Behind the scenes

While we put together this magazine, international headlines returned often to the coronavirus outbreak, the death of 176 people (mostly Canadian citizens or residents) on Ukrainian Airlines Flight 752, terror attacks in Nigeria and nearby countries, Australian brushfires and lots more.

As we freshened up our page layouts (Do you like our new spotlight on selected writers on page 7?) Notice any other new design touches here and there?), we muddled through another winter.

We tried to keep you abreast of proposed changes to Canada’s medical assistance in dying law (and the federal government’s brief online consultation), the changing religiosity of Canadians (also the topic of last issue’s cover story), International Holocaust Remembrance Day – and again, lots more – through our social media, podcasts and websites.

How to stay spiritually healthy in this noisy, struggling world is a theme that emerged from these new articles. For example, have you tried walking or poetry lately?

Rob Fennell is the founder of a new pilgrimage route in Nova Scotia. He writes, “The spirituality of pilgrimage is a spirituality of relatedness – rediscovering ourselves as human beings in a community of other human beings.” Read more on page 32.

Poetry might seem a less likely option. It seems so specialized, something for snobs like English professors. (We write this in lighthearted fun as editor Bill Fledderus teaches part-time in English at Redeemer University.)

Marianne Jones, a poet in Thunder Bay, Ont., has put together

How to stay spiritually healthy in this noisy, struggling world is a theme that emerges in this issue.

a convincing case that poetry is for everyone, and spiritually beneficial for everyday Christians. In her article (page 36) she quotes a poet asking, “Are we so naive as to think we can read Scripture effectively if we’ve never learned how to read poetry?” And later, “Poetry causes us to slow down. People in our society don’t often have patience for either poetry or for true spirituality.” Ouch. No mincing words there! You’ll also find two pages of Easter poems by Canadian Christian poets in this issue, plus the usual mix of news, opinions and reviews.

Let us know what you find helpful – or not – as you walk with us, following Christ in Canada today.

Finding spiritual solace in walking – and poetry?