Life Lessons from my Father, Kids Table is On, and Summer Dates

Note: this is a longer blurb so read past the bottom of the intitial screen if you want all the info. This week is a regular gathering at VA Cafe (171 McDermot Ave) at 10:45 a.m., with a livestream and a podcast.

My dad was a subtle teacher. I can’t remember a single formal “son, let me tell how things really work” speech from him. He wasn’t perfect, of course. That’s a burden no human should carry, even after they are gone. So sometimes he lost his patience and leapfrogged right over teaching to just do what needed to be done. He didn’t announce his wisdom, one effect of which is that some of his lessons are still emerging for me. In the Talky Bit this Sunday, I will reflect on some of those “still coming into view” insights.

It’s almost officially summer (in case you care, in astrological terms it starts at 3:50 p.m. on Thursday, June 20th with a day that has over 8 hours more sunshine than the December solstice!) and that means longer summer evenings, literally greener pastures, music festivals and a less predictable schedule for all things “Table”. With that in mind, here are some items to note and look forward to over the coming months. As has been our summer custom, we will not be gathering on the long weekends. Details as follows:

June 23 – Judi is taking the Talky Bit. There’s a note at the end of this email about what she will be exploring.
June 30 – long weekend (no gathering)
July 7 – business as usual.
July 14 – Misty is taking the Talky Bit; info to come.
July 21 -Tim Penner is taking the Talky Bit. He’s been travelling (calling it “work”, but come on…), so maybe some tales of international intrigue.
July 28 – Tim Plett will be back from some time away (not working) , which might mean “what I did with my summer vacation” stories. No promises…
August 4 – long weekend (no gathering)
August 11 / 18 / 25 – regular gatherings with possible irregular (in a good way) features because…summer!
Sept 1 – long weekend (no gathering)

Here’s more from Judi on what she will be digging into on June 23rd.

I’ll be looking at the ideas in the book “The Coddling of the American Mind” by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff and thinking of how these ideas might relate to our spiritual endeavours. The book talks about the negative changes to mental health in younger generations, especially as the authors were seeing this on college campuses. They hypothesize what might be the influences on these generations and show how cognitive behavioural therapy can make sense of these mental health problems. I am taking these observations into the realm of our faith, exploring how the ideas and beliefs we form could affect our well-being. (Judi)

Peace, everyone. I’ll see you on Sunday.

Tim Plett