Dear Glen Morris United Church, 

Peace be with you and I hope this letter finds you well.  On this May Long Weekend I hope you have an opportunity to share time with loved ones, put your hands in some dirt, and find a bit more room for sabbath. 

In this week’s letter I wanted to share with you some resources around cancer diagnoses and spiritual care. I know this topic may feel out of the blue, but I also realise that almost every one of us has had our lives impacted by cancer in some way. I hope that you will personally find these resources helpful and also pass these along to those in your life who you know would appreciate them. 

In the face of something as difficult as a cancer diagnosis it can be hard to know what to do or say. I don’t believe God asks us to be perfect in these moments but I do believe the Holy Spirit can be at work inviting us to find God’s abundant beauty and love even in the scariest of places. 

I’m a strong believer of lifting up the voices of those with lived experiences of whatever topic I am sharing about and so for this week, as a way of honouring the insight and wisdom of those impacted by cancer, I want to share these insights from cancer survivors: 

From an oncology nurse, 

‘Dear every cancer patient I ever took care of, I’m sorry. I didn’t get it.’

 

From musician Jon Batiste and his wife, author Suleika Jaouad,

The same day the "Late Show with Stephen Colbert" bandleader received 11 Grammy nominations – the most by any artist this year – the love of his life was beginning chemotherapy treatments for her second battle with cancer. Jon Batiste and bestselling author Suleika Jaouad ("Between Two Kingdoms") talk with correspondent Jim Axelrod about how their world was turned upside-down, and how they met adversity with an act of defiance. Click here to watch the video. 

 

From academic and author, Kate Bowler’s,

A Ted Talk about being diagnosed with stage IV cancer at 35 years old. Kate Bowler, PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and a professor at Duke University. She studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. This video is an excellent response to the questions about faith, God, and cancer. 

 

In the midst of uncertainty, seeking diagnosis, figuring out treatment - may the Peace of Christ be with you 

As you grieve, remember, and honour the lives of those you have lost to cancer - may the Peace of Christ b,e with you, 

As you accompany loved ones impacted by cancer, may the Peace of Christ be with you, 

 

Yours in Christ, 

Rev Michiko