Invitation to Live
by
Mabel Mollard
Have your morning coffee with the Press! It sounds like a function for a retiree, but let me tell you what happened.
"There is so little in the paper these days," remarked my friend, "I wonder sometimes why I take it."
"Today's edition has a list of unclaimed bank accounts," said I.
"We wouldn't know anyone in that list, would we? We don't know any people who save money." "Well, I'm curious so I shall look at the list," I said. The print was so very small, but I labored on through bank after bank. Then, "Ah ha!" I exclaimed, "There's one Mary Jackson. I wonder..."
That day was Mary Jackson's day to do our cleaning. I was quite excited, so when she came in I said, "Sit down. Listen to this." And I read, "'Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Polo Park Branch: Mary Jackson, $89.13.' Is this you?"
"Let me see! Gosh! I worked there as a clerk some years ago. I'm not sure." was her response. On her way home she stopped at the Bank to enquire. Sure enough, it was her money and a pleasant surprise.
In the listing of the Royal Bank was an account, "Invitation to Live: $547.50." I could not get it off my mind, so I began to enquire.
This part of the story starts with an Anglican Crusade in 1976. I had just started to attend Holy Trinity Church, had met one or two people, one of whom was Margret. She gave me a brochure, but I was not into such meetings. To please her though, I decided to attend. It was a Sunday afternoon, so off I went. The church hall was crowded, but I saw a few people I knew. They were not from our Church. I greeted one and said, "What are you doing here?"
"Why wouldn't I be here?' he asked.
On a pamphlet I saw the slogan, "Invitation to Live" and the name of the leader, Rev. Marney Patterson. I became interested in this Ministry and support it still. Now, on this morning so many years later, I just was not able to let the thought go. I called the bank and explained my interest. A very kind clerk gave me directions and told me the names of concerned signatories, suggesting that I get proof. My friend, Margret, had known there was some money raised for expenses, but she was not involved.
I contacted Rev. Patterson's office in Thornhill and told him. The Bank of Canada required proof to release the money, of course. Margret had, in spite of moving, kept a few pamphlets which helped me. I also was able to track down two Winnipeg Clergy who had been on an organizing committee. They made statements which lent weight to my search. Rev. Patterson was very glad, was able to make the claim and receive the funds. He wrote me several times to thank me. In my opinion that slogan did a complete job.
Who says, "There's nothing in the paper"?