A move led by God

Story by Tina Hennigar 
Contributed photo 
You’d think that moving across the country during a global pandemic would cause any rational 26-year old some anxiety. But not Brooklyn Lane, the new pastor at St John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Mahone Bay. For her, it is a move that feels led by God.
During a phone interview while traveling to Nova Scotia from Saskatchewan, Brooklyn explained that she has a feeling of calm and a sense of peace about the move. “You know the feeling of meeting someone and feeling like you’ve known them for years?” She asked. “I felt that in the Zoom interview,” she shared. She also expressed her appreciation to me for helping her settle here from another province. “I already feel welcomed and I haven’t even stepped foot in the province yet.” 
I blushed. That is precisely the role of NOW Lunenburg County. 
While in university Brooklyn learned to love where you live. 
“People sometimes say that Saskatchewan is flat and boring, but we have sand dunes and badlands, forests, lakes and the prairies. It’s very diverse. But I am looking forward to exploring new landscapes and soundscapes and more of God’s creation.” Brooklyn loves to hike and the first thing she is planning to do is go to Blue Rocks, something a friend recommended. “I’m looking forward to the little things.” She said she’s even looking forward to our winters. 
​Brooklyn already feels supported. 
“You can’t imagine how that feels, not just for me, but for my family. I love how community-oriented Mahone Bay appears to be,” she said of her new community, which is in line with her own personal philosophy. “I always try to be very inclusive and build a community for all people.” Brooklyn subscribes to the African Philosophy of Ubuntu: ‘I Am Because We Are’.  “I am able to be who I am because of the people in my life.”
While Brooklyn always thought she’d live closer to family and friends, she feels blessed to be joining us, and is confident that she’s going to love her new life in Lunenburg County. “They say that people from the prairies make good sailors because we can always see the horizon. Maybe this will be my home away from home.”