I saw the strangest thing today as we were coming back from worship at Cabri. There was a flock of immature gulls on the highway … a big flock. My brother Leslie was with me. We actually had to come to a stop because they wouldn’t completely fly off. Leslie said they must be young – and stupid (he did say that) – to not fly off for a vehicle. We couldn’t see anything on the road, but Leslie thought it must be some catepillars/worms crossing the highway, and that the feast was on!

The past week and a bit was tough. It started last Friday – ten days ago. I got to have lunch in Moose Jaw with Doug, and Rhett and Leah. They were in from Calgary for a wedding party. Why was it tough? Well, you see … I got to see them twice at the begining of June, then I saw them three weeks later when we camped in Cypress Hills … and now three weeks later I’m sitting in a highly prized Thai resturant with them. It’s starting to feel like I see them every three weeks. You know the bottom is going to fall out of this story.

It was just an overnight trip to Regina. I got to watch a movie with Rhett and Emily. I got to have two great visits with Suzanne. Doug and I went out to lunch. … here comes the bottom … okay … there were tears shed … the nose-running kind of sobbing tears. A ‘poor Doug’ is appropriate here as he got to deal with my wails. Sometimes it is really hard to live away from family and friends.

But I love ministry and I make the drive back to Swift Current. And there were high points and sad points in ministry this week.

My Mom is doing very poorly. She has had another significant fall, but no broken bones. She sleeps all the time now and it is so hard to get her to wake up. If I can wake her, it is an accomplishment to keep her awake for twenty minutes. Yet I make many lovely connections with other family members of residents. This week I had the privilege to preside at the graveside service for a resident. I had chatted different times with his wife and she gave me helpful advice. It was an honour to be asked.

A congregational member that I have visited numerous times over the past year died. I knew he was poorly but I hadn’t seen him for 10 days (we rotate our visiting between pastors). He was so poorly when I saw him on Thursday I couldn’t believe my eyes. He died on Friday and I got to be with his family at the hospital. Ministry is an amazing gift.

I couldn’t quite figure out why I was feeling so punk on Saturday morning. Then I realized that I’m falling in love with these wonderful folks that I serve. I hadn’t realized. It kind of snuck up on me. God is so good!

Doug left this morning to go camping in the mountains for a week before coming back and heading out on a motorcycle trip. I was feeling kind of down to be alone. Then I walked outside and saw all my beautiful flowers. Then I saw Leslie’s gladiolas. Then I saw my little tea rose bloom finally opened. I was inspired to pick raspberries and four big bags of weeds. And while I was picking these weeds God spoke two inspirations. One for my personal life and one for ministry. I’m worried that God only talks to me when I weed … which means I should weed more … and there is more to be weeded. I find it an interesting metaphor! Life is good.

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!