HELLO!

What kind of worker are you? How do your fellow workers feel about you? I first experienced the practical outcome of this question when I worked part-time at the Halifax downtown library, in the Children’s Department. I knew nothing about children’s books, I was not gifted in children’s programming, but there was an opening and the supervisor saw something in me she wanted for the department. She felt there was a lack of community, no discernable joy in the staff room, nothing going on that might connect the various staff, full time and part time. I remember we were highlighting a film in the AV room for all children and their parents to attend, someone had to announce it over the PA system. Everyone in the entire library would hear about the film. “Join us in the AV room downstairs for a film about a horse, not just any horse, but a beauty, a horse that would take your breath away. So gallop on down, join us, we’ll have carrot sticks for your ponies, sugar for good behaviour”. The supervisor sought me out, “THAT is why we hired you”, Hope said. Later still I organized volleyball games for staff at local gymnasium.

It is a lot of fun to work at Woodlawn United Church, but not because of anything I do or say. Bethe, my colleague, is the most attentive co-worker I have ever met, she knows everyone’s birthday, favorite dessert, she will take your temperature if you are feeling ill. And…if you find yourself needing something, anything, she has it in her office. She also feeds people on a regular basis. Some Mondays, if I have no scheduled visits, I work from home. Bethe never ever works from home. She loves to be in the midst of people, community. Today she was committed to a United Church project she is spearheading, so she had to be in Truro. She sent Kaitlin and I this photo of her, as a busy bee, so we would not forget her.

Many of you know, but not all, that she wrote and directed our most recent dinner theatre production. And now she is working on another. She plans so many events at our church the bulletin board is full. If there is one lingering disappointment I have in this team ministry, it is the number of times people who are not part of our church come into the front doors looking for a minister. Kaitlin introduces Bethe and I to them. And they immediately speak to me, ignore Bethe. Being the male minister in this team means I am afforded privileges Bethe is not. This is sexism and churches continue to struggle with this sin. The power of sexism and its long legacy will take generations to undo. Because I left “people pleasing” in the dust 25 years ago, I will say to those who walk by Bethe, to speak with me, “Have you met my colleague Bethe, she is great”. I then list many of her gifts, while the person who walked by her waits not so patiently to speak with me. Too subtle? Bethe will just shake her head.

Bethe is at the office 730 am every day and leaves at supper time. She is the hardest working minister I have ever met. We are blessed to have her.

Peace, Kevin