HELLO!

Today I presided and preached at a funeral for Laura Fitzmorris, her husband Stephen Hinch grew up at Woodlawn United, he attended Sunday School in “the old church”. Please keep Stephen and her family in your prayers. I shared in a previous blog the story Laura penned on a piece of paper about her experience with a duck named, “Buttons”. Obviously, this story affected her deeply. No friend of family member was able to speak. That was left to me to summarize everything the family shared with me. In addition to the story about Buttons there were memories of animals, seascapes, and landscapes Laura included in her handwriting. One of those memories referenced the crows who would leave her “gems” wherever she would go. As we stood in the cemetery, six crows made their presence known near by. I called it a “thin place”. The 25 people standing around the grave were moved by this observation. I heard one man say, “I wonder where these crows left Laura their gem”.

Every morning at 6 am. I drink my first cup of strong coffee looking at 1) this painting by Rustico PEI artist Karen Gallant (see the crow and the hot coffee), 2) this woodpecker wood carving by Les Russell (a member of a former church I served) and 3) this woodpecker light cover designed by Vel Pugh (a member of a former church I served). These images are what I look at as I begin every day. They are the “gems” I have received.

And speaking of COFFEE…as we slide into September Bethe is inviting everyone to join her for Sips and Snacks this Friday September 4^th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am in the Sams Room. Come, reconnect and meet new friends. Everyone is invited. If you feel like bringing cookies or treats, we would very much appreciate it! Any questions, ask Bethe 902-856-0101.

I will be back in the office, fresh from my vacation, tomorrow morning. I have visits scheduled later that afternoon, so if you drop-in then, I may not be there. I am preaching this Sunday, so steel yourself for…what’s that? HELLO! I look forward to seeing you very soon. Peace, Kevin

PS Has a crow ever left you a “gem”? Share that memory with us over coffee this Friday. I have heard it said my HELLO! sounds like a crow.