Hearts on Fire
My heart was strangely warmed this week, maybe more than once, but let me share this one time. At Trinity, we lost a wonderful, long-time parishioner. Ron McNutt had literally just had his 91st birthday when he was found dead. It appears he died as he lived, loved and contented. The point was brought home to me when in conversation with the funeral home, I was told that recently a note had been added to his funeral instructions, that said, “If the music festival is on at Trinity when I die, my funeral can happen in the chapel of the funeral home.” You see, Ron was proud of Trinity, proud of the role it plays as a festival venue, and delighted to see young people have the chance to sing and play their instruments within those walls. For Ron, providing a space for community to gather was part of his mission. I was indeed touched by his instructions and my heart was strangely warmed.
Of course, every participant and volunteer and teacher who participates in the New Glasgow Music festival making this annual event possible is a local hero, but on Thursday night there was something really special. The local music teachers decided to have at least one collaborative piece, so the students could feel the joy of singing as a large group and leave their competition aside. It was brilliant! (An amateur video is posted on the Trinity Facebook page if you want to listen). Over 65 students worked together to make music and it filled that space with the best possible energy. That they got a gold award was secondary to making the music happen. In a time where values seem to be shifting and it might not be cool to be in the choir, I think this event was essential. Ron would have loved it. What a privilege to provide a space for this to happen!
Over the course of my ministry, I’ve had the joy of knowing so many wonderful people who have given so much of their time and energy and resources for the good of community. They’ve peeled the apples and made the pies. They’ve painted the walls and counted the offering. They’ve joined the choir and engaged our children. They’ve supported food banks and soup kitchens and bought oil for heating people’s homes. They have opened our community to immigrants and tried to make their lives better. They are the church.
Church sometimes gets a bad rap. Folks forget that churches are made up of flawed humans, who are loved, despite their shortcomings, imperfections and ability to engage in conflict. Some followers are able to put their faith into words, some of them just know church matters to them, some of them, like the travelers on the road to Emmaus, know the risen Christ when he breaks bread with them. All of them matter.
Each of those expressions of faith help to provide a pillar in our community. I was asked recently where I thought our church would be in ten years, because, you know, Ron was not the only one in his 90’s. I can’t really answer that question, but I am trying to imagine the community without the care, attention, and outreach of our local churches. The picture I conjure up is a picture less than the one I see on a regular basis. Church is different than it was even 5 years ago, but still my heart is strangely warmed when I see the Risen Christ among us, in people who share their faith as they are able, and in music, and students and music teachers, and supporters. Together we are better. A faith for today continues to need folks like Ron, where his love of service and support is not separate for the rest of his life, or death.
Rev. Donna Tourneur works among the folks at Trinity United Church and in the Town of New Glasgow.