SEAGRAVE by Barb Martyn

In this past year, we have all had our ups and downs. I have been listening to some interviews with Amanda Gorman and some of her battles in her young life. She has faced a speech impediment challenge that included the inability to pronounce words with the letter ‘r’. She faced her impediment with a positive approach. She did not avoid words with the letters “r” but bravely faced them with correcting the situation. And she has. She speaks distinctly and with passion from within. She is a graduate of Harvard University and the first African-American youth poet laureate. She also wrote and read a poem at President Biden’s inauguration. A lesson to us all. We have changed, built memories and been creative. We, too, can take these times head-on as a challenge, just another mountain to climb in our lives. We can and will do this together.

Happy belated February birthday to Andy Paul on the 17th, and twins Jackson and Wyatt Palmer who were seven on the 22nd. Happy February birthday to Abi Palmer, five on the 24th, Fran Taylor and Mike Pelletier on the 25th, Teri Payne and Wilma Smith on the 28th. Lots of birthdays this month.

Happy Anniversary to Carla and Mark Puckrin of Greenbank on February 27th.

Thoughts and prayers go out to those who are encountering various health issues.

The Coldest Night of the Year Walk took place on Saturday, February 20th, and was a success in our area. A special thank you to Deb Watson for the hospitality and the use of her trails in her maple bush.

Sunday, February 21st, was the 1st Sunday of Lent. The first Lenten candle was extinguished, followed by communion. The scripture readings were Genesis 9:8-17 and Mark 1:9-15. This is the beginning of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness and the Lenten journey. Rev. Stephanie mentioned that silence is not always quiet. This statement rang a bell with me. I can sit in silence, but my mind continues to scramble around. A challenge for me to embrace.

February 24th is the Seagrave Congregational annual year-end meeting via zoom at 7 p.m. Check out the website for further information.

Who’s That Baby contest ends this coming Sunday, on the 28th. There has been a great response with pictures. It has been fun trying to guess who the babies are.

If you wish a virtual visit, a personal prayer, grocery or medication pick up, or to send in your photos for coffee hour, contact Rev. Stephanie at gspastoralcharge@gmail.com or to phone or text to 905-718-8086. A Lenten calendar, upcoming meeting agendas and lots of other information can be found on websites, seagrave-church.com and greenbankchurch.com.

Greenbank Lions are collecting tabs from cans. Contact Don at 905-985-3595 for details.

Enid Belair (deceased) impressed upon us that the ‘World’s Day of Prayer’ is not entirely a women’s service in his article from the Standard Edition, February 24th, 1966. This year’s World Day of Prayer will be on Friday, March 5th. Stay tuned for details. If you have news for this column, contact Jean at the following address: grammiejean2010@hotmail.com.