In June of this year, St. Matthew’s, Florence put out the call to our parish, the Rondeau Bay Transfiguration Partnership, for donations to the Huron Farmworkers Ministry. $2,000 was collected, and it didn’t sit unused waiting for the fall service, it was went immediately to work. At September 28 service, over $200 was collected on the plate and added to that.
By Lawrene Denkers
“Here is where everything started.”
Late on Sunday, September 28, at a Huron Farmworkers Ministry Awareness Service at St. Matthew’s, Florence, Fr. Enrique Martinez was asked a question.
First of all, you should know that we all were asked questions.
Although many clergy attended – Fr. Enrique, the Rev’ds John Maroney, Harold Harvey, Marlene Harvey, and Silverio Ferreira as well as our Archdeacon, the Ven. Carrie Irwin – the service was conducted in the style in which our congregation has been worshipping when no clergy is present. We follow the morning (or evening) prayer service, but ask and answer questions during a short discussion about each reading. We talk about what we are being called to do, for instance. We talk about what has come before, and next steps. (Ask us about how we follow the Turning to Grace plan in this!)
On this Sunday, after a multi-voice reading of Matthew 25:31-46, everyone was invited to answer questions about what we had heard. And then Fr. Enrique was asked to tell us about his personal journey.
He began, “Here is where everything started.”
He talked about coming to Canada from Colombia, and his work with the diocese that began in our parish, and finding kindness. We talked about how the questions he asked us during his homilies made us more thoughtful, more empathetic, braver and more willing to take part in our present discussions and studies.
We talked about the importance of the Huron Farmworkers Ministry and what we can do.
“What can we do?” Fr. Enrique said. “Do what you did with me.”
That is, treat everyone with respect, as humans. Help put people back together. Give time. Listen.
The tens of thousands of temporary migrant farm workers in the Diocese of Huron have some distressing stories to tell. Fr. Enrique reminded us that there are also beautiful stories of welcome and human connection.
Lawrene Denkers is a St. Mathew's, Florence parishioner.
(Photo: Janice LeBoeuf)