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By Michael Wilson Pastoral Letters April 10, 2026

Watch this week’s service on YouTube by clicking:

April 12 Worship Service Video

 

 

Join us for Sunday morning worship at CUC is at 10:00 AM with the He/SheBrews Café following in the Van Roon Community Hall

 

  • RUMMAGE SALE – It is Rummage Sale Week!! – Beginning on Monday goods for the Rummage Sale can be dropped off at the church during office hours (9:30am-3:30pm). Volunteers are still welcome during the week for set-up, sorting, and pricing, as well as next Saturday morning. The Rummage Sale itself is Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 to 12 noon and coming to shop is another way of supporting this important fundraiser.

 

 

Dear Friends

 

Welcome to worship for Sunday, April 12, 2026.

 

One of the items that was on display inside the Artemis 2 capsule was an Innu flag that was given to Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This First Nation in Labrador hosted Mr. Hansen and his fellow astronauts on a training mission last year. Apparently there is a crater that is sacred territory to the Innu which is also one of the most lunarlike surfaces on earth. The Artemis crew had gone there to study lunar geology but also to meet with the community for whom this crater has such special meaning. When they left the Innu guardians presented Mr. Hansen with their flag and in turn he packed it among his limited belongings for his voyage to the far side of the moon.

 

In so many ways, the Artemis 2 space flight represents the highest of highs. They are of course travelling high into space, supposedly the furthest distance human beings have travelled from earth. We watched as the rocket took off and went up, up, up, into the sky until it was so small that it vanished from sight. It was the highest of high as it was conceived as an international mission with three American astronauts in the company of Canadian Hansen. This they did not shy away from as the two flags inside the capsule were visible every time pictures and video transmitted back to earth. Scientifically it was among the highest of highs, a remarkable achievement picking up on technology that has been in stasis for fifty years. And aspirationally, Artemis 2 has served to represent the highest of human endeavour, the highest of human dignity, the highest of human unity.

 

How sad that in the same week we could also bear witness to the lowest of lows. The U.S. – Israel – Iran War continues unabated. Dozens of deaths are becoming hundreds. Hundreds of displaced people are becoming thousands. Millions of dollars spent destroying one another is becoming billions. The threat made on Tuesday to wipe out an entire civilization is an low as an armed combatant can get. The immorality of the Iranian regime and their utter lack of concern for their own people matches it. That the death and destruction being meted out is now continuing for the sake of the price of oil brings the soul that soared into the heavens with Artemis 2 come crashing down to earth.

 

The highest of highs and the lowest of lows.

 

The Easter vigil that we have just kept reminds us that highest highs and the lowest lows have always been. Good Friday, by intention, brings us down to the lowest of lows where one without sin is crucified. We are made to lament that the sin of the world is pernicious, persistent, and perennial. And then the Day of Resurrection lifts us up on high, restores our joy, revives our hope, and renews our love. It is an eternal journey. The early church describes it as such in The Apostles Creed, “…he descended into hell…he ascended into heaven…” The lowest low and the highest high. Heaven always gets the last word.

 

I found it interesting that the Innu elders who received and hosted the Artemis 2 crew and gifted Jeremey Hansen with the flag that he took into outer space are referred to as ’guardians’. Their responsibility is to teach new generations, and the occasional NASA visitors, that the land is sacred and has been so to them for 7000 years. They literally ‘guard’ the past as they offer lessons, hospitality, and unity. It is a high calling. A reminder of our own. Paul writes, “May the peace which passes understanding ‘guard’ our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

 

May the highest of highs always win out over the lowest of lows.

 

Grace and peace,

 

Michael

 

 

  • For news and events please have a look at Life & Work on our website: Life and Work

 

 

  • Did you know you can support this ministry by e-transfer, automatic withdrawal (PAR), and gifted securities, in addition to weekly or monthly cheques? For Offering Information please visit: https://charleswoodunited.org/support/   Thank you for your generous support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Wilson / About Author
Michael’s involvement in the wider church has included ministry with children and youth, membership on the National Division of World Outreach, supervision of campus ministry, and the Ten Days for Global Justice National Committee. He has been blessed by the opportunity to represent the United Church of Canada in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Africa on different occasions. Michael has taught at the University of Winnipeg – Faculty of Theology and is past President of the Conference of Manitoba and North Western Ontario.
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