Page 45 - Presbyterian Connection

Connection
REFLECTIONS
One Experience of Retirement
presbyterian.ca
SUMMER 2023
PRESBYTERIAN
45
By the Rev. Kenn Stright, retired minister, retreaded along the shores of Petpeswick Inlet, N.S.
Strange to think
Hard to fathom
It’s me—retired.
Or just tired, or just finished, or just empty—whatever. Retirement: a state of being— with the emphasis on being... No doing, or achieving, or com- pleting,
Much more to do with recogniz- ing, realizing, finalizing.
Not ‘let your servant go in peace’ kind of finalizing
More ‘even to old age and grey hairs... I proclaim your might’ realizing
Somewhere in here comes the recognizing—
Of what life is all about.
“So, what are you going to do now?”
“Retire!”
“So, what does that mean...for you?”
Retirement takes as many forms as there are people who step away from their work. Please don’t tell my wife, Jeanne, what I’m going to say next, because she wouldn’t believe I said it. But it’s important to have and follow a plan, even if that plan is not set in stone.
Two paths seem most promi- nent in this journey called retire- ment. The first is called “retire.” That simply means “step away from” and that usually takes the form of cutting back, taking things a little slower and focusing on what one would like to do. The second path could be called “re- tread,” like those tires that have worn thin and need a new tread to make it through the next thousand kilometres.
Retirement for many clergy begins just about where they left off. There are still committees to join and meetings to attend and responsibilities, such as: mentor- ing, taking on interim-moderator roles, Sunday supply, representing the church on boards and commit- tees. The biggest danger for retir- ing clergy is never getting to retire!
I have put together a record of the initiatives I have been part of since ordination. I’ve called it “A Journey of Faith in the Promises of God.” Every time I thought this record was complete, I found myself engaged in a new phase of my faith journey, so I created
yet another chapter called “The Journey Continues”—and that just about sums up the meaning of retirement for me. The jour- ney does continue and takes on aspects that surprise me. Let me illustrate with just one paragraph from that chapter:
One major change that came with retirement was the ability to respond to current events by attending rallies and protests. Jeanne and I managed to join others to march in Halifax in support of the climate strikes, gather in Africville to declare “Black Lives Matter,” rally in support of Indigenous fish- ers seeking a moderate living fishery, walk in solidarity with those fighting climate change and a few other events as well. I joined online Bible studies and conferences with Kairos (ecu- menical justice coalition) as well as other groups and took part in letter writing campaigns for everything from protecting Owl’s Head Provincial Park to saving habitat for endangered mainland moose. So, “it ain’t over till it’s over” is being proved daily!
If you asked any of my close friends to describe my retirement, they would respond with two
words: “Gone sailing!” I have tak- en into account my retirement ac- tivities that I have cultivated over the decades and sailing would be at the top of the list. Jeanne and I can often be found out on the wa- ter, cruising along the coast. What is different now is that I can also be part of a racing crew (C&C 99 for those who know), which was never a possibility when weekend responsibilities limited many op- portunities. Other activities that have been enhanced by retire- ment include: jogging, reading, writing (check out Presbycan on- line), serious walking and many other physical activities.
Volunteerism has taken on new meaning in retirement. The pan- demic closed many activities and opened numerous opportunities to serve. We found ourselves tak- ing on roles at pop-up Covid clin- ics and joining an army of peo- ple putting together test kits. We became drivers for the food bank. Jeanne is part of a community support group that engages with people in isolated or long-term care situations.
Retirement has become a time to deepen my spiritual life. This in- cludes the first real oppor tunity for my wife and me to come together in daily devotions. Hectic sched-
ules and radically different ways of doing things made our devotional life together sporadic. It is now the first item on our daily agenda.
I’ve saved the best for last. Who knew being a grandparent could be so rewarding, so chal- lenging and so physically de- manding? Retirement makes all kinds of relationships possible and in my case the relationship with our children and their fami- lies has become so much deeper. I could say the same about friend- ships as well.
That little poem I wrote has a rather serious message. Par ts of it may apply to you where you are at this moment. Where I am is found at the end: “Somewhere in here comes the recognizing—of what life is all about.” I pray I am be- coming more of a human being... with the emphasis on the being!
So, what does all this talk of retirement come down to? Let me summarize:
calling.
• Retirement is about life-
style—healthy eating, healthy
habits, healthy activity.
• Retirement is about relation- ships—maintaining those that have been meaningful and cultivating those that are
fulfilling.
• Retirement is about contrib-
uting in whatever way is pos- sible, given your situation. Estelle was a young deacon- ess at the turn of the nine- teenth century. She devel- oped a degenerative disease that left her completely blind as a young woman. When she celebrated her 100th birthday, at that advanced age, completely blind, she engaged in the most inten- sive prayer phone ministry I have ever witnessed!
• Retirement is about develop- ing and deepening your spir- itual life.
• Retirement is about learning and growing and flourishing.
• Retirement is about “being”
in mind, body and spirit. Retirement is about learning to know who you are and sharing what wisdom has come to you
throughout life.
Isaiah 46:4, 17–18: “Even to
your old age I am he, even when you turn grey I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; will carry and will save... O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.”
Psalm 71:9: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.”
Here’s a final thought to take with you since you have so much time now to meditate and ponder:
Our journey with Christ does not end in a specific destina- tion; it always continues in yet another direction. The spiritual journey is about taking a step, even when we are unsure where that will take us. A Hasid story asks the question, “When did the Red Sea part?” Accord- ing to the Jewish storyteller, the waters separated not when Moses commanded them, not when he waved his staff over the waters. The waters parted when Moses put his feet in (from explorefaith.org).
•
Retirement is creating con- tinuity with what was the primary activity of life, while carving out a new future where purpose is more im- portant than prosperity (or prestige!).
• Retirement is pursuing your passion and fulfilling your