Knob Hill United Church, 23 Gage Avenue, Scarborough, ON, M1J 1T3 Email: [email protected] or [email protected] www.khuc.org Minister: Rev. Hannah Lee, 416.431.5054 ______
Dear Friends,
Welcome. You have probably read this word on our church bulletin, projected on our sanctuary wall, or on a church sign next to the road. What does it mean to be a welcoming community? There was a time when the church followed a process of welcome based on “Behaving, Believing, Belonging.” Christians were told you had to behave a certain way, believe a set of doctrines, and then they were allowed to belong to the church community. According to this model, belonging is dependent on behaving and believing in line with what is deemed acceptable by the community. Is this truly welcoming in God’s eyes? Or are we distorting our understanding of God and God’s grace?
Jesus calls his disciples – and us today – to welcome all. We are all agents in giving and receiving welcome. The process of welcome we at KHUC are striving to do is “Belonging, Believing, Becoming.” God welcomes us and we in turn welcome one another, especially those who are marginalized, or considered the least and the lost. This model of welcome allows people to come as they are. It allows people to be honest and vulnerable. It leaves room for grace. It acknowledges that we are not perfect, but God is.
It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, how you believe – it doesn’t even matter if you are Christian. You are welcome here. Everyone who walks through our doors, is included, loved, embraced and welcomed into our community of faith. Belonging is the first step in our mutual journey of believing and becoming. It is in this journey that we are empowered by God’s grace, energized by the Spirit working in our midst, and become agents of reconciliation, forgiveness, and change. This is how we participate with God to bring about shalom on earth as it is in heaven.
As we prepare for the summer months, know that you have a place here. Take time to rest in God, and have a wonderful, safe, and renewing summer!
Blessings,
(Rev.) Hannah Lee, Minister
JUNE 2017 - Vol. 11 No.4 Knews and Knotes, the official newsletter of the Knob Hill United Church congregation, is published five times yearly. We welcome any submission of interest.
INDEX Page Article 1 Minister’s Message 2 Index 3 Editor’s Note and Toronto Conference’s Vision Statement 4 Summer Worship Services & Lenten Visitors 5 Fellowship Club Activities & Garage Parking Lot Sale 6 UCW Luncheon – June 15, 2017 7 Birthday Celebrations, Condolences and News from General Council, Toronto Conference and Presbytery 11 Farewell to Church of the Master 12 In Memoriam – Norm Wynott 13 In Memoriam – Archie McDowell and Norma Davidson 14 Guest Speaker for Aboriginal Sunday – June 25, 2017 15 Canadian Government Puzzle
Editor: Hedy Baker-Graf Layout Assistant: Janet Hucklebridge Photographer: Lorraine Hullachan
EDITOR’S NOTE
I have kept you up-to-date on the UCC’s progress on Restructuring. By the time you read this issue of K ’n K, votes will have been cast for 7 Remits. If passed by an absolute majority, each of these remits will go to the 43rd General Council (to be held in Oshawa in August 2018) for approval. Three remits --Remit 1: Three Council Model, Remit 4: Funding a New Model, and Remit 8: A Step Towards a New Model of Membership will have the greatest impact on UCC’s communities of faith. Conference boundaries will be redrawn and Presbytery will no longer exist as of Dec. 2018 (Remit 1); an increase/decrease in assessment of financial contributions will be required of some communities of faith (Remit 4) since M & S Funds will no longer be used for General Council’s operations; adherents of any denominational faith who are regular attendees of a UC faith community can become Associate members with voting privileges (Remit 8).
I will continue as a Commissioner to General Council for the next triennium, a member of the Conference’s Ministry and Outreach committee, and KHUC Lay Rep; thus, I will provide updates on UCC’s Restructuring. ======Toronto Conference’s Vision Statement
In accordance with the program of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, Toronto Conference has issued the following vision statement: “Striving to be faithful followers of Jesus in our time and place, the Toronto Conference will continue to remove barriers to participation in the life and work of Conference and society, committing itself to be open to the Spirit. Resisting all forms of oppression, we welcome and celebrate people of any sexual orientation and gender identity, and those who are marginalized.”
AGM 2017 UC folk secured a marching permit to participate
“Daily, may we dedicate ourselves to building bridges of love and hope where harmful divisions have been made, making equity and equality for all people our goal, while working continually for justice, so that Everyone can live fully in your love. Amen.’’ Alydia Smith‘s Prayer http://www.united-church.ca/prayers/pride-prayer
______Welcome Back Corn Roast
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH AT 5:00 PM COST: $8.00
Please join us at our Annual Corn Roast. The menu includes hotdog and/or sausage, corn, coleslaw, strudel with ice-cream, fruit punch/coffee/tea. In the Narthex, you will find a SIGN-UP sheet and a DONATIONS sheet if you wish to contribute an item to the event. Please sign your name.
LENTEN VISITORS
JCS & Godspell Actors' Reunion Our very own Easter Bunny The Strachan Family members
"Time for the Child in All of Us" The Hullachan Family
FELLOWSHIP CLUB ACTIVITIES
Members of KHUC participated in two social activities. Thirteen members enjoyed a night out at Remezzo’s Italian Restaurant. In early May, a group of 24, including Friends of KHUC, attended the Scarborough’s Musical Theatre’s production of Man of La Mancha, after which they enjoyed German cuisine at the restaurant shown below.
GARAGE PARKING LOT SALE
Our appreciation is extended to all those who contributed items, sorted donations, managed tables, sold refreshments and door-prize-tickets, helped with set-up and take down, carted away left-over books, and repacked left-over items. As well, a special thank-you is extended to Jean Rivers who donated so many household items on behalf of Vera Trimble. We are also very grateful not only to the FENCING club for its demonstration of skills but also to the DIGNITY group who donated all the food as well as their time for the BBQ . Without the assistance of everyone - in particular, the Petroff sisters, who organized the event, sought vendors, and placed prices on KHUC’s table items – KHUC would not have had success with raising $1000+ this community event. The next event will be the CORN ROAST to be held on Saturday, September 9th.
UCW LUNCHEON
The Knob Hill UCW held its year-end luncheon at Sammy’s Family Restaurant; twelve people attended. Membership is open to all women who attend KHUC; a few ladies from other nearby churches are also members of KHUC’s group.
UCW will be celebrating its 55th anniversary in Vancouver, July 10 - 14, at a national gathering hosted by the BC Conference’s UCW on the University of British Columbia campus. The planned activities will include: an opening night Parade of Banners, music, a plenary speaker, Ann Mortifee, who will bring alive [the] theme, Celebrating Spirit, a day of enrichment sessions, a tour day, a book room as well as a Gala Evening banquet with the Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell as guest speaker. Ruth Ledsham will be attending this 55th national celebration.
Adapted from http://www.united-church.ca/events/celebrating-spirit... BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Carol Petroff, Pauline Grierson, Nada Bozic-Conliffe, and Ron Donnelly
______EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES
The KHUC congregation extends its heartfelt sympathy to our Office administrator, Janet Hucklebridge, and her family, for the recent and unexpected loss of their Dad and grandfather. Below is the obituary as it appeared in the Toronto Star.
------WILLIAM (BILL) NELSON HUCKLEBRIDGE Suddenly at the Ajax and Pickering Health Centre on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at the age of 88. Beloved husband of the late Edna Hucklebridge. Loving father of Janet and James and his wife Susan. Cherished "Horsey Grandpa" of Sherry, Christopher, Nelson and Chloe. Predeceased by his sister Marion Ellen Weir. Long-time member IBEW Local 353. A Memorial Service will be held in September.
------NEWS FROM GENERAL COUNCIL, CONFERENCE, AND PRESBYTERY
May 5, 2017
A ground-breaking Moderator, Anne Squire’s influence on the church is still being felt.
There is something about being in a church full of people gathered to honour an exceptional life, well lived. Those who gathered at Emmanuel United Church in Ottawa on Thursday remembered Anne Squire as one of the people who started that congregation, where just a few weeks before her death she moved the motion that made her congregation an affirming congregation*, something she had been working towards for years.
As the first lay woman to serve as Moderator of the United Church, Anne’s leadership was ground breaking and very public. Her ministry was also exercised in less visible ways through a multitude of messages, conversations, and gestures that encouraged others serving the church, especially women. I treasure the knitted crèche figures that she sent to me the first Christmas that I was in the role of General Secretary. One of the pictures on display at the funeral was of Anne with the Very Rev. Sang Chul Lee. They are both smiling broadly, at the General Council where he took over from her as Moderator. I was in Yellowknife as part of my sabbatical when Sang Chul Lee died earlier this year. Born to Korean parents in Siberia, he was the first Moderator of Asian descent, another ground-breaking leader of our church. I am grateful that my role allowed me to meet both these wonderful people.
Meanwhile at the General Council Office, we are busy preparing for the spring meeting of the General Council Executive, which will take place this weekend. Executive members took part in two preparatory webinars earlier this week and the meeting itself will also be held electronically. This will be the second time that the Executive has met in this way, and I am impressed with their adaptability to new ways of meeting and new ways of communicating. Air travel shrunk Canada’s huge geography a generation ago, and now interactive video conferencing is taking things a step further.
Even as we honour the saints of the church who have gone before us, we seek to serve God in the ways that are needed in these times, with all the tools available now to create connections across the breadth of our church community.
Nora
*Below there is a further explanation of « affirming congregation.”
http://mailchi.mp/united-church/note-from-nora-miracles-and-mysteries-of-easter-1035849?e=83c94cff87 AFFIRM UNITED/AFFIRMER ENSEMBLE
Working for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the United Church of Canada and in society. Affirm United/Affirmer Ensemble is a justice-oriented organization of people in The United Church of Canada. [It is a voice and a support for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Membership is open to all those who support our work, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We draw our vision from our faith tradition: We draw strength and hope from biblical stories of liberation; from the prophetic call to live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God; and from Jesus’ witness to God’s inclusive love.
pride-march-at-thompson-rivers-university-kamloops-uc-cropped
Kamloops United Church, an Affirming ministry, joins Thompson Rivers University’s Pride 2016 march. Being Affirming means being out and public, proud and loving.
We draw our vision from our faith tradition: We draw strength and hope from biblical stories of liberation; from the prophetic call to live justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with God; and from Jesus’ witness to God’s inclusive love. http://affirmunited.ause.ca/?utm_source=E-Newsletters&utm_campaign
------EXTREME HUNGER APPEAL
This is an amalgam of articles taken from the Church in Mission Newsletter by Editor: Jordan Sullivan.
The UN has declared a famine in South Sudan, calling it the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945. As of April 2017, the Extreme Hunger Appeal has raised over $37,000 for long-term Mission & Service partners working on the ground in Africa and the Middle East. The latest updates. The UCC is launching an Extreme Hunger Appeal as the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen reaches grave levels. Starvation and extreme hunger are rapidly reaching a scale the world has not seen before in [these four countries listed above]; there is also extreme hunger, malnutrition, and starvation in Kenya. Vulnerable people are most impacted, including children.
Extreme Hunger Appeal
Small-scale farmers supply the majority of food in Africa. But climate change has created a devastating and prolonged drought, resulting in both water and food shortages. Farmers are unable to grow crops and their livestock have died. Ongoing conflict is also contributing to the crisis as many families are forced to flee their homes, farms, and livelihoods. [This] appeal follows the Drought Appeal for Africa that the UCC launched last April. Many United Church members have also generously given to the Canada Food Grains Bank, which is providing emergency food relief.
Here at home in Canada, the federal government is consulting Canadians to shape a national Poverty Reduction Strategy. The UCC encourages members and ministries to participate through: on-line forums or follow discussions on social media. As people of faith, we care for those living in poverty and challenge our systems to support all of us in dignified ways…Together as people of faith we can shape the new strategy for Poverty by raising our voices before June 30th 2017. http://www.united-church.ca/social-action/act-now
------EMERGING COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
Here are a few examples: Harvest from the rooftop garden of St. Columba House United Church community ministry in Montreal, QC. United Church minister Al Tysick from (the Dandelion Society) drives through downtown Victoria, BC, greets the city’s street community, and welcomes them with hot coffee, breakfast, and necessities such as clean socks. Doreen Kot and the people of Parkdale United Church support Acadia Place, by rehousing people who are homeless. http://www.unitedchurch.ca/social action/act- now/speak St. Colomba House Photo -
------MEDICAL ASSISTANCE IN DYING
United Church opts for a balanced, case-by-case approach to medical assistance in dying
After a consultation that included health care professionals, chaplains, ethicists, ministry personnel, and persons with disabilities, the Theology and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee has submitted its report which acknowledged that “there are likely a range of views within the United Church community on this matter…. “ The committee has concluded that this is an issue “that needs ongoing reflection and dialogue in communities of faith. … It may be chosen as a faithful option in certain circumstances. While the right of terminally ill patients under the legislation needs to be honoured, affirmation of this legislation must be accompanied by protection and care of the most vulnerable in our society and by universal, equal access to palliative care. It must recognize and respect the challenge Medical Assistance in Dying can pose for health care professionals. It must also be accompanied by an affirmation of the dignity and intrinsic worth of every life in relation to community.”
http://www.united-church.ca/news/medical-assistance-dying
Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada
The theme of the 2017 AGM held at St. Paul’s UC in Midland was HERE I AM. Over the two days, attendees listened to panel discussions addressing the issue of becoming “an inclusive church.” A variety of views relating to feeling excluded was presented; these made references to mobility, sexual orientation, gender issues; mental health illnesses, racism, etc. After three table discussion sessions, a vote was held to accept Toronto Conference’s Vision Statement and Plan of Action; TC is now an “affirming” conference. The hope is that other Presbyteries and congregations will continue the conversation and work towards the UCC’s goal of becoming an all-inclusive church.
As well, the conference continues to focus attention on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UnDRIP) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) “calls to action.” Other highlights included: an exchange of gifts by the visiting PROK (Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea) delegation; a Korean drumming band from Toronto (see photo above); and a service celebrating the 7 new UC ministers – 4 were ordained and 3 admitted. Like all other Conferences, Toronto eagerly awaits the outcome of the Remits to determine its future. CELEBRATION FOR TOBY'S PLACE
Monday May 1st, the Moderator, the Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell, and representatives of Toronto Southeast Presbytery attended a celebration of Toby's Place, at Birchcliff Bluffs UC.
Rev. Christine Smaller, Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, and Darryl James
There was music (Wanda Stride, Dave Wildsmith) and food (Rancho Relaxo) and Art! –an interactive installation by Lauren Hodgson and Sarah Chapman, a variety of speakers (Cheri DiNovo, Paul Hutchison, and Jordan Cantwell) ... camaraderie and fun! KHUC attendees included Janet, Alice, and Hedy. Read more about Toby's Place and consider donating to this important Scarborough outreach to LGBTQ+ youth ! https://www.bbuc.ca/tobysplace.
A Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action
The focus of a learning forum held on Mothers’ Day, was providing an opportunity to understand the voices of Indigenous peoples as UCC continues its “journey of change as settler people developing new and respectful relationships with Earth, our mother.” The Very Rev. Stan McKay (the first Aboriginal UCC moderator) and Chief Marcia Brown Martel (Beaverhouse First Nation) were the leaders.
------A SAD FAREWELL TO CHURCH OF THE MASTER
During the Lenten season, four neighbouring communities of faith - Knob Hill, Birchcliff Bluffs, Scarborough Bluffs, and St Mark’s - joined Church of the Master for its final Easter service. On entering the sanctuary, each congregant was given a stone which symbolically served as a physical link to five Biblical stories that were explored during the reading of the Scripture.
Several congregational members were present at this service. For many years during the summer, KHUC shared summer services with Church of the Master; sadly, Church of the Master will be closing its doors at the end of June. The KHUC Council sent a letter on behalf of the congregation expressing its sorrow for their closure; an invitation was extended to Church of the Master’s congregation to attend worship services at KHUC.
IN MEMORIAM – NORMAN HALLET WYNOTT August 6, 1925 – April 30, 2017
Norm passed peacefully at home in Scarborough at the age of 91. Predeceased by wife, Mary (Lunau), parents Phyllis (Abrams) and Hallet, brothers Jack and wife Dorothy, Victor and wife Rose, son, Richard and granddaughter Kenyon Davis, parents-in- law Charles Foster and Edith (Ellis) Lunau, brothers-in-law Jack and Grenville Lunau (Ena). Leaves behind daughters Robin (Bill) Binsted and Norm and Mary Rosemary (Dick) Roloson, daughter-in-law Brenda, grandchildren Mary, James and celebrate their 60th Peter Binsted, Kate, Elliott and Morgan Davis, Ryan and Jillian Wynott, sister-in-law Betty Wedding Lunau and many loving nephews and nieces. Anniversary
Norm served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII and was a graduate of the Ontario College of Art. Norm Wynott Advertising Art provided services for many Toronto businesses including Radio Station CFRB and The Toy Shop. Norm later became an art teacher and Department Head at W.A. Porter Collegiate in Scarborough. He took his artist's soul to the children of Bloorview Hospital and the members of Knob Hill United Church where he volunteered to teach art classes. Norm was an accomplished landscape painter and an award winning gardener.
A private celebration was held Friday, May 5, 2017 at his home in Scarborough in his memory. Many members of KNOB HILL UNITED CHURCH will recall his dedication as a Sunday school teacher, the Art classes he offered, and his enthusiastic participation in Remembrance Day church ceremonies.
Norm and Charlie
In memory of Norm, the family has requested that donations be made to Knob Hill United Church.
See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=norman- wynott&pid=185254468 #sthash.1U1URRe7.dpufd
IN MEMORIAM - ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON "ARCHIE" MCDOWALL November 7, 1919 – April 25, 2017
Archie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the age of 97 after a lengthy battle with dementia. He was the loving father of Janice (Stefan Sierakowski), Cathy, Lorraine, Karyn, and Laura (Michael Wilde), and cherished grandfather of Adam and Len Wilde. He is survived by his brother Stanley. He was predeceased by his wife Beatrice, brothers Jim, John and George, and sisters Margaret and Isobel. Archie was a 47-year employee of Colgate-Palmolive.
A visitation period was held at the Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre on April 29th; it was followed by a funeral service, officiated by Rev. H. Lee, and a reception. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to either the Alzheimer Society of Canada - Dementia research or Knob Hill United Church.
His daughter, Laura, stated: “Archie valued the friendships made at KHUC; it pained him greatly when he had to withdraw from attending services when his illness became severe.” Archie and his wife Beatrice joined Knob Hill United Church in the late 1970’s. He was a long-time active member who sang in the church choir, participated frequently in Work-Bees and social activities. He will be fondly remembered for playing Santa Claus for both the Sunday school and Nursery school children. He will be sorely missed.
======IN MEMORIAM – NORMA DAVIDSON Passed on May 31, 2017
NORMA DAVIDSON (nee Baggott) passed away peacefully in her 88th year on May 31, 2017. She will be greatly missed by son Douglas (Heather), grandson Brian (Kirsty) and great-granddaughter Kathleen, Sister Aileen and her niece Susan. Visitation was held at the JERRETT FUNERAL HOME; the following day, there was a Funeral Service in the Chapel officiated by Rev. Hannah Lee. It included several of Norma’s favourite hymns played by KHUC’s former organist, Al Evanoff, scriptural selections read by her grandson and her neighbour, Helen McBrien and words of remembrance given by her niece. Internment took place at Pine Hills Cemetery; where, Norma joined her husband, Orval, who predeceased her in February 2012. The Davidsons had been long-term members of Knob Hill United Church Congregation. May they both find eternal rest.
GUEST SPEAKER FOR ABORIGINAL SUNDAY CELEBRATION
National Aboriginal Day is celebrated annually on June 21. It gives the Aboriginal peoples an opportunity to showcase the beauty of their cultures and languages. The Sunday closest to this date offers an opportunity for failth communities to celebrate the values, customs, languages, and culture of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples; thus, on June 25th, KHUC welcomed Linda Parsons as our guest speaker.
Aboriginal symbols Muskoday First Nation POWWOW Linda Parsons and her family
Although the three Aboriginal groups in Canada - First Nations, Inuit, and Métis - share many similarities, they each have their own distinct heritage,language, cultural practices, and spiritual beliefs. There is much diversity among these peoples. (www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca).
The service began with acknowledging the territory where KHUC gathers for Sunday morning worship and the people who have traditionally called it home for thousands of years; this is one of the ways the church honours its pledge to live out the church’s Apologies to the First Nations Peoples of North America. After distributing strawberries to the congregation, Linda Parsons* and Rev. Lee, drew our attention to the strawberry teachings of elders. It is known as “heart berries” because of its shape, and it is not only used as food but also as a traditional medicine for digestive disorders and skin problems. Also, “the fruit is connected to the plant by a vast system of leaves, runners, and roots’ in the same way that the heart is vital to all the organs and parts of the human body.” ( http://www.wabano.com)
Linda reviewed events leading up to the unveiling of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s 93 recommendations and invited the congrgation to explore what reconciliation means from a Christian perspective. Jan Longboat, a Mohawk elder, states that “the strawberry represents konnonronhkwa which means “I show you I care.” Thus, reconciliation is an on-going life-long journey; open hearts are needed to make this process authentic and meaningful as we become concerned with issues surrounding Aboriginal justice, right relations, truth and reconciliation. No longer canit be assumed that the and was empty when European explorers, traders, and settlers first came.
*Linda Parsons, a member of Trinity UC in Newmarket for 44 years, is from the Living Waters Presbytery ; she has been the co- convener of her Presbytery’s Right Relations Commission as well as Toronto Conference’s “Living in Right Relations Circle” since 2001.
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PUZZLE
Enjoy your Summer!!
From your Knews & Knotes Editorial Staff