Emerging Kristin

This is Immanuel Lutheran Church in Admiral (which is about 50 minutes south of Swift Current.) I believe they will be 100 years old in a few years. It is an incredibly tall church with a raised foundation. I discovered that I did not get one picture with the whole church in the frame. It is surrounded by carriganas on all sides with a lovely grass area.

This is a small but vibrant congregation. They usually have about 15 to 20 worshippers. They worship weekly. Twice a month is a pastor-led service and the other weeks they are led by a trained (local) lay assistant. They have a worhsip & music committee who plan the services including the order of service and hymns. If I wanted to do something different they are very open to that as well. This past year they re-roofed and repainted inside and out.

I know that I am not supposed to pick favourites … but this is the most beautiful altar rail that I have ever seen. The rail is a deep U which you cannot tell by the photo how much space is in the interior. A down side of this is that I feel at a distance from the congregation, but it is so beautiful. It is also quite large – about 15 congregants can kneel at the altar rail. The altar, again, is of the style where it is attached to the wall.

When you step out of the church you will see across a grassy field two more churches which are still in use. They are a Catholic church and a United Church. They are still used but not weekly. Click here to see a few more photos of the interior and exterior area of the church.

Rhett and Leah made a quick trip to SK this weekend, so I made a quick trip into Regina. On Friday morning I drove in and we met in Moose Jaw and had lunch with Rhett & Leah. Doug drove out from Regina. Rhett & Leah had got to Leah’s parent’s farm late on Thursday night. It was our chance to see Leah.

Rhett came into Regina as he was suppose to help Doug with some outside work, but constant rain showers put a damper on any plans. I got in a good walk with Suzanne on Friday night and she came over for coffee this morning.

Doug doesn’t appreciate my sense of humor. (He thinks I’m mocking all the work he has done in the yard – I’m not.) When I noticed these HUGE weeds … I knew there was a blogable story! In the top photo you will see Rhett & Suzanne … my models for scale reference. Notice the lovely yellow flowers to the right of Rhett’s head? How about the large, broad leaves to the right of Suzanne’s head?

Then I made them pull of the weeds, although Suzanne is trying to camoflage herself. Well … you see what happened … it is actually because we have picked so many weeds that it has created an ideal growing opportunity for just a few weeds to grow exceptionally tall – no competition!

We also have several tomato plants that have seeded themselves … despite the fact that I thoroughly roto-tilled the area in early June. Suzanne & Rhett both remarked that my self-seeded tomatoes are taller than their purchased plants!

Amazing things go on in nature!

I’m not sure of the age, but Scandia Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cabri is a good, old age. I marvel at how faithful communities have kept their churches open, proclaiming God’s truth. The building has been sorely affected by the on-going rain. Last month the water began seeping in, several inches deep in the basement (which is only used for storage and washrooms). This past week they had to remove the carpeting in the basement and through out numerous items. The sump pump and the de-humidifier has been going full tilt. Click here to see a few more photos.

This photo doesn’t do the altar area justice. The sanctuary is quite wide but not so deep. I appreciate this as the members never feel far away from me. The altar is attached to the wall. It is this way in four of the six churches that I serve. Although there was a piety movement in the 50′s – 60′s to pull the altar away from the wall so that the pastor could stand behind and therefore see the congregants, these churches have chosen to retain this style.

I have to admit I am uncomfortable with this style. I try to get around it by standing to the side of the altar and turning to the congregation when presiding over the Eucharist.

The fellowship hall is at right angles to the sanctuary. This is an ideal design for large funerals or other times when they need overflow seating.

Scandia only has pastor-led services once a month plus one lay-led service. Although they are small in size, probably about 15-20 worshippers, they always have a light lunch after the service. It is a wonderful way to get to know everyone a bit better.

I was also noticing today that they have had three ‘sons of the congregation’ over the decades. God has worked powerfully in this community … and God is ever faithful!

Many communities across this country have created eye-catching displays to represent who they are as a people. I think this focal point as you drive into Cabri (northwest of Swift Current, about a 40 minute drive) is beautiful. Cabri is not too far from the South SK River and so the deer represents the wildlife that is hunted in the valley area and beyond. I think most of SK could claim the Canada goose, but possibly this area is on a specific flight path. But aren’t these two sculptures magnificient? Then there are the shafts of wheat representing the rich farmland.

I admire this centre-piece each time I enter the town. Click here to see two more photoswhich are a bit more of a close-up.

I did a quick Google and it says there are about 500 residents. I would have thought it larger as it has a good-sized Co-op store, hotel and health centre. There is a lot of oil drilling in this area, so it is likely this industry that keeps the hotel/resturant going.

I was preaching in Cabri today and as you journey north from Swift Current there is a farm with perfectly manicured trees. When I first saw this farm it was in late fall and all the leaves had fallen. It was unbelievable! You can tell from this long-distance photo how large the farm yard is, and by these dimensions envisage it to be at least square in size if not an even larger rectangle.

The manicured trees completely surround the farm yard! Now being in full leaf it is even more spectacular!

Click here to see a few more photos.

In this close-up photo, I’m trying to show you one corner and how precise and crisp the hedge is maintained. I inquired with the congregation and they explained that the farmer (who has been interviewed numerous times) is quite the inventor. He designed a tree cutting system that cuts the caragana hedge vertically and horizontally. Doug figures in a typical year (it is generally dry in this area) the farmer would have to trim the hege twice a year, but with all the rain we have had Doug couldn’t imagine how many times it would take.

I am so impressed with people’s creativity and the pleasure they take in maintaining such a beautiful and huge yard. Another one of those unique SK experiences!

I was amazed to hear that Gerald and Mary have a ‘nature cam’ set-up somewhere on their property. If I have the story right, the camera (video camera?) is motion sensitive (& solar powered?). They put it along a pathway where they know wildlife to travel.

Isn’t this an amazing photo? There are three deer in the photo. Mary – Is that a pile of apples that you set out or is a mound of mushroooms? And a nice set of antlers on the buck.

I think the black & white tones make the photo very haunting – except by the lighting I think it is a beautiful sunny day. Thanks to Mary & Gerald for sharing this photo. I think I could watch this footage over & over … just to see who has been in the neighbourhood! It’s like I always wonder, “What do the dogs do all day when we aren’t home?”

At the age of 52, I can hardly believe the changes that have taken place in my life over the last ten years. … in 2000 my firstborn graduated from high school … in the next couple of years I was given tremendous employment opportunities with the federal government … in 2005 my baby graduated from high school, I convocated with a BA, and then I was off to seminary … the next four years were full of changes including my year in Ontario … in 2008 Doug was successfully treated for melanoma … in 2009 I graduated with a Masters of Divinity and received a call to ministry.

The dear folks of the Southwest Lutheran Parish – Kyle, Cabri, Admiral, Herbert & Swift Current believed and trusted that God was nudging them to call me to work in partnership with them and two other pastors. I am indebited to their courage to be church in difficult times. They have taught me so much, have trusted me, and have been willing to help grow a newly ordained pastor.

I remember my ordination day so clearly. I felt profoundly loved by God as it was expressed through so many people.

This journey that I have been on has not been a solitary journey. Doug has been at the centre and I know it has had implications for Rhett & Leah and Emily. I also cherish the memory of so many others … wow! God is amazing and gracious and caring. I am at peace … and disturbed … just how Jesus would like our discipleship to be!

I’m sure when you read the title for this post you were thinking … “That Kristin! I know she’s older than 32! What a cougar! Married to a 32 year old!” … Yes … well …

It is actually a “Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary” for Doug and I!

Now John & Liz celebrated the big 5-0 just a month or so ago. We have lots of wonderful role models for committed marriage.

Click on this link to see some photos. Two years ago I posted some old wedding photos.

Love yah, honey-bunny!

I have a “thing” for heavy horses. I quite like to ride light horses … but my dream … if I ever won a million dollars (or likely it would need to be multi-million – and I’d have to start buying lottery tickets) … I would own a working farm operated with heavy horses. (Of course being the princess that I am I would need hired hands to actually do all the work.)

All that said – the highlight of the Swift Current “Frontier Days” for me was the heavy horse show. I talked my co-workers into going in the morning & we watched the halter classes. We did talk business on the five minutes drive to the fair grounds, so we called it a staff meeting. Click here to see more photos of the heavy horses.

It was quite exciting to see the hitches enter the ring. However, it was nothing compared to the Paisley Fair (Paisley, ON) – click here to see photos – where I got to see eight teams of six horse hitches … and I was able to stand at ring side … feeling the earth being pounded as they went by … smelling the horse sweat (no better smell!)

But I was so glad to go back for the evening show at the Swift Current fair … and dream.

Previously I didn’t have time to upload my photos of the Heritage Park. Click here if you’d like to see a few photos of the buildings to tour through (but I didn’t have the chance to do that this time.)