In June I was honoured to attend the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in London, Ontario. I was part of the delegation from Kootenay which included Anne McMichael, John Lloyd, Dean David Tiessen and Bishop Lynne McNaughton. We met for six intense and full days of debate, discussion, a Primatial Election, and two special banquets.
One of the highlights for me was the singing…being able to raise my voice in a room filled with other voices, singing in many languages and many harmonies. Being in the Cathedral where I was baptised and ordained (40 years apart) was a surreal and special experience.
I have learned that I am able to pay attention more fully if my hands are busy. I can turn my attention to the person speaking or the idea being presented, if my hands are doing something. I have always loved to crochet, a skill I learned in the 7th grade. Knowing I had several days of meetings ahead, I packed two skeins of yarn in my suitcase for General Synod.
On the way there I crocheted a hug, which is a very large granny square trimmed in single stitch lace. I made a green one for Judith, a German student who has been joining us for worship for ten months, and was returning to Germany shortly after I returned from General Synod. It was 75% finished by the time I landed in London and I brought it with me to finish on the first day of General Synod.
Usually when I crochet, I have a person in mind for whom I am crafting. The hugs are filled with prayers, blessings, laughter and occasionally tears. I had a bright yellow skein I had bought with no-one in particular in mind. I started it the afternoon of the second day of Synod.
When we gathered we sat at mixed tables with folks from across Canada or we sat with our Diocese. The table I was at had delegates from the Arctic, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Ontario and myself from BC. One of the delegates at my table was Sister Elizabeth Ann from the Sisters of St. John the Divine in Willowdale. She, too, engaged in handicraft while we were meeting, making Anglican rosaries.
She asked me what I was making and who it was for. I told her I was making a hug, and I did not yet know who would receive it. She smiled knowingly and I kept crocheting. I crocheted through debates and reports.
I crocheted through the Primatial election, all the time wondering who this hug was for. I infused the hug with prayers, blessings, songs, and love.
Along the way I met many interested and fabulous humans. One of them, DJ, is from the Territory of the People and was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first grandchild, whom she affectionately referred to as “Bean.” A retired OB Nurse DJ was anxious in many ways, as the baby continued to wait for their birth.
The evening of the Primatial election, as I was in my hotel room reflecting on the day and crocheting it occurred to me that the hug I was making was for Baby Bean. I began to pray in earnest for their safe arrival: For the skill of the midwife, doctors, nurses and medical team. For the comfort of Bean’s parents and grandparents, they may know how very loved and blessed they are, even before they draw their first breath.
When I arrived at the Conference Centre the following morning, I told Sister Elizabeth Ann who was going to receive the hug. She smiled broadly.
When I finished the last stitches and tied off the yarn, I asked to borrow a pair of scissors from Sister Elizabeth Ann. She asked if the hug was finished and then gently laid her hand on it and prayed for Bean and their Mother. That sparked an idea in me.
We broke for lunch and I took the newly finished hug and started asking random people to please bless this blanket hug for a baby as yet unborn. I explained about Bean’s impending arrival and grandmother’s anxiousness, and asked for prayers so this beloved baby would be the most blessed baby – ever.
I asked Michael Blair, General Secretary of the United Church of Canada. I asked Anne Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. I asked Chris Harper, National Indigenous Bishop. I asked Shannon Cottrell from the National Church, and many, many other people.
After lunch we gathered in our Provincial Caucuses and I presented the blessed blanket to DJ. I asked if she wanted other people to bless it and with her permission I announced to the room that I had made this blanket for Baby Bean and would everyone please take a moment to bless it and pass it along. Everyone did. There was laughter and tears and the blanket hug was given back to DJ, blessed with every delegate from the Ecclesiastical Province and British Columbia and the Yukon; laity, clergy, bishops and our archbishop all blessed this blanket hug for a baby as yet unborn.
Bean’s mother went into labour while this was happening. Her labour was long and protracted, and the following day Baby Bean was born. Her mother came through the labour very well, as did Baby Bean. When she was born DJ rushed to the dias to tell the Acting Primate of the blessed arrival. There were tears and hugs and we rejoiced in the safe arrival of Baby Bean!
The following day we learned of Bean’s name: the name given to her by her parents. She will be wrapped in a bright yellow crocheted hug, infused with so much love, prayers, joy, laughter and tears. And to me, she will always be Bean. God is great!
