From the Rector’s Desk   

Right/Wrong thinking…..

When we are more concerned with being right, we often lose out on relationship. Because who wants to be in a relationship with someone whose personal goal is to ‘be right’?  And what is ‘right’ anyways?  When we are so concerned about being ‘right,’ or conversely, so afraid of being ‘wrong,’ we are caught up in a vicious cycle within ourselves. And we are necessarily, then, stuck inside ourselves, disconnected from the world, from the people outside ourselves. Strangely enough, we are self-centred. The word of God, the love of God, and the blessings of God as made known to us through Jesus, are meant to free us from this ‘right/wrong’ paradigm and move us into the realm of love. In this alternate reality, or, the Kingdom of God, we know we will fail God, ourselves and others but will be given the chance to start anew, each and every day. We will be forgiven and encouraged. If we are willing to accept forgiveness, make amends and move on.

The values in this kingdom are openness to learning, intending to love, being authentic, vulnerable AND an acceptance that mistakes are not ‘bad.’ Mistakes are inevitable; if we are to learn and grow. And mistakes mean that forgiving and being forgiven are all part of life.

We aren’t trying to be perfect but are perfectly human when we need time to learn new things, when we stumble or make another person stumble. In this kingdom we’re invited to go on a journey in to the unknown and do our best to watch for all the opportunities, grace and challenges. In this kingdom, instead of judging others, we’re invited to respond to them by wondering about them, and then acting on our ideas of how we might support them, engage with them.

And in all ways, we give thanks to God for every experience because we know God works through everything to good. There is precious learning in every experience if we perceive with the eyes of gratitude and love.

This time of change for St. Mary’s can be seen as a time of opportunity. Of each person learning what is in this change for them. For every person, it will be different. And that is OK. It’s just how it is.

In this time of transition, there is so much opportunity: to learn how to show up even more for each other, to support each other, to take stock of individual and community gifts, to wonder together how you might be more of a beacon for the Nanoose community, and to remember, always, to find ways to connect as a parish, to socialize, make friends, and to celebrate. There is no right or wrong way to do all this. Just ways that obviously bring life and joy; and ways that don’t….. as concerns this particular people, parish, place and time.

The best things in life are relationships, and one of the hardest things in life can be letting of those relationships. Either in death, or when relationships end or change. The reason? Because we have loved. And that is a good and wonderful thing!!

And so we continue to stumble along as a community, a parish committed to love. Receiving God’s love and paying it forward. The only wrong thing might be choosing to stand outside of that messy circle of relationships, wanting to be right, certain, perfect…… and alone.

We were created for community and it is meet and right to give thanks to God and to engage in life, in all its messiness and change.

Thanks be to God,
Selinde  

CONSECRATION OF MEMORIAL GARDEN AT ST. MARY,  Saturday, January 15. 2022

Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee came to us on Saturday to consecrate our beautiful Memorial Garden. Over 30 people were in attendance for a short but powerful ceremony. The rain held off but it was chilly. This day was years in being realized. Val has written a short piece to help you understand why it took so long and what was involved. And Harry took some amazing photos (no, it wasn’t a drone, it was Harry on a ladder!)      

 

St. Mary Nanoose Bay Memorial Garden, which was recently licensed and then consecrated on January 15 by Bishop Anna, was originally designed by Frank Fenn in 1996 and since then the surrounding shrub and flower gardens have been lovingly cared for by our parishioners. 

The ashes of 81 loved ones have been interred over the past 26 years and there are plots available for another 525.  In order to protect in perpetuity the interred remains, it became necessary to register our Memorial Garden.  That process was started in 2016.  The smallest parcel of land that could be registered on the title was 2.45 acres of the total 7.5 acres of church property given to the Diocese in 1981 by LCol Jack Bagley.  The Memorial Garden, along with the church, hall, parking lot, septic field and property back to the railway line, is now registered as one lot at the Land Title Office and is all considered ‘the cemetery’. 

To comply with the regulation that human and animal remains cannot be interred on the same parcel of land, the subdivision of the 7 acres into two parcels allowed the establishment of our St. Francis Pet Memorial Garden in a corner of the nearly 5 acres of forest.  

Did you know?  The Memorial Board in the Memorial Garden has a section for plaques to remember loved ones who are not buried in the garden. You can honour your loved one with a plaque there. Ask for more information at the front office.

 We need a new ENVELOPE SECRETARY

Barb W needs to step down but is willing to orient and support someone in this role. It involves about ½ hour of computer work each week. Talk to Barb or Selinde if you want more information or are willing to help out in this capacity.

Our Annual Vestry Meeting is scheduled for Sunday February 27th at noon. The Annual Report will come to you via email a good 2 weeks before the meeting so you can review the information and forward any questions to KAT who will pass them on to the appropriate person. And if you are interested in serving on Parish Council, the dynamic caring team that leads this parish, please speak to Clair, Shirley B, or Elaine.

KAT will be back in the office next Tuesday. We will be happy to have her back. And heartfelt thanks to Shirley B who covered so skillfully in her absence! And last but not least, from Mary S: