Where in the World is Rev. Alison?
Rev Alison Mock
Dear YKUC Friends:
Hello from Whitehorse! Despite this post-Easter time being noted on my schedule as a “down South” period, it’s turned into a time of travel, research, and renewal. I’ve been in Whitehorse for the last few days visiting with our friend Bev Brazier. She’s as gracious a host as you can imagine, and she and I always have a great time sharing a space. My requirements as a tourist are somewhat unconventional, and one of the highlights of my trip so far has been touring Heritage North Funeral Home and taking copious notes from the funeral director about their customs. Then, together with a friend of hers, Bev and I are co-hosting a Death Cafe later today at Normandy Living, a seniors’ facility nearby. I keep asking her to take me to the cemetery, but that might have to wait until the snow melts!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of worshipping with the people of Whitehorse United Church, and was introduced to the fabulous community at work there. I also got to see (and hear!) the trumpeter swans on McClintock Bay, who looked pretty cold since there is only a tiny bit of open water (Whitehorse had a pretty cold winter, just like Yellowknife). Tomorrow, I’m hitting the road and exploring Haines Junction and maybe even venturing a little ways into Kluane National Park. All of this is just my first taste of the Yukon. I can’t wait to return here in July for the Whitehorse Worship Arts Festival & Contemplative Retreat, which will be fantastic continuing education for me (and by extension, for you!)
I’m leaving Whitehorse Thursday at dawn, on my way to Grande Prairie for RegionConnect, a gathering of Northern Spirit Regional Council. After a 24 hour stop in Vancouver to visit our son Alex (and celebrate the end of his second year at UBC), I’m meeting up with two other members of the NRSC Pastoral Relations Commission, on which I began serving in January. RegionConnect will happen at St. Paul’s United Church in GP, and will feature sessions about collaborative ministries, ministry & personnel issues, and the current United Church of Canada visioning project, Towards 2035. I expect to come home with some good ideas about the future.
I’ve also been making the rounds, church-wise. Last week, I worshipped at ClearView Christian Reformed Church in Oakville (one of my professors at Tyndale University is the lead pastor there), and was touched by the worship as they celebrated Friendship Sunday. Friendship Ministries is a network of intentional communities for folks with developmental disabilities and differences, which seeks to include and lift up the spiritual gifts of every ability through music, art, drama, dance, and prayer. Members of ClearView’s Friendship Club presided over every minute of the service, and it was powerful and spirit-filled. After spending yesterday at Whitehorse UC, and next Sunday at St. Paul’s GP, I’ll go “home” to Erindale United to spend mother’s day with my Mom. Then, I’ll be back at Yellowknife in-person on May 17th.
It’s been a good and full spring so far. In case you missed yesterday's service, the sermon is available here:
https://youtu.be/oUTe8fDVarE?si=7FI_lC5kutKA3Spe
I look forward to reconnecting in a couple of weeks, and in the meantime, enjoy the melt!
Blessings,
Alison