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For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hebrews 13:14

Here is a beautiful good news story of a member of St. Luke's congregation in the Anglican Parish of Woodstock.  Linda Smith, originally from England, became a Canadian citizen on June 30, 2020.  Here is Linda's story.
I came to live in Canada in February 2014, right in the middle of one of the worst winters for many years I am told !!
Where I lived in England, snow arrived one day and melted the next, and I remember asking why you have to shovel the snow off every day!! At the end of the first week I had my answer! I had truly never seen so much snow in my life !!
I first became aware of St. Luke's when I was invited by my friend Mary Beth Rideout to attend a wreath-making class in the church hall.  I had never done anything like that before and had such a nice time.  I met so many nice ladies who welcomed me, and I felt very comforted by their friendliness as I didn’t know anyone other than Mary Beth, who I had met through work.  I then went along to a WI (Women's Institute) afternoon tea, and then I came along to the Nativity Service at Christmas.  I was very comforted by the Church as it felt familiar to me from Church from home, and I felt that it was somewhere I wanted to be!!
For me, Citizenship was always my objective.  I am very proud to become a Canadian Citizen, I love the warmth and values of this Country and feel an immense sense of achievement! Becoming a Canadian Citizen is not something that is easy to do, it takes a lot of time and dedication and you have to fulfill a lot of criteria, which makes today very special for me. I couldn’t have done it without the support and love of my friends and Church family.  The road was tough at times but I sincerely mean it when I say my faith and the love shown to me by my Church, friends, and colleagues kept me strong and I am so glad I saw it through.  
The ceremony today was very different due to Covid 19 and social distancing, done via Zoom; but it was still very emotional and I swore my Oath on my Bible gifted to me by St. Luke's church family.  Being the day before Canada Day, Mary Beth and work colleagues had an endless supply of hats, mugs, flags, balloons and even a feather boa to adorn their new fellow Canadian in!!
I feel truly thankful for the love and kindness given to me and am proud to be a member of St. Luke's congregation, the Town of Woodstock, and a Canadian Citizen!!
Written by Linda Smith.  Photos submitted by Linda Smith.