By Hannah Elich
When I first arrived at St. Aidan it was after 11 semesters of Undergraduate study, separated by 5 summer terms of ministry. I was really tired. And the church that I had been attending prior to coming here, seemed to exacerbate that fatigue. I came one Sunday with a friend of mine and immediately felt a difference in church experience. I was invited to enter into the process of the liturgy and the Eucharist. But beyond that there was a freedom to simply be. And it was that freedom to simply be, that gave me a wonderful peace in existing here. I wasn't required to lead. I wasn't required to teach. I was just invited to be.
As we entered into this interim time, I wasn't really worried. Not that I had been here long enough to warrant being worried, but I felt very safe in the hands of deacon Arlene and our wardens Ross and Carla and I knew that this interim time wasn't going to be an issue. As a Briercrest student I had been led through the Church calendar by Father Cal for four years, and was thrilled to be stepping back under his leadership. It was amazing to watch each member of the congregation, each leader, each member of the vestry, view this period as an opportunity to serve in a very intentional manner. And so while we are beyond excited to welcome Dean and the Pinter family, I think this period allowed for a measure of growth that never might have been possible otherwise. So I thank you for the example of Christ-like service that has been shown. It has been an extreme blessing.
