Part 2 Day 4

Today we walked another 19kms. I have to say that my feet were hurting after about 10 of them. The good news is that after our lunch stop things improved. Trevor’s new sneakers have worked well for him, but Rob Marsh managed to blister his toe. That is one of the problems of wearing new socks on a long walk.

This afternoon we arrived safely in Bloomfield and once again received a very warm welcome from everyone here. There was a great potluck supper followed by Compline. There are people here who I have known since I arrived in Canada. One in particular was a member of the first evening class I ever taught at Taylor College. What was supposed to be a year long program lasted for 2 years. I am amazed that they all stuck it.

At the back of the church here they have, as do many others, photographs of the past rectors of the parish. Such things always remind me that ministry continues, and congregations still gather to worship and serve God, over many generations. Amongst the pictures here one stands out - Canon William Hart. Canon Hart was here for more than forty years. Stories abound about him and some members of his family still live in the area.

What Canon Hart reminds me of is the need for consistent service over many years. He was able to take initiatives, such as the development of the local woodlot owners association, because he knew the area and saw a need. In many ways he was being missional long before anyone even knew what that was. He was merely playing the role God had for him.

This lays the challenge before all of us. How to we remain committed to our communities through all seasons in order to affect them for the good? Unless we can continue to be of service to God and others, we will be seen as more and more irrelevant to the lives of those around us.

David