Symbols of ministry

As I approach retirement, I am often asked if I am counting the days. I don’t have to, the Church is! Hmmm.

Next weekend, a number of us United Church people will be travelling to Sackville, N.B., for our Annual Conference. It is a time to renew old friendships and to make new ones. It is a time to attend to the business of the Church in the Maritime Provinces.

In preparation for this event and as a retiree, I have been asked to write up a short biography of my ministry over the years and to bring a symbol of my ministry. So, I began writing my biography. It was most challenging because, as I wrote, I also found myself falling asleep, a lot. So, I changed the focus and filled the re-write with oneliners and running gags. I ended the piece with a wonderful line. I said, “I am retiring because of health reasons. The people of St. Paul are sick of me!” I wonder what the reader will think of my ministry after reading that biography!

Now, for a symbol of my ministry. I asked around the Church what I should take. They suggested my yellow bag. I have a yellow bag from which I produce my props for the Children’s Story-time in Church. It’s one of my favourite moments in worship. But, it is only a bag.

I thought for a moment, which is always frightening, and came up with something else. A number of years ago, my daughter went to Disneyland and brought back a pair of Mickey Mouse gloves. When she was throwing them out, I procured one. I put a handle on it and call it, “my handbag.” Inside I put a couple of clown noses, one red and the other blue, for I am from Nova Scotia, after all. It should be an interesting time.

All of this reflection has got me thinking about ministry. If you had to do what I did, what would you write and what symbol would you offer? There are so many people who make this world a better place simply by offering their gifts of ministry. They may not think it’s ministry, but for the receiver of their grace, it is of God. Each of us has a talent for doing ministry. Some are more prominent sharing their gifts, but all come from the same Spirit. There are many different gifts of the Spirit, and they all come from the one God.

When I toured Israel, just about every building we entered had an archway entrance. The most important part of the arch is the central stone at the peak. It is called the keystone. Without that little stone, the whole structure would collapse. When we get right down to it, the keystone of all our ministries is Jesus Christ. Without him in our lives, where would we be and what would we be doing?

Many people wear crosses as a symbol of Jesus with them, some carry the poem, Cross in My Pocket, but no matter the symbol, it is Christ who is central to our faith. In my office is a wonderful depiction of my faith. It is a picture of Jesus laughing. What image of Christ are you portraying? May the Christ bring joy into every life you touch and may others see the Christ in what we do and say. God bless you all.