Western part of the Island and the surrounding areas. My lVlinisterial horizon expanded. What a delightful prospect.

My delight became even more delightful when I began to meet the people of the Lot 16 congregation and community. They were so welcoming of the Cape Breton Minister. I had an ‘in’ with them for there was a time in recent years when they had had another Cape Bretoner as their Minister; and a Sydney boy to boot — the Rev. RalphJohnston.

There was a formal moment when I stood among the members of the Lot 16 congregation as their Minister; and they made me welcome. But their welcome extended beyond this formality. They welcomed me into their homes and into their hearts. These fun-loving, Church-oriented, community- minded people became friends. Someone wrote: “A Friend is a person in whose presence you can be yourself.” Well, they became friends; not only to me; but also to Shirley and to Graham. There was the wedding shower and the welcome to the newlyweds; a large welcome to Shirley. There was the baby shower and the quilt made, like the swaddling clothes, for Graham, our son. We still treasure the quilt. It reminds us of our friends of how we continue to be welcomed in their homes of how we have been wrapped in the arms of their love.

\\\\\\s\m\wxx\\wr\m\m w.»

Rev. Thomas G. thnt Born: Westmount, Cape Breton Education B. A. Mount Allison University, 1963 ED. Pine Hill Divinity Hall, 1965 Post— Graduate Studies in Dogmatic Theology, New College, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland, 1965-1967. Charges: Bedeque North, 1967—1973 St. Andrew’s United Church, Sydney, N.S; Associate Minister 1973-1980, Senior Minister 1980-1997. Chaplain: The Cove Guest House, Sydney, Nova Scotia 1997- Personal: Married to Shirley Adams, Westmount, CB. Children: Son, Graham K., teacher.

128

LOT 16 UNITED CHURCH AND ITS PEOPLE