Terry Paul Choyce
Nov. 27, 2005, Brunswick Street United Church
Last year we had a lovely young woman named Terri-Lee Anderson join our congregation. Her new partner Joe had been a member for quite a while, and he encouraged her to come to church. When she first came here she was living in one of the womenÕs shelters, and she was pretty shaken by her recent life events. After being together for several months, she and Joe decided to try their luck out west. They left Halifax in late June, and before they left, Terri wrote me this letter that I'd like to share with you. I read it to you before, but I think it is worth hearing again.
[Terri's letter read aloud]
Brunswick St. United Church touches people. Here we find a sense of belonging, a sense of community, a sense of home. Our congregation is small, and it is a bit quirky. None of us are shy about expressing who we are. Annette has been known to come in with her straw hat and her cowboy boots. Shazza has worn her bathing suit under a skirt, Hugh has never censored one word from his mouth, Jim Wilson comes all decked out in a suit and tie, with his long hair flowing to his shoulders. We are a unique group of people, and we are proud of it. And what I think we have the most reason to be proud of is the way we treat each other. Here we are open, respectful, usually cheerful, and caring. We are the kind of congregation that can make Terri -Lee feel loved. She once told me that we felt like her family. Elnora has said the same thing. What we lack in size and sophistication we make up for in hugs, laughter, listening, and reaching out in friendship.
What we do in church on Sunday is carried through all week by the Mission. Angie McKay, Gary Smith, Deborah Logan, Lolly Smith, Wade, Dave, John, Brian, Kelly, Eric, Ann, Marge, Diane, Sandy, Hugh and other volunteers reach out to the many people of Metro who need a meal, some clothes, a place to use the phone, get out of the cold weather, talk to people who are trying to help, get food from Feed Nova Scotia, and get help with managing their bills. Working in the Mission can be emotionally challenging, as well as physically hard. Most of these people work for free. If you are one of those who gives their time and energy and love to the Mission, please stand. I would like us all to show our gratitude and support to these people with a round of applause.
Managing the church and mission has been a huge responsibility. Many people have contributed over the years, and many of you are here today. I would like to single out three of you for special acknowledgement. Jim Sykes was the architect for this building and he has been very involved with almost every aspect of this church, mission, and camp. I think he has done everything except sing in the choir and deliver a sermon. Hazel Andrews is the backbone of our choir, our treasurer, and our guiding light. Her enthusiasm and determination has gotten the church through some tough times. And Scott Barber gave heart and soul to this church for three years as the chair of council. I would like us all to give a round of applause to them. Many of you also deserve recognition. Cecil, Richard, Doris, Blanche, Sandy, Annette, Elnora, Jim, Shazza, Lindley, Bev and many more of us have given our time to this church over the years. Plus the people of Presbytery have given us countless hours to help reorganise our structure and make us stronger and more viable. Thanks to you all.
Cheryl Richardson writes "Community makes us whole. It heals us, challenges us to be authentic, and most important, teaches us to love ourselves and each other. In the best of worlds, we can turn to those in our community to help us overcome our fear, see the truth about ourselves, and provide the safety necessary for us to grow and evolve. Everyone yearns for this in some way." We come to Brunswick St. United Church services for a feeling of connection - connection to God and to each other. I believe we can experience God in any place at any time, but we can only experience the fellowship of people when we are with people. So we come to church and we become involved with the activities of the church. Soon we feel like we belong to a group which appreciates our gifts, our talents, and, just our presence. We do overcome fears. We do see truths we were blind to before. And hopefully, we do come to "love ourselves and each other." As Jesus said, "where two or more of you gather, there will I be." We can feel the Lord here.
I would like to read to you a piece written by Harold Button, who is a member of a Bruderhof Christian Community in the States. He says:
[piece by Button read]
This church reaches out in so many ways to create a church community, and to assist the larger community of Metro. With our ministry, our mission, and our camp we improve the lives of lots of people in so many ways. I like to think of us as a guiding light. When people feel they are living in darkness, they can come here for illumination in the forms of spiritual guidance, fellowship, support with the basics of food and clothing, recreation and service to others. Like the cross that shines in our sanctuary, we shine in our city.
Let us today celebrate our brilliance. Let us celebrate our rich history and heritage. Let us celebrate people like Terri-Lee who have come to us in times of need, and blessed us with their love and devotion. Let us thank the Lord for allowing us to persevere through our own problems and to not give up. Let us thank the Lord for our faith. Let us thank
This church reaches out in so many ways to create a church community, and to assist the larger community of Metro. With our ministry, our mission, and our camp we improve the lives of lots of people in so many ways. I like to think of us as a guiding light. When people feel they are living in darkness, they can come here for illumination in the forms of spiritual guidance, fellowship, support with the basics of food and clothing, recreation, and service to others. Like the cross that shines in our sanctuary, we shine in our city. Let us today celebrate our brilliance. Let us celebrate our rich history and heritage. Let us celebrate people like Terri-Lee who have come to us in times of need, and blessed us with their love and devotion. Let us thank the Lord for allowing us to persevere through our own problems and to not give up. Let us thank the Lord for our faith. Let us thank each other for our loving light. Let us continue to shine. Long live Brunswick St. United Church!
