Barnabas Column - Empty cans
The rector's family all help to manage the large number of cans donated for the Donkey Ministry. Photo John Tongue
Left on the doorstep
Life in a Rectory is never dull. For one thing, we never know what we might find left on the front doorstep.
We regularly find thistles or carrot tops to feed our rabbits, but most often it's bags of cans.
My mother grew up rather in awe of bishops and their wives. Our children, by contrast, are growing up to associate bishops' wives with donkeys and empty beer cans! Wherever we go, if we see an empty drink can, we gather it up 'for the donkeys'.
Our Ulverstone parishioners have also embraced the cause with enthusiasm. Peter and Kimberley (our aforementioned children) probably wish people were a little less enthusiastic, after spending the last couple of days crushing cans, ready to deliver to the Harrowers at CMS Summer View.
The cans appear on our doorstep in various quantities and containers. Sometimes it's a single can left on the step; sometimes it's a collection in a shopping or garbage bag.
One offering just before Christmas was especially noteworthy: they were left in a garbage bag, the same as many that had arrived before them, but this was different.
The top of the bag was secured with a length of gold ribbon, tied in a beautiful bow, with a Christmas card attached. It read: 'To the donkeys, from Margaret.'
A touching gesture and whether or not the donkeys fully appreciated it, Gayelene and I certainly did. Thank you, Margaret, and everyone else who supports Gayelene's Donkey Ministry.
Shirley Tongue
Note: Readers might have heard that cans are no longer being collected and as far as we know, Gayelene hasn't been able to send cans for some time. HOWEVER, she asks people to keep collecting and is planning to hang onto them until her dealer starts taking them again. Ed.