HELLO!

Thursday and today, I functioned as a deliverer. That is, I brought things to people. None of these important items were made or purchased or provided by me. I was a mere courier. And in each case, I was careful to identify my role, “this did not come from me, if there is any praise to be given, it is for the one who made this, offered this, NOT me.” Welcome to white male privilege. I remember, when my father was lived at the Halifax Berkley. I would visit him and be greeted by the staff as a hero. Meanwhile, daughter and daughters-in-law, visited their kin, no acknowledgement given to them. For men, the bar is very low. Add to this mix being ordained. Clergy get FAR too much credit (and blame) for all outcomes. The truth is the kindness offered to those in our faith community comes 99% by lay people, for other lay people. But, it is a great honour to be the one who brings the gift to the recipient.

On Thursday I brought a prayer shawl to Shirley Lacey and another one to Eileen Eisener. Two gifted women made these. I served coffee with Dave, at Margaret’s House. The coffee and orange juice come from donors. Dave does all the work. All I do is talk to guests. On Saturday Jerry, Juanita and I ran (well I ran) to cars, to provide them with fish chowders, made by a talented team of volunteers. Jerry moves furniture, Juanita organizes the bags, in addition to their deliveries. Me? I just talk to the recipients. Later, I delivered a device to the client I serve in my role as navigator. Again, the device comes from a wonderful local agency.

I asked Ralph about his observations, as he watched the chowder sale come to life. “We had a record 236 prebooked orders, another 15 sold at the door. We have 10 bags and a few slices of carrot cake to sell tomorrow. We had lots of fun. A new volunteer fit in with the others. There was laughter and conversation everywhere, that is worth a lot.”

Being part of this effort makes me feel connected, part of something larger than self. My role is small, requiring next to no skills. But keeping the process moving (at the hospital one nurse told me, “Slow down, you are going to receive a speeding ticket”) and injecting some fun, identifying the odd, when the conventional reigns, seems to help.

See you at 10 am on Sunday. I will be “delivering” the sermon.

Peace, Kevin

PS I love how Bob, “the moneychanger”, laughed all day. It made my day.