Testimony – Ed Langner

Good Morning,

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ed Langner. In Saskatchewan where I grew up, I was baptized and confirmed a Lutheran, and coming from a musical family, my choir participation began at an early age. Although there were several other churches in my hometown, I didn’t consider them important because if you weren’t Lutheran you weren’t anything – or so I thought.

When I joined the RCMP, and in my subsequent postings in British Columbia, I continued my habit of attending church and singing in church choirs whenever I could. My first exposure to the United Church was in Ocean Falls where I sang in their choir for several years because there were no other churches around. When Lee and I were married and posted to Burns Lake, there was no Lutheran church there, so I encouraged her to attend an Anglican church with me because I was afraid that if we went to the United Church, there would be no hope of her ever becoming a Lutheran. Lee, by the way, was United Church from the get-go. When we were transferred to Vancouver, I made her turn Lutheran, and we all know how that turned out!!

When we moved to Ottawa in 1962 we transferred our membership to St. Peter’s Lutheran church where we sang in their choir, and I became a member of their council. Several years later, circumstances and issues arose that saw us transfer to St. James United Church where Lee took up the position of alto soloist in their choir, and I sang in the bass section.

In 1968 we were transferred to Edmonton. We joined Robertson-Wesley United Church where again Lee was their alto soloist, and I joined the choir towards the end of our stay there.

Although I enjoyed the choral aspect of these churches and the friendships that came out of them, I was coming to the awareness that my church attendance was mainly out of force of habit and not because of any belief or commitment on my part. After all, the Jesus of the New Testament was an ancient figure with no particular relevance to us today. Yes, it could be argued, much of what he said was good advice for us, but that was about it, or so I thought.

It was while in Edmonton, and through the friendship that Lee developed with the soprano soloist who was a catholic, by the way, that one summer we attended a large prayer meeting with her and her family at a Catholic church in Kelowna, BC. This was a scary first for me, and the turning point in my life with respect to my faith. The Bible and Jesus took on a whole new perspective. I was surprised that the words in Hebrews Chapter 13, Verse 8, that said “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever” were true.

Subsequently, the purpose for my life became clearer; the commitment that was lacking on my part became real. The word “tithing” took on a whole new meaning. I now believe the abilities that God has given us can be used not only for our own gratification but also for the benefit of others. In my case, the ability to sing in a choir can be used to aid others in their worship, and similarly, the “Mr. fix-it” role that I’ve been tagged with can be used for purposes other than my own.

On our return to Ottawa in 1972, we joined Emmanuel United Church, and except for a brief hiatus at the Ottawa Mennonite Church for four years, we’ve been members here ever since. Having worshiped in all these denominations as well as sporadic worshipping in other Christian communities and churches, the aspect that I appreciate most in Emmanuel is the non-judgmental attitude that exists, and that is why I feel at home here among my friends.

Thank you.