toolgter
ipd
the river was flowing quite
quickly. At the beginning of the
service, Dad walked timidly
out to the designated area. The
tension in his body was evident. I
even began to entertain thoughts
of what I could do in a possible
rescue scenario. The tension
was greatly relieved, fortunately,
when two deacons came out,
positioning themselves one on
either side, to give Dad and the
candidates support.
We always got an interesting
reception when we’d drive up toau cuc ng lot.
yeese ewone anoth-
er y,sywere long-
tieesadghbours, so
estoodoutesoethumbs.
The time we stood out the most,
though, was the day we drove up
in a brand-new Cadillac. This
was the kind of car you might
expect from a televangelist, but
certainly not from the executive
minister of a conservative Bap-
tist denomination. The stares
were much longer and more
intense than usual. All was set
straight, however, when Dad gave
a detailed explanation from the
pulpit of how the car had been
borrowed from a personal friend,
who owned a GM dealership.
Certain behaviours and
lifestyle are indeed expected of
a pastor—more so in those days
than today. Another example of
this occurred when Dad had been
invited to a rural church to bring
greetings for an anniversary
celebration. The church was lessthan an hour from our home so
Mom and Dad, my brother, his
stunning-looking girlfriend and
I went along. After the service,
we attended a reception with
refreshments. Our family was
seated in a circle along with
some congregants enjoying
conversation and goodies. To the
immediate right of Dad was my
brother’s girlfriend, then came
my mother, my brother and me.
My father was intensely engaged
in conversation with someone
to his immediate left. Suddenly,
a lady appeared and interrupt-
ed my father asking, “Where’s
your wife?” Dad motioned to his
immediate right without looking,
but saying, “She’s right here,” and
then resumed his conversation
with the person to his left. The
woman gasped as she looked at
my brother’s girlfriend and blurt-
ed out, “Oh my goodness! No!”
Although rural churches are
in decline, many of the traditions
I mentioned still exist in some
rural communities in the Mari-
times, as well as many other
areas of our great country. Go for
a visit. It will be well worth your
eort. Just don’t drive up in a
Cadillac. SUBMIT Anything
for The Way It Was? Submit
online at ourcanada.ca
or turn to page 64 for our
mailing address.mfr:rdon as a
;sd, Dr. Harry
; churches
dnsay and
r,B.too long after
spring breakup and
the flowingaaa rural rural church parking
Everyone else knew knew knew one one
er very very very well, well, as they they they were were
time friends and neighbours,
we stood out like sore thumbs.
The stoodFrom far left: Gordon
boy; Gordon’s dad,
Renfree; Baptist churches
located in Maces Bay
Dipper Harbour, N.B.CHURCH
PHOTOS:
TANYA MCKINLEY
43