HELLO!

Merry Christmas! If you missed the Christmas Eve services, here they are:

4 pm Family Service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W9l-jVRC4c

8 pm Communion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9IKziChPd8

I really loved how Bethe weaved speaking parts for all the Luke 2 characters into the nativity story. Everybody participated, with enthusiasm! Unfortunately, my mic was not working. Not one of the 180 attendees noticed but my voice sure did. At 8 pm my mic’s batteries went dead. Bethe quickly handed me a hand-held mic. Our 200+ at the 8 pm were a tad older than the 4 pm crowd, they noticed. I hope my 8 pm compromised voice quality did not undermine my sermon delivery.

This got me thinking about polished perfection vs. persistent presence. My mind went back to to 1995, 30 years ago. Kim had accepted an invitation to be the Rector of the Anglican churches in Stewiacke and Shubenacadie. I scrambled to find a position within driving distance of our Rectory in Stewiacke. Old Barns and Hilden and Fairview (Halifax) each offered two-month supply positions (the former in September-October and the latter in November-December). Typically, Fairview would offer a Christmas Eve service with special music, Communion, and sermon. The Worship Committee with weeks to go before December 24. I opted to use a donkey costume made for me by the choir at Fort Massey United Church (my student placement), to wander throughout the sanctuary that night, telling the story of the blessed birth from the donkey’s perspective. I had by then applied to be Fairview’s new minister. Many others had applied too. If chosen, I would be the youngest minister Fairview had ever chosen (32). I was taking a risk, dressing as a donkey.

The sanctuary was so filled they brought in chairs. I had only begun in November. Many had never met this “young fill-in minister”. Their introduction to me was a loud “Hee Haw” and strange costume. There was silence, then laughter, then engagement. I could feel the people were with me. I responded to their energy: the anxiety, the stress, the expectant joy, the pent-up enthusiasm, the wonder, the surprise. I knew some would feel otherwise, “he’s an embarrassment”. But I resolved if they were looking for a conventional minister, I was not the right person for them, nor them for me. In the end, they chose me. I stayed 7 years.

Betty Nickerson sent me this photo of a donkey a local potter made for her creche scene. The potter was not happy with it, the ears looked “off”. But that imperfection delighted Betty. She kept it as a reminder Christmas is never perfect because we are not perfect and God’s story takes shape in us through these imperfections, with the result of both compassion (for ourselves and others) and holy laughter/humour.

I do not take myself seriously, but I do take God’s presence seriously, so much so I engage it, share it, and reflect on it. Attempting to “shoehorn” a perfect offering onto an edgy and messy reality will never be my passion. However, that is NO excuse for half-hearted efforts. I work very hard to listen, learn, remember, where and how others see/feel/know God’s presence. What I share, in those moments that appear casual or informal, is a well rehearsed offering of how God comes “near/here”.

Peace, Kevin

PS One of our familiar faces is away this Christmas and she sent me this sandwich board with an important message for the season.