SILVER WATER—The brief damp weather conditions that hit during the Blessing of the Bikers and Bikes ceremony couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 23 motorbike enthusiasts that took part in the annual event this past Saturday in Silver Water.
“Good morning, aanii. My name is Janice Frame and I am the United Church minister serving the communities of Meldrum Bay, Silver Water and Elizabeth Bay,” stated Rev. Frame, “and I am honoured to be with you this morning for the fourth annual Blessing of the Bikers and Bikes.”
Rev. Frame noted, “it’s hard to believe that it was four years ago that I had a phone call from Ted Culgin. He and Larry Morrison had been talking, and they wondered if I would be interested in offering a Blessing of the Bikers and Bikes for them and their motorcycle friends. ‘Sure,’ I said, even though I had no idea what a Blessing of Bikers and Bikes was or what it would look like. I didn’t know anything except that it was important to Ted and Larry—and that was enough for me.”
“With Ted’s death, we have lost a great friend,” said Rev. Frame. “The biking community as a whole has lost a great friend. And so this year’s blessing is especially poignant, its purpose especially meaningful because although Ted’s voice will not speak the words of blessing, his spirit will fill them…and he will always ride with you.”
“People have long recognized the power and unpredictability of nature, and the importance of coming together to pray for the safety and well-being of all. In farming communities, people of the land gather to ask God’s blessing upon crops and livestock, that there may be gentle rains and healthy animals,” said Rev. Frame. “In fishing communities, people of the sea gather to ask God’s blessing upon the fleet, that those who make their living on oceans or lakes may have calm waters and a bountiful harvest.”
“By extension, then, in biking communities, people of the open road gather to ask God’s blessing upon one another, that their rides be safe and pleasurable, that they rumble on wisely and with care,” said Rev. Frame. “And that ‘s why we are here this morning—to be graced by God’s blessing.”
“But let’s be honest: God’s blessing does not make you invincible,” stated Rev. Frame. “No blessing pronounced over you today-or any day-can protect you from accident or injury. No blessing pronounced over you today-or any day-can prevent a moment of recklessness or inattention from ending tragically. No blessing pronounced over you today-or any day-can ensure respect between riders with two wheels and drivers with four…riders and drivers who share the same stretch of road. No blessing can do any of those things.”
“But what a blessing can do is remind you of the kinship that connects you with other bikers…a kinship based on common interests and mutual respect,” continued Rev. Frame. “What a blessing can do is remind you of the human capacity for technical ingenuity and precision…gifts that create and perfect powerful machines that-in many ways-become an extension of yourself.”
“And perhaps most importantly, what a blessing can do is remind you of the constant presence of the creator…a presence that perhaps many of you feel more strongly and more honesty when you’re sitting on your bikes on the open road than when you’re sitting on a cushioned pew in a church, or on cedar branches in a lodge,” said Rev. Frame. “That’s what a blessing can do. And that’s why we’re here,” she said in giving the blessing.
“It seems only fitting that we have a special recognition of Ted Culgin today, since he and Larry had the vision that began this annual event,” said Rev. Frame. In memory of Mr. Culgin, his friendship and the bond he continues to share with motorcyclists everywhere fellow motorcyclist Don Nelson read a prayer-inscription that is written on Mr. Culgin’s headstone.
“A Biker’s Prayer: May the sun rise in front of me, may the rain fall behind me and the wind follow me. May the angels guard my travels, for they know the road ahead of me. Keep me safe through swirling turns and rolling hills, let the eagle guide me to the mountain tops. Let the moon’s light guide me through the night. Lord, thank you for letting me be a biker.”
