“NANAIMO INFUSION” – HOPE and JOY!

“NANAIMO INFUSION” – HOPE and JOY!

by | Apr 29, 2025 | Blogposts

Many seem unable to experience hope or joy these days. But on the last weekend in April, both were experienced by well over 500 on an island in British Columbia, Canada at the “Nanaimo Infusion.”

The story is simple: one Canadian (Tod Maffin) was concerned by the disintegrating trust between Americans and Canadians because of the tariff war created by the President of the US and the increasingly frightening situation many Americans were experiencing. He wanted to “do something.” So he posted a very short video on TikTok and invited Americans to come to his home town of Nanaimo, British Columbia one weekend to meet, experience some Canadian hospitality, possibly make new friends over a meal. He thought 4-5 people from a neighbouring State would take him up on his invitation.

It wasn’t just 4-5 but more than five “hundred” … from sooooo many States: Oregon, New York, Florida, Washington, North Dakota, Idaho, Indiana, Texas, Illinois, Virginia, New Mexico, Alabama — and more!

The weekend was incredible! People gathered on the Friday, meeting one another, enjoying the arts and crafts market and delicious food from the food trucks (in greater numbers than people could remember even being at Canada Day celebrations!). They went on free “old town” Nanaimo tours organized by Nanaimo residents; restaurants buzzed with happy conversations by the influx of tourists; some Americans were “adopted” for an afternoon or a day by BC’ers who wanted to give Americans a taste of the BC experience on the weekend; many went boating, shopping, pubbing, kayaking, crafting, whale watching and more. One fellow from Abbotsford, B.C. created “Tod’s Nanaimo Infusion” tags to put at the end of red lanyards that many bought or brought with them to identify themselves as “Infusion” participants at airports, ferry terminals, restaurants etc.

Smiles were everywhere! Laughter filled the air. The joy was palpable. And phrases of “I am so happy!!!” echoed throughout the two days in Maffeo-Sutton Park. On the Saturday, over 500 gathered again for a “family photo” at the park. It was the birthday of the originator of “Nanaimo Infusion” and hundreds spontaneously broke into loud and joy-filled singing of “Happy Birthday” as he stepped on the outdoor stage to welcome them. He was more-than-surprised!

After the huge “family photo” was taken, photos and conversations with Tod were a “must” … cell phones popped out of pockets and purses as email info was exchanged … gifts were given … gifts were exchanged … people were interviewed by local and national media. And as the afternoon drew to a close, many lingered, not wanting to leave … not wanting to let go of the wonderful feelings of hope and joy – and safety! Sadly, “safety” was a factor for many Americans who had registered for the Nanaimo Infusion but cancelled in the last week as the US President instilled fear about the possibility of ICE arresting Americans who held dual passports or were LGBTQ+ at the border and deporting them. Even though they forfeited plane, hotel, ferry deposits because they couldn’t feel secure that they could return home safely, they were part of the Discord channel (an instant messaging and VoIP social platform) channel Tod created and maintained and it quickly became a way for people to begin to get to know one another before the Nanaimo Infusion and afterwards.

Deep friendships have been made, lives have been changed, and people have returned or are returning (some extended their holidays to further explore Vancouver Island’s charm and beauty) with memories that will last a lifetime. My heart is full, the sense of “family” was tangible and the memories of the joy and expressions of happiness as Canadians and Americans gathered together in Nanaimo was and is, very special.

Remembering the words of former Prime Minister Jack Layton “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world” may the “Nanaimo Infusion” be a catalyst for changing the world with love, hope, optimism and possibility in both countries in a variety of ways!

Thanks, Tod!

To connect with Tod – learn more about his videos, writings, projects: https://www.patreon.com/c/todmaffin/posts)
and https://farandwide.news



© June Maffin
https;//www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Checking in: a Holy Wednesday ‘ben faith’

Checking in: a Holy Wednesday ‘ben faith’

by | Apr 16, 2025 | Blogposts

We’ve come to Wednesday. Not an easy week any year, but this year even more difficult for many Christians who are reflecting both on the this week known as Holy Week, and the political climate of the world with its serpentine growth of fascism around the world – and even in their own country.

Some Christians are even asking ‘Where is God?’ and beginning to question the reality of Jesus, God, the Creator, Holy Presence, Holy One.

May this story (by an unknown author – which I’ve adapted), be a reminder that whether we experience it or not, God is “checking in.”

***************

A minister passing through the old church at noon, noticed a man coming down the aisle. The man hadn’t shaved in a while; his shirt was torn and shabby; his coat was worn and frayed. He knelt, bowed his head, then rose and silently walked away. In the days that followed, the minister noticed this man kneeling, just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap. The minister’s curiosity grew. He introduced himself and then asked “What are you doing here?”

The old man said he was a factory worker. As his lunch-time break was his prayer time for finding strength and power but was only half an hour. “I stay only a moment because the factory’s far away. As I kneel here talking to God, this is kinda what I say: “I just came by to tell you, God, how happy I have been since we found each other’s friendship. I don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today.”

The minister told Ben that he was welcome to pray there any time. As Ben hurried to the door, the minister knelt at the altar. His heart was warmed with love, and tears flowed down his cheeks, and the minister repeated old Ben’s prayer: “I just came by to tell you, God, how happy I have been since we found each other’s friendship. I don’t know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is just me, just checking in today.”

One day, the minister noticed that Ben hadn’t come to the church in several days. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry. The minister asked about Ben at the factory and learned that he was ill and in hospital. He also learned that the week Ben was in hospital, ‘something’ had changed in the ward … Ben’s smiles and joy were contagious.

The head nurse couldn’t understand why Ben could be so happy, when no flowers, calls or cards came (not even one visitor)m until the minister appeared and voiced the nurse’s concern to Ben.

Looking surprised, Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile said “The nurse is wrong. She couldn’t know, He’s been here all the while and every day at noon, sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: ‘I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been since we found this friendship. I think about you always, and I love to hear you pray. And so Ben, this is Jesus, just checking in today.’

On this Wednesday of Holy Week, may we believe that Jesus is “checking in” – giving strength and encouragement. May we all have a “Ben-Faith”: a faith that is simple and profound, a faith that is trusting and hope-filled, a faith that is filled with joy and gratitude for unconditional love and because ,each day, the Creator is “just checking in” – whether or not we believe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Artwork: Zentangle® patterns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


HOPE even in Holy Week

HOPE even in Holy Week

by | Apr 15, 2025 | Blogposts

EVIL,  That word has been ascribed to people over the centuries: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Vlad the Impaler, Pol Pot, Heinrich Himmler, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Ivan the Terrible, and more – including lately to DJT and his minions.   And that same word has been ascribed to events: concentration camps; residential schools; torture; migration detention centres, even linked to social media posts.


Where is the hope in all of the continuing evil happening in Ukraine, San Salvador, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Somalia, Myanmar, Israel, Columbia, the United States?


Where is the hope in the injustice, suffering, poverty, ruthlessness, vengeful actions of people with power?


This week, known as Holy Week, Christians are reflecting on the  “Where is the hope? Where is God” questions with deep intentionality.


Even in the face of terrible suffering, betrayals, there is a message of hope …  through perseverance, truth, and faithfulness … that grace is greater than our brokenness … that God’s love remains the anchor even when faith wavers.


Like many, I struggle with that message in the face of such hate, cruelty, and yes, at moments, hopelessness. And yet, in the midst of it all, there are people carrying the torch of hope by “showing up, speaking out, speaking up, voting for democracy and against fascism” even at great personal risk and cost.  So when my faith wavers, I pray that I will be of good courage when I fear, have faith when I falter, be able to walk through the shadow, have patience that good will overcome evil, love will prevail over hate and hope will reside deep within us all.


But, even though I choose to believe in goodness … try to speak honestly with love undergirding my words … try to listen to the heart in words that spit anger / hatred / evil and see beneath the anguish of poverty, hunger, fear, suffering of any kind … try to see the soul of the people in pain rather than their race, religion, sexuality, financial state, country of origin, and  (lately this has been an increasingly difficult thing to do) their political beliefs, I am not a pollyanna. And some days, even being a person with a high theology of hope, is difficult.

And then I remember that a world without hope is the beginning of the end of a constructive society.   So, we have to support one another, pray for one another, talk with one another, be there for one another.  Today, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, (a Maryland resident with U.S. protected status since 2019 was erroneously deported on March 15, 2025, despite a court prohibition on his deportation to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center), quietly and courageously spoke about the need to “be there for one another.”  In spite of her husband’s horrific situation, she has hope.

There must be hope.  Even though the pain is real and the future is uncertain, we must hold on … to the promise of hope … to the possibility of hope … in spite of DJT … in spite of his minions … in spite of Putin … in spite of despots, fascists, wanna-be dictators … in spite of the fear.


Hope is action … in small ways, quiet ways, large ways, noisy ways, visible ways, unseen ways.  Hope isn’t a passive act, or simply a reactive or frivolous act.  Hope underlies our action and is our connection to continuity as a human species.  May hope break through the evil that is happening in political decisions, television, tweets, conversations.   SOON.

************************************
© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/facebook

Screenshot
Some Holy Week Love on Monday

Some Holy Week Love on Monday

by | Apr 14, 2025 | Blogposts

Today is a special Monday – it’s Monday in Holy Week. 
Many are feeling alone.   
Alone – because of the stresses of the world. 
Alone because of the political crises in the United States, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the threats on Canada, Panama, Greenland and many other places around the world
Alone and fearful because of concern about their health, finances, jobs, relationships. 
Alone – with their thoughts. 
Alone – with their questions. 
Alone.

If anyone understands what ‘being alone’ means, especially this week, it surely must have been the man known as  Jesus of Nazareth.

Many believe that they are living in a world under the shadow of war … a cloud of difficult days of climate change …  loss of democracy … viruses that just won’t leave.

It’s all a frightening reality. 
The man Jesus, knew about frightening realities.

May this holy week be a time to reflect on what ‘being alone’ is for ourselves, for others
and what it must have been like for the man known as Jesus. 

May we know who we are.
May we know Whose we are.
And may we know the Love that surrounds us.

May we be blessed with an abiding sense of love
– a Love that envelopes and casts out fear of the known and unknown. 

May this day and every day in Holy Week, bring a blessing that touches life
in ways we can’t even begin to ask or understand. 

May we be blessed by the ability to breathe in Ruach, healing, sanctifying, renewing,
be blessed by a precious peace that passes understanding
and be blessed by the Love that sustained the man Jesus on this difficult day in Holy Week. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
https://www.medium.com/@junemaffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The flower pins, made for friends as a sign and symbol of Love, were made using pieces of white felt and small pearl-like additions in the middle of the flower.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Soulistry reflection on each day in Holy Week will be available on the Soulistry blog (https://soulistry.com/blog).  You are welcome to share any Soulistry reflection and subscribe (https://soulistry.com). As reflections are added, they will come into your inbox (for free, personal information is not retained or sold).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WEAVING A PATH

WEAVING A PATH

by | Apr 12, 2025 | Blogposts

Weaving is not something I have done very often, but a weaving metaphor seems appropriate when political strands are divided … families are broken … countries are shattering from within … the world seems to be moving away from democratic principles … and people are not reflecting the ideals of peace and love which religious and philosophical leaders have taught and modelled for centuries.

People need a vision – a vision of hope
for “where there is no vision, the people perish.”   

The Weaving Prayer surfaced on this the eve of Holy Week (the final week of the Season of Lent in the Christian calendar which commemorates the final days of Jesus’ life, leading to his crucifixion and resurrection), known as Palm Sunday.  The prayer is for them and for those who may not align with the Christian faith yet also need a vision of hope.

WEAVING PRAYER
Weave, O Holy One, our differing threads of opinions,
our global fear, our various political strands,
our diverse liturgical expressions,
our different ways of looking at the world
into a sacred tapestry
so that we will be empowered to hope
and vision a world where Love, not fear, not ego, not pursuit of power, not idolization of money
is the centre of decisions, thoughts, actions and conversations.


Great Weaver of all,
when we find ourselves regretting the past,
when we are uncertain of the present,
when we are fearful of the future,
help us.
May this coming week (Holy Week) be one of hope, not panic.
May it be one of gentle reflection, not listening to the fear mongers.
And may it be a week of inner response, not reaction which clouds our vision of hope.


O Great Weaver, encourage us
not to focus on the underside of the Tapestry where our knottedness, frayed ends, and tattered threads can be seen.
but where we may envision the entire Tapestry of community:  a tapestry of differing colours, customs, abilities, religions, languages, and ages, as we work together during these difficult days
towards a vision of love, peace, respect and kindness.
Amen. So be it.  Amen.


© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You are welcome to share any Soulistry reflection and subscribe (https://soulistry.com/blog   – it’s free and personal information is not retained or shared) so that the Reflections will come directly into your inbox.  

tapestry





















https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
https://soulistry.com
www.medium.com@junemaffin
soulistryjune@blsky.social

Seeing Souls

Seeing Souls

by | Apr 10, 2025 | Blogposts

For forty days and forty nights, every year, millions of people around the world are involved in sombre reflection and Lenten observance in something called the Season of Lent.


Last and this year, Lent has been a time of darkness in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Palestine, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Syria, Somalia, Libya, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Colombia, Mali – and who would have thought it, but Canada, Panama, Greenland, the United States too.


While it would be lovely to bypass the Season of Lent, it has its place in the circle of life.  And not just for those who observe the Season of Lent as a religious focus.  Lent can serve as a reminder that not everything in the world (or in people’s lives) is happy or cheery or going well. 


There is darkness in situations that can personally envelope people in a shroud of negativity.  An unknown author wrote “If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies,” and it echoes the cry of many whose value in society seems to be based on others ‘seeing’ them through the lens of financial status, ability, weight, skin colour, age, political belief, gender, sexuality, religion, etc., rather than ‘seeing them’ through the lens of the soul.


What a different world it would be if, instead of talking negatively,  criticizing, nagging, finding fault, putting others down (not to mention ourselves), we talked about blessings, spoke about the goodness that ‘is’, and expressed gratitude more than we express frustration, criticism.


Perhaps if this were the focus, it might be easier to see people as souls, and not as unemployed, homeless, disabled, addicted,  uneducated, a particular race or colour or religion or age or political belief or financial status etc.   By adopting such a focus, it could be easier to relate to ‘the other’ as a person of worth, rather than ignore, pity, judge, bully, ridicule or hate them.  It could be easier to see beauty – in others, in our world, within ourselves.

The Season of Lent invites us to metanoia – ‘turn around and focus on a change of heart.’   Some interpret that as ‘repentence.’  While I see merit in such interpretation, my way of encountering the Season of Lent is to focus on change … to change my heart – about other people – the future – myself – and ask “How can I let light in and truly see?” 


Lent also has a reputation of being a time to ‘give-up’ (‘fast’-from) chocolate, desserts, social media, etc.  I don’t do that.  My focus is not on “giving up” but on “letting-in.”

While, I am being aware of the 40 days of Lent, I am not “giving up” something for Lent.  And I am not focusing on repenting for things in the past because I try to do that when I realize the error of my ways and then move on, trusting that I am loved and forgiven. 

In the Season of Lent, I am choosing to be on the lookout for souls in the lives of all people.


The Season of Lent is coming to a close.  This  Sunday begins what is known as Holy Week.  Then comes Easter.  While I know I will be grateful to see the end of the Season of Lent, I hope I continue to let each day be a gentle reminder of the Season of Lent: a time of “seeing-souls.”  

 
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social