The Guiding Light

Last Friday the longest running American soap opera came to an end.   “The Guiding Light,” which began on radio in 1937 and then moved to television, broadcast  its final episode the day before yesterday, after 72 years on the air.  The title of the show goes back to one of the characters, a minister who kept a light burning in his study 24/7, to guide to his door those seeking advice or consolation.

Developments over the summer will mean that our hours of operation here at the Good Shepherd, although not 24/7, will nevertheless come closer to those of the minister on that early broadcast.

Up until now I have only been available, on a regular basis, between services on Sunday.  This was because my appointment here is part-time, and I had other responsibilities.  In September 1997 my predecessor, Bill Linley, wrote in the Bulletin: 

It is ironic to read these words 12 years later!  Last June I learned that I would have to vacate my office at the University, and my relocation to the church was completed last Sunday.  Despite the disruption and emotional upheaval over leaving the office where I have worked for 13 years, I believe it will be a very positive step, both for me and for the church.

Nowadays it is rare to place a telephone call and hear a human voice (rather than a recorded message) at the other end.  A few days ago I was sitting in my office and the phone rang.  The caller had moved recently into the area and was inquiring about church services.  Since she was talking to a live human being, we were able to introduce ourselves to each other, and I could personally welcome the caller to the Good Shepherd.  She was here at the 10:30 service last Sunday.  Would she have come if all she had gotten was the recorded message, “Sunday services are at 8 and 10:30” ?

On another day I was here when the horticultural society was holding its meeting in the auditorium.  The person who had brought this group to the church was the daughter of a long-standing parishioner who had died last summer on her way to a nursing home in Ottawa.    I told her daughter of my bereavement, the loss of my younger brother on July 30, and we had the opportunity to console each other.  Neither of these things would have happened if I had not been forced to leave my office at the University.  Now that my office, my only office is here, I am making it my office, and not just a place to hang my hat and store my vestments.

Next week our church is making an all-out effort to bring back those who have gone missing.  There are many factors which have contributed to the Anglican Church of Canada losing 53% of its membership in 50 years.  I believe that a friendly, welcoming community can do something to reverse this, and I hope that my presence here in the church on a more frequent basis may be a helpful contribution.