Authors: Susan Lukey


July 22, 2024

Colon or Semicolon Have you been baffled when trying to use a semicolon or colon? My advice is this: don’t use them in prayers or worship pieces you are writing for the congregation to read. They complicate the sentence structure and can make it confusing for people to read the...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Theme(s)
Biblical Characters
Body of Christ
Community of Faith
Gifts
Holy Spirit
Jesus
Worship Column
June 28, 2024

Do you have a sense of the general literacy level of your congregation? If you take time to observe and reflect, you might get a feel for the comfort level for reading among the people you serve. Yet, be aware of your biases and the assumptions that might be shaping...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
May 29, 2024

“Please stand.” The words are so easily offered in preparation for a hymn. Yet they assume that everyone present is able to stand and that those who are not able to stand will just understand that they aren’t expected to do so. Yet, many of us have been trying other...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
May 10, 2024

A Mother's Day Blessing to all those who offer mothering love in so many ways, to birth mothers, adopted mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, chosen mothers, grandmothers and godmothers, to soon-to-be mothers and those yearning to be mothers, to those of all genders who offer tender care and understanding to children...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
March 28, 2024

I don’t quite remember when I fell in love with scripture. It might have been when I was a preschooler and was introduced to the hardcover books of the New Curriculum of The United Church of Canada. Love One Another ; Praise Him, Praise Him ; Jesus and the Children...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
March 06, 2024

Worship in the United Church has been defined as “ordered liberty.” While we have much room for creativity and adaptation to our local context, one of the rituals that works best when “ordered” is communion. In Protestant churches, the shared meal of Jesus is often referred to as communion...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Theme(s)
Communion of Saints
Communion with Christ
Community of Faith
Ecumenical
Feast
Gratitude
Jesus - life and ministry
Worship Column
February 28, 2024

For five decades, worship leaders across the country have been sharing resources through Gathering, so we’re celebrating by giving five contributors a free one-year subscription to GatheringWorship.ca (print and online). That’s one for every decade that Gathering has been enriching worship across Canada and in countries around the world. Each...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
January 29, 2024

“God has called me to do this.” The woman on the radio was emphatic in her belief that God had called her to work against LGBTQ+ rights in her local school. At the same time, our congregation was becoming an Affirming church. With a 96 percent vote in favour, we...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
December 27, 2023

Thank you to all our contributors to the Gathering Worship Resource! The Gathering Editorial Team offers deep gratitude to each of you who take time to submit your prayers, worship materials, worship sparks and ideas, hymns, and reflections. Gathering relies on worship leaders like you sending in your contributions. There...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog
December 27, 2023

Does one of these things capture your interest? Do you find yourself considering worship materials you have that would connect with these themes? If so, this is your invitation. Please send your thoughts, worship materials, or anything that seems to connect with these themes. Thank you! What Is Your Favourite...

Author(s)
Susan Lukey
Blog