I had the privilege and honour to offer a tribute to Dr. Kenneth Kaunda at a virtual memorial service held on July 6, 2021 with Zambians living in Canada. For a link to this service, go to https://wp.me/P5v0yp-3z

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I’m honored to have this opportunity to speak in memory of Doctor Kaunda.

I was appointed by the United Church of Canada to work with the United Church of Zambia as a teacher at Kafue Boys Secondary School.

I arrived in 1967, three years after the country’s independence. Secondary school education was recognized as an important element of development for the country. Many expatriate staff were needed. I came with 2 other Canadian teachers and joined a staff with several other Canadian families.

I soon learned about the national campaign to encourage people to “go back to the land”. I was also proud to learn about Kaunda’s philosophy of humanism and as a Christian, I was committed to his principles of service and humility.

His dedication to multiracialism and peaceful transition to an independent African nation made us as Canadian teachers feel welcome. I remember his slogan One Zambia One Nation and was caught up in his enthusiasm to unite a country that had many different cultural and linguistic groups.

As a science teacher, I soon learned about the ministry of education’s plan to add agricultural science to the curriculum. So I began to work with the school and the Ministry of Education to develop agricultural projects to supplement the curriculum. We raised chickens and vegetables to supplement the food for students. In this way, I was proud to participate in the development of Zambia in keeping with the back to the land vision of President Kaunda.

President Kaunda visited the school at least once while I was there, and I was proud to have the opportunity to hear him speak to the students about his hopes and dreams for this young nation. I was impressed with his compassion and caring for people – “out of love of my country”, as quoted in The New York Times.

For me, his philosophy of humanism was his way of living the Christian life that he was raised with. I was deeply touched by his honest humility represented by his refusing to eat meat as a way of identifying with his fellow Zambians.  So, the opportunity to meet him and shake his hand was a real privilege.  I will remember President Kaunda with pride as a national leader for whom I had great respect as one who lived his faith with humility and sincerity.  May God bless his life and work.

May the wonder of the shepherds,
the generosity of the wise men,
and the compassion of Mary
be in us and flow from us ,
this Christmas and always.
May God bless you richly
throughout this holiday season.

As I watch the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics, I am proud to be Canadian.  Not because of the hype around Canada’s super athletes or the theme “Believe” that has been running through the media ads to try to build a spirit of confidence among Canadians.  Nor does my pride come from the pomp and extravagance that are displayed in these ceremonies, although the welcome ceremonies of the four nations of the First Nations were impressive and gracious. I am proud to belong to a nation of the world that still believes in welcoming people from all nations irregardless of political ideologies.  I would hope our pride would not be in flaunting our own success but in giving our competitors our energetic support. Believe because each competitor from whatever nation has the support of the world.

I submitted the following article to the Blenheim News-Tribune for the “View from the Pulpit”column.  The previous week, on December 13, the congregation joined churches across Canada and around the world in ringing church bells to draw attention to the urgency of the need to limit CO2 to 350 ppm and to encourage the world leaders at Copenhagen to reach an agreement that treats all nations with justice.  I believe the response of faith is hope based on the divine assurance that the earth exists for the well-being of all and that God’s love for creation instills purposeful care for the earth by all creatures.  Our faith in God’s good creation holds us accountable for the future of this planet not only for the sake of all succeeding generations, but for the continued life of the planet.  If this means reducing our consumption  of fossil fuels to acheive a more equitable sharing of resources, resulting in a leveling ofd the standard of living, then belief in creation as a gift requires our acceptance of the consequences as an act of faith for the good all creation.  This is not just a human virture.  It is a human response to the divine gift of life.

Why did we ring our bells on December 13? Was it because the birth of Jesus is about to happen? In a way, yes. Anticipation increases as the day of celebration draws near. Was our bell ringing because our celebration is about Santa Claus parades, shopping, giving and receiving gifts, and family gatherings? . It is true that our activities build the excitement that comes with the celebration. But, no, that is not the only reason for the bell ringing.

Our celebrations also include some time for remembering the birth of Jesus. The birth came with a promise that God dwells with us. The incarnation brings God’s presence into our lives in a personal and concrete way. The story of the birth is told with tenderness that touches our hearts with an image of God’s being in our world in a very human form and humble setting. The news stirred the hearts of shepherds to leave their flocks and witness the event. The event moved the heavenly choirs to sing.

As a parent and now grandparent, I remember the love that comes with holding a new-born child (or grandchild) and wishing for them as they grow up that they may play a part in and enjoy the blessings of God’s world of peace and justice. I believe that is also God’s hope as Jesus is born. It is a moment of great hope for what the future may bring in the child’s life. The birth of Jesus as God’s son is a commitment God made for his world. God made a personal investment in his creation.

In today’s world of global concerns for a changing climate and global conflict, the birth also comes in the midst of fear and uncertainty for that future. There is a sense of hope and expectation as the world leaders meet in Copenhagen to negotiate an environmental covenant to save the world from the effects of excess carbon dioxide. On December 13, many churches around the world rang their bells for climate justice. We did so with faith and rejoicing in God’s redemptive love for his world, calling on all people to make a new covenant of healing for the world. The message to the shepherds was for us today: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Let us not be afraid because of the greatness of the task.

The birth of Jesus calls us to trust in God’s hope for his creation. As we visit the manger, we embrace the promise that Jesus’ birth was God’s sign that he came to save the world from self-destruction. With the hope of Christmas, we can believe that God is with us as we seek the renewal of all creation. Let us join the choir of angels as we proclaim the good news for all: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”