HELLO!

Please join me in wishing Don Macmillan a Happy 100^th birthday! His family invite all of us to drop in to the Sams Room this Sunday January 18^th 2-4 p.m. to join Don in the celebration. Don was one of my first visits when I came to Woodlawn. He was then his longtime residence, near the church. There was a lift to take visitors from the sidewalk to his front door. Don couldn’t hear me from below, so I climbed the structure to the door and bellowed HELLO! Don looked surprised to see me.

On Saturday January 24^th we will offer our first Take Out Fish Chowder of 2026. Phone Ralph at 434-7786 or email ralphsams@ns.sympatico.ca Info needed; number of chowders, choice of apple, pumpkin pie or carrot cake, whole wheat or white roll and preferred pick up time. Donations of desserts always welcome. The cost is $12. I look forward to delivering your order to your car that day. What jersey should I wear? Suggestions?

Neither Bethe, nor I, know who is or isn’t an official member of Woodlawn United Church. That’s because being part of a faith community does not require membership. However, there are a few governance positions that require membership, and votes on important matters. If you would like to join the church, learn more about the United Church of Canada, please speak to Bethe (youth) or me (adults). We will soon be inviting participants to a conversation. I have misplaced a few names who asked to be included in 2025. Please remind me if that was you.

I started listening to the band, U2 in high school. My favorite U2 song, then and now, is 40. At the time I did not realize it was based on Psalm 40. The band are Christians, and their music reflects this passion. Psalm 40 begins with gratitude for what God has done. And we see right away the rescued, reordered life requires little on our part and a lot on God’s part. The person in prayer does just one thing: Wait. But this can be a long waiting, soul-straining in its required patience. I waited patiently for the LORD…God’s response to this waiting in prayer is multifaceted. The verbs pile up: God turned to me and heard my cry. God lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; God set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. God put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. God pays attention, turning toward us and hearing us. The Psalm concludes with a statement of what David has learned through his experience: The blessed life comes from trusting our God.

In response to these wonders, God wants one thing. Fully present. Fully attentive. No hiding. All of me present to all of God. When we are present to God, we find God present to us and we find ourselves. True spirituality always spills out of our mouths, not in pious posturing, but in uncontainable worship and witness. It begins with a song on our lips.

What is the new song God has placed on your heart in 2026? Please share.

Peace, Kevin