Rev. Louise Robson preached her last sermon at Unity United Church Sunday, June 29. Parishioners and church visitors will miss what some have called "a breath of fresh air."
Her bubbly personality, humorous stories and change in traditional services to offer Holy Humour Sunday and Soul Sunday were some of the reasons people loved her services. Rider jerseys on Sundays became a common sight.
Also known for her involvement in her community, her zest for life and her dedication to the church as well as to the Unity Ministerial Association, Rev. Louise is seen a person who makes every moment of her life count in every way.
She said she received "the call" early but took a detour along the way. Then, in the 1980s she served as a lay minister for some two years. "That convinced me I had found my vocation." She went back to St. Andrew's College, was ordained in 1994 and was "settled" in Craik.
In her seventh year of ministry at Craik, she saw an ad for the minister's position at Unity United Church. She said, "I hadn't been looking for a move but, having grown up in Wilkie and being a cottage owner at Cochin beach, I thought Unity would be a lovely location. The manse with its big double-size yard really appealed to me too. I was fortunate to be called here in June or July, and we arrived here Nov. 1, 2001."
When she arrived, the congregation had been without a minister for 10 months. During that time, various members of the congregation had led services. Rev. Louise said, the church members had discovered, "there were many more members of the church who were able and willing to lead worship than they had imagined. It was so good for them that they were in lovely shape when I got here "It is a wonderful thing for a minister to be able to slip into a healthy team and just go to work. The choir and organist have always been very willing to learn new music and try something different. There are dozens of folks who take care of various tasks including upkeep of the building, and it has always felt like a team effort."
Every job has its challenges and Rev. Louise shared some of hers. "The biggest challenges are usually in serving the folks who come to us out of the blue, who have no experience of the church or faith tradition. They need pastoral care, they need funerals, and it takes a lot of prayer and thought to be able to effectively share our faith with them. Sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is just be with them; sometimes the UCW does the major part of the ministry with their lunches and visiting."
She added, "it's also very hard to say goodbye to those you love, and I have had to preside at the funerals for many dear folks whom I miss terribly. I have always found it hard to face the realities of long term care but even there I have had some dear friendships and uplifting visits."
Rev. Louise went on to say, "Ministry is a love-'em-and-leave-'em vocation; the more we're able to connect with and befriend congregations, the more effective our service, and the more painful the leaving.
"There has been a notion afoot in the United Church among some leaders that ministers should maintain strict boundaries and not be friends with members of the church. I never believed that for a minute. And I think it's why some ministers complain about loneliness and isolation.
"I will miss the regular contact with folks I have come to love and respect so much; I'll miss the fun of choir practice and Bible study times; and the shared joys and even the shared burdens that have given such depth and meaning to our relationships. I'll miss the wonderfully faithful folks at Evesham, and their picnics and Christmas concerts. Some events I may continue to attend when possible."
As an extracurricular activity, Rev. Louise enjoyed being on stage with the Unity little theatre group. She participates in the Red Hats, Round Valley Quilters, InterAgency, the Unity Community Resource Centre and the Legion, saying "all of these groups have offered opportunities for service and for fun."
Rev. Louise and her husband, Don Leitch, purchased their own home in Unity after living in the manse for five years. She said, "It's a great feeling to be where you want to be It's hard enough to 'quit' the church; but I think to leave Unity now would nearly kill me."
As for retirement plans, Rev. Louise plans to "continue to be active in community groups and events, but will spend more time in our big yard, and at Cochin, and with family. I hope I can play Scrabble at the New Horizons Hall every Friday then!"
She concluded by saying, "I sincerely hope the congregation will call another minister and give him or her the same wonderful support and friendship that I have been given. I cannot begin to say how much joy there has been for both of us here, and how grateful we are for such a comfortable, busy and entertaining hometown."
