HELLO!

Early this morning I received this email with the following invitation:

“Dear Kevin, do you know the practice of preaching the Seven Last Words from the Cross? You would give seven short meditations. The choir sings between the meditations, a hymn or two, and there is silence, and a prayer. We need you to share how your soul has been shaped by those to whom you have ministered, and those who have ministered to you.”

Woodlawn participates in a local ecumenical Good Friday service, this year at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, from 130-3 pm. I enjoy being part of this offering of worship, the planning, the participation. I believe it is an important part of my role at Woodlawn. While I wear many hats in HRM: from 2011-2024 minister at Brunswick Street United Church on Sunday nights, navigator on early weekday mornings in Dartmouth North and downtown Dartmouth (2008-present), designated presider/preacher for funerals at funeral homes for families who want a minister present but have no church home (2024-present), and a full-time minister at (now) Woodlawn United Church, I am VERY careful to make the latter my priority. I am your minister, which means I am available 24-7 when called, emailed, texted. You come first. Even on vacation, I continue to write my daily blog, and available to return to offer funerals, and if time permits, a visit to a dying church member. I am, as they say, “all-in”. I recall early in my ministry colleagues very active in their community, who were not available when a crisis arose in their church. Members wondered, “whom do we call when we need a minister if our clergy is elsewhere?”

Given all the hats I wear I am very conscious of this concern. Since I embarked on the sheer volume of these commitments, in 2008, I can share none of these organizations have ever expressed a concern I was not available when needed. In fact, in each case Board members, Ministry and Personnel Committees, have all told me I needed to take more time off (perhaps they are weary of my presence, too many loud HELLOS!).

This week I am out Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, till 9 pm. You will not hear me complaining (except for meetings that go more than 90 minutes, driving or complaints about my now retired stoles). You can fault me for many things, including sermons that are too long, but not for commitment. I attend almost every church event (note to church leaders on being consistent, when you tell me to take more time off and I choose to take a night off because I can’t see the need for me to be at a concert, you are not allowed to look disappointed, remember the word consistency…). I love what I do. I hope it shows. Peace, Kevin