[Magdalen] Celebrating a mini list meet

[Kristin Rollins]

On Wed, Nov 19, 2014, at 04:04 AM, Susan Buchanan wrote:
> I was so blessed to have Heather and Kristin join my parish yesterday
> evening for our celebration of new ministry.  We sang Breathe on me,
> Breath of God, and I was so sorry I couldn't catch Kristen's eye at that
> point because I remembered singing it with her at the great Toronto
> listmeet.  Thank you, my friends, for being there. I look forward to
> being able to come visit you when I will have more opportunity to sit and
> chat. 

Yes, it was good to be there. After finding the church and finding the
parking lot entrance after dark, we made our way into the building and
Susan was right there, about the first person we saw when we walked in
the door. So we shared greetings and hugs and then we let Susan take
care of all those pre-worship details, especially on a big night like
that.

Breathe on me, breath of God. That's the first time in ages that I've
been really able to just sing it. Since we used a different tune in
Canada, it is not familiar enough for me to sing anything other than the
melody while I play the organ. And the other hymn from last night that
is always tied in my mind to Deb & Ana is that tune for There's a
wideness in God's mercy. And that may be the first time I've sung that
in worship without being at the organ.

I think there are three things about last night that stick in my mind.
In the order in which they presented themselves to me last night, the
first was the bishop. And I first noticed it at the part where the
letter is read. And those letter-readings can easily feel like a painful
but necessary formality, but not last night. It had a sense of
importance that seemed to flow directly from the text of the letter and
a reading that allowed us to take in all that was being said. The one
other moment I specifically noticed from him was at the renewal of
baptismal vows where I believe he left his book behind and ventured a
couple of steps into the center aisle to engage with the congregation in
asking the questions.

The second was when the congregation was definitely reminded of their
baptisms. And seeing how much Susan enjoyed giving us that reminder.
(And making sure that those who were up near the altar at that point
were not forgotten, also.)

And the third would be the parish's tradition of adding a couple of
gifts, beyond those that were formally presented, including a book with
some advice from the younger members of the parish.

Sadly, we slipped out quite quickly after the liturgy finished, because
Heather had to be at work in the morning and we had almost two hours of
driving to get home, but it was good to see you again, Susan. And I'm
sure we'll see each other again before too long.

Kristin