Author Archive: pwoodbeck

My Sabbatical Thoughts

I have just finished reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s, Leaving Church.    She is an Anglican priest who has served her entire ministry in Georgia.  A graduate of Yale Divinity College, she spent ten years as an associate of a large parish in Atlanta and the last five years of her ministry as rector of a small town […]

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We Can See The End

I know that I have not written since before the storm last weekend. So, I shall begin with that event. The storm was really a non-event for us here in Halifax. We had a lot of wind and at time it was gusting to around 100kms/hr but we had very little rain, the storm passed […]

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Another Week Down

It is early on Saturday morning, mid way through my time here in Halifax, as I sit here and type this.  This past week was a short week for classes with the Canada Day holiday, but very heavy on the work. We basically had to days to read numerous chapters in our texts and prepare […]

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Almost 1/3 Done Already?

I cannot believe that I have been down here in Halifax for almost 2 weeks already. It seems like I only just arrived. But then if I think about it and look at the work that I have done, yes, it has been almost 2 weeks. The weather down here has been cool and rainy, […]

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Halifax Again

So, I have arrived in Halifax for another summer term of learning in community. It has been good to get reacquainted  with people and renew friendships. The work begins tomorrow morning as I start my Research Methods course and for the next 6 weeks I will be immersed in school and homework. I appreciate this […]

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Thank You, Does Not Seem To Be Enough

Douglas and I were driving to the church one morning and we watched a couple walking their dogs along Osborne Street.  I mentioned to Douglas that I felt a little bad for the couple if they were not going to church, they would miss out on the wonderful joy of being a member of a […]

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1 To Go

I as sit in my monastic cell, or so these rooms seem at times, I think about the 5 weeks that have already gone by and now there is only 1 to go.  This has been an experience.  It has been challenging and affirming, it has been stressful and full of laughter and fun.  A […]

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2 Down and 1 To Go

It sometimes is really amazing how time is so relative.  When I was told that I needed to be down here in Halifax for 6 weeks I was thinking to myself that that would be a very long time and now my time is almost up.  I have officially completed my first 2 courses in […]

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1/2 Way Done

So, it has already been 3 weeks and I can’t believe how fast it has gone, only another 3 weeks and I will be flying home to Winnipeg. I am so looking forward to that day, it is tough being away for 6 weeks. I am still  waiting on my final marks for my first […]

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1/3 Of The Way Done

Wow! I can’t believe that 2 weeks has already gone by and I just handed in my last assignment for my Nature and Grace course.  In the last 2 weeks I have handed in 6 papers totaling about 18 pages and with less than a day’s preparation; researched, wrote and preached a sermon on a […]

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1 Week Down

Well there you have it, 1 week down and 5 more to go. It has been a week of reading and writing with a paper due everyday and reading every night. I must admit, this is most definitely intense. It is intense in the workload, intense in the learning and intense in the fellowship of […]

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Another Day In Halifax

Well today will be my third day of classes here in Halifax.  I awoke this morning to a cold, rainy, dreary day, but all is good.  The majority of us are up and attending chapel service at 8:15 every morning and I have signed up, along with 2 other students to lead the chapel services […]

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Day 1 Over And Done

So, first things first, who knew Halifax was built on hills, certainly not me…hahaha.  It is and it is a beautiful city.  I will post some pictures as I am able. I arrived at the school just after 9 on Saturday evening after a long day of traveling which was made that much better as […]

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Leavin On A Jet Plane…..

I was going to do a post tomorrow morning as I prepare to leave, but I thought that might just be a bit much to do in the morning, so I am posting today. Am I ready to leave……hahaha….not by a long shot.  I have not started packing although I did find the bag I […]

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5 Days and Counting!!!

Monday morning, sitting here in my office at WPUC wondering exactly what am I going to get done before leaving  on Saturday morning for 6 weeks.  The popular consensus is very little….hahaha, so just like a normal week…hahaha.  Yesterday’s service was a great service as Sharon and I shared the service and I think it […]

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