August 29, 2026 From the Minister’s Study
From the Minister’s Study
August 29 th , 2026
Hello everyone!
Yes, I am back! Rested, recharged and ready to rumble with you all as we
enter into a fresh new season of ministry. The East coast was filled with
family, good food (lots of fish) and memories that will be forever etched on
all our hearts. Yet, it’s good to be home again. I like a sense of routine and
structure and I cherish our ministry here at Trinity United Church. A big
bouquet of thanks to Lynne Doyle and the Rev. Peter and Joan Wyatt for
leading the Sunday services in my absence.
This week I stood on my front step with coffee in hand (apparently coffee is
supposed to be good for cognitive function so this tea lover is trying to
slowly incorporate a cup or two when the kids make it) and watched some
leaves fall unapologetically to the ground. It was a sign.
A sign that summer is winding down and soon the school bells will be
ringing and students and teachers will be returning to their fall routines.
However, I know for our summer lovers this is not always a welcome sign.
Some want to grasp onto summer with all your might and not let it go. But,
let go we must. We have a difficult time don’t we with letting go. Here’s
what I learned. Nothing good or bad lasts forever. Writer Chip Conley says
we suffer when we confuse loving something with being able to keep it. I
will share with you a poem he has written about trying to keep things from
changing:
I suffer because I want what is leaving to stay, what is changing to remain,
what is uncertain to promise me everything will be okay.
I suffer because somewhere I got the impression the universe and I had an
agreement. Apparently, I did not read the fine print.
The Budda called it attachment.
I call it my ongoing attempt to negotiate with reality.
I grip the people I love. The body I once had. The future I imagined.
The identity that fit me three versions ago… Perhaps freedom isn’t letting
go of what matters.
It’s letting go of my demand that what matters must last.
To love the flowers knowing it will wilt.
To love the sunset without asking it to stick around.
To love this life without requiring a lifetime guarantee.
Maybe enlightenment isn’t floating serenely above it all.
Maybe it’s simply loosening my grip on finger at a time.
Tomorrow I will be speaking about the importance of paying attention to
where life has escorted us in this very moment. We are to look for the holy
in the ordinary moments of life. And like Moses we are to be aware of our
burning bush moments and know we are standing on holy ground.
A few announcements- The knitting Circle is asking everyone who has a
lap blanket for the new residents of Fairvern to kindly bring them to the
knitting group this coming Wednesday September 2 nd between 1-3 pm so
it can be counted.
Directors Meeting September 8 th at 10 am
Welcome Back to Church Sunday September 20 th – Hotdogs served up in
the Hall following our service.
In our Concerns: Will Gibson’s surgery has been bumped ahead a month
now happening on October 2 nd . September will pass quickly and then you
can look at this operation in your rear-view mirror.
Jane Booker has had her first of six chemo treatments. She was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer this summer. As you can imagine, this
came as a huge shock to she and Gord!!! They are grateful for this
community’s outpouring of support- cards, phone calls, food, and emails.
You have proven once again that love is the light that will get us through
any storm. They know they are held and that they are not alone.
The Celebration of Life Service for David Beaudry has been set for
September 8 th at 1 pm here at Trinity United Church. Thelma is going
through a storm of grief and when we met this week, she said “I loved that
man so much.” David will be remembered for his gentle manner, his smile,
his deep faith and always having a joke to brighten your day. Sharing in
your sadness Thelma and until gentler days appear relax in the arms of
those who care for you deeply.
We also are holding Nancy Alcock in our healing prayers as she grieves
the unexpected loss of her big brother Stephen who died with a massive
heart attack this summer.
In our Joys:
Chuck is on the mend enjoying canoeing at the cottage and hoping to
regain his weight loss and get back on the healthy band wagon once again.
You are missed Chuck! We wish you a complete recovery!
Desi Marie- Kanu’s fiancé got her biopsy report back- she does NOT have
cancer. Happy dance! She and Kanu are breathing a huge sign of relief.
We are too!
Betty Tuze is celebrating the arrival of another great grandchild!
Congratulations Betty on another bundle of joy and happiness!
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our world travellers bon
voyage- Karen Scamehorn, Colleen Mitchell, and Nancy Waxl! The
summer may be ending but the travelling is continuing! Travelling mercies
my friends!
And Tony Bright- you thought you were going to escape- think again!
Belated birthday wishes from me and all your friends here at Trinity. We will
be sure to sing to you in the morning if you’re here!
And speaking of singing, many of us were saddened by the news of Dolly
Parton’s death this week. She was a bright light in a world caught in
division and difference. Her smile, songs, and stories were magnetic and
hopeful. As a tribute to Dolly, you will hear her “Coat of Many Colours”
sung as our postlude tomorrow. If you don’t know the backstory of this
song, may I suggest you Google it. It will bring a deeper appreciation and
meaning to this song.
Please do what you can to help the survivors of the horrific mudslides in
Nepal. I could not believe the news footage as the waves savagely
gobbled up entire buildings and communities and people were literally
washed away. It was like watching a Hollywood movie except it wasn’t. It
was sadly very real.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow and joining our minds
and hearts in celebrating God’s presence together. If you have a joy or
concern you would like me to share in the morning, please send me an
email before 8 pm this evening.
Walking this spiritual road together,
With Christ’s light and love,
Rev. Diane
