girltheology

Greetings all,
If you find yourself on this list, it is because you were in my address book and I thought you might like to receive news about my internship year in Alsask, Saskatchewan. Should you not want to receive group emails from me, or if your name has somehow been entered twice, please let me know as soon as possible so I can correct that for you. Don't worry - I won't be offended if you'd rather communicate one on one - that just works better for some people. Likewise, if you know someone who'd like to get this who isn't, please let me know about that too.
I left Vancouver after a frustrating season of fishing. Even with the most positive outlook it has been hard not to feel devastated by the decisions of those in power at DFO. My supervisor at my internship site called and we negotiated a later start date for me - 1) so I could have more time at home, and 2) so they could try and finish their wheat harvest before chruch started up again. They are anxious to spend time visiting and learning about the similarities in the fishing and farming industries. Just from the short talks we've had, it seems that they fight a lot of the same bureaucratic, regulatory and market forces that we fight in the fishing industry on the coast.
Anyways - I got under way with my mom's friend Kathleen Schelle on Sunday, September 4. We had a lovely drive up the Coquihalla, Rogers Pass and Kicking Horse Pass, hung a left at the Icefield Parkway and drove up to Saskatchewan River Crossing. We stopped at Siffleur Park and sat around a campfire with friends of Kathleen's and then headed off to their lovely place in Rocky Mountain House where we spent the night. Kathy stayed on their with them, and I got a late start in the morning to drive the rest of the way to Saskatchewan by myself. Sunday's drive was LONG, and I was so grateful for that, because it meant I only had 5 hours to drive on my on on Monday. I arrived in Alsask just before 5pm SK time. I arrive to warm greetings from my next door neighbour Florence, and my supervisor and her granddaughter in my house throwing a casserole in the oven and putting the kettle on for tea.
I love my house! I live in a 3 bedroom (now two bedroom and a home office) duplex (the family who lived next door recently left Alsask, so it's empty) with a fenced in back yard. My next door neighbour is the best quilter in Alsask, and so I was wise in choosing to bring my newfound quilting hobby with me. I am the 14th consecutive intern to serve in Alsask, and they love to have interns come and train here as part of their mission. Officially it is a three point pastoral charge, but the church in Marengo has closed, so there are two preaching points - my services are at 10am in Alsask, and 1:30 pm in Loverna every Sunday. When the weather gets cold and unsuitable for long drives, those in Loverna who want to worship will come to Alsask, and so the dead of winter will bring only one service a week. I've yet to go to Loverna, but the church in Alsask is darling. If any of you have been to Quadra Island United, it reminds me of that church (without the fishing-themed stained glass, however!). It's a small church, which explains why the church office is at the home of my supervisor, and my office is here at home.
The town of Alsask is rapidly becoming a ghost town, as has Loverna. The school is a quaint little brick building behind my house and it is completely boarded up. The children go to Marengo for school. There are two commercial buildings open (post office and a petro company who rents one room to a hairdresser who's here 2 days a week), and the hotel is still open, but for sale. Yesterday I got to go to both Kindersley, SK (a town of close to 5,000) and Oyen, AB (half that size, and half as far away) for shopping and running errands. Luckily most things I would need over the year are within those two drives. It doesn't sound like there's much here in Alsask. In fact - I missed it when I drove here! There was a sign that said Alsask, and it didn't point to turn right off the highway, so I kept going. About 5K later I turned around and found it, but laughed at myself. Everyone talks about how flat the prairies are, but where I am there are many rolling hills, and I actually find them kind of disconcerting. There is the big sky for sure, but the hills cut off your view from different angles, and so it makes finding landmarks absolultely impossible. It is beautiful though.
I haven't had much opportunity to watch Corner Gas, but I can see why people say it truly represents the people of Saskatchewan. My supervisor and her husband (Helen and Bud Thomson) have a sense of humour which I've only seen on T.V., and they laugh all the time. In my mailbox there was a letter from Saskatchewan's premier addressed to all clergy in the province. September 4 marked Sk's 100 year anniversary, and as the premier acknowledged in the letter, the faith of Saskatchewan people has been a cornerstone of the development of this place. The theme of the centennial is "100 Years of Heart" and I have already experienced that... Besides the caserole in my oven on my arrival, the members of the congregation had left my kitchen stocked for me - including gluten free cake mixes, rice shortbread (absolutely amazing - Pete if you want the recipe it's yours), fresh fruit, carrots, potatotes, onions, beets and lettuce fresh from their gardens, my bed made, and letters of welcome.
I'm off to Fort Qu'Appelle this afternoon for a two day orientation for SK's interns, and back to finish writing my sermon and services for Sunday. Thanks to everyone who sent their love and best wishes before I left. I would love to hear how you all are doing too... and I promise if you write me I"ll write you back.