Church

I travelled the road to Saskatoon this past weekend.  Parts were slippery.  But the car was stable and there was little traffic.

Yesterday, a teen by the name of Adam Hamel covered the same patch of ashphalt near Kindersley.  Parts were slippery.  But one particular vehicle crossed his path. 

He died last night.  

Today the town is in mourning.

Although I did not know Adam personally, a number of our church youth did.  Parents have found time to spend with their teens – to be a sounding board and to counsel in the grieving process. 

I suppose the unexpected turns in life are never pleasant.  Nor are they easily explained.  I do not envy the place of parents or counselors in times like this.  A listening ear goes a long way.

I wonder, how would you explain a split second – where one half of the second is life giving and the other half is not?

Ran across one of those traditions that you like to hear about!

Pretzels were a food for the Lenten season – a time of fasting and abstaining.  Even today, some European countries reserve the making of pretzels for the Lenten season.  They are formed in such a way that they remind us of praying.  In the early centuries the posture of prayer was one of crossing the arms on the chest – much like the shape of a pretzel.

So, pretzels it is!  Our next trip I’ll put them on the seat beside me.  And as I munch, maybe my wife will be praying – for my driving!!

In preparation for a group meeting today, I did some research on St. Patrick’s day.

The quiz I created stumped a few people!  No one got all the right answers.

Here’s a sample:

• What was St. Patrick’s given name?  Maewyn Succot.
• How long did he do missionary work?  30 years.
• When date did he die?  March 17, 461 AD.

If you got any of those right without looking — you deserve a medal (or you were at our meeting!).

So here’s some more questions – write a comment if you know the answer!

• What is the language of Ireland?
• What is the color for St. Patrick’s day – and what does it symbolize?

Sometimes you just need a day off! 

For a pastor, that tends to come in the middle of the week.  Never on a Sunday!  Unless you are holidaying! 

We were scheduled for a weekend in Winnipeg.  Attending a wedding. 

Then an unexpected death and a funeral service.  Our planned trip was cancelled.  As far as funerals go, this was one where the destiny was sure, and thus the service was a joy to officiate.

Since the Sunday service was already arranged, we decided to head to Saskatoon immediately following the Saturday funeral luncheon.  Our Bible quizzing team was there and we visited with them in the evening.  Then Sunday morning we headed to a church that was in the middle of “40 Days of Community.”  By Sunday night we were back in Kindersley.

Better is one day – than none at all.