As I looked at pictures from Wittenberg, Germany in preparation for Reformation Sunday, I was reminded of the privilege I have had of meeting people from all over the world.  At the Luther Seminar in 2017, I met Lutheran pastors from around the globe.  My roommate was from Mozambique.  I learned from her and from others both the joys and the challenges of ministry in different contexts.  I still hold all of these colleagues in my prayers.

            I have also had the privilege of traveling to the Holy Land twice, and taking courses at St. George’s College in Jerusalem.  The people I have encountered there have been both clergy and lay people – mostly Anglican – from as far away as Fiji, and New Zealand, and Australia.

            The people that I first met at St. George’s have led to two other trips – one to New Zealand, and one to St. John’s, Newfoundland.  In each case, I was able to connect with Anglican clergy that I had met in Jerusalem – in one case, attending a mission conference, and in the other case, celebrating the Eucharist in an Anglican church in St. John’s.  I have also had people I met at St. George’s come and visit me in Winnipeg.

            When it comes to travels, I also think about the people I have met from Switzerland – one family whom I met in St. Albert, AB, and the Haab’s, who were here at St. Luke’s Zion.  Not only have I been able to visit Switzerland, but I have also been part of two weddings there – one as the officiant, and one as a guest.

            Of course, there was also the trip to Cameroon in 2016, which was definitely hard work rather than a pleasure trip.  There were both joys and frustrations, as well as a fair bit of culture shock.  We got to meet people with a strong and vibrant faith – many of whom face regular challenges to have enough to survive.

            This continues to be a challenging relationship, both for myself and for the MNO Synod.  I am often in touch with ordained women from Cameroon who are without a call to a parish and have no idea when they might have an income again (or a parish!).  There are also the cultural differences that sometimes make communication difficult – as well as the challenge of communicating in French.  Still, we strive to accompany one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

            I would not have had these same opportunities without serving in ordained ministry, or without the support of the congregation of St. Luke’s Zion.  Each time I have traveled somewhere, it means time away from the parish.  The longest stretches away have been sabbaticals – which are life-giving for pastors but also challenging for congregations.  At the same time, I may not have been able to continue in ministry without having sabbatical time to recharge.

            Revelation describes the multitude that is “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9).  There really are brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world, and I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know some of them!

            In Christ,

            Pastor Lynne Hutchison