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 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!

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!

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.

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!

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?”

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!

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!

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.)

This past week, in one of her stories, Rupp shared the poem given to her by the mother of a twelve year old girl. This girl – Mary Katherine – was struck by a car the night after writing this poem and she died two weeks latter (in 1982.) I found this poem to be deeply compelling. I included it in my sermon this past week in which I talked about the doors that keep us from sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and Luke’s passage of the Sending of the Seventy.

I believe Jesus was speaking through this young girl and I am grateful to a family – who still mourns – for sharing this legacy of hope and encouragement.

Look at me –
I’m walking through a door.
My life is changing and it’s just perfect now
No more doors for me
They’re too hard to get through
I’m staying here where it’s safe –
No, child.
Those doors are a part of you
You can’t ignore them
‘Cause they’re there
You’ve got to go through them
Who knows what you’ll find.
You’ve got to go through them
Who knows what you’ll find
You’ve got to meet their trial
If you don’t, you won’t be what you should become
There are always gonna be doors and you
Can’t stop ‘em from comin’
You’ve got to go through them to grow
It’s called change
Look at the wildflower; it changes all the time
Always blossoming or closing up, sprouting or withering,
You are scared to go through those doors
Into the unknowing, “into change”
You don’t know what’s going to happen
You don’t know what change is going to bring
Listen to me
Go through those doors with hope
Go through those doors knowing change is the future
and you’re part of it
You don’t know what change is, that’s why
You’re scared
Change is the sun booming over the horizon
Scattering rays of hope to a new day
Change is a baby lamb meeting the world for its first time
Change is growing from a young child to a young woman
Change is beautiful; you will learn to love it.
- Mary Katherine Lidle