HELLO!

As I drove to church this morning, from Tantallon to Dartmouth, I was my usual stressed self behind the wheel. As anyone who has ever driven with me knows, driving (whether I am behind the wheel or in the passenger seat) is a cause of great anxiety for me. Driving and drama (when emotions run high and raw, in what appears to be ordinary circumstances) are my only sources of stress/anxiety. Knowing how I feel in those places helps me to be empathetic when others share their stress and anxiety with me. I can’t be the only one who finds driving challenging, as I have noted how attendance, while very robust in November (very few gray seats unoccupied) has leveled off in December (the opposite of what I expected). Perhaps it is the snowy roads of winter, or perhaps the church is tiring of the old, loud “Rev. John-the-Baptist”. Perhaps he/I should have retired in 2025 after all. If you missed this morning’s service, or didn’t come because you planned to attend the afternoon concert, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_6p7zcG9jw

If you missed the dynamic Sunday afternoon Christmas concert, featuring a Brass band and two Woodlawn choirs, the AV Team have you covered. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkS-aO4Bss

Today’s service had a distinctly “joy-filled hum”. Kaitlin and Chelsea’s Advent candle lighting, the choir’s ministry of music “Shine, Jesus Shine” and our singing of “I’ve Got Joy…” really resonated with me.

When I am stressed and anxious I do two things that work for me: 1) I slow down my thought process, my breathing, and I focus on doing one thing at a time. I remember to drive 10 km below the speed limit, keep my eyes peeled for pedestrians, and when turning or going through green lights, I turn off the radio. And 2) I remember the destination, the purpose, the reason I am here, doing this, and how this challenging moment will end, and there will be something later more joy-filled. I am not one to be dramatic, hyper yes, dramatic, no. When those in my midst appear to be overcome with frustration, anger, and tantrum-like state comes to life, I do my best to empathize with whatever it is that has triggered this response. Again, my hope is they, and me, and us, will eventually get to a place of peace. In driving and drama, I ponder “this too will pass”. This “slowing down”, this mantra, helps me.

I hope whatever is your calming strategy is known to you in these moments of stress and anxiety. I wish you peace, and joy. Kevin