From: Helene Burns [mailto:visithelene@gmail.com]
Sent: August 24, 2013 10:57 PM
To: Cari and Roy Grierson
Subject: Warm Best Wishes

Hello Cari and Roy,

First, thank you so much for sharing your hospitality with my dear husband, Gary, who has returned to share in the festivities of this weekend.

Second, please extend my warm best wishes to the wonderful congregations of Kincardine-Upper Kent and Upper Kintore, as you celebrate the 140th anniversary of the arrival to Victoria County of the colonists from Scotland. Gary and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to you all. Of course, Gary is already there and has no doubt expressed his best wishes already! But I also am so happy that you are able to celebrate this momentous occasion.

In my time with you as minister from 2006 to 2009 – my first settlement charge – I well remember the generosity and hospitality that was offered to us. As time passed, we became more and more aware of the strength and perseverance of our wonderful congregations and the communities that surrounded us.

At some point, we heard Darlene Morton’s words, and repeat them to you now, about the importance of heritage: how crucial it is to share it with one’s children and grandchildren….. to celebrate it within the community….. to pass it down from generation to generation….. to honour and recognize it for the great gift of God that it is. What an echo from the Book of Deuteronomy that this is! (Deuteronomy 11:18-21)

To this I can add: only when you understand your history, where you come from, can you begin to understand who you are, and find your place in this world and your own unique path that is a gift from God.

And this is at the heart of my message to you: that you have been blessed and continue to be blessed with the saints who have gone before, and the wonderful people who surround you now. May you yourselves continue to be a blessing to the world, and may this be recognized and carried on in the generations to come.

We wish you every good thing that is possible in this life, and in our life to come in Christ, and thank God for the wonderful privilege of having known and lived among you.

with love,
Helene and Gary

Reverend Helene F. Burns
Minister
Crossroads Pastoral Charge of
St. James United Church, Goodwood and
Trinity United Church, Timberlea
Congregations of The United Church of Canada
67 Trinity Way
Timberlea, NS B3T 1B8
(902) 876-1933 (O)
(902) 444-9021 (H)

[P.S.]
I meant to add… congratulations on the cookbook, “Scotch Colony – Hearts and Hearths.” It is wonderful, so warm and funny and interesting, full of stories and bits of information. We can’t wait to try out the recipes!

Helene