When the road gets tough, it is nice to know that you do not tread the path alone ... In the United Church we affirm through our creed that "we are NOT alone." Today was a day filled with reminders of the profound truth of that simple statement ...
This morning when I stopped for coffee, I was told that a little girl from Minnedosa was on holidays in Arizona with her family when our fire happened. When they heard the news of the fire, this little five year old wanted to do something - so, she and her sister set up a Lemonade Stand in Arizona and the money they raised was for us and the nursery school that we hosted ... (If I get a photo I WILL share it here ...) ...
Then through the day I was busy restocking our food cupboard - we had traded Samaritan House Ministries in Brandon: they took our foodstuffs that had been in the office during the fire, and they left in their place new foodstuffs from their larder. The food we had, which is still edible, will be used in their work where the slight smoky smell doesn't matter ... It feels good to get an important ministry like our foodcupboard back up and running. Tomorrow I'll do a grocery store run and we'll be ready to go again ...
The day continued with a series of errands for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. We had hosted the annual Bowl for Kids Sake Bowl-athon this weekend. It got off to a shaky start and didn't have many participants in any of the bowling sessions, but it seems we STILL managed to make a little bit for the programmes we run here. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are an important thing for me, because I was a little and for ten years was a Big, and for the last five I've served on the Board here in Minnedosa. It is a worthwhile organization and it really does make a difference in the life of boys and girls who are dealing with circumstances beyond their control ... (this public service announcement comes at no cost !!)
The afternoon ended with a surprise that affirmed the simple fact that "We, the people of Minnedosa are NOT alone." I had a phone call from The Very (or is it the Right??) Rev Peter Short, the Moderator of This United Church of ours ... Peter had been here in Minnedosa in the fall of 2004, and in our dining room are some photos of him in the Sanctuary. He called to check on how we were doing as a community, how we are doing as a Church and how I am doing in the midst of this ... It was a much needed and much appreciated pick me up in the midst of a dreary day of low clouds and mucky melting snow ...
And in good church fashion - I end back at the beginning ... consider the photo at the start of this entry - a photo of our glorious choir in their former home ... and with it, I offer the simple question - With support and encouragement like we keep encountering - "How can we keep from singing ???"
L'chaim
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