Above: Jenn Power shares a warm embrace with Stéphane at her farewell party in Cape Breton, NS, celebrating her years of dedication and leadership in L’Arche.
Have you ever been in the thick of a busy season and an invitation opens to drop everything for an opportunity to be present with others have a little fun?
At first, the invitation adds to the overwhelm: with what time?! Yet that response is almost always an indication that a change of pace is more crucial than ever to stay grounded.
This scenario played out for me last month, when Gray, Krista, Stéphane and I loaded up a car to Cape Breton to attend a farewell celebration for Jenn Power, the L’Arche Atlantic Regional Leader of over a dozen years. The four of us braved wintry conditions, ample snacks in tow. With Krista’s favourite country tunes serenading us – none other than Reba McEntire – we were off on an adventure.
At the celebration hosted by L’Arche Cape Breton, members of other L’Arche Atlantic communities filled the room. It was a beautiful afternoon seeing familiar faces, meeting new folks and celebrating Jenn’s impact on L’Arche communities.
Since I’ve known Jenn, I’ve always admired her integrity. Whether she’s sitting across from a politician advocating for a fair funding model, or sitting across from a core member having tea, Jenn carries the same poise, humility and humour across contexts. Jenn’s authenticity and advocacy has had a profound impact on my own leadership, L’Arche Saint John and the L’Arche organization as a whole.
Celebration is at the heart of L’Arche life, and an important invitation to close the email inbox and be with people. In Judyth Hill’s poem, Wage Peace, an excerpt reads:
Wage peace with your listening: hearing
sirens, pray loud.
Remember your tools: flower seeds,
clothespins, clean rivers.
Make soup.
Particularly in these times of global uncertainty and overwhelm, “remembering our tools” is a reminder and call to action to pay attention to what and whom is in front of us. Our greatest asset is each other – and the soup we share with our neighbours. (You can read the full poem here.)
I was grateful for this reminder recently, and the opportunity to celebrate Jenn, who wraps up her role at the end of this month.
And I am grateful for each of you reading this as you journey with us at L’Arche Saint John.
With gratitude,
Rachel Vander Vennen
Community Leader & Executive Director
P.S. And as one door closes, another opens! We are glad to welcome Coryn Stehouwer to the role of L’Arche Atlantic Regional Leader. With a background in psychotherapy, restorative justice and prior L’Arche experience, we look forward to seeing her gifts shine.