Striving to serve those who serve
- one day, one gesture, one person at a time.
Welcome to Written in Faith
You know, one of the things I love about websites is how easily they can be updated, revised, revamped, completely altered, or anything else. It’s great! Find a typo - poof - fixed - gone. Decide you want something different - sure it might take a bit of time and effort, depending on how big the change is - but still it’s relatively easy to create your new vision. Working with websites can be a very creative medium.
I first began writing Christian Theological based articles in late 2001, with a piece concerning the establishment of an interfaith dialogue in response to 9-11. From this initial article, I was asked to write further articles for The Diocesan Times, a monthly Anglican publication, in Atlantic Canada. I soon felt a deep passion (a calling if you will) for this type of writing. Yet I also quickly felt a passion to learn and study, as much as I possibly could about Christian Theology, for I never wanted to “just write what I think.” The subject matter is far too important for mere opinion. So I began taking every bible study, every Alpha program, and reading as much as I could. I applied to our local Theological school, and when I wasn’t accepted for reasons that I perceive as a prejudicial attitude towards my disability, I was extremely disappointed. Of course, as in most cases of discrimination, there was no “tangible proof.” So I continued learning and studying, without receiving any accredited recognition. I also continued writing about what I was learning.
In 2005, I put Written in Faith online, but basically as soon as I did, I was accepted into Grace College of Christian Ministry Association - first in its one-year Foundational / Christian History program, then in its three-year Biblical Studies certificate program. My education and entire experience as a GC student and now as an alumnus is a blessing that I will forever thank God for. I remember the very moment that I learned and truly understood the meaning of the college’s namesake - “grace.” During the first half of the Foundational program there seemed to be a lot of emphases placed on “personality tests” which I have big problems with. I don’t consider myself an “always or never” person, or even an “often to seldom” person. I am very much the “it depends” type. So this single issue caused great stress between myself and one of the instructors. Few may have known this at the time, but during the Christmas break, I gave a great deal of thought to quitting the program. I was probably 95% there, but I had paid for the full year and I figured that if I had paid for it, I might as well be in for the pound. The new year however, brought the program into a new area of learning which I enjoyed, but by this time I felt that it was pretty much too late for me. The personality stuff seemed to had completely dominated all other learning and I felt that I had fallen too far behind and too much friction had come into play. Still I stayed, and hoped and prayed that things would work out. Then towards spring, the instructors wanted to get an idea of which students were interested in continuing on to other GC programs. I so desperately wanted to continue on to the Biblical Studies program, but I felt I almost not even dare ask if that was possible. Eventually the moment came where I felt I either had to ask this same instructor if the school would even consider taking me back, or quietly make my exit without asking. Again, I was 95% sure she would say “No way!!!! You’re out of here! Forget it! You're just not a good fit with us!” Well, I was completely dumbfounded when, without a split second’s hesitation, she replied with a very enthusiastic “Yes!!!! Of course we want you back!” And in that very instance, I learned well the meaning of true “grace,” for this instructor had so effortlessly personified genuine grace. A lesson I pray I will never forget as my life intertwines with the lives of others.
Nearing the end of the Biblical Studies program, I was hired in the position of part-time Church Secretary at our church and I was thrilled to be “working in the field” - even at this entry level status, it was a start; and again something I felt called to do. Still, there weren’t many opportunities for original writing and although I loved serving our Lord and our congregation in this way, I have to admit I did begin to really miss “the writer within”.
So in 2010 and after completing the final year of Biblical Studies, I created my first blog. That particular blog was meant to be an informal, “what’s new - family & friends update” thing. However, as with many things I do, the blog sort of morphed into a somewhat different purpose for communication - to express my thoughts, reactions, comments, on an array of topics in my day to day life.
In the fall of 2011, I gave my Written in Faith website a complete face lift, and found a deep desire to start writing again. I remember being very aware of this rekindling passion for writing and found it really interesting. Somehow there seemed to be a feeling of change in the air and indeed one was coming. Nearing the end of October of 2011, I was informed that our Church Secretary’s position was being eliminated at the end of the year, due to a restructuring process.
Now, most who know me, especially those at my church, know of my deep faith in God and our Lord Jesus Christ. They also know well of my views on loyalty, commitment and grace. So, when our Minister invited me to be a contributing writer for his monthly church newsletter, I felt accepting his invitation was a “no brainer.” Actually, I'm very glad that he extended this invitation as doing a monthly column seems to be increasing even more so my renewed literary passion and is getting me back in touch with my writing side again. - Many thanks Mike!
So, beginning in January 2012, I am a contributing writer for “The Calvin Connection” and loving being so. At a future date several of the articles I write for The Calvin Connection may be expanded into longer articles, or even e-books. Since I am a big fan of the whole Kindle/e-book concept (for physical accessibility reasons) I think it's time I go beyond just reading them! Details will be posted on this site as things progress on this front.
While our Lord God has blessed each of us with many gifts that we should share, He also hopes that we will use those same gifts to better our own lives. We should always strive to be “good stewards” of those gifts and talents that we are honoured with, for the benefit of everyone, and especially for His glory.
Therefore, if you enjoy reading my work and would like to see it develop further, I graciously ask that you consider making a modest “free will” contribution. You can do so by visiting my "Contribute" page for more information. On that page you can also find other ways you can support my efforts.
I’ll also graciously ask that you not copy my work. Copying includes any reproduction or transmission of my work in any and all forms, such as (but is not limited to) photocopy, recording, scanning, any storage media or retrieval systems crafts, artwork, etc., without first obtaining my written permission.
If you are interested in including some of my work in any of your print, web, or sermon material, please e-mail me at office@written-in-faith.net. In most cases I’ll be happy to provide written consent, for fair use quotations, provided you assign proper credit of original authorship and a link/pointer to my website.
I hope you enjoy visiting this site and will return often.
I wish you God’s abundant blessings, always.
Gerianne B. Van Vugt (Mrs.)
Author, Poet, and Webmaster |
