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Join our community of writers and publishers

Norma Hill — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:58:48 +0000

Do you feel alone as a writer or publisher?

Do you want to learn more about on-line writing and publishing?

If you do, why not join our community of writers and publishers?

Whether you are brand new to the online writing and publishing world, and have many questions; or you’re a seasoned pro and want to share your knowledge, please join us! Click on the “posts” word in the top right hand corner of this page, and subscribe to receive regular updates from this site – then be sure to comment or ask questions on any of the posts which interest you.

Looking forward to having you become part of our community!

writing long emails – foolish or wise?

Norma Hill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:42:10 +0000

July 19, 2010

I was writing emails again today – and despite the advice of the world to keep emails short and sweet, so that I can have time to network with more people, I still find myself writing long emails, just like I used to write long snail-mail letters when I was young.

Even though they take a long time, I can’t help thinking that personal relationships are so important. I can’t help thinking that maybe we have more real impact in the long term, if we focus on a limited number of personal relationships, loving, caring, mentoring, sharing – rather than trying to spread out influence thin over a whole bunch of shallow relationships.

The small tribe, village, community where You place us. Rather than the whole celebrity, social marketing, Twitter-depth thing.

You think?

quote: give it all away?

Norma Hill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:34:07 +0000

uly 20 (looking back to July 10 and 11)

Read a quote today that challenged me: “Do you see the difference between the things of this world and the things of God? Are you eager to run and sell it all, give it away, pay whatever the price may be, in order to be part of that kingdom?”

What are my priorities? Keith Giles adds: “The cost of the Kingdom is everything, but in comparison to the treasure we receive in return, all that we have in this life is worthless and empty.”

Reading in John 6:27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you…”

wanting to meet people and extend grace

Norma Hill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:31:19 +0000

July 20 (looking back to July 10)

I’ve been working hard on my writing these past 3 or 4 months. And I need to be home to answer “on-call” phone messages for hubby when he’s asleep, so he gets enough work. I still go regularly to Sunday morning street church breakfasts/ gatherings, but the weekday morning coffee times have been canceled at least for the summer. Other meetings, like the writer’s club I belong to do, have also been canceled for the summer. And with the heat we’ve been having, I have found it hard to get outside except early mornings or evenings, when there aren’t many people around.

So I’ve been feeling lonely.

I want to be involved with real live people every day! Father?!?! I want to extend grace!

Well, time to be proactive, I’m thinking. It’s my birthday on the 24th, and I’ve decided to have an all-day (7 am to 7 pm) drop-in birthday party. So if you’re here in town, come on by! I’m going to serve crepes for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, and homemade chili for supper. Here’s hoping lots of folks feel free to drop by.

catching up … and wonderings (again)

Norma Hill — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:30:03 +0000

July 20 (looking back to July 9 and 10)

Oh no! It’s happened again! Here it is July 20, and I haven’t posted since July 9. Actually, I’ve done a lot of posting over on my My Church Journey blog, and been involved in a number of conversations on other blogs, but somehow time has flown by here with no posting.

I see that on the afternoon of July 9 I noted in my journal that I was having a hard time focusing; my brain seemed to be knocked out by the heat. Mid to high 90s F outside, and nearly 80 inside, despite my best efforts to keep the house cool! Well, I guess that’s the best excuse I can come up with.

On July 10, I wrote a blog post on Extending grace over at My church Journey, thinking about how we react to and treat those who we see as particularly evil people – in this case a young man whom police have warned the community is a pedophile. While I certainly understand people’s fears, and do think this particular situation has been handled poorly by the various social services, I have wondered how we can better react to and deal with this kind of situation. Anyway, you can take a look at that post, if you are interested.

That same day, I read a facebook posting by a young woman I know who has an autoimmune disease that has turned her life upsidedown. As if that isn’t enough, there have been a number of other tragic circumstances in her close family – degenerative disease, childhood abuse, accidental death… None of which were “preventable” or “deserved” or whatever. And yet, other families appear to have comparatively few severe problems (though as onlookers we no doubt often know very little about what people are really going through). Wondering about that…

it takes a family to raise a child? or a church? or a village? or?

Norma Hill — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:35:28 +0000

July 6, 2010

IT DOESN’T TAKE A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD?

A few days ago I was reading a blog post (which I cannot get out of my mind) in which the writer argued that, contrary to the popular saying, or at least contrary to some popular interpretations of the saying, it does not “take a village to raise a child.” The writer, Eric, pointed out that the “village” that the majority of our children grow up in offers a mix of values (or lack thereof) that we may really not want our children being raised with. He suggested that it really only takes a mother and father to raise a child, but that they may be backed up or supported by close friends of like values, in a Christian family’s case, their local church – if that church is really living together in love and unity, rather than just as a program-run organization. (He also raised some related issues; You can check out the whole post at A Pilgrim’s Progress), and see what he thinks).

Now I don’t have a problem with the backed-up-by-the church part, if the church is really a part of Christ’s family: a close-knit village within the Kingdom of God, if you like. In fact, I think it is ideal, and essential. But….

MA AND PA CAN DO IT BY THEMSELVES?

But I do wonder about the parents-only part. That whole “nuclear family” concept is pretty recent, and pretty western/North American.
THE “HOUSEHOLD” … EXTENDED FAMILY … VILLAGE

Historically, and certainly biblically, family was (and still is, in vast parts of the world), extended. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins … and biblically, servants (and slaves). And sojourners and people traveling through. The “household.”

Living in a single large home, or in a compound – or in a village.

It wasn’t that long ago, even in North America, that neighborhoods in cities were often villages in their own way.

NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGES BACK IN THE DAY

When I was young (mid twentieth century), almost all our neighbors within a block or so in both directions from our house – and those over the back fence, too – knew each other well. The adults all watched out for each other’s children. Grandparents often lived with families, and even those who didn’t were generally accepted as honorary grandparents, and children were expected to respect them.

We played in each other’s yards, and in the street, and in the empty lot in the middle of the block – usually without our parents directly present, but we knew they were keeping an eye on us from the houses or yards. Sometimes the adults would come out and play softball with us, or help us fix our go-carts or build our tree forts. No one much worried, because we all knew each other. When someone new moved into the neighborhood, everyone brought them pies or cookies, and invited them over for meals. We celebrated birthdays and weddings and other events together.

We were a village within the city, an extended family by common geographic location, and also, as I look back on it by generally shared values and beliefs. Most of us were at least nominally Christian, at least by Census statistics, though we represented many streams: Catholic, Orthodox, mainline and evangelical Protestants, Easter-and-Christmas-church-goers, even a Jehovah’s Witness family. We didn’t agree on all theological points, but we were neighbors, and so we didn’t fight about them either.

Oh yes, and most of us were of European descent, some recently, some several generations removed. Most of us were hyphenated-Canadians, and it was always a delight, for example, to have real home-made spagetti with the Italian-Canadians, or listen to the Scottish-Canadians play their pipes, or whatever. We were proud of our backgrounds, but we really weren’t that different.

In terms of our present-day multi-cultural society, our neighborhood (our entire town for that matter) was remarkably homogeneous. In our high school of 1200 students, there was, as I recall, one black family, one Chinese family, two or three Japanese families, and a small clan of East Indians who (very intriguingly to us) all lived together in one big house.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED, OF COURSE

I find myself almost shaking my head in disbelief when I think about it. That homogeneous “village” world seems very long ago and far away to me now. Is that why we find ourselves withdrawing into our private little “castles” and putting up the gates? Do we develop a fortress menality? To shut out those who threaten our apparently safe, homogeneous little family? Are we really better off to protect our children from those who are “different” from us, in culture, religion, values, and so on? (And if so, can we then really trust even those of our extended physical family whose lives aren’t exactly like ours? Or even the “church family,” made up as it likely is these days, of people from widely varying backgrounds? How far do we take this? What is driving us? Just protectiveness? or fear? prejudice? Can we really trust ourselves? Do we trust God?)

I’ve know parents who have withdrawn their children from the village. The children play with their own siblings, and on very special occasions with children from hand-picked families whom the parents cautiously associate with. The mothers sit with the children as they play together, watching their every move. Oddly enough, some, after protecting their children so carefully at home, send them off to public school every day. (Odd indeed. Another story…).

CAN WE EVEN STOP THE VILLAGE FROM RAISING OUR CHILDREN?

I really do think it does take a village, to some degree, to raise a child. I have yet to meet a set of parents who, themselves, have all it takes to truly raise children by themselves. At any rate, can we even effectively stop the village from raising our children? Media, schools, just observing the world around us as we drive down the streets. Shopping! Even at the corner grocery the global village is with us – not to mention at supermarkets and malls. Then there are public parks, community events, schools. Oh, and of course theme parks. Disney World, here we come!

Maybe it can be argued that “it doesn’t take a village to raise a child.” But it does seem to me that it is going to happen anyway, no matter how hard we might try to block it out.

I agree, we do need real churches, real, close-knit families of God. We need true, Godly, loving relationships with our God (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit) and with His family. We need those relationships individually, we need them within our own physical/nuclear family, and we need them corporately in the true family of the church.

We need that because we can never totally stop the “village” (the global one, as well as the neighborhood one), from raising or at least influencing our children. And not only for that reason.

We also need, as God’s children, God’s family, to together reach out to the village around us, the village to which we are called to be light and life and salt. To which we are called to live out the love of Jesus. We cannot barricade ourselves in some fortress, and at the same time honor that call. Can we?

ARE WE, AS PART OF THE VILLAGE, HELPING RAISE OTHERS CHILDREN?

And do we, while trying to “protect” our own children from being raised by the village, at the same time expect them to let us help raise their children? Is that not what many of our Sunday Schools and Youth Groups and other programs try to accomplish? Do we even have the right to try and “raise” those other children when we refuse to become, to some degree, relationally, part of their village? Will those programs even succeed without us truly reaching out, building relationships, loving our neighbors, caring for them,being part of the village?

What do you think about all this?

thinking about Family Bible Camp

Norma Hill — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 18:34:09 +0000

6 July 2010

When I was growing up, going to summer Family Bible Camp at the Pine Grove Free Methodist camp grounds in Winfield, BC, the first week of July, was as much a part of our family traditions as stockings on Christmas morning and colored eggs at Easter. After I grew up and moved away, I did not attend camp for many years. Finally, my husband, children and I moved back to the Okanagan Valley, and for the next few summers, I again attended family camp.

It was called Family Camp because families attended together, as opposed to children’s and teen’s camps, and men’s and women’s retreats. But it was more than just a place for families to go for summer vacation. It was a gathering of a part of the family of Jesus. Most, but not all, attended Free Methodist churches in British Columbia and Washington State, as well as some from other provinces and states. Others were from different church groups, and some who came didn’t know Jesus, but had been invited by friends who were part of His family. And over the years, many of the same families attended again and again. There were some who attended for 50 years or more, generation upon generation. Children met Jesus at the altar in the old tabernacle building; and then their children; and their children, too. Sometimes young people met, and eventually fell in love, and married, and brought their children to camp. Even if we didn’t see each other for 51 weeks at a time, on that 52nd week each year, we would join together joyfully, and spend a happy week together with our Father. We were family. It was truly Family Camp.

But things began to change. Some folks wanted to go on “real vacations.” Others preferred to go to other camps that had fancier facilities and lots of staff to wait on them. At Pine Grove Camp, fees were kept as low as possible, and everyone pitched in to do their share with cooking, washing dishes, cleaning, repairing, grounds upkeep. Those who could afford extra would donate so those who couldn’t pay the already low fees could come anyway. But we didn’t have an on-site swimming pool, or air-conditioning or climbing towers, or canoes or speed boats. We went down to the lake to swim, and hiked in the hills or played volleyball for recreation. We didn’t have cable for TV; nor internet access. Life was simple and relaxing, and a bit rustic. But most of all, we gathered to meet together with our Lord. And that didn’t seem, in those final years, to be a big attraction to a lot of folks. The elders passed away, and many young folks moved far away. And so, five years ago, the camp closed down.

But families naturally long to gather together. And so this week, as former Pine Grove Family Camp folks think back to those annual summer family gatherings, some of us have started a conversation on-line. We’ve started a facebook group, Friends of Pine Grove Camp – Winfield BC, where we’ve posted pictures and memories. And we’ve started talking about getting together again.

The Pine Grove Camp grounds are still intact, more or less, leased by another group. Theoretically, we could perhaps rent them from those who are renting them from the Free Methodist Conference. But more likely, we are thinking of just getting together at a campground somewhere, or maybe in someone’s property out in the countryside, and spending a weekend or maybe even a week together. With our Lord and each other.

From what I hear, those “luxury” camps, with classy accommodations, high-end meals served by paid staff, swimming pools and all manner of recreational facilities (and high costs), are still doing pretty well. People (who can afford it) get their vacation, and they get to hear well-known speakers and professional worship bands.

On the other hand, maybe there is room also for those who just really want to gather with Father’s family, with His church. More and more, there are those whose heart is to be the church, to live church, every day of their lives. Almost as if camp happens all year round, as they meet together in many different ways, day by day, learning together, helping each other, reaching out together, coming to know God together, living in His love as His family.

Maybe Pine Grove Camp, as an institution, as a ritual even, has had its day. And yet I know the family that grew together in that place, lives on, and the family members still long to see each other, though they have been scattered by time and location. I think that Pine Grove Family camp still lives on in the hearts of its family, and its memories inspire many to continue to follow Jesus and live His family life every day. And maybe even get together one time soon. For old times sake. And because we are family.

And that is awesome, don’t you think?

in my neighborhood

Norma Hill — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:17:42 +0000

June 30, 2010

Pastor P emailed to see if I wanted to go to the street breakfast in another community. But I feel “checked.”

I am thinking You want me here. In my neighborhood, so to speak. Maybe literally. The little kids in this complex are very friendly with me, and today is the start of summer holidays for those in school. So who knows?

And yesterday I wrote a letter for one neighbor, and had a good chat with another, and today a “hello” to another. So maybe You are opening a door (a whole complex of doors – almost 60…) right here, eh?

At the same time, I “just happen” to keep reading “neighborhood” blog posts, for example, here and here and here, too. I even suggested about it myself on a comment on a post that talked about reaching out to the next town. I wondered aloud about neighborhoods in our own town.

I’ve also been wondering about going walkabout with Pastor P here when he does his “rounds” on the streets here in our town. And still wondering about some kind of simple midweek gathering in a local park or square? Father? Jesus? Holy Spirit?

walkabout sights

Norma Hill — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:48:11 +0000

June 26, 2010

Some guy in shorts and t-shirt who must have been on his lunch break, was standing outside the back door of a business. He had his shoes and socks off, and was vigorously walking on the spot; meanwhile, he was also wringing out a soaked towel, apparently exercising his arms and cooling off his feet! Oddly entertaining for passersby!

Met 3 of the street church guys in a back alley. We walked along for a few blocks, chatting together. They told me about how they are fixing a house for a lady whose son recently passed away. She wants her house to be a good place for people to stay as they leave the street and clean up their lives. Cool!

There were literally thousands of people out to the Farmers Market and the Artisans Market; the Classic Car Peach Cruise (about 800 cars and quite a lot of motorbikes as well!); and the annual Elvis Festival, with close to 30 Elvis impersonators! All on a beautiful hot sunny day in the beautiful parks by the beach.

An RCMP officer in red serge (dress uniform) was opening the Beach Cruise entertainment (a Johnny Cash impersonator!) by singing the US national anthem and then the Canadian anthem. People commenting that he did a better job of the US anthem. Hmmmm… People inside the fence at the park stood to attention, mostly (except those in the beer garden); people outside the fence happily ignored the whole thing. Hmmm again.

Sailboats, speed boats, seadoos, kayaks, canoes on the lake. Parasailing too. Perfect day!

A guy came along while I was sitting in the shade on some rocks by the beach. We started talking. Turns out he grew up in the same town as I did, but because he went to a different school, we never met. However, I had known the girl he married; she was one grade behind me in my high school. Our short chat turned into 2 1/2 hours… computers, electronics, home school, house churches, miracles, Christian TV, satellites, sailing/ canoeing/ kayaking, places we’ve both been, Bill Gates and other famous people he has met… Yo! It’s a small world!

Walking home it was hot (at least 30 C). I ended up phoning hubby when I was about 3/4 of the way home and begging for a ride, lol.

After I got home, I did a quick fb check… and was invited to chat with a guy who had been 2 or 3 grades ahead of me in my school – and who, as it turns out, wrote the curriculum for the program my daughter took at BCIT. Small world again!

Oh, and both those guys are believers! Cool!

new blog? “Haida Gwaii alive” or ???

Norma Hill — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:56:17 +0000

May 22, 2010

I had a flash of inspiration! I love following my many Haida Gwaii friends on Facebook, love their status updates on life on the Gwaii, their pictures, their care for their nation and culture. And in that “flash of inspiration” moment, I posted: “I love reading people’s comments and statuses and little stories and poems and memories and concerns and stuff about life on Haida Gwaii… so I’m thinking… what if I started a blog where people could post stories, articles, poetry, pictures of Haida Gwaii? If I did, who would like to participate?”

I got some immediate, very positive responses, so I went on to add, “It could be a good place for people to post pictures of their art, and links to their websites and stuff. So many of the Haida Gwaii -related sites out there are written by tourists (!), or are specific to some very small niche, or are marketing something specific. I’m thinking this could really create a true sense of the islands because it would be coming from the people themselves, and would cover lots of aspects of their lives… everyday things that reflect who the people of Haida Gwaii really are, and their connection to the land. It would also be an awesome place for people who have to be away to go during their lonesome moments!”

And then a little later I added, “Maybe video and audio too… if I can figure it out! Would be awesome to have children and elders contribute too. Interviews, stories from the elders. Writing and audio that uses the Haida language… (And input from all parts of the Haida Gwaii communities…) Oh my goodness, such dreams I have! I guess start simple and build. I’m sure there are people out there who can help with the technical side of things, especially video etc? This really has to be a COMMUNITY project!!!! What are your ideas? How could you be involved? What would you like to see?”

As it turned out, I posted that last bit just as pretty near all of my Haida Gwaii friends were off to spend the rest of the day at “Harbour Days” May long weekend celebrations … and my posting got “lost” by the next morning when they next checked their facebook.

Meanwhile, however, I kept thinking about the whole idea – and jotting down notes. Here are some of them:

- Also Haida Gwaii people who are away from the islands: their lives too, where they are, and how that maybe connects to their roots, their home-land, their people, ancestors, place?

- And those who have come from other places, and have lived on Haida Gwaii, and then left – or have stayed. How Haida Gwaii has chanced them. And maybe how they have changed it – and how they feel about that. (And how the Haida themselves feel about that).

- And what people believe, value, accept (or not), and why. And how that all is connected to the land that is Haida Gwaii (or not).

- And memories, and dreams, and hopes…

- And politics and environments…

- And activities, work, play, history, relationships…

- What else???

- Good things… and not-so-good (and maybe even some really bad things)…

- What really matters to you? at any cost? what is your life about? what is moving you? where are you going?

- tell about your life, your journey, what you hope for in the near future? and ultimately? What threatens to destroy your hope?

- What do you need? How could the people and/or the land and/or the Creator help you fulfill those needs?

- What breaks your heart? What gives you joy? What do you love? Why?

- What causes you pain? What brings healing? What brings life?

- What is your personal story? What are the stories of your people? What do your stories tell?

- How do you think? How is that affected by the Gwaii?

- What beliefs need to be held? regained? cast aside?

- What brings meaning and hope and happiness?

- What does it mean to be a human being on Haida Gwaii? to be a human being from Haida Gwaii?

- How does your own story fit into the big story? What is the big story? the biggest, forever story? What really matters? How are you part of that?

So, my Haida Gwaii friends and family … and those who have been there and long to return … what do you think? Would you participate in a site like that? Please respond! Howaa!