On June 12th we observed the Day of Pentecost and intertwined that major festival with our Volunteer Appreciation Day. It turned out to be a fruitful combination and we were much appreciative that several people shared the stories of their “behind the scenes” volunteering at the church with us. To them, to all our (more than 60) church volunteers (a.k.a. “baptismal ministers”), we offered a deep “Thank You!” The service ended with a shift in focus, reminding us that our “volunteer” ministries are not only in or for the church, but in all our daily life and in service of God’s mission in the world. We were all sent out equipped with bags of wild-flower seeds that the Spirit might blow us to new “mission fields” and that we might be planted, promoting new growth everywhere we go! The testimonials of those “behind the scenes” ministries appear below. May their witness inspire us and help us to see all our lives as the place where God calls us to serve.
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As many of you know, I have been volunteering as the Gardener at the Church of the Incarnation since the building opened ten years ago. When we started, the land around the church was like an empty palate. It was very exciting to be part of building a garden. I have had many helpers over the years who have all worked together on our plan, which was to work with native Canadian plants which would be, when possible, drought tolerant.
We started with very little financial help, but lots of donations from parishioners’ gardens got us going. We were also lucky to be able to purchase many native shrubs very reasonably from a sale at Mississauga Conservation. I have planted many trees over the years but most notable are the three donated trees: a cut-leaf sumac in memory of Graeme Moffat, a red maple in memory of Ian Grieve, and a donated serviceberry from Elva Hollinsworth.
Our major project last fall was the removal of the very invasive buckthorn trees from the small woodlot by our parking lot entrance. Our team of Winkie Macdougall, Paul Logan and Bruce MacNaughton spent several days with me, cutting, bundling and spreading chips. It is continuing to be a difficult work-in-progress, but several new native species have been planted.
Working in nature is a very spiritual occupation for me. I find beauty in nearly every living thing and actually even regret pulling up weeds! I also love worms!
I am usually at the church garden every Thursday morning and encourage anyone with some spare time to come on over and enjoy some time outdoors in God’s world.
- Ann MacNaughton
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Looking back (as most people of mature age do), I see my life as being 4 phases related to the word “volunteer”.
Phase One – was a “non volunteer” phase.
The first 16 years of my life, I was blessed by having wonderful parents and friends, a great opportunity to obtain an education, and a great community (
St. Lambert, Quebec), that offered all the maturing opportunities that a young lad could ask for.
Phase Two – was a period of being a volunteer as described in Webster 1980. I quote “a person who of his own free will offers the state his services in a military capacity without the stipulation of a substantial reward”. During this 16 year phase I served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, primarily as a pilot flying long range heavy transport aircraft. Needless to say, the financial rewards were not substantial, however, the “lessons learned” and “friendships” will hopefully last a lifetime.
Phase Three- was a period of being a volunteer as further described in Webster, I quote “a person who enters into any service of his own free will”. During this 42 year period, I was largely self-employed and most recently a small business owner, struggling to look after the welfare of my wife, myself, and up to 50 employees. No complaints because I did it “of our own free will”
Phase Four – Webster defines the word “voluntaryism” a noun, as (the principal of supporting religion by voluntary effort and association” I guess that I now meet that criteria, and hope that I may be blessed by the Lord to be given another 16 years to “give back” for the first 16 years.
- Mac Morrison
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My job has been to be Coordinator for both the Newcomer and the Casseroles for Crazy Days committees.
After being contacted by Terry or the wardens, I arrange for, or bring a welcome package of homemade soup and bread to newcomers, or a meal to families undergoing stress - perhaps a new baby or going through tough times.
Often the food is home-made, but it doesn't need to be. I'm sure that although the food is appreciated, it must be encouraging to know that the church family cares when times are tough.
It's a great job because I have lots of wonderful people helping me!
I'm sure we all feel for those going through stressful times, so it feels good to be able to offer a little comfort with food even though we aren't necessarily able to solve whatever is challenging.
If anyone would like to be part of the committee, please let me know (905-825-3964). There is no specific obligation to help at a certain time. Sometimes when I call, the committee member isn't able to help, and that is fine. I simply call the next person on the list. I like the flexibility that this type of work allows us to have.
- Kathy Howse
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I was asked, why I volunteer.
After thinking about it, I think there are two general reasons. First I feel I am helping others, and second I think there is an element of helping myself. It can be a simple as me feeling good about helping others. I have been volunteering at church over the years, generally in areas where I think I can contribute, from parish council, to warden, to teaching church school. But lately, because I have some knowledge of how this building works and some of the history of the building, I have been contributed on the Building and Property team where I think I can make a difference.
While volunteering, I have met and got to know a lot of people, often with a similar desire to help. I also have volunteered in other areas, and specifically many may know another passion of mine, and that is helping youth through the Scouting organization, which is where I am this weekend.
I believe recognition of volunteers is important such as this volunteer recognition event. I hope this type of event will be a good platform for recognizing many volunteers in the church, and if it encourages some to volunteer or some to volunteer more, that would help, as there is always more to be done around here then there are volunteers to do it.
- Tom Birchall
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A few years ago I was asked if I would take on the task of proof-reading the hymns that are printed in the bulletin.
Church bulletin typos have a long and rich tradition. My British parents continued to subscribe to Punch magazine long after they moved to Canada, and I delighted in the column that printed real life typos from the parishes of the isle. My all time favourite, the one which advertised the sale of gently used women’s clothing read:” Ladies cast off clothes in the basement after service”.
The music committee chooses the weekly hymns and sends this list to Angela. She types them up and sends them to me for proofing before publishing the bulletin. Rarely is there a mistake but it can sometimes occur. I’m not sure how the title of the famous hymn of St Francis about peace slipped past both of us under the heading “Make me a channel of your peach”, but those of us who noticed it enjoyed a chuckle. A sense of humour is surely a gift of the spirit.
Thru this process of weekly email communication with Angela, our friendship with one another has grown. I know when she is going to Montreal to visit her family, and she knows when and where I’ll be hiking. Last year her family visited France in the spring, and that trip sparked the start of our communicating in French- a stretch for me who last spoke French in Grade 13.
Another behind the scenes music related task I perform is to sit as member of the music selection committee. You can check with Terry and Charlene, but I’m quite sure that very few churches have music selection committees- the music choices are almost always made by the choir director or the clergy person. From the time I joined this parish, there has been a concerted effort to have the music reflect both the theme of that day’s worship as well as theology of our community. We meet every 6 weeks or so, and after discussing what the worship group has planned for the upcoming season, we read the bible passages assigned for each Sunday. We try our best to choose hymns whose language is inclusive -both when describing human kind and God. I firmly believe that how we speak shapes how we act and live in the world. If we say that we can kill 2 birds with one stone, do we become complacent about killing? What if we tried to feed 2 birds from 1 feeder instead? When we preach a theology of a loving, forgiving, tender God who walks beside us in our troubles we don’t want to sing about the all powerful king, sitting on his throne ready for battle. We also try to select a mix of older and newer hymns, so that we can honour our Anglican tradition as well as hear the gospel story thru new words and tunes. It is my prayer that the theology of inclusiveness that we proclaim here each Sunday permeates my daily life.
- Susan Curran
