The office is warm, the soup is on, and colleagues are joining me for lunch in about an hour – a wonderfully gentle return to work following a week of study leave!
Thank you to all who encouraged me to take the time, and thank you to those who made my absence possible, especially Ellie Hummel who offered leadership at Sackville United Church on Sunday.
While I had intended to take part in an online workshop during my leave, those plans were frustrated by the need to attend a special meeting of one of the governing bodies on Thursday evening. In the end I used the time to connect with old colleagues and volunteers and read Reconciling History: A Story of Canada.
Over the weekend Jenn and I enjoyed a winter getaway to Fredericton with friends where we visited the Farmers Market and Beaverbrook Gallery and took in the North Star exhibit featuring the work of Tom Tompson and an exhibit call Radical Stitch which featured the work of Indigenous artists who continue an ancient practice of using beadwork to tell stories, honour loved ones, and celebrate beauty.
I found myself reflecting often on the words of Judy Wilson-Raybould as I experienced both exhibits, and even this morning, sore from bowling on Sunday, I know there is still much hard work to be done in the journey to reconciliation.
Thank you to Geoffrey Patridge for donating his copy of this book to the Sackville United Church library! Charles Trenholm is reading it now – and I cannot stress enough the importance of this book for one who is serious about working toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Thank you Judy Raybould-Wison and deepest of sympathy to you on the death of your father.
Lloyd
Looking Ahead
I am in Sackville today. This morning Julia and I had our weekly staff meeting and later this morning colleagues will join me for our monthly lunch gathering after which I have two pastoral visits scheduled.
I am in Sackville again on Tuesday morning for meetings and in the evening I will gather with the Collaborative Commission for their second meeting of the month.
Wednesday will have me in Moncton all day. In the morning I will be at Visions for the Fresh for Less packing followed by visits at the hospital and then getting ready for the potluck Chinese New Year event at Central which runs from 6-8PM.
Thursday morning will be devoted to writing a reflection for Sunday and in the afternoon I have two pastoral visits scheduled.
Friday and Saturday will be days off.
On Sunday I will be at Central United Church and Julia will be at Visions United Church which is where the livestream will come from. Todd Nelson, Chaplain at Dorchester Penitentiary will be providing pulpit supply at Sackville United Church.
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