posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Andrew’s held a “two – cake reception” to celebrate a double anniversary in November: both the 140th anniversary of the church and the one – year anniversary of the church’s minister, Rev. Dennis Wright. Pictured from left are Andy Bikker, Vera Wilson, Don Wilson, Bea Bikker, Pastor Dennis, Marg Eveleigh, Ann Timpson, Bill Summers and Marion Monkman. With the exception of Pastor Dennis, they have all been members of St. Andrew’s for at least 50 years!
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Andrew’s hosted the second in a series of heritage concerts sponsored by the National Presbyterian Museum. Angus Sinclair (left), the organist at Bishop Cronyn Memorial Anglican Church in London, Ont., chose music suitable to the year 1904; he also used the 1904 edition of the Book of Praise. He and soprano section leader Karianne Pasma (right) are seen here with St. Andrew’s minister Rev. Mark Lewis. All proceeds of the concert series support the National Presbyterian Museum.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
The Experimental Fund celebrated its 30th anniversary at a board of directors meeting in November, 2011. Rev. Dr. Fred Rennie—cake cutter extraordinaire—has served as the fund’s secretary for 17 years. As its name suggests, the fund offers grants to innovative and experimental ministries. Over the years it has helped 121 projects in the Presbyterian Church in Canada.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Andrew’s, Aurora, Ont.
St. Andrew’s, Kitchener, Ont.
The Experimental Fund
St. Matthew’s, Ingleside, Ont.
St. Paul’s, Port Hope, Ont.
St. James, Thamesville, Ont.
Guildwood, Scarborough, Ont.
St. Andrew’s, Whitby, Ont.
St. Luke’s, Oshawa, Ont.
St. Luke’s and St. James, Oshawa, Ont.
Knox-Calvin, Harriston, Ont.
Knollwood Park, London, Ont.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Paul’s celebrated the 100th anniversary of the church’s Casavant organ in November with a musical recital that drew over 250 spectators. The present organist was joined by four former organists in performing vocal and instrumental pieces, including one concerto that was accompanied by a string quartet, horns and a harpsichord. The event also marked the qualification of the organ as a heritage instrument with a class A citation from the Royal Canadian College of Organists, making it one of only 15 such instruments in Canada.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Matthew’s has joined just a handful of Presbyterian churches in Canada in implementing a green energy program by installing solar panels on the church roof. The panels don’t just power the church; they also put enough energy back into the Ontario grid to power two regular homes. The congregation was surprised and grateful when project partners Saturn Power and Canadian Solar Solutions, moved by St. Matthew’s commitment to their community, presented them with a cheque for $5000 to continue their work. This sustainability – conscious church will surely put the gift to good use!
From left: David Arenburg, vice president of Canadian Solar
Solutions; Marc Myers, Saturn Powers’ Eastern Ontario account manager; Daniel Saumure, Senior account manager with Canadian Solar Solutions; Reid McIntyre, Clerk of Session; Rev. Harold Kouwenberg, minister at St. Matthew’s
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
Muriel Manley is a big part of church life at St. James—so big, in fact, that the Thamesville Herald printed this picture to mark her 45th year playing the St. James organ. The church celebrated, too, with a luncheon held in Muriel’s honour in December, 2011.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
In October many of the ladies at Guildwood participated in a program called Pathways of Prayer, spending a day in reflection and discovery with speaker Laura Alary. The women had the opportunity to walk a labyrinth, an experience that touched participant Carole M. Lidgold. She shared her thoughts with the Record:
The paths of the labyrinth are laid out in concentric circles winding over a pre – set pattern. The paths are seen clearly and therefore, easy to walk.
Life is a labyrinth of unseen pathways that are not laid out for the wanderer.
The labyrinth pathways can easily be interrupted when too many circles cause dizziness. Recovered, you can re – travel the labyrinth where you left off.
Life gives no easy measure of being able to quit when the going gets difficult.
At the centre of the labyrinth is quiet and peace.
At the centre of life, sometimes there is peace but not everlasting peace.
From the centre of the labyrinth steps must follow the same circuitous pattern out.
Life allows no return to the past, refusing us to take the same path backwards.
The centre of the labyrinth is nothing but the centre.
The pathways of life lead somewhere, to a purpose or fulfillment of destiny.
Yet the labyrinth teaches us a great lesson that there is time to step off the hectic pace of life and reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going. Has our life been one of circles or a straighter pathway? Do we want to start over and return to the past or put the past behind us? Only we can decide and follow the circles of life or straighten our pathways on a clearer journey to the end!
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
Rev. W. J. S. McClure, minister emeritus of St. Andrew’s, conducted worship on Oct. 30, 2011, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination. Rev. McClure served as minister of St. Andrew’s for thirty – two years. He and his wife, Ann, pictured here, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 8, 2012, with members of the congregation.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
Every year during Advent St. Luke’s decorates a Christmas tree with hats, mittens and scarves to be shared with those who need them. Once the clothing has been donated the tree always looks a little bare, so St. Luke’s came up with a solution this year: to decorate the emptied tree with banners listing the many ways that the people of St. Luke’s give to the church and to others. Seen here are Charlotte Ocon in green and Lauren Hart in silver, both sharing a little of the Christmas spirit.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Luke’s and St. James came together to worship—and to mark their coming together in a bigger way; the two churches have united to form a two – point charge. Here, interim moderators Dr. Ian Clark and Dr. Lynda Reid pose with session members from both congregations behind a display that includes a photograph of the original St. Luke’s building.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
A group of women at Knox – Calvin chose an unusual way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their church: to knit and crochet prayer shawls. The prayer shawl ministry, a non – denominational venture that began in Hartford, Connecticut, has been providing comfort to people in need since 1998. The Knox – Calvin group meets regularly to put stitches and prayers into their creations, each of which will become a tangible gift of love to someone in need of solace.
Back row from left: Anne Darroch, Willy Grotenhuis, Hazel Friel, Peggy Roger and Colleen Robertson.
Front row from left: Shirley Fulton, Jo Woestenenk, Maria Vanderslikke, Betty Fulton, Mary Stoddart, Marg Dickieson.
Absent from photo are Iris Richardson and June Macdonald.
posted on February 1, 2012 in People & Places
Knollwood Park has been busy! The shoeboxes seen here were packed by the church, a local grade three class and members of the 45th Cub and Scouts group. They packed sixty – four boxes for Samaritan’s Purse! The congregation has also raised more than $7,000 over the last several months to help PWS&D provide clean water in Lirangwe, Malawi.
From left: Ross MacKay, Dave Lapthorne, MaryJane Lapthorne, Carlton Dindial, Rev. Jim Redpath. Missing is Rev. Lynn Nichol, who is on leave.
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
First, Stellarton, N.S.
Connie Wardle
St. Andrews, Campbellford, Ont.
Clairlea Park, Scarborough, Ont.
St. Andrew’s, Stratford, Ont.
Langley, B.C.
Fallingbrook, Scarborough, Ont.
St. James, Forest, Ont.
Knox, Bobcaygeon, Ont.
St. George, N.B.
St. Andrews, Campbellford, Ont. – 2
Graceview, Etobicoke, Ont.
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
The 86th anniversary of First Presbyterian Church in Stellarton was celebrated by all ages. Guest preacher Rev. Sandy Sutherland (centre), who delivered the anniversary sermon, cuts the cake here with support from his wife Marly and son David. Stellarton’s own Rev. Charles McPherson (left) looks on. Happy anniversary, Stellarton!
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
The Record’s staff writer, Connie Purvis, married Ewan Wardle in August, 2011. Presiding at the wedding was Rev. Tim Purvis, father of the bride and minister at Westview, Toronto.
Group shot from left: Robert and Shirley Purvis, Ewan and Connie Wardle, Lori, Jay and Tim Purvis.
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Andrew’s marked 175 years this summer in true Presbyterian style. Cutting the cake are senior elders Francis Long and John Jackson, who are now retired.
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
Clairlea Park celebrated 60 years in November, giving thanks for God’s abiding faithfulness. The special service was filled with members, former members, and friends, all of whom gathered for food and fellowship following the service.
From left: Elders Alena Job, Sohan Singh, Audrey Burrell-Graham, Joyce Donaldson, Joan Brown, Rev. Linda Larmour, elder Barbara Fris and clerk of session Jim McPerson
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
St. Andrew’s celebrated the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible in October. Here, Ben Congram carefully presents a copy of the celebrated translation to Rev. Dr. Hugh Jones. The care is warranted—this copy is from the year 1630!
posted on January 1, 2012 in People & Places
Langley’s Dorothy Ludwig (centre) poses with the gold medal she won for Canada in the 2011 Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Dorothy earned first place in the women’s 10-metre air pistol event, securing herself a position on the Canadian Olympic team at the upcoming summer 2012 Olympic games in London. She is shown here with pastor Terry Hibbert (right) as well as her husband Cam and son Erden. Congratulations, Dorothy!
