Who We Are

In October, more than 50 Police Chaplains from across Canada, convened in Winnipeg for our Annual Training Seminar (ATS). The entire week-long event was incredibly well organized with several outstanding presenters. Thank you to George, John and their team of Winnipeg Chaplains.

The one struggle that many police chaplains have, is finding the opportunities to build relationships and trust. In Toronto I was able to do it originally because I was a hockey goalie they needed to play net. That may sound a bit funny, but it goes to the idea of being relatable. Police like to talk among themselves and for me it was the open door I needed to get into the policing community. Since 2002, it has been a talking point and almost a way of introduction to the three divisions I served at.

Then we moved to Alberta, and all that I had established in Toronto, disappeared completely. Even to the point where the "higher ups" view me as a novice who needs mentoring. I had to sit back for a minute and consider, at 69 years of age, do I need this? Then I sat in on a Zoom meeting with the Ontario members of the CPCA, and discovered I still had the respect of my colleagues. They knew who I was, complete with flaws, and still considered me one of their own.

In a few weeks my autobiography will be published in book form. When I began writing it in 2009, the intended target audience was my children and grandchildren. About a year ago I started thinking about the content, and felt that perhaps others would benefit from reading it. It covers my life story from even before I was born. It shows how the Lord is in control of your life if you allow Him to be. The book also points out how the Church, and more importantly, how church leadership, sometimes fails those they are called to serve. Christians are sometimes not very Christian and it causes one to scratch their heads in disbelief at times.

And yet, there is God! I confess, that there were times when I read over the manuscript, that I was brought to tears. Not because I am a great literary talent, but because it reminded me again, of how the Lord has shaped my life and who He has brought into that life over the years. I am truly thankful for all the friends, many of whom I do not mention by name in the book. You know who you are and I love each of you for what you have meant to Anne and me.

We will see where my police chaplaincy will go from here. If God wants me to continue, the doors will open and if not, perhaps He has something totally new. The number of times I have said those words are too numerous to count. Blessings!