HELLO!

One of the great benefits of being a church minister is seeing the church from a wide lens. Many of those who work in the governance of the church, who do the tasks of the church, like James who comes faithfully every week to set up tables and take down tables, or the counters who arrive every week to count the collection, or the choir who come on Thursday night to rehearse for Sunday morning, etc…see our church from their very important vantage point, namely the table in the AV balcony or the ushers standing by the front doors. From a wider lens you see more, perhaps not with the intimacy of that hug as someone who has been away for some time receives as she walks into the building, but with a kind of connectedness that one can take for granted if you are not seeing the whole. The stories that touch me involve disparate narratives colliding into support and celebration. I live for these mysterious encounters.

One of those Aha! moments at Woodlawn came to life when Augustina came to our church as someone new to Canada, needing a spiritual home as she left her family to find work. I met her in my office soon after she filled out a Welcome form. I listened as she shared her passion for pastoral care. Immediately I connected her with our Pastoral Care Team. At the same time, she was sitting with Maureen Woods, and they were becoming fast friends. As many of you are aware Maureen has a nightmare series of health care challenges, she is open about them, but I would defer to her to share the specifics. Discouragement is a word that does not do justice to how Maureen felt. Augustina supported and visited Maureen, including many hospital visits. Eventually Augustina found work, in Baddeck Cape Breton. But they have remained close friends. There is a moment, a prayer, that Augustina shared with Maureen, that was such a healing moment, neither will ever forget. As minister, I get to hear stories like this, and they bring such inspiration and remind me of what the church can be. Justice is all too often the orphan in church work, but healing and celebration can emerge in plain sight if we have eyes to see.

Maureen sent me this photo as she, Peter and Augustina reunited in person for a visit. Maureen writes (with permission to share), “Our visit was lovely, Augustina’s husband and son will join her soon. We will get to meet them. It was wonderful to get Augustina’s hugs. She was surprised to see how well I am doing. She said her prayers were answered.  I thanked her from the bottom of my heart. I was so fortunate to have ALL the prayers I received. There is POWER IN PRAYER for sure”.

Peace, Kevin