Rev. Cari Copeman-Haynes

Rev. Cari preached on the resurrection story as found in Luke 24:1-12. Luke’s unique contribution to the proclamation of Easter is the question in the mouths of the angelic dazzlers: “Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Rev. Cari opens with references to both the fire at the Notre Dame Cathedral in…

For the 5th Sunday in Lent, Rev. Cari preaches on John 12:1-8, the story of Jesus being lavishly anointed by Mary of Bethany, and Judas’ shaming response. The puzzling words of Jesus, ‘The poor you will always have with you’ are part of what Cari is wrestling with in the sermon. She acknowledges in our…

Rev. Cari not only preached on – but invited the congregation to experience – the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. This was the fourth sermon in a series of explorations of postures and practices as we walk Jesus’ way during the season of Lent. Retelling (and enacting) the parable with the…

Preaching on Luke 4:1-13, the Temptation of Jesus, Rev. Cari introduced the season of Lent. Traditionally a season of introspection and penitence, she framed Lent as a season of intentional spiritual practice in order to “resist the right things” and cooperate with love and justice. She unpacked all three temptations with the help of Henri…

Carrying on from where we left off last week, after the “call” of the disciples, in today’s text (Luke 9:1-6) Jesus “sends” them into ministry. Rev. Cari unpacks Jesus’ very countercultural packing list and instructions to them, and tries to glean some ways this text can speak to our purpose now, in a very different…

Preaching on Luke 5:1-11, the story of Jesus’ call to Simon and his fisher-peasant friends, Rev. Cari explores the grace that is in this exchange. Despite Simon’s very natural first response to the abundant catch which accompanies Jesus’ word to him, Jesus issues the life-changing call, and Simon’s life is never the same. With this…

Relying on Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Mary Jo Leddy (author of Radical Gratitude) and the Apostle Paul from the letter to the Philippians 4:10-14, Rev. Cari wrapped up the “Happy” series today. If our world (culturally and economically) is structured toward dissatisfaction, rather than contentment, what should we do? And what is the “secret” of happiness that…

The question comes from that “sticky” place in us… the place that is longing for connection and grasping a bit at relationship. In the sermon today, Rev. Cari explores that graspy reaching in us, and compares it to two images. First, the painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s on the Sistine Chapel ceiling with God &…

Rev. Cari dives into the deep end with Luke’s version of the Beatitudes this week (Luke 6:20-26). Luke serves up a meal of blessings and woes, helping – through our discomfort – to reveal that happy is not a state of privilege. She also reads the opening of this article in the Globe & Mail,…

The first of the “Happy?” sermons centres on the story of Jesus’ baptism in the gospel of Luke (3:15-17 and 21-22). The recording is a little longer than usual because the reading of the sermon text and the anthem are included. Then, before Cari could begin preaching, Bruce launched into a small moment of “Don’t…