SACC’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament—Sunday, June 12, 2011 at the Willows

     I had taped up my last box for shipping, slipped my feet into my winter boots, buttoned up my coat, finally managed to zip up my giant pink suit suitcase, my roller lap-top case, got my guitar, mandolin and pink umbrella, took in a deep breath of the Nova Scotia sea air, got in my trusty old car to head for the airport to lands unknown; Saskatchewan!

     I rolled down the window as I drove past the lighthouse so I could hear the sound of the waves lapping against the wharf. My adult children are happy and successful in their own lives now, although it seems only yesterday that I was packing their lunchboxes for school, or they were helping me to feed the calves on the dairy farm in Ontario, before we went to Nova Scotia to start a new life.            Having brought up my children, God called this Mom back to University to equip her for Pastoral Ministry.

     My experience teaching and counselling young people in schools, working in a Shelter for Battered Women, a referral therapist for the Department of Justice, a Chaplain in a Hospital, Nursing Homes and with the Military Cadets, has enhance my ability, I believe, to respond to God’s call on my heart to Pastoral  Ministry and Counselling for the last eleven years. And now I thank you Sunnyside for welcoming me with such kindness and caring as I take baby-steps into my new duties here. My prayer is that Sunnyside goes forward to not only meet the community needs of those inside our doors, but to explore how we can extend God’s love in practical ways to those in the surrounding community too.

     As we come to terms with changed circumstances or as we come to terms with circumstances that have changed us, let us remember with hope, the words of Isaiah 61:3, where God’s Holy Spirit enables us “to provide for those who mourn in Zion – to give them a Garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.”

     Please drop-in and help me to get to know you so that we may help and support each other and to meet the needs of those we love and care for.

                                  - Blessings, Marion

The Renovation end is near!

     As I write this message we are completing the final 5 rooms on our south wing.  On April 1 we will start work on our east wing, which is our last wing.  We expect the east wing to be complete by May 15 (on time and on budget), at which time all resident room renovations will be complete.  On this date all residents will be in a newly renovated room and there won’t be any need for any more moves from room to room.  We will still have some odds and ends to finish up, but all the large renovations will be done.

     I want to thank our residents, staff, families and friends for your patience over the past 5 months.  I really appreciate everyone working together to accommodate all the disruptions and to keep our home safe.

     We are planning an Open House for late May to celebrate the completion of our renovations.  Watch for your invitation to join us in our May newsletter.