The transition continues

Advice from a Horse - "Take life's hurdles in stride; Loosen the reins; Be free spirited; Keep the burrs from under your saddle; Carry your friends when they need it; Keep stable; Gallop to greatness!"

This was on a bookmark recently given to me - good advice.

I shared this with our interim priest as I talked with him yesterday.

The transition continues for me and my friendship with Dana.
Some of this is unsettling and I expect it will be for a while.

We have had some parish meetings about what happened. They were useful.

Decisions about a new permanent priest will be some time in the future. As one friend said - we need to take as much time as we need to get ourselves sorted out. That sounds right to me.

Church activities are continuing although the summer is always quieter.

Memorial flowers will be bought and arranged and admired.
Candles will be lit.
Everything else that the Altar Guild does all the time will still go on.

SSJD Ottawa Associates

So we gathered for a meal together at the condo of two of the folks in our group. This has become a new winter tradition.

There were 14 of us there - a nice sized crowd.

It was good to share what is going on in each others’ lives. I had a nice chat with a former parish priest from St. John’s. He has been gone now almost 20 years - where does the time go? He and his wife have finally made arrangements to go to the new convent in Toronto.

There was news of older folks with health issues and having to move because of needing more care. Some are still busy and involved at the age of 89. Some are managing with the changing living and health situations but it is not always easy.

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There was other interesting news as well.

A retreat has been planned which will be led by a priest who is much interested in the life of SSJD and the Associates but is very busy at this time of her life. I am quite pleased that she has agreed to do this.

Also attending this gathering were a clergy couple who have retired to the area. In his retirement he is filling in for 6 months in a parish in the neighbouring diocese of Ontario. He told me that he will be voting for our parish priest at Saturday’s election for the bishop.

More to follow on this note after this event is over.

Linda

A few years ago there were changes in the works at St. John's with the prayer ministry. The woman who had been heavily involved in the program was leaving the parish. It was decided to have a consultation with whomever was interested to discuss what direction the ministry should go.



I immediately phoned up the person responsible and made some time to talk with her. She is a woman priest and I often feel drawn to get to know them better. She is also a lesbian and in a committed relationship. That is really not an issue for me.



However in the diocese it was and she created a lot of controversy. Those who were supportive of her made sure that she knew that. My own parish of St. John's was very welcoming to her. In time the bishop gave her a parish ministry and they were very pleased to get her.



When I saw her some time later I gave her a note expressing my support as well. She told me that this meant a lot to her.



On my own initiative I went to a Sunday evening Integrity Ottawa service. It was a lovely service and there were many people there that I know. Again Linda was very pleased to see me.



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My initial contact with Linda was about prayer ministry. I have enjoyed a lot the serviced I have attended where she has ministered. That is it for me.

St. John's Anglican Church Ottawa

I came to St. John's at the invitation of my former priest in Toronto at the church I was attending - Edgar Bull was at St. Thomas' Huron Stree.. He had studied with the rector - Borden Purcell. So I went to St. John's when I went to Ottawa for a student summer job. I liked the form of worship and I enjoyed being part of the community.

Leaving my church in Toronto where I had really started to grow in my faith was difficult. Coming to St. John's I got involved in some activities - teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir and attending the early morning service on a Wednesday.

I stayed at St. John's through lots of changes. I made some good friends. I enjoyed and still enjoy the form of worship and the music. I love the hymn selections even though it has been a long time since I have sung in the choir.


This was always my church home when I got involved in different activities in different churches and not all of them were Anglican. I made friends in other churches as well.


When my mom got sick in 2001, I cut back on my regular church commitments and for some time I was not a regular church attender. In August 2007 my good friend that I went to boarding school with and her husband came for a weekend visit. They came with me to St. John's. I had a very strong feeling of coming home again. I knew I was going to be able to be more involved again after I retired.

New priest at St. John's

So yesterday was a very good day. The new priest remembered me and we had a good hug. She wore a vestment that had been made for her by one of the quite talented members of our congregation. She preached very well. Her first words after being introduced were – Howdy folks. She seems to be very informal and I look forward to getting to know her again.

When I came into the vestry to undertake my altar guild duties she was ther talking with the server. When she turned around we had the hug and she said she had heard my name mentioned in relation to the church library.

She needed some direction during the service as to how we do things. That will sort itself out and she will find her way or change things.

There were a number of people whom I have not seen for a while who came out to be there for her first Sunday.

We do some prayers regularly in French and I was much impressed by her expression in this language.