Happy Wednesday everyone! On this edition of Wedding Wednesday I was going to tell you about another item on the wedding check list but then I changed my mind.
Our Minister, Nancy, has been under the weather lately with a cold. As well, her mother is undergoing surgeries at the Ottawa Heart Institute. In fact, today she is getting another stent put in so please say a little prayer this morning for her. So, I decided that with all the stress that Nancy was going through, it would be a good “pick me up” to tell you about this wonderful woman!
Taken from Nancy’s facebook.
Please meet Nancy, our little congregation’s student minister who has been with us for about 4 years now.
Within the first little while of our wedding planning Ryan and I never even really discussed who we would ask to be the minister on our special day. Being that we both go to church where Nancy preaches, it was just a given that we were going to ask her!
Thankfully, Nancy agreed to be one of the most important parts of our special day! For this, Ryan and I are so glad!
One of my first memories of Nancy was on a Sunday morning a few years ago. Around that time I was working at Gavan’s. Bartending on Friday/Saturday nights and not getting home till sometimes 4:00 AM. Being that church was at 10:30 AM I was struggling with being able to get up to attend after a full/late shift standing on concrete. On this particular Sunday, I was able to attend and sat in my regular pew with my parents. I guess my parents were surprised to see me and both came up to me and said: “Wow, I’m surprised to see you here.” and “What are you doing here?”
At that moment I internally knew that they were just surprised to see me after a late night working but it also made me feel guilty that I couldn’t be there more often. In a way, I felt a little attacked because they hadn’t first said “Good morning”.
Nancy had been standing near (although I didn’t see her) and heard this and without hesitation came over and said:
“Well, I am sure glad to see you here this morning Lindsay.”
That simple sentence not only made me stand up a little straighter but made me feel so loved. This woman, who at the time as practically a stranger, made me feel so loved and welcomed when at that moment I felt very down.
Ryan and I have both grown to know and love Nancy and her family. This fun, sweet, vibrant and spiritual woman who is from a large city, leads our services in our small town every week. Through her sermons she is able to touch her congregation, young and old. Nancy is the perfect person to marry Ryan and I on May 12th, 2012.
Thank you Nancy for your spiritual guidance and for being part of our special day.
xo
We all love Nancy thats for sure - Maddy is her number one fan I think! I think Maddy may become a minister when she grows up cuz she follows nancy around all the time! She is one of Nancy's "adopted grandchildren" LOL!
ReplyDeleteThinking of Nancy and family today!
Thoughts & prayers have been with Nancy since last week, for sure. We definitely all love her! I only wish we could keep her forever!!
ReplyDeleteOh, my goodness, what a surprise this was, Lindsay. Thanks so much, you really lifted my spirits. It humbles me to read such lovely thoughts. It was your Mom who said this is a match made by heaven (me & Quyon). Sundays are my favorite day of the week, as I love and adore my congregation and feel so blessed to be doing God's work together with you all. May 12 will rock all our worlds!
ReplyDeleteYes,Stacy, Maddy is definately a preacher in training! I need to get a picture of her sitting up front with me. She is my buddy and my helper. Can't you imagine her helping me marry you and Ryan, Lindsay? We have the greatest kids ever in our churches!
Jill....I feel the same way, wish I could stay forver.
Thanks for all your prayers and support, it means the world to me.
Love,
nancy
P.S. Lindsay, I actually remember that morning. I could not believe you had so little sleep and came to church looking so great!
you have me extremely curious with the term "student minister". You use it a lot and I'm extremely confused.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'll explain, Nicole.
ReplyDeleteI am not an Ordained Minister yet. I am a student in what is called a Summer/Distance program at Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Its a 5 year program and I am in 4th year. Its kind of like a Co-op program. I go to school in Halifax for six weeks in the summer, completing 3 Master's courses. In the fall & winter my courses are online. I am a half time Student Minister in The United Church of Canada. This just means that I am studying to be a minister. There are a few things I can't do, such as the civil part of weddings. I can do the religious part.
I lead worship each week at the church Lindsay's family goes to. we have 3 churches but all worship together. We alternate monthly bewtween two churches as the third is not in very good shape any more.
Hope that helps. here is a link to my school, its great! http://astheology.ns.ca/