The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 39
November 28, 2008
Valley Churches
FAITH
Our talents are gifts from God; use them to improve the world By Sandy Ferguson Windermere Valley Shared Ministry A couple of weeks ago, we heard in church the parable of the talents. Talents was the name of the currency used in the time of Jesus. In this story, a master gives his slaves a lot of money. Those who engage in risky investment and prosper are rewarded. The one who plays it safe, and buries his master’s money to keep it safe is punished, because the master is upset that this cautious slave refused to invest the money. It’s an interesting one, and unusual because in this parable, Jesus seems to be encouraging risky investment practices. Usually the economic message from Jesus concerns the evil of the pursuit of wealth and its corrupting effects on people. Indeed, Jesus often states that it is the pursuit of material wealth that distorts humanity’s relationship with God. The reality is that with the parables of Jesus, we are dealing with many layers of meaning. In this parable, Jesus isn’t actually talking about an investment plan, but instead is sharing with us how we prepare the way for the Kingdom of God. It’s interesting to reflect that talents is the word for money, a lot of money, that we use for gifts that people have.
And I believe that the talents that Matthew is referring to, is the gift of proclaiming the Good News of the love of God for all of creation. The Good News, in which we are called to proclaim that the kingdom of God is coming; a kingdom in which the old tired ways of power and oppression will be swept away. These are the talents that we have to spend, rather than bury in the ground. There is no purpose in keeping our Good News hidden away from the world. And it is important to remember that the talents that we all have been blessed with are gifts of God. But too often, we have a tendency to bury them in the ground, fearful of what might happen if we reveal them to the world. But through the parable of the talents, Jesus makes it clear that it is through spending these talents, and spreading the wealth that God has given us, the world will become a better place. It will be a better place, because the wealth we share is the wealth of God’s love. It is a gift that shows us what is truly important in this world, the fact that we are all linked together as part of the living creation of God. It is the gift that shows us no one is truly alone in this world, because we are willing to share what we have with others to restore hope to those who have none. It is the gift that allows us to open our hearts to all who are in need in such difficult times, and offer whatever service we can give. So go out into the world, and invest those talents given to us by God, and make this world a better place!
Homegrown recipes By Pioneer Staff Make your holiday menu special with recipes from “Cooking with the Foxy Red Bonnets.” After two years of meeting as a group, the Bonnets have celebrated by creating a cookbook with the recipes that have sustained them for years. There are favourite recipes for appetizers, soups, main courses, desserts, and sweet creations. The Foxy Red Bonnets are a chapter of the Red Hat Society, a group for women aged over 50. “The group is important to us because it is something to celebrate womanhood and our age, instead of being afraid of being old,” said “Queen” Denise Marie Tegart. The cookbooks cost $15 and are available at The Pioneer’s office, 8, 1008 – 8th Avenue, Invermere or through Denise at 250-688-0198.
Lake Windermere Alliance Church November 30th – First Sunday of Advent: Worship and life instruction. “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” Pastor Trevor ministering. Sunday School, pre-school to Grade 7, during service. For sermons online: www.sermon.net/lwac Pastor Trevor Hagan 326 - 10th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-9535 Windermere Valley Shared Ministry ANGLICAN-UNITED November 30th: 10:30 a.m. at Christ Church Trinity, Invermere Rev. Sandy Ferguson 110 - 7th Avenue, Invermere • 250-342-6644 www.wvsm.info or www.christchurchtrinity.com Valley Christian Assembly Sunday: 10 a.m. Worship and Word. Children’s Church provided during the message. Wednesday: 7 p.m. Adult and Children’s Programs Pastor T. Scott Peterson • 4814 Highway 93/95, 250-342-9511 • www.valleychristianonline.com Roman Catholic Church Saturday: 5 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Church in Canal Flats 7 p.m. at Canadian Martyrs Church in Invermere Sunday: 9 a.m. at Canadian Martyrs Church in Invermere 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church in Radium Father Jim McHugh 712 -12th Ave., Invermere • 250-342-6167 ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN MISSION OF INVERMERE Worship services every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Christ Church Trinity, 110 - 7th Ave., Invermere Pastor Rev. Fraser Coltman • 1-866-426-7564 Radium Christian Fellowship Worship service Sunday 10 a.m. Pastor Wayne and Linda Frater • 250-342-6633 No. 4, 7553 Main St. Radium • 250-347-9937 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Worship Service, 10 a.m. • Sunday School, 11 a.m. • Relief Society, Noon. President Barry Pratt • Columbia Valley Branch 5014 Fairway, Fairmont Hot Springs • 250-341-5792
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