A 'Progressive' Lens
For most of us in the church, August 31 often feels a little like New Year’s Eve. Although the Liturgical New Year is still months away, church life, like so many of our 'secular' social and educational activities, really begins in September.
This recent September 1 heralded a new beginning for me. After simultaneously serving as a music leader for two Anglican faith communities for the past year and a half, I started a new position as Music Director for the congregation of Salt Spring Island United Church. I had actually been leading music at one of those two Anglican Parishes for a number of years. Sundays were definitely busy with two choir rehearsals and two services — in two different communities. I experienced an entirely new sense of respect and awe for clergy who provide ministry to multi-point pastoral charges — often fresh from ordination!
Salt Spring Island and the United Church there have been favourite destinations for decades. Christina and I hope to be able to move at some point in the new year but, for the time being, are commuting by a combination of car and a gorgeous 25-minute ferry ride.
The welcome we've received from the Salt Spring Island folk has been exceptional. We’ve known one another for a long time. My friend Shirley, the now retired Music Director for the past three decades, has become a member of the choir and continues to generously help in facilitating the transition.
Having mentioned the Salt Spring welcome, I would be remiss not to mention the loving send-off received by both The Anglican Parish of St. Mark in Qualicum Beach and The Anglican Parish of St. Anne & St. Edmund in Parksville. As parting gifts to Christina and me, the St. Edmund’s faith family, being fully aware of our passion for the organization, made an amazing donation to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in our name. St. Mark’s, knowing what was ahead for us, presented us with a creative and thoughtful gift: a pre-paid BC Ferries pass! RK
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