When You Work for the Church

If you’re a regular on this site, or know me online or in person, you quite likely already know about my new book—and maybe have heard more than enough, thank you very much.

So I won’t go on and on about Hope Beyond Our Sorrows: Learning to Live with Life-Changing Loss (Herald Press, 2025), except to say that the original print run that got lost in transit hasn’t yet been found, but the books have now been reprinted and are finding their way into the world. [If you’d like to enter my draw for a free book, please comment at the end of this post and let me know why you’d like a copy. – This contest is now closed.]

While much of my attention has gone into launching Hope Beyond Our Sorrows, I’ve also been planning for fall. Once again, I’ll be teaching a six-week course for Canadian Mennonite University’s Xplore program. This time, I was asked for “more of a Bible study,” so my course this fall will be on the book of Ruth. For all of the courses offered, please see Xplore Fall 2025, and here’s the description for my course:

The Book of Ruth: Change, Challenge, and New Life

Thursdays, October 2– November 6, 9:00 a.m.– 10:00 a.m. (Pacific Time Zone)

In the Bible, the book of Ruth is not only the story of one woman. It’s a story that embraces an entire community and that can speak powerfully into our lives today. What can we learn from those who are socially vulnerable like Ruth and Naomi? What can we learn from those who have wealth and social status like Boaz? What can we learn from the community that surrounded them? As we explore these questions together, each session will include time for teaching, reflection, sharing, and discussion, with a view to the changes, challenges, and new life we face today. For more information on this and other classes, and to register, please see https://www.cmu.ca/community/xplore.

More Planning for Fall

Two years ago, I taught the first version of my Dreams course for Canadian Mennonite University’s Xplore program. Last year, I was invited to teach it again, which I was happy to do. This year, I’ve had a few inquiries to offer the course again, and with Xplore’s blessing, I hope to offer it on my own as a six-week evening course.

I say “hope to,” since reflection and discussion have been an important part of the course, so I’m looking for a minimum of ten participants. That would allow freedom for some just to listen if they choose, or to miss a session if need be and listen to the recording afterward.  I already have a few B.C. people interested, and one reader who lives in the Central Time zone would like to join too! Second- or third- timers are also most welcome—you may find a refresher helpful, especially if your dreams and circumstances have changed, and your participation will be a blessing for others.

Since I’ve taught this course before, I will not be setting a fee. It’s a joy for me to offer it again, and I’d love for you to join me! In lieu of a course fee, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Here are the details:

Dreams and Dreaming in the Bible
and in Our Lives Today

Thursdays, September 18–October 23, 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. (Pacific Time Zone)

“Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams” (Acts 2:17, cf. Joel 2:28). What might this mean for our dreaming today? What dreams do we have when we’re asleep? What dreams or visions do we have when we’re awake, what cherished aspirations and ideals? How do we learn to live wisely and well beyond our broken dreams?

This course will explore dreams and dreaming in Scripture and in our lives today: good dreams/bad dreams, broken dreams/God-given dreams, letting go of a dream, making room for a new one, learning to dream again, and living it out. Each session will include time for teaching, reflection, sharing, and discussion.

To register or for any comments or questions, please send a reply: