Testimony for 2011 Anniversary Service

- Patty Kavcic

I believe I have used this quote before from Frederick Buechner when he says, “ the story of any one of us is in some measure the story of us all,”

My story begins in June, 2010.  when we were about to become pilgrims on a pilgrimage.

Just like any journey, much thought and preparation went into it’s planning, but the good news was, a whole community worked together. I can’t recall a time when I went into the church to pack, that either Betsy was there packing dishes or Sue and Gord were packing up the library; Pierre and Ed were removing coat wracks, and then there was Peter, Louise and Pat, first anticipating all the materials that they would need to take along to the next stop, and then fitting it all into containers. Theirs was a huge task but the Emmanuel Family came together to meet the needs of change that was already taking place.

Our first stop was at St. Aiden’s. Peter and I were introduced to the minister Linda & a kind soul, Peggy, who walked us through the church  and said, “call if you need anything”. Then came that awful night when we held an evening service and wax spilled on the communion table, penetrating through our cloths onto theirs underneath.  I thought of those parting words from Peggy, “call if you need anything.”

But that call was so hard to make. I said simply, “Peggy, I need your forgiveness and your wisdom as to where I should take your cloths to be cleaned, in hopes the wax can be removed. “Oh, she said, wax is such a nasty thing isn’t it? Go to the cleaners at the end of St. Laurent Blvd, and tell them you are from St.A., and then go to bed and forget about it.” Needless to say not too much sleep was afforded me until I picked up the cloths 2 days later and heard the words from the owner at the dry cleaners, “good as new”. You see those cloths were hand made and embroidered. Although I had taken in 2 cloths, the bill said only one. When I questioned Mrs Tait, she said, “that’s okay you are good customers and showed me a letter on the wall that was a thank you from the church for her donations”.   Well that night during my prayers, I gave a real heart-felt thanks for the restored cloths, for the kind owner, and especially for my  friend Peggy from St. Aiden’s who might have asked why I did not remove their cloths, but instead had reassured me with the heart of Christ.

Our next stop in September was here at Rideau Park.  Once again we were greeted with what I would call radical hospitality. Over these past months, I have come to think of our pilgrimage as our Emmaus Road, remembering and becoming aware of so many moments of gratitude for the strangers who have walked and continue to walk with us. I think of Barry who for several weeks directed us through the coffee-making and dish-washer process; I think of Marilyn who organized a Sunday where we could sit and break bread together. I think of Steve who is always at the door to greet one and all each week and to respond to any concerns we might have. I think of the co-operation that goes on between the financial folk and how smoothly that is all worked out. I think of the clergy and how they trust one another on this walk, helping each other’s dreams come true as they bring the light of Christ before us and themselves; the light that brings nourishment, renewal, and growth.

 And in the midst of it all has been God’s grace at work, a presence that was with us as we packed; was at Saint Aiden’s as the people welcomed us so freely, and is here where so many stand on tiptoes to show us all the warmth of God’s Love

Let us pray:.

 Prayer… God of blessing, with pilgrim’s feet, we continue this journey, one step at a time. On this our 52 anniversary, we seek your vision for this new year, one landscape at a time. With the heart of a dancer, we trust the centre to hold one leap at a time and with the tender arms of a mother, we ask that you cradle our spirit one breath at a time. May this anniversary be remembered as a sacred pilgrimage by each and every one of your Emmanuel pilgrims.

Amen

Prayer by Wiederkehr was adapted