Fifty years ago tomorrow, June 9, 1963, I was ordained a minister of the United Church of Canada in Sackville United Church, Sackville, NB. I have been reading Donna Morrissey’s novel “What They Wanted” of late. She has one of the characters, an aimless Chris, say to his sister, Sylvie, who has stuck it out at University, “Envy you that. Fixing your mind on something and keeping it there.” On this day I have a profound sense of gratitude that at a young age I fixed by mind, heart and soul on something and kept them there.” Ministry was something I couldn’t not do, for reasons as mysterious to me as they must seem to others. I guess that’s what we mean by “call.” It has provided an amazing opportunity to walk with people through their joys and sorrows, hopefully as a soul-friend. I am thinking today of all those people who allowed me into their lives – as a student intern at Clandonald and Allandale, Alberta; Brunswick St., Halifax, and Middle River and Baddeck Forks, Cape Beton – and as an ordained minister at Tabusintac, Burnt Church, and Millbank, NB; Trinity United, Summerside; Pictou United, Pictou, NS; and St. Paul’s, Riverview, NB. Also the procession of students at Atlantic School of Theology where I have taught Scripture Studies part-time for twenty years. Ministry is not easy by any means, but I found the rewards substantially outweighed the frustrations. As I said at Maritime Conference this year, I would decide to do it all again in a heartbeat. Tomorrow I will be celebrating with my home congregation and my family
Posted on: Sun, 09 Jun 2013 01:49:11 +0000