Sermons from the East End

From Luke’s gospel to a cellar wall in wartime. This Remembrance Day reflection asks how we hold faith and memory together when the world keeps breaking our hearts. 📖 Scripture: Luke 20:27-38 Jesus discusses the resurrection 🎶 Music: I Believe by Mark Miller ★ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST & THE MINISTRY OF EAST END UNITED ★ ⛪️ East End United Regional Ministry is an Affirming (🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ positive)...

In this poetic reflection, Rev. Bri-anne dreams of rain that falls on everyone, and a Spirit that floods every forgotten corner. From soup kitchens to shelter lines, from food banks to border crossings, a vision of mercy poured out...until even the dry things say yes . 📖 Scripture: Joel 2:23-32 I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten... 🎶 Music: Healing Rain by Peter Ve...

Rev. Bri-anne weaves together a love story, a community’s fight to protect the water, and Psalm 42’s cry of longing. A reflection on rivers, resistance, and the ways water keeps calling us home. 📖 Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31 God creates humans in their image. Then there was evening, and there was morning. The sixth day. 🎶 Music: River by Joni Mitchell, performed by the East End United Choir. ★ SU...

Rev. Bri-anne invites us back to the first liturgy of Genesis 1—when creation sang “let there be” before we paved paradise and called it progress. A reflection on covenant, kinship, and the Earth still singing. 📖 Scripture: Genesis 1:1-19 and there was evening, and morning, the first day... ★ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST & THE MINISTRY OF EAST END UNITED ★ ⛪️ East End United Regional Ministry is an...

On this Cosmic Sunday , we turn our gaze to clouds, golden hour light, and Holy Mystery. Through Joni Mitchell’s lyrics, John’s gospel, and A Song of Faith , we explore Creation as relationship—both intimate and cosmic. Even when the sky feels heavy, or when we confess “I really don’t know life at all,” still the light shines. 📖 Scripture: John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the word... (From the Fi...

Before Jesus even speaks, there is a woman quietly falling apart in the kitchen... In this episode, Rev. Bri-anne reflects on the story of Mary and Martha—not as a rivalry between contemplation and action, but as a sacred dance of discernment.  Come and sit, if only for a moment. There’s a place for you here...whether your hands are calloused from service, or your heart is tired from trying to kee...

What does it mean to share good news in a world overwhelmed by bad news? In this episode, Rev. Bri-anne explores Luke 10 and the radical vulnerability of discipleship. Drawing on themes of evangelism and spiritual community this sermon speaks directly to the congregation at East End, but offers wisdom for anyone seeking meaning, connection, and hope in uncertain times. Whether you're part of a fai...

This Pride episode of Sermons from the East End is a lyrical reflection on the queerness of God, the holiness of queer bodies, and the love that refuses to be caged by doctrine or fear. Drawing from John 1 and Jeremiah 1, it is a blessing for those long silenced, a rally cry for sacred defiance, and a reminder: you were never a mistake. You were always part of the story. 📖 Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4...

In this episode of Sermons from the East End , Rev. Bri-anne delves into the transformative power of mercy. Reflecting on the story of Jesus and Bartimaeus, along with her experiences as a spiritual advisor and friend to death row inmate Ramiro Gonzales, we explore the question: who deserves mercy? Join us as we consider the complexities of justice, compassion, and the radical call to mercy in a w...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as she explored the legend of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a symbol of resilience and hope amidst destruction. Isn't it funny how nature (and God?) refuses to give up despite us silly humans? Scripture: Job 12:7-10 Look to the animals, and they’ll show you the way; listen to the birds, and they’ll tell you their wisdom. Ask the earth, and it will teach you; the fish in the sea h...

Through reflections on Genesis, Mary Oliver’s poetry, and the hidden wisdom of trees, we contemplate our place within the divine ecosystem and how interconnectedness sustains life. With insights from ecologist Suzanne Simard’s groundbreaking work on trees and fungi, we uncover profound lessons about God’s nurturing presence in creation. Join us as we listen to nature’s whisper: “I did everything f...

In this episode of Sermons from the East End, Rev. Bri-anne invites us into the layered beauty of the two Creation stories in Genesis, exploring how they shape our understanding of humanity’s relationship with the world. Through music, scripture, and reflection, we consider how creation is not a one-time event, but an ongoing journey of harmony, intimacy, and connection. Join us as we weave togeth...

Rev. Bri-anne reflects on the theme of Holy Mystery, exploring ancient creation stories, awe, and our invitation to embrace wonder, love, and the sacred beauty of the universe during the Season of Creation. Scripture: Genesis 1:1-25 God creates the universe. Music: Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens and performed by Glasshouse . ★ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST ★ https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/72635?v2=tr...

Rev. Bri-anne is confronted with Good Friday all the time. She needs Easter so that has the strength to keep going...and dancing. God is a great dance partner. Scripture: John 20:1-18 Mary finds the tomb Empty Read by A Sanctified Art Music: Lord of the Dance by Sydney Carter and performed by Reflection (in 1968) Related Links: John 20:1-18 from A Sanctified Art ★ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST ★ https://ww...

The first warm day of spring brings with it the promise of ice cream and the park. Yet, it was on such a day that a simple outing with Rev. Bri-anne and her children transformed into an unexpected lesson on life, loss, and how sometimes, not even Mama can make things better. Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11 Jesus Enters Jerusalem From " The Lockdown Brothers " Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5 The Plot to Kill...

Mary anoints Jesus and wipes away the costly perfume with her hair. Judas is scandalized. Scandal seems to follow Jesus everywhere. We explore the very human (dare we say sensual?) aspect of the incarnate God who came to live among us. Scripture: John 12:1-8 Mary Anoints Jesus Music: These Bodies by The Many Related Links: "The Elephant in the Waiting Room" by Greenshield Canada Becky's dead daugh...

Jesus enters the outer courts of the temple and has a temper tantrum, turning over the tables and driving out the animals.  Clearly this means Jesus doesn't think commerce and a place of worship can coexist in the same space, right? We explore one more story of Jesus upending the status quo, and perhaps what it could mean if we lean into adjectives instead of identity. Scripture: John 2:13-22  Jes...

Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter gets it right. Jesus says he needs to die. Peter says don't do that. Jesus calls Peter Satan and invites his followers to take up their cross.  It's a bit much. What is this cross Jesus is moving towards? What does it mean to take up our cross? Is violence every the answer? (spoiler alert: no) Can humanity be redeemed through violence? (also, no). Scri...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as she talks about God changing their mind, Rev. Bri-anne changing her own mind, and the change of mind and heart of a certain media pundit. Scripture: Genesis 9:8-17 God Covenants with Noah and all of creation after the flood. Music: Proteus - Atonement Related Links:   Epiphany: A Christian's Change of Heart & Mind over Same-Sex Marriage by Michael Coren Three Year Old Rev...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as she talks about not knowing what to say or how to feel about the conflict unfolding in Israel and Palestine.  Lament is important. Sitting with hard things is important. Being angry is sometimes important too. Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22 The Question About Paying Taxes Music: Love > Fear by The Many   Relevant Links: United Church of Canada Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as she talks about growing up where the food...also grows up. We also hear about East End United's food security programs, as Rev. Bri-anne wonders about how we are inwardly changed when we say "yes". Scripture: John 6:1-14 Jesus Feeds the 5000 Music: Let Us Break Break Together by the Free as a Bird (I know, I know, I saw "Free Bird" in the show. Ugh. Sorry.) Video: Engagement...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as she describes one night this week when East End United offered shelter to nearly 100 asylum seekers — something Black Churches have been doing all day, every day, since the summer.  How does "yes" beget "yes"? Scripture: John 6:1-14 Jesus Feeds the 5000 Music: Wade in the Water by the Antioch Mass Choir   About Toronto's Refugee Crisis These Black churches came to the rescue...

Join Rev. Bri-anne as we explore Earth Sunday, part of the Season of Creation. In the lead up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we consider the settler church's role in healing past wrongs...with all the hope that we can muster.  We also celebrate the work of Noval Morriseau in building bridges between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples. Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16 Reading: An Or...

Ron McKay & Judith Ramsay lead a discussion about the effects of climate change. Ron starts us of with a reading from Psalm 13 . This talk was originally given at the Eastminster Campus of East End United Regional Ministry as part of worship on Sunday, September 17th, 2023. Music: Raise a Voice (Hear it Echo) by Emorie . East End United Regional Minsitry is an Affirming (🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ positive) c...

Join Rev. Bri-anne for her first Sunday as we enter the Season of Creation, explore Jesus' instructions on how to deal with conflict, and find out about her fascination with bees (even if they kill her). This reflection was originally offered on September 10, 2023 at the Eastminster Campus of EEURM. Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20 Music: For the Beauty of the Earth performed by Free as a Bird (license...