PART OF THE FAMILY Anyone who has ever had a job or held any position of authority can identify with the following anonymous poem, obviously written by somebody who worked on the railroad.

#### IT’S NOT MY JOB TO DRIVE THE TRAIN, THE WHISTLE I CAN’T BLOW IT’S NOT MY JOB TO SAY HOW FAR THIS TRAIN’S ALLOWED TO GO. IT’S NOT MY JOB TO LET OFF STEAM, NOR EVEN CLANG THE BELL, BUT LET THE DAMN THING JUMP THE TRACKS AND SEE WHO CATCHES HELL!

Alison Weir is a very involved Christian who has probably done just about every job going at Emmaus and I’m sure she has had many moments like the one described above but she keeps coming back for more! I was very pleased when Alison, Emily Noble and Fran Glover were approved by Deanery Council to be appointed Diocesan Lay Readers and I am sure Archbishop Anne will concur. Way to go Alison, you make us proud! Alison was asked to be this week’s focus of the Eureka’s regular PART OF THE FAMILY feature and it should come as no surprise to anyone who knows her that she said yes so here is her story:

As a cradle Anglican, I have been going to church since a very young age. I grew up attending St. Luke’s Cathedral until into my teenage years. My first memories are of attending church with my grandmother who was an active member at the Cathedral, teaching Sunday school and assisting in other ministries. After her death my memories are of attending with my parents. As I reached the age of confirmation, the Dean of the cathedral had classes at a time that was not convenient for my family so I attended at St. Matthew’s Church. This was probably the first big step in my journey. I attended Girl’s Auxiliary and Youth Group there and made a number of very close life long friends. I am sure that if I had not attended classes at St. Matthew’s I would probably have left the church at that time as there was no real youth program at the Cathedral. From that point, my faith journey grew and strengthened as I was involved with a number of groups and events in the Anglican Church. The first step was becoming a server in my late teens. I was a Girl’s Auxiliary leader and took on the role of Deanery Youth Coordinator and began working on my Associate Degree In Theology from Thorneloe College. This was the beginning of my ministry as a Lay Reader.

I had the opportunity of attending four General Synods. These gatherings were educational and gave me the chance to obtain an understanding of the wider Anglican Church in Canada. I have also had the pleasure of providing leadership in a number of roles at St. Matthew’s/Emmaus. These include as a member of the Advisory Board, a number of terms as Rector’s Warden and as a member of Diocesan Synod. I was also a Lay Steward and represented the Deanery of Algoma at Executive Meetings. It is through all these opportunities that I have grown in my understanding of the Anglican Church and have been presented with numerous forums in which I have obtained education and understanding as my faith continues to evolve and strengthen. The latest stretch on the road that is my journey is my present involvement as the Diocesan Warden of Lay Readers and recent appointment as a Diocesan Lay Reader. These again allow me to provide leadership both in my parish as well as on the Diocesan Level. With each new opportunity comes an open door, that once you pass through, opens a wonderful landscape from which to build on the foundation of faith that has already begun. I look forward to these limitless chances for growth. As I know that my journey has not finished, I wait with anticipation of what the future brings for both myself and Emmaus Church. I know that we live in a time of uncertainty, but I am assured that with God’s help we will get through it.

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