Comments for Canadian Yearly Meeting - Happening Now! http://www.quaker.ca/blog Keep up to date with Quaker happenings across Canada. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:53:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on John McKendy murdered by vzelazny http://www.quaker.ca/blog/posts/john-mckendy-murdered/comment-page-1#comment-2 vzelazny Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:53:10 +0000 http://www.quaker.ca/blog/?p=11#comment-2 Dear Friends, This has been a week like no other for the Fredericton Worship Group, New Brunswick Monthly Meeting, and Martha and me. I want to thank all friends who have been holding this situation in the Light, and I know many many Canadian Friends have been doing so. Today was Saint Thomas University's large public memorial service that Friends had a significant hand in planning. Stephen Pidwysocky, Dawne Clarke, Michael Miller, and me all had roles in the service, alongside John's longtime sociology department colleague Sylvia Hale (who also attends meeting), numerous students of John's, and the University President Michael Higgins. It was held at St. Dunstan's Catholic Church, which is the largest church in Fredericton. It was packed with more than 1000 people, and some were standing. There was a 30 minute period of "open worship" led by Michael, and many friends, colleagues, and students of John spoke ever so movingly. The McKendy family is a lovely, large family; John was one of seven siblings and each one is a successful and brilliant person. John's Mom Bernadette was there; her AVP name is Busy Bernadette. She is like a rock - it was so good to see her and to listen to her acknowledge our efforts. I made a point of telling everyone during my presentation that my relatively shabby clothes represented solidarity with and imitation of John: blue jeans, a shirt with a collar, a sweater, but no trademark running shoes unfortunately, which I don't own. And a white poppy. I told the people I was wearing the white poppy as a symbol of commitment to peace and nonviolence, and that John would similarly wear one at this time of year. At the reception later, I don't know how many people asked me where I got the white poppy. Next time I'm attending CFSC general meetings in Toronto in October, I'll be looking to pick up 500 poppies instead of 2; there seems to be pent up demand here. Dear Friends, please continue to hold the McKendy - Wakeham family in the Light, especially Laura, Carol, and Colleen. I am very tired, and though there's lots more to relate, especially the rift between the family and their supportive community at the university and the police. There are 2 startlingly different versions of events, and the family is demanding an apology from the RCMP for stating that the family didn't communicate Nick Baker's threats to the police. I need to go to bed. Also please hold the Fredericton Worship Group in the Light. John was very central to our small clan, so we are all growing into unaccustomed new roles. We are also growing closer. Dear John, God Bless you and I hope to be with you again some day. Vince Zelazny Dear Friends,
This has been a week like no other for the Fredericton Worship Group, New Brunswick Monthly Meeting, and Martha and me. I want to thank all friends who have been holding this situation in the Light, and I know many many Canadian Friends have been doing so. Today was Saint Thomas University’s large public memorial service that Friends had a significant hand in planning. Stephen Pidwysocky, Dawne Clarke, Michael Miller, and me all had roles in the service, alongside John’s longtime sociology department colleague Sylvia Hale (who also attends meeting), numerous students of John’s, and the University President Michael Higgins. It was held at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church, which is the largest church in Fredericton. It was packed with more than 1000 people, and some were standing. There was a 30 minute period of “open worship” led by Michael, and many friends, colleagues, and students of John spoke ever so movingly. The McKendy family is a lovely, large family; John was one of seven siblings and each one is a successful and brilliant person. John’s Mom Bernadette was there; her AVP name is Busy Bernadette. She is like a rock – it was so good to see her and to listen to her acknowledge our efforts. I made a point of telling everyone during my presentation that my relatively shabby clothes represented solidarity with and imitation of John: blue jeans, a shirt with a collar, a sweater, but no trademark running shoes unfortunately, which I don’t own. And a white poppy. I told the people I was wearing the white poppy as a symbol of commitment to peace and nonviolence, and that John would similarly wear one at this time of year. At the reception later, I don’t know how many people asked me where I got the white poppy. Next time I’m attending CFSC general meetings in Toronto in October, I’ll be looking to pick up 500 poppies instead of 2; there seems to be pent up demand here. Dear Friends, please continue to hold the McKendy – Wakeham family in the Light, especially Laura, Carol, and Colleen. I am very tired, and though there’s lots more to relate, especially the rift between the family and their supportive community at the university and the police. There are 2 startlingly different versions of events, and the family is demanding an apology from the RCMP for stating that the family didn’t communicate Nick Baker’s threats to the police. I need to go to bed. Also please hold the Fredericton Worship Group in the Light. John was very central to our small clan, so we are all growing into unaccustomed new roles. We are also growing closer. Dear John, God Bless you and I hope to be with you again some day.

Vince Zelazny

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