserved recognition. While I haven't been over there, it tracks with my understanding of what it's like in theatre and what the pressures are like on soldiers. In its excellent and ongoing
- [More power to your ihpone](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-power-to-your-ihpone/) - OK, now that I have my ebook reader (see previous post re my new iphone), I've discovered that the little thing is a beastly power hog. This piece from the New York Times has some handy hints on how to reduce your smartphone's power drain.
- [My ebook choice is made](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/my-ebook-choice-is-made/) - Readers of Mad Padre (bless you!) will know that I've been struggling with making a choice about an ebook reader, and a number of you made some helpful decisions.What settled the decision for me was the need to get a personal cell phone when I learned that I'd be spending a considerable amount of time
- [First Reviews of "The Pacific" are Good](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/first-reviews-of-the-pacific-are-good/) - If you have HBO on your cable package, invite me over because I don't and I want to catch "The Pacific". I'll bring beer. Or maybe sake. Or both. The Pacific is TV series from Steven Speilberg and Tom Hanks long-awaited by fans of their WW2 efforts, "Band of Brothers" and "Saving Private Ryan". "The
- [Note to Taliban:  Surrender Now](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/note-to-taliban-surrender-now/) - Because if you don't, these three soldiers are deploying next year and it'll be ugly, you know what I'm saying?These three ladies are members of the Oklahoma National Guard's roller derby team, and their story is told here. And in case you're wondering, they say that all the hits and spills in roller derby are
- [Morphine May Reduce PTSD Risk, Study Shows](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/morphine-may-reduce-ptsd-risk-study-shows/) - By Elaine WilsonAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, March 11, 2010 – Injured servicemembers who receive morphine during trauma care are about half as likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder as those who are not administered the drug, a Navy study has revealed. The study found that the use of morphine directly after injury during resuscitation and
- [Maps You Won't See on Google](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/maps-you-wont-see-on-google/) - Curiously, I came across this image just after crossing into New Brunswick last night on my way home.It's from a series of tongue-in-cheek takes on digital maps by Christopher Niemann, an artist whose work appears in the New Yorker among other places.Here's another one, a plot summary of Casablanca:By the way, the GIS app on
- [New Technology Helps Wounded Soldiers Regain Eyesight](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-technology-helps-wounded-soldiers-regain-eyesight/) - I was pleased to see a connection to the Lions Clubs International, a volunteer organization I belong to, in a story about a new technology that is helping wounded soldiers regain some of their lost eyesight. Gale Pollock is a retired US Army Major General and a Lion who works at the University of Pittsburgh's
- [US Courts Take PTSD Into Account When Sentencing Veterans](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-courts-take-ptsd-into-account-when-sentencing-veterans/) - From yesterday's New York Times. March 15, 2010Defendants Fresh From War Find Service Counts in CourtBy JOHN SCHWARTZCHARLESTON, W.Va. — When Judge Robert C. Chambers handed down Timothy Oldani’s federal sentence for selling stolen military equipment on eBay, he gave the former Marine a break. In Iraq, Mr. Oldani had performed the jangling work of
- [A cool ebook discovery](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-cool-ebook-discovery/) - During a rather random bit of googling yesterday around the subject of ebooks, I came across an application called Calibre, which is billed as "the one stop solution to all your ebook needs". Calibre is available as a free download from the developer's website, which includes a very helpful animation of its features.In brief, Calibre
- [Requiem for a Matelot](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/requiem-for-a-matelot/) - Some of the most inspiring and heroic things I've ever read come from the obituaries of the World War Two generation as they steadily recede into memory. Today the Globe and Mail printed the obituary of Arthur Taylor, a young Newfoundlander who was one of the few survivors of one of the most one-sided and
- [Wounded Warriors Conquer a Mountain Together](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wounded-warriors-conquer-a-mountain-together/) - My friend Padre Kevin, who's out in CFB Shiloh with the infantry, God bless him, commented recently on how this blog focuses on wounded warriors. It's true that I'm fascinated by stories of how soldiers can recover from their injuries in battle and rise to new challenges. In doing so they become examples of how
- [Notable Quotable: Robert Wright on Christians Proselytizing Moslems](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-robert-wright-on-christians-proselytizing-moslems/) - March 16, 2010, 10:00 pm Christian SoldiersBy ROBERT WRIGHT"[Some American Christians are fostering religious strife abroad. They mean well, but the damage they’re doing can be seen all the way from Nigeria, where Christians and Muslims are killing each other, to Malaysia, where Muslims are trying to keep Christians from using the term “Allah” for
- [Johanna Schneller on Why The Public Doesn't Go to Iraq War Films](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/johanna-schneller-on-why-the-public-doesnt-go-to-iraq-war-films/) - Yesterday in the Globe and Mail Johanna Schneller raised some good points on why films on the Iraq war and related films on what, for a better term, we call the War on Terror, don't do well at the box office. A good case in point for this phenomenon is The Hurt Locker, which may
- [Keeping Passover, Holy Week in the Field](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/keeping-passover-holy-week-in-the-field/) - In case you doubted the vast size and scale of the US military, this piece from the US Defence news will make you think again. Canadian Forces chaplains can only dream of an agency that would provide them with palm fronds while in the field or deployed. MP+Agency Provides Meals, Supplies for Religious ObservancesBy Larry
- [Peter McKay Goes to Washington](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/peter-mckay-goes-to-washington/) - Wow, my boss the Minister of Defense is in a Pentagon news piece and he's making it pretty explicit, if there was any doubt, that we're done with Afghanistan in 2011."By 2011, Canadian will have been in Afghanistan for 10 years," he said, adding that Canadian troops are without the restrictions that limit how some
- [A Different Kind of Power: A Sermon for Passion Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-different-kind-of-power-a-sermon-for-passion-sunday/) - Because of some changes to our preaching schedule at St. Mark's abd my being away on course in Feb-Mar, it seems like ages since I've preached last or posted a sermon here. This one is preached today at St. Mark's Protestant Chapel, CFB Greenwood, using the Year C lections for Passion Sunday. MP+I am the
- [Anglican Priest Barbie](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/anglican-priest-barbie/) - My clergy friend Pastor Renee told me about Beauty Tips for Ministers,a blog by a Unitarian minister, PeaceBang, who believes that while clergy work from their hearts and souls, their physical appearance also matters. I enjoyed this recent post featuring the work of a US Episcopal priest, the Rev. Julie Blake, who has made a
- [Aspiring Witches can Claim Tax Deductions](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/aspiring-witches-can-claim-tax-deductions/) - My seminary gave me tax receipts for my tuition payments, for which I was very grateful at the time. In that spirit, I am rather pleased to see that the Dutch government allows students at a witch school in the Netherlands to claim tax write-offs.
- [Dolls Redux](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/dolls-redux/) - A friend of mine sent me this link to a website about a unique imaginary world that involves dolls, including a few Barbies, I think. As I first glanced at the site, it seemed to be as if Quentin Tarantino, fresh off Inglorious Basterds, had directed a remake of the British comedy show Allo!Allo!. A
- [America Politics, Religion, and the Crazy Right](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/america-politics-religion-and-the-crazy-right/) - Two pieces in today's New York Times caught my attention. Read this piece on the arrest of members of a Christian militia, the Hutaree, in Michigan, and the read this oped by David Rich which puts the anger of (white) people like the Hutarees in perspective. Chime in if you don't think Rich does a
- [Dolls Redux Redux](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/dolls-redux-redux/) - OK, one more post on dolls and then I'm off the subject. While doing some research on military action figures for my last post here, I came across this guy, by Dragon. Apparently he's based on a Japanese comic book about a fictitious German tank commander. This doll seems to be channeling the spirit of
- [Warrior Games Part of Soldiers' Recovery](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/warrior-games-part-of-soldiers-recovery/) - Wounded Soldiers Seek Growth at Warrior Games By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 15, 2010 - Each of the 200 disabled veterans and wounded servicemembers training for next month's inaugural Warrior Games has demons to battle and obstacles to overcome. Army Sgt. Juan Alcivar, a wounded warrior
- [A WW2 Chaplain Passes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-ww2-chaplain-passes/) - There can't be many military chaplains of this vintage left. My brother the Mad Colonel sent me this link to a British obit for Brigadier the Reverend David Whiteford, a chaplain with a distinguished career. A particularly chilling line comes in the account of his introduction to the Black Watch in Normandy, and being called
- [Poland's Top Military Chaplains Among Those Killed in 10 April Crash](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/polands-top-military-chaplains-among-those-killed-in-10-april-crash/) - The Canadian Forces Chaplaincy circulated a notice this week that the Polish military's three top military chaplains were among the Polish dignitaries killed in the 10 April plane crash at Smolensk. The three included Chief Military Roman Catholic Chaplain Bishop Maj. Gen. Tadeusz Płoski, age 54, a distinguished canon lawyer. A memorial for him can
- [Notable Quotable:  Verlyn Klinkenborg on E-Reading](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-verlyn-klinkenborg-on-e-reading/) - From the NYT:Editorial NotebookSome Thoughts About E-Reading By VERLYN KLINKENBORGPublished: April 14, 2010 "In one way or another, I’ve been reading on a computer ever since it meant looking at green phosphor pixels against a black background. And I love the prospect of e-reading — the immediacy it offers, the increasing wealth of its resources.
- [Services Improve Diagnosis of Brain Injuries, PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/services-improve-diagnosis-of-brain-injuries-ptsd/) - Back online and on the way home from the CF Air Force Chaplains' Conference in Winnipeg, MB. Sitting in a very nice airport lounge free to serving military, with wifi no less. Nice. Caught this item as part of this blog's ongoing PTSD watch. MP+Services Improve Diagnosis of Brain Injuries, PTSDBy Lisa DanielAmerican Forces Press
- [Who Says Canadian Military Itching for a Fight?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/who-says-canadian-military-itching-for-a-fight/) - The Globe and Mail, apparently. Interesting news piece that a Canadian General, Andrew Leslie, has been asked by the UN to lead what seems to be a traditional mix of blue helmeted peacekeepers from the usual countries in the Congo. Not surprised that Lew MacKenzie is quoted as saying this would be a bad idea,
- [Notable Quotable:  Marine Corps General says "Power Point Makes Us Stupid"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-marine-corps-general-says-power-point-makes-us-stupid/) - A PowerPoint diagram meant to portray the complexity of American strategy in Afghanistan certainly succeeded in that aim. We Have Met the Enemy and He Is PowerPointBy ELISABETH BUMILLERThe New York TimesPublished: April 26, 2010 A PowerPoint diagram meant to portray the complexity of American strategy in Afghanistan certainly succeeded in that aim. Gen. Stanley
- [My Boss Addresses Latest Afghan Allegations](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/my-boss-addresses-latest-afghan-allegations/) - My boss, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Walt Natyncyzk, sent this letter dated 16 April to Parliament Hill, to the Chair of the Special Committee on the Canadian Mission in Afghanistan regarding recent testimony of an Afghan interpreter that Canadian soldiers unlawfully killed an unarmed man in Afghanistan in 2007. Read it here.
- [Veterans Transform Uniforms Into Art](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/veterans-transform-uniforms-into-art/) - Thanks to my nephew Tom for tipping me off to this page about the Combat Paper project, a Vermont, USA based project that allows veterans to turn their uniforms into paper and thus into art that allows them to tell their stories by creating "cathartic works of art. The uniforms are cut up, beat and
- [Can there be too much marriage therapy?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/can-there-be-too-much-marriage-therapy/) - Jessica Grose makes a good point, that the adage "perfect is the enemy of good enough" can apply to marriages as well. MPCan This Marriage Be Fun? Enough with all the marriage therapy!By Jessica Grose in www.slate.comPosted Thursday, April 29, 2010, at 10:04 AM ETLast week, the editor-in-chief of Ladies Home Journal went on the
- [Last Surviving British Airborne Padre of WW2 Passes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/last-surviving-british-airborne-padre-of-ww2-passes/) - May be hard to believe that this etheral looking young cleric got into a frail wooden and canvas glider with other troops, crash landed under fire in enemy territory, ministered to the living and the wounded, and buried the dead, but there was a whole generation of chaplains like Canon John Vaughan-Jones and they are
- [Wallace and Gromit in Kabul](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wallace-and-gromit-in-kabul/) - Now that the British election is over, the UK Ministry of Defence is once again publishing its daily news roundup (suspended during the election by a law prohibiting government institutions from influencing the election with news/propaganda). I enjoyed this piece about a British soldier, LCpl. Wallace, and his security dog, named, of course, Grommit. It's
- [The Historical Roots of France's Burqa Worries](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-historical-roots-of-frances-burqa-worries/) - Interesting piece posted on the Foreign Policy website on May 12th offers some historical perspective, dating back to the 19th century Dreyfuss Affair and beyond, on the decision of French President Sarkozy to ban the burqa. Much of Ruth Harris' piece is helpful to understanding the deep ambivalence to the niqab, a veil that covers
- [Video Addresses PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/video-addresses-ptsd/) - Kudos to my brother Alex for letting me know about this awesome video which highlights issues of PTSD and some of the various intiatives to treat it. The music is by a serving Canadian soldier. I may well use this down the road in a padre's talk to the troops. Thanks bro!
- [Doonesbury's take on military chaplaincy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/doonesburys-take-on-military-chaplaincy/) - Meant to blog this earlier when I first noticed it, but I was pleased to see that Gary Trudeau's venerable Doonesbury cartoon strip had a reasonably accurate and sympathetic take on military chaplaincy. In this sequence, one of the regular characters, Melissa, is asked to see a chaplain when her buddy is afraid that an
- [Canadian Press story highlights problems of burnout in Canadian Forces Chaplaincy Branch](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-press-story-highlights-problems-of-burnout-in-canadian-forces-chaplaincy-branch/) - I am enjoying three weeks on course in Ottawa, the nation's capital, to study Ethics. The food is good, the accomodations at St. Paul's University are first rate, there's an awesome theological library here, and every day the chance to run the Rideau Canal (saw the Defence Minister, the Hon. Peter McKay, while running the
- [John Thompson on the Capt. Robert Semrau Trial](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/john-thompson-on-the-capt-robert-semrau-trial/) - The letter below appeared yesterday in the National Post and was the subject of spirited discussion in the intermediate ethics course for chaplains I'm currently taking here at St. Paul's University in Ottawa. It offers a balanced and thoughtful attempt to situate the alleged actions of Capt. Semrau in the context of the grey area
- [British Sikh Chaplain Organizes UK Armed Forces Sikh Conference](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-sikh-chaplain-organizes-uk-armed-forces-sikh-conference/) - From a UK MOD press release. MP+Armed Forces Sikh Conference fosters 'sense of extended family'A People In Defence news article18 May 10The fourth annual Armed Forces Sikh Conference, which took place at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre at Amport House near Andover, has been celebrated as a huge success by delegates. Mandeep Kaur and assembled
- [Notable Quotable: Martin Luther King on the Need to Maintain an Ethical Climate](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-martin-luther-king-on-the-need-to-maintain-an-ethical-climate/) - Heard this on my morning run and thought it worth repeating. The quote came from Andrew Young, an aide to Martin Luther King, interviewed along with his godson, Kabir Sehgal. by NPR's Diane Rehm. Young was taking about how an organization loses its moral compass, and he said that Dr. King liked to say "If
- [Some of Canada's Latest Fallen Soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/some-of-canadas-latest-fallen-soldiers/) - I've been remiss lately in noting on each of Canada's soldiers to fall in Afghanistan, something I've tried to do in this blog. Here is a recap of the most recent fatal casualties.Today it was reported that Colonel Geoff Parker, a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment (and former commander of its Second Battalion) stationed
- [''Sometimes you just can't get away from the things you have seen.''](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sometimes-you-just-cant-get-away-from-the-things-you-have-seen/) - Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry is a Grenadan-born soldier in the British Army who won the fabled Victoria Cross, the Commonwealth's highest decoration for valour in combat, in Iraq in 2004. He recently told the British media of how, in December 2008, he attempted to kill himself by driving his sports car into a street light.
- [How Soldiers Can Save Their Buddies From Suicide](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/how-soldiers-can-save-their-buddies-from-suicide/) - As part of our mental health programs, the Canadian Forces we run a suicide intervention program called ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), which teaches soldiers what signs to watch for and gives them strategies to come alongside and assist a friend or comrade who may be acting suicidal. This story from the US Department
- [Bishop's Visit to Greenwood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/bishops-visit-to-greenwood/) - I'm in our chaplain's Ethics course today sitting beside my buddy Padre Gordon Mintz, the webmaster for the Anglican Military Ordinariate website, and he mentions to me that he's just posted an account of our Bishop's visit to 14 Wing Greenwood this March. Hey, there I am!Briefly, according to our tradition, which preserves a pre-Reformation
- [The Military Robots Are Coming.  Are We Ethically Ready?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-military-robots-are-coming-are-we-ethically-ready/) - Today in my Ethics course here at St. Paul's University in Ottawa, my chaplains' course heard two presentations by representatives of the Canadian Forces' Defence Ethics Program and Army Ethics Program. These are great programs, carefully and sincerely designed to help Canada's young men and women learn to do the right thing on the morally
- [Kate Beaton Does Canadian History](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/kate-beaton-does-canadian-history/) - Props to my nephew Tom for putting me on to the artwork of Kate Beaton, whose Hark A Vagrant strip offers whimsical takes on Canadiania, history, philosophy, and general nonsense. Here's a taste. One warning, though, you can easily waste several hours visiting her site.
- [Weekend in Ottawa](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/weekend-in-ottawa/) - With the Ethics Course I'm taking having left me in Ottawa this last weekend, I thought I'd escape from papers and assignments from time to time to see some sights. Caught a few images using the camera that is part of my iphone, including several at night, which turned out quite decently. This last weekend
- [US Closer to Making it Easier for Gays to Serve in Military](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-closer-to-making-it-easier-for-gays-to-serve-in-military/) - In the Canadian Forces we have officially welcomed active homosexuals to serve in the ranks for years now, as a reflection of Canada's laws prohibiting discrimination for race, sexual orientation, or gender. In the US military however there have been longstanding fears that allowing gays and lesbians to serve would impair the effectiveness of combat
- [With Queen Victoria in Ottawa](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-queen-victoria-in-ottawa/) - The 24th of May is the Queen's birthday, so they sang in my mother's day. Ottawa's excellent repertory cinema, the ByTowne (another reason why I'd like to get posted to Ottawa), was cleverly running the 2009 film The Young Victoria, so as a good subject in the town she chose as Canada's capital, I went
- [Another Canadian Soldier Falls in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-canadian-soldier-falls-in-afghanistan/) - Following the practice of this blog, I note the death of Trooper Larry John Zuidema Rudd, killed by a roadside Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan, near Kandahar, on 24 May. Trooper Rudd served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons and was attached to 1st Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment. He was from Brantford, Ontario, and was
- [The Military Robots Are Coming.  Are We Ethically Ready? Part 2](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-military-robots-are-coming-are-we-ethically-ready-part-2/) - In a brief update to those robot soldiers of the future, I noted that the US Army announced yesterday that it had reached a milestone of one million hours of unmanned flight. At present, to my limited knowledge, all the UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) flown by the US have a human controller, but I'm willing
- [WIth the Americans on Memorial Day in Iraq](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-the-americans-on-memorial-day-in-iraq/) - When our US friends in theatre remember a fallen comrade, they use a custom somewhat different than our own. The US memorial service ends with a ceremonial calling of the roll, in which the dead soldier's name is called three times. This practice is hauntingly described at a service yesterday for Major Ronald Culver, an
- [For Fans of Naval History](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-fans-of-naval-history/) - Two pieces in the news last week spoke to naval stories of World War Two. Last Friday the 70th anniversary of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British and French soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, was remembered in a flotilla of small craft that made the Channel crossing.HMS Monmouth sails alongside the Dunkirk Little Ships
- [Canada's Top Soldier in Afghanistan Relieved of Command](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadas-top-soldier-in-afghanistan-relieved-of-command/) - There has been much coverage of the announcement on that the CO of Task Force Afghanistan, Brigadier-General Daniel Ménard, has been relived of his command and returned to Canada "following allegations he had an intimate relationship with a member of his staff". From my vantage point, I wouldn't say that myself and other CF members
- [What Makes a Good General?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-makes-a-good-general/) - Some conversation at the dinner table tonight among my chaplain colleagues as we regroup for another training course about the reaction in the media to the relief of Brigadier General Menard, former CO of Task Force Afghanistan. One writer in today's National Post called the BGen's alleged offense "a trivial infraction" and noted that the
- [What Makes a Bad General?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-makes-a-bad-general/) - One more post on the subject of leadership, good and bad. Crusty milblogger Thomas Ricks has offered a list of the top ten worst generals in US history, and he figures that this guy is the worst of the lot.
- ["Death", "Water", "Bias" - Expound](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/death-water-bias-expound/) - I know I wasn't the only one to like this recent piece in the NYT on the ending of the one-word entrance exam at All Souls' College, Oxford, because several friends emailed the link to me. If you haven't seen it, for many years the College gave would-be scholars one word and gave them three
- [The Struggle for Hearts and Minds in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-struggle-for-hearts-and-minds-in-afghanistan/) - Last week, the Taliban in Afghanistan admitted that a US drone strike had killed Mustafa Abu al-Yazid, the Egyptian head of al Qaeda's operations in that country. I came across an interesting piece by Paul Cruickshank, arguing that the Taliban's leader, Mullah Omar, has been distancing himself from his al Qaeda friends like al-Yazid for
- [What I'm Reading:  Fiction Roundup](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-fiction-roundup/) - I've got some more serious stuff on the go in my typically undisciplined way, but for the last month I've been addressing a deficit in my fiction reading. Three titles I've recently finished, starting with the latest.Nikolski by Nicholas Dickner.Won this year's Canada Reads Award on CBC radio. I can see why so many people,
- [This Month's Luckiest Man in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-months-luckiest-man-in-afghanistan/) - Sometimes it has your number on it, but it's off by a few digits. RAF Chinook pilot Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune had a lucky escape in Afghanistan recently when an insurgent bullet ricocheted inside his helmet while he was flying his helicopter during a casualty pick-up. Read the whole story here.Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune shows
- [A Good Day in Church](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-good-day-in-church/) - Being in Ottawa for six weeks has its benefits, inclduing the chance to do some ecclesial tourism. I've twice returned to St. George's Anglican Church on Metcalfe Street, and the folks there remembered my blog post from last year. I was able to visit them, like last year, on Pentecost Sunday and found this amazing
- [For a Military Wife, Her Husband's Suicide Becomes a Passionate Crusade to Help Others](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-a-military-wife-her-husbands-suicide-becomes-a-passionate-crusade-to-help-others/) - By chance I noted this story from the Pentagon News Service after a day devoted to suicide intervention in the Pastoral Counselling Course I'm taking here in Ottawa. I found it heartbreaking but also a moving example of how one military wife is trying to turn the tragedy of her husband's suicide to the good.
- [US Military Remembers Children of Fallen Troops](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-remembers-children-of-fallen-troops/) - This story from the AFPS illustrates some innovative and attentive steps to look after children whose moms and dads won't come home from war. The US military has the resources to bring to bear on a program (TAPS - Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) like this, but then again, they've lost a lot of troops
- [Tom Ricks Ponders Invading Canada](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/tom-ricks-ponders-invading-canada/) - OK, that got my attention. Glancing at the daily email update from the Foreign Policy.com website and Ricks' has a story there called "Time to Invade Canada?" beside a picture of two sweet looking Mounties. Turns out to be a short meditation on how the US and Canada see the Northwest Passage differently. Ricks also
- [US Military Pursues Link Between Suicides and Brain Ailments](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-pursues-link-between-suicides-and-brain-ailments/) - Noting this piece below in today's US Defence Dept news feed. What's interesting about the figures in this piece is that suicides in the Marines and Army are increasing year by year since 2007, though that increase may be an increase in the actual number reported following investigations, due to militaries focusing more and more
- [Good General?  Bad General?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/good-general-bad-general/) - Weighing on on whether or not General Stan McChrystal should keep his job in Afghanistan is way above my pay grade. Just looking at a picture of the guy makes me uneasy about saying anything remotely critical of him, because he is one intense dude. Since McChrystal will learn today from his Commander in Chief
- [Pioneer Female Fighter Pilot Takes on PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/pioneer-female-fighter-pilot-takes-on-ptsd/) - I noted this story in a back issue of the CF newspaper, The Maple Leaf, about Major Deanna (Dee) Brasseur, Canada's first female fighter pilot, who has recovered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and now champions the cause through her advocacy of the One In A Million Project. I was unaware of this project until
- [Meet My Next Boss](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/meet-my-next-boss/) - While in Ottawa recently I was delighted to come across a copy of the other Canadian Anglican newspaper, The Anglican Planet, and discovered this profile on the next Chaplain General of the Canadian Forces (and thus my next boss), Padre Karl McLean, who like myself is an Anglican priest. Here's the article in full.Anglican named
- [For One US College, Chaplaincy is an Unnecessary Luxury](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-one-us-college-chaplaincy-is-an-unnecessary-luxury/) - I noticed this story in the NYT last week. Smith College may be an obscure place, but the issues involved in the story, namely how to quantify the value that chaplains can bring to an institution, are of note and are equally relevant in the contxt of military chaplaincy. Likewise the story's comments on how
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-45/) - This beast has been developed by the British Army to protect soldiers from Improvised Explosive Devices, the insurgents' weapon of choice in Afghanistan.A Buffalo mine protection vehicle with a rummaging arm[Picture: Andrew Linnett, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]Is it just me or does anyone else find it very British and slightly endearing that the vehicle should be
- [The Hundred and Fifty](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-hundred-and-fifty/) - I find it regretable that the violent and destructive actions of some young Canadians on the streets of Toronto overshadowed the news that our country lost two more young Canadians in Afghanistan. Two young medics lost their lives when their convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device near Kandahar City. Their deaths bring the
- [What Makes a Good General, Part Two - Tom Ricks on George S. Patton](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-makes-a-good-general-part-two-tom-ricks-on-george-s-patton/) - Recently defence blogger Tom Ricks has been documenting some of the more outlandish, outrageous, anti-semitic, misanthropic and generally hateful things said by George S. Patton, the iconic US general of World War Two. Had Patton been in command in Afghanistan today and said any of these things, he would have been relieved of command faster
- [The Ministry of the Chaplain's Assistant](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-ministry-of-the-chaplains-assistant/) - The US military has a trade that you won't find in the Canadian Forces, that of the Chaplain's Assistant, a non-commissioned member who assists a chaplain in his or her ministry. I came across this profile of one such soldier in today's US DOD news and found it worth posting here as an example of
- [Going Gaga for Singing, Dancing, Marching Soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/going-gaga-for-singing-dancing-marching-soldiers/) - This is what it looked like in the Halifax Metro Centre last night at the final dress rehearsal of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo. I was able to attend thanks to a friend who is a Tattoo staffer - I think most of the packed crowd last night were there on comp tickets, and
- [Posted - Alberta Bound](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/posted-alberta-bound/) - After a seemingly interminable delay, I finally received a posting instruction that will send me and my wife to Canadian Forces Base Suffield. It will be a big change, trading the hills of the Annapolis Valley and the shores of the Bay of Fundy for the rolling prairie of SE Alberta. For my wife Kay,
- [The Haunted Hat](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-haunted-hat/) - Who ya' goin' to call?Devoutly hoping we don't need to call these guys once we move into our new old house in Medicine Hat next month.
- [Meet Our New Patron Saint](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/meet-our-new-patron-saint/) - When it met in Cornwall at this year's Canadian Forces Chaplain Branch retreat, the Anglican clergy or clericus of the Military Ordinariate decided that it was time we had an official Patron Saint. For some years the clericus had been considering St. Nicholas of Myra as its patron, and so on 31 May we voted
- [Back Online In the Hat](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/back-online-in-the-hat/) - July has passed in a mad rush. Clearing out of my post at 14 Wing, Greenwood, selling our house there and buying another house here in Medicine Hat, packing, moving, it all went by very quicky and very little activity here. As I write this, Kay and I are resting in our hotel room in
- [Choosing the Better Part](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/choosing-the-better-part/) - My preaching skills are rusty. Due to a combination of courses and scheduling, it's been months since I last preached, and tommorrow is my last sermon at St. Mark's Chapel at CFB Greenwood. Lectionary readings as per the 8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C. I needed to engage with the gospel from Luke, since I've
- [David Rothkopf on the Human Rights of Women and Why We (Should) Fight](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/david-rothkopf-on-the-human-rights-of-women-and-why-we-should-fight/) - I haven't read the current issue of Time Magazine featuring the women of Afghanistan, but I did read David Rothkopf's piece on Foreign Policy this Tuesday on how the treatment of women in many Islamic countries is a challenge to our values. I expected a dispassionate, realpolitik-based argument as to why Time's cover image is
- [Wounded Soldier Keeps Fighting for Comrades and Their Families](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wounded-soldier-keeps-fighting-for-comrades-and-their-families/) - I'm glad that the American Forces Press Service continues to remind us of how wounded soldiers can find a road to healing and recovery. The story of Major Ed Pulido, who lost a leg in Iraq, while inspiring in its own right, underscores some of the key elements to recovery: a support group of peers
- [Stress of Combat Effects Animals as Well as Soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/stress-of-combat-effects-animals-as-well-as-soldiers/) - In this photo taken Thursday, July 29, 2010, Gina, a highly trained bomb-sniffing dog with the U.S. military, joins Staff Sgt. Chris Kench on a sofa atthe kennel at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski) Thanks to my brother Alex for pointing me to this link about a US military bomb-sniffing
- [Farewell to Nova Scotia 1 - Nova Scotia is a Fowl Place](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/farewell-to-nova-scotia-1-nova-scotia-is-a-fowl-place/) - Before our flight out to Medicine Hat on August 4th, Kay and I had a chance to spend several days in Halifax, doing and seeing things we never had the opportunity to do during our posting in Greenwood.Kay made a friend in Halifax's lovely Public Gardens Park.And another, larger goose, outside the Art Gallery of
- [Notable Quotable:  British Soldier, Triple Amputee, on His Tandem Parachute Jump](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-british-soldier-triple-amputee-on-his-tandem-parachute-jump/) - "It's been a bit of a challenge. Getting up there into the plane and learning what to do. It has been a challenge, every day's a challenge really, but you just take them on board and get over them."Corporal Reid lost both legs and his right arm last autumn due to an improvised explosive device
- [Back to School Tips for Military Families](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/back-to-school-tips-for-military-families/) - As Kay and I settle into our new house in our new town, I realize that our adjustment and lives are a little easier because we don't have to worry about getting young kids ready to go to new schools. I experienced that anxiety myself an army brat whose peripatetic dad kept moving even after
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-44/) - In keeping with the nautical theme of my last posting, I liked this picture from the British Ministry of Defence daily news feed and thought it worth putting up here. Portland looks like a model ship against the glacier. MPHMS Portland has recently paid a reassurance visit to South Georgia, a remote UK territory in
- [Farewell to Nova Scotia 2 - the Navy Past and Present](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/farewell-to-nova-scotia-2-the-navy-past-and-present/) - During our last week in NS before leaving for Alberta, Kay and I had the chance to wander through Halifax a bit, following the harbour trail from Pier 21 along the waterfront. We thirstily passed the Garrison Brewing Company (I'm going to miss their beer as well as Propellor, another excellent Halifax brewery) and found
- [The Gift of Sabbath Time](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-gift-of-sabbath-time/) - Proper 16, Thirteenth Sunday After PentecostDeuteronomy 5:1-15, Psalm 71:1-6, Hebrews 12:18-29, Luke 13:10-17This is my first sermon preached at the chapel of Christ the King, CFB Suffield. I followed the lectionary but substituted Deuteronomy 5 for the first reading at the suggestion of the participants of this week's "Sermon Brainwave" podcast at Working Preacher, since
- [Military Goats in the News  - Meet Aircraftsman George](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-meet-aircraftsman-george/) - We here at Mad Padre are devoted to scouring the military news to bring you, gentle readers, all the latest on that most fascinating of topics, the military goat. Today the UK MOD news feed introduces us to Aircraftsman George, a two-year-old Golden Guernsey-Boer goat who is the mascot of the Royal Air Force recruit
- [Language Play of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-7/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. So, Mad Padre begins a new
- [God's Seating Plan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gods-seating-plan/) - A Sermon for the Fourteenth Sunday After PentecostChrist the King Chapel, CFB Suffield29 August, 2010Proverbs 25:6-7, Psalm 112, Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16, Luke 14:1,7-14For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 14:11A longstanding military custom at a regimental or unit Christmas dinner is for the most junior private
- [It Runs in the Family](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/it-runs-in-the-family/) - Mrs. Padre and I had the privilege to spend last Friday witnessing my great nephew's graduation from the Air Cadet Training Program at Penhold, near Red Deer, AB. We had to get up at oh-dark-and-stupid to make the five hour trip in time for the 10am parade, but it was worth it. Kay and I
- [Life at Suffield](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-at-suffield/) - One month into my posting as Base Chaplain of CFB Suffield, I'm starting to get a feel for this interesting and diverse place located, as a British Ministry of Defence news piece puts it, amidst the "endless barren prairieland" of SW Alberta. WI'm getting to know the 100+ Canadian Forces personnel who run the base
- [Why Does This Florida Church Want to Kill Soldiers?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/why-does-this-florida-church-want-to-kill-soldiers/) - Sign displayed by Dove World Outreach Centre."We have firmly made up our mind" to carry out the Koran burnings, "but at the same time, we are definitely praying about it." That sounds pretty discerning. Pastor Dave Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainesville, Fla, may indeed believe that God wants him and his
- [US Military's "Restoring Hope" Project Targets Military Suicides](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-militarys-restoring-hope-project-targets-military-suicides/) - Military suicides, especially since frequent stress and deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a huge issue for the US military. I was very impressed by the number of resources and stories put together on the Restoring Hope website and refer it to my colleagues, to soldiers and their families, and to everyone who cares
- [Canadian Forces Honours Its Chaplains](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-forces-honours-its-chaplains/) - The following is an excerpt of a Canadian Forces General Order (CANFORGEN) listing honours and awards, including a unit commendation for the Canadian Forces Chaplain Branch for its service in operations over the last decade. I am proud of each and every one of my chaplain brothers and sisters who through their efforts overseas, from
- [Ethical Dilemma May Have Pushed US Army Interrogator to Suicide](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ethical-dilemma-may-have-pushed-us-army-interrogator-to-suicide/) - This piece by Greg Mitchell on the "Huffington Post" tells a tragic story of a young and principled US Army interrogator whose objections to interrogation techniques of Iraqi detainees may have contributed to her suicide in 2003. While the exact reasons for this soldier's suicide may never be known, the story reminds us that ethical
- [An Army Chaplain and Rugby Hero Passes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/an-army-chaplain-and-rugby-hero-passes/) - They don't make priests and padres like this much any more. From the Daily Telegraph. I love the bit below about the sermon in front of the glowering general. MP+The Reverend Robin Roe, who has died aged 81, played rugby for Ireland and the British Lions and was awarded an MC for his courage in
- [In Bethesda Military Hospital, Chaplain is Part of Collaborative Treatment Team](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-bethesda-military-hospital-chaplain-is-part-of-collaborative-treatment-team/) - The chaplain angle is a small part of this story from the US DOD regarding collaborative treatment of wounded warriors, but it does point to the important role my colleagues play in this and other hospitals such as Landstuhl, Germany. MP+Collaboration Improves Treatment of Unseen Scars of WarBy Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press ServiceBETHESDA, Md., Sept.
- [Homeland Security: A Sermon for Battle of Britain Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/homeland-security-a-sermon-for-battle-of-britain-sunday/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, AB, 19 September, 2010, on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.Micah 4:1-5, Psalm 23,Ephesians 6:10-18, John 15;12-17Homeland SecurityAsk anyone whose home has been robbed or invaded and they will tell you what a terrible feeling of violation and threat they feel long
- [US Soldier's Near Death Experience Becomes Source of Hope for Comrades](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-soldiers-near-death-experience-becomes-source-of-hope-for-comrades/) - An inspiring story of resilience from the AFPS, worth repeating. Sometimes it's all about hope. MP+Soldier Turns Brush With Death Into Message of HopeBy Elaine WilsonAmerican Forces Press ServiceArmy Capt. Joshua Mantz speaks with Iraqi children while on patrol near Sadr City, Iraq, about an hour before an enemy sniper attacked his unit and nearly
- [RAF Pilots Honoured by Battle of Britain Tea](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/raf-pilots-honoured-by-battle-of-britain-tea/) - With Sept 19th's Battle of Britain Sunday service still fresh in my memory, I was pleased to see this story in the UK MOD press service about how a British tea party has released a special blend to remember the 70th anniversary of the BOB. The story of Terry Clark, seen on the label below
- [Can Soldiers Face the Death Penalty for Crimes Against Civilians?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/can-soldiers-face-the-death-penalty-for-crimes-against-civilians/) - his article from the Foreign Poicy website speaks to the US context, where members of the US military can be and have been sentenced to death for crimes against the civlian populace of the US and of other nations. The Canadian situation is different, since this country does not have the death penalty. The last
- [The Difficult Art of Gratitude](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-difficult-art-of-gratitude/) - The Difficult Art of Gratitude: A Sermon for Thanksgiving SundayPreached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 10 October, 2010Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 100, Philippians 4:4-9. John 6:25-35Then you, together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that the LORD your God has given to
- [Life in Suffield 2:  With the British on the Prairie](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-in-suffield-2-with-the-british-on-the-prairie/) - Two months into my posting at CFB Suffield, I'm convinced that I have the coolest job in the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy. One of the reasons for that conviction is that last month I had the opportunity to visit the training area as the guest of Padre Stewart Young, the British Battlegroup (BG) Chaplain for EX
- [Verdict in the Semrau Trial](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/verdict-in-the-semrau-trial/) - Former Canadian army Captain Robert Semrau is now Second Lieutenant Semrau, thanks to the demotion which was part of his Oct 5 sentencing following the first trial of a Canadian soldier for murder on the battlefield in history. As a serving member of the CF, it's not my place to editorialize on the trial or
- [Time for a New Geneva Convention for the War on Terror?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/time-for-a-new-geneva-convention-for-the-war-on-terror/) - Will Marshall is president and founder of the Progressive Policy Institute, whatever that is. His piece below, which is brief and thus repeated in full, was part of a fourteen suggestions from Foreign Policy for US President Obama to get things back on track. His claim that it's time for a fifth Geneva Convention is
- [Taking Responsibility Breaks the Cycle of Domestic Abuse](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/taking-responsibility-breaks-the-cycle-of-domestic-abuse/) - Good piece from the AFPS stresses the role that men can take in taking responsibility for their role in domestic abuse and acting to end it. The US Defence Department marks October as Domestive Violence Awareness Month. Here in Canada various jurisdictions, including Alberta, spotlight the issue during November. AS I write this, plans are
- [Language Play of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-6/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. Here's the second in what is
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-43/) - Didn't surprise me to see a pilot featured in this image. It's been my experience that air force personnel can set be driven and excellent athletes, despite the bad rap they get from army types. MP+10/09/2010 - U.S. Air Force Capt. Jamie Turner, a reservist and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft pilot, waves an Air Force
- [A Suffield Grace](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-suffield-grace/) - This Friday night past the Canadian military garrison at CFB Suffield had a mixed mess dinner (mixed = wives and spouses to keep the boys on their best behaviour). It was an excellent time, and I felt inspired to pen this rhyming grace in honour of the occasion, trying to capture a sense of what
- [Good to Go?  A Sermon for the Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/good-to-go-a-sermon-for-the-twenty-second-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Preached Sunday, October 24, 2010 at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABPropers 30, Year C, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65, 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18; Luke 18:9-14`God, be merciful to me, a sinner.`` Luke 18:13 “Good to go” is a military phrase with several layers of meaning. When a soldier is “good to go”, it can
- [Another military athlete of note](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-military-athlete-of-note/) - Last week MadPadre featured a US Air Force officer who won her category at the Hawaii Iron Man event. This post features an inspirational Canadian forces athlete, Capt. Kim Fawcett, as written up in the CF newspaper, The Maple Leaf.You can do anything you want if you put you mind into it.” Captain Kimberly Fawcett,
- [Language Play of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-5/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. Here's the second in what is
- [Should Shooter Games Be Ethical?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/should-shooter-games-be-ethical/) - Time to revisit a subject discussed here on MP before. Freelance journalist Matthew Shaer has published an interesting piece on Foreign Policy on the latest crop of Iraq/Afghanistan-themed first person shooter games. Three of his points worth noting:1) Now that contemporary wars are lasting long enough to spawn their own video games, game designers are
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-42/) - I have no idea who this guy is but there's a good story behind the picture (which I love, by the way - it captures the ordinary British squaddie brilliantly, there's something quite eternal about this face). The photo is one of a series of British troops currently training here at Suffield, as taken by
- [Another Take on Video Shooter Games](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/another-take-on-video-shooter-games/) - Character from US Army recruiting video game, America's ArmyMy last post reminded me that I've beaked off on the subject of video games and ethics myself. Here's a link to an article of mine that appeared in the online journal of chaplaincy, Curtana: Sword of Mercy (Spring/Summer 2010). The link takes you to one big
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-41/) - Four teams of former and current Service (UK) personnel have begun the 'March For Honour' to pay tribute to those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. The teams have all begun their marches from different areas of the UK in honour of every British military life lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. Wearing
- [Notable Quotable:  Tom Paine on discovering one's hidden inner chaplain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-tom-paine-on-discovering-ones-hidden-inner-chaplain/) - I'm currently reading American author Tom Paine's comic novel from 2003, The Pearl of Kuwait, about some US marines who go AWOL to rescue a beautiful princess after Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait. It's got a lovely style, told in the voice of Marine and surfer dude Carmichael. This passage, where a Marine officer is lecturing
- [The Conqueror - A Sermon For Remembrance Day Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-conqueror-a-sermon-for-remembrance-day-sunday/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Nov 7, 2010Lections used are for Peace as per the ACC Book of Alternative Services:Micah 4:1-5, Psalm 85:7-13, Ephesians 2:13-18, John 16:23-33There is a school of thought that says Remembrance Day Sunday should be observed the Sunday closest to Nov 11, which would be the 14th, but
- [Seen on the morning run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-19/) - Out for a run on the back roads around CFB Suffield this morning, I ook this picture during an unseasonably warm (6C) for November morning just at sunrise, using my ihpone camera. Wanted to test an app, Pro HDR, that my friend Gene Packwood had mentioned on his blog. I was very pleased with the
- [Notable Quotable:  Christy Blatchford on the Oprah-ization of Remembrance Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-christy-blatchford-on-the-oprah-ization-of-remembrance-day/) - I was glad to read Christie Blatchford in today's Globe and Mail on the syrupy kitsch that has been accruing lately around Remembrance Day. Here's a taste:"I cannot help but imagine that as glad as [our soldiers] might be for civilian Canada’s current devotion to “supporting the troops" – if only because it is far
- [Seen on the morning run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-18/) - This view of some sunlit trees against a clear sky provided a welcome excuse to stop on the hill I was toiling up this morning in Med Hat and take a shot, again using the HDR utility I downloaded for my iphone. A bit shaky (I blame my ragged breathing) but it conveys the idea
- [More on Syrupy Remembrance Day Kitsch](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-syrupy-remembrance-day-kitsch/) - Here's a reason why I was glad to read Christie Blatchford as stated in the previous post. By the end of this week, I had received my share of maudlin and bad emails. Here's one that a co-worker sent me, supposedly about the origin of Taps or, as we Canadians and Brits know it, The
- [A Holy Jolt of Joe](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-holy-jolt-of-joe/) - Seemed a suitable place for a Mad Padre to have lunch and a shot of coffee. Gotta love Vancouver. This was taken at the Wired Monk on West 4th in Kitsilano, near Jericho Beach.
- [A Sermon for the 25th Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-the-25th-sunday-after-pentecost/) - I'm not convinced that this sermon ever really gets off the ground and makes one coherent point. I was inspired by today's second lesson, which I suspect got rather short shrift in the church today. The subject of this lection, work, is so terribly problematic; given disparities in income worldwide, structural unemployment and the rise
- [Seen on the afternoon run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-run-2/) - One of those iconic views of Vancouver. Ships ride at anchor in Burrard Bay off Stanley Park on a beautiful late November afternoon. Ran part of the Seawall with Padre friend Howard and stopped to get this shot.As we were setting off from our hotel in False Creek, also noticed this chap on a weathervane.
- [The Commander's Biography](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-commanders-biography/) - A Sermon for the Reign of Christ the KingPreached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB21 November, 2010 (Lectionary Year C)Jeremiah 23:1-6, Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 23:33-46He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness
- [British Forces Moslem Chaplain Leads Celebrations in Theatre](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-forces-moslem-chaplain-leads-celebrations-in-theatre/) - HT: UK MOD news serviceBritish Imam leads Eid celebrations in KandaharA Military Operations news article19 Nov 10Imam Asim Hafiz led a 600-strong congregation on Tuesday morning, 16 November, comprising ISAF Muslim troops from a host of nations, including the UK and the US, and local Afghans, to celebrate Eid ul Adha or 'Festival of Sacrifice'.Sermons
- [Past and Present: A Nod Back at Remembrance Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/past-and-present-a-nod-back-at-remembrance-day/) - I didn't have time to post these two pictures, but I used them on the cover of the Remembrance Day program that I produced for use here at CFB Suffield. I came across them while trolling online for resources, and was taken by the fact that these two pictures, almost a century apart, capture the
- [St. Clements Danes - The Air Force Church in London](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/st-clements-danes-the-air-force-church-in-london/) - The Maple Leaf, the Canadian Forces newspaper, ran a lovely piece in last week's Remembrance Day edition on St. Clements Danes in Westminster, London, UK. This church, designed by St. Christopher Wren in 1666, is the third church to stand on this site since the 8th century, and was devastated in 1940 during the London
- [Compassion Fatigue: When the Caring Tank Runs Dry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/compassion-fatigue-when-the-caring-tank-runs-dry/) - Noted on today's AFPS news, worth repeating. Applicable to chaplains and other caregivers as well as to family members. MP+Chaplain Urges Military Spouses to Avoid ‘Compassion Fatigue’By Donna MilesAmerican Forces Press ServiceWASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2010 – With almost all the 101st Airborne Division deployed to Afghanistan, military spouses here have their hands full taking care
- [Two Preacher's Blogs of Note](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/two-preachers-blogs-of-note/) - Who would have thought that Medicine Hat would have been chock full of blogging pastors? That is, if three counts as a "chock"?Besides myself, I am happy today to link my blog to GENEralities, the blog of the Rev. Canon Gene Packwood, Rector of St. Barnabas Anglican Church in MedHat. St. B's is a happening
- [From Soldiers to Teachers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-soldiers-to-teachers/) - This item from the UK MOD news service describes an interesting school reform that calls for assistance to retrain former soldiers (since a lot of folks will be leaving the UK military) as teachers. Best case: these former soldiers will be able to bring the leadership skills, discipline, and work ethic to the classroom and
- [Notable Quotable:  Pope Benedict on the Church's Need to Be Winsome](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-pope-benedict-on-the-churchs-need-to-be-winsome/) - “A Church that seeks above all to be attractive is already on the wrong path."Reported by George Weigel in his First Things article, "Fail Britannia", as a comment made by the Pope en route to his visit to England. Benedict's 19 September sermon at Clifton Park on the occasion of the beatification of Cardinal Newman
- [A Christmas Gift for Canadian Military History Buffs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-christmas-gift-for-canadian-military-history-buffs/) - Representative of Their Numbers Medium: oil on canvasDimensions: 107 x 137 cm Date: 2005From the collection of: The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)Painting by Catherine Jones, one of the war artists featured on the DHH website.The Canadian Forces' Directorate of History and Heritage recently launched a new website, that has
- [Making Good Use of the Time:  A Sermon for the First Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/making-good-use-of-the-time-a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent/) - A Sermon for the First Sunday of AdventPreached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABIsaiah 2:1-5, Psalm 122, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his
- [Anglican Journal Special Issue on Military Chaplaincy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/anglican-journal-special-issue-on-military-chaplaincy/) - Lieutenant Commander the Rev. David Greenwood leads a baptism in Bosnia.Kudos to The Anglican Journal, the newspaper of the Anglican Church of Canada, for dedicating much of the space in its latest issue to covering military chaplaincy in the Canadian Forces.
- [That We Might HAve Hope:  A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/that-we-might-have-hope-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-advent/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 5 Dec 2010. 2 Advent (Year A)Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)Sister Madonna Buder
- [Military Picture of the Week - The Return of the RAF Moustache](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-the-return-of-the-raf-moustache/) - Saw these pictures back in early December, as the "Movember" phenomeonom was ending. These characters are Royal Air Force personnel from 1 Air Mobility Command who had pictures of themselves and their "Movember" moustaches taken in vintage World War Two uniforms. See more pictures of them here.Military moustaches
- [Christmas Dinner with Hitler](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/christmas-dinner-with-hitler/) - This one cracks me up every Christmas.
- [Christmas Dinner at the Front, Holland 1944](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/christmas-dinner-at-the-front-holland-1944/) - As you look forward to what you'll be eating this Christmas dinner, you can listen to this piece of CBC audio reporting from Holland, broacast n Dec 4, 1944. A Canadian army cook, Frank Barley, describes what he'll be serving the troops for their Christmas dinner.
- [Managing Expectations:  A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/managing-expectations-a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-advent/) - I've preached all through Advent and Christmas now, but am behind in getting my sermons uploaded. Truth to tell, the concluding paragraphs of this one weren't finally written down until today (today being Christmas Day, despite the date of this post), and my sermon for 4th Advent and Christmas Eve was extemporaneous. As you can
- [Why Priests and Guns Are a Questionable Idea](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/why-priests-and-guns-are-a-questionable-idea/) - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot indeed. Sent to my by my nephew Tom. Obviously Eastern European armies have different regs on chaplains bearing arms than we do.
- [2010 Christmas Letter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/2010-christmas-letter/) - Dear Family, Friends, and Readers of MadPadre:When I sent out our Christmas cards this year (a pathetically small number considering the number of lovely folks who are in our lives), I promised a Christmas letter on the blog. Some folks are emailing me today and saying, "Hey, where's that letter"? Doesn't time fly when you're
- [What I'm Reading:  The Grace to Race, Sister Madonna Buder](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-im-reading-the-grace-to-race-sister-madonna-buder/) - The Grace to Race: The Wisdom and Inspiration of the 80-Year-Old World Champion Triathlete Known as the Iron Nun Sister Madonna Buder with Karin Evans. New York: Simon & Schuster 2010I first heard about Sister Madonna Buder when she was profiled as one of Running World Magazine's 2007 Heroes of Running. However, if I was
- [Life in Suffield 3: More Fun on the Prairie with the British](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-in-suffield-3-more-fun-on-the-prairie-with-the-british/) - These pictures have been hanging around on my hard drive since late October, when I had the chance to make another trip out to the training area (or "The Prairie" as the British call it) to see the last of the UK Battlegroups go through this year's training exercises, PRAIRIE THUNDER. I had the good
- [Hearing the Voice of the God who Speaks.  A Sermon for Sunday Jan 9th, The Baptism of Our Lord](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/hearing-the-voice-of-the-god-who-speaks-a-sermon-for-sunday-jan-9th-the-baptism-of-our-lord/) - I had this sermon ready to go today for Christ the King Chapel at CFB Suffield, but a storm system came through SE Alberta yesterday and service was cancelled, so this is the only place it's being preached. MP+A Sermon for the Baptism of Our Lord, 9 January, 2011Lectionary Year A. Lections: Isa 42:1-9, Ps
- ["None of Us Feel Safe": The Dangerous World of Pakistan's Christians](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/none-of-us-feel-safe-the-dangerous-world-of-pakistans-christians/) - I confess I had never heard of Salman Taseer before his assasination recently, but I as I read more about him I realize that Christianity lost a brave and generous friend in the late Governor of Punjab.It's widely known that Taseer was murdered by his bodyguard for speaking out against Pakistan's repressive blasphemy laws and
- ["A leader personified": A WW2 Icon Passes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-leader-personified-a-ww2-icon-passes/) - Anyone who saw the HBO series Band of Brothers, based on the book by historian Stephen Ambrose, will remember the US parachute officer Richard "Dick" Winters, played by actor Damian Lewis. Winters led E for Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, from the D-Day landing in June 1944
- [Britain's New Forces Sweetheart Named](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/britains-new-forces-sweetheart-named/) - Vera Lynn left some pretty big high-heeled shoes to fill but apparently Richard Rhodes is the man to fill them.Rhodes, who goes by the stage name of Cookie Monstar, is the first drag queen to have earned the title of "Forces Sweetheart" for entertaining British troops. Given what I've seen at Suffield of squaddie humour
- [Notable Quotable:  George Sumner on Interfaith Dialogue](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-george-sumner-on-interfaith-dialogue/) - The Rev. Canon Dr. George Sumner is principal of Wycliffe College, my seminary alma mater, and a very fine theologian. These words appeared in the Winter 2010 issue of Insight, the college publication, and are apropos of some recent posts here on relations between Christians and other faiths. MP+ The word "dialogue" has come, in
- ["Either We Live Together Or We Die Together":  In Egypt, Hope for Religious Harmony](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/either-we-live-together-or-we-die-together-in-egypt-hope-for-religious-harmony/) - I saw this story last week and have been delayed in posting it, but I think it makes a hopeful counterbalance to the news from Pakistan about the assasination of Salman Taseer by an Islamist radical. News from Egypt suggests that religious tolerance and courage exists in the Arab world, a fact we may sometimes
- [I don't like being told something can't be done!":  Four Wounded Warriors Head for the North Pole](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-dont-like-being-told-something-cant-be-done-four-wounded-warriors-head-for-the-north-pole/) - What should four British soldiers, recovering from serious wounds and loss of limbs from combat in Afghanistan, do next? Why, go to the North Pole, of course. That's the challenge that these four men have set for themselves. Chosen from a hundred applicants, and assisted by a guide and two expedition leaders, they intend to
- [A New Look at Canadian Naval History](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-new-look-at-canadian-naval-history/) - The 8 December issue of the Canadian Forces newspaper The Maple Leaf featured a piece on "Convoy", a four part documentary telling the story of the Battle of the Atlantic in World War Two. Using live actors and recreations, veteran interviews, historians' commentary and archival footage, this series offers a significant and well-told look this
- [Tom Long on Narrative vs Episodic Preaching](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/tom-long-on-narrative-vs-episodic-preaching/) - I have a lot of time for Tom Long as a guide to the art of preaching. I heard him at a clergy day some years back and his wisdom really impressed me. In this clip from Working Preacher, he talks about the dangers of assuming that an ADHD culture can still understand narrative preaching,
- [Hearing the Call of God:  A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/hearing-the-call-of-god-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-epiphany/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB 16 January 2010Lections for Proper 2 Year A: Isaiah 49:1-7, Psalm 40:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42 Text: "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" (1 Corinthians 1:2)Today’s sermon continues some
- [Is there a Sinister Crusader Conspiracy in the US MIlitary?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-there-a-sinister-crusader-conspiracy-in-the-us-military/) - I have always enjoyed Seymour Hersh's pieces on US foreign policy that have appeared over the years in journals such as The New Yorker. Hersh reminds me a bit of Noan Chomsky - a lot of what he says seems somewhere between paranoia and hyperbole, but he makes you wonder what goes on behind the
- [Saints Despite Themselves:  A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/saints-despite-themselves-a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-epiphany/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 23 January, 2011This sermon almost didn't happen. Fishing for my sunglasses en route to Suffield, hit some ice, and suddenly I learned how all those other folks went off the road and into the ditch. Thanks be to God, car's ok, I'm ok, and an
- [British Army Addresses Mental Health On The Front Lines](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-army-addresses-mental-health-on-the-front-lines/) - Saw this story in the UK MOD news today. Nice to see a military taking a proactive approach to mental health on the front line, rather than waiting to pick up the pieces at home. MP+Managing mental health issues in HelmandA Military Operations news article24 Jan 11In a stark diversion from his traditional role, a
- [When Is A Command Unlawful?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-is-a-command-unlawful/) - Military ethics is a focus of this blog (readers who have described the blog to me as being "eclectic" may be surprised to learn that it has a focus!) so I flagged this piece from the December 1st issue of the Canadian Forces newspaper, The Maple Leaf.Military ethics recognizes the principle that not all commands
- [US Soldier Loses Big, Wins Big](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-soldier-loses-big-wins-big/) - Once I was a lot heavier than I am now, and it was a tough go to get fit enough to join the military. While I'm proud of my achievement, it was nothing compared to this guy. Great inspiration for anyone considering passing on their trip to the gym. MP+Face of Defense: Guard Soldier Loses
- [More on Those Rascally Crusader Knights](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-those-rascally-crusader-knights/) - I can't resist posting this piece from FP's Tom Ricks, who himself can't resist taking a swipe at Seymour Hersh for his theory that the crusader order the Knights of Malta are alive and exerting influence in the US Special Forces. MP+Here's a hot tip for Seymour HershPosted By Thomas E. Ricks Wednesday, January 19,
- [Military Humour of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-humour-of-the-week/) - During World War Two, Canadian soldiers, who were often more Canadian than they were soldiers, citizens putting up with hardship and absurdity to do a necessary and unpleasant job, laughed at the cartoon character Herbie, who embodied all their trials and indignities. Herbie was the creation of a Canadian sergeant, William Garnet "Bing" Coughlin, whose
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-40/) - Very arresting image from today's UK MOD news feed is a natural choice for milpic of the week. More on this story here. MP+The musician sister of a British paratrooper who lost his life in Afghanistan in 2008 recently made a pilgrimage to her brother's Helmand memorial during a brief tour of Afghanistan. Musician Kate
- [Canadian Forces has "Duty to Accomodate" Religious, Spiritual Needs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-forces-has-duty-to-accomodate-religious-spiritual-needs/) - While in Afghanistan, LCol (then Maj) Harjit Sajjan wore a smaller-than-usual turban that allowed him to wear his Kevlar helmet while respecting the dress requirements of his religion.An article in last week's issue of the CF newspaper The Maple Leaf provides a helpful explanation of the Canadian military's policy on accomodation. Briefly put, accomodation is
- [Words To Take to Heart](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/words-to-take-to-heart/) - A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday After the EpiphanyPreached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABTexts for Proper 6A: Lectionary Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 119:1-8, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of
- [Is the Anglican Church a Green Dragon?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-the-anglican-church-a-green-dragon/) - My friend Harry Applin, who blogs on engineering, architecture, and climate change, passed on this news item about an apparently conservative evangelical group, the Institute on Religion and Democracy (I say "apparently" because I am not familiar with IRD or its policies) who last month slammed the American Episcopal (Anglican) Church for its views on
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-39/) - A clear and sunny winter day at CFB Suffield shows one of our "mascots" to good advantage. This old Chieftain (opps, scratch that - Centurion! my bad) tank guards one of the corners of the only grass parade square west of Ottawa. Some friends on a wargames discussion group were nattering on about how sexy
- [Hard Commands](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/hard-commands/) - A Sermon for the Seventh Sunday After the EpiphanyPreached at Christ the King Chapel, Sunday, 20 February, 2011Lectionary Year A, Proper 7: Leviticus 19:1-2,9-18, Psalm 119:33-40, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,16-23, MAtthew 5:38-48Preaching Text: “But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also"
- ["I Found It Hard To Speak": A British Padre Describes Life With the Paras in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-found-it-hard-to-speak-a-british-padre-describes-life-with-the-paras-in-afghanistan/) - Sometimes talking is the only way to deal with things, as this wise padre understands. MP+Padre reflects on Paras' Afghan experiencesA People In Defence news article18 Feb 11The Reverend Robin Richardson, currently deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, here reflects on some of the experiences his soldiers face on the battlefield and
- [The Benefits of Guns vs Butter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-benefits-of-guns-vs-butter/) - In economics there's a classic model of the limits of production called the "guns versus butter" curve. A society that spends more on military spending will have less to spend on other things like consumables, social spending, etc. Recently on Foreign Policy, blogger Stephen M. Walt offers some interesting comments on a New York Times
- [A Determined Fisherman](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-determined-fisherman/) - Saw this several weeks ago while driving to CFB Suffield for Sunday worship at the chapel and it was too perfect, so I gingerly took this snap with my iphone as I turned off Hwy 1 onto the Jenner road. Trailer reads "When Hell freezes over, I will ice fish there too". Wow. Our Lord
- [Like Twitter for Runners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/like-twitter-for-runners/) - Social media now wants to help couch poatoes who aspire to be athletes. For about a year now I've been part of the Nikeplus online running community, which is pretty cool but restricted to those who use a Nike running gadget to log their training online. Today I was reading The Globe and Mail online
- [We have been orphaned today!”  A Christian Martyr in Pakistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-have-been-orphaned-today-a-christian-martyr-in-pakistan/) - A second politician who sought reform of Pakistan's blasphemy laws has been killed.Back in January when I posted here about Salman Taseer, a man I'd never heard of until his murder by Islamic extremists angry at him for championing the cause of a CHristian woman. Taseer was a Muslim politician who was sympathetic to the
- [Is Sin a Myth?  A Sermon for the First Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-sin-a-myth-a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-of-lent/) - Is Sin A Myth?Is sin a myth? That may seem like an odd title for a sermon, and granted it is a bit provocative. I chose it because one of the first stories about sin in the bible is the one we heard in our first lesson, the story of Adam and Eve in the
- [Does Religious Tolerance in Canada Have A Future?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/does-religious-tolerance-in-canada-have-a-future/) - Yesterday I posted here about the death of Pakistan's Shahbat Bhati at the hands of Isalmic terrorists, noting as many more qualified than I have already said that the grounds for religious tolerance in that country now seems almsot completely eroded.We are a long way from that state of affairs in Canada, thankfully, but the
- [Zombies!  Run!](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/zombies-run/) - I've heard of Zombie Walks, but never until now a Zombie Run, and if I was in Maryland this October, darn skippy I'd do it. How can you resist an event that offers the following benefits:A Warwear performance tee-shirt A racing bib (we know you always wanted one) A medal to signify your survival (or
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-38/) - The penguins make the picture, I think. The ship is HMS Scott, the Royal Navy's ocean survey vessel.Gentoo penguins look on during HMS Scott's visit to Port Lockroy, Antarctica. [Picture: POA(Phot) Ray Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
- [Remain in Light: A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remain-in-light-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABLent 4 Year ARCL Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalm 23, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-418 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good
- [One Airman's Guardian Angel](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/one-airmans-guardian-angel/) - An English friend of mine in the village of Ralston pointed me to this story about a colleague she served with when she was in the Royal Air Force. Some might say that soldiers are a superstitious bunch, eager to take medallions and bible even if they aren't strictly speaking believers, but that is something
- ["We have very strict rules of engagement": Canadian Fighter Jets Over Libya](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-have-very-strict-rules-of-engagement-canadian-fighter-jets-over-libya/) - This piece by the Globe and Mail is the best coverage I've seen yet of the conditions Canadian fighter crews are working in over Libya, and also discusses the constraints of their rules of engagement. For civilian readers, Rules of Engagement or ROEs specify the circumstances under which deadly force can be used other than
- ["It was one of the hardest things I've done"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/it-was-one-of-the-hardest-things-ive-done/) - Here's an inspiring running story, continuing today's British Army theme. The soldier mentioned in this story is a PTI (Physical Training Instructor), equivalent to PARI (Physical and Recreational Instructors) a onetime corps in the Canadian Forces now disbanded and replaced by civilians. He's 39, which is old for a unit like the Paras. I see
- ["He Tried Everything": A Marine Loses HIs Long Fight With Suicide](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/he-tried-everything-a-marine-loses-his-long-fight-with-suicide/) - A very sad story which I noticed in the US Army newspaper, Stars and Stripes. Here's an excerpt from the Houston Chronicle. Sometimes a soldier, or for that matter, anyone, struggling with suicide can do everything right and it's not enough. It is a reminder that caregivers, families and friends need to do all they
- [US Military Chaplaincy Adjusts to End of Don't Ask Don't Tell](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-chaplaincy-adjusts-to-end-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/) - The ending of the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, and it's official welcoming of openly gay members, will require adjustment of attitudes at all levels, including of chaplains. A friend of mind passed on this story from the Huffington Post religion section on how US chaplains are being trained to accomodate the new
- [Faces of the Fallen, Afghanistan April 2011](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/faces-of-the-fallen-afghanistan-april-2011/) - Sunday by Sunday as I prepare the prayer list at Christ the King Chapel here at CFB Suffield, I add the names of military members killed overseas in the last few weeks, as their names are made public. I get these names from various sources, usually the UK MOD and US Pentagon news services, but
- [Faith in the Wasteland](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/faith-in-the-wasteland/) - The caption for this picture reads: "Jikou Yoshida, a Buddhist nun, prays in a tsunami-devastated area of Minamisanriku, on April 12." It's from a photo-essay on the aftermath of the tsunami entitled Japan's Chernobyl. Looking at this image, I was reminded of the verse from last Sunday's First Lesson for Lent 5A, "He said to
- [A Wet and Holy Send Off for Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-wet-and-holy-send-off-for-afghanistan/) - While looking on the US Marine Corps website for something else, I noticed this picture, part of the coverage of a USMC Advisory Team working with troops from the Republic of Georgia preparing for deployment to Afghanistan. It's an interesting picture of a chaplain in action. I'm guessing the padre is an Orthodox priest, using
- [Combat Underwear for Marines:  But Is It Slimming?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/combat-underwear-for-marines-but-is-it-slimming/) - You've gotta love this as a product slogan: "Protection for your privates, both literally and figuratively". That from BCB International, which has just produced some 120,000 pairs of ballistic boxer shorts for the USMC, says Stars and Stripes.These ballistic boxer shorts are meant to protect troops from debris and flame from a blast.Felicia White/Stars and
- ["Friendly, Compassionate, Life-Giving, Hated":  A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friendly-compassionate-life-giving-hated-a-sermon-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached 10 April, 2011 at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB Lectionary Year A, Readings for Lent 5: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45I'm writing out this sermon on Thursday after giving it off the cuff last Sunday, which isn't really advisable, but there you go. I suspect it sounded better
- [The Gamification of Jihad](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-gamification-of-jihad/) - I've posted here in past about the relationship between video games, youth culture and the recruiting and training practices of western militaries. Here's an interesting story from the Foreign Policy website about how radical Islamist groups are borrowing from the same culture, using the forums and online communities surrounding certain games to entice recruits, build
- [Faces of the Fallen for April 2011](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/faces-of-the-fallen-for-april-2011/) - Here are the images and names of those NATO service men and women killed or died of wounds received in Afghanistan, whom we have remembered in prayer at Christ the King Chapel over the last few weeks. The military world is a small one: one British member of our congregation here trained with Capt. Head,
- [Notable Quotable:  Thomas Carlyle on the Lost Tidings of Our Souls](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-thomas-carlyle-on-the-lost-tidings-of-our-souls/) - The following quote is from the Victorian writer Thomas Carlyle's Past and Present, which I confess I haven't read, but now want to. I gleaned this quote from a novel I just finished, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Marry Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. My wife Kay urged me to read
- [Remembering a Soldier and a Scholar](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-a-soldier-and-a-scholar/) - Some of my wargaming friends are quite gutted about this story. Apparently the guided tours he gave were legendary. I read his book Tommy years ago and loved it. RIP. MP+Professor Richard Holmes Professor Richard Holmes, who died on April 30 aged 65, was one of Britain's most distinguished military historians, and a distinctive broadcaster
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-37/) - This is a great picture, both for the intense quality of the soldier's face, and the backdrop. I also like it because it shows one of those lovely peculiarities of the British army, the hackle or plume worn by certain regiments. Not only is it distinctive, as you can see here, it helps camouflage you
- [I Run On:  How Running Saved One Military Wife](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-run-on-how-running-saved-one-military-wife/) - While I was putting together another "Face of the Fallen" post I came across this piece by Linda Ambard, wife of a US Air Force officer, which originally appeared in Runner's World magazine. On April 27, 17 days after this essay was published, her husband, Maj. Phil Ambard, was killed in Afghanistan. It is a
- [Faces of the Fallen for April 2011 Part Two](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/faces-of-the-fallen-for-april-2011-part-two/) - Here are some more of our US NATO allies, killed on active service, that we prayed for at Christ the King Chapel recently. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon them. Spc. Sonny J. Moses, 22, of Koror, Palau, died April 18 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany,
- ["The Only Therapy Is Prayer": A Whole Country With PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-only-therapy-is-prayer-a-whole-country-with-ptsd/) - Journalist Anna Badkhen has written an unnerving piece (Trauma Center; How do you bring peace to a country where everyone has PTSD and the only therapy is prayer?) about Afghanistan posted 13 May 2011 on Foreign Policy.com. She describes something we can scarcely imagine - a country so ravaged by war and violence that the
- [Understanding the Science of Blast Injuries](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/understanding-the-science-of-blast-injuries/) - In an era of asymmetrical war (meaning our enemies, being militarily weaker, sensibly prefer to blow us up rather than stand and fight us), the weapon of choice used against is Improvised Explosive Device. One of the ways an IED injures people is through the effects of blast, and so medical and defence researchers are
- ["Qaddafi probably shouldn't be counting on the law to protect him"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/qaddafi-probably-shouldnt-be-counting-on-the-law-to-protect-him/) - Is it lawful (and ethical) to kill the leader of a nation, specifically Col. Qaddafi? Joshua Keating, writing for Foreign Policy, notes that there is little in the international laws of armed conflict to specifically prohibit the targeting of leaders of nations. Indeed, the lanaguage of the UN resolution which permitted the intervention into the
- [Still Here:  A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/still-here-a-sermon-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-easter/) - Preached on Sunday, May 22, at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABLectionary Year A:Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14I woke up this morning. Pity, because I was rather counting on the prophecy of Harold Camping and so didn't write a sermon for this Sunday. I refer to the octogenarian
- [Notable Quotable:  David Brooks on the Virtuous Politican](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-david-brooks-on-the-virtuous-politican/) - Apropos of my last post here on the ethics of sexting, David Brooks has been thinking about models and exemplars of the virtuous politician and has turned to the characters of Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope. "Trollope’s readers would have come away from his books with a certain model for how practical people should behave, which
- [The ethics of sexting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-ethics-of-sexting/) - I confess I didn't really know much about sexting until the news of US Congressman Anthony Weiner's textploits made him a national scandal and drove him, at least temporarily, from office. The married, 46 year old, unfortunately named politician is now seeking psychological counseling for his online behaviour with other women and it looks as
- [Canadian Anglican Bishops Say No Open Table for Now](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-anglican-bishops-say-no-open-table-for-now/) - Some background first. "Open table" is a term within the Anglican Church these days which means waiving the requirement that a person must be baptized before receiving the Eucharist. Also known as "radical hospitality", the practice has been gaining traction of late on the strength of the argument that seeker friendly churches welcome all to
- [Ethical Question of the Day:  Are Piercings for Pets OK?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ethical-question-of-the-day-are-piercings-for-pets-ok/) - Short answer as given to a Pennsylvania woman who thought it would be cute to sell pierced "Goth" kittens online: No. Longer answer: "One of the judges wrote in the 19-page opinion: “Appellant’s claims center on her premise that a person of normal intelligence would not know whether piercing a kitten’s ears or banding its
- [Talking Trinity:  A Sermon for Trinity Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/talking-trinity-a-sermon-for-trinity-sunday/) - Icon of the Trinity by RublevA Sermon for Trinity SundayPreached at Christ the King Chapel, Ralston, AB, CFB Suffield 19 June 2011Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a, Psalm 8; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; Matthew 28:16-2013 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”
- [The US MIlitary - A Bastion of Socialism?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-us-military-a-bastion-of-socialism/) - "An astonishingly liberal ethos". That's how Nicholas Kristoff, writing in the New York Times, desribes the US military. Our Lefty MilitaryBy NICHOLAS D. KRISTOFPublished: June 15, 2011 As we search for paths out of America’s economic crisis, many suggest business as a paradigm for cutting costs. According to my back-of-the-envelope math, top C.E.O.’s earn as
- [A Place for Sharia Law?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-place-for-sharia-law/) - Aziz Huq, in an op-ed piece in today's New York Times, argues that bans on sharia law such as the one enacted by the state of Oklahoma not only make for bad democracy, it makes for bad security:"In this context, bans like the one in Oklahoma will serve to chill cooperation by the Muslim-American community
- [Protestants Drink More Beer: And Other Beer Facts You May Not Have Known](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/protestants-drink-more-beer-and-other-beer-facts-you-may-not-have-known/) - Actually this article by Charles Kenny (Chug for Growth Drink and be merry -- it's all for the common good) in Foreign Policy is more about beer consumption as an indicator of social and economic progress, but the point in this last paragraph is interesting:"Indeed, beer may have been a force for growth for a
- ["We Never Felt We Were Among Strangers"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-never-felt-we-were-among-strangers/) - Second interfaith post for today. I actually noticed this Canadian Press piece in the local paper a few weeks back and meant to post it. The story reconfirms my gratitude for the many gifts that our Mennonite brothers and sisters bring to the church. MP+By Brenda Suderman (Canadian Press) Fri Jun 17 2011Mennonite theologians, Iranian
- [In Afghanistan, Different Faith Leaders Talk Together](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-afghanistan-different-faith-leaders-talk-together/) - An encouraging story from the UK MOD about how Christian military chaplains can help engage with locals in religious dialoge. MP+Religious leaders meet and forge relationships in HelmandA People In Defence news article30 Jun 11A shura was recently held in central Helmand between local elders and religious representatives of the Afghan forces, Royal Marines and
- [Withholding Our Children:  A Sermon on the Sactifice of Isaac](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/withholding-our-children-a-sermon-on-the-sactifice-of-isaac/) - A Sermon for the Second Sunday after Pentecost, 26 June 2011Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB Genesis 22:1-14, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42"Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." (Gen 22:12)In Michael Crumney's literally fabulous novel about
- [“Canadian Forces have stayed here for a long time” :  Canada's combat mission in Kandahar is over](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-forces-have-stayed-here-for-a-long-time-canadas-combat-mission-in-kandahar-is-over/) - It would be tempting to say that this story marks the end of Canada's longest war, but that would depend on how one defines war. This summer Canadians are heading back to Kabul, where the mission started in 2002, to begin training and supporting Afghan government forces. Does that new mission meet the definition of
- ["The Thirst For Fairness Runs Deep":  The Evolution of Sharing](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-thirst-for-fairness-runs-deep-the-evolution-of-sharing/) - Good and thought-provoking science piece from the New York Times suggests that we may be hardwired to be ethical. MP+July 4, 2011Thirst for Fairness May Have Helped Us SurviveBy NATALIE ANGIERAmong the Ache hunter-gatherers in eastern Paraguay, healthy adults with no dependent offspring are expected to donate as much as 70 to 90 percent of
- ["A  Carbon Copy of Reality":  Video Game Technology as Military Training Aid](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-carbon-copy-of-reality-video-game-technology-as-military-training-aid/) - I have commented here before about the military applications of video game technology to military simulation training. It's not a new story, but this piece from the UK MOD news service describes how video training is being mixed in with interaction with human actors to take training to a whole new level. I love the
- [Crazy Generous:  A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday After Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/crazy-generous-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-after-pentecost/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston ABThe Fourth Sunday of Pentecost, 10 Juy 2011Lectionary Year A Proper 15Gen 25:19-34; Ps 65:1-13, Rom 8:1-11, Mt 13:1-9, 18-23"And he told them many things in parables, saying 'A sower went out to sow'" (Mt 13:3)For years I’ve read and heard that Jesus used parables to
- ["He Was a Good Soldier":  White House Letters of Condolence To Go to Families of Military Suicides](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/he-was-a-good-soldier-white-house-letters-of-condolence-to-go-to-families-of-military-suicides/) - A short op-ed piece from the New York Times, reprinted here in full. Thumbs up to the Obama Administration for including suicide in a war zone as cause for a presidential letter of condolence. It doesn't change the causes of suicide, necessarily, but as the NYT says, it does recognize that not all sacrifice involves
- [Notable Quotable:  James Traub on What's Going Right in Libya](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-james-traub-on-whats-going-right-in-libya/) - I'm currently working on a professional development paper, that has me reading Anthony Shadid's book Night Draws Near: Iraq's People in the Shadow of America's War on Bagdhad before and after the US invasion of 2003, and rereading Tom Rick's book Fiasco: America's Military Adventure in Iraq. Both books describe how the US had no
- [A Rare Honour for a US Soldier](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-rare-honour-for-a-us-soldier/) - Inspiring stuff from yesterday's New York Times. MP+July 12, 2011Rare White House Ceremony for Medal of HonorBy JACKIE CALMESWASHINGTON — President Obama grasped the prosthetic right hand of Sgt. First Class Leroy Arthur Petry in congratulations on Tuesday, awarding him the Medal of Honor for actions in Afghanistan that included saving two comrades’ lives by
- [This IHOP Serves 24/7 Prayer, Not Pancakes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-ihop-serves-24-7-prayer-not-pancakes/) - This article rom the New York Times, 9 July, 2011, describes a US church that combines a 24/7 cycle of continuous prayer with an eschatological focus on preparing for the end times and the second coming of Christ. A daily round of prayer (even if not "24/7")has been a strong part of Christian devotional practice
- [Language Play of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-4/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. Here's the third in what is
- [Canada's youngest RC Bishop is a Blogger](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadas-youngest-rc-bishop-is-a-blogger/) - Interesting piece in today's Globe and Mail about Fr. Thomas Dowd, the first Roman Catholic priest to start blogging in Canada and now to be Canada's youngest RC Bishop. His blog, Waiting in Joyful Hope, is sure to get a few hits from today's G&M piece. I hope to visit it soon.One quote from the
- ["Where Do Human Rights Come From?": Secular vs Divine Grounds for Human Rights](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/where-do-human-rights-come-from-secular-vs-divine-grounds-for-human-rights/) - Most people would agree that there is such a thing as human rights, but what do we appeal to when we make that claim? Is it a religious conviction that stems from an idea that humans are divine creations, or is it a secular idea of morality that doesn't require a belief in God? In
- [Help for a veteran in "a perfect storm of things going wrong"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/help-for-a-veteran-in-a-perfect-storm-of-things-going-wrong/) - An encouraging story from Michigan about how the local courts and police worked with a veteran with PTSD to salvage his life. MP+ July 17, 2011Coming Together to Fight for a Troubled VeteranBy ERICA GOODEOKEMOS, Mich. — When the standoff began on a humid August night, it seemed destined to become one more case of
- [Marijuana a Possible PTSD Cure](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/marijuana-a-possible-ptsd-cure/) - Noted in today's NYT. MP+New York Times, July 18, 2011Marijuana May Be Studied for Combat DisorderBy DAN FROSCHDENVER — For years now, some veterans groups and marijuana advocates have argued that the therapeutic benefits of the drug can help soothe the psychological wounds of battle. But with only anecdotal evidence as support, their claims have
- [Book apps: A reading revolution, or the end of reading?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-apps-a-reading-revolution-or-the-end-of-reading/) - As I post this I am sitting in a coffee shop in a strange town, with an old fashioned print book (PAtricl Hennessey's The Junior Officer's Reading Club) balanced on my knee, while synching, updating and charging my iphone before I hit the road. End of reading? Don't think so. Maybe mixed media reading? And
- [Afghanistan Blog of Note](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/afghanistan-blog-of-note/) - Royal Air Force Sergeant Alex Ford volunteered to go to Afghanistan at age 41 because he felt guilty working a desk job at home. At 41, he is in military thinking an old man, and so kudos to him for going out on patrol in 40+C weather with soldiers young enough to be his kids.
- [Blackhawk Down Survivor On Somalia Today](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/blackhawk-down-survivor-on-somalia-today/) - If you remember the film Black Hawk Down, you'll remember the sequence where the second US helicopter crases and its crew is bravely but vainly defended by two Delta Force commandoes. What happened to the captured crewman, Michael Durant? This piece from the BBC tells that story, and it's one of surprising compassion, shown both
- [Dictator Conversions](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/dictator-conversions/) - The deathbed conversion is an event that is often viewed with extreme skepticism, but can be, for theologians of an Arminian view, like myself, an occasion where God's grace can operate. However, there is something to be said for scepticism when dictators backed into a corner embrace religion. Foreign Policy profiles five cases of tyrants
- [Children's Artwork Brightens Chapel in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/childrens-artwork-brightens-chapel-in-afghanistan/) - Lovely story and image. Text below from the UK MOD. MP+ [Picture: Sergeant Alison Baskerville RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011] Children from two primary schools in Plymouth have created plastic mosaic windows for the tent which houses padre Ian Wheatley's church in Lashkar Gah. As a number of the schoolchildren have family members serving in Afghanistan,
- [Peter Short on the Spiritual Life of the Chaplain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/peter-short-on-the-spiritual-life-of-the-chaplain/) - The following meditation was given by the Rev. Dr. Peter Short to the annual gathering of Canadian Forces Chaplains in June of this year, and is published here with his kind permission. Rev. Short is a former Moderator of the United Church of Canada and is a member of the Interfaith Committee on Canadian Military
- [John Ibbitson on How Canadian Defence Procurement Works](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/john-ibbitson-on-how-canadian-defence-procurement-works/) - If you're a Canadian and you follow the politics of defence spending, you will know that it's a complicated business deciding what to buy and where in Canada the money gets spent. That point was driven home to me recently in a recent military course or OPME on military technology. In Saturday's Globe and Mail,
- [More Than Crumbs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-than-crumbs/) - A Sermon for the Ninth Sunday After Pentecost Preached at Christ the King Chapel, Ralston, AB, CFB Suffield 14 August, 2011 Lectionary Year A: Gen 45:1-15; Ps 133; Rom 11:1-2a,29-32, Mt 15:21-28 Reproduced courtesy of www.agnusday.com Have you ever been in a place or situation where you made to feel that you didn't belong? It's
- [Canadian Forces Unveils New Female Uniform](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-forces-unveils-new-female-uniform/) - OK, just kidding to see if anyone's awake this morning. This image from a Globe and Mail piece on a recent designer show in Copenhagen, which I perused to remain au fait avec le monde d'haute couture, or maybe because I was bored. Pirate captain with chic eyepatch? Ready to be an extra in Joseph
- [Medals and Sacrifice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/medals-and-sacrifice/) - A Sermon Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB Tenth Sunday After Pentecost Ex 1:8-2:10; Ps 124; Rom 12:1-8, Mt 16:13-20 (Lect Yr A) I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is
- ["Really moving backward":  Paul Hellyer on the return of "royal" to Canadian Navy, Air Force](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/really-moving-backward-paul-hellyer-on-the-return-of-royal-to-canadian-navy-air-force/) - "Is he still alive?" A friend in the mess said that this morning when I mentioned that Paul Hellyer, Minister of Defence under Prime Minister Trudeau, had weighed in on the government's announcement that Canada was going back to "Royal Canadian Navy" and "Royal Canadian Air Force". Paul Hellyer, arguably, still holds the title as
- [Notable Quotable:  Barry Ward on Why Funeral Planning Matters](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-barry-ward-on-why-funeral-planning-matters/) - "A Christian funeral service focuses attention on what God has done for us in Christ." So says Rev. Barry Ward, pastor of Saving Grace Lutheran Church in Saskatchewan, in a great little article in The Canadian Lutheran. Worth reading by all pastors who are caught in the awkward space between what families want for a
- [A Call for Justice for Women Veterans](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-call-for-justice-for-women-veterans/) - Props to the New York Times for this op-ed piece calling on the US Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to take a pro-active and supportive stance towards those women veterans who have suffered sexual trauma while in uniform. Short and worth reading.
- [Where was Mad Padre?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/where-was-mad-padre/) - Mad Padre has been offline for several weeks while Mrs. Padre and I bashed around southern Alberta in our new/old VW Westfalia Vanagon camper. Today I'm clean shaven and looking reasonably military. Yesterday I looked like a bit of a civvie freakazoid.This picture, and the next, show Mrs. Padre and myself with our Westy at
- [Who Is Mary's Mother?  Get It Right If You Want To Stay In Canada](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/who-is-marys-mother-get-it-right-if-you-want-to-stay-in-canada/) - Kudos to the Federal Court of Canada for reigning in a particularly zealous Refugee Board adjudicator, Ms. Rose Andrachuk, who wanted to turf a man from China claiming refugee status for being persecuted as a Roman Catholic. According to today's National Post, "The Federal Court of Canada expressed dismay at the level of knowledge expected
- [The General's Jet](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-generals-jet/) - If you are Canadian, you will have likely heard that there has been a bit of a flap on since CTV News ran a story on the cost of jet travel incurred by Canada's top soldier, General Walter Natynczyk, the Chief of Defence Staff.I'm a serving member of the Canadian Forces and I can't comment
- [For Some Squids, Don't Ask Don't Tell Still Applies](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-some-squids-dont-ask-dont-tell-still-applies/) - No, this post has nothing to do with the US Navy, who are sometimes known as squids. Nor does it have to do with the repeal of the US military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which became official yesterday, allowing serving men and women to be openly gay. According to the New York Times, the
- [More on Paul Hellyer and the "R" Word: A Reader's Comments](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-paul-hellyer-and-the-r-word-a-readers-comments/) - On 17 August I posted some comments here about Paul Hellyer's dissent from the government's decision to restore the titles "Royal Canadian Navy" and "Royal Canadian Air Force". Hellyer, pictured above, was Minister of Defence under the late PM Pierre Trudeau and axed these titles as part of his restructuring of the Canadian military in
- [What Soldiers Are (And Should Be) Reading](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-soldiers-are-and-should-be-reading/) - Tom Ricks serves up his own and others' reading books on the profession of arms as practised today and in the past. Lots of essential and worthwhile reading here to keep you busy this winter.
- ["If People Are the Focus Then There's No Hope".  Paul Wilson on Preaching](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/if-people-are-the-focus-then-theres-no-hope-paul-wilson-on-preaching/) - Paul Scott Wilson, from Emmanuel College, Toronto School of Theology, on what he calls "one of the biggest issues that there is in preaching", the need for the preacher to focus the sermon on God.
- [A Canadian War Hero Gets His Due](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-canadian-war-hero-gets-his-due/) - Major William. G. Barker poses with the wreckage of Sopwith F1 "Camel" aircraft of No. 28 Squadron, RAF, in 1918 in Italy.Great story from today's Globe and Mail about steps in Toronto to honour Canada's greatest military aviator. He deserves to be remembered.
- [Military Goats In the News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-4/) - It's been over a year since we at Mad Padre posted on that most captivating of subjects, the military goat. In August 2010 we introduced you to AirCraftsman George, the mascot of the Royal Air Force recruit training centre at RAF Halton. Apparently AC George is stagging on and doing his duty as a good
- [Getting Over Ourselves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/getting-over-ourselves/) - A Sermon for the Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost, preacher at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 25 Sept 2011.Lectionary texts for Year A: Exodus 17:1-7, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32, Psalm 25:1-9 (6), Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 First sermon after a month of leave and temporary duties. Hasty and rushed, and written after the fact,
- ["Generosity Can Lower A Person's Status":  In Tough Times, Be Tough, Study Finds](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/generosity-can-lower-a-persons-status-in-tough-times-be-tough-study-finds/) - In August I posted a sermon here which noted two studies claiming that selfish and assertive people do better financially and in the workplace. Today's Globe and Mail notes a similar study which finds that people may respect selfless and generous behaviour, but in times of crisis they would prefer a leader who is selfish
- ["They Are the Beginnings of a Nation":  Major Fernando Lujan on How the War in Afghanistan Can Still be Won](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/they-are-the-beginnings-of-a-nation-major-fernando-lujan-on-how-the-war-in-afghanistan-can-still-be-won/) - Wise and encouraging words in today's NYT from a US Special Forces Major who believes that the Afghan people have the will to prevail against the Taliban even when many in the West have pronounced the conflict unwinnable.Here's an excerpt: "... optimism in Afghanistan should not be mistaken for naïveté. We’ve paid a terrible price
- [New On My Tablet Christmas Wish List](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-on-my-tablet-christmas-wish-list/) - I've been considering getting an Ipad this Christmas, partly because I'm tired of trying to find print copies of The New Yorker in the small town where I live and getting it on a tablet seems attractive.This piece in today's Globe and Mail on the new Kindle Fire tablet is intriguing. For half the price
- ["You've Just Got to Join In":  Tips of the Trade From a British Army Chaplain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/youve-just-got-to-join-in-tips-of-the-trade-from-a-british-army-chaplain/) - Good advice here for my chaplain colleagues from a British army padre. MP+Army chaplain Padre Stephen Hancock [Picture: Corporal Andy Reddy RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]"Sitting in a vehicle watching these guys, in body armour and helmet in 56 degrees [Celsius] heat, 122 [degrees Fahrenheit] in English money, you've got to be robust, but that's how
- [Call The Doctor (Because No One Else Can Help You)](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/call-the-doctor-because-no-one-else-can-help-you/) - Fr Pierre Martinius nursing plague victims, 1564. N532/0007 Rights ManagedI was ordained just after the SARS epidemic haunted North America for a very brief and unpleasant time in early summer. My bishop let we his clergy know that if things got as bad as the doomsayers were predicting, he would remove any of us who
- [A Labour of Love](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-labour-of-love/) - "What more was there to do for my vineyard that I have not done in it?" (Isa 5:4)A Sermon for the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABYear A Lections for Pentecost 16: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Isaiah 5:1-7, Psalm 80:7-15 (14, 15), Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 I
- [After Thanksgiving, a Question:  Why Give Thanks?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/after-thanksgiving-a-question-why-give-thanks/) - I liked this essay by the Rev. James Christie, a Canadian theologian, which appears in this month's issue of The United Church Observer. Christie's main point - any good relationship, including the one want to have God, is founded on please and thank you. MP+
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-36/) - I continue to love the work of the British military photographers! This photo is the MOD's Image of the Day for 10 Oct 2011. MPLightning strikes in the distance behind Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, as troops wait for the first rainfall on Operation HERRICK 15, which officially began yesterday when 20th Armoured Brigade took over command
- [Signs that your church is toxic?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/signs-that-your-church-is-toxic/) - Oh, wait a moment. It must be an adjective, not a verb. Gotta be.H/t to Charlie Kew's blog.
- [Book Review:  The Junior Officers' Reading Club](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-the-junior-officers-reading-club/) - Patrick Hennessey. The Junior Officers' Reading Club: Killing Time and Fighting Wars. New York: Riverhead Books (Penguin), 2009.During the British Army's training season here at CFB Suffield you can spot them in the officer's mess - young Brit officers with big hair, a certain languid grace and a devil-may-care attitude. They fall into two groups,
- [The Minstrel Boy To The Wars Is Gone ...](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-minstrel-boy-to-the-wars-is-gone/) - ... in the ranks of the flip-flopped you will find him.Provenance of this photo is unclear. Possibly it's from the recent fighting in Libya. A friend of mine is sure the guitar is not photoshopped, but thinks it may be staged, given the terrible muzzle discipline of the shooters.Either way, it has my vote as
- [Book Review:  Lizzie Collingham's The Taste of War: World War Two and the Battle for Food](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-lizzie-collinghams-the-taste-of-war-world-war-two-and-the-battle-for-food/) - I read this book in August and thoroughly enjoyed it. The review below is being submitted to the Canadian Army Journal's book reviews section and I thought I'd share it here. Good reading for foodies and history buffs alike. MP+THE TASTE OF WAR: WORLD WAR TWO AND THE BATTLE FOR FOOD.COLLINGHAM, LIZZIE, London, Penguin Books,
- [A Runner's Reward: Prairie Sunrise](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-runners-reward-prairie-sunrise/) - (Apologies to my Facebook friends who have already seen this photo) Every time I go for a run, my iphone is grasped in my sweaty little paw (I really need an arm strap/holster for it). I carry it for a number of reasons. It's always smart to have a phone if one gets into trouble,
- [British Soldiers Save Calgary Man ... With Credit Cards](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/british-soldiers-save-calgary-man-with-credit-cards/) - Left to right: Private Ben Regan, Pte Lee Wingrove, Pte Cai Thomas, Lance Corporal Sam Neil and Sergeant Terence Wall[Picture: Andrew Walmsley 2011]It's a common complaint in SE Alberta that British soldiers training at CFB Suffield rum amok on leave and do disgraceful things. Not that anyone here complains about the money the Brits spend
- ["Do I really want the internet to be something I feel naked without?"  Sam Graham-Felsen on Life Without the iphone](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/do-i-really-want-the-internet-to-be-something-i-feel-naked-without-sam-graham-felsen-on-life-without-the-iphone/) - A few minutes ago I posted here on why I can't run without my iphone, and how it makes my life better in all sorts of ways. Is that a sign that I need an intervention? That thought crossed my mind after reading one user's account of how he decided to live without his iphone.
- [Notable Quotable:  "Jesus would not be cutting U.S. foreign aid"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-jesus-would-not-be-cutting-u-s-foreign-aid/) - David Rothkopf, writing on Foreign Policy website, skewers the Republican presidential hopefuls, "a bunch of candidates who seem hell-bent on proving their essential Christian-ness", for their foreign aid (bad) vs defense spending (good) priorities:As for cutting defense spending, where do you think Jesus would come out on that one ... especially if they taught any
- [Jesus Was Killed By "Liberal Court"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jesus-was-killed-by-liberal-court/) - Anyone care to guess who said the following?The liberal court found Him guilty of false offences and sentenced Him to death, all because He changed the hearts and minds of men with an army of 12.His death reset the clock of time.Never before and not since has there ever been such a perfect conservative.For over
- [No Record for 100 Year Old Marathoner ...](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/no-record-for-100-year-old-marathoner/) - ... But He's Still My HeroAnyone in the running world who has gray hair (comme moi) will have been cheered by the news last week that Fauja Singh, aged 100, finished Toronto's waterfront marathon on 16 October and became the world's first centarian to complete a marathon.Fauja Singh, 100, raises his hands in celebration as
- [UK Secular Society Says No Tax Dollars For Chaplains](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/uk-secular-society-says-no-tax-dollars-for-chaplains/) - h/t to my friend Pete Garnham for passing this story on. MP+15 October 2011 By John McManus BBC NewsSecular campaigners have criticised the Armed Forces for funding military chaplains, and want churches to fund them instead.The MoD revealed, after a Freedom of Information request, that it costs taxpayers £22m a year to support about 280
- [Jewish Chaplains Memorialized At Arlington Cemetery](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jewish-chaplains-memorialized-at-arlington-cemetery/) - H/T to my friend Padre Mike Gibbons for this story from the Huff post. MP+The face of the Jewish Chaplains Memorial that was dedicated Oct. 24, 2011 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. The memorial, that stands on Chaplains Hill in the cemetery, is dedicated to the 14 Jewish chaplains who have died in
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-17/) - It was cold this morning when I set out just after 6am, with a hard frost on the car windows parked along my street. I was hesitant to launch out the door, but consoled myself with the thought that an early run does offer the consolation of a sunrise. Pausing by the South Saskatchewan River
- [Book Review:  Philip Kerr's Field Gray: A Bernie Gunther Novel](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-philip-kerrs-field-gray-a-bernie-gunther-novel/) - Philip Kerr, Field Grey: A Bernie Gunther Novel. New York: G.P. Putnam's, 2011, ISBN 978-0-399-15741-7.I'm a total World War Two junkie and an occasional fan of harboiled detective stories, so when I was in the local library last week and discovered a book combining the two, I couldn't resist checking it out and I wasn't
- [Notable Quotable:  Simon Sebag Montefiore on Col. Qaddafi and the Deaths of Tyrants](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-simon-sebag-montefiore-on-col-qaddafi-and-the-deaths-of-tyrants/) - From today's New York Times:"Western leaders and intellectuals find Colonel Qaddafi’s lynching distasteful — Bernard-Henri Lévy worried it would “pollute the essential morality of an insurrection” — yet there are sound political reasons for the public culling of the self-proclaimed king of kings. Colonel Qaddafi’s tyranny was absolutist, monarchical and personal. The problem with such
- [Running Like A (Pioneer) Girl](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/running-like-a-pioneer-girl/) - Continuing the running theme this morning, I was inspired by this article in today's NYT on Julia Chase-Brand, one of the great pioneering woman runners. Here she is running the Manchester Road Race in 1961. Gear and shoe geeks, check out what she's wearing - it didn't stop her from running hard and fast. That
- [Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/canadian-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan/) - Among the sixteen killed in an attack on an armoured NATO bus in Kabul, Afghanistan on Saturday, 29 October. Master Corporal Byron Greff, of the 3rd Battalion, PPCLI, was the first Canadian soldier to be killed since the end of the combat mission, centered in Kandahar, this July. For more on this incident and on
- [Noteable Quotable:  Pope Benedict on the Christian's Military Life`](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/noteable-quotable-pope-benedict-on-the-christians-military-life/) - From Pope Benedict's to the International Meeting of Military Ordinariates (an Ordinariate is somewhat like a Diocese for military chaplains) at Rome, given 25 October. I admire the Pope's identification of charity as the cardinal military virture. MP+"A Christian’s military life, in fact, is placed in relation to the first and greatest commandment, that of
- [Doing Church in Hipster Brooklyn](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/doing-church-in-hipster-brooklyn/) - Sometimes I'm tempted to think that churches are no longer countries for young people, and then a story like this one give me hope. Perhaps the "Skinny Jeans" angle explains why it was carried in the NYT's style section, but no matter. MP+November 2, 2011A Congregation in Skinny JeansBy MARISA MELTZERONE recent Sunday night on
- [Notable Quotable:  Gail Collins on Herman Cain and Frozen Armadillos](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-gail-collins-on-herman-cain-and-frozen-armadillos/) - Gail Collins does some of the best satiricial and smart writing in politics today. From today's NYT, she writes on on the improbabilities of Herman Cain and frozen armadillos. Trust me, it's funny.
- [Zombie Apocalpypse, Christian Apocalypse](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/zombie-apocalpypse-christian-apocalypse/) - A Sermon for the Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost, Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 6 November 2011Lectionary Year A, Proper 32. Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 70, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Matthew 25:1-13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-35/) - Got this courtesy of Dana Rittenhouse. This was taken last week in Kabul, during the ramp ceremony for Master Corporal Byron Greff. The padre leading the bearing party is Dana's husband, Captain Howard Rittenhouse, chaplain to the Third Battalion, Prince Patricias' Canadian Light Infantry, and a dear colleague of mine. Dana wrote that "The ramp
- [Life in Suffield:  The Mad (And Bad) Padre On Ice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/life-in-suffield-the-mad-and-bad-padre-on-ice/) - Last week marked my second ever ice hockey game. Our Base Public Affairs Officer, Nicole, came to the rink for the game featuring the Officers' Mess vs the Senior Warrants and Sergeants' Mess, and took many thrilling action shots. I am not among these thrilling action shots, because I saw no action, other than slowly
- ["They Facilitated the Horror":  A New Study Of German Chaplains in Hitler's Army](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/they-facilitated-the-horror-a-new-study-of-german-chaplains-in-hitlers-army/) - In the National Post today, Canadian professor Doris Bergen talks about her research on the paradoxical place of German chaplains in Hitler's army, and how their presence did not stop and may even have facilitated the atrocities committed in places such as the Eastern Front. Here's an excerpt:"For all her work she had done on
- [US Soldier:  Waterboarding Is Torture, Period](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-soldier-waterboarding-is-torture-period/) - I came across this piece in Small Wars Journal by Malcom Nance, a US counter-terrorism guy, on how waterboarding as an interrogation practice is torture, pure and simple, and how equivocation in US government and media circles on its continued use is a "crisis of honor". A must read for anyone interested in military ethics.
- [Seen On The Morning Run:  Winter Starts To Grip The River](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-winter-starts-to-grip-the-river/) - Running along the bank of the S. Saskatchewan River this morning around 07:00hrs, I stopped to take this and several other shots of the first ice forming on the water. I was glad I turned off my music to do so, because it allowed me to hear the ice actually moving on the river, something
- ["This Should Haunt All Of Us":  A US Army Officer Calls For Better Ethical Training For Soldiers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-should-haunt-all-of-us-a-us-army-officer-calls-for-better-ethical-training-for-soldiers/) - Apropros of yesterday's post on waterboarding, here's another take on the role of torture in contemporary warfare.H/t to Tom Ricks of the Best Defence blog for flagging this excellent piece on ethics and combat by a junior US Army officer, based on his recent experience in Afghanistan. Kevin Bell argues that ethics can't be left
- [On The Wargames Blog:  Confederate Gunners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-the-wargames-blog-confederate-gunners/) - Posted on my wargames blog yesterday, some photos of a group of American Civil War gunners just finished. Lots more toys on the mad padre workbench to keep me busy this winter.
- [Meeting Royalty:  A Sermon for the Reign of Christ Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/meeting-royalty-a-sermon-for-the-reign-of-christ-sunday/) - A Sermon Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 20 November, 2011.The Reign of Christ and Last Sunday of Pentecost, Lectionary Year A. Ezekiel 32:11-16,20-24, Psalm 23, Ephesians 115-23, Matthew 25: 31-46. Then he will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the
- [Military Video Games:  "The Promise Of Plausible Heroism"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-video-games-the-promise-of-plausible-heroism/) - In a thoughtful piece in the NYT, Seth Schiesel makes the point that the new generation of incredibly attractive modern war video games (I confess I'm tempted to get an XBox and start blasting away) are supplying narratives of war and heroism that the wars of the last decade have not given us. MP+A scene
- [Atheists In U.S. Military Seek Official Status](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/atheists-in-u-s-military-seek-official-status/) - From last week's Baltimore Sun. As an aside, I can't imagine a Canadian military chaplain, faced with a similar situation, telling a soldier that "this is God's army". MP+Army Capt. Ryan Jean, an intelligence officer at Ft. Meade, Md., is an atheist who seeks official recognition for nonbelievers on par with that of Christians, Jews
- [Seen On The Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-run-2/) - Two images from some recent runs of things that caught my attention.Last week in downtown Calgary, during an all-too brief run along the south bank of the Bow River, I came across this carved monument, a gift to Calgary from the Hungarian Arts and Heritage Association of Alberta. It had just snowed for the first
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-16/) - Today's image is, well, me. This grisly visage was what my fellow runners from the Mad Hatters Running Club had to look at during our 10k outing this morning. They said the high today was -14 C, but this morning with the wind chill I think it was at least -20. THe good thing about
- [The Economics Of Death](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-economics-of-death/) - Kudos to the Globe and Mail for running this latest piece in their series on end of life issues. As Canada's population ages along with the rest of the Western world, death will consume more and more of our health care dollars. Personally I welcome the discussion this article invites. While I worry that an
- [A University Chaplain Brings Some Peace To Tense Campus](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-university-chaplain-brings-some-peace-to-tense-campus/) - The tense campus is University of California at Davis, site of the now-viral images of a university peace officer casually pepper-spraying a row of sitting and apparently peaceful demonstrators on 18 November. The chaplain is the Rev. Kristin Stoneking, who was called in to campus the following day to defuse a tense situation outside the
- [A Fantasy For Christmas Eve](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-fantasy-for-christmas-eve/) - Five years ago I preached this sermon while I was in a rural parish in SW Ontario. After the service several folks gently accused me of ripping it off of someone like the CBC's Stewart MacLean, which I took as a compliment to the sermon if not to my character, since I had in fact
- [Back To The Summer:  Adventure Training In The Rockies](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/back-to-the-summer-adventure-training-in-the-rockies/) - As the daily temperatures drop and winter approaches on icy feet, I find myself retreating into pleasant memories of this summer, including things I haven't managed to blog about yet.In August I was lucky enough to get a spot on an Adventure Training trip to Alberta's Rocky Mountains, in the Kananaskis region. Adventure Training is
- [Luke and Linus:  A Sermon for Christmas Eve](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/luke-and-linus-a-sermon-for-christmas-eve/) - A Sermon Preached at All Saints Anglican Church, Medicine Hat, ABChristmas Eve, 2011Lectionary Year B, Isaiah 9:2-7, Psalm 96, Titus 2:11-14, Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]The hip and cool coffee retailer Starbucks (or “Tenbucks” for those of you who prefer the cheaper and more wholesome ambience of Tim Hortons, is very shrewd about its holiday marketing. As
- [What's In A Name?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/whats-in-a-name/) - A Sermon for the Feast of the Holy Name of JesusPreached at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Medicine Hat, AB, 1 January 2012Num 6:22-27, Ps 8, Phil 2:9-13, Luke 2:15-21 Our names, particularly our first or, as they were once commonly called, our Christian names, are powerful things. They mark as us individuals, and hint at
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-15/) - Some runs are better than other ones, but even on the really good ones, when I've enjoyed being out and working out, I always enjoy seeing the front door of my house at the end. This was the view this morning of Christmas Eve, about 10:00am on a gorgeous and clear sunny day with our
- [Hats Off:  A Genius](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/hats-off-a-genius/) - Western military leaders and planners are no doubt adjusting to news, reported today by the New York Times, from the PRNK that their new leader, Kim Jung-On, is now officially a "military genius". Becoming a military genius is certainly a very impressive achievement for a guy who is still in his 20s. I know lots
- [2011:  My Year In Running](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/2011-my-year-in-running/) - Today I had the chance to check my 2011 run results as kept by Nike Plus.Quick summary:Kilometres run: 784 (523 in 2010)Kilometres per week: 16 (11 in 2010)Average Pace: 6.50 per km (8'19' in 2010)Calories Burned: 69,358 (44,491 in 2010)Average runs per week: 3Fastest run: 5.11 per kmLongest run: 21.45km2012 goals: I said I would
- [Feet Get Upper Hand in Forks vs Feet Debate](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/feet-get-upper-hand-in-forks-vs-feet-debate/) - This archived piece from the Globe and Mail website on the "Forks vs Feet" debate conducted at the U of Ottawa last May just spurred my resolve to run more in 2012. Executive summary: the more you run, the more calories you burn. Diet alone won't make you thinner. This may not be news, but
- [Seen On The Late Afternoon Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-late-afternoon-run/) - Strangely warm temperatures and the blessed absence of snow and ice saw me out more often last week. While it seems like spring, the sun still sets on its winter schedule, and as I was coming back across the river and passing Medicine Hat city hall (an impressive glass structure), I liked the Christmas lights
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-34/) - This image of the Canadian flag by the Vimy war memorial, taken by Cpl Josée Girard, has been judged the winner of the 2011 Canadian Forces photography contest.
- [Selective Sex Abortion Debate Comes to Canada](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/selective-sex-abortion-debate-comes-to-canada/) - During my Sunday morning drive out to CFB Suffield on Dec 18 last year, I was listening to Michael Enright of CBC Radio's Sunday Morning talking with Canadian author Mara Hvistendahl about the phenomenon of selective-sex abortion or "consumer eugenics" in certain Asian and SE Asian countries.You can hear that interview here:Ms. Hvistendahl claims that
- [New Weapons for the Canadian Forces?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-weapons-for-the-canadian-forces/) - New weapons in the war on stress and frayed nerves, perhaps. The Globe and Mail tweeted a story wondering why Canada's Department of National Defence needed to purchase 20,000 yellow rubber stress balls.The Mop and Pail wondered if Canada's generals are worried about morale as the government prepares to announce job and funding cuts. Or
- ["Bullets, RPGs, and IEDs know no gender": Time for Female Combat Soldiers in All Militaries?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/bullets-rpgs-and-ieds-know-no-gender-time-for-female-combat-soldiers-in-all-militaries/) - The quotation in this post's title comes from Donna McAleer, author, West Point graduate, and former Army officer. Her piece on why the US military needs to allow women soldiers into combat roles is carried on Tom Ricks' blog and is worth reading.Quick statistic from McAleer that I didn't know:230,000 US women have engaged in
- [New Data On Military Suicides](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/new-data-on-military-suicides/) - I meant to post on this story last week when it appeared. The NYT reported on 19 Jan that the US Army has released statistics showing that 2011 suicides among active duty soldiers was at a record high of 164, up from 162 in 2009. In 2008, the US Army suicide rate was 20 per
- [The Temptations (and Dangers) of Drone Warfare](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-temptations-and-dangers-of-drone-warfare/) - In this piece in Sunday's NYT, Peter Singer makes some interesting and disturbing comments on the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in US foreign policy. By taking at-risk human aircrew out of the picture and replacing them with risk-free, remote operators of unmanned vehicles, Singer suggests that the US has removed
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-33/) - From the Foreign Policy website week in pictures.Indian soldiers march during the final full dress rehearsal for the Indian Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 23. India celebrated its 63rd Republic Day on Jan. 26 with a large military parade.
- ["Millions of Human Cogs""  The Ethics of Apple Production and Addiction](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/millions-of-human-cogs-the-ethics-of-apple-production-and-addiction/) - Color China Photo, via Associated PressAn explosion last May at a Foxconn factory in Chengdu, China, killed four people and injured 18. It built iPads. This item below was the NYT's quotation of the day:“If Apple was warned, and didn’t act, that’s reprehensible,” said Nicholas Ashford, a former chairman of the National Advisory Committee on
- [Notable Quotable:  David Gushee on Being Faithful in Times of Election](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-david-gushee-on-being-faithful-in-times-of-election/) - I am a huge news junkie, and since I have (God help me) discovered Twitter (@madpadre1 if you care to follow me) I have more hot breaking news, especially election news and opinion from the Excited States of America to the south, than I can fully digest.It was with a sense of gratitude, then, that
- ["The Burns Are ... a Soldier's Uniform":  Treating the Burned Wounded](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-burns-are-a-soldiers-uniform-treating-the-burned-wounded/) - After nearly 30 operations, Joey Paulk began to resign himself to his appearance. But with help from a program that aids badly burned veterans, he received surgery that revived his self-confidence.With the possible exception of burned aircrew of World War Two, the famous "guinea pigs" who allowed plastic surgeons to learn a new trade, I
- [Your Very Own Canadian Scene!](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/your-very-own-canadian-scene/) - While noodling around the Government of Canada website today (it was work! The Defence Team Newsletter told me to go there!) I came upon a Cut Past and Colour activity for kids that allows you to, yes, create your very own Canadian scene. Here are some highlights. I've noted those images which either display some
- [Eagles and Turkeys](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/eagles-and-turkeys/) - A Sermon for the Fifth Sunday of Epiphany, Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 5 February 2011Readings for Proper 5, Year B, Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will
- [A Few Good Neurons:  Military Implications for Neuroscience Research](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-few-good-neurons-military-implications-for-neuroscience-research/) - The UK's The Guardian reported yesterday on a paper by the British scientific body The Royal Society notes that current research in neuroscience has many implications for military technology and ethics that haven't been fully considered yet. One of the technologies discussed is the Brain Machine Interface (BMI), a technoligy currently allowing users to control
- [:Remarkable Psychological Resilience":  Surprising New Data on Prevalence of PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remarkable-psychological-resilience-surprising-new-data-on-prevalence-of-ptsd/) - From today's NYT, a short piece by Anthony D. Mancini, an assistant professor of psychology at Pace University, on a survey suggesting that the prevalence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among serving military may be lower than it is commonly thought to be.Mancini's research focuses on the strength of what he calls "resilience", or "the
- ["Words That Shape The Soul":  Eugene Peterson on Scripture](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/words-that-shape-the-soul-eugene-peterson-on-scripture/) - Christian educatior and writer Christopher Benson maintains a blog that I sometimes disagree with (especially on politics) but which I always find thoughtful and nourishing. Today's notable quotable comes via his blog, an excerpt from spiritual theologian Eugene Peterson on the authority of scripture and its misuses. Here's an excerpt:" ... words of Scripture are
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-32/) - US Army Sgt. 1st Class Russell Minta, senior noncommissioned officer for the Defense Department's Military Working Dog Breeding Program on Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, holds a puppy in his hand. The program provides working dogs to every service branch and numbers among the largest military breeding programs in the world. DOD photo
- [We Are Not the Dead: Soldiers' Faces Before, During and After Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-are-not-the-dead-soldiers-faces-before-during-and-after-afghanistan/) - The UK's The Telegraph has published a series of pictures and interviews of members of the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, before, during, and after their deployment to Afghanistan. In these powerful photos you can see the physical and psychological toll that the war has taken on these young men. Especially moving is
- [Power Dressing in Church:  A Protest Against Clergy in Robes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/power-dressing-in-church-a-protest-against-clergy-in-robes/) - Thanks to CF chaplain friend, @PadreShaun, for tweeting this piece from The Telegraph about a tempest in the Church of England over priests being "forced" to wear robes. According to the Rev. Andrew Atherstone, a curate and tutor at Oxford's Wycliffe Hall, clergy wearing robes in worship are a hindrance to mission and evangelism because
- [Westfalia Wistfulness](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/westfalia-wistfulness/) - Last week the housing people at CFB Suffield served notices that garage tenants had to empty them in prepartion for new doors being installed. That gave me the perfect excuse to pay a call on Kaiser Bill (short for Wilhelm) where I had parked him in fear of a winter that, so far, has never
- [The Price of Healing:  A Sermon for the Sixth Sunday After Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-price-of-healing-a-sermon-for-the-sixth-sunday-after-epiphany/) - A sermon preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 12 February, 2012Proper 6, Lectionary Year B, 2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" (Mark 1:41)Our readings from scripture today,
- [Leading the Blind:  UK Soldiers Make Difficult March for Charity](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/leading-the-blind-uk-soldiers-make-difficult-march-for-charity/) - Inspiring picture and caption from the MOD news service:Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh head out onto the local streets as they take part in a 50-mile (80.5km) walk from their home barracks in Chester to Llandudno - blindfolded. About 30 soldiers from the unit took part in the gruelling fundraiser for St Dunstan's,
- [Miliary Goats in the News:  WW1 Goat Unearthed](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/miliary-goats-in-the-news-ww1-goat-unearthed/) - The Daily Mail is calling it the "Pompeii of the Western Front". Recently, construction on a highway near Carspach, France, discovered a group of twenty one German soldiers from the First World War, who were buried suddenly by an explosion which collapsed their underground shelter in 1918. These unfortunates and their possessions remained well preserved
- [Using Light to Unlock the PTSD Trap](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/using-light-to-unlock-the-ptsd-trap/) - I've been hearing bits and pieces about EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a relatively new approach to treating people with severe PTSD. This story from the Telegraph, about how EMDR has helped a UK army nurse, is interesting. The account of how Hilary Horton got her PTSD is also a reminder that pscyhological wounds
- [A Terrible Beauty:  A Sermon for the Transfiguration](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-terrible-beauty-a-sermon-for-the-transfiguration/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 19 February 2012Last Sunday of Epiphany / Transfiguration Sunday, Lectionary Year B2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3He, too, has
- [Ethical iPads Coming](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ethical-ipads-coming/) - As I inch closer to my iPad purchase, I was pleased to note today's Globe and Mail editorial, encouraging Apple's recent efforts to improve the lot of its workers in China through such initiatives as joining the Fair Labour Association. This topic generated considerable discussion here and may be of interest to MP readers. Here's
- [A Really Bad VW Bus Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-really-bad-vw-bus-day/) - This shot is from a collection assembled by Jon Rafman, a series of "beautiful and strange images" captured by the Google Street View car for his project entitled “The Nine Eyes of Google Street View” . These are all images caught by the camera of Google street view cars from around the world. I feel
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-31/) - The last MilPic of the Week was a shameless picture of a soldier with a puppy. Cat fancying readers of Mad Padre have been demanding equal time, so here you go.Twenty-four more shameless pictures of soldiers with cats and dogs here.
- ["I"ve managed to ... save most of them":  The Limits of Lincoln's Mercy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ive-managed-to-save-most-of-them-the-limits-of-lincolns-mercy/) - A little background here since, unless you follow my wargames blog, you won't know that I have a longstanding fascination with the American Civil War. For me one of the many compelling things about that period is the character and leadership of Abraham Lincoln, and the humanity of the man seen so luminously in his
- [The Three Voices of Ash Wednesday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-three-voices-of-ash-wednesday/) - (Matthew Sherwood for The Globe and Mail) Hide caption Natalie Lucas receives an ash cross on her forehead during Mass on Ash Wednesday at St. Michael's Cathedral in Toronto.Preached at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Medicine Hat, AB22 February, 2012 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, Psalm 51:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21Ash Wednesday is a service much
- [Tactical Ministry in Kabul](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/tactical-ministry-in-kabul/) - Captain the Reverend Howard Rittenhouse, Padre of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, and Task Force Chaplain of the Canadian Contribution to the Training Mission in Afghanistan, adds a black liturgical scarf to his normal dress of arid-pattern CADPAT in preparation to conduct a service.Photo : MCpl Rory WilsonMy padre buddy Howard is
- ["A Place Which Provides Peace, Quiet and Privacy":  A Military Chapel in Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-place-which-provides-peace-quiet-and-privacy-a-military-chapel-in-afghanistan/) - In garrison and on bases, military chapels tend to be quiet, infrequently used places. I once heard them described as being like the formal sitting parlour in a house, a place reserved for formal occasions rather than for everyday use. On deployment, however, chapels can be the one place in a FOB or a base
- [A Soldier Artist Remembers the Fallen](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-soldier-artist-remembers-the-fallen/) - Almost a year ago I put a clipping outside my office door, a story from the Globe and Mail profiling Poto Leifi, a commercial artist who enlisted in the US Army in 2005 and put his talents to work commemorating his fallen comrades. I took the clipping down today, and suddenly realized that I had
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-14/) - After an unseasonably warm February which totally spoiled me, winter has returned to tale some erratic swipes at SE Alberta. Today I staggered along a trail that winds around the hill in my neighborhood, and after pausing for breath at the top of this icy little ascent, which did not help my average pace one
- [The Cross:  Burden or Blessing?  A Sermon for the Second Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-cross-burden-or-blessing-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 4 March, 20122 Lent, Lectionary Year B: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Psalm 22:23-31, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38"If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mk 8: 34)Do you have a cross to bear? Do you
- [God's Hurtin' Albertans  A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gods-hurtin-albertans-a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-lent/) - A sermon preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 11 March, 2011Readings for lectionary Year B: Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple (Ps 19:7)Being an inveterate eavesdropper, I was
- [Faces From the Depths:  Two Sailors of the Monitor Seen Again](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/faces-from-the-depths-two-sailors-of-the-monitor-seen-again/) - In one of those odd intersections of time and history, the two most famous warships of the American Civil War are in the news. One hundred years ago, the Confederate ironclad warship CSS Virginia, formerly the USS Merimack, sailed up the Elizabeth River to attack a flotilla of Union warships at Hampton Roads. Those wooden
- [Beer, It's Lovely!](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/beer-its-lovely/) - My buddy Padre Gibby sent me this lovely vintage ad today via the Retronaut site and it had to arrive in the middle of my Lenten fast from beer, spirits, and the demon drink, and me counting the hours to an alcohol-free happy hour this afternoon. Oh well, the laugh made up for the thirst.Gibby
- [Snakes On A Journey:  A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/snakes-on-a-journey-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent-2/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABLent 4, Lectionary Year B: Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22, Ephesians 2:1-10John 3:14-21The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord to take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the
- [Seen On The Afternoon Walk](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-walk/) - I'm at a conference this week at the Deer Lodge Hotel in Lake Louise, Alberta, a grand oldplace of 1910-20 vintage that looks eerily similar to the one in the film The Shining. I brought my running gear but there is a lot of snow here.So no running today, alas. Instead myself and chaplain colleague
- [Thoughts on Staff Sgt. Bales, PTSD, and the Way Ahead](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/thoughts-on-staff-sgt-bales-ptsd-and-the-way-ahead/) - Staff Sgt. Robert Bales (left), the U.S. soldier who allegedly shot and killed 16 civilians in Afghanistan, at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., on Aug. 23.Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System/AFP/Getty Images Like many others in the military community, I've been following the unfolding of the alleged shooting by Staff Sgt. Robert
- [A Graduate Seminar From the Boss](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-graduate-seminar-from-the-boss/) - Music isn't normally within the scope of this blog, but I love most kinds of music and enjoy talking about it.If you have any interest in popular music, and have an hour or so to spare, Bruce Springsteen's keynote address at this year's South by Southwest Festival is amazing. Springsteen is poetic, lyrical, funny, and
- [Gangsta Night](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gangsta-night/) - From a recent event at the Suffield Officer's Mess, this is the fearsome "Johnny Chicago" and his moll, "Miss Sippy B". Just don't be askin' Johhny to open up that case and play you a tune, unless you want to get all ventilated, see?- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- [Napoleonic Veterans In Old Age (And Still In Uniform)](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/napoleonic-veterans-in-old-age-and-still-in-uniform/) - Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815A week or so back I posted about two Union sailors lost on the Monitor, whose faces have been given back to us as computer reconstructions. A series of black and white images published on Retronaut seem almost as miraculous to me. These grand old men, probably photographed in
- [The Hidden Costs Of Drone Warfare](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-hidden-costs-of-drone-warfare/) - A French Air Force drone is released in Afghanistan in 2009: unmanned drones and cyberwarfare are set to be growth industries. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty ImagesDrone warfare is something Mad Padre has been tracking for a while, particularly the ethical temptations and implications of this kind of war. The proliferating use of drones allows western powers
- [Palms and Crosses: A Sermon for Passion Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/palms-and-crosses-a-sermon-for-passion-sunday/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 1 April, 2012Lections for the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday, Year BIsaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1-15:47Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with
- [Remembering Richard of Chichester](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-richard-of-chichester/) - I was reminded today in my morning devotions that today is the feast of Richard of Chichester (1197-1253), and since I have a fondness for medieval saints, here is a post for St. Richard.Richard of Wyche was a scholar and student of canon law. He was elected to be Bishop of the Diocese of Chicester
- [Go Find Him:  A Sermon For Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/go-find-him-a-sermon-for-easter-sunday/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 8 April 2012.Readings for Lectionary Year B: Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, John 20:1-18, Alternate Gospel Mark 16:1-8But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-30/) - Don't look too long at this milpic if you are bothered by heights.Members of the U.S. Army Parachute Team -- Sgt. 1st Class John Berentis, from Yuma, Arizona and Staff Sgt. Laura Dickmeyer, from Abilene, Texas -- assess the wind conditions prior to their pre-game jump into FedEx field for the Army vs. Navy game
- [Seen on the Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-13/) - This photo was take during a breather alongside the South Saskatchewan River at Strathcona Island Park in Medicine Hat last Friday, 13 April As you can see, spring has come to the river, the ice and snow are gone, and those are actually birds in the water, who seem quite happy about the coming of
- [We Are Thomas](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-are-thomas/) - A Sermon Preached on the Second Sunday of Easter15 April, 2012, Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABLections for Year B: Acts 4:32-35, Psalm 133, 1 John 1:1-2:2, John 20:19-31Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."
- [](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/3581-2/) - A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 29 April 2012 Texts for the Fourth Sunday After Easter (Year B) Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 16 We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-29/) - From the Archives feature of the US Stars and Stripes website, this photo shows a Roman Catholic priest preparing to celebrate mass in Vietnam.Here's the caption:"Khe Sanh, South Vietnam, February, 1971: Helmets are removed but placed nearby for quick retrieval as Chaplain (Capt.) Albert Hartlage leads services for soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry,
- ["They Don't Look Much Different From Us"  A Sermon For Battle Of The Atlantic Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/they-dont-look-much-different-from-us-a-sermon-for-battle-of-the-atlantic-sunday/) - Preached at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Medicine Hat, ABSunday, 6 May, 2012When I was asked by the local Sea Cadet unit to assist with their Battle of the Atlantic Sunday, I recycled this sermon from one posted on this blog in 2009. Those who say that sermons can never be reused as is are quite
- ["The Ordinary Bloke In Extraordinary Circumstances":  Remembering Commando Comics](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-ordinary-bloke-in-extraordinary-circumstances-remembering-commando-comics/) - Robert Fleming, Curator of Fine and Decorative Art, National Army Museum [Picture: Harland Quarrington, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012] Meant to post this last week. This piece in UK MOD daily feed took me back to my own days of reading war comics. The UK's National Army Museum is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Commando Comics, which
- [A US Marine Chaplain At Work In Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-us-marine-chaplain-at-work-in-afghanistan/) - Noodling around the US DOD website, I found a story on a chaplain's work in Afghanistan, a subject I like to feature here from time to time. I've had a chance to meet several of my US chaplain colleagues and find them quite impressive as a group. Several things of note - the US military
- ["I Landed Crazy":  An Iraq Memoir Of Note](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-landed-crazy-an-iraq-memoir-of-note/) - Military blogger and journalist Tom Ricks has been flagging a book that I want to move quickly to the top of my reading list. The Long Walk is a memoir of an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Demolition) operative in Iraq an apparently has a lot to say about PTSD and the aftermath of war. This excerpt,
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-28/) - British Challenger Main Battle Tank, outside BATUS headquarters, CFB Suffield, taken last week on a rare sunny day. Decades ago, during the latter part of the Cold War, the prairies here were crawling with Challengers. From what I am hearing now, however, the future of these giant tanks is by no means assured. British government
- [Propane Gain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/propane-gain/) - Look beneath the appalling line of rust in this photo. Ok, I hear you say, I'll look below that appalling rust. Ummm, what exactly am I looking at? Aha! I say, so glad you asked. What you see there is a brand new propane tank for Wilhelm, or Kaiser Bill, as we call him, my
- [Even On The Gentiles, Even On Us: A Sermon For The Sixth Sunday Of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/even-on-the-gentiles-even-on-us-a-sermon-for-the-sixth-sunday-of-easter/) - Preached Sunday, 13 May, Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB Sixth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Year B: Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 "The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles." (Acts 10:45)
- [Domine Ora Pro Nobis](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/domine-ora-pro-nobis/) - A Sermon For The Seventh Sunday Of Easter, 20 May, 2012. Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, Psalm 1, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 Today's readings didn't really inspire me while thinking of them last week. The first reading, about the election of Matthias over Justus (two guys
- [Seen On The Afternoon Bike Ride](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-bike-ride/) - Taken this Friday afternoon around 1pm, on the western edge of Medicine Hat on the Ross Glen trail, overlooking Seven Persons Creek and the rail line. It looks sunny in the distance to the south, but that dark line at the top of the photo is a rain cloud just waiting to dunp on my
- [Language Play of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-3/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. Here's the fourth in what is
- [Parthians, Cretans, Phrygians ... Albertans?" A Sermon For Pentecost Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/parthians-cretans-phrygians-albertans-a-sermon-for-pentecost-sunday/) - Pentecost Sunday, Readings (Lectionary Year B): Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15“And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-27/) - With a heart full of (typically understated and modest, self-effacing) Canadian pride, I offer this week's milpic, courtesy of the UK MOD news feed. A member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (left) and his Household Cavalry counterpart pass on Horse Guards Parade, London. [Picture: Trooper Mark Larner, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012] Members of the Royal
- [The American Civil War Day By Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-american-civil-war-day-by-day/) - There are a number of sesquicentenial (175 years if you're wondering -- errr, wait, strike that. 150 years, thanks to an erudite Mad Padre reader) anniversary blogs tracking the American Civil War, but one I discovered today and wanted to flag is this labour of love by a talented amateur historian, Allen Gathman, Seven Score
- [Wholesome Foods Can Make You Immoral](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wholesome-foods-can-make-you-immoral/) - Listening to NPR's "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" this Saturday put me on to a study that speaks to this blog's interest in society and ethics. Prof. K.J. Eskine published a paper in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science (May 15, 2012) on findings which suggest that wholesome food can make you, well, kind
- [Language Play Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-2/) - Every now and then I read something - a phrase, a turn of thought, and I think, "wow, Writer Dude, you just nailed that". OK, I realize that my last sentence wasn't exactly an example of the kind of effective writing I'm talking about, but you get my point. Here's the fifth in what is
- [We're Not All Heroes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/were-not-all-heroes/) - A reader of Tom Rick's military affairs blog makes a good point about how contemporary society and media lavish the word "hero" on practically everyone in uniform, to the point where the meaning of the word and the concept of heroism is being seriously devalued. The same reader makes the point that because only a
- [And It's Summer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/and-its-summer/) - The first pitch of the first game of the season for the Medicine Hat Mavericks was last night just after 7pm, on a warm evening under a clear sky. A home crowd of just under 1800, including, myself and Mrs. Padre, cheered on the home team.The Mavericks play in the Western Major Baseball League, a
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-12/) - Met this chap (or lady? I couldn't tell and it seemed rude to ask) this morning while passing a farm south of the base. I asked permission to post his/her likeness on the interwebs. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- [Seen On The Afternoon Runs](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-runs/) - There is something comforting about running alongside a river. The play of light along the water provides visual interest, while the sense of flow and movement of the river encourages my own sometimes flagging efforts.This week I'm in Cornwall, in the far eastern corner of Ontario, attending a conference. I've had the chance to run
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-11/) - Charming old house and early summer lilac in bloom, Medicine Hat, Friday morning this week.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-26/) - This photo is one of several on a Russian website that I learned about from a wargaming website I frequent. Thanks to Google Translate, this picture was taken at a Soviet era factory, the Kharkov Armoured Repair Plant, which "specialize[d] in the overhaul and modernization of the T-64, T 80, T-72 tank engines 5TDF and
- [Remembering A Murdered DDay Chaplain](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-a-murdered-dday-chaplain/) - Yesterday during the Eucharist of the Anglican Military Ordinariate of the Canadian Forces, our guest speaker, Fr. Bill Cliff, came from Huron College in London, Ontario, with this relic.This chalice and stole are from the communion kit of Padre Walter Brown, a Huron College grad who served as padre with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers, an armored
- [Seen On The Afternoon Hike](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-hike/) - It's been radio silence here for a few weeks, during which I've been either busy, unmotivated, on holidays and offline, or some combination of the three. However, I do have some photos taken during a four day trip through the SW corner of Alberta from last weekend. A week ago today Mrs. Padre and I
- [Grateful Seeds:  A Sermon for Sunday, 17 June, 2012](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/grateful-seeds-a-sermon-for-sunday-17-june-2012/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 17 June 2012 Readings for the Third Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary Year B: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13,Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 [11-13] 14-17, Mark 4:26-34 It’s often said that Jesus used parables to connect with his listeners using everyday language and images that they could
- [Seen On The Morning Hike](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-hike/) - Such is the glacial pace of my blogging that I am only now getting to the next part of report on some travels in SE Alberta that Mrs. Padre and I took last month. After seeing Writing on Stone Provincial Park (see last post), we pointed Appa the Volksbison (see previous post) west, travelling along
- [Dr. Rich Mahogany Takes Men's Questions On Mental Health](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/dr-rich-mahogany-takes-mens-questions-on-mental-health/) - Another h/t to the New York Times today for this great piece on a fictional doctor, Dr. Ron Mahogany, who you can find on the website ManTherapy.org. Mantherapy is a joint effort by several US agencies, including the State of Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention. I heartily recommend this site to my chaplain colleagues dealing
- [How The Marine Corps Trains Its Officers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/how-the-marine-corps-trains-its-officers/) - A fascinating piece (with equally compelling photos) in today's NYT about how the US Marine Corps trains its infantry officers. There was a recent conversation on this blog about the wisdom of militaries accepting women as combatants. One aspect of this NYT piece is that the USMC will soon open its Infantry Officer Course to
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-25/) - No, these are not soldiers practising geometry. Well, maybe they are, in a sense. This picture from the UK MOD news feed shows British Army NCOs at Sandhurst engaged in a competition. Here's the MOD description. "The 2012 British Army All-Arms Pace Sticking Championships saw 14 teams competing at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The
- [A Call To Rest: A Sermon For The Eighth Sunday Of Pentecost](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-call-to-rest-a-sermon-for-the-eighth-sunday-of-pentecost/) - A Sermon Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 22 July, 2012 Readings for the Eighth Sunday of Pentecost, Lectionary Year B: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a, Psalm 23, Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Jesus said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." (Mark 6:31) For
- [Notable Quotable On Women In The Infantry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-on-women-in-the-infantry/) - H/t to Mad Padre reader Dan for pointing me to this interview with a USMC Engineer, Capt, Katie Petronio, who offers these comments, based on her experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, on why the Marine Corps is wrong to consider taking women into the infantry. Note from her written comments that she is only speaking
- [The Difficult (And Necessary) Moment Of Confession](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-difficult-and-necessary-moment-of-confession/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, 5 August, 2012 Readings for the Tenth Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary Year B: 2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a, Psalm 51:1-13, Ephesians 4:1-16, John 6:24-35 Last Sunday our guest preacher, Padre Kevin White, spoke to us about the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The thing that really
- [Who Are The Dangerous Fundamentalists?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/who-are-the-dangerous-fundamentalists/) - I was heartened to read a piece today by New York Times columnist Frank Bruni on the dangers inherent in using lables such as "religious right" to characterize Christians. Bruni makes some astute comments on the kind of Christianity espoused by US politician and sometime presidential hopeful Michelle Bachmann. Bachmann is back in the news
- [TocH: A Story Of The Great War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/toch-a-story-of-the-great-war/) - My friend Phil, a British Army padre, recently sent me a postcard bearing the photo of a chap I didn't recognize.At first I thought it was a picture of Conrad Kinch. Actually I have no idea who he is, and the back of the card didn't say. What it did say was intriguingly cryptic: a
- [Notable Quotable:  Richard Polt On The Lifeworld](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-richard-polt-on-the-lifeworld/) - This Sunday's NYT had a great essay by Richard Polt, professor of philosophy at Xavier University in Cincinatti, challenging determinist and behavioural claims by scientist's such as Edmund O. Wilson that our huamnity is much less unique and exalted than has been traditionally supposed. Polt's basic claim is that our actions are not simply driven
- [Should Generals Be In Politics?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/should-generals-be-in-politics/) - h/t to my friend Padre "Gibby" who put me on to this opinion piece in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, arguing that society needs more ex military men in high elected office, because of the leadership and administrative skills they bring to the table.Leaving aside the question of whether professional soldiers are suited for political
- [Military Goats In The News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-3/) - Regular readers of Mad Padre (you know who you are) will agree that there is nothing that warms the heart more than that noblest of creatues, the military goat. For centuries goats have been faithful companions and mascots to regiments, and this blog will always pay this proud breed the homage it so richly deserves.Today's
- [Lorna Dueck On The Religion Of Our Leaders](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/lorna-dueck-on-the-religion-of-our-leaders/) - A lot of posts today, partly because I'm catching up from a few weeks away and partly because I've got a bit of my blogging mojo back.I flagged a column in the 2 August Globe and Mail that was worth sharing. The author is Lorna Dueck, a journalist and Christian, writing about the ongoing media
- [Jesus' Big Claim:  A Sermon For Sunday 12 July 2012](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jesus-big-claim-a-sermon-for-sunday-12-july-2012/) - Readings for the Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Psalm 34:1-8, Ephesians 4:25-5:2, John 6:35, 41-51 I once had a parishioner who took me aside just before the Communion Service started and asked me if, when I came to him at the altar rail, I could change the words of
- [Women And Children First?  Not So Much](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/women-and-children-first-not-so-much/) - Hey, that's Kenneth More as Second Officer Lightoller in the 1958 film, A Night To Remember, making sure that (rich, from their clothes) women and children get into the Titanic's lifeboats first. That's a great image of the chivalry of the sea, but a recent study suggests that the image may not be typical of
- [For The US Army, A Milestone](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-the-us-army-a-milestone/) - Brig. Gen. Tammy S. Smith and her wife, Tracey Hepner. General Smith is the first openly gay officer of flag rank in the American military. With the posthumous revelation of the late Dr. Sally Ride's sexual orientation, a lot of media commentators suggested, rightly I think, that the time may have come for us to
- [Remembering The War Of 1812](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-the-war-of-1812/) - The last time I went to the movies, I entered the cinema just as the new Government of Canada video on the war of 1812 was on. I thought, "Holey moley, is that a new movie? That looks awesome!" Anyone who has cringed through a low-budget, low quality film featuring a few reenactors who, like
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-24/) - This gentleman is Frank Boyd, who on June 28th attended the dedication of the Bomber Command Memorial in London, England. Mr. Boyd served as an air gunner in a Lancaster bomber crew, and participated in 36 operational sorties. Photo: David Carpenter Mr. Boyd as he looked in World War Two.
- [Religion May Be Linked To Generosity, Study Suggests](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/religion-may-be-linked-to-generosity-study-suggests/) - The Chronicle of Philanthrop, a US-based nonprofit organization, has just published a study suggesting that the more religious a society is, the more generous it is. The study examined charitable tax deductions from 2008, the most recent year information is available for, and broke those down the fifty states of the US. The findings seem
- [Changing For Dinner Vs Changed By Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/changing-for-dinner-vs-changed-by-dinner/) - A Sermon Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB The Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, 19 August, 2012 Lectionary Year B: Provers 9:1-6, Ps 34:9-14, Ephesians 5:15-58, John 6:51- 1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. 2 She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-10/) - Here's a prank you have probably never seen before. While out runnning near my house this Tuesday morning, I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a car entirely covered in post-it notes. From what I could see, many of the post-its had friendly messages on them, so this was perhaps a birthday,
- [Hugging Missiles And Not Going Wibble](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/hugging-missiles-and-not-going-wibble/) - Stephen Moss of the UK's The Guardian spent a month aboard a Royal Navy submarine recently, and offers an engaging and well-written portrait of life on a modern submarine.
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-23/) - In keeping with the tank theme from my last post, this week's milpic was taken by me this Wednesday, at about 06:30 somewhere out on the Canadian prairie. Four Challenger 2 tanks are outlined by the rising sun, promising another hot day for training. The Challies belong to British Army Training Unit Suffield, and the
- [With The British On The Prairie](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-the-british-on-the-prairie/) - It's always good to get out of the office, especially when you can escape to something as big as the Canadian prairie and watch some cool military kit in action. This Tuesday afternoon I hooked up with David, the Padre of the Scots Dragoon Guards, and made my way to the leaguer of one their
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-9/) - The harbour at St. John's, Newfoundland, seen while climbing Signal Hill, at about 07:00. The run down signal hill was much more pleasant, even despite the rain.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadLocation:
- [Where's Your Armour?  A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wheres-your-armour-a-sermon/) - A Sermon preached Sunday, 26 August, 2012, Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, ABReadings for the Thirteenth After Pentecost, Year B: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18, Psalm 34:15-22, Ephesians 6:10-20, John 6:56-69Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-7/) - Anglican cemetery, Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland. Mountains in the background are typical of the landscape here in Gros Morne Ntl. Park.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneLocation:Main St N,Rocky Harbour,Canada
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-8/) - Some of St. John's famous jellybean houses, Gower Street, near our bed and breakfast.- Posted using BlogPress from my iPadLocation:
- [Book Review:  Every Man Dies Alone](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-every-man-dies-alone/) - Hans Fallada. Every Man Dies Alone. 1947. Translated Michael Hofmann. New York: Melville, 2009. It's been a while since I posted any book reviews here, not because I've stopped reading, but because I lost the habit of reviewing. Some of my blogging friends, such as Curt from Analogue Hobbies, post some excellent book reviews from
- [Ghosts Of Gander](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ghosts-of-gander/) - Mrs. Padre are on our way home from vacation today, after two pleasant weeks. Once I get home I will try to post on some of the cool things I saw in Newfoundland (there were a few glimpses in my running posts), but one thing I wanted to share was my visit to an obscure
- [Notable Quotable:  Rosa Brooks On Drones And The Temptations Of Easy Killing](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-rosa-brooks-on-drones-and-the-temptations-of-easy-killing/) - This article by Rosa Brooks on the US' increasing reliance on drone strikes appeared last week in Foreign Policy. In the article, Brooks argues that the low cost and political convenience of drone technology is blurring the line between conflict and non-conflict, with implications for foreign policy and for traditional definitions of conflict and traditional
- [Seen On The Morning Run - Kingston, Ontario](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-kingston-ontario/) - These pictures were taken last Saturday while I was in Kingston, Ontario, for a wedding. Kingston is a little gem of a city, and has tons of historic interest. The old downtown has wonderful old world limestone buildings, lots of decent restaurants and pubs, and cultural life. Nearby Queens University keeps the place young and
- [Newly Found Papyrus Talks Of Jesus' Wife](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/newly-found-papyrus-talks-of-jesus-wife/) - We don't usually talk religion in the mess but I am so expecting to get asked about this story over a beer at happy hour tomorrow.
- [Catholicism(s) And The US Election](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/catholicisms-and-the-us-election/) - As a Canadian following the US election season with great interest, I can't help but notice that one essential difference between our two countries is that God and religion is virtually absent from our politics, but prominent in theirs. One characterization that Canadians might be excused for buying into is that the Republicans are the
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-22/) - I took these photos two weeks back while on holiday in St. John's, Newfoundland. While going for an early morning jog up Signal Hill, I detoured off the road and passed Queen's Battery, an 18th century fortification guarding the harbour. Maker's stamp on one of the cannons. Sure looks to me like this was made
- [Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me:  A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-a-sermon/) - Is it too late to post last Sunday's sermon? My blog statistics tell me the sermons are the most read posts, so I hope not. Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me - A Sermon For The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost Year B Lections: Isaiah 50:4-9a or Proverbs 1:20-33, Psalm 116:1-9, James 3:1-12, Mark 8:27-38 Preached at
- [In The Ditch With Jesus: A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-the-ditch-with-jesus-a-sermon/) - A Sermon For The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost (Year B), Preached At Christ The Kng Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 23 Sunday, 2012. Lections: Jeremiah 11:18-20, Psalm 54, James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37 "He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant
- [Grenadier Guards Band Visits Suffield](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/grenadier-guards-band-visits-suffield/) - CFB Suffield was treated to some pomp and circumstance last Wednesday evening as only the premier band of the British Army can deliver it. The Band of the Grenadier Guards performed the Beating the Retreat ceremony, a sunset concert and an annual tradiiton at Suffield. The band had a busy schedule touring Southern Alberta, and
- [Sven Hassel, Peter Rabbit, Mad Padre And The Mystery Of The Page View Spike](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sven-hassel-peter-rabbit-mad-padre-and-the-mystery-of-the-page-view-spike/) - For a few days now, I've been puzzled by a spike in the number of visits to Mad Padre. Normally, this humble little blog gets 30-40 visits a day (no, not all from me, I don't count those. Sheesh.) Yesterday, the blogger.com utility told me that Mad Padre had 339 pageviews just on 23 September.
- [Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation And The Good War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/lincolns-emancipation-proclamation-and-the-good-war/) - In this sesquicentennial year of the American Civil War, Sept 22, two days ago, marked the 150th anniversary of the Lincoln Administration's Emancipation Proclamation, the document which promised freedom to all slaves in rebellious states as of 1 January, 1863. In a short essay on this event, John Fabian Witt, a professor at Yale Law
- [Again With The Drones:  NYU/Stanford Study Addresses Social/Cultural Impact Of Drone Warfare In Pakistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/again-with-the-drones-nyu-stanford-study-addresses-social-cultural-impact-of-drone-warfare-in-pakistan/) - I've posted on several items in the military/political news regarding the West's increasing reliance on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (commonly called drones) to conduct military actions and extra-judicial killings as part what we have come to call the War on Terror. These articles have focused on the usefulness or counter-productiveness of these weapons on foreign policy
- [How To Spoil A First Person Shooter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/how-to-spoil-a-first-person-shooter/) - A friend of a friend on Twitter put me on to the website XKCD, A Webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math, and Language. Well, those are three of my favourite things. The math bits are over my head, but the site as a whole is often mordantly funny, a must for tech savvy hipsters. I found
- [US Army To Down Tools Tomorrow And Focus On Suicide Prevention](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-army-to-down-tools-tomorrow-and-focus-on-suicide-prevention/) - I noticed via Twitter that the US Army has announced that it will set aside normal business tomorrow, operations permitting, and deal with suicide awareness and prevention. That is a pretty huge deal for the largest service in the US military to suspend normal duties for a day, and an indication of how seriously they
- [Book Review And Language Play Of The Week: Kevin Powers' The Yellow Birds](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-and-language-play-of-the-week-kevin-powers-the-yellow-birds/) - Kevin Powers, The Yellow Birds.. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2012. For some years now I have been wondering when we might start seeing the literature of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By literature, I mean something akin to the prose and poetry that emerged a decade or so after the Great War
- [RIP Bruno Bobak, Canadian War Artist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rip-bruno-bobak-canadian-war-artist/) - The Globe and Mail and other Canadian media outlets on Thursday reported the passing of Bruno Bobak. I didn't know his name, but I have seen and loved much of what he drew and painted in World War Two. The influence of the Group of Seven, an iconic Canadian school of post-impressionism, is visible in
- [BeastNews On The Religious/Political Fault Line](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/beastnews-on-the-religious-political-fault-line/) - Interesting discussion on Beast TV this morning starts on whether the media are allowed to question a presidential candidate's religious beliefs on the role of women, and segues into a larger discussion on the "fault line" of mutual incomprehension between the media and traditional religious belief. Panelists ask some good questions as to whether the
- [Being Salty: A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/being-salty-a-sermon/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 30 September, 2012. Lectionary readings for the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year B: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; Psalm 19:7-14; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50 "Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." (Mark 9:50) What does Jesus mean, I wonder, when he tells
- [Seen On The Morning Run / 1800+ Kilometres!](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-1800-kilometres/) - This morning in SE Ablberta looked like fall transitioning into winter, grey and cool with a threat of rain. Coming back to the base at the end of a 6k run, the drizzle stopped, the sun came out and this was my reward. A good omen for a good day ahead. This run marked my
- [I'm Published In Canadian Army Journal  (In A Small Way)](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/im-published-in-canadian-army-journal-in-a-small-way/) - A little under a year ago I posted a review of Lizzie Collingham's fascinating history on the role of food (or lack of it)in World War Two. I had submitted that review to the Canadian Army Journal, which encourages book reviews from serving members. After trimming it down to 500 words as per their request,
- [Military Goats In The News](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-the-news-2/) - As all faithful readers of this blog know, there are few things dearer to the heart of Mad Padre than that paragon of martial prowess, that prince of nature and epitome of military tradition ... I refer, gentle readers, to the military goat. This noble creature is Shenkin, the regimental goat of the UK's 2nd
- [Marriage And Community: A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/marriage-and-community-a-sermon/) - A Sermon For The Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Preached At Christ The King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Ralston, AB, 7 October 2012 Readings For Proper 27, Year B: Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 8, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16 https://www.agnusday.org/strips/Mark10v02to16_2012.jpg Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make
- [Notable Quotable: C.S. Lewis On Running](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-c-s-lewis-on-running/) - "If one could run without getting tired, I don't think one would often want to do anything else." I saw this via Twitter just now from @CSLewisDaily. The quote I believe is from The Last Battle. I'm pretty sure Jack wasn't talking about running in the jogging sense, but I would add my own AMEN
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-6/) - Kin Coulee Park, Medicine Hat, around 07:30 yesterday morning. Fall fights its doomed battle with winter for dominance. This run put me at 1844 kms logged with Nike Plus since June 2010. So far I'm on track to break 2000 before New Years, God willing.
- [No More Non Christian Prison Chaplains Says Canadian Government](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/no-more-non-christian-prison-chaplains-says-canadian-government/) - A friend of mine put me on to this story tweeted by the Canadian church's Anglican Journal, reporting that the Canadian government will not renew contracts for non-Christian chaplains employed in Canadian federal prisons. Vic Toews, the minister responsible, has apparently decided that non-Christian prison chaplains are not a good use of taxpayers' money and
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-5/) - Taken this morning at the top of Carry Drive hill in Medicine Hat, looking east towards the South Saskatchewan River, on an unseasonably warm October day. I was tryng to capture the light on the far coulees, but my iphone camera wasn't quite up to it. Despite those clouds in the photo, the day turned
- [The Church Militant And Air Mobile](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-church-militant-and-air-mobile/) - A tip of the beret to Mad Padre's Man In Dublin for spotting this wonderful story about the Russian Army's introduction of a new piece of kit, something it claims is it "the only flying chapel on Earth". This airmobile chapel is designed to accompany Orthodox priests assigned as chaplains to Russia's airborne forces. The
- [This Call's For You](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-calls-for-you/) - If you are a prosperous sort of person (and, if you are an inhabitant of a First World country, you are prosperous compared with most people in the world today), then you probably feel some sympathy for the rich man in today's gospel. Which one of us wouldn't balk at Jesus telling us to sell
- [We Need A Vicar](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/we-need-a-vicar/) - My brother the Mad Colonel sent me this recently. I found the video absolutely delightful. I hope they find a new vicar soon, and I hope he (or she) has a good sense of humour. I suspect it will be an essential quality in all applicants!
- [You're Gonna Have To Serve ... Everyone?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/youre-gonna-have-to-serve-everyone/) - Readings for the 21st Sunday After Pentecost (Year B): Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:35-45 Christ the King Chapel, Sunday, 21 October, 2012 For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mk 10:45) In just about three weeks, one
- [Sam Harris On Science And Morality](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sam-harris-on-science-and-morality/) - Our Man In Dublin asked me what I thought of this TED talk yy Sam Harris on Science and Morality from 2010. Sam Harris, if you haven't heard of him before, is often included among Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens as a powerful voice in contemporary atheism. Some quick responses to the talk
- [The Cheerleaders And The Bible](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-cheerleaders-and-the-bible/) - This week the New York Times updates the debate over the bible quoting cheerleaders in the township of Kountze, near Houston, Texas. Until recently, high school football games in Kountze feature inspirational verses on banners held by the cheerleaders. The pracice has been stopped by the school superintendent, Kevin Weldon, "out of concern that the
- [Military Photo Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-photo-of-the-week/) - Sometimes it's about more than guns. Guardian caption: Captain Anna Crossley speaks the Pashtun language which helps her to gain access to compounds, and the women that live inside them. She often pretends to have what she refers to as a 'Helmand husband', to boost her rapport with the women who do not understand the
- [In Praise Of Dependency](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-praise-of-dependency/) - I have had spotty internet access lately and so am only now posting last Sunday's sermon. For preachers who may be reading, I have an interesting dynamic working at the military chapel where I currently preach. We have several new families with young children (praise God!), but not enough of a critical mass for a
- [Book Review:  They Eat Puppies, Don't They?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-they-eat-puppies-dont-they/) - Christopher Buckley. They Eat Puppies, Don't They? New York: Twelve, Hachette Book Group, 2012. If you enjoy hip and funny political and social satire, you'll like this book as much as I did. This novel is both silly and smart. Bird McIntyre, a lobbyist working for a defence contractor with the delicious name of Groepping
- [Language Play Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week/) - We have an occasional feature here at Mad Padre called Language Play of the Week. Actually it's more like Language Play of the Quarter but I digress. Every now and then I come across a passage that makes me say "Wow, Writer Dude, you totally nailed that." OK, that last phrase wasn't especially felicitous, but
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-21/) - Milpic of last week, actually. I was lucky enough to attend a Land Forces Western Area chaplains' conference last week and our boss was generous enough to choose the Royal Canadian Navy Base in Esquimalt, BC, as our venue. This was especially kind of him because Esquimalt is in lovely and mild Victoria, whereas the
- [Book Review: Two Iraq War Novels](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-two-iraq-war-novels/) - Last month I posted a review of Kevin Powers' novel on the US war in Iraq, The Yellow Birds, and wondered if this novel might be an indicator of the kind of literature we might expect from the wars of the last decade.Since then I've finished two more novels on the Iraq War, both by
- [A Remembrance Day Talk To Schoolchildren](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-remembrance-day-talk-to-schoolchildren/) - I've been asked to give a talk tomorrow at the Canadian-British grade school in the Crown Village of Ralston, the married quarter patch at CFB Suffield. MP+I think it's great that you at Ralston School are having this Remembrance Day service, because it's really important. I am sure that lots of people have told you
- [Seen On The Morning Run:  Three Views Of The River](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-three-views-of-the-river/) - My Saturday morning running route of late has been taking me by the same bend in the South Saskatchewan River, and taking pictures of the river in its various moods and seasons has become a good excuse to stop and catch my breath for a few minutes. Here's the river on a calm and mercifully
- [What's With The Generals?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/whats-with-the-generals/) - It's been a while now since the fall of US General David Petraeus from his post-military job as head of the CIA and all the weird stuff about half naked FBI agents, duelling socialites, and fluffy emails that followed. I first read about Petraeus in journalist Tom Ricks' book on the US-Iraq war, Fiasco, where
- ["I Don't Think That God Is On Anyone's Side": British Army's Chaplain General Speaks](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-dont-think-that-god-is-on-anyones-side-british-armys-chaplain-general-speaks/) - Chaplain-General the Reverend Jonathan Woodhouse [Picture: Corporal Steve Blake, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012] The UK MOD's People In Defence series this month featured the British Army's Chaplain-General on his work and thinking. I particularly liked the answer he gave to this question: LM: In war films, chaplains traditionally reassure soldiers that God is on their side,
- [Christmas At Suffield 1](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/christmas-at-suffield-1/) - Things are winding down at CFB Suffield, the base where I am currently posted. One of my duties as Padre is providing worship services at the small base chapel. If you follow my sermons on this blog, most are preached in this setting. Well, sort of. The chaotic nature of the chapel, where parents and
- [For All Flesh:  A Sermon for The Second Sunday Of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/for-all-flesh-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-advent/) - Second Sunday of Advent. Lections for Year C: Malachi 3:16, Luke 1:68-79, Phippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 To be preached at Christ the King Chapel, Crown Village of Ralston, CFB Suffield, 9 December 2012 "...the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the
- [Christmas at Suffield 2](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/christmas-at-suffield-2/) - My work at Suffield also takes place outside the chapel. A garrison padre's lot is generally a quite one. People are busy in their workshops and offices, and other than sports and social events, it's harder to visit the troops than it is in the field, where most people stand around between sort bursts of
- [Best Christmas Card Postage Stamp Of The Season](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/best-christmas-card-postage-stamp-of-the-season/) - I was delighted to get a Christmas card this week with a stamp featuring a vintage VW camper van w Canada flag and canoe, part of Canada Post's Canadian Pride series. Other than that it's a VW, it's a pretty iconic Canadian image. Here's our own iconic image, the lovely Kay (aka Mrs Padre) alongside
- [The Archaeology Of Compassion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-archaeology-of-compassion/) - Those ethicists who claim that the capacity for altruism is hardwired in human nature may take heart from this story. Yesterday's New York Times carried a piece about an archaeological dig in Vietnam which revealed an ancient skeleton showing signs of lifelong paralysis. The fact that the individual lived well beyond adolescence strongly suggests that
- [A Talk To Sea Cadets](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-talk-to-sea-cadets/) - Back in May I was approached by the commander of the local corps of Royal Canadian Sea Cadets to help them organize a service for Battle of the Atlantic Sunday. I get the impression that the Sea Cadets are a bit thin on the prairie, and struggle to stay viable, thanks to their leaders and
- [The Christmas Apocalypse](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-christmas-apocalypse/) - Preached last night, amidst many adults and children, in a much mor abbreviated and chaotic form, at the CFB Suffield Base Chapel, in the Crown Village of Ralston.So we all survived the Mayan Apocalypse. Congratulations! The fact that I didn't open the base chapel on Dec 21st may suggest to you that I was a
- [The Lost And Found Jesus](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-lost-and-found-jesus/) - Preached this morning at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Medicine Hat, where I am stepping in this morning for the rector, the good Canon Gene Packwood.A local family has decided to go into Calgary for the weekend. It's a large group - parents, aunts and uncles, kids and friends of kids. It's such a large group
- [The Truest Answer Is: "I Don't Know Why"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-truest-answer-is-i-dont-know-why/) - The New York Times has been running a series of meditations on faith and contemporary life through this Christmas season, and yesterday offered this piece by Maureen Dowd, on the problem of explaining God's seeming refusal to intervene in and stop occurrences of evil. In theological terms this is called theodicy, and a wise clergy
- [Whither The Mad Padre Blog?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/whither-the-mad-padre-blog/) - This cartoon sums up how I've been feeling about what I've come to think of "the God Blog" of late. There are times when I feel like the vast majority of people visiting the blog are spammers or their sinister robotic minions. That feeling was reinforced for a while wen I had enabled email notifications
- [God Loves Me Best ... And You Best ... And You ... Oh Yes, And You Too](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/god-loves-me-best-and-you-best-and-you-oh-yes-and-you-too/) - "And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." (Luke 3:22)A sermon preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village Of Ralston, AB, 13 January 2013Texts for lectionary year B, The Baptism Of Our Lord: Isaiah 43:1-7, Psalm 29, Acts 8:14-17, Luke 3:15-17,21-22"Mom (or
- [Back To The Stacks](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/back-to-the-stacks/) - I got a very pleasant letter this week, the formal answer to my application for one of many post-graduate degree progams to be sponsored by the Canadian Forces in the 2013-14 school year. At least, it had a happy ending, though the first paragraph (thank for you application, competition for this program was rigorous, and
- [Sadly, No Death Star Anytime Soon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sadly-no-death-star-anytime-soon/) - It's astonishing to me that over 30,000 people signed a petition calling on the White House to "build the "Star Wars" inspired super-weapon to spur job growth and bolster national defense". I shouldn't be surprised at what people will sign. When I was on a whale watching tour in Nova Scotia I was entranced to
- [Book Review:  The Dog Stars](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-the-dog-stars/) - Peter Heller, The Dog Stars. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2012 Peter Heller might be described as a poet adventurer, a title I wouldn't mind having on my business card. With an MFA in writing and poetry, Heller has gone to some of the most extreme places on earth, and lived to tell the story
- [In The Midst: A Sermon For The Second Sunday After Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-the-midst-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-after-epiphany/) - A Sermon Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 20 January, 2013 Readings For the Second Sunday After Epiphany, Proper 2, Lectionary Year C: Isaiah 62:1-5, Psalm 36:5-10, 1 Corinthians 12:1011, John 2:1-11 "Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana in Galilee, and revealed his glory;
- [Rick Warren On The Most Countercultural Thing You Can Say](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rick-warren-on-the-most-countercultural-thing-you-can-say/) - If you move in Christian circles today or have done so in the past ten years, you will be familiar with Rick Warren and his book, The Purpose Driven Life. A copy of that book sits to hand on my bookshelf as I type this. I confess I've struggled to read it from cover to
- [Notable Quotable:  "You Christians Eat Your Own"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-you-christians-eat-your-own/) - I came across this piece on Christopher Benson's excellent blog, Bensonian, , in which a Christian pastor has occasion, thanks to a non-believing friend, to rethink grace and forgiveness. The subject of their conversation is disgraced televangelist Ted Haggard, and the friend's comment, "You Christians Eat Your Own", forces the pastor to reconsider his own
- [More On Drones And Privacy/Policy Issues](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-on-drones-and-privacy-policy-issues/) - In 2008, when I was being posted to 14 Wing in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, my realtor at the time was quite excited about the prospect of the Wing standing up a UAV (unmannaed aerial venicle, or drones) squadron. The influx of new personnel, he argued, would be good for home prices and should coincide with
- [US Militay To Lift Ban On Women In Combat Roles](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-militay-to-lift-ban-on-women-in-combat-roles/) - Discussion of this story on last night's PBS News Hour: Watch Secretary Panetta Lifts Military Ban on Women in Combat on PBS. See more from PBS NewsHour.
- [The Sum Of Our Parts:  A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-sum-of-our-parts-a-sermon/) - Sometimes Sunday's sermon has to wait a few days until it is pretty enough to go on the blog. This sermon was an ugly mess last Sunday.
- [No Soldier Is An Island](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/no-soldier-is-an-island/) - Just before Christmas my buddy Padre Howard, a handsome but clueless individual, called me to say that he needed some writing from me for the first thing in January. Howard coordinate chaplains' submissions to The Western Sentinel, the newspaper of Canada's Army in western Canada. Burdened by vague feelings of affection and loyalty to Howard
- [Jesus And The Home Field Advantage: A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jesus-and-the-home-field-advantage-a-sermon/) - A Sermon Preached At Christ the King Chapel, Crown Village of Ralston, CFB Suffield, Alberta Sunday, 3 February, 2013 Texts for Lectionary Year C: Jeremiah 1:4-10, Psalm 71:1-6,1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Luke 4:21-30 "When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage." (Luke 4:28) Martin Luther once said something to the effect that
- [Confessions Of Two Liberal Gun Owners](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/confessions-of-two-liberal-gun-owners/) - I have am ambivalent relationship with firearms. I never acquired a firearms license until I was in my thirties and then became interested in American Civil War reenacting. In the real army I am a non-combatant by virture of my trade, and yet I have two rifles at home (one a replica .58 calibre rifled
- [Military Picture Of The Week:  Not Glamorous But Necessary](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-not-glamorous-but-necessary/) - An army logistician takes a lot of guff from combat arms soldiers -- until they need their food, water, ammo and mail, and then it's all smiles and thanks. In a theatre like Afghanistan, the troops running and guarding the supply convoys are as exposed to enemy threat and action as anyone else. These British
- ["I’d Already Rehearsed How I Would Kill Myself": New Treatment Hope For Those With PTSD](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/id-already-rehearsed-how-i-would-kill-myself-new-treatment-hope-for-those-with-ptsd/) - I've been tracking stories about eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) for about a year now, though the therapy has been around for several decades. I'm not a medical man, so I can't comment on whether the medical and scientific community has yet ruled on its ultimate effectiveness. A paper published on the Tufts Medical
- [The Transfiguration:  Beyond Belief?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-transfiguration-beyond-belief/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB Sunday, 10 February, The Last Sunday of Epiphany / Transfiguration Sunday Texts for Lectionary Year C: Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 4:2, Luke 9:28-43 Luke 9:28-36, (37-43) This week I was speaking with one of our soldiers, a bright
- [A Call For Standards On Drone Use](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-call-for-standards-on-drone-use/) - As regular readers of this blog now, the ethical implications of drone warfare are an interest of mine. The technology has progressed so far and so rapidly since the 9/11 attacks that the West, and particularly the United States, has an efficient and, one might argue, addictively simple means of eliminating (killing, to be blunt)
- [Emil Kapaun: A Chaplain Saint To Be?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/emil-kapaun-a-chaplain-saint-to-be/) - A big tip of the beret to Mad Padre's man in CFB Gagetown for putting me on to this story about an army chaplain I had never heard of. Father Emil Kapaun is the subject of a BBC news profile. He was a Kansas farmboy who was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic
- ["The Nearness Of God": A Sermon For The First Sunday Of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-nearness-of-god-a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 17 February, 2013 Texts for Lent 1, Lectionary Year C: Deuteronomy 26:1-11, Psalm 91:1-2,9-16, Romans 10:8b-13, Luke 4:1-13 "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (Romans 10:8) “What are you giving up for Lent, Padre?” I’ve been
- ["Blow the trumpet!" A Sermon For Ash Wednesday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/blow-the-trumpet-a-sermon-for-ash-wednesday/) - Ash Wednesday is one of my favourite days of the church year. It's one of those few moments of total honesty in an age and death denying culture, when we hear that we are going to die ("Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return"), and yet pointed to the mystery of
- [Military Goats In History (Behaving Badly)](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-goats-in-history-behaving-badly/) - Mad Padre's Man in Dublin sends this wonderful piece on military goats. As longterm readers of this blog know, one of our primary missions here at Mad Padre is to sing the praises of that most noble of animals, that paragon of animals, the battling billy, the military goat. May a regiment has been graced
- ["Sourness And Shrugs": Ross Douthat On The Waning Of Catholic Influence In America](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/sourness-and-shrugs-ross-douthat-on-the-waning-of-catholic-influence-in-america/) - In a Feb 16th essay in The New York Times, Ross Douthat writes on how the "Catholic moment", but which he means a time when Roman Catholic thought still had traction in American politics and society, is passing with the incumbency of the current pontiff. Whereas his predecessor was widely revered and mourned, even by
- [Thinking Ethically About The New Cool War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/thinking-ethically-about-the-new-cool-war/) - On the Foreign Policy website today, David Rothkopf uses the term "Cool War" (new to me) to describe so called "cyberwar", the use of computer hacking and digital attacks by state actors on one another. A very current example of cyberwar was in the headlines this Tuesday with the Mandiant report on Chinese Army hacking
- ["Drones Are Like Laparoscopic Surgery"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/drones-are-like-laparoscopic-surgery/) - Another tip of the beret to Mad Padre's Man In Dublin for putting me on to this piece in Slate Magazine by William Saletan defending the West's use of drones in places such as Afghanistan and Yemen as being the best possible way to reduce civilian casualties. It's tempting to see a vindication of Saltaan's
- [The Poet Laureate Of The Hanoi Hilton](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-poet-laureate-of-the-hanoi-hilton/) - An inspiring story about John Borling, the US airman whose poems, tapped out in code in the notorious North Vietnamese prison, the "Hanoi Hilton", kept alive the hearts and souls of his fellow captives. His book, Taps on the Walls, has been recently published.
- [Leaving The Retreat Centre:  A Sermon For The Second Sunday Of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/leaving-the-retreat-centre-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-lent/) - "One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of The Lord, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4) Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, The
- [From George Herbert, A Poem For His Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/from-george-herbert-a-poem-for-his-day/) - https://actorphotobook.com/images/george-herbert-05.jpg Today in the calendar of the Anglican Communion is dedicated to remembering one of our "saints", the 17th century poet and clergyman George Herbert. I put "saints" in quotation marks since the Anglican understanding of sainthood is somewhat different from that held by our Catholic brothers and sisters. Anglicans don't see saints necessarily as
- [The Bible For A New Generation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-bible-for-a-new-generation/) - Wow, Adam was not only in the buff, he was pretty buff! Who knew? I'm not convinced that there has been a good television miniseries since Roots, but I am interested in a forthcoming ten-hour series, "The Bible", coming to The History Channel. This review, in today's New York Times, suggests that the producers have
- [When A Nation Forgets To Read](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-a-nation-forgets-to-read/) - Novelist David Toscana is talking here about his own country of Mexico, but I would say that his words could be applied to my own, or any other, country. "When my daughter was 15, her literature teacher banished all fiction from her classroom. “We’re going to read history and biology textbooks,” she said, “because that
- [Can You Judge A Book By It's Cover?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/can-you-judge-a-book-by-its-cover/) - It looks that way. A tip of the beret to Sean McLachlan, indie author and blogger, for putting me onto the Lousy Book Covers website. Lots of (e)books here I would never pick up or put in the digital shopping cart based on their God-awful covers.
- [A Time For Confession](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-time-for-confession/) - A Sermon Preached At Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 10 March, 2013, The Fourth Sunday of Lent. Readings For This Sunday, Lectionary Year C: Joshua 5:9-12, Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I
- [The Restful Homily?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-restful-homily/) - Thanks to Mad Padre's Man In Dublin for putting me on to this graphic from the Catholic Memes site. My father, who was what in the old Anglican world was a "churchman", once told his seminarian son that, in his experience, the sermon or homily was a ten to fifteen minute chance to rest with
- [What Was She Thinking?  A Sermon For The Last Sunday Of Lent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-was-she-thinking-a-sermon-for-the-last-sunday-of-lent/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 17 March, 2013. Readings For The Fifth Sunday Of Lent, Year C: Isaiah 43:16-21, Psalm 126, Philippians 3:4b-14, John 12:1-8 1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 2
- [Notable Quotable: Barney Frank On What's Considered Repugnant Today](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-barney-frank-on-whats-considered-repugnant-today/) - US Congressman Barney Frank: “I think my continued sexual attraction to men is more politically acceptable than my attraction to government.” This rather clever quotation is from a fascinating article in today's NYT documenting the sea change in US popular and political opinion on homosexuality and gay rights. I'm seeing a lot of articles like
- [Liturgical Awesomeness From The Work Of The People](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/liturgical-awesomeness-from-the-work-of-the-people/) - This post is a shout out for The Work Of The People (TWOP), a digital content provider for Christian worship. Taking it's name cleverly from a literal translation of the Greek words behind "liturgy", The Work of the People provides professionally produced, interesting, and theologically orthodox videos suitable for use in worship, in small groups,
- [Notable Quotable:  Father Gene On Maundy Thursday And "Good Ritual"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-father-gene-on-maundy-thursday-and-good-ritual/) - From my good friend Gene Packwood's blog on the meaning of tonight for Christians: Foot washing can be a challenge for those who are not used to it—all a bit too up close and a little creepy. Eleven years ago a woman wrote me the following note after Maundy Thursday worship and her first experience
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-20/) - A tip of the beret to Mad Padre's Man In Madrid for putting me on to this treasure trove of photos from the Vietnam War. The story of the photographer, Charlie Haughey, and how he had to wait 45 years to confront the work he did as a young soldier in Vietnam, is worth telling
- [The Last Enemy: A Sermon For Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-last-enemy-a-sermon-for-easter-sunday/) - Preached at Christ The King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 31 March, 2013. Readings for Easter Sunday (Year C): Acts 10:34-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, I Corinthians 15:19-26, Luke 24:1-12 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:26) The obituaries put it politely: (Mr. Smith or Ms. Jones passed away
- [Seen On The Afternoon Run: Alberta Calvary](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-run-alberta-calvary/) - Trees on a hillside on a clear Good Friday evening reminded me of a green hill far away, outside a city wall.
- [Notable Quotable:  Laurie Skow-Anderson On Asking God For Help](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-laurie-skow-anderson-on-asking-god-for-help/) - Depending on our traditions, some Christians are more comfortable than others at asking God for help, it seems to me. Some feel that God is able and willing to intervene in our daily lives, while others see God as working at a more distant, macro level. In a meditiation on Psalm 30, Lutheran pastor Laurie
- [Notable Quotable: John Gray On What And How We Believe](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/notable-quotable-john-gray-on-what-and-how-we-believe/) - "Science isn't actually about belief - any more than religion is about belief." -- John Gray This Easter I've been struggling with the question of how one ends up assenting to the resurrection as being something real rather than being a myth or fairy tale. Preachers feel enormous pressure to be on top of their
- [Charles Taylor On Interfaith Friendship As Firewalls Against Prejudice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/charles-taylor-on-interfaith-friendship-as-firewalls-against-prejudice/) - One of the things I hope to study when I go to graduate school on the army's dime this fall are what models exist for fruitful dialogue between Christians and Moslems. A copy of the United Church Observer crossed my desk at work last week and contained a short but fascinating interview with Canadian philosopher
- ["No Two Days Are Ever The Same": An RAF Padre's Work In Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/no-two-days-are-ever-the-same-an-raf-padres-work-in-afghanistan/) - A nice little piece in today's UK MOD blog) on the work of Reverend (Flight Lieutenant) Matt Buchan, a reservist chaplain with the Royal Air Force currently serving Royal Air Force personnel at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. Nothing especially profound or exciting here, just a real and honest account of what chaplains try to do
- ["The Gift Of Clothes": A Sermon For The Fourth Sunday Of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-gift-of-clothes-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-easter/) - "All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them." (Acts 9:39). Preacher at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, 21 April, 2014. Readings For the Fourth Sunday of Easter (Lectionary Year C): Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17,
- [Before Paul ...   A Sermon For The Third Sunday Of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/before-paul-a-sermon-for-the-third-sunday-of-easter/) - Before Paul, there was Saul. Saul wasn’t an especially nice chap. Preached at Christ The King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village Of Ralston, AB, 14 April, 2013. Readings for the Third Sunday Of Easter (Year C): Acts 9:1-20, Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19 We first meet Saul in the Book of Acts, when he
- [Military Picture Of The Week: A Royal Navy Seal](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-a-royal-navy-seal/) - Apparently the RN has its own SEALs. This charming photo is of a recent visitor to the RN Fleet Flagship HMS Bulwark, while she was off the coast of Scotland. https://www.blogs.mod.uk/defence_news/2013/04/image-of-the-day-16-april-2013.html
- [Stanley Hauerwas On Memory  And Eucharistic Practice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/stanley-hauerwas-on-memory-and-eucharistic-practice/) - Not everyone understands what eucharistic practice is all about. American theologican Stanley Hauerwas, however, nails it in this video from The Work of the People, a liturgical resource ministry that I've noted here in past. We ran this video before Communion last Sunday in chapel. Note that I couldn't get this to run on my
- [What's With Burma's Violent Buddhists?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/whats-with-burmas-violent-buddhists/) - Christian Caryl has a good and readable piece on the Foreign Policy website today on the ongoing (and apparently state-sanctioned) violence in Myanmar (Burma) between the majority Buddhist and minority Muslim populations. He notes that this violence, which appears to be state sanctioned, shows that "some of our [Western] idealized notions about the purity of
- [With Sergeant Camopatch In Afghanistan](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-sergeant-camopatch-in-afghanistan/) - My friend Phil Burrows, an Anglican priest and British Army Padre with the Second Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, writes from Helmand Province in Afghanistan to tell me about a colleague in his ministry: "The children of Weeton Primary School named a bear, ‘Sgt Camopatch’ who is out on tour with me. The soldiers have taken
- [Men In Uniform Behaving Badly - The Sad Parade Continues](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/men-in-uniform-behaving-badly-the-sad-parade-continues/) - This sad looking fellow is a face that should live in military infamy. It belongs to a Lt. Col. Jeff Krusinski, who was in charge of the US Air Force's program to prevent sexual assault until he, well,ummm, oh dear, this is awkward, until he sexually assaulted a woman in a Virginia parking lot. Judging
- [The Hard Commandment: A Sermon For The Fifth Sunday Of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-hard-commandment-a-sermon-for-the-fifth-sunday-of-easter/) - Blogging ground to a stop in the last month while I was working my way through the posting process and getting my house ready to sell. I noticed that this sermon, preached on 28 April, never got posted. So, for fans of the Fifth Sunday of Easter, here's one for you. More regular blogging should
- [When Society And Its Military Move Apart](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/when-society-and-its-military-move-apart/) - I liked this essay in today's NYT by Karl W. Eikenberry, a retired Army lieutenant general and Stanford fellow, on the growing gap between the US military and the citizens it serves. Here's an excerpt."Together, these developments present a disturbingly novel spectacle: a maximally powerful force operating with a minimum of citizen engagement and comprehension.
- [The Canadian Forces iPad Pocket, War, And Literacy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-canadian-forces-ipad-pocket-war-and-literacy/) - Now that warmer weather is here I like to travel about the base on my bicycle, and found that I faced a problem. I didn't have my small backpack with me and I needed to transport my iPad. How was I to do it? Fortunately, Queen and Country have clothed me with fairly capacious side
- [Seen On The Morning Run: A Refreshing Bath Of Green](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-a-refreshing-bath-of-green/) - This was part of my route this morning, along the St. Lawrence River near Cornwall, Ontario, where I am currently attending a conference. A leafy trail doesn't seem that remarkable or blog worthy, but it was a welcome change (green! leaves! trees!) from what I usually see at home (for a few more months, anyway)
- [With My Fellow Anglican Padres](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-my-fellow-anglican-padres/) - My friend and Anglican chaplain colleague John Hounsell-Drover posted this reflection in our first day of the meeting of the Anglican Military Ordinariate (AMO). If that sounds like a mouthful to you, then you probably aren't fluent in the aracana of the Anglican Church, which, as Stanley Hauerwas (himself a new Anglican) on e remarked,
- [What The UK Of Chief Of Defence Staff Is Reading](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/what-the-uk-of-chief-of-defence-staff-is-reading/) - For those interested in military reading, I commend this list of recommended reading from the Britain's top soldier, as published by the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Here are three titles from that list that I am hoping to track down and read this summer.The Untold War: Inside the Hearts, Minds, and Souls of
- [“Win Some, Walk Off, Go in, Have A Beer. That’s It.”  Longevity Advice From The Oldest Living Brooklyn Dodger](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/win-some-walk-off-go-in-have-a-beer-thats-it-longevity-advice-from-the-oldest-living-brooklyn-dodger/) - Baseball has a unique appeal to history-minded types such as myself that is probably just tedious to those who don't get it. If I could get into a time machine and go back to one era or place in baseball, I would go without a second thought to Ebbets Field in Brooklyn in the years
- [Book Review: Michael Burleigh, Moral Combat: Good and Evil In World War Two](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-michael-burleigh-moral-combat-good-and-evil-in-world-war-two/) - It's been a while since I posted a book review here. This review was published in the Spring 2013 edition of Dialogue, the journal of the Canadian Armed Forces Chaplains Branch. English historian Michael Burleigh’s 2011 book, Moral Combat: Good and Evil In World War Two (New York: Harper Collins, 2011), is well worth reading
- [T.M. Luhrmann on Faith, Belief, and "The Reach For Joy"](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/t-m-luhrmann-on-faith-belief-and-the-reach-for-joy/) - T.M. Luhrmann is a professor of anthropology at Stanford University. She has written a book that I quite want to read, When God Talks Back: Understanding the A,Erica Evangelical Relationship With God. While ambivalent about the existence of God ("I don't have a horse in that race"', she told one interviewer), her book is a
- [A Soldier's Duty To Read:  The General Mattis Reading List](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-soldiers-duty-to-read-the-general-mattis-reading-list/) - A little while back, I posted here on a reading list endorsed by Britain's top soldier. A little later, I learned while reading Andrew Exum's mil-pol blog on the Middle East about the now-viral email written by Lt. Gen. (retd.) Mattis< USMC, when he was about to lead 1st Marine Expeditionary Force into Iraq in
- [With Appa The Volksbison To The Badlands](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/with-appa-the-volksbison-to-the-badlands/) - As our time in Alberta comes to an end this summer, Kay and I are trying to see as much of this spectacular province as we can. Last weekend we took Appa The Volksbison to Dinosaur Provincial Park, a place of great interest to paleontologists, birdwatchers, geologists, and people who like strange, otherworldly landscapes. Appa
- [Is Syria The West's Latest Moral Failing?](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/is-syria-the-wests-latest-moral-failing/) - First, a small preamble to this post. I have no special expertise in foreign policy. I'm just a guy who watches and reads the news, and who has been trying to make sense of the ongoing debate (which apparently has been resolved, sort of), as to whether the West should intervene in the Syrian Civil
- [Showing Gratitude: A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/showing-gratitude-a-sermon/) - Preached at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, 16 June 2013Readings for the Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, Lectionary Year C: 1 Kings 21: 1-10, Psalm 32, Galatians 2: 15-21, Luke 7:36 - 8:3Imagine that you were standing in front of a door. Behind that door is a room in which
- ["I Enjoyed The War": A Meme For Sir Carton De Wiart](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/i-enjoyed-the-war-a-meme-for-sir-carton-de-wiart/) - Thanks to Foreign Policy, I learned that the wikipedia biography of twentieth century British soldier, Sir Carton de Wiart, has gone slightly viral as having the best opening paragraph ever written on wikkipedia. See if you agree. "Lieutenant-General Sir Adrian Paul Ghislain Carton de Wiart[1] VC, KBE, CB, CMG, DSO (5 May 1880 - 5
- [A Road Full Of Bodies:  A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-road-full-of-bodies-a-sermon/) - Preached at Christ The King Chapel, CFB Suffield, Crown Village of Ralston, AB, The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost, 14 July, 2013. Lectionary Texts For Proper 10, Yr C: Deuteronomy 30:9-14, Psalm 25:1-10, Colossians 1:1-14, Luke 10:25-37 I am almost finished my tour here at Suffield. This is my penultimate sermon here. Next Sunday's will be
- [A Month After The Alberta Floods](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-month-after-the-alberta-floods/) - Just over a month ago southern Alberta experienced unseasonably heavy rains which caused significant flooding from the Rocky Mountains through Calgary as far east as Medicine Hat, where I currently live. It was a tense time, but one in which the Canadian Armed Forces distinguished itself in a series of rapidly mounted rescue and engineering
- [The Canadian Army Goes Back To The Future](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-canadian-army-goes-back-to-the-future/) - This photograph of a group of junior officers relaxing was taken sometime around 1960. You can tell they belong to the Canadian Army because of the cap badges, if you know what you're looking for. The fellow in beret second from right, who just happens to be my father, wears the cap badge of the
- [Last Day Of Work And On The Road](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/last-day-of-work-and-on-the-road/) - This relaxed looking fellow celebrated his final day of duty at CFB Suffield last Wednesday, July 24th, posing beside his Officers' Mess departing gift. It should hook nicely onto that shiny new red Kia SOUL (what else would a chaplain drive?) in the background. Just kidding, the 25pdr stayed behind, but I did get a
- [On Distractions And "The One Thing" : A Sermon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/on-distractions-and-the-one-thing-a-sermon/) - This sermon is my last at Christ the King Chapel, CFB Suffield. My three years as Base Chaplain and Chapel Life Director end next Wednesday. It's been a blessing to have this ministry of Word and Sacrament. Sometimes a military chaplain can become so involved in field or administrative work that we forget we are
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-3/) - A short four km run this morning from the door of the Fort Garry Hotel in downtown Winnipeg took me through the Forks area, across the Assiniboine and Red rivers briefly into the old Ste. Boniface neighbourhood, and then back. Running early in the morning after a fabulous feast of East Indian food probably wasn't
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-4/) - While running in the Lakeview Drive neighbourhood of Regina, SK, this morning, I noticed this iron sculpture, a weathervane with three Canada geese, gracing a lawn. Quite lovely.While on the subject of running, I have to say that I have been wearing these Nike Free Run 5.0sfor about a month now, and enjoying the feeling
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run-2/) - One great way to get to know a new place is through running. For the last two months I've been exploring my neighbourhood since we moved to Kitchener-Waterloo. Some runs have been less fruitful than others. There was the disastrous morning I discovered that the route I had plotted to take me home
- [Toy Soldiers In Politics And In The Arts](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/toy-soldiers-in-politics-and-in-the-arts/) - Hello everyone, I'm back to blogging after a month and a half of packing, moving, unpacking, and getting used to a new place. More about that, in so far as any of it might be interesting, later. As a brief aside, I am composing this post on my new MacBook Air, which I bought
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-19/) - In continuing this rather irregular feature of a fitfully published blog, I chose this picture because I think priests and tanks look funny together, and I challenge you to prove me wrong on that one. This photo was taken at the Russian Arms Expo last month in the Urals, as covered in a recent feature
- [Soldiers And Their Lovable (And Costly) Robots](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/soldiers-and-their-lovable-and-costly-robots/) - A few days ago I noticed a piece by Katy Waldman on Slate.com about how soldiers may be developing excessively close attachments to the robots, according to a professor who is doing research into "human/robot interrelations". "She interviewed 23 explosive ordnance personnel—22 men and one women—who worked with robot sidekicks, looking at how they imagined
- [Remembering Dag Hammarskjold](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-dag-hammarskjold/) - There are days this school term where I have the chance to worship in the Lutheran seminary chapel and yesterday, Sept 18, our prayers remembered the life and death of Dag Hammarskojold, the second Secretary General of the UN, who served from 1953 until his death in 1961. Even Last week it was reported that the
- [Deliver Us From … Hypocrisy:  The US Senate Chaplain Speaks Truth To Power](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/deliver-us-from-hypocrisy-the-us-senate-chaplain-speaks-truth-to-power/) - He's a clergyman who looks sharp in a bow tie. He's a retired Rear Admiral US Navy chaplain with an impressive CV. He's a Seventh Day Adventist preacher who describes himself as being "liberal on some [issues] and conservative on others". Each morning, recently, he berates 100 lawmakers in the US Senate for being
- [Friday Theology - David Martin](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friday-theology-david-martin/) - For one of my grad courses this fall, I am being introduced to the work of David Martin, a sociologist associated with the London School of Economics, and an Anglican priest, who has made a long and distinguished career thinking about topics such as secularization. This paragraph, from Martin's On Secularization: Towards A Revised
- [Maria Semple Hates Canadians (But Sweden Doesn't)](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/maria-semple-hates-canadians-but-sweden-doesnt/) - This nice lady is Maria Semple. She looks so sweet and kind, it's a pity she hates Canadians. Well, not her, exactly, but the namesake character in her novel, Where'd You Go, Bernadette? (of which, more below) , does. Bernadette is an architect who has gone with her software engineer husband and daughter to
- [Seen On The Morning Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-morning-run/) - Last weekend here in SW Ontario was unusually wet, but the sun has come out the last few days for some glorious fall mornings. Here was the view yesterday morning on one of the trails I frequent. On Monday I went out earlier, on a different trail, in the predawn darkness. I'm listening to
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-18/) - This gorgeous picture of a U.S. Civil War monument was taken by Chris Mackowski, one of the young historians who contribute to the blog Emerging Civil War. This statue is in the town of Allegany, New York, where Chris teaches. Chris writes that "I see these statues everywhere (a New England statue manufacturer was
- [Video Games And War Crimes](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/video-games-and-war-crimes/) - Longtime readers of this on-again, off-again blog will know that video games and ethics are an interest of mine. By way of disclosure, I confess that I own a PlayStation, am a terrible FPS (first person shooter) player as I oak reflexes and spatial reasoning, but occasionally like games where I can shoot zombies and
- [A Sermon For Remembrance Day Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-sermon-for-remembrance-day-sunday/) - Preached at Grace Bible Chapel, Sunday, November 10, 2013 I was invited to preach by Pastor Steve Brown, who went to college with my chaplain friend Howard Rittenhouse. I thank Steve and his congregation for their warm welcome. MP+ I am very thankful for the invitation to come and be with you today,
- [Friday Theology](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friday-theology/) - C.S. Lewis once said something to the effect that for every new book one reads, one should then read an old one, and that if one had a choice between a new book and an old one, then one should choose the old one. In his introduction to a translation of St. Athanasius on the
- [A Shrine For Illegal Immigrants](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-shrine-for-illegal-immigrants/) - In one of my classes this fall, we've been reading Thomas Tweed's book Our Lady Of The Exile, a study of the shrine to the Virgin in Miami, Florida, that has been venerated by the Cuban exile community there for decades. Tweed's book is a modern classic of the anthropological side of Religious Studies, a synthesis
- [Where Will He Dwell?  A Sermon For The Second Sunday of Advent](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/where-will-he-dwell-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-advent/) - I had the opportunity to preach today at St. George's of Forest Hill, Kitchener, the church where I was a theological student ten years ago. They were kind and supportive to me then, and it was a pleasure to see them again, even if they didn't believe it when I told them they hadn't aged a day.
- [Spitfire 944, War and Remembrance](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/spitfire-944-war-and-remembrance/) - Hello all. Where have I been? It's a long and tedious story. Suffice it to say that I've been fighting through my first semester of graduate school and it's gotten the better of me. There is some stuff in older posts about why I'm in graduate school at the Canadian Forces Chaplaincy's grace and
- [A Chaplain's Christmas in Italy, 1943](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/a-chaplains-christmas-in-italy-1943/) - A very merry Christmas to all of you. Not a lot to say of late, as graduate school has taken up much of my attention and time this fall, and I haven't blogged much because I feel tired and not especially interesting at the end of each day. Kay and I are healthy in
- [God's New Normal: A Sermon For The First Sunday After Christmas](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/gods-new-normal-a-sermon-for-the-first-sunday-after-christmas/) - Preached at St. Columba's Anglican Church, Waterloo, Ontario, Sunday, Dec 29, 2013 Readings for the First Sunday of Christmas, Year A: Isaiah 63:7-9, Psalm 148, Hebrews 2:10-18, Matthew 2:13-23 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord, the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, because of all that the Lord has done for us, and the
- [Reassessing The First World War: Max Hastings' Catastrophe 1914](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/reassessing-the-first-world-war-max-hastings-catastrophe-1914/) - It’s been a long time since a blog post here, so how about a book review I’ve been meaning to post for a few months, which I revisited in light of some current events. I’ve only just started tracking the controversy in Great Britain, now several weeks old, that has followed from comments made by
- [Friday Theology: Rowan Williams On Secularism](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friday-theology-rowan-williams-on-secularism/) - Two posts here in two days? Don’t get your hopes up that great things are happening, but here is a return to my idea of posting an excerpt of a theologian I’ve been reading on Friday. This would be the third time I’ve followed this plan, which by most measures in the church is
- [In Praise of Church Leaders](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/in-praise-of-church-leaders/) - While we are spending this year and the next in Kitchener-Waterloo while I go to grad school, Kay and I have been spending most Sundays at St. Columba’s, a small Anglican parish near the university district. It’s a genial but smallish place, with a dedicated priest on a half-time salary and a lively but aging
- [This Just In From Kiev](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-just-in-from-kiev/) - Among the pictures coming out of the protests in Kiev and other parts of the Ukraine, ones of Orthodox priests interposing themselves between the crowds and the riot police have gone slightly viral. In light of a graduate seminar on secularism that I am about to head off to, it’s curious to see these pictures
- [This Just In From Tehran](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/this-just-in-from-tehran/) - So the brother of Iran’s president walks into a Jewish hospital. No, it’s not the start of a joke. Call this story from Teheran political gesture or call it encouraging. Me, I’m calling it encouraging. One of the great obstacles facing Muslim states in this century is whether they can find some
- [Seen On The Midday Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-midday-run/) - It’s been a tough winter for running outside. Most days it’s either too snowy or too cold or both. However, this Wednesday I got outside for a run and enjoyed the bright sun and the fresh air. Treadmill running gets old after a short while. This is Woodside, a National Historic Site and the childhood
- [The Cold War Was Weird And Scary](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-cold-war-was-weird-and-scary/) - Last week I learned via an academic History List about a book documenting Project Dribble, underground nuclear tests in the US state of Mississippi in the early 1960s. Apparently the US government's Atomic Energy Commission was concerned that it would not be able to detect secret underground tests by other countries, and so wanted
- [Friday Theology - Charles Taylor on the Mindset of the Secular Age](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friday-theology-charles-taylor-on-the-mindset-of-the-secular-age/) - Charles Taylor is one of Canada’s great living philosophers, who has spent a career thinking about western thought and the transition from a pre-modern naive age of belief, when human ideas of the good life and flourishing (what he calls fullness) were linked to a transcendent reality, to modernity, when belief has become problematic
- [More Weird And Scary](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/more-weird-and-scary/) - On the heels of yesterday’s post on the strangeness of the Cold War, here’s an image from today’s Foreign Policy website that is replete with weirdness and scariness. This image, from a July 2013 parade, shows North Korean special forces troops wearing chest packs with garish radiation symbols. This may just be Nork
- [Seen On The Afternoon Run](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/seen-on-the-afternoon-run/) - Yesterday was one of the few days in February where I felt not only able but even compelled to run outside. A sunny day with a temperature at 0C was delightful. My route took me through Victoria Park, a gem of sanctuary just west of downtown Kitchener. I was originally going to
- [Jacqueline Whitt On US Military Chaplains Two Years After DADT](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/jacqueline-whitt-on-us-military-chaplains-two-years-after-dadt/) - A scholar I wasn’t aware of today but am now tracking is Jacqueline E. Whit, a professor of strategy at the US Air War College and published University of North Carolina Press author, who has written a book on US chaplains in Vietnam that I very much want to read. Recently she was a guest
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-17/) - The ship at the end of that line is HMCS Protecteur, one of the Royal Canadian Navy’s two fleet support ships, being towed to Pearl Harbour by the USS Chosin after she was disabled last Thursday by a fire in her engine room. It’s been a minor epic since then, with at least one failed
- [Book Review: Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-blood-and-daring-how-canada-fought-the-american-civil-war-and-forged-a-nation/) - John Boyko. Blood and Daring: How Canada Fought the American Civil War and Forged a Nation. Toronto: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013. ISBN 978-0-307-36144-8 The title of this book, in its first part, is a tad grandiose, and in the second part, rather inflated in the sense that popular histories today seem required to have
- [Violence Inseparable From Pity: George Packer On The New War Fiction](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/violence-inseparable-from-pity-george-packer-on-the-new-war-fiction/) - What’s going on under that hat? It seems for now that the face of the returning veteran, as far as the media is concerned, is the late Fort Hood shooter Ivan Lopez, Yesterday on the Foreign Policy website, Gordon Lubbold noted that the media were connecting the wrong dots about Lopez. " It remains unclear what
- [Friday Theology: Ross Douthat On Adam Gopnik and Atheism](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/friday-theology-ross-douthat-on-adam-gopnik-and-atheism/) - Russell Crowe as Noah channelling Mel Gibson’s Braveheart Before we get to today’s theologian, Ross Douthat, I’ve learned recently that Darren Aronfsky is making a film about Noah’s Ark, starring Rusell Crowe as Noah. I can think of half a dozen reasons why a Hollywood studio might have agreed to bankroll such a film: 1)
- [Ann Hornaday on Noah and On Being a Christian Film Critic](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ann-hornaday-on-noah-and-on-being-a-christian-film-critic/) - Noah says “Watch This Film!" I posted something here recently on the Noah movie. Despite what I said in that post about not going to see the film, I did see it last week, and am currently working on a paper about it for my grad course on secularism. I’m still not sure what to
- [Military Picture Of The Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-16/) - This picture was taken on Saturday, September 11, 2011, near Kandahar, Afghanistan by the German journalist and photographer, Anja Niedringhaus, who was killed recently while covering the election in Afghanistan. The caption for this photo reads “An Afghan boy on a donkey reacts as Canadian soldiers with the 1st RCR Battle Group, The Royal Canadian
- [US Military To Recognize Humanism](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/us-military-to-recognize-humanism/) - The US Army announced recently that it would formally recognize humanism as a religious preference if soldiers elect to self-identify as humanists. For some time a US military member, Major Bradley, has been seeking to have his religious self-identification recognized as Humanist, and his request has been supported by the American Civil Liberties Union.
- [Doubting And Believing: A Sermon For The Second Sunday Of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/doubting-and-believing-a-sermon-for-the-second-sunday-of-easter/) - It’s very rare these days that I get to preach. I think the last time was the Sunday after Christmas 2013. This Sunday I was in the happy position of having my work done for the semester and was able to give my priest a Sunday off after Holy Week, a gift that
- [Worth Repeating: E.B. White on Democracy](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/worth-repeating-e-b-white-on-democracy/) - E.B. White was one of the great writers, journalists and stylists of mid-20th Century America. I was delighted when the New Yorker magazine served up this short response that he wrote for the magazine during the middle of World War Two. I rather wish he were alive today to remind us what democracy is
- [Book Review: Ian Buruma, Year Zero: A History of 1945](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-ian-buruma-year-zero-a-history-of-1945/) - Ian Buruma. Year Zero: A History of 1945. New York: The Penguin Press, 2013. I am not entirely sure how to describe Ian Buruma. He’s a Dutch citizen based in New York, with an academic background in Asian and film studies, a journalist and an educator, and a prolific author with interests in history,
- [Military Picture of the Week](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/military-picture-of-the-week-15/) - Today’s milpic of the week is an image of a new monument dedicated to members of the British Royal Army Veterinary Corps, which has a long history of service. Most recently the RAVC is responsible for the British Army’s working dogs, whose duties include detecting explosive devices and ambushes. The monument is at the
- [The Media and Muslim Scares: A UK Perspective](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-media-and-muslim-scares-a-uk-perspective/) - Today’s online Guardian from the UK features a piece by Nesrine Malik about how the British media routinely recycles certain stories about Muslims which, she argues, “create a fear of stealthy, incremental Islamicisation”. Looking at this story from a Canadian view, it’s hard to put this story into context. No
- [Where's A Good Church?  A Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Easter](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/wheres-a-good-church-a-sermon-for-the-fourth-sunday-of-easter/) - Image courtesy of Agnusday.org I was asked to preach this Sunday at Holy Trinity Church in Kitchener, ON, where my friend Ross Gill is the Rector. A very pleasant morning with a very hospitable and friendly bunch of people. I confess I didn’t preach on mothers and shepherds today - there are other ways
- [Book Review:  Fred's War.  Discovering a Grandfather's Lost War](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/book-review-freds-war-discovering-a-grandfathers-lost-war/) - Andrew Davidson. Fred’s War. London: Short Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-78072-181-1 Andrew Davidson and I have a few things in common. We both have a grandfather (two in my case) who served in the First World War, and, we never got to meet our grandfathers. Davidson however was more fortunate, in that he has three
- [Thirty Anglican Chaplains Walk Into A Bar](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/thirty-anglican-chaplains-walk-into-a-bar/) - Which we did, at various times during last week during our annual Retreat. This crew is a sizeable chunk of the Anglican Military Ordinariate, the body of Anglican Church of Canada chaplains in the Canadian Forces. The trio in the foreground, from left to right, are BGen John Fletcher, the CF Chaplain General, Bishop Peter
- [Worth Repeating: Amy Davidson on the Bergdahl Trade](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/worth-repeating-amy-davidson-on-the-bergdahl-trade/) - As more and more of the backstory of the US trade of Guantanamo detainees for its soldier, Bowe Bergdhal, emerge, and as the story becomes increasingly politicized, I would say that there are some clear ethical and legal threads that need to be followed. First, while numerous stories from his military peers are now out
- [Language Play of the Week:  Thomas Pynchon's Bleeding Edge](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/language-play-of-the-week-thomas-pynchons-bleeding-edge/) - We have an occasional feature here at Mad Padre called Language Play of the Week. Actually it's more like Language Play of the Quarter but I digress. Every now and then I come across a passage that makes me say "Wow, Writer Dude, you totally nailed that." OK, that last phrase wasn't especially felicitous, but
- [Remembering Two Canadian Chaplains Who Fell On D-Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/remembering-two-canadian-chaplains-who-fell-on-d-day/) - Honourary Captain / Rev. George Alexander Harris. Originally from Solihull, Warwickshire, England, Harris was the Padre to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and died on D-Day at the age of 34. Details from this site on British Airborne padres. From In This Sign by H/Major Walter T. Steven, Toronto: The Ryerson Press, 1948.

## Pages

- [Home](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/) - All Saints' Anglican Church Welcome To All Saints' Anglican Church Whether you live in Collingwood or are just visiting, the people of All Saints’ Anglican Church welcome you. Worship and hear the word of God in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Find Us 32 Elgin Street, Collingwood Services Every Sunday at 9:30am Live Stream Service
- [Blog](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/blog/) - newsletters All Saints' Alive Thursday August 27 2026 Thursday June 4 2026 Regional Thursday April 30 2026 Easter 2026 Thursday March 26 2026 Thursday February 26 2026 Thursday January 29 2026 Christmas Newsletter 2025 Regional Thursday December 4 2025 Thursday October 30 2025 Thanksgiving Newsletter Thursday October 2 2025 Thursday September 4 2025 Thursday June12
- [Our People](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/our-people/) - Our People Incumbent Major (retd) the Rev. Dr. Michael Peterson, CD LEARN MORE Associate Priest Reverend Sharon Sangster LEARN MORE Office Administrator Nancy Zamborsky LEARN MORE Property Manager Robert Pierce LEARN MORE Choir Director/Organist Barry DeSilva LEARN MORE Rector’s Warden David Trafford LEARN MORE People’s Warden Dr. Catherine Raaflaub LEARN MORE Deputy People’s Warden Jake
- [Services](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/livestream-services/) - OnLine Services Services Sundays at 9:30am Online Services If you are unable to attend you can tune into a livestream of each service, or watch recordings of past services. Recordings Sunday September 13 2026 View Service » Sunday September 6 2026 View Service » Sunday August 30 2026 View Service » Sunday August 23 2026
- [Donate](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/donate/) - Donate Your Gifts At Work Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13.16) Thank you so much for your support!Please note which ministry you would like to donate towards, otherwise it will be a general donation. Offering Envelopes Placing an offering envelope
- [Services and Events](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/services-and-events/) - Services & Events Services Worship Services Welcome to our joyful, inclusive community that cares for one another, that welcomes the stranger, and strives to live out our faith in a way that makes our community a better place.. In-Person Services We offer a variety of weekday services. Each Wednesday we offer a Eucharist (Communion) at
- [Contact](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/contact/) - Contact CONTACT US Let Us Worship Together All Saints' Anglican Church 32 Elgin Street, Collingwood, ON L9Y 4V2Phone: 705-445-3841Email: admin@allsaintscollingwood.com Office HoursMonday – Friday 9am – 3pmSummer Office Hours Monday – Thursday 9am – 3pm Facebook Vimeo How to get here Directions Parking:There is street parking as well as several parking lots in the immediate area.
- [Rentals](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/rentals/) - About Us Rentals Experience traditional, vibrant, life-giving, Anglican worship amidst a joyful, caring community.Our beautiful church is a welcoming place for our local community and visitors alike. All Saints’ Anglican Church is run on people power, and our efforts extend far beyond the walls of the church, as we strive to make the Kingdom of
- [Ministries](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/ministries/) - Ministries There are many great opportunities to serve within our church community. Serving as a volunteer not only enables the ministries of the church to function, but it also promotes spiritual growth within yourself.If you are interested in serving in a particular ministry position, please contact the church office for a Volunteer Agreement to be
- [The All Saints' Foundation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/the-all-saints-foundation/) - The All Saints' Foundation Background & History The All Saints' Foundation All Saints’ Foundation was established in July 2006 in order to help preserve our church’s future by encouraging legacy giving in the form of endowments and bequests. These gifts are then invested and the income earned is given to the church to support the
- [About](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/about-our-history/) - Our History Collingwood Museum Collection, X970.350.1. All Saints Anglican Church, view looking north, 1929. Our history From Tavern Services to the Establishment of a Permanent Sanctuary In 1855, two years after settlement began in what is now the town of Collingwood, a few members of the “United Episcopal Church of England and Ireland”, as it
- [Funerals](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/funerals/) - Live Stream Funerals

## Venues

- [Bay Heaven Care Community](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/venue/bay-heaven-care-community/)
- [All Saints'](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/venue/all-saints-32-elgin-st-collingwood-on-l9y-4v2-canada/)

## Events

- [Chancel Guild Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/chancel-guild-meeting/)
- [Rectory Booking](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectory-booking/)
- [Sunday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-holy-communion/2026-01-04/)
- [Back to Church Sunday 9:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/back-to-church-sunday-930am/2024-09-15/)
- [Annual Golf Fun Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/golf-fun-day/2025-09-07/) - Golfers 2:30pm Registration 9 Holes Golf + Power Cart $69.50 Includes tax Putting contest 3pm-6pm $5 Dinner 5:30pm $35 Includes tip and tax Sign up sheets in the Parish Hall
- [Friendship Community Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/friendship-community-dinner/2026-01-14/) - Come join dinner starting at 5pm finishing up by 6pm
- [Back to Church Sunday Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/back-to-church-set-up/2025-09-13/)
- [Wedding Rehearsal M C](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wedding-rehearsal-m-c/)
- [The Creation Station](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/the-creation-station/2026-07-20/)
- [Foundation AGM](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/foundation-agm/) - Following the 10:30am Service
- [Crafter Sale Fundraiser Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/crafter-sale-set-up/)
- [Crafters Sale Fundraiser](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/crafters-sale-fundraiser/)
- [Thursdays Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/thursdays-service/2026-01-29/)
- [Men's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/mens-breakfast-3/2026-01-29/)
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/private-event-4/)
- [Porchside Festival Rain Venue](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/porchside-festival-rain-venue/)
- [CO3](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/co3-3/2026-01-08/)
- [Wednesday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wednesday-holy-communion-2/2026-01-07/)
- [Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/bible-study-3/2026-01-07/)
- [Choir Practice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir-practice/2026-01-08/)
- [Mobile Soup Kitchen Prep](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/mobile-soup-kitchen-prep/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-5/2026-01-07/)
- [Foundation Directors Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/foundation-directors-meeting-2/) - Meeting in the Library
- [Wedding M C](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wedding-m-c/)
- [Wedding B B](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wedding-b-b/)
- [Wedding P B](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wedding-p-b/)
- [Wedding A and R](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wedding/)
- [Women's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-breakfast-2/2026-03-21/)
- [Wednesday Compline Services on Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/7926/2026-04-29/) - Go to www.zoom.us and look for Meeting ID 892 0793 0062 or email Fr. Michael at madpadre@gmail.com All welcome
- [Sunday Evening Compline Services on Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/compline-services-on-zoom/2026-04-26/) - Go to www.zoom.us and look for Meeting ID 892 0793 0062 or email Fr. Michael at madpadre@gmail.com All welcome
- [Sunday Morning Coffee Hour](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-morning-coffee-hour/2026-01-04/)
- [SMP Training](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/smp-training-2/) - The SMP (Sexual Misconduct Policy) Training and police record checks must be redone every three years. Reverend Amy will be leading an SMP Training course at All Saints Church Collingwood on Saturday June 13th at 2pm for a two hour session. Please contact the office 705-445-3841 to be added to the list.
- [Instrument Tuning](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/instrument-tuning/)
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/private-event-3/2026-09-14/)
- [Women's Breakfast Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-breakfast-set-up-2/2026-03-20/)
- [Fleet Wood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/fleet-wood-3/2026-01-05/)
- [Reverend Sharon's Open House Reception](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/reverend-sharons-open-house-reception/)
- [Choir Practice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir-practice-2/)
- [Maundy Thursday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/maundy-thursday-2/2026-04-02/)
- [Yard Sale](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/yard-sale-2/)
- [Yard Sale Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/yard-sale-set-up/)
- [Palm Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/palm-sunday/2024-03-24/)
- [Nature League AGM](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-agm-2/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-3/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-set-up/)
- [Nature League Spring Social](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-spring-social-2/)
- [Huronia Annual Inspection](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/huronia-annual-inspection/)
- [Rector's Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectors-book-study-2/2026-02-03/) - We will begin discussing Encampment: Resistance, Grace, and an Unhoused Community by the Rev. Maggie Helwig.
- [Maundy Thursday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/maundy-thursday/2024-03-28/)
- [Easter Vigil](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/easter-vigil-2/)
- [Easter Vigil](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/easter-vigil/)
- [Palm Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/palm-sunday-2/)
- [Good Friday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/good-friday-2/)
- [Good Friday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/good-friday/2024-03-29/)
- [Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/easter-sunday-2/)
- [Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/meetings/2026-01-14/) - Upper Room
- [Social Committee Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/social-committee-meeting/) - Library
- [Ash Wednesday 7pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ash-wednesday-7pm/)
- [Ash Wednesday 10am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ash-wednesday-10am/)
- [Fashion Show](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/fashion-show/)
- [Fashion Show Set up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/fashion-show-set-up/)
- [Funeral 2pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-2pm/)
- [Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/shrove-tuesday-pancake-dinner-2/)
- [Friendship Community Dinner Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/friendship-community-dinner-set-up/2026-01-14/)
- [Funeral Reception](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-reception/)
- [Annual Vestry Meeting Reports Due](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/annual-vestry-meeting-reports-due/) - All reports are to be submitted to the office by Wednesday January 21st 10am via email in word format. This is a recap of the year 2025. Thank you
- [Annual Vestry Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/all-saints-church-annual-vestry-meeting/) - After the 9:30am service
- [AA Meeting Sunday Nite Big Book Club](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/a-a/2026-01-04/)
- [Women's Group](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-group-3/2026-01-21/)
- [Colourful Meditation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/colourful-meditation/2026-03-07/)
- [Funeral 12pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-12pm/2025-06-20/)
- [Après Ski Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/apres-ski-service-3/2026-01-17/)
- [Sunday Morning Coffee Hour 11:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-morning-coffee-hour-1130am/)
- [Regional Joint Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/regional-joint-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols/)
- [Sunday Morning Coffee Hour 10:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-morning-coffee-hour-1030am/2023-11-05/) - Parish hall
- [Sunday Holy Communion 9:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-holy-communion-930am/2023-11-05/)
- [Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/bible-study-2/2025-01-08/)
- [Wednesday Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wednesday-communion/2025-01-08/)
- [Choir Christmas Party](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir-christmas-party/)
- [Wednesday Night Prayer via Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wednesday-night-prayer-via-zoom/2025-09-10/) - On Wednesdays and Sundays at 8pm, we will be offering a brief service of Night Prayer (aka Compline) via Zoom. These services will be lead by members of the clergy team and can also be led by laypeople. A calm and peaceful way to end the busy day and prepare for restful sleep. You can
- [Sunday Night Prayer via Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/sunday-night-prayer-via-zoom/2025-09-14/) - On Wednesdays and Sundays at 8pm, we will be offering a brief service of Night Prayer (aka Compline) via Zoom. These services will be lead by members of the clergy team and can also be led by laypeople. A calm and peaceful way to end the busy day and prepare for restful sleep. You can
- [Thursday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/thursday-holy-communion-2/2025-01-30/)
- [Tree Trimming Party at the Rectory](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/tree-trimming-party-at-the-rectory/)
- [Quiet Christmas 7pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/quiet-christmas-7pm/2023-12-20/)
- [Peace Vigil](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/peace-vigil/2023-12-06/)
- [Thursday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/thursday-holy-communion/2024-01-25/)
- [Christmas Eve 7pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/christmas-eve-7pm/2023-12-24/)
- [Women's Breakfast Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-breakfast-set-up/2025-06-06/)
- [Women's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-breakfast/2024-04-06/)
- [Work Party](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/work-party/) - Work Party - weather permitting, there will be an outdoor work party starting at 9am to tidy the church grounds in preparation for winter. Dress appropriately. All assistance gratefully accepted!
- [Advent Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/advent-book-study-2/2025-11-18/) - Advent Book Study - Starting Tuesday, Nov 18th, at 2pm, Fr Michael will lead a four week book study on Jane Williams' "The Art of Advent: A Painting A Day From Advent Through Epiphany". You can purchase this book quite inexpensively from Amazon (or go through a local bookseller such as The Hive in Meaford). The
- [Foundation Director's Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/foundation-directors-meeting/2024-06-18/)
- [Funeral Reception 1pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-reception-1pm/2025-06-21/)
- [Organ Piano Tuning](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/organ-tuning/2024-11-05/)
- [Cemetery Board Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/cemetery-board-meeting/)
- [Alpha Course](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/alpha-course/2025-09-09/) - We're looking forward to continuing our regional Alpha series this Tuesday, 7pm-8pm. Please, use the Zoom link below to join us. We'll use the same link for each session. And please feel free to forward this email as an invitation to others who may wish to attend. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88103110289?pwd=kkcGaYqUet7su7VbY5jwKbseSbnIkb.1 Meeting ID: 881 0311
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/private-event-2/)
- [Regional Ministry Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/regional-ministry-event/)
- [Funeral 1pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-1pm/2024-04-27/)
- [Funeral 11am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-11am/2025-03-08/)
- [Meeting Library](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/meeting-library/)
- [Nature League Pot Luck Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-pot-luck-set-up/2023-12-05/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck Dinner Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-dinner-set-up/2024-12-05/)
- [Play the Poverty Game](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/play-the-poverty-game/) - Play the Poverty Game Poverty isn't any fun, and it's not a game, but the Poverty Game is a unique opportunity to see what it's like to make hard choices on a very limited budget, as many of our neighbours do each month. On Saturday, September 13th, at 2pm, come to the parish hall and
- [CO3](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/co3-2/2025-01-09/)
- [Craft Sale Set UP](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/craft-sale-set-up/)
- [Craft Sale](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/craft-sale/)
- [Floor Maintenance](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/floor-maintenance/2025-06-27/) - Parish Hall
- [Bible Study Barbecue](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/bible-study-barbecue/)
- [Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/bible-study/)
- [Foundation Annual General Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/foundation-annual-general-meeting/2024-10-06/)
- [Wednesday – Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wednesday-holy-communion/)
- [International Committee Barbecue](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/international-committee-barbecue/)
- [Men's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/mens-breakfast-2/2024-01-25/)
- [Choir](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir-2/2025-01-02/)
- [Photo Directory Photos](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/photo-directory-photos/2025-03-13/)
- [Friendship Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/friendship-dinner/2025-01-08/)
- [Friendship Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/friendship-dinner-2/)
- [Food Ministry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/food-ministry/2025-02-10/)
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/event-pending/2024-11-30/)
- [Funeral Reception 2pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/funeral-reception-tentative-2pm/)
- [International Dinner Committee Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/international-dinner-committee-meeting/)
- [Special Vestry Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/special-vestry-meeting/) - The Rector and Wardens give notice that there will be a Special Meeting of Vestry immediately after church on Sunday, April 27th, to approve details regarding the sale of the surplus of cemetery property. The wording of the motion is available at the back of the church, on the church website, or by request. This
- [Huronia](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/huronia/2025-03-24/)
- [AA Meeting – Sunday Night Big Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/aa-meeting-sunday-night-big-book-study-2/2025-01-05/)
- [Nature League](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/tentative-booking/)
- [Five Loaves 12noon](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-12noon/)
- [Welcome Party for New Comers](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/welcome-party-for-new-comers/) - In the Rectory Garden weather permitting if it rains it will be held in the Parish Hall
- [Nature League Spring Social](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-spring-social/)
- [Reverend Amy Ordination](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/reverend-amy-ordination/)
- [Excel](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/excel/)
- [Après Ski Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/apres-ski-service-2/2025-01-18/) - Après Ski 2025 This year our focus for our Après Ski worship will be on the Holy Family: Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Often only considered during the Christmas season, the Holy Family shows God’s decision in Christ to enter into and dwell among the most intimate relationships that humans know. The family is where we,
- [Five Loaves Prep](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-prep/2024-04-02/)
- [Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/shrove-tuesday-pancake-dinner/)
- [Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/easter-sunday/2024-03-31/)
- [Lenten Lunch Series 2025](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/lenten-lunch-series-2025/2025-03-11/)
- [World Day of Prayer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/world-day-of-prayer/2024-03-01/)
- [Ash Wednesday Service 7pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ash-wednesday-service-7pm/)
- [Ash Wednesday 5pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ash-wednesday-5pm/)
- [Ash Wednesday Service 10am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ash-wednesday-service-10am/2024-02-14/)
- [Kitchen Contruction](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/kitchen-contruction/)
- [Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/book-study-2/2024-11-07/) - Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich It's not too late to join our fall book study, on an important work of Christian devotion by Julian of Norwich, a beloved woman writer of the fourteenth century whose work has survived and still inspires.
- [Advisory Board Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/advisory-board-meeting/2024-02-06/)
- [Vestry Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/vestry-meeting/2024-02-25/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-4/)
- [Fleet Wood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/fleet-wood-2/2025-01-06/)
- [Womens Group](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-group-2/2025-01-15/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-2/2025-01-01/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves-3/)
- [Choir](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir/2023-11-02/)
- [Pot Luck 11:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/pot-luck-1130am/)
- [A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmas Holy Eucharist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/a-festival-of-nine-lessons-and-carols-for-christmas-holy-eucharist/)
- [CO3 2024](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/co3/2023-11-02/)
- [Choir Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/choir-event/)
- [Robby Burns Night](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/robby-burns-night/)
- [Good Grief](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/good-grief/)
- [Pastoral Care Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/pastoral-care-meeting/2024-01-24/)
- [International Dinner Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/international-dinner-set-up/)
- [International Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/international-dinner/)
- [Bruce Trail Conservancy Holiday Pot Luck](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/event-pending-2/)
- [Rector's Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectors-boo-study/)
- [All Souls Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/all-souls-service/)
- [Clergy Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/clergy-meeting/)
- [Covenant Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/covenant-bible-study/2024-09-17/)
- [Ministry Fair](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/ministry-fair/)
- [Art Crawl](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/art-crawl/)
- [Staff Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/staff-meeting/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-dinner/)
- [Après Golf Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/apres-golf-service/)
- [Fleet Wood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/fleet-wood/2024-01-01/)
- [Women’s Group](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/womens-group/2023-11-15/)
- [Nature League AGM](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-agm/)
- [Evening Prayer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/evening-prayer/2023-11-03/)
- [Morning Prayer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/morning-prayer/2023-11-07/)
- [Rectory Garden Party](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectory-garden-party/)
- [Rector's Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectors-book-study/)
- [Yard Sale](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/yard-sale/) - All Saints Anglican Church Collingwood A Crafter Dream Of A Yard Sale Saturday May 25th 2024 8am - 2pm Flowers, Ribbons, Wreaths, Greens Mostly New Decor Materials For Celebrations, Halls, Floats and Regular Yard Sale Stuff Tell Everyone You Know Boxes of Free Stuff Too 32 Elgin Street Collingwood, ON L9Y 4V2 705-445-3841 www.allsaintscollingwood.com –
- [Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/blue-mountain-brue-trail-club/)
- [SMP Training](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/smp-training/)
- [Construction Work in the Church](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/construction-work-in-the-church/2024-04-02/)
- [Colorful Meditation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/colorful-meditation/2024-03-02/)
- [Lenten Series](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/lenten-series/2024-02-20/)
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/private-event/)
- [AA Meeting – Sunday Night Big Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/aa-meeting-sunday-night-big-book-study/2023-11-05/) - Parish Hall
- [Après Ski Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/apres-ski-service/2024-01-13/)
- [Wardens Budget Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/wardens-budget-meeting/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/five-loaves/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/food-ministry-meal-deliveries/2023-11-01/)
- [Saturday Service Candlemas](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/saturday-service-candlemas/)
- [Saturday Service Epiphany](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/saturday-service-epiphany/)
- [Community Friendship Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/community-friendship-dinner/2023-11-08/)
- [Anglicanism 101](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/anglicanism-101/2023-11-07/) - Coming This Fall and Winter: Anglicanism 101 – Would you like to know more about the Anglican tradition and how it shapes our Christian faith? Are you new to the Anglican Church and would like to know more about the weird things we do? Are you a new believer and would like to seek baptism and/or
- [Blue Mountain Bruce Trail Club](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/blue-mountain-bruce-trail-club/)
- [Men's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/mens-breakfast/)
- [Colourful Meditation 2pm – 3pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/colourful-meditation-2pm-3pm/2023-11-04/)
- [Safety First Seminars](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/safety-first-seminars/)
- [Christmas Eve 10:30pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/christmas-eve-1030pm/2023-12-24/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-2/)
- [Advent Retreat](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/advent-retreat-2/)
- [Christmas Day Service 9:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/christmas-day-service-930am/2023-12-25/)
- [All Souls Eucharist](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/all-souls-eucharist/)
- [Evening Prayer All Souls Day 5pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/evening-prayer-all-souls-day-5pm/)
- [Morning Prayer All Souls Day 8am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/morning-prayer-all-souls-day-8am/)
- [Holy Eucharist All Souls Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/holy-eucharist-all-souls-day/)
- [Pub Night](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/pub-night/)
- [Rectory Tree Trimming Party 4pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/rectory-tree-trimming-party-4pm/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck/)
- [Private Event 3pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/event/private-event-3pm/)

## Series

- [Back to Church Sunday 9:30am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/back-to-church-sunday-930am/)
- [Annual Golf Fun Day](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/annual-golf-fun-day/)
- [Back to Church Sunday Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/back-to-church-sunday-set-up/)
- [The Creation Station](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/the-creation-station/)
- [Private Event](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/private-event/)
- [Women's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/womens-breakfast-2/)
- [Women's Breakfast Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/womens-breakfast-set-up-2/)
- [Wednesday Compline Services on Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/wednesday-compline-services-on-zoom/)
- [Compline Services on Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/compline-services-on-zoom/)
- [Choir Practice](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/choir-practice/)
- [Maundy Thursday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/maundy-thursday-2/)
- [Easter Vigil](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/easter-vigil/)
- [Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/meeting/)
- [Thursdays Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/thursdays-service/)
- [Rector's Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/rectors-book-study/)
- [Men's Breakfast](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/mens-breakfast-2/)
- [Friendship Community Dinner Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/friendship-community-dinner-set-up/)
- [Five Loaves](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/five-loaves-2/)
- [Women's Group](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/womens-group-3/)
- [Colourful Meditation](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/colourful-meditation/)
- [A A](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/a-a/)
- [Fleet Wood](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/fleet-wood-3/)
- [Après Ski Service](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/apres-ski-service-3/)
- [Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/bible-study-3/)
- [Wednesday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/wednesday-holy-communion-2/)
- [Friendship Community Dinner](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/friendship-community-dinner/)
- [Sunday Morning Coffee Hour](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/sunday-morning-coffee-hour/)
- [Sunday Holy Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/sunday-holy-communion/)
- [CO3](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/co3-3/)
- [Advent Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/advent-book-study-2/)
- [Wednesday Night Prayer via Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/wednesday-night-prayer-via-zoom/)
- [Sunday Night Prayer via Zoom](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/sunday-night-prayer-via-zoom/)
- [Alpha Course](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/alpha-course/)
- [Funeral Reception 1pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/funeral-reception-1pm/)
- [Funeral 11am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/funeral-11am/)
- [Nature League Pot Luck Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/nature-league-pot-luck-set-up/)
- [Nature League Christmas Pot Luck Dinner Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/nature-league-christmas-pot-luck-dinner-set-up/)
- [CO3](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/co3-2/)
- [Women's Breakfast Set Up](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/womens-breakfast-set-up/)
- [Bible Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/bible-study-2/)
- [Foundation Annual General Meeting](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/foundation-annual-general-meeting/)
- [Wednesday Communion](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/wednesday-communion/)
- [Funeral 12pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/funeral-12pm/)
- [Food Ministry](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/food-ministry/)
- [Floor Maintenance](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/floor-maintenance/)
- [AA Meeting – Sunday Night Big Book Study](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/aa-meeting-sunday-night-big-book-study-2/)
- [Huronia](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/huronia/)
- [Organ Tuning](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/organ-tuning/)
- [Easter Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/easter-sunday/)
- [Good Friday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/good-friday/)
- [Maundy Thursday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/maundy-thursday/)
- [Palm Sunday](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/palm-sunday/)
- [Lenten Lunch Series 2025](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/lenten-lunch-series-2025/)
- [World Day of Prayer](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/world-day-of-prayer/)
- [Ash Wednesday Service 7pm](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/ash-wednesday-service-7pm/)
- [Ash Wednesday Service 10am](https://allsaintscollingwood.com/series/ash-wednesday-service-10am/)
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