Church people

I often receive in my email notices from the Diocese of Ottawa mailing list. I recently saw a name that looked familiar from my past. A priest was appointed from outside the diocese. I think I knew her from Toronto 35 years ago or more.

When I was at the Diocesan Synod in October I saw a number of clergy that I knew. It was nice to see Carolyn back from 3 years in Uganda. She had been at my house blessing in June 1989. She did remember me.

As someone said to me - these clergy look a lot older and of course they are. Those that were ordained in the 1970s are looking forward to retirement. When I talked to one friend he said - everyone knows I am retiring!

There were some that were not there. The retired clergy were few in number - I think only a select number get to go to Synod. Some have left the diocese like our former rector. Some have left the Anglican Church of Canada for the Anglican Church in North America.

I wondered about the connections that matter to me. Many of the clergy have been involved with cursillo. As my friend Doreen used to say - this is the church family.