June 11th - Pastoral Pondering

This spring in Edmonton has been a bit of a roller coaster.  We have a few glorious sunny days that are even warm, then the clouds roll in and the rains come, and come, and come.  Then the cycle repeats.  Our weather reminds me of the rhythm of life with highs and lows, peaks and valleys, joys and sorrows.

Last Sunday we celebrated Pride Sunday and it was truly a mountain top, joyful experience.  The joy continued to flow as towards the end of our worship service we held a “Ceremony of Re-Naming” for AJ Christian Janewski, a transgender male who grew up in this church as Amy.  It was a moving experience to acknowledge how AJ has grown and transformed in the midst of the support of this congregation, and how the church has grown and changed because of AJ.  There were even a few tears of joy shed on Sunday.

Early Tuesday morning, June 9, the Rev. Dale Irving passed away in the hospice unit at St. Joseph’s Auxiliary Hospital with Sharon by his side.  Dale was a much loved minister here at Mill Woods United from July 2000 to June 2008.  Within the last year he and Sharon have returned as participants in this community of faith, and have been warmly welcomed.  Towards the end of June, Dale hosted the retired ministers’ luncheon here at MWUC where he noted that he was struggling with pain in his back.  By mid-May, Dale was admitted to the hospital and eventually diagnosed with terminal cancer.  His rapid decline and death comes as a huge shock to his family, his friends and to this community of faith.  Many of us are deeply touched with sadness and sorrow at Dale’s passing.

Peaks and valleys, joy and sorrow: this week we are experiencing the roller coaster highs and lows of life.  And in the midst of all of this we celebrate with AJ, and we hold Sharon and Dale’s children in our hearts and prayers as they enter a season of grief.  Today we give thanks for the gift of AJ Christian Janewski and the way he has touched and blessed this community.  And we give thanks for the gift of Dale Irving and the ways he has served, touched and blessed this community of faith.

Shalom,

The Rev. Dr. Dale W. Johnson