Dear Glen Morris United Church,  

Peace be with you! I’ve only moved into the manse on Monday and already I am overwhelmed with the magic of this wonderful beautiful community. Thank you so much to everyone for your kind welcome.  

Every once and a while, I meet someone who finds out that I am a minister and their initial response is: “You’re allowed to have tattoos and piercings and be a minister?” I always appreciate this moment because I know that behind their surprise is someone having their idea of what it means to be Christian challenged.

I am often told that I don’t “look like a minister” and I am grateful for that. I like that it opens doors to be a minister for people who say they don’t belong in church. I love the way it can start conversations that are filled with curiosity and excitement about the church. I am also grateful that as a community of faith, you have welcomed me to provide leadership and accompaniment with trust that my calling is just as true as any other minister.  

Thank you Glen Morris for all the ways you are helping me build a home here. I know that I did not grow up in the country, and may do something very “suburban” from time to time that you will get a good laugh out of, but the Grand River keeps teaching me about sanctuary, and I feel the love and guidance of the ancestors in my cemetery backyard and I’m so grateful to be here.  

 

Yours in Christ, 

Rev Michiko