HELLO!

Advent has begun. There is A LOT going on at Woodlawn! I tried my best to condense it to a few minutes of announcements this morning and I still had people say…“You didn’t mention…” I responded, “If I did, we’d still be in church.” No response. My sense of humour does not always translate. If you are interested in the announcements, my sermon or the wonderfully delivered and sung Advent candle lighting by Chelsea and Kaitlin, here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj2FBbxRKo8

After church and coffee hour I went to see the McCormick family (Glenda, Ian and Colin) to discuss their plans for Shawn’s funeral on Saturday at the Atlantic Funeral Home in Dartmouth. The sons attended a funeral there recently, in the large reception room, and were more impressed with the facility, so they have opted to have the service there. I will be participating. I have shared the dates/times/locations of Ralph Higgins and Shawn McCormick’s funeral, but now I share the obituary. In both cases, you can write a condolence to the family: For Shawn: https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/atlantic-dartmouth/obituaries/roderick-shawn-mccormick/151569.html and for Ralph: https://www.arimatheafuneral.ca/obituaries/2025/11/28/ralph-arnold-higgins-sgt-retd

After visiting with the McCormicks I went to the Dartmouth General to visit with some of our church members. On way back to the car (I am a “far-parker”) I ran into a familiar face. I had not seen this former church foodbank volunteer for over a decade. He asked me if I still distributed clothing to the women and men I met through the week. I do. He gave me a small bag of clothing. When I returned to Woodlawn to attend the potluck I looked inside and found a t-shirt, men’s large, featuring lots of squirrels. For those who may not recall, a member of our church overheard me say I was looking for a squirrel Halloween costume. The next day, one appeared on my office door. I wore several times, I believe I have included a photo of me in the costume in a previous blog. My life is rarely dull. If you want to borrow the shirt or the costume, just ask.

There were fewer familiar faces today in church than the previous three weeks, but more new ones. Bethe and I revelled in meeting new people. I am visiting one on Tuesday. Newcomers are a little surprised when I call them after church (if they will out the Newcomer form) and offer to visit.

May you all find squirrel shirts in your clothing bags…Peace, Kevin