HELLO!

Thanks to Bethe and her inspired idea to ask us to wear Christmas sweaters, we all looked festive this morning. A large crowd gathered for worship, lots of new faces. There are several regulars/familiar faces away with their kin, I have heard from them already this weekend. I waved to them specifically today, like Susan from Romper Room (am I dating myself?). Two new faces were Darrin (Cole Harbour) and Heber McGurk of Carbonear Newfoundland, father and son. Heber is 94 years young, having just recovered from a fall. I discovered Heber’s favorite colour is red, so I presented him with one of our prayer shawls. Darrin wrote me just now, “Thank you so much, it was a very nice service and Dad was very impressed. He was so appreciative of receiving your gift”. If you missed the service, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enHmbtd9SgY

I call myself an “organic” minister, in I am very intentional about visiting, listening, and getting to know the people I serve. I have a high regard for academic analysis and reflection. When I graduated from AST, I was asked to consider an academic life, I love to read, I enjoy abstract thought, my favorite classes in seminary were all found in the discipline of systematic theology. My favorite continuing education experiences was attending the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The location would change each year. At the week-long gathering, doctoral students would present their thesis, attendees, paying a flat fee, could pick and choose those lectures they wanted to attend. I love ideas. I learned so much from those lectures. But when it comes to ministry, my approach is “organic”, find lay people excited to offer ministry and support those efforts. My experience of clergy who arrive with a set plan is their offering typically ends when they move on. I see myself as a servant who finds where the Spirit is pointing us and “leads by example”. These projects continue, long after I have moved on to another church.

This Advent I was so pleased to see the Brass Band and Choirs reunion, Chelsea and Kaitlin’s candle lighting devotions and the Blue Christmas conversations, in the pews, where participants shared with one another their own source and strategy for healing. The sermon today focused on dreaming, sharing our dream with each other. As we listen, we help each other to hear their own voices, ask the hard questions, and “be not afraid”. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes “not yet”. I have already received several dreams. I am honoured to listen.

Peace, Kevin

PS I hope to see you at 4 pm and/or 8 pm on Christmas Eve. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HUT8GpkZy/