Episódios

  • 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 world that often seems more focused on retribution.

    Scripture: Mark 10:46-52 Christ heals blind Bartimaeus

    "When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'

    Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'"


    Music: Lovely Needy People by The Many
    PURCHASE THEIR MUSIC

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  • 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 have their own lessons to share. Every living thing knows that the hand of God is behind it all. The life of every creature and the breath of all humanity are held in God's hands.

    Music: Lord God Bird by Sufjan Stevens and performed by the East End United Regional Ministry choir.

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  • 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 for you.”

    Scripture: "When I am Among the Trees" by Mary Oliver

    Music: For the Widows in Paradise by Sufjan Stevens and performed by Choir! Choir! Choir!

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  • 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 together ancient stories, Sufjan Stevens' music, and the rhythm of the Mystery of Love that continues to recreate and reshape us all. All things go. All things grow.

    Scripture: Genesis 1 - 2

    God creates the universe and humanity.

    Music: Chicago by Sufjan Stevens and performed by the East End United Regional Ministry choir and guests.


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  • 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.


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  • 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


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  • 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 Jesus

    Music: Kiss it Better by Bri-anne Swan

    Related Links:

    "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Dead Raccoon"


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  • 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 daughter (because YOU wanted a massage!)

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  • 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

    Jesus in the Temple

    Music: The Brilliance - Turning Over Tables

    Bonus: "On the Money Changers" from Jesus: Song of Man by Kahlil Gibran

    Related Links:
    Dot & Bea Vintage

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  • 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).

    Scripture: Mark 8:31-38 Peter declares Jesus the Messiah, Jesus invites his followers to take up their cross.

    Music: The Brilliance - Will We Ever Rise?

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  • 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. Bri-anne loving her rainbows

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  • 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 Israel and Palestine

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  • 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 and Hospitality within the Church

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    World Food Sunday, 2023
    PROPER 23 (28)

    Twentieth 20th Sunday after Pentecost

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  • 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 amid Toronto’s African refugee crisis. Now they say governments abandoned them
    August 25, 2023 — The Toronto Star

    Hundreds of asylum seekers, refugees forced to leave Toronto church for other shelter
    September 1, 2023 — CBC News

    Asylum seekers are sleeping on Toronto streets again. How did we end up here?
    October 6, 2023 — CBC News


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    Thanksgiving Sunday, 2023

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  • 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 Oracle Concerning Canada by Rev. Bri-anne Swan

    O Canada, your myth is built upon an illusion of peace,
    yet your temples rest upon graveyards,
    where tombstones are etched by lies.
    Remember with anguish the landing of your ancestors,
    claiming territory not of their birthright,
    seeing only emptiness where they had not yet disturbed.

    With ink to paper, and finger to nose,
    promises were made to your maltreated hosts,
    and accepted under duress and false pretense.
    Yet, still you despised your covenants;
    stitching with threads of contempt,
    tailoring treaties to suit your body alone.

    Listen! Tears of despair flood the night!
    Young ones bawling for their mothers.
    Women keening for their babies.
    You snatch children like chattel,
    Until entire villages mourn,
    Silence the reminder youth no longer lives among them.

    Yet generation piled on generation you sit, nodding your head in silent accord,
    Convinced as you are by the false prophets,
    Unaware of the violence hanging contemptuously from your tongue.
    You claim the Lord’s will, though it is not known to you.
    You judge craving and sloth, though it is of your own making.

    The Lord is mighty and strong, and you will deny justice no more.
    Like fires engulfing the dry Northern lands,
    The wrath of the Lord will ultimately consume.
    And you will cry and cry and cry*, the pain too much for your malnourished bones,
    Repentance can only lead to hearts breaking open.
    What begins in the heart ultimately engulfs the soul’s entirety.


    *“Reconciliation” by Rebekah Tabobondung, Muskrat Magazine, March 4, 2013

    Music: Oh, Earth & Gravity of Love by The Brilliance

    About Norval Morriseau

    Androgyny (1983)

    Official Website

    There are No Fakes - documentary about art forgery ring

    About Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation

    CHRA 2020 - Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek

    Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek First Nation Website


    About the development of Provincial and National Parks

    Difficult Terrain by Leisha Grebinski and Candice Lipski
    August 7, 2023, CBC.ca

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    PROPER 20(25)
    Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
    Year A

    Pentecost 17A

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  • 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.

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  • 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 (licensed from Audiio.com)

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    PROPER 18 (23)
    Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
    Year A

    Pentecost 15A

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