August 2, 2026
Dear Melvillians,
Summer Greetings!
Well, I’m back this Sunday as Melville and Ilderton continue their Summer Schedule with a single combined service in Melville at 10:30am. A word of thanks to those who facilitated with worship and made themselves available for pastoral care during the past few weeks.
As many of you are likely aware, this time of vacation during the summer has been an opportunity for Amanda and I to return to the Maritimes and bounce through each province. In the words of the Canadian folk band the Arrogant Worms there were lots of rocks and trees and water. (Youtube link at the end of email). We started with a few nights in Ottawa to visit my dad and stepmom… from there it was over to PEI to visit with my stepfather, my brother. It was the first time that I was on the Island since my mother’s funeral last fall. From there it was across the ferry to Nova Scotia to spend some time with Amanda’s mother and stepfather, her sister and nephew. While we were there Amanda’s mom adopted a month old kitten so I triple dosed my allergy medications and spent the night with the kitty keeping her warm. And then it was time for Amanda and I to recharge at a cabin that we rented on the island of Grand Manan (just off the coast of New Brunswick jutting into the Bay of Fundy).
It was great to spend time with family, to reconnect with the places we grew up… and after reading (and sharing) about whimsymaxxing we had some fun with our Quack and Lola plush characters. We celebrated sunrises and sunsets. We (well I, because Amanda doesn’t like it) enjoyed some fresh maritime lobster. We stopped by a few tourist attractions just to be spontaneous and all in all it was a much-needed chance to recharge…. And a couple of pictures as well.
Food is often plentiful when visiting with family and this time away was no different. Food brings us together and invites us into deeper conversations and experiences. This week as we move through the dual track of our seasonal lectionary we have a crowd that has been following Jesus, seeking healing, that need to be fed… and with limited resources the thousands receive their food. In our main characters of Genesis line we have Jacob, the father of Joseph, wrestling with God… an experience that is relatable as we experience life and its joys and its challenges.
As I do return to the pulpit this week, I do ask that you hold my brother in prayer. Shortly after leaving the Island, my brother sent me a note that a mole that he had removed had tested positive as Melanoma. This past week he had a body scan done and yesterday had exploratory surgery to dig around the original mole area and to get a sample to biopsy his nearest lymph nodes. As many of you know, the waiting to get results is hard… and that’s where things are currently.
That said, it is nice to be back home and settled and looking forward to seeing folks tomorrow and into the weeks ahead! With some Arrogant Worms to remind us of what covers so much of our land!
Grace and Peace,
Steve
[ed. from Google: Whimsy-maxxing means intentionally adding playfulness, childlike joy, and wonder to your everyday life. It combines “whimsy” (quaint, fun behavior) with
“-maxxing” (maximizing a trait), turning routine habits and home decor into hyper-personalized, joyful experiences.]
The Rev Steve Longmoore
Ilderton and Melville United Churches
Cell (519) 381-8282
slongmoore@hotmail.com
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