Remembrances of Hero's PAst

I want to begin with a note of clarification from last week’s edition.  In discussing my struggles with my shoulder, I mentioned that to add insult to injury I was unable to drive my new car.  To clarify it was a reflection of not having the pleasure of driving my new car due to the condition of my shoulder.  I should have added that I was very grateful that I had Lorna to drive me to all my appointment that have had to attend for treatment.  I am able to do some of the driving now but continue to appreciate sharing it with Lorna, especially the longer trips (she does have some reservations about my driving ability at the best of times but more so now with the physical challenges).

This week I want to reflect on Remembrance Day.  I have served as the chaplain for our local chapter 341 of the Legion since I came to Parkhill as Rector of the Anglican Church.  It has been a tradition that the Anglican priest serve that function.  When I retired from parish ministry I thought I should retire from that position as well.  My resignation was not accepted so I still fulfil the chaplain’s duties on Remembrance Day.  It has always been one of the most meaningful duties I have had as a parish priest. 

Usually the services on Remembrance Day involve an assembly at the local high school in Parkhill followed by the service at the cenotaph at the eleventh hour.  There is a lunch at the Legion for members which is followed by another service at the cenotaph at Lieury, a nearby community which is not marked only by a road sign, a few houses and a playing field.     The services this year did not follow the usual pattern as Remembrance Day fell on Saturday.  Consequently, the assembly at the high school was held on Friday.  I have always been very impressed with the amount of effort that has gone into these assemblies each year.  They are often different in focus but always done with sincerity and much planning and well executed by the students.  This year’s edition was undertaken by the grade nine students with the results being heartfelt and heartwarming if not as polished as other years when senior students took the lead. 

An interesting, if rather sad note, one of the Legion members noted that when he was in grade nine at the school the grade nine cohort numbered 240.  That would probably have been in the 1970’s.  Now the total student enrollment in the school is less than 200 and has been dropping for years.  The school has had the specter of closure hanging over it for a while and will probably close in the next few years unless something changes.  That would be a significant loss to the community.

The Remembrance Day services were moving as usual.  The weather was cold but with no precipitation and all went well.  I do find the day to be moving important in the life of this community and Canada.  When the day falls on a week day the children from the elementary schools (there is a Roman Catholic school in town) attend which swell the numbers.  The were noted in their absence this year but the ceremony was well attended by the communities in both places.

The final part in the Remembrance Day events was a concert to commemorate Remembrance Day by the South Huron Community Choir under the direction of Richard Heinzle.  This choir is based in the neighbouring community of Exeter.  The concert was entitled ‘Be At Peace’ an was comprised of a variety of compositions and included pieces preformed by the hand-bells.  The guest artist was wonderful oboist Katrina Lisa Liddell.  We attended with two friends from our church in Grand Bend and it was a moving, inspiring evening.  

We will remember them.

Church Choirs and Church Fathers

Our Diocesan Bishop, Robert Bennett was with us at St. John’s by-the-Lake yesterday.  He did not “visit” us because it is the Bishop’s church as are all churches in the Diocese—actually the church is the body of Jesus Christ until his return.  However, I had what might be described as having the morning off because Bishop Bob presided and preached.  I acted as a combination of parade marshal and master of ceremony.  As it turned out that was more than enough and by the time we returned home I felt I had put in a full day’s work.  We were joined by parishioners from the other two congregations in our Regional Ministry, Trivitt Memorial, Exeter and St. Anne’s, Port Franks. 

The Choir from Trivitt and their director Richard Heinzle joined us.  Richard combined with our music director, John Adams and they did a great job.  The choir was augmented by some singers from St. John’s (including Lorna and me).  In addition there was a musical offering by Darrell Wiebe, a St. John's parishioner.  It was a good celebration which marked the last visit of Bishop Bob as he has announced his retirement in November. 

Speaking of things choral, Lorna and I attended a choir workshop on Saturday.  It was held at Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich.  The workshop was led by Rachel Rensink-Hoff who did a wonderful job of engaging us in vocal exercises and singing.  Although she is relatively young (which is a moving target as I age) she is very good at working with senior voices.  I came away realizing how much I could work on in my singing and regretting I didn’t take my singing voice more seriously in recent years.  I think I have been resting a bit on my vocal laurels for some time now (and don’t talk to me about my ability or lack thereof, of sight reading music). 

Knox Presbyterian Church is a very interesting place.  It is a great example of modern church architecture from the 1950’s and has some interesting features such as individual seats with arm rests—although they were firmly anchored to the floor.  The worship space was expansive with a high ceiling.  Unfortunately there is no picture of the worship space on their web site that I can share with you.   It was rather impressive—but not in sync with my traditional Anglican sensibilities.  One interesting feature was the gallery of past and present ministers of the church.  These go back to 1835 or there about.   All the ministers up to the 1960’s had facial hair—beards, mutton chops or at least mustaches.   Needless to say they were all white men (fortunately given the facial hair).  Their expressions were  uniformly stern to say the least—okay they were downright grim and their faces would have broken if they smiled.  I’m sure any gallery of Anglican Rectors covering the same period would have fit right in.  It gives an indication of what “church’ was like ion those day—a very serious business with great concern with hell and damnation and hopefully salvation—of course definitely on their terms.  I am rather glad that aspect of church life has changed for the better, as least from my perspective.   Remember to keep on the sunny side of life and that God loves us. Blessings,