Thursday, March 9, 2023
Hello everyone
The sun is so beautiful outside today and the sky so blue, it just makes our hearts sing – at least mine does. I love the coming of spring. And yes I know we are going to get more snow tomorrow, but the farmers need it. We have not had enough snow this winter. It has been far too dry. One thing I learned about snow fall from our young adults was that as it falls it captures nitrogen from the air allowing the soil to absorb that most important of fertilizers. I think that’s kind of neat and its something I will remember when the snow comes down and I’m wishing it were spring. I was listening to the radio the other day and they were talking about the naming of snowplows that has now come to Kitchener as well. I thought the name
“SnoBGone” would work. And there we have it – the complexities and contradictions we all live in life – appreciating snow and wanting it gone all in the same moment
I wonder if that’s true about church as well. Like many of you, I have been to enough church meetings to say – that’s it. I’ve had enough – no more church meetings. The number of meetings in January and February in preparation for the annual meeting was enough for even the most avid church person to throw up their hands and say ‘arrrggghhhh’! But, in each of those meetings I encountered people who not only love the church but want the church to thrive and to have a strong impact on the community. Sharing the love of God in a way that encourages us all to live in peace with each other, to break down barriers, to counter our own biases and prejudices and to set ourselves and our communities free. I have said it before and I will say it again, St Andrew’s is filled with wonderful, caring and loving people who want to make a difference in the world. So, we all live out the contradictions and complexities of life, saying church meetings are needed, they give us what we need to grow and move forward and at the same time we say “MeetingsBGone” because at least for a few moments we need a break.
There were less meetings this week, so I have been able to focus a little more on other aspects of ministry. The confirmation class has started up again and I am enjoying the conversations with three of our young people. I continue to plan for the rest of lent in terms of services including Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. And we have chosen the date for the first evening worship service we will have in the newly renovated chapel. It will be on Sunday April 23 at 7 pm. Please mark your calendars. It will be a gentle service of music, readings, poems, and reflection with a theme on the healing power of Easter. Ann-Marie and I had an initial conversation about it and we will have a more detailed meeting about it at a later date.
It is with sadness that we received notice that Jeff Berry has resigned from St. Andrew’s after 22 years of service in the custodial department. Jeff and his mother Barbara are moving to the Sarnia area to be closer to Jeff’s brother and his family. I have written a reference letter for Jeff with the hopes that he will find a church in the Sarnia area that is able to hire him on as a cleaner. We are all going to miss Jeff very much. We have a celebration farewell lunch for him planned for tomorrow. I know you will all join me in thanking Jeff for his many years of wonderful service to the church. Jeff’s last day at St Andrew’s is March 14.
I think that’s enough for now. Please take good care all of you and join me in saying “SnoBGone” 😊
Peace,
Marty