Harbron Hullabaloo (with the Harbrons at the Harbrons') Dec. 29/07

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Robin's own arcade-style Tetris game

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Tree 2007

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I wasn't going to bother getting a tree this year, but there were a few leftovers in the Northwood plaza lot. This is the top section of one of them.

"I never did think it was such a bad little tree."

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Shelter House: Dec. 25/07

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Our regular fourth Tuesday shift fell on Christmas Day this year. Turkeys were cooked in our various homes and then we prepped the meal in the Shelter kitchen. Other volunteers took the plates of food and the soup from us to serve it to the seated guests. (Normally the guests are served cafeteria-style.)

These guys know which side their bread is buttered on.

Everybody knows a turkey....

Friendly service

Two Warks meet.

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Christmas Eve 2007

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Dec. 24/07

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Coffeehouse Dec. 18/07

Last Tuesday evening was a coffee house in support of Ramesh Ferris's Cycle to Walk Campaign (re. Polio). The Transparencies had considered performing, but would have been drummerless, leaving only the musicians.

It turned out to be a different "quiet" little affair and so my (sort of) planned solo set turned out quite different, partly because of the presence of St. Michael's Junior Choir, their family and priest.

Not that I'd been planning on swearing; it's just that I decided to go in a completely Christmas/Winter direction, rather than Lost Dogs, U2, Dylan, Cohen direction.

FWIW my set lists (songs in approx. order as best I remember it).

Jingle Bells
Rudolph
Happy Xmas/War is Over

Matty: "Maranda and friends need to sing now." (I accompanied them on a few Christmas songs.)

Then solo again:

Mary's Boy Child
Jingle Bell Rock
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
White Christmas
Little Drummer Boy
All I Want For Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts....)
Go Tell It On the Mountain
The Coventry Carol
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Private Table Concert for Thomas & Daniel Abthorpe and friend, Riley:

Frosty the Snowman
O Holy Night

Review: "The Leafs suck!" Thomas Abthorpe

Christmas Party: Dec. 16/07

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"Have you been a good little princess?"



A certain little boy gets on Santa's Naughty list
by tugging his beard.

Back on the Nice list!

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Afternoon of Christmas Shopping: Dec. 15/07

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We looked after nineteen kids so that their parents could go shopping (or whatever):

Are you going to send this little gnome
on a trip around the world?

Who's putting whom to sleep?

Charisse heads off to do "homework" (Miana, meaning housework).


The Fire Chief kept us safe.

Twister Solitaire

Right foot RED. Left foot RED.

Playing "Ha!"

Delia's reaction

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Polka Dots and Funerals: Dec. 9/07

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Here are some of the Wandering Minstrels after last night's performance at St. Thomas'. They wore the vests as black (inside out) for the show, but turned them polka-dots out afterwards.

Probably, I won't be volunteering regularly anymore Sunday nights with the Minstrels. I may advise occasionally on drama and guitar-playing.

Afterwards, I had a pleasant visit of wine and cheese with Ven. Andrew and Mary Lou and Matt R., a sometime Minstrel and part time youth worker at St. Paul's.

I also attended a funeral on Saturday at St. Tom's for the father of a friend there. On Tuesday I had attended Judy Nichols' memorial service (led by a hospital chaplain).

I got to thinking: what is the New Testament command or approved example for having funerals (especially as a religious service)? I can't think of any, which realization I have stored away as yet another example of how difficult (if possible at all) to live consistently by that principle.

Therefore, I am even more persuaded to live and lead according a principle of freedom to practise in my own life and congregationally what is *helpful* for achieving the known goals and values of Scriptures, avoiding, of course, practices that are clearly prohibited.

I mean those prohibited in the New Covenant. Othewise, I wouldn't shave or wear mixed fabrics.

I am inclined to believe that we all do this to one extent or the other, even if we profess to live by the other principle. (We have buildings and Sunday Schools because they help us teach disciples, as in the Great Commission. We have funerals because they enable us to mourn with those who mourn [and likely it has never occurred to most of us to question the practice. It seem indecent.] I suspect that most of it is just rationalizing our own traditions.)

So, although there's a matter of degree re. inconsistency, I think it's because the principle is flawed and inherently leads to inconsistency. Therefore, I choose freedom.

There are pictures at the church blog of the Minstrels visit to Northwood.

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The Wandering Minstrels Dec. 9/07

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Luke 3 Reading: "Every valley...."



Scouts trying to salute in unison
and photographer trying to capture it.

Oh, c'mon. Church is n't THAT boring!

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Wide Mouth Mason & Melanie Doane: Dec. 6/07

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The CPR Holiday Train stopped at the Syndicate Ave. Station c. 2145h for a brief outdoor concert.

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