Sermons from the East End
Your weekly feed of sermons/reflections from Rev. Bri-anne Swan and East End United Regional Ministry, an affirming (2SLGBTQIA+ positive) and progressive Christian community in Toronto, part of the United Church of Canada.
Episodes
Before Jesus even speaks, there is a woman quietly falling apart in the kitchen...
In this episode, Rev. Bri-anne reflects on the story of Mary and Martha—not as a rivalry between contemplation and action, but as a sacred dance of discernment.
Come and sit, if only for a moment. There’s a place for you here...whether your hands are calloused from service, or your heart is tired from trying to keep up.
📖 Scripture: Luke ...
What does it mean to share good news in a world overwhelmed by bad news? In this episode, Rev. Bri-anne explores Luke 10 and the radical vulnerability of discipleship. Drawing on themes of evangelism and spiritual community this sermon speaks directly to the congregation at East End, but offers wisdom for anyone seeking meaning, connection, and hope in uncertain times.
Whether you're part of a faith community or spiritually...
This Pride episode of Sermons from the East End is a lyrical reflection on the queerness of God, the holiness of queer bodies, and the love that refuses to be caged by doctrine or fear. Drawing from John 1 and Jeremiah 1, it is a blessing for those long silenced, a rally cry for sacred defiance, and a reminder: you were never a mistake. You were always part of the story.
📖 Scripture: Jeremiah 1:4-10 God calls Jeremiah (rea...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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)
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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...
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
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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 B...
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 d...
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
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
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.)
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 refu...
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 R...
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.
East End United Regional Minsitry is an Affirming (🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ positive) community of faith, part of th...
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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