August 30, 2026
Summer Greetings!
I grew up in a household where country music reigned supreme. Though my mom played the oboe in her high school band and appreciated classical music, it was seldom heard in our household. Even when my parents divorced, my dad continued with his country while my mom listened more to CBC during the day. While many of my school friends were on top of the popular music scene – emerging Disco and Rock music, even the Beatles were foreign to me. My music was my dad’s music including: Kenny Rogers (The Gambler is still one of my favourites), Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, The Oak Ridge Boys, Crysal Gale, Anne Murray, Stompin’ Tom, Truck Driving tunes (Dave Dudley and others, popular on road trips), and of course Dolly Parton.
I did diversify my musical interests into pop music through later Junior High and throughout High School, but after a few years fell back into the comforts of the New Country phase (I never appreciated hip-hop or rap music) in the early nineties. Amanda (whose musical interests were and still are all over the board), after we were in a more committed stage in our relationship told me that one of her initial comments to her mother about me was “he is really nice, but he listens to country music.” She got over it and over the years we saw Alabama, Joe Dee Messina, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill together, and Paul Brandt in concert.
Of course, this weekly email is in response to the death of Dolly Parton. The gift of her music, the gift of her humour, the gift of her personality, the gifts of her legacy. She believed in helping others. Her father couldn’t read so she started the Imagination library – sending over 300 million books through the mail. She used her resources to support numerous causes throughout the world. But I don’t think it was about building a legacy, it was about making a difference.
In an interview in 2019 she was asked about her faith, part of her response is as follows: “I don’t practice faith – I live it. I think people try too hard. I talk to God like He is my best friend…. You live by example. You teach by example. You learn by example, don’t you think?” Sometimes we forget that our faith, Dolly’s faith, is a faith that calls us to action.
This week, in our Scriptures it will be Moses who will be called to action. He has moved out of Egypt living a comfortable shepherding life when a voice from the burning bush calls to him. “I have heard the suffering my people. Go to my people” God says. Moses voices his opposition but eventually relents and returns to Egypt.
God hears the suffering in our time too. Perhaps not through burning bushes, but we are called to love and compassion. We might not have the influence of a Dolly Parton, and we can make excuses like Moses, but God still calls us to perform acts of justice and kindness, revealing the promises of God’s Kingdom here and now. God wants to hear us say, “Here I am” and mean it.
This week is our last shared service for the summer. We will gather in Melville at 10:30 am to sing, to pray, to listen and be sent out not to practice our faith, but to live it. Next week we return to our regular schedule with services in Ilderton at 945am and Melville at 11am.
Thank you Dolly for the love you shared,
Grace and peace,
Steve
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
August 23, 2026
Summer Greetings!
Well, it is now noticeable that the late-night dusk is getting earlier. The days are getting shorter and the nights a tad bit cooler as August approaches its end. But in the coming weeks there should still be comfortable weather to spend with family and friends and get those last outdoor gatherings together. Enjoy those times together, the love and stories shared, the memories created – and those encounters that continue to unfold as the seasons change!
This week we begin our final couplet of shared services between our two churches. Ilderton at 10:30 this week, Melville at 10:30 next week and then come Labour Day weekend, we will return to our regular service times.
As I was pondering the Scriptures this week, the question of identity is front and centre. Jesus asks his disciples – who do others say that I am? And then pointedly, who do you say that I am? The disciples offer responses – John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah and finally the Christ comes out of Peter’s mouth. A statement of faith that has thus far eluded the disciples as they ministered with Jesus.
For the purposes of this email, instead of focusing on Jesus’ question of identity, I invite you to pause and think about your multiple identities. Who do others say that you are? How do you think others see you? If you are daring enough make a list of at least 10 ways in which you see yourself or think that others might see you – it might be familial like a partner or parent. It might be job related like a teacher or a nurse. It might be oriented around hobbies or personality. You might ask some people how others see you and find out what you may have missed. You might be surprised.
Now comes the true test. In that list that you made in your head or on paper did you think or write Child of God? Do you, or do you think others, see you as a child of God? (I will admit I primed the pump away from this answer in the paragraph above). We are children of God, loved by God, even if it doesn’t come top of mind.
As we begin our Exodus series we begin generations after Joseph. The Hebrews have become numerous. A new Pharaoh demands that first born Hebrew boys be killed upon birth but two midwives, Shiphrah and Puah quietly refuse Pharaoh’s order because these children born are Children of God. Their ongoing refusal will eventually lead to a newborn Moses being left in a basket in the weeds where he is adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.
You, me, our neighbours… we are many things to many people, but our core identity, that we all share, is that we are Children of God. We are called to see the image of God in our friend and stranger and to care and nurture one another so that God’s love and promises might be made known.
Go into the week ahead and beyond, knowing that part of your identity is to be cherished and loved by God and look for that promise in others.
Steve
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
August 17, 2026
Summer Greetings!
I acknowledged on Sunday morning that my written thought for this week came so quickly that I thought that I sent my note early in the week, but by Saturday I realized I hadn’t even put words to paper, just sitting in my head… so you should get two notes from me this week!
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a children’s rhyme that many of us either grew up with or at least heard. It reportedly came into being in the early 1800s and written form in the 1830s and has undergone some variations, but the idea is the same. Any words that you want to use to put someone down won’t hurt. It became an encouraged expression to help stand up to bullying by helping the “victim” to remain calm and even indifferent to the words and put downs of others.
In some ways it does make sense…. It can help ground against verbal abuse. But it doesn’t get at the root problem that the way we use words matter…. They can hurt and hurt deeply. Especially when the words are spoken repeatedly. Instead of putting the onus on the one who speaks, the onus is on the recipient of the words to find the resilience to believe the expression that words won’t hurt them.
In the Apocryphal Book of the Bible (these are books that are found in Roman Catholic Bibles, not the standard protestant Bibles that we usually use in Scripture after the Protestant Reformation). Sirach, written some 150 years before Jesus’ birth offers the opposite sentiment. Sirach 28:17: “The blow of a whip raises a welt, but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.” Jesus is likely familiar with this teaching when he teaches his disciples that it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person it Is what comes out of a person’s mouth that does. Words we utter matter.
This passage was part of the optional Gospel reading for this past Sunday…. An optional reading that is a precursor to Jesus himself speaking harshly to a Canaanite woman (calling her dog) – an outsider to Israel. The woman had come to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter, but Jesus’ own response is rude and off-putting. The woman persists and Jesus does eventually respond to her with the healing of her daughter. This scene marks a transition where yes, Jesus’ ministry is still primarily focused on the lost tribes of Israel, but God’s message, teaching, healing goes wider than even he had considered at this point in his ministry.
Some folks feel offended that Jesus ever spoke ill of others, its not the fulsome image we carry. Commentators have explained as Jesus testing or teasing the woman (not sure how many women think being called a dog – not puppy – is just a tease or a test, I wouldn’t try it with my wife!). But instead of trying to explain it away, I think we can lean into Jesus’ humanity. Jesus grew up with the influences around him, listening to others putting down those who are different and it can silently become part of our identity. The words come out, he is challenged and maybe he remembers his own teaching, maybe he remembers Sirach, maybe he just listened deeply to the woman, but to me there is good news in that he learns something about himself and God’s love and chooses a wider path of mercy.
Words matter. Whether said or typed on Social Media, they matter. We may think that the simple children’s rhyme we learned growing up should mean that others should take our harsh words or be called “too sensitive”. But the words that we utter say more about us than we realize and sometimes we all need to be called to account and maybe learn a bit more about ourselves and our neighbours.
We will make mistakes but we are challenged not to utter words of pain or hurt, but words of compassion, grace, mercy and love.
May all our words be so,Steve
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
August 9, 2026
Dear Melvillians,
Summer Greetings!
Well after being away for a month and somewhat disconnected from the world, it is jarring to come back to the vitriol of the news and social media. While away, especially the last two weeks on Grand Manan, we didn’t have a tv and very limited internet access, so there was a true feeling of leaving the world behind. But, with the US midterm campaign running up, ongoing divisions within our Canadian political system and of course ongoing wars/conflicts the language of intolerance is glaring. Unfortunately, this is not new. Social Media has certainly had an impact in recent years, but mob mentality towards someone who acts or thinks differently has seemingly been a human frailty.
In our Genesis reading this week that mob mentality comes to a head. It is the first part of the two-part series on Joseph from the Lectionary, and I will spend more time preaching the story next week, but this week Joseph is sent into slavery by his own brothers. Joseph was his father’s favourite. Like Israel (formerly Jacob) Joseph is not into the outdoor world as his brothers are. He is described as a dreamer… one who thinks and acts differently than the others. Maybe Israel is closer to him to protect him, maybe it is because as a child he was closer to his mother and that kind of nurturing role as opposed to his hunter brother Esau.
Regardless, when Joseph goes to join his brothers in the pasture, they scheme first to kill their brother and then later decide to sell him into slavery. Joseph was different. Joseph acted differently, he wore odd clothes (the “coat of many colours”), he was Dad’s favourite, he was weak, he wasn’t like the others. The mob mentality of the brothers fed upon themselves and in that moment, they schemed and after tearing off his clothes left him in a pit until a caravan went by that offered 20 pieces of silver to take him to Egypt as a slave.
It is so easy for us to be drawn into a mob mentality that turns from jealousy to anger to hate. Yet as a people of faith we have another story this week, that of Peter. Peter and the disciples are on a boat, and they see Jesus walking towards them on the water. When Jesus arrives at the boat, he invites Peter to step out into the waves… to trust… to risk. Step out in faith is the message Jesus offers. Trust that I am with you.
As a people of faith, as much as it is sometimes my own personal challenge, we called into bold discipleship. We are called to step out into the waves – standing with those who are excluded from abundant life here and now. The church is not just a place where we are comfortable and can isolate ourselves from the world, but to be reminded that we have a calling to be a people who comfort others – bringing love when hate burns deep.
It is not an easy path to follow, but we trust that Jesus is our refuge, our strength and our guide. So let us gather this week at 1030am at Ilderton United as we continue to worship together from our two congregations over these summer months. Let us come as a community. Let us come to hear the encouragement of Jesus. Let us come to be reminded that God’s abundant promises of creation are for all people.
With thanksgiving for all the gifts that we have to share,
Rev’d Steve
PS Thank you for the ongoing prayers for my brother (Doug) that I shared last week. His body scan result came back generally ok. There are a few spots that need further exploration so there is still a wait and see process on that front, but certainly not the worst case scenario for him and his family.
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
August 2, 2026
Dear Melvillians,
Summer Greetings!
Well, I’m back this Sunday as Melville and Ilderton continue their Summer Schedule with a single combined service in Melville at 10:30am. A word of thanks to those who facilitated with worship and made themselves available for pastoral care during the past few weeks.
As many of you are likely aware, this time of vacation during the summer has been an opportunity for Amanda and I to return to the Maritimes and bounce through each province. In the words of the Canadian folk band the Arrogant Worms there were lots of rocks and trees and water. (Youtube link at the end of email). We started with a few nights in Ottawa to visit my dad and stepmom… from there it was over to PEI to visit with my stepfather, my brother. It was the first time that I was on the Island since my mother’s funeral last fall. From there it was across the ferry to Nova Scotia to spend some time with Amanda’s mother and stepfather, her sister and nephew. While we were there Amanda’s mom adopted a month old kitten so I triple dosed my allergy medications and spent the night with the kitty keeping her warm. And then it was time for Amanda and I to recharge at a cabin that we rented on the island of Grand Manan (just off the coast of New Brunswick jutting into the Bay of Fundy).
It was great to spend time with family, to reconnect with the places we grew up… and after reading (and sharing) about whimsymaxxing we had some fun with our Quack and Lola plush characters. We celebrated sunrises and sunsets. We (well I, because Amanda doesn’t like it) enjoyed some fresh maritime lobster. We stopped by a few tourist attractions just to be spontaneous and all in all it was a much-needed chance to recharge…. And a couple of pictures as well.
Food is often plentiful when visiting with family and this time away was no different. Food brings us together and invites us into deeper conversations and experiences. This week as we move through the dual track of our seasonal lectionary we have a crowd that has been following Jesus, seeking healing, that need to be fed… and with limited resources the thousands receive their food. In our main characters of Genesis line we have Jacob, the father of Joseph, wrestling with God… an experience that is relatable as we experience life and its joys and its challenges.
As I do return to the pulpit this week, I do ask that you hold my brother in prayer. Shortly after leaving the Island, my brother sent me a note that a mole that he had removed had tested positive as Melanoma. This past week he had a body scan done and yesterday had exploratory surgery to dig around the original mole area and to get a sample to biopsy his nearest lymph nodes. As many of you know, the waiting to get results is hard… and that’s where things are currently.
That said, it is nice to be back home and settled and looking forward to seeing folks tomorrow and into the weeks ahead! With some Arrogant Worms to remind us of what covers so much of our land!
Grace and Peace,
Steve
[ed. from Google: Whimsy-maxxing means intentionally adding playfulness, childlike joy, and wonder to your everyday life. It combines “whimsy” (quaint, fun behavior) with
“-maxxing” (maximizing a trait), turning routine habits and home decor into hyper-personalized, joyful experiences.]
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
slongmoore@hotmail.com
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