HELLO!

As many of you know, I am officially on vacation as of midnight on Friday (Fridays are my day off). But as many of you also know, I make exceptions as to my day off and my vacation. Some colleagues critique me for this lack of “boundaries” but for me “boundaries” have to do with separating friendship with service and not staying in touch with church members after I move to another church or retire (I don’t play favorites and I don’t have a “need to be needed”.) On these two latter areas, I am consistent and committed to “boundaries”. My successors will affirm this. But when it comes to the period of time I am serving the church, I can’t understand why I wouldn’t be contacted or follow up with emergency pastoral care (and funerals) as I sit on my deck, my car in the driveway, as I have a relationship (as I visit and attend all church gatherings) with the person in distress. I will continue to write daily blogs (a spiritual discipline I began in March 2020) and be available for pastoral emergencies (and funerals) but otherwise enjoy August from my Muskoka chair on our back deck.

When I came to Woodlawn, I explained my priorities re: visiting would be 1) persons experiencing challenges, 2) new arrivals and 3) everyone else. By visiting new arrivals, I quickly have a sense of their ministry. One of our new faces is Lori Errington (she is already deeply involved in our community). Lori feels a call to ministry, thus given that Bethe and I are both away (a first) August 2^nd, we asked Lori to lead that service.

I asked Lori for a bio. Here it is: Hailing from Ottawa, Lori has spent most of her adult life in Nova Scotia. She has been a radio announcer, reporter, editor, researcher, communications advisor and emergency manager, but the calling of her heart has been ministry for the past several years. Following studies toward an MDiv and as a pastor in Windsor Plains, Lori made the decision to move to the United Church. She became a member at Woodlawn United Church earlier this year and is resuming studies this fall at the Atlantic School of Theology. She works full-time as an emergency preparedness manager at Nova Scotia Health.

Here is Lori’s summary of the August 2^nd service. Title: “Struggling with a Purpose” Text: Genesis 32: 22-30. Like many Biblical figures, Jacob is far from perfect. The man who became Israel and carried out God’s promise to Abraham had lied and cheated for every one of God’s blessings. Often at the expense of his brother Esau. Now a comes a reunion after 20 years, and Jacob is afraid. Expecting the worst, Jacob realizes he can't fix this himself. He prays asking for God’s deliverance, acknowledging he is unworthy of a blessing, but asking anyway. God sends an angel, meanwhile Jacob struggles and wrestles for his blessing. He limps away exhausted but blessed. Like Jacob, we all struggle. Sometimes it is placed upon us by life circumstances, sometimes it is struggle of our own making. Know this: God is with us. Ready to transform us, reshape us, and bless us beyond our imagination. We need to be persistent and trust God. God wants to bless us, even in the darkest times.

Peace, Kevin

PS Bethe tells me 50 Woodlawn United people gathered together at Berwick Camp to enjoy God’s Creation and each other’s good company.