HELLO!

The day began with an email. I was to receive another supply of warm Blankets of Love. I knew Margaret’s House still had some from my last delivery, so I reached out to Christ Church in downtown Dartmouth, who offer a free meal to guests in their Hall at 2 pm. They were delighted to receive these warm, beautiful, blankets. I dropped them off on my way home after attending Don MacMillan’s 100^th birthday party in the Sams Room. I only knew half of the guests at the birthday party, but I knew all the guests at Christ Church, even some of the volunteers. It was an honour to drop off these beautifully made blankets, especially since tomorrow is likely to be cold and full of snow. I overcame my shyness…

Today was a lively worship time, I was especially moved by Gus’ suggestion for the choir to sing the refrain from U2’s 40 as we began our service. Frank Hartman also offered us the song on his heart, he wrote and sang it, during the offering. Adelia and Dodie also offered a beautiful song of love and peace. If you missed the service, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db-6LBby4i4

In my sermon I mentioned the three-fold message of Psalm 40: 1) To discern the song God has written on our hearts, 2) to be obedient to it’s message, not to be swayed by the melodies of idols, who offer songs that do not satisfy and 3) to sing our song with joy and hope, not in a self-righteous manner, but as a witness to what God has done for us, what God can do for others. You never know whom will approach you, ask, “what is that song, why do you sing it, what does it do for you?”

I mentioned in the sermon how the experience of being a volunteer at Hope Cottage on Thursday nights was both heartbreaking and soul inspiring. I watched the staff and long-time volunteers create a safe, loving and even joy-filled, space for guests to sit, sing, talk, and find community. 1) The song I discerned, that God had placed in my heart, was “It’s a Beautiful Day in My Neighbourhood”. 2) I prayed to be obedient to its message, to know this was a beautiful place filled with beautiful people, even if the world said otherwise, and 3) to share my song with humility, as a witness, no self-righteousness. The thank you reprint staff-volunteers gave me, when I moved on to ordained ministry, included a reference to that song. Interestingly, Bill, then working on staff and a member of a different denomination, later became a United Church minister. Bethe knows him as well. Small world. Peace, Kevin

PS Happy 100 years Don MacMillan!