Labour Day weekend is almost upon us.  As I write this Friday message, I do so with the knowledge that in four weeks (to the day!) I will be concluding my final day of ministry with EMUC and my final day of being on a payroll! The reality of this struck home this week as I completed all the required documents to ensure that I will begin receiving a pension from United Church of Canada in October. 

 

As I've been drawing closer to my last day of employment, I am regularly asked how I feel about my impending retirement.  Frankly, I'm not sure because I've had very little experience of 'not working'.  Like many of you, I began to work as a teenager and young adult, taking on a variety of summer jobs - camp counsellor, data entry person in a bank (to which I was totally ill-suited!) and a cook/maid at a summer estate.  

 

Once I began my theological studies in preparation for diaconal ministry, I worked as a student minister, leading youth and children's programs, directing a church summer camp program, assisting with worship and pastoral care.  At the young age of 23, I graduated from theological college and was called to my first congregation - Northminster United in Oshawa.  There, as a full-time pastoral associate, I was responsible for the Christian education programs for all ages - children through to adults.  I assisted in worship and shared pastoral care responsibilities with the other minister on staff.  It was only when I moved to Mississauga, in response to a call from Streetsville United, that I began working part-time.  And yet, truth be told, I've always found it hard to keep my work hours in check, and so in many ways, the work of ministry has always taken centre space in my life regardless of whether I've worked fulltime or part-time. 

 

Initially, in 1988, I was appointed to a part-time ministry position with EMUC; however, from 2005 until the present, I've been employed as a full-time minister with the congregation. Over the years, I've certainly enjoyed breaks from work with a wonderful sabbatical in 2012 and the gift of a month long vacation each year.  And yet, with the arrival of Labour Day at summer's end, I always knew I would return once again to the familiar rhythm of work with EMUC.

 

Finding a new rhythm for my life in the days, months and years ahead is both exciting and unsettling.  In a world where so often our identity is wrapped up in our work, who will I be now?  How will I occupy my time?  How will I continue to use my skills and gifts both to serve the communities I live in and to find purpose and meaning for my life?

 

In response to my questions, I've had helpful suggestions and advice from a number of you who are already retired.  Some of you have mentioned that it is important to take a break for a period of time before plunging into new commitments, whether they are volunteer positions or part-time work.  Like a sabbatical, a break like this offers the opportunity to move into a new rhythm; a time to dream, explore, wonder and discern where the Spirit is calling.  With that advice in mind, Al and I plan to spend much of the first month of my retirement at my family cottage in Muskoka.  We look forward to the changing colours of fall, visiting harvest fairs in the region, canoeing on Lake Rosseau and hiking some of the trails in nearby Algonquin Park.  There will be lots of time for reading, reflection and conversation as together we plan for the future.

 

Although my work with EMUC will come to an end this month, my work with Halton Presbytery will continue.  I've agreed to stay on the Executive of Halton Presbytery for nine more months as the Chair of the Education and Students Committee.  This is the committee that oversees and guides students and candidates through the vocational preparation process to ministry.  So that means I'm still committed to attending three church meetings a month! 

 

In a world where many people labour at jobs that are unfulfilling or underpaid; where many are underemployed or unemployed; where many are exploited in their work, I am indeed grateful to have been blessed with work that has been life-giving.  The work I've been given has opened and expanded my mind, heart and eyes to the many ways that God is at work in each one of us, in our communities and in the world.  The work I've been given has connected my hands with the hands of others as together we've worked to shape hope, to bring comfort and compassion, and to strengthen the bonds that build healthy relationships and communities.  The work I've been given has indeed been a blessing.

On this Labour Day weekend, it is my prayer that the God who is still at work in us will bless the work of our hands, hearts and heads and lead us as we work for justice in the workplace for all God's people.

 

A Prayer for Labour Day

God, you laboured to bring this world into being

and you labour still to create and shape life

that reflects your goodness and grace. 

O God, we are the work of your hands.

In our labours, guide our hands,

as we seek to create and shape life

that reflects your goodness and grace.

We rejoice in Jesus Christ who calls us to the

lifelong work of loving one another.

We pray for the wisdom of your Spirit

to show each one of us our particular gifts and talents

for the work that lies before us. 

O God, bless the work we do.  Amen.

  Peace, Kathy Toivanen.