On December 31, 2009, it was my honour to officiate at my nephew, Stephen’s, wedding to Annamarie. The wedding took place at a local hotel in Regina. They had it decorated beautifully. As you can see by the cake, their theme was a stylized tree with red berries on the trees. This motif was on their invitation, and they carried the theme through using willow branches, ceramic cranberries and holly berries. They laid strings of small white lights on down the aisle and covered them with netting. They carried this same effect through in the other room where we ate.
The wedding was at 4:30, followed by a time of mingling, then the meal, a lovely program and then a dance.
Annamarie and Stephen both looked stunning!
The wedding also served as a family reunion as my three brothers, and most all of our children (nephews and nieces) and great nephews and nieces were there.
I’m sorry that I have very few pictures to choose from. The lighting was very subdued and our low-priced camera does not have the flash potential or appropriate setting to take photos under those conditions.
Here we have another family photo of Leah & Rhett, Emily, me and Doug. We are pretty fancy in our New Year’s Eve best. It was 2:45 a.m. when I went to bed! It has been a long time since I had stayed up that late. Doug and I went to the family brunch the next morning. Then all five of us had a lazy New Year’s Day watching movies.
Blessings to everyone for a healthy and joyfilled 2010!
A quick follow-up to Mary’s assertion that I look like my brother Leslie. In the picture above you see my three brothers and I. This photo was taken on July 16/09 at my ordination. From left to right is Leslie (10 years older than me), Gordon (8 years older), Kristin, Martin (3 years older). 
Emily, Doug and I went over to my brother’s (Les & Barb) for Christmas Day supper. Leslie’s eldest son pointed out that Leslie and I were wearing matching colours. Then everyone began commenting on how much we looked alike. I don’t see it. Do you see it?? I want to point out that Leslie is ten years older than I am!!
As you can see … Doug is pretty happy with this gift! His very own SK Roughrider jacket! Some people are really spoiled. There is no “Poor Doug” here.
I love this photo of Leah … she is ripping into a present which won’t surrender to her fingernails. Eventually she did make her way through the layers of tape and wrap.
As you can see, Rhett can’t control his excitement! I’m actually afraid for his life … but he can’t wait for spring so that he can fire up this puppy and take down a few trees. You know how the story goes … first it is a chain saw … then it is a truck to haul the stuff away. 
Emily got just what she was hoping for – a new pair of mukluks. Emily has always loved mukluks and moccasins since she was a young girl. 
Rhett & Leah got a new dog about two months ago. Duke is a three year old Standard Poodle/Giant Schanauzzer cross. The introduction of Duke to Flame and Phoenix went surprisingly well. Duke is about 70 pounds to Flame and Phoenix 58 pounds.
St. Paul, Herbert – is the congregation where I travel a half hour east of Swift Current (on the Trans Canada divided highway) one day each week. I feel especially close with these folks as I have gotten to know them a bit better through visits to their homes, plus our weekly bible study. 
I wanted to highlight the altar which is lovely. This is how the altar was decorated for Christmas Eve, where I led a “Lessons & Carols” service. You’ll see numerous votives on the altar. We had so many candles lit – gradually – throughout the service that there was so much light … the True Light coming into the world!
I love the nativity set and Advent log which they used. Below is a manger which will have a baby Jesus processed to it during the service. 
I have a number of photos of St. Olaf’s. In this photo you get a sense of the size of the church – it can seat about 225 people. I find the “ceiling ribs” to be one of the church’s outstanding features. In one of my classes that focused on church architecture, these “ribs” are to remind us of the hull of Noah’s ark.
In this photo you can the rear view of the sanctuary. The attendance drops off as the winter grows more intense, after Christmas. They would like to say there is an average of 250 people attending over two services on a Sunday. My experience would suggest about 80 and 140 … but possibly the balance would be the Sunday School attendance which can be as high 30 children. Sunday School is between services. There is only a small number of children who attend the 11:00 service in terms of coming forward for the weekly children’s sermon.
Here is a photo of part of the narthex. You’ll see a room – this is the library. 
For as much as there is lots of room in the narthex, the actual fellowship hall is downstairs. If you check out the photos you will see you enter on one level, go a full flight upstairs to the sanctuary or a full flight downstairs to the Sunday School rooms, youth room, storage rooms and fellowship hall and kitchen. There is an elevator.
This isn’t a very good photo, but it is the only one that begins to show you the size of the kitchen. It is three rooms big. It is so fantastic that I can’t believe a church council listened so carefully to go to the expense of creating a highly functioning space. It is a fully commercial kitchen … and it is used a lot! Check out the photos to see the design. 
My Ontario friends might find this post a little humorous … but a significant landmark as you drive north from Swift Current on #4 Highway (towards Kyle & 2.5 hours latter- Saskatoon) … is a tree …… a lone tree ……. a tree all by its lonesome … THE Lone Tree.
Zion is the country church which is about six miles south and eight miles west of Kyle. I remember living at the country church when I was on internship in southern Ontario. There is something about country churches … atleast they seem an “oddity” for me to come over a hill and see a church in the middle of nowhere.
Zion has lovely woodwork as well. For me, seeing this large picture of Jesus reminds me of the tile mosiac of Hanover ON’s church. Their altar rail is curved and that must have challenged a very talented carpenter. 
I find Zion’s pulpit very intimidating. First it is a very slim fit … I’m not sure anyone larger than me could slide their hips into the pulpit. It also feels very high up. Comparatively speaking, St. Peter’s is much higher but Zion is a much smaller church so even if people are sitting a few rows away, I still feel like I’m towering over them. 
Zion has a cemetary directly across the road. The community area is called “White Bear” but the cemetary is called “Horse Butte.” I’m gradually learning the stories behind the names in the community. These two points have pastor-led worship services every week.
I made a point of taking a few photos as I realized you probably would be interested in seeing the churches where I lead worship. They are all decorated extra special for Christmas, so I thought I would take a few photos. 
Clearwater has lovely woodwork. You can also see that the pews are on a slight angle. They have the tradition of using royal purple instead of blue for their paraments in Advent.
I find the altar railing very interesting. You can only access the altar area from the sides. The altar is also attached to the wall. Clearwater only communes once a month. Based on our rotation schedule it has worked out that I have only presided at communion once at this church. They have a lovely office area behind the altar. It has a phone, photocopier, and sound system. Downstairs they have a kitchen open to the fellowship area. It is all very lovely.