Intern Ministry Covenanting Service: Presentation of Stole

Jane Forner has made a gorgeous stole, with the symbol of an arbutus tree, for celebrating my faith journey with the Chemainus United Church congregation. At the end of the Covenanting, Gloria and Lana put this gorgeous, unique and beautiful stole on me. 

In addition, the words spoken by Gloria and Lana were so touching, enough to make me marveled by the spirit delivered as well as the words. I quite couldn't believe what I was hearing from these two wonderful, spiritual women. It was truly a blessing, just a complete and stunningly affirmative blessing. 

GLORIA

TOGETHER WE GIVE THANKS TO OUR LOVING GOD FOR SENDING US THE GIFT OF HA NA PARK.

HA NA CAME AT A TIME WHEN WE WERE IN SUCH DIRE NEED AS A CONGREGATION,…. ONLY GOD KNEW THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS TIME WHILE SOME OF US DOUBTED HOW A YOUNG WOMAN, A BRAND NEW GRADUATE FROM THE VANCOUVER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY COULD TAKE US ALL ON. BUT HA NA DID JUST THAT…. JOYFULLY BURSTING THROUGH THE PAST 16 OR SO MONTHS WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADING HER. 

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL AND BLESSED STORY WE HAVE ALL WITNESSED. 

THANK YOU HA NA AND OUR MOST MERCIFUL GOD WHO CREATED YOU.

LANA

IT IS WITH SUCH JOY WE NOW PRESENT YOU WITH THIS PRECIOUS STOLE THAT TRULY REPRESENTS SO MUCH OF WHO YOU ARE. 

WE WISH YOU TO WEAR IT KNOWING THE LOVE AND ADMIRATION IT HOLDS IN EVERY STITCH CREATED FOR YOU. 

WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TRULY EARNED IT WHILE WORKING HERE AT CHEMAINUS UNITED AS OUR SUPPLY MINISTER WHICH INCLUDES YOUR INTERSHIP YEAR.  

OUR LOVING PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAYS. 

Ken Shared this:

"We had a great day: important occasion; well done ceremony.

Congratulations to you. I can only guess how hard you have had to work to make this dream into reality. I celebrate the opportunity to be involved in it."

Feedback from a church member
Such a beautiful service today, so many holy moments to embrace, and a good turn-out too.

David shared this wonderful description of arbutus bark:

Arbutus bark

I am delighted to know that Ha Na loves the arbutus tree. Rooted in thin soil along rocky ledges above seashore forest edges, its outstretched branches reach for sunlight and our attention. Whenever I encounter an arbutus, I marvel at its unique shape from trunk to outstretched branches which wind their way through the coastal forest canopy. I delight in the chestnut-red bark as it sheds every year, and its smooth, green-tan bark that submits to lovers who declare their heart’s desire. This is a God-inspired tree; we cannot grow its seed, do not know the finite elements of soil, mineral, sunlight and warmth and water that swell the seed and send a shoot into the warm, morning light. I know this tree -the emblem of her covenant stole- will strengthen her spirit in the days ahead.