PRESBYTERIAN

ConnectionThe Presbyterian Church in Canada • presbyterian.ca ISSUE 17, SPRING 2021 Providing Sanctuary During a Pandemic

The Nest at Camp Kintail became a temporary women’s shelter in the midst of a pandemic. By the Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee, Co-Executive Director, Camp Kintail be able to welcome campers and up for new arrivals seeking safety. guests? Would Kintail’s beautiful We said yes. At a time when it was Camp Kintail, located in Goderich, site sit empty for months? difficult to know what to do and how Ont., is usually a busy and lively A phone call from the Huron Wom- to help, other than stay home, it felt place. School groups in the spring, en’s Shelter answered our prayers good to be able to meet a practical campers in the summer, and retreat and transformed our concerns into and real need in our community. guests in the fall and winter ensure possibility. Even before the pandem- We spent a week getting ready. that the camp rings with laughter ic, the women’s shelter had been This meant posting new physical- and activity the whole year long. full. So once COVID-19 struck, the distancing signage, adapting food In the middle of March 2020, the shelter anticipated a rise in the need service practices, deep cleaning, camp fell silent as all our programs for more beds, as typically there is and creating welcome packages for and groups were cancelled; like an increase in shelter use during our guests. much of the country, Camp Kintail times of emergency. They asked if After a lot of coordination and locked down. As we looked ahead, the camp would be willing and able many phone calls, the new guests we wondered what sort of ministry to house and feed the women and moved into the Nest, Kintail’s new could happen when the world had families currently under their care, so year-round building that had been In a traditional year, Camp Kintail campers enjoy a rich camping experience. PHOTO changed so drastically. Would we that more shelter beds could be freed Continued on page 3 CREDIT: HANNAH DICKIE

Page 8... Page 11... Page 40... Online General Human Anchored

PM#40614067 Assembly Trafficking to Jesus PRESBYTERIAN 2 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR Reflecting with the Psalms

Lectionary Psalms for Lent of Year B, as a way to look back on the dif- ficulties, learnings and blessings of the past year. Perhaps some of my experience will resonate with yours. Psalm 25:4–5: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. This year of pandemic has been a time of learning for me. I’ve learned new skills related to video conferenc- ing, live-streaming and video edit- ing. But more than just the practical By the Rev. Amanda Currie, skills, I’ve learned that authentic min- prompted me to open my eyes and the redeemed of the Lord say so, that we continue to empower. When Moderator of the General Assembly istry can take place even online and appreciate the beauty and wonder of those he redeemed from trouble and the pandemic does finally come to still have a significant impact. I’ve God’s Creation. I live in the “land of gathered in from the lands. an end, may we not simply return to In the midst of trouble, persecution learned to be courageous in jumping living skies” that is Saskatchewan, We have not ceased to worship in business as usual, but continue the or threat, the psalmists voice their in and giving it a try and been hap- and I was blessed by the scenery this year of pandemic. Most in my work of listening, repenting, respond- complaints with the question, “How pily surprised by what God could do each day, whether I was walking in congregation are worshipping with ing and healing. long, O Lord, how long?” As this is- among us in these new forums. my neighbourhood or in one of the us online, and some are joining us Psalm 118:24: This is the day that sue of the Presbyterian Connection Psalm 22:27: All the ends of the beautiful areas outside the city. who attended only rarely in person. the Lord has made; let us rejoice and goes out, a whole year has passed earth shall remember and turn to the Psalm 31:9, 14, 15a: Be gracious Others are receiving sermons and be glad in it. since the COVID-19 pandemic was Lord; and all the families of the na- to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; services by mail so they can read, In a recent online gathering for declared on March 11, 2020. tions shall worship before him. my eye wastes away from grief, my pray and reflect at home without the prayer and support, one of my col- When we’d first begun the adjust- While I haven’t been able to travel soul and body also. But I trust in you, Internet. Although the world is strug- leagues shared about the pandemic ments to our daily lives—things like in the last year, it has nonetheless O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My gling so much, God’s steadfast love as a time when he has been learn- working from home, online school, been a year of connecting across times are in your hand. remains, and we are giving thanks. ing to live in the moment. It made me cancelled travel plans and virtual Canada and growing awareness of Last year was very difficult in many Indeed, our awareness of our need realize that I’m not always very good ways of doing church—most of us the worldwide church. My little con- ways. In addition to the isolation and for God seems to be prompting many at doing that. imagined it would be a matter of gregation in Regina has received loneliness caused by the pandemic to reach out for help and the strength My mind goes back to wonderful weeks. Church folk commented that visitors from Canada and around the restrictions, there was the actual ill- to endure. memories of pre-pandemic times— Lent 2020 was “the Lentiest Lent we world through our live-streamed ser- ness. For many months, I listened to Psalm 51:6–7: You desire truth in church suppers and celebrations, ever Lented,” and we looked forward vices, and I’ve had the opportunity the stories of those personally im- the inward being; therefore teach me hugs shared between friends, gentle to things getting back to normal by to preach in Presbyterian churches pacted and watched the numbers of wisdom in my secret heart. Purge touches of comfort offered in crises, Easter. It would be a truly joyous cel- in Canada, Guyana and with the Ca- infections and deaths with concern me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; choristers and congregations singing ebration with everyone back together nadian Council of Churches through and sorrow. But eventually COVID-19 wash me, and I shall be whiter than side by side, access to patients in again! video conferencing and pre-recorded hit my community directly. snow. hospitals and long-term care homes. As I wrote a reflection for the PCC videos. Even if we initially used the By January 2021, eight mem- The pandemic has revealed a lot I also long for the future and the end website on March 14, 2020, based language of churches being “closed” bers of my congregation had tested of difficult issues to be concerned of the pandemic. I imagine the pos- on the Sunday Psalms for Lent of because of the coronavirus, the pan- positive—mostly folks either living about—not only that our health care sibilities for travel, and connection at Year A in the Lectionary, I knew that demic restrictions could not stop all or working in long-term care. One system has limitations and that a gatherings, like summer camp—the the church and the world would need the families of the nations from turn- of our members died just before viral pandemic has the power to ex- way it is supposed to be. to trust in God to make it through this ing to the Lord in the midst of the cri- Christmas, less than two weeks after ceed them, but that our society is But I am determined to see the crisis, but I had no idea how much or sis and worshipping God. contracting the virus. We’re waiting plagued by inequalities that must be good in each day even now—giving how long it would take. Indeed, we Psalm 19:1: The heavens are tell- until springtime to have her funeral recognized, acknowledged and rec- thanks for life, health, relationships still don’t know how long this pan- ing the glory of God, and the firma- as well as several other funerals for tified. We might have predicted that and ministry that is enduring and even demic will continue to plague us with ment proclaims God’s handiwork. folks who died during the pandemic Black and Indigenous people would thriving in this time. This is the day new variants emerging, limited suc- In a year without travel and without from other causes. It is challenging be disproportionately affected by the that God has made! God is with me cess in flattening new waves and the in-person events, I spent a lot of time to keep going with that heavy load of pandemic. We should have known in it, and I am blessed when I open slow roll-out of the vaccines. on the computer (of course) but I also sorrow and grief, but we are walking that our long-term care facilities my eyes to see God’s presence and But I would like to be like the spent a lot of time outside. Making a together as congregations, and trust- would not be able to manage such an action here and now. I am grateful for psalmist who first voices a com- commitment to walk and pray every ing that God will sustain us through infectious disease effectively. the additional time I’ve been given to plaint, and then says to God (perhaps day last summer not only gave me these days. And yet, it has taken sweeping serve as moderator (even though it with an emotion-filled shake in the a way to connect with Presbyterians Psalm 107:1–3a: O give thanks protests, persistent demonstrations has been very different), and I’ll do my voice), “But I will trust in you.” So, across the country and be unified to the Lord, for God is good; for his and continual media attention to best to rejoice and be glad in each day I’ve selected some verses from the with others in our prayers, but it also steadfast love endures forever. Let wake us up to the unjust systems as I continue to serve. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 3

FEATURE ConnectionPRESBYTERIAN Presbyterian Connection is Continued from page 1 a quarterly newspaper published by the national office of The completed in 2018. It felt as if this Presbyterian Church in Canada. building had been built for this mo- Barb Summers, Editor ment, for this need. The Nest was Sarah Curd, Managing Editor able to comfortably house the Heather Chappell, Copy Editor women, and our staff were able to provide this sanctuary to those who Thank you to all volunteer contributing writers. needed it most. Every guest had a For submissions, questions and room of her own with a private bath- feedback, please email room. Our kitchen staff prepared [email protected] or three meals a day, along with plenty call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 243. of coffee and snacks. Shelter staff ______were always available for support to SUBSCRIPTIONS the women and camp staff. And af- The Presbyterian Connection ter a couple of days, the guests and newspaper is free of charge to staff had settled into a new routine. all members and friends of The The camp housed guests for over Presbyterian Church in Canada. For address changes, to subscribe three months. During that time, or unsubscribe, please contact the regular overnight and day camps national office or go to as well as the “Kintail on the Road” presbyterian.ca/connection. program were all cancelled. All our ______retreats and rental groups were can- celled. While we were making those sad decisions, we knew that minis- try was still taking place and that the Camp Kintail site was being used The Presbyterian Church to share God’s love and welcoming in Canada embrace. It was a real gift for the 50 Wynford Drive, Toronto, ON M3C 1J7 camp to continue to provide minis- 1-800-619-7301 try in such a difficult time. [email protected] Even after our guests relocated to presbyterian.ca more permanent housing, our rela- The Presbyterian Church in tionship with the shelter continued to Canada is a community of over grow. The Interim Executive Director 800 congregations in Canada. To had been travelling weekly to Goder- find a congregation near you, visit ich, and she stayed at Camp Kintail presbyterian.ca/church-finder while she was working in the area. Moderator of the We hosted shelter staff meetings, General Assembly: as our space allowed for physical The Rev. Amanda Currie distancing and outdoor meetings, ______which their building was unable to do safely. Likewise, we hosted the annual meeting for the shelter on the Bluevale Deck of Harmony House (the camp’s original dining hall). The Huron Women’s Shelter, and two other shelters, have since hosted retreats and respite for their Presbyterians Sharing is the staff at Kintail. We hope that this re- Camp Kintail is a place to grow and learn on Lake Huron. PHOTO CREDITS: HANNAH DICKIE & CHRISTIN GILLARD national church fund that supports lationship and partnership strength- the overall mission and ministry of ens and grows in the years to come. Allison, wrote, “I think it is a special tion (and our women) experienced food and Christian hospitality. The The Presbyterian Church in Canada. While this was a year of global ca- partnership that happened, and re- at Kintail.” Nest became a home, a safe place The Presbyterian Connection lamity that we hope will never be re- flects a spirit of radical love that’s During a time when it was difficult to land, for women who needed it newspaper is funded in part through peated, gifts and graces still abound- needed to transform the world. I feel to know how to help, it was won- most. Camp Kintail was much qui- gifts to Presbyterians Sharing. ed. The Interim Executive Director of really strongly about the kindness derful to be able to provide a peace- eter this year, but the ministry was ______the Huron Women’s Shelter, Corey and generosity we as an organiza- ful and healing space, nourishing just as life-giving.

PWS&D is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY Church in Canada. ______The national office of The The Connection Keeps Connecting Presbyterian Church in Canada is on the traditional territory of the By the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, try. While the newspaper is for and creative and faithful work being newspaper to maximize space for Huron-Wendat, Petun, Seneca and, General Secretary, about Presbyterians in Canada and done in the PCC. Unfortunately, we more stories from the church’s most recently, the Mississaugas of Life and Mission Agency our work with global partners, it can’t print everything we receive, ministries and to present them in the Credit Indigenous peoples. has gained a growing readership but we do what we can to include an integrated way that shows how Since the first edition of the Presby- beyond the PCC. a maximum number of items from connected our work is in service to terian Connection newspaper was In addition to widening its audi- denominational committees, col- the One who connects us. printed in the spring of 2017, the ence, the newspaper has also more leges, missions and congregations If there are stories or topics you distribution list has grown signifi- than doubled in length to accom- across the country. We have taken would like to see in the newspaper, FSC LOGO HERE cantly. We now print nearly 17,500 modate the increasing number of a number of steps in this edition please email me at imcdonald@ copies for readers across the coun- submissions we receive about the and in future publications of the presbyterian.ca. PRESBYTERIAN 4 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca PRESBYTERIANS SHARING In God’s Mission, Together

Thank you to everyone who supported Presbyterians Sharing this past year. Despite all the challenges surrounding COVID-19, over $5.63 million was given to support The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Your gifts and prayers, with lower expenditures and support from the government, allowed us to support congregations and ministries in Canada, Edmonton Urban theological colleges, partners overseas, and more. Native Ministry

By Karen Plater, is ministering to Arabic-speaking tries with grants and mission staff. Stewardship & Planned Giving refugees and immigrants. We support theological education in Together, we are supporting min- Lebanon, Malawi, Ghana and Roma- When I am asked what Presbyteri- istries that serve communities with nia, and Bible translation in Taiwan, ans Sharing is about, I say that it’s unique needs. In Toronto, ARISE Nigeria and Mauritius. Partners like an opportunity for congregations to Ministry provides support and coun- the Lay Training Centres (Tamale, participate in God’s mission together. selling to women involved in the sex Ramseyer and Nsaba) in Ghana, When we participate in God’s mis- trade. Living Waters Mission in Peter- Theological Education by Extension sion together, we discover new ways borough reaches out to people living in Malawi and the Fraternidad de to proclaim God’s love, hope, faith on the margins of society, through its Presbiteriales Mayas in Guatemala and grace in our communities. street ministry. Action Réfugiés Mon- equip lay leaders with skills to lead Last fall, during the four-week on- tréal helps refugee claimants held in Bible studies, teach Sunday Schools line Transform course, 150 people detention centres navigate the claim- and minister to people in the com- from over 60 different congrega- ant process and integrate into Cana- munity. The Christian Medical As- tions and ministries explored what dian society. Life in Christ is helping sociation of India, New Life Psychi- mission and ministry can look like. newly arrived Arabic-speaking refu- atric Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal Participants shared their experiences gees and immigrants in Scarborough and Ekwendeni Mission Hospital in and heard new ideas around adaptive learn English and navigate life in Malawi all provide health care to vul- Proclaiming the love change, transformational leadership, Canada. nerable populations. With partners stewardship, good ministry practices Together, we are supporting min- around the world, we are building a and the power of storytelling. istries with Indigenous people in stronger church. The Rev. Joan Masterton of communities across Canada. Place This is just a glimpse of some of of Jesus Christ St. James Presbyterian Church in of Hope in Winnipeg, Man., and the ministries proclaiming God’s Stouffville, Ont., shared, “I learned that Mistawasis Memorial Church on message of love, hope and peace it is important to stay focused on put- the Mistawasis reserve in Saskatch- with the support of Presbyterians ting God’s mission first and foremost, ewan are Indigenous congregations. Sharing. Your gifts put faith into action and that sometimes we need to let go Hummingbird Ministries promotes Working together requires talking of something to become something reconciliation between Indigenous with and listening to one another, in Canada and around the world. new. It has me and my team consid- and non-Indigenous people around sometimes across language, cul- ering practical ways our congregation Richmond, B.C., through art, drama, tural and generational divides. It can might use lessons from the pandemic dance, education and worship. Win- involve setting aside our own agen- to adapt to longer term change.” nipeg Inner City Missions, Kenora das and seeing God work in different Donate through your congregation When we participate in God’s mis- Fellowship Centre, Saskatoon Na- ways through different people. This or online at presbyterian.ca/donate sion together, we support ministries tive Circle Ministry and Edmonton can require patience, humility, wis- beyond our communities with prayer, Urban Native Ministry share Christ’s dom and times of prayerful stillness encouragement and funds. love through a variety of programs, as we discern God’s direction. YES, I WANT TO SUPPORT Presbyterians Sharing Together, we are helping to revital- including meal provision, temporary Learn more about Presbyterians ize congregations like Montreal West housing, employment services, chil- Sharing in the colourful brochure in- • As a monthly donor for $______/month Presbyterian Church, which has dren/youth programs, Bible studies serted in this edition of the Presbyte- • With a one-time donation of $ ______shifted from a small homogeneous and worship. rian Connection newspaper. Please provide the following credit card information: congregation to a vibrant multicultur- Together, we are supporting over When we put our gifts in God’s Visa ® Mastercard ® al community with a Sunday School 50 international partners in 25 coun- hands, God does remarkable things. of over 60 children. In Mississauga, Credit card #: ______Ont., The Well Church is ministering Expiry date:______to the unique needs of second-gen- Name on card:______eration immigrants. Using a house church model, Two Rivers Church Signature:______in Guelph, Ont., serves people alien- Address: ______ated from traditional congregations, Phone #:______Email:______and Cariboo Presbyterian Church in northern British Columbia connects 50 Wynford Dr., Toronto, ON M3C 1J7 • 1-800-619-7301 people living in rural and remote areas. St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church in Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., is addressing poverty, and the New- presbyterian.ca comer Mission at St. Paul’s Presby- terian Church in Peterborough, Ont., PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 5 LEADERSHIP

ever, unexpected costs and com- Scottish Garden Jam Recipe Add a tablespoon of butter to pre- peting priorities from the operating Makes 12–13 250 ml jars of jam vent excess foaming. budget made the project difficult to Add the rest of the fruit and sim- complete. Ingredients: mer gently, stirring occasionally for As a series of special fundrais- 4 cups black currants approximately 10 minutes, or until ers for the worship team, the Ger- 4 cups blackberries fruit is turning soft. ries continued to increase their jam 3 cups raspberries Add sugar and stir over gentle sales, and they now sell over 1,000 4 cups strawberries heat until sugar is dissolved. jars annually. The whole family plays 9 cups white sugar Bring to a boil and cook until set- their part. Patricia is often searching 1 tbsp of butter ting point is reached, stirring con- for new and unique flavour combina- stantly (about 24–30 minutes). tions to create, and now makes over Method: Setting point is reached when the 40 varieties of jam, including Carrot Sterilize jars, lids, funnel and tongs, mixture reaches 220°C. Cake Jam and Peach Blush. In addi- and keep hot. Skim off foam and pour jam into tion to tending to the berry bushes, a Put black currants in a large pre- sterilized jars and seal with warm bumper crop of tomatoes led Blair to serving pot and add 2/3 cup of wa- sterilized lids. begin canning tomato soup to add to ter. their inventory. Their son, Tristan— Bring to a boil and simmer until The jam can take up to 24 hours to sales staff and red pepper jelly mak- berries are almost soft (about 10 set. Store in a cool place. Refrigerate er—encourages friends, co-workers minutes). Stir constantly. after opening. and acquaintances to distribute the order forms far and wide. A Sweet The Gerries have always preserved fresh fruit. When they first married, a peach tree in their backyard provided the first fruit they preserved so they could enjoy peaches all year-round. Fundraiser Preserving became a treasured fam- ily tradition with grandparents and By Tristan Gerrie, Elder, Morningside– jam, jellies, soup, chutney and chili children joining the production line to High Park Presbyterian Church in sauce. They pooled their loonies to help peel, stir and snack. Years later, Toronto, Ont. purchase their first bag of sugar and the Gerries purchased a cottage on package of pectin. Much of the fruit Lake Huron that had a number of red What started with a few loonies used in their jam comes from their currant bushes. Unsure of what to do has grown into an annual fundrais- cottage garden on Lake Huron. What with them, Patricia began to experi- ing campaign that has raised over they don’t grow, they purchase from ment with jam making. Blair, an avid $20,000 in a decade for Morning- local farmer’s markets or Mennon- gardener, quickly began to plant more side–High Park (MHP) Presbyterian ites nearby. fruit—raspberries, black currants, Church in Toronto. Blair and Patricia were amazed by blackberries, crabapples, gooseber- In 2011, MHP held a summer the enthusiastic response to their ries—all of which provided Patricia stewardship campaign called Seed- sale. What excited them most was with more latitude to experiment. time to Harvest. Congregants were the opportunity to bring in funds from They enjoy and value the opportunity each given a loonie as their “seed outside the congregation—extended to give back to their community of money” and were challenged to family, friends and co-workers ea- faith by doing what they love. “grow” their loonie over the sum- gerly purchased jam and shared the During MHP’s 125th Anniversary, mer months and then “harvest” the order form with others. proceeds from the jam sales helped rewards in the autumn. After the success of the first year, the congregation begin to install a new While trying to decide how to the Gerries saw an opportunity to audio-visual system. Over the years, “plant” their “seed,” Blair, Patricia continue to support the ministry of funds from the jam sales have been and Tristan Gerrie (elders at MHP) MHP. The congregation had long used to enhance existing resources looked to one of their typical sum- planned to replace the outdated and purchase new music and vibrant mer activities—preserving jars of sound system at the church; how- banners for the sanctuary. The Rev. Janet Ryu-Chan, Patricia Gerrie and Donna Sullivan. Colleague Covenant Group Grants

By the Rev. Tim Purvis, Associate the group also became a place where odds (1 Kings 19:9–10). Feelings Secretary, Ministry and Church we found mutual support and encour- of isolation which occur in “normal” Vocations agement as we talked about the joys times have been compounded in and struggles of ministry. Over time, the pandemic. Clergy report feeling One of the most valued resources for we built trust and walls came down. physically and mentally depleted and self-care I used in congregational min- In this safe space, we became more experiencing exhaustion, burnout, istry was a weekly lectionary study open and vulnerable. While ministry depression and a sense of isolation. group. It began with five colleagues can be isolating at times, the collegial Collegial support helped keep clergy who would gather on Tuesdays to support we offered one another was who use them grounded and whole provides a one-time grant of “seed Full details of the program can be discuss the scripture passages we a lifeline. during difficult times in their ministry. money” to assist in the start-up of found at presbyterian.ca/ccgg or were preaching on the following Sun- Ministry is a demanding and fre- To encourage ministers in develop- a new colleague covenant group. To contact Liz Brewer day. Certainly, we all became better quently solitary calling. Clergy can ing this kind of mutual clergy support qualify for funds, an application must ([email protected]) or Tim preachers by exchanging insights on feel like Elijah hiding in the cave, network, Colleague Covenant Group be made that meets the criteria avail- Purvis ([email protected]) the weekly texts over coffee and muf- thinking he was doing God’s work Grants are available through the de- able on The Presbyterian Church in in the Ministry and Church fins. But as we got to know each other, alone while facing overwhelming nominational office. The program Canada website. Vocations department. PRESBYTERIAN 6 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca LEADERSHIP

ed funds for the new church kitchen. In April of 1999, the Van Voorsts and St. John’s Piepers the Lloyds, along with Edgar’s sis- ter, Helen Robson, cooked one large turkey and made one batch of filling, which yielded 103 pies. Our first sale of pies gave us a net profit of $2,160. We were on our way! By October 2000, we cooked six turkeys for the first time to fill our pie orders, and our pie making group had expanded considerably. We made the pie filling in our church kitchen, then transported it to our farm where we were able to provide refrigeration to let it set overnight. The next morning, a dozen or so of us would get togeth- er in our farm dining room and put The Piepers have been making turkey pies together for over 20 years at St. John’s the pies together, sealing each one in Presbyterian Church in Bradford, Ont. a Ziplock bag and refrigerating them Other projects followed: tables for cess selling our turkey pies. They are until they were picked up. This was a the hall, an outside storage shed, very popular with schoolteachers and The St. John’s “Piepers” (pie-people) at the Presbyterian Church on 10th sideroad, time of great fellowship and our tur- sound barriers in the hall, sound and nurses as they are a complete dinner Bradford has been making and selling turkey pies for over 20 years and recently key pie makers looked forward to our video for the sanctuary, chair dollies, with a soup or salad accompaniment. donated $2,000 to a church in Vanuatu from the meat pie sales. (Left-Right) Marie two-day monthly commitment. plate warmers, window replacement, Of course, this would not be pos- Wood, Helen Robson, Laurie Wood, Dianne & Jim Van Voorst, Leila & Edgar Lloyd We decided to call ourselves the door canopy, backdoor opener, new sible without the commitment of so By Dianne Van Voorst, St. John’s code in the modern world. Our first Piepers (short for pie persons). organ, new refrigerator, piano and many people to the project. We now Presbyterian Church in Bradford West project would be to put in a new It wasn’t long before we realized various repairs. make in excess of 9,000 pies per Gwillimbury, Ont. kitchen. So my husband, Jim, and I that our old church would be sold In 2019, we celebrated our 20th year and have a challenge to keep up decided to make some turkey pies for and we would be constructing a new anniversary of turkey pie making by with our monthly orders. We have at In 1998, St. John’s Presbyterian our annual meeting in 1999. sanctuary. Our group decided that paying for our whole Piepers crew least 20 people who show up month- Church occupied the old church We were able to convince fellow our funds for turkey pies would be to go on a bus tour of the Muskoka ly for our two-day pie making ses- building at Church and John Streets members, Leila and Edgar Lloyd, that used to equip a new kitchen in our area, which included lunch and a sions, which is now done completely in Bradford, Ont. The building re- selling turkey pies might be the pro- new building. We were able to supply boat cruise of the Muskoka River. in our church building. We still have quired much work to bring it up to ject that would raise the much-need- $38,333 for this, our first project. We have had tremendous suc- great fun and fellowship! A Warming Space in Kenora

By Lisa Baker, Clerk of Session, First Preparations for the warming space the church building is located on the volunteers from the very first time Presbyterian Church in Kenora, Ont. included gaining the Northwestern main thoroughfare of Kenora’s down- they meet a patron and write down Health Unit’s approval of the space town core. The local news heralded the their first and last name as part of the First Presbyterian Church in Kenora, and setting up screening and safety humanitarian action taking place. screening process. When they leave Ont., is a small congregation that has protocols. Things moved along swift- Up to 50 people are being served the space for the night, they leave with been without a pastor for two years. ly, and the space was up and running each day, on a rotational basis to keep the knowledge that the patron they A request came to Session prior to by Jan. 4, 2021. First Nations Elder with capacity restrictions of 15 people served that evening (who they may Christmas from several community Cathy Lindsey opened the space with with staff. have seen struggling on the street in groups asking to use the church hall prayer and drum. The space was Patrons using the space have ex- the past) is named Carl. These caring as a “warming space” for those who named “Giizhowigamig,” Oji-Cree for pressed deep gratitude. One Indig- interactions offer new mutual respect. would not have shelter in the winter “Warming House.” enous woman, “Patricia,” following After communing with people who months between the hours of 4 to 9 Nee-chee Friendship Centre and a warm meal, stopped to express face even more struggle than not hav- p.m., daily. Other spaces were being Waasegiizhig Nanaandawe’iyewigamig her thankfulness and added during ing a place to call home, it is certainly approached, but to no avail. Health Access Centre help fund an the conversation that her father had humbling to return to a cozy house and The Session learned that between operating model that incorporates helped build this church when he was climb into a warm bed at night, know- the time the much-used Anamiewig- former patrons to become staff, who 19 years old. When sharing with her ing that the Shelter will not hold all of ummig Fellowship Centre closes at work with the volunteers to manage that it would be an hour wait time the patrons we’d met that evening. 4 p.m. and the Overnight Emergency the space. The motto “nothing for us, before the Overnight Shelter opened, As throughout the world, homeless- Shelter opens at 9 p.m., there is a without us” incorporates oversight she replied, “That’s okay…that’s my ness is a desperate concern among five-hour time period where there is no that includes patron input and com- prayer time while I wait in line.” many, many people. Kenora has an easy access to a toilet facility, warmth munity circles. The project will take Volunteering at the space is a worthy especially high number of persons or food for those without a home. The place each day through to April. and humbling experience. Those who without shelter due to a variety of seriousness of this inhumane gap in- While there continues to be concern have been able to take up the challenge social, economic, demographic and creases as the temperatures plummet. about the need for better intervention while wearing masks, gloves and other historic tragedies that have heavily The plans presented to the church provided by the government, the im- PPE when necessary, find it at times encompassed northwestern Ontario. leadership included a fully managed mediate need remains, and the band- “an adjustment” amidst the reality of However, already more groups patron-volunteer model, with in-depth aid solution has brought local people mental trauma and the effects of drug have reached out to find alternative COVID-19 safety protocols, run by lo- and churches together. and alcohol abuse. ways to help continue to bridge the cal grassroots groups, Kenora Moving We are looking forward to seeing However, the mandatory need to gap and learn new stories—bring- Forward and Spirituality Meets Home- how this endeavour will bring light to screen all of the people in the space ing about a shift on the narrative of lessness, the latter having a First PC our community and widen relation- every day has provided another op- homelessness. representative. ships with those around us. Some portunity to welcome, engage and Your prayers for this effort are very With the church hall not in use, the volunteers initially did not even know of get to know each other. Interactions much cherished as we seek Christ’s Session responded positively. First Presbyterian Church, even though become all the more personal for will in his kingdom here in Kenora. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 7 LEADERSHIP Muskokans Embrace Unique Outdoor Space had built an outdoor stage, complete gregation could not sing along, they with plastic barriers, to allow for mu- did hum along, and expressed appre- sicians to entertain outside patrons ciation to hear their favourite hymns in its newly established Beer Garden. sung aloud. In the small villages of Torrance Even the minister’s beagle, Skippy, and Port Carling in Muskoka Lakes came to church on those warm fall Township, home to the Muskoka Sundays in Muskoka. Lakes ministries of The Presbyte- “Online worship services have rian Church in Canada, there are few been a blessing for keeping the spaces—indoors or outdoors—that church family connected, and our allow enough safe distance for a gathering together in nature brought congregation, let alone two, to pray joy to the hearts of God’s people,” together. The Beer Garden, with its said the Rev. Glynis Faith. “The man- carefully spaced tables, fire pits and agement of Clear Lake Brewing pro- staging, along with few patrons on an vided us a place to connect in per- early Sunday morning, provided the son, a gift for which we are grateful. solution. Even if only for a few short months, The first few services were held in the time we had encouraged us, and September 2020. By Thanksgiving, awakened our hope that, together, A group of safely spaced worshippers. The Rev. Glynis Faith delivered the there were over 40 people attend- united in Christ, we will get through blessing from the Beer Garden Stage in ing church outside the brewery, with this.” Torrance, Ont. people joining in from other congre- Innovation means something dif- gations. They came with blankets, ferent to everyone, and churches By the Communications Team, parkas, hats and gloves, and sleep- tending their flocks during a pandem- Knox and Zion Presbyterian Churches ing bags, all because it was worth ic are learning to embrace innovation in Muskoka, Ont. the effort to join together as a com- in different ways. In Muskoka Lakes, munity of worshippers to hear the not one adherent questioned the idea When the Government of Ontario Word of God spoken. Even as the to gather in a beer garden. said congregations could gather in days grew colder, services continued “I think you could say we were person again this summer, the con- into November. humble, happy and unlike the belov- gregations of Knox and Zion Presby- “What a joy to be allowed to sing, ed hymn, we did not come to the gar- terian Churches in Muskoka Lakes, even in restricted form, and worship den alone,” said Norah Fountain, who Ont., joined together in a way no one in person,” said Stan Hunter of Port for 60 years has attended church in would have expected before 2020. Carling, who was one of a carefully Torrance. “Rather, we came together, They worshipped in a beer garden. spaced quartet that sang hymns on as if one, to praise God in that beer It took just one phone call to Clear the stage for Thanksgiving. “It was garden, secure in the knowledge that Lake Brewing Co. in Torrance to set an honour to be there with the Rev- an approving Lord was smiling down A large beer garden allowed congregations of Muskoka Lakes to worship safely to- a creative plan in action. The brewery erend Glynis Faith.” While the con- on us.” gether in fall 2020 for the first time since the pandemic hit. Going Digital in Campbellville

was the best option to continue to worship in the sanctuary, Doug on Linkletter’s Kids Say the Darndest not have digital access. The tran- gather and worship, questions arose: the piano, and Brad and/or Staci at Things. Without their living presence, sition has had its challenges, but “What equipment do we need to pull the Mac helm. it doesn’t work. We never considered we’re making it work. As Staci says: this off?” and “How do we reformat When we do return to worshipping playing cartoons or YouTube videos. #whateverittakes. the service to have a meaningful and in person, we will continue to pro- The question was, “What can we do Having gone digital, we’ll get rid of relevant service digitally?” duce digital services with worship- to enable their participation in wor- the photocopier and switch our Inter- We had an expert assess our tech- pers present in the sanctuary. This ship?” net provider to save some money. If By the Rev. Drew Jacques, nical needs. For a mere $35,000, we is partly because of the “digital con- Then, the light bulb moment ar- you need a hand, please get in touch. St. David’s Presbyterian Church could have a state-of-the-art studio gregation” we’ve grown during this rived. We realized that young people in Campbellville, Ont. to produce digital services. time. On any given Sunday, nearly have, or have access to, digital de- That did not happen. a third of worshippers come from vices. They know how to work them, A long time ago, in a land far, far For nine months, we used an old places miles away, including North- and they want to use their devices to away…a plug got pulled, a switch laptop and an inexpensive camera ern Ontario, Alberta and Florida; once be part of the worship. So instead of got thrown. We were shoved off the and microphone to provide a time somebody from Jerusalem joined us “Children’s Time,” we have “Young rails of the way we did things, tossed of worship online through Zoom. We for a funeral service. Wisdom,” where we give one young out of the “HMCS Predictable” into learned to make do with a minimum Over time, we’ve pared and pol- person a prayer, poem, story or the storm of COVID-19. of equipment. One of the lessons of ished a time of worship that is com- “script,” which they record and send It was sudden and there was no COVID-19 is less is more. fortable and familiar, yet new and in- to the Production Team for inclusion playbook. In December, we were blessed spiring at the same time. The biggest in the service. It’s a win-win situa- Thankfully for St. David’s Presby- with a bequest from the Wolfsi Estate struggle has been figuring out how to tion. We get to see the young people terian Church in Campbellville, Ont., that enabled us to buy a Macintosh make “Children’s Time” work in an in our congregation and they get to the Rev. Reuben St. Louis—minister desktop computer and a new laptop. online setting. Back in “B.C.” (Before participate in worship. We’re mentor- at our neighbour church, Nassagaw- They are all the tools we need. COVID-19), the young ones would ing storytellers! eya PC—threw us a life preserver by As we got the hang of navigating come to the front of the sanctuary Each week, the Pastoral Care Team Doug, Brad and Staci of the Production showing us the way to go digital. this new terrain, a “Production Team” and we would essentially re-create, mails a hard copy of the service to Team at St. David’s Presbyterian Church When it dawned on us that this sprouted, with me leading online in a Christian manner, a version of Art those of the congregation who do in Campbellville, Ont. PRESBYTERIAN 8 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca GENERAL ASSEMBLY General Assembly Moves Online in 2021

By the Rev. Stephen Kendall, Principal other denominations have already all the business that has accumu- ensure that all procedures conform forward to working with a team of Clerk, General Assembly Office done so or are in the planning stages lated since the 2019 Assembly. As with the principles of our polity as laid volunteers and staff to help the As- to do so. they always do, commissioners will out in the Book of Forms. sembly be a positive and memorable The year 2020 was a year of strug- The online Assembly will maintain determine how Assembly business PC-Biz (pc-biz.org), an online plat- experience. As plans continue to de- gle and change. It was also the first many of the elements that take place is dealt with. They will decide what form that has been in use successfully velop and unfold, the Assembly web- year in our history that the General in person. Commissioners will be can be dealt with quickly by consent, for 15 years within the Presbyterian site will be updated at presbyterian. Assembly was cancelled. The global responsible for the business of As- what should be discussed as part of Church (USA), will be used for pre- ca/ga2021. pandemic has moved much of the sembly and its decisions. There will the online meeting and what should senting the reports and recommenda- life of the church online and, in 2021, also be worship, ecumenical and be deferred to a future Assembly. The tions—and facilitating the business to this will also be the case with the interfaith guests, young adult and General Assembly Office is working commissioners in real time. PC-Biz General Assembly. student representatives, and lots of on a method to assist commission- also enables voting and tracking of Following a survey of presbyter- breaks. The wider church will have ers with that process. all business. It will be customized for ies about whether we should move the opportunity to follow the Assem- Commissioners are ultimately re- The Presbyterian Church in Canada online for a 2021 Assembly, hold bly through live-streaming. sponsible for the Assembly. They will and our decision-making processes. Presbyterians Sharing an Assembly in-person as soon as The General Assembly Office will need to authorize its very existence Staff from PC-Biz will train those who provides the funds for possible, or delay by another year, work with the General Assembly De- when it starts, decide on the busi- will facilitate the Assembly and every the Assembly Council authorized sign Team on making the Assembly ness and approve any procedures commissioner, so that all are suffi- the General Assembly, an online General Assembly to be as meaningful and effective as possi- that will be necessary to facilitate the ciently confident to fully participate. At the body that brings held during the dates of June 6–9, ble under these new circumstances. online Assembly. For example, if there the 2020 online General Assembly of 2021. While the vaccine rollout car- Issues of how many hours we can is a process to decide what business the PC(USA), they found that only one people together ries much hope, the council could reasonably meet, what business can should be deferred, commissioners of close to 600 commissioners was across the church to not, with confidence, recommend and should be dealt with and how we will need to agree to both the process unable to manage the technology after collaborate and set the planning to meet in person this year, can facilitate the participation of all and the matters to be deferred. While the training. much as we would have liked to. commissioners are top of mind. we will, of necessity, need to find new The staff in the General Assem- strategic direction of We will not be the first to hold an It will not be possible (and perhaps procedures to facilitate the Assembly, bly Office are excited about serving the church’s ministry. online General Assembly. Several not advisable) to attempt to complete the Clerks of Assembly will strive to the church in this new way and look

What Does a General Assembly Commissioner Do? June 2021 will mark the first time in the history of The Presbyterian Church in Canada that the General Assembly will meet entirely online. This will necessitate some modifications as to how the Assembly is conducted, but the fundamentals remain unchanged. Ministers and elders from across Canada will still unite in worship and discernment and the decisions made will shape our denomination and help us fulfill the ministry to which we are called. Before the Assembly, commissioners will receive reports from the various committees, councils and agencies. The more commissioners familiarize themselves with the reports, the more effectively they will be able to participate. During the Assembly, commissioners will be expected to attend every sederunt (sitting) of the Assembly. Reports will be presented. Opening worship at the 2019 General Assembly. Some of them will have recommendations that call for decisions to be made, others will not. Ecumenical and interfaith guests will be invited to address the court. After the Assembly, presbyteries will invite commissioners to report on their Assembly experience. Your clerk Pre-Assembly Q&A Sessions of presbytery should let you know how to go about submitting your evaluation. For the benefit of commissioners to the General The church is blessed when commissioners, embracing God’s inexhaustible love, seek the Assembly, some committees will offer online Q&A guidance of the Holy Spirit and discern the mind of Christ together. sessions in advance of the Assembly’s meetings. These gatherings will give commissioners an opportunity to meet some committee members, learn more about the content of the reports and ask questions about proposed recommendations. Details about the timing and format of the meetings can be found at presbyterian.ca/ga2021.

Young Adult Representatives at the 2019 General Assembly. Commissioners vote at the 2019 General Assembly. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 9 GENERAL ASSEMBLY Ballot for Moderator By the Communications Office church’s failure to do justice, Paulette Presbyterian Church in Canada. as the founder of the Bradford Minis- has learned a resilience that refuses Mary loves theatre and writing. terial; as a hockey and soccer coach; Three names will appear on the Bal- to give up on God. Paulette is also a She has a married daughter and two and by integrating community groups lot for Moderator of the 2021 General Ph.D. candidate in biblical studies. grandchildren. She keeps close ties into the life of the church. Assembly. The Committee to Advise Paulette brings passionate lead- with family in Mistawasis. In 2018, The Elden opened in part- with the Moderator will count the bal- ership to support the church’s re- nership with St. John’s PC to create lots on April 1, 2021. sponse to God’s call to equitable re- The Rev. Dr. Daniel D. Scott a $54-million, 152-unit retirement lationships and reconciliation within Dan Scott is the minister at St. John’s home in response to a significant The Rev. Paulette M. Brown its diverse body, even as it hammers Presbyterian Church in Bradford, lack of housing for seniors in the The Rev. Paulette M. Brown. Born, baptized and raised in Jamaica, out new ways of being the church. Ont., and an associate professor at community. The facility has part- Paulette’s faith formation occurred Tyndale University, where he previ- nered with Southlake Hospital to care within the context of the church’s The Rev. Mary Fontaine ously served as Vice President and for patients during COVID-19. struggles to be relevant, as new Mary Fontaine (Cree), born and Academic Dean. Dan has served as moderator of generations questioned the church’s raised at Mistawasis Nêhiyawak, In 1987, his adventurous spirit the Presbytery of Oak Ridges, as commitment to justice. During those Sask., grew up in the Mistawasis took him to China where he taught ecumenical observer on behalf of times of questioning, Paulette’s faith Presbyterian Church. She is the English to academics first at Shanxi The Presbyterian Church in Canada in Jesus Christ was nourished by founding director of Hummingbird University, then at Shanghai Jiao to the Evangelical Fellowship of Can- prayers and the persistence of Chris- Ministries, an Indigenous-led heal- Tong University. He joined the lead- ada’s Council of Presidents, as the tians working for justice. ing and reconciling ministry of the ership team at the Shanghai Inter- Presbyterian representative on the Paulette, her three children and Presbytery of Westminster in British national Fellowship. Upon returning Bereavement Authority of Ontario’s husband emigrated to Canada in Columbia. to Canada in 1989, after the Tianan- faith-based Advisory Committee and 1983. University Presbyterian Church Mary’s passion for healing is mo- men Square protests, he served on in various other committee roles, in- in Toronto, Ont., became their home tivated by the suffering of Indigenous the pastoral staff at Knox Church in cluding serving on the founding team The Rev. Mary Fontaine. church, providing opportunities for people. And her hope for the healing Toronto. of Stewards by Design. their practice of faith. Responding to of the nations is inspired by her work While at Knox College in 1995, he At Tyndale University, Dan led the a call to ministry, Paulette attended with Indigenous children, her faith became the student minister at St. introduction of eight Honours B.A. Knox College and graduated in 1991. in the Great Physician and in Indig- John’s and hasn’t left. At St. John’s, programs, as well as the creation Called as pastor to University Pres- enous kinship spirituality. which recently celebrated its 201st of a B.Ed. program certified by the byterian Church in 1992, she served Her faith was influenced by her anniversary, Dan led the construc- Ontario College of Teachers. He also there for eight years. She led the con- mother, who loved Jesus Christ, her tion of a brand-new church facility served as Managing Director of Save gregation in developing the “Created people and her culture. Mary’s pas- (2004), with plans for an addition the Mothers, a maternal health non- for Life Youth Ministry,” respond- sion for justice was inspired by her underway. governmental organization, and he ing to violence and deaths among father who made her aware of the His leadership has connected has published multiple articles in a Black youth in communities served suffering of Indigenous people, a re- the church to the wider commu- variety of publications. by the church. She received a YWCA ality affirmed academically through nity, through his involvement with For more information about Woman of Distinction Award for this her B.A. in Native Studies. Her grand- programs, such as: special-needs the candidates for moderator and church-community engagement. father (a pipe carrier) modelled the camps; a twinning project between lo- the 2021 General Assembly, visit From 2008 to 2014, Paulette inclusive All My Relations view of cal schools and First Nations schools; presbyterian.ca/ga2021. The Rev. Dr. Daniel D. Scott. served Gateway Community Church, humanity and creation. She cred- leading the board in developing and its her spiritual parents for her own implementing its vision of a mission spiritual growth and an appreciation COVID-19 has altered the way we offer classes – to newcomer families. for the healing power of scripture. Thank you. but Knox College is still going strong, equipping Called to St. Andrew’s Presbyteri- The Native Ministries program at the an Church, Humber Heights, in 2014, Vancouver School of Theology (VST) leaders for service. Thanks to donors like you, learning and discernment continue. Paulette supported the congregation provided an opportunity to authenti- in developing the Vision United Sum- cate Indigenous Christianity through mer Camp, a mission responding the integration of faith with Indig- to families’ needs in Etobicoke. She enous cultures. Minister in brings gifts of prayer, discernment, Mary preached at the 2019 Gen- fasting and study to support the con- eral Assembly and served on the gregation’s revisioning. Executive Committee of the World a changing Paulette has served the church Communion of Reformed Churches locally and internationally. She has from 2010 to 2017. She participated world been a keynote speaker for the Pres- in pre-COPPS22 in Morocco (2016) byterian Women’s Gathering, a gen- and was on a climate change panel der consultant for the World Com- responding to Pope Francis’s Laud- munion of Reformed Churches and a ato Si in Vancouver (2015). Mary member of a writing team for Council has chaired the Native Ministries of World Mission. Tasting firsthand Consortium at VST and the National the sufferings that result from the Indigenous Ministries Council of The Provide spiritual care Resources for Lent in a church, social service, and Easter presbyterian.ca/worship or counselling setting. KNOX COLLEGE Start at knox.utoronto.ca/program. www.knox.utoronto.ca To begin in autumn, apply by April 30.

2020 12 PC Connect 6x5 recruitment for March.indd 1 1/15/2021 12:16:23 PM PRESBYTERIAN 10 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca JUSTICE

your neighbours.” So, although hundreds of years Flags Present of history have tried to argue oth- erwise, it has never been—and still isn’t now—a question of whether Jesus would condone this move- at the Assault ment, these actions. It’s a question of whether we will. What happened on January 6 brought to a boil forces that have on the U.S. simmered both within and outside Christianity for many years. Those forces are not confined to the United States; they are here in Canada too, Capitol and all over the world. It was prevent- able, but it was not prevented—and there were public rallies in cities here By Allyson Carr, Associate Secretary, the writers drafted Church and Na- in Canada in support of Trump, and Justice Ministries tion was, of course, framed by the all that his supporters stood—and larger context in which they wrote. The Christian flag flies beneath the flag of the United States of America. stormed—for. On the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, one But they had spotted a clear and seri- When we preach, when we wor- of several documents I had been ous danger to the faith, and wanted the large Confederate flag a man who ages and paraphernalia the mob was ship, when we gather as community, preparing to work on was a reflec- the ability to unambiguously say, had forced his way into the building carrying, there were multiple (and what are we saying and doing, and tive essay on the dangers of pop- “No. We can’t, as Christians, support was carrying and the nooses hang- large and prominent) flags with Chris- what are we not saying and not do- ulism and nationalism. The reflection tyrannical power.” ing outside—violent racist threats tian imagery on them—one of them ing? How do we encourage each was structured on some aspects of As someone who is both a citizen that refer to a history of white mobs literally the ecumenical Christian flag other and build one another up? How the Declaration of Faith Concerning of Canada and the United States, all lynching Black people—I saw peo- that is supposed to stand for Christi- do we stir one another to love and to Church and Nation, a subordinate this was on my mind while I was ple carrying flags that displayed anity itself. This is not just a problem do good works? If we can’t answer standard of The Presbyterian Church working that morning. Though it was the cross, and one with the word for the United States, or even just a these questions, we have serious in Canada that was drafted during pressing, it also seemed distant; an “Jesus,” storming the capitol build- problem for Canada insofar as we soul searching to do. and right after WWII. It is concerned abstract threat, not one metaphori- ing. I spotted another with “Jesus share a border and other ties with the The way to prevent violence like with Christians’ duties in the face of cally trying to break down my front is My Savior, Trump is My President” United States. This is a violent cancer this is not to wait until it has come authoritarianism, tyranny and totali- door. But by afternoon, the abstrac- try to breach the building. And within within Christianity that has aligned it- to a head, but to address it all along, tarianism. Church and Nation was, tion and metaphor had both van- the Senate chamber itself, once the self with white supremacy and with each week, each day, speaking love, after all, written by theologians who ished. Watching nationalist, populist insurrectionists had forced the evac- staying in power at all costs. This is living love. It is through building had witnessed the majority of the and racist insurrectionists storm the uation of the Senate—while it was in exactly the kind of situation the writ- each other up, which for some of us Christian church in Nazi Germany US Capitol building—meeting sig- active session to confirm the results ers of Church and Nation were wor- means letting our own privileges go. stand aside or even join the Nazis in nificantly smaller police, FBI and Na- of the election—I saw the very same ried about, and Christians cannot be It is through listening and through re- genocide and total war. tional Guard presence than the ear- ecumenical Christian flag that stood silent about this. pentance when we have committed The writers of Church and Nation lier and peaceful Black Lives Matters in the corner of my classroom every It should go without saying that wrongs, and through learning how to wanted to guard against the church protestors had met—was something day of my school life, from kinder- Jesus would not condone these ac- be community, how to be neighbours, participating in, or standing aside I had feared for months and now it garten through grade eight, waving tions. He would not align himself with that we begin to close the divide. That for, such state-sanctioned violence was suddenly happening. I was not in the hands of a man among those a power that pursued policies that the is what it takes in the long haul, and should it happen in Canada. They surprised, but I was in shock. who forced their way in to seize and Trump administration pursued. He we need those measures, as so many wanted doctrinal statements to hold As I watched it unfold live on keep power. Four people died in the would never align himself with rac- people have been saying louder and themselves and future generations newsfeed, things I already knew deep violence and a fifth, a police officer, ism and lynching nooses. That’s not better than me for so many years. But, to, so people would understand in my heart were on visceral visual died shortly after. At least two explo- even a question; one cannot read the given what happened, we also now Christians cannot and must not align display. A particular—and vocal and sives had been found and dismantled gospel accounts and come to any need to ask ourselves: When a mob themselves with a totalizing power powerful—segment of the Christian in this attempt to overthrow the re- other conclusions. The Great Com- comes claiming the right to political headed by any human or political church placed their Christian identity sults of a free democratic election. mandment is not “Love the Lord your power and violence in God’s name, party, no matter how charismatic, no behind this push for populist, nation- It cannot be ignored or minimized God with all your heart and all your under the Christian banner, how will matter the circumstances. The way alist and racist power. In addition to that, in addition to all the racist im- mind and all your strength and hate the wider church respond? Talking about Climate Change

By Allyson Carr, Associate Secretary, progress is needed, though, and warming even faster than much of to head off irreversible damage. The Justice Ministries knowing where to begin can be dif- the rest of the world, which is al- next steps are figuring out how to ficult, especially while balancing all ready seeing significant climbs in act on it, and a vital part of those Though much has changed in the the other pressing needs the pan- overall temperature. The same re- decisions is dialogue. But how does world because of the pandemic demic has raised. port notes changes in freshwater one have productive conversations there is one thing at least that has The impacts of climate change not availability, temperature extremes, about climate change, and what to not—the need to protect the Earth only on ourselves but on future gen- and the likelihood of drought, floods do to mitigate it, when not everyone and halt, insofar as we can, the ef- erations are profound. “Canada’s and forest fires. Both an executive agrees on what is needed, and peo- fects of climate change. If anything, Changing Climate” report, which summary and the full report can be ple have different levels of familiarity that need has become even more was published by the federal gov- found online. with the data that’s available—as clear this past year, in part from the ernment through Environment and While it is very good to have that well as limited information about environmental improvements we Climate Change Canada in 2019, kind of data and summary at our fin- the options for action that are being see as a result of the reduction in speaks about how Canada—and gertips, knowing the information is proposed? commuting and travel. Much more particularly Northern Canada—is only the first step of what is needed Continued on page 11 PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 11 JUSTICE Human Trafficking is Modern-Day Slavery

This article is drawn from the interim ficking can occur within a country or who are street-involved, children in when physical distancing is not only As a society, we can seek to ad- report of the International Affairs across international borders. Some the care of social services, and peo- needed, but mandated, has also been dress systemic injustices such as Committee to the 2020 General of the forms of trafficking in Canada ple with disabilities. used by human traffickers to host the poverty, racism, barriers to access- Assembly and draws attention to include forced labour in agricultural, The targeting of Indigenous girls sale of illegal images of trafficked ing education and health services, human trafficking. The report is online construction or domestic work and and women for violence, including persons and enabled users to pay and economic insecurity. Addressing at presbyterian.ca/ga2020 sexual exploitation. The International sex trafficking, is examined in the fi- money to abuse victims at a distance these injustices will reduce the vul- Labour Organization (ILO) estimates nal report of the National Inquiry into by logging onto live webcam web- nerability of people who are targeted In a February 2019 legal case that that in 2017 some 40 million people Missing and Murdered Indigenous sites and directing sex acts by those for human trafficking. made national headlines, police in were trafficked, with 25 million peo- Women and Girls. It is a harrowing, on view. The Canadian Human Trafficking Simcoe County, Ont., rescued 49 ple in forced labour situations. The and yet essential, demasking of the One essential part of combating hotline runs 24-hours a day: 1-833- Mexican migrant workers from a Bar- ILO states that 1.2 million trafficking connection between systemic rac- human trafficking is to address the 900-1010 and serves to connect rie house who were being exploited by victims are children. Canadian po- ism and human trafficking that bru- needs of trafficked victims for such survivors and victims with local sup- a cleaning company. Police reported lice services reported 1,708 human talizes girls and women. Indigenous things as food, shelter, education, port services in communities across an operation that brought men from trafficking incidences between 2009 people make up 4% of the country’s employment and personal safety. The Canada. Learn more about child Mexico with promises of work visas, and 2018. Estimates on the number population, but more than half of all Government of Manitoba committed trafficking from UNICEF at unicef. education or permanent residency. In- of people in Canada in modern slav- sex trafficking victims in Canada are $10 million a year to fund Tracia’s ca/en/child-trafficking. Learn about stead, the men were housed in squal- ery conditions range from 6,000 to Indigenous. Trust, named in memory of 14-year- the Palermo Protocols (international id conditions and forced to work as 17,000. Statistics Canada reports The impacts of COVID-19 have old Tracia Owen, an Indigenous girl agreements outlining ways to pre- cleaners in Collingwood, Innisfil, Oro- that 28% of all trafficking victims in further exacerbated conditions for who was sexually exploited. Tracia’s vent, suppress and penalize human Medonte and Cornwall. The traffickers Canada are children. The extent of vulnerable people. The UN Office Trust supports victims of online ex- and other forms of trafficking) and charged the men fees for accommo- these crimes is difficult to determine on Drugs and Crime notes: “The in- ploitation and trafficking, and at-risk the Government of Canada’s Na- dation and food, making their situation because of its hidden nature and the creased levels of domestic violence youth. tional Strategy to Combat Human extremely dependent on those who fear or inability of victims to come reported in many countries is a wor- What else can we do? We can ask Trafficking. The Canadian Council of were exploiting them. forward to law enforcement agencies rying indicator for the living condi- questions about the products and Churches’ Commission on Justice Human trafficking, described by or to seek other support. tions of many trafficking victims… services we use. The CBC’s Market- and Peace produced a study guide, the United Nations as modern-day A large part of the problem is that In an environment where priorities place investigated allegations of hu- Human Trafficking in Canada: A Lead- slavery, is the coerced exploitation human traffickers target people who and actions are geared toward limit- man rights abuses in overseas facto- ership and Learning Kit for Churches, of a human being for the profit of lack social and economic security ing the spread of the virus, it is easier ries producing PPE that are imported available at councilofchurches.ca. the perpetrators. Those who are ex- and support. Vulnerable people in- for traffickers to hide their operations, into Canada and used by Canadians, The Women’s Missionary Society has ploited are not compensated fairly clude migrant workers or new im- making victims increasingly vulnera- highlighting the need for watchful- a social justice study with a section and are frequently forced to live un- migrants, people who struggle with ble.” Technology that has connected ness of our supply chains, even dur- on human trafficking at wmspcc.ca/ der the control of their captor. Traf- mental illness or addictions, people families and communities in a time ing the pandemic. wms-study (Social Justice Study 2).

Continued from page 10 One way to talk about these is- As I am writing, there are three dress the climate emergency.” knowing how to work together with sues has been helpfully provided conversation tool kits already avail- These resources and others that others to mitigate it, there are re- by For the Love of Creation. For the able. The first kit, called “Creation, will be posted later, such as a guide sources available to help you. The Love of Creation is a national ini- Climate and You” is aimed at help- for exploring theology and climate need to act, and to act well, is vital; tiative that brings together churches ing people who are not used to talk- justice, are available at fortheloveof- we need to work from love, to pro- (the PCC among them) and other ing about climate change in a group creation.ca. There is also a letter tect and safeguard the creation God faith organizations or groups that setting, or may be uncomfortable there that the initiative penned to the called very good. We also need to Through are raising conversations and or- doing so and are looking to begin. government, calling for actions such act for the future of our children, and Presbyterians Sharing ganizing advocacy around issues The second, “From Concern to Ac- as further reductions in greenhouse those generations yet to come— we collaborate with of ecological and climate justice. tion” is more aimed at those who gas emissions, or work toward a here, and all over the world. The initiative has several working have some familiarity with the topic “just transition” to a fair, inclusive For more information on some of ecumenical and groups that are engaged in produc- but are unsure how best to engage and green economy. The PCC has the ways in which climate change interfaith partners ing resources and advocacy. One or what to do now. The third guide, our own collection of letters the is affecting the world, see “Climate particular grouping of resources the “Building a Better Future” is aimed church has written to the govern- Change and Food Security” on page to advocate for initiative has produced is tool kits for at facilitating conversations where ment on a range of issues, including 31. environmental care, having conversations about climate people are already involved in cli- climate change. Those letters can peace and change in different contexts, among mate change actions and want to be found at presbyterian.ca/letters. people with different levels of com- do more; it is focused on “enacting No matter your familiarity with human rights. fort and familiarity talking about it. political and systemic change to ad- talking about climate change or PRESBYTERIAN 12 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca HISTORY The Presbyterian Church Archives

By Kim Arnold, Archivist/Records How does one define “archives”? Administrator Archival records are primary source permanent documents that possess The Presbyterian Church in Canada Ar- “Of all our national assets, Archives significant cultural, historical and/or chives, located at the national office in Toronto, circa 1999. are the most precious: they are the evidentiary value—and are normally gift of one generation to another and one-of-a-kind, unpublished items. pages of microfilm, 2,700 architec- variety of records and topics we have post-graduates. the extent of our care of them marks The latter feature is what typically dis- tural plans, over 35,000 photographs, on offer to general researchers. One At the time of writing, we are still the extent of our civilization.” tinguishes an archive from a library. film slides, glass slides, lantern slides of the areas of this site features web sitting amidst the constraints of the —Arthur Doughty, Dominion of Can- The Presbyterian Church Archives and 800 audio-visual items. As well, exhibits on topics that speak to the pandemic. The Archives staff can re- ada Archivist, 1904–1935 is a specially designed, climate-con- for a number of years now, we have wide variety of subject matter found ceive phone calls (1-800-619-7301) trolled space located at the national also been taking in records that are in the Archives—residential schools; and emails, but not in-person visits to Archival facilities are becoming bet- church office in Toronto. It houses created in a digital format. Buxton Mission and slavery; Lillian the Archives. The Archives is staffed ter known because they have more records of various media reflecting To put this into perspective, we Dickson, a missionary in Taiwan; or- with two full-time employees, Kim recently been featured in popular the extensive work of the national house literally miles of records that dination of women; and the life and Arnold, Archivist/Records Admin- movies and television shows. Cue denomination through the decades. would stretch from Toronto to Que- ministry of one of our earliest minis- istrator ([email protected]) the orchestra for music full of antici- To this end, the Archives holds docu- bec City and back again to Ottawa! ters in Southern Ontario. Whether you and Bob Anger, Assistant Archivist pation! An archives room can often mentation from: congregations, all They are held in over 10,000 acid-free are a congregational record keeper or ([email protected]). We are be the place where the crucial “key” departments of the national office, document boxes in our record storage someone simply interested in learn- happy to assist you with any records- document is searched for and hope- presbyteries, synods, the Women’s area of the office. A stable climate, ing a bit more about the fascinating related enquiry that pertains to the fully retrieved by the protagonist in or- Missionary Society, the Atlantic Mis- suitable for paper, photographs and history of the denomination, you can church and its history. der to solve a particular mystery—or sionary Society, individual profes- film, is needed to help preserve the pour yourself a cup of coffee, and The Presbyterian Church Archives provide much needed information to sional church workers and Pres- records with temperature and humid- while away some time browsing our serves as a denominational memory further the story. byterian seminaries. Overall, these ity control. website. bank. It is here to preserve, protect Although maybe not quite as dra- records date back to the year 1791 So how is this material managed Within the pages of the documents and avail the rich documentary legacy matic, this analogy fits quite nicely right through to present day. The me- and accessed? Once we accept a and images in the photos located in that is in our care for the benefit of with the role served by the Presbyte- dia we hold consists of handwritten collection of records we then must the Archives you will find informa- present and future generations. rian Church Archives. manuscripts, typescripts, two million arrange, catalogue/describe, label and tion on such topics as: immigration, correctly store them in acid-free con- settlement, social justice, residential tainers so that we can effectively and schools, temperance, Christian edu- efficiently access the material that is cation, worship, church development, being requested by our researchers. Church Union, women’s studies, ecu- We are a well-used resource and are menical relations, Canadian and inter- available to the national church office national missions, relief work, project staff, the church-at-large and the gen- development, issues of church and Presbyterians eral public. On average, we receive state—to name a few. Sharing helps 3,000 enquiries annually requesting Because of this rich cache of avail- connect Presbyterians assistance for specific information. able information, our patrons come You can learn more about the Ar- from a wide swath of backgrounds— with their rich chives at presbyterianarchives.ca. Our ecumenical representatives, profes- history through the aim for this web resource is to provide sional historians, genealogists, theo- specific guidance to those who are logues, journalists, novelists, artists, Presbyterian Church church record keepers in the denomi- architects, musicologists, econo- Archives. nation, and to bring awareness to the mists, university/college students and

its Honouring Our Veterans service Honouring Veterans and drama for 2020. Normally, it is one morning service, but because re- strictions limited the church to only 50 attendees per service, the church of- in Charlottetown fered three different service times that people had to sign up for in advance. By the Rev. Paula Hamilton, co- historical drama, Padre Tom Ham- All three were full and others watched minister at St. Paul’s Presbyterian ilton portrayed Padre Laurence Wil- online. The blessing of the online ser- Church in Charlottetown, P.E.I. mot, who served in the West Nova vice was that it reached people far and Scotia Regiment during the Second wide, receiving feedback from across Since 1998, St. Mark’s Presbyterian World War. Canada and from as far away as Ohio. Church in Charlottetown, P.E.I., has “It’s essential for us to recognize In addition to serving in team min- hosted an Honouring Our Veterans the contribution of our veterans so istry with his wife, the Rev. Paula service and historical drama during that their service and sacrifice will Hamilton, at the pastoral charge of Veterans’ Week. Each year, Major never be forgotten,” said Hamilton. St. Mark’s and St. Columba, the Rev. Rev. Dr. Tom Hamilton combines his “The drama is one way of bringing Tom Hamilton is the senior chaplain extensive knowledge of Canadian their stories to life so we will better of 36 Canadian Brigade Group and military history with the true story of understand what it was like for our also serves as Padre to the Prince a Canadian soldier, airman or sailor veterans during times of war.” Edward Island Regiment, and to the to produce a dramatization that rec- COVID-19 had a definite impact on Major Rev. Dr. Tom Hamilton, portraying Padre Laurence Wilmot of the West Nova Scotia Charlottetown Branch of the Royal ognizes and honours veterans. In the the way St. Mark’s was able to host Regiment during WWII. Canadian Legion. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 13 HISTORY Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre ning water! Some building spaces were perfect…but out of our price range, and many basement areas were damp with mold and mildew. We even had an offer to move the en- tire museum to the east coast. Photos of the student work crew, supplied In January 2018, we visited Car- by St. Timothy’s Presbyterian Church in lisle United Church, in the village of Toronto, who worked for two weeks in July Carlisle, Ont., within the Municipality 2019 to help pack up the pictorial church of North Middlesex and 20 minutes plate collection and library of the National Presbyterian Museum. northwest of London, Ont. Since our first meeting we have developed a unique partnership with the hospitable generously agreed to meet in the members of this small rural congre- church’s lower level. gation. The fact that the Presbyte- COVID-19 presented challenges rian Church Heritage Centre will be as we packed up the old space and hosted by the former Falkirk Presby- we hope to be able to open the new terian Church (Falkirk being the origi- Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre Marilyn Repchuck, Convener of the nal name of the village’s post office) early in 2023. We have extensive ren- Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre The new site of the Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre (PCHC) in Carlisle United Church in the hamlet of Carlisle, Municipality of North Middlesex, Ont. is good-naturedly acknowledged by ovating to do in the new space. The Advisory Committee, is looking for- members of the congregation and Ad- Presbyterian Church in Canada has ward to announcing our future open- By the Presbyterian Church gregation of St. John’s Presbyterian visory Committee. approved that we launch a campaign ing and dedication. Please visit us at Heritage Centre Committee Church in Toronto would be planning Since that first meeting in Carlisle, this year. Your financial support to the pcheritagecentre.ca or contact us by to redevelop its 110-year-old build- the Advisory Committee under the Presbyterian Church Heritage Centre email at [email protected]. Since Sept. 29, 2002, the National ing. umbrella of The Presbyterian Church is necessary if we are to continue the We value the connection of his- Presbyterian Museum has been gen- In 2017, a team went in search of in Canada’s Committee on History legacy of the National Presbyterian tory and heritage and offer a place erously hosted in the lower level of a new home for the museum. It was has a new name: the Presbyterian Museum that welcomed individuals for future generations to learn from St. John’s Presbyterian Church in not going to be easy to move 400 Church Heritage Centre (PCHC). and group tours for over 16 years. the past. With your support, it will be Toronto’s Riverdale district. The Na- years’ worth of artifacts as well as Beginning February 2021, we have The National Presbyterian Museum possible for us to build for tomorrow. tional Presbyterian Museum was the an outstanding collection of Com- leased the upper-level sanctuary closed in Toronto at the end of 2018. Please plan to visit the new Pres- first denominational facility of its kind munion tokens. In our search for a space in Carlisle United Church for Thank you to our Curator, Ian Mason, byterian Church Heritage Centre in Canada. Since October of 2016, new location, the team visited many our new Heritage Centre. The con- for his diligence with the ongoing when it opens. the Presbyterian Church Museum churches—some that were closed, gregation of Carlisle United Church move and as well the set-up of our Presbyterian history begins here… committee speculated that the con- and even some without heat or run- will continue to worship and has new space in the future. our heritage is our future. Proclaiming the Good News on Church-less Sundays in 1918

By the Rev. Peter Bush, former flu took place in the spring of 1918, the Internet of the day, daily newspa- until we have been compelled to ex- Moderator of The Presbyterian Church with between 4,000 to 5,000 deaths pers across the country opened their perience a churchless Sabbath. We in Canada and editor of “Presbyterian in Canada. Then in the fall of 1918, pages for ministers to publish short are learning in this strange way the History” a mutation of the influenza virus sermons, “sermonettes,” in Saturday meaning of the psalm our forebears produced an extremely contagious editions. As one newspaper put it, “A sang, ‘I joyed when to the house of The year 1918 was a dismal one for and deadly form of the disease. As Churchless Sunday is not a Sermon- God, Go up they said to me.’” Canada. World War I, raging since many as 45,000 Canadians died in less Sunday.” The Montreal Gazette, Being unable to attend church had 1914, had reached a fevered pitch this second wave, a disproportion- on Monday, Oct. 28, 1918, com- parishioners recognizing what they as the Germans launched two major ate number of them being between mented that having a Sunday without were missing with churches being offensives trying to break through 20 and 40 years of age. By the sec- church services meant the return to closed. Allied lines. But the Allies held and ond half of October, cinemas and Standard Time, which occurred the Clergy who did submit “sermon- by the end of September 1918, the churches were closed to stop the previous day, “caused none of those ettes” discovered that writing a 400- The Rev. Wylie C. Clark (ca. 1894), Germans were back where they had spread. The lockdown was a patch- inconveniences” that usually accom- word meditation was very different minister, Knox Presbyterian Church in been in March. The Allied leadership, work quilt, with some regions clos- panies the time change. from preaching a 35-minute sermon. Saskatoon, Sask., 1914–1925. PHOTO CREDIT: LH-2442, COURTESY OF SASKATOON in taking advantage of the German ing only for a couple of weeks, and Not being able to meet together as Not everyone was able to adjust well PUBLIC LIBRARY failure, launched counterstrikes in the others for nearly two months. The Jesus’ followers made the emotional from spoken to written communica- late fall of 1918. All of this filled the longest shutdowns took place in the burdens of late 1918 all the more dif- tion, from a context where length Star on Oct. 19, 1918, he wrote: headlines of Canadian newspapers, West. Winnipeg and Regina were still ficult. The Rev. E. Leslie Pidgeon of was celebrated to one where brev- “Our dear ones have been exposed which also carried the names of the in shutdown when the war ended on Augustine Presbyterian Church, Win- ity enhanced the chances of a piece to the deadly missiles of war and dead. Nov. 11, 1918. nipeg, wrote in the Winnipeg Tribune being read. The Rev. Wylie C. Clark now we at home are being attacked During the fall of 1918, different Closing churches raised the ques- on Oct. 19, 1918: of Knox Presbyterian Church, Saska- by the insistent germs of a noxious kinds of headlines joined the ones tion: How would ministers commu- “Many of us scarcely recognized toon, was among those who learned disease. Death lists have multiplied about the war, as the Spanish flu rav- nicate with parishioners during this how much the ‘assembling of our- to communicate effectively in limited themselves. Sorrow and heaviness aged Canadians. The first wave of the spiritually demanding time? Acting as selves together’ meant in our lives print space. In the Saskatoon Daily Continued on page 14 PRESBYTERIAN 14 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca HISTORY “A Churchless Stellarton’s George Sunday is not Monro Grant a Sermon- would eventually become the proud less Sunday.” town of Stellarton. Continued from page 13 Grant’s early days were passed on the little farm near the East River. This Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray of heart have crossed many a thresh- is where he acquired both the love of and Councillor Simon Lewand at the Rev. old and the sword of anguish has nature, and the practical ability to turn George M. Grant panel unveiling. been sheathed in human hopes. The his hand to the need of the moment. doors of the house of the Lord have He was reported to be very active and John A. MacDonald was eager to con- been closed and we are as wander- inquisitive. This curiosity would cause nect all of Canada by rail. The Prime ers outside the folds of faith. But we a life-changing moment for the eight- Minister hired engineer extraordinaire are not alone. The Lord is with us year-old “Wee Gordie.” Sir Sanford to survey and suggest the when we wait upon God. God brings The General Mining Association best possible train route through the us to the fountain head from which had just purchased a new hay cut- Rockies of Western Canada to British springs the pure streams of courage ter for the coal mine horses. And, as Columbia. The Rev. Grant was hired and strength. Either God will shield young lads are, George and several as the recording secretary for the ex- us from suffering or God will give us of his friends decided to test the op- pedition. The mission began with the unfailing strength to bear it.” eration of the new machine. Young Rev. Grant leaving Halifax and meeting The following week, on Oct. 26, George’s job was to feed the straw up with the group in Toronto on July 1918, the Rev. Clark wrote in the into the harvester. Unfortunately, the 1, 1871. The small party departed Saskatoon Daily Star. Comparing machine clogged, and his right hand shortly thereafter and achieved its three kinds of prisoners—prisoners was severed just below the thumb. He goal of reaching Victoria, B.C., on Oc- of despair, prisoners of contentment Left to right: Stellarton Mayor Danny MacGillivray; Historian/Panel Designer John convalesced for a year and his mind tober 11, having travelled 5,300 miles: and prisoners of hope—Clark noted: Ashton; the Rev. Charles MacPherson, First Presbyterian Church in Stellarton; and the turned from the idea of an active life to 1,000 by rail, 2,185 on horseback, “Prisoners of hope are alive with Rev. Andrew MacDonald, First Presbyterian Church, New Glasgow. one of study. 1,687 by steamer and 485 by canoe. the throbbing life of home. No hard- Speaking at the event, Stellarton’s In 1873, the Rev. George M. Grant ship can bring despair, and no shad- Mayor, Danny MacGillivray, stated, would produce one of Canada’s best- owy happiness can produce content- “As a community we are fortunate to selling works in Canadian history, ment. The day of escape is coming. be home to so many scholarly people Ocean to Ocean, a day-to-day journal They will again set their feet on the who not only give back to the com- of the hard voyage of the Sir Sanford homeward road and see once more munity, but bring their spirit and pride Fleming Expedition. The Rev. Grant the land of promise. Each morning as to other parts of the world. The Rev. would publish several books through- they rise, they exclaim: ‘Shall it be to- George Monro Grant was known all out his career, including one of the day?’ and each night they pray: ‘God over the English-speaking world for first great tourism guides, Picturesque grant it shall be tomorrow.’ These his tireless work.” Canada. days we are in the prison land of war George M. Grant enrolled at Pic- The strong patriotism and pride and disease and death, but we are tou Academy, West River Seminary, that the Rev. Grant had for Canada prisoners of hope.” and at the age of 18, sailed off to would leave us with our national The pandemic of 1918–1919 and Scotland, where he would go on to motto, “A mari usque ad mare,” taken the pandemic of 2020–2021 have attend the University of Glasgow. He from Psalm 72, meaning “From Sea both forced ministers to use new Left to right: Central Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser; New Glasgow Mayor Nancy Dicks; was ordained in 1860, returned to to Sea.” It was his influence with Sir forms to communicate the profound Pictou Centre M.L.A. Pat Dunn; Pictou Mayor Jim Ryan and his wife, Shawn. Canada and placed in charge of mis- John A. MacDonald that this slogan truth of God’s presence with human- sions in River John, Pictou County was eventually adopted as our na- ity in even the most difficult of times. By John Ashton, historical author was a true pioneer in the areas of and Georgetown, P.E.I. His energy led tion’s slogan. and graphic/visual artist, living in theological education, university de- parishioners to build churches. As the In 1877, the Rev. Grant was ap- Bridgeville, Pictou County, N.S. velopment and mission, as well as record states, St. George’s Presbyte- pointed Principal of Queen’s Univer- having been a very strong force in rian Church in River John was named sity in Kingston, Ont., and over the A gathering of invited guests and inter- the support of Confederation. Having accordingly after the Rev. George next 25 years established Queen’s as ested observers recently assembled laboured in small charges in Nova Monro Grant. one of the most prestigious academic at a park in Stellarton, N.S., to honour Scotia and P.E.I., and afterward be- In 1863, he was called to pastoral institutions in Canada. one of its own locally born sons, with ing called to St. Matthew’s Church in duties at St. Matthew’s in Halifax. The In 1872, Grant married Jessie Law- the unveiling of an interpretive panel Halifax, he took up the principalship Rev. Grant was effective in implement- son, who was the granddaughter of for the Rev. George Monro Grant, of Dalhousie University. During this ing typically evangelical solutions to the first president of the Bank of Nova Presbyterian minister, author, educa- time, Dalhousie saw a revival in its the social problems of Halifax. He was Scotia, William Lawson. Among their tor, political activist and nation builder. life. The University had lapsed, as he involved in the direction of the School descendants was their grandson, the The Rev. George Monro Grant was said, into ‘a museum, post-office and for the Blind, the Halifax School for the philosopher George Parkin Grant; their called “one of the most important lumber room!’ He was instrumental in Deaf, the Halifax Industrial School, the great-grandson, Michael Ignatieff, non-political leaders of his times,” the Union of 1875 which formed The Halifax Visiting Dispensary, the Young served as leader of the Official Oppo- and Canada’s First Prime Minister, Presbyterian Church in Canada as we Men’s Christian Association, and oth- sition, during his term as leader of the Sir John A. MacDonald, called him a know it today.” ers. A major project during his minis- Liberal Party of Canada. long-time friend. George M. Grant had very humble try at St. Matthew’s was the develop- The Rev. Grant died in 1902 and is The Rev. Charles MacPherson of beginnings in his birthplace of Al- ment of a theological school to train buried in Cataraqui Cemetery in King- First Presbyterian Church in Stellarton bion Mines (Stellarton) in 1835. His clergy in Halifax, which eventually ston, Ont. In 1937, the Historic Sites was the guest speaker and he began parents, James and Mary Grant, had became Pine Hill Divinity Hall. and Monuments Board of Canada The Rev. Leslie Pidgeon, minister, Augustine with an inspiring prayer and histori- emigrated from Banffshire, Scotland, In 1871, the Rev. Grant’s strong be- named him as a Historic Person and a Presbyterian Church in Winnipeg, Man., cal perspective of the life of the Rev. in 1826, taking farmland in the newly liefs in a united Canada led to his con- memorial plaque is located beside the 1916–1925. PHOTO CREDIT: ROTARY INTER- Grant, stating, “George Monro Grant developed mining community that nection with Sir Sanford Fleming. Sir interpretive panel. NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 15 HISTORY Ringing the Peace Bell in Kincardine By Bob Geddes and Mike Chreptyk, Bells of Peace commemoration initia- Knox Presbyterian Church in tive endorsed by the Royal Canadian Kincardine, Ont. Legion, bells rang out across Canada once again—100 times. Knox Pres- Two years ago, on Nov. 11, 2018, byterian Church in Kincardine joined Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincar- in on the commemoration. Members of the church and the dine, Ont., participated in a remem- A year later, Knox continued this community were appropriately dis- brance event of community signifi- witness within the community with tanced and masked, and stood on the cance that has carried on to this day, a short evening ceremony inside the all Canadians. cording capabilities of the church’s sidewalks and lawn along the south despite pandemic restrictions. church. The “Peace Bell” was rung Because of the pandemic, the newly digitized organ console. and east sides of the church. Others On Nov. 11, 1918, bells rang out 101 times. Veterans, school children Peace Bell ceremony for 2020 was The Peace Bell was rung 102 drove by slowly. Technical duties were from churches across Canada to an- and parishioners all took a turn. The simplified and held outside the church. times. The service was presided over capably handled by Rick French, and nounce the end of World War I. Cana- sounding of the Bell was augmented Organ music was brought outside by by a Colour Party from the Royal the event was hosted and organized da went into the war with a population with music performed by a local high speakers. Organist and choir leader Canadian Legion, who stood on the by elder Mike Chreptyk. of about eight million people; some school choir and two community Andy Fraser provided prelude and front steps of the church. The breeze This unique remembrance cer- 650,000 men and women served bands. Many from the community postlude music, along with the ac- that day was blowing nicely for their emony is now part of a new, an- during the next four years at war. By took in the event. The early evening companiment for the singing of “O flags. At the same time, video foot- nual tradition for Knox Presbyterian the war’s end, 66,000 Canadians had setting doesn’t interfere with remem- Canada” and verses of “O God, Our age of gently swaying red poppies Church, and has been warmly re- died and 172,000 had been wounded. brance ceremonies earlier in the day, Help in Ages Past” by soloist John was projected on to the front of the ceived by the community, who look What a price was paid in the name of and it provides an appropriate and fit- Low. In addition, there was a stirring church. The Rev. Bob Geddes, serv- forward to a 2021 version, whether it peace and freedom. ting way to close out the day by hon- rendition of “Highland Cathedral,” with ing as interim moderator along with be indoors or outdoors. On the 100th anniversary of the end ouring the sacrifices of our military in organ and bagpipes, also provided by the Rev. Peggy Kinsman, closed the Read more about events in of World War I in 2018, as part of the the name of peace and freedom for Andy Fraser, with the help of the re- service with a prayer. Kincardine on p. 18. OUTREACH Sharing the Joy of Christmas in Victoria

update, This Week at St. Andrew’s, Christmas card from St. Andrew’s. which was sent to every person con- Two Committee members bought nected with the church. The Share the these items mostly during sales at Joy campaign was highlighted in this Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart to email update frequently, with instruc- keep costs down. At one local store, tions that detailed how to donate us- Mountain Warehouse, three staff ing e-transfer, the Canada Helps app members were inspired to donate or regular Canada Post mail. The con- their staff discount to help make the gregation was up to the challenge and purchase of the toques and gloves contributed more than enough money less expensive. They saved our cam- to meet the campaign’s costs. paign over $500! Share the Joy of Christmas is a Twenty turkeys, over 10 kilograms two-pronged program. We provide each, were purchased from Fairfield Staff at Our Place receiving the Share the Joy of Christmas gift bags from St. Andrew’s. several turkeys to the kitchen at Our Thrifty Foods and delivered free of Place, where they are cooked to be charge to the kitchen at Our Place. Share the Joy Christmas gift bags were By Debra Verwey, St. Andrew’s of the obstacles that the pandemic part of a special Christmas meal for Thrifty Foods also donated the sturdy gathered for 45 residents of Our Place community centre. Presbyterian Church in Victoria, B.C. raised. those in need in Victoria. reusable grocery bags that we used to The Mission and Outreach Commit- The second prong is giving gift bags hold the gifts for the residents. as they opened their gifts. For several years, the members and tee began advertising in St. Andrew’s to the 45 residents (15 women and 30 Usually, the Sunday School children In the past, the Christmas dinner at adherents of St. Andrew’s Presby- monthly newsletter, The Link, at the men this year) who live in rooms on would help wrap some of the items in- Our Place has several hundred people terian Church in Victoria, B.C., have beginning of October. In previous the top three floors of the Our Place cluded in our gift bags on the Sunday sitting down at once to enjoy their supported a campaign called Share years, folks would make donations building. These folks are pulling their before the bags are delivered. With meal. Volunteers, politicians and other the Joy of Christmas every Advent to Share the Joy in their offering en- lives back together and are committed that not being possible this year, one community representatives would be season. The church coordinates the velopes during the weekly services. to working toward independent living. of the Committee members, Patricia on hand to serve the meal. However, program with Our Place, an inner-city During Advent Sundays, members of The Share the Joy gift bags are often Shuckburgh, volunteered to wrap 90 due to the restrictions, the dinner was community centre that serves Greater the Mission and Outreach Committee the only items that the residents re- presents (two for each resident; one served cafeteria-style this year with Victoria’s most vulnerable people, in- would dress up as Christmas Elves ceive on Christmas morning. with socks and the other with a toque turkey, stuffing, gravy and all the other cluding those struggling with home- and solicit donations at the Share the Each bag includes a winter toque, and gloves for each person)! She also fixings, to feed the working poor, the lessness, mental health challenges Joy of Christmas Store in the Kirk Hall lined gloves, at least two pairs of wrote a warm Christmas greeting in homeless and those far from home, and substance abuse issues, the during the post-service coffee hour. warm socks, toothpaste and a tooth- each Christmas card. creating a time of community and working poor and the impoverished Needless to say, this was not possible brush, shampoo, hand cream, razors The gift bags were delivered on De- warmth at this special time of the year. elderly. during the strict COVID-19 lockdown, and shaving cream, soap, antiper- cember 22 to Our Place staff member, The people who attend St. An- During the months of November which started in British Columbia on spirant, a pocket calendar, pens and Erin Gesner. Shortly afterwards, she drew’s Presbyterian Church in Victo- and December 2020, the people at St. November 19. pencils, a paperback book, a puzzle or sent an email of thanks to all at St. An- ria carried on their grand tradition of Andrew’s met the challenge to con- So, Plan B was put into action. Sudoku book, Christmas treats such drew’s for the joy and happiness that Sharing the Joy of Christmas in 2020! tinue this charity campaign, in spite St. Andrew’s started a weekly email as chocolate bars and truffles, and a our gift bags gave to the 45 residents Bah, humbug on COVID-19! PRESBYTERIAN 16 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca RESOURCES Welcome to the Garden

By Dr. Tori Smit, Regional Minister when families share and prac- for Faith Formation for the Synod of tice their faith together at home. Central, Northeastern Ontario and • It would need to be suitable for Bermuda all ages. From young children to older adults there should be Come in, sit down and relax on the something for everyone to find bright red park bench. It has been meaningful and enjoyable. placed there just for you. • It should engage all of the While you’re here, take a few min- senses and offer a variety of utes to read and ponder some stories avenues for learning, because from scripture. You can then walk a everyone learns and grows in labyrinth that invites you to reflect on faith differently. Jesus’ love. Or you can sing along • It should be meaningful for dif- with musicians, make something ferent configurations on house- fun, learn something new, or try a holds. It would need to be de- recipe. This garden has all of these signed for homes with young things ready for you to explore each adults and perhaps only adults could enter into with a click of their ple into an overall biblical theme for As I write this article, Pressley week of Lent, and I am excited to in- in them. It should also be for mouse. each week. Musicians videoed them- and I are working on new slides for vite you to come into the garden. homes with one person and for If you are not familiar with Google selves teaching hymns and songs. Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Once This winter, the Rev. Pressley Cox, homes with many people. Classroom, what you do is create a Church educators read stories from again there will be scriptures to Associate for Shared Mission and • Finally, knowing that church lead- single slide with a variety of items the children’s Bible story books not- read, stories to see and hear, a palm Ministry with Foothills Presbytery in ers and members are exhausted, that hint at opportunities to be ex- ed in the devotions. The staff at Crieff cross craft and another one featur- South Carolina, and I began thinking we wanted it to be something that plored. Then you link videos and Hills Retreat Centre videoed a series ing flower seeds. There will also be about a Lent resource that we could churches could simply upload to documents to the individual items of garden musings and created de- new songs to sing, a simple family develop for our churches. We had a congregational websites or send you have placed on the slide. In the licious recipes for each week. We meal, a guided meditation, and an few givens in mind when we started. in an email; we wanted it to be Lent Gardens we created, a new win- developed simple crafts and video- at-home Tenebrae service for Good • We wanted the resource to be simple, easy and enhance their dow opens up with devotions for that toured labyrinths. In all, over 45 peo- Friday. And then there will be reason lectionary-based so people church’s Lent offerings. week if you click on a book; if you ple contributed their talents freely and to shout out our Hallelujahs on Easter would be able to continue re- With this in mind we got started. click on the door, you are taken on a generously to the project. morning with music, family prayers flecting on these scriptures dur- I had created a few resources us- video tour of a labyrinth, and so on. Once everything was assembled, and a fish fry. ing the week following worship. ing a Google Classroom model for One simple slide becomes the gate- edited and uploaded to our six weekly You can view two of these Lent Gar- • It needed to be an at-home re- Sunday Schools and Advent this way to a wealth of activities. Lent Gardens slides, we invited peo- dens and/or subscribe to the remain- source. Because most churches fall. Pressley was excited about this, To make our Lent Gardens come ple to subscribe to receive the links ing gardens at cnob.org/?p=2153. will be locked down this Lent, so we started working with Google alive we needed people, and so we for their church websites. Over 230 If you’d like to receive the Holy Week making an at-home resource a Slides to create virtual, interactive started asking people to participate. churches from Canada, the USA, the slides for your church, follow the good choice. We also know that gardens that would be filled with Everyone we asked said “Yes!” Daily UK and Australia have received the Synod of CNOB’s website (cnob.org) children’s faith is best formed stories and activities that people devotions were written to draw peo- slides so far. for updates. WOMEN WMS Brockville Presbyterial Update

groups in the Brockville Presbyterial and individuals in the presbytery to have been very ingenious in staying encourage interest and involvement. connected with members and serv- The executive has also been consid- ing in the name of Jesus. ering possible ways to meet virtually The groups in the Brockville Pres- in 2021. byterial have been staying in touch Members of the Brockville Pres- with each other by phoning, emailing, byterial participated in the national and doing studies, meetings and wor- WMS Christmas service online in ship services online (despite chal- December. With the visioning sup- lenges with rural Internet speeds!). port and encouragement of WMS As well, the groups fundraise for Director Sarah Kim and the national presbyterial activities to support lo- Council Executive, the WMS Synodi- cal mission and assist the Together cal of Eastern Ontario and Quebec is We Can projects in support of Action being revived, with new members Réfugiés Montréal and MIBE Gradu- volunteering to fill executive commit- The Mitten Tree: A WMS Christmas mission A November online meeting helped members connect with one another. ate School for Nurses in India. tee positions. Catherine Blatch of the outreach in 2020. On a presbyterial level, a Thanks- Brockville Presbyterial has stepped By the Rev. Marianne Emig Carr, Press ing restrictions and lockdowns re- giving newsletter was sent out. The forward to take on the role of Synodi- spond to the command of our Lord Secretary, WMS Brockville Presbyterial lated to COVID-19 have put plans for Brockville Presbyterial President, Ja- cal President. to love and serve one another. The presbyterial meetings on hold. But the net Jones, has been reaching out via The WMS Brockville Presbyterial Presbyterial is looking forward to Like almost everything else, gather- Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) phone and mail to WMS members continues to find new ways to re- seeing where God will lead in 2021. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 17 WOMEN The Women’s A Presbyterian Missionary Society Trailblazer:

By the WMS Executive form, allowing meetings at all levels Others found unique ways. St. Paul’s with members and friends across Mission Circle in Simcoe, Ont., or- Dr. Idara Edem The Women’s Missionary Society Canada. ganized some 30 Christmas gift (WMS) has been a force in mission Here are some examples: bags, which were delivered to senior By Barb Summers, Associate Secretary, work for The Presbyterian Church Our biennial council meeting was apartment residences. Communications Office in Canada for over 100 years. The held online on June 25, 2020. To respond to individuals and WMS has gone through changes, Synodicals and some presbyterials groups who were not able to meet, Dr. Idara Edem, a member of the but throughout the years we have were able to hold their annual meet- and to foster fellowship among Nigerian Presbyterian Church in To- endeavoured to keep our focus on ings, which had been cancelled in members and friends, the “Come To- ronto, Ont., is being recognized for Jesus’ ministry to others. April and May 2020 due to COVID-19 gether” online series has been organ- an incredible accomplishment: be- In recent years, it has been be- restrictions. ized by the WMS Council Executive coming a neurosurgeon, which may come clearer that changes needed to The mission auxiliary of New St. with the following upcoming dates possibly be a first for Black women be made. Council has been working James Presbyterian Church in Lon- and topics: in Canada. (Research seems to show on adjusting to the current times and don, Ont., hosted a Thanksgiving March 10 Come Together – World this is an accomplishment Dr. Edem needs. The Glad Tidings magazine service online with members from Day of Prayer can lay claim to; the uncertainty is has been discontinued and staff re- other auxiliaries and friends. April 7 Come Together – Easter due to a lack of collected racial data ductions have been made. We extend West and East Toronto presbyteri- Worship on neurosurgeons.) Dr. Idara Edem. our heartfelt thanks to Glad Tidings als hosted an online gathering with May 12 Come Together – Mission “The more important question is, Editor Colleen Wood and Program guest Becky Bauman who, with hus- Awareness why am I first?” Dr. Edem asked. lines of health care. She believes in Coordinator Alexis McKeown for their band Dr. Nick Bauman and their fam- June 16 Come Together – Fellow- “What are the structural barriers and being a role model and hopes her years of excellent service with the ily, represented the PCC in Nepal. ship and Sharing systemic issues that have prevented story inspires others. She strives WMS. A WMS-wide online Christmas others over the years from making to encourage others by speaking With the COVID-19 pandemic, we service was a highlight of the Council To participate, please contact one of this a goal?” to groups such as the Association have had to adapt very quickly to the Executive with 138 participants. the following: Cathy Reid, It seems clear that social and fi- of Black Aspiring Physicians, and fact that council, synodical, presby- How have members continued President ([email protected]); nancial barriers in medical educa- mentoring colleagues who struggle terial and auxiliary members could to reach out with so many limits on Janet Brewer, Past President tion, combined with a lack of repre- with the unique challenges of being a not meet face to face. We have met personal contact? Many resorted ([email protected]); sentation from Black doctors, means Black and/or female surgeon. the challenge by becoming familiar to reaching out through email mes- or Sarah Kim, Executive Director many Black students often don’t look “Twenty years down the line, I with the Zoom online meeting plat- sages, phone calls and cards/notes. ([email protected]). at medicine as a viable career option, want to make sure neurosurgeons so they pursue other fields of study. look more like the patient populations Dr. Edem was one of only three Black they represent—more diverse and students in her medical class at more multicultural.” Finding Blessing in Queen’s University. Dr. Edem immigrated to Canada “Mentorship and sponsorship are when she was 13 years old. She has key at this time,” she said. “Due to always been fascinated by the hu- a lack of representation and support, man brain. Once she realized what Diversity in Ottawa many Black learners don’t even get she wanted to do with her career, she to the stage of applying for medical refused to let barriers get in her way. By Dr. Laurentine mother who always encouraged her school.” She is now practising in Michigan but Mouchingam Mefire when she was still a little girl. Dr. Edem hopes more Black and fe- hopes to return to Canada as soon as 2. Black History Month: as the male Canadians join her on the front she can. In November 2020, the regular founder of this annual event, she Women’s Breakfast at St. Andrew’s walked us through the history of its Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Ont., creation and provided her thoughts “Dr. Idara is always ready to help and encourage other welcomed the Honourable Dr. Jean on the potential benefits that the young adults who look up to her as their role model. Dr. Augustine, the first Black woman Black Lives Matter movement could Idara believes in hard work, and for her, with God all things elected to Parliament. Her partici- bring to it. are possible. pation reflected our retreat theme 3. Women in politics and leader- of “Finding Blessing in Diversity.” ship: based on her experiences at As her pastor, building from my interactions and Dr. Augustine is an emblematic and the federal cabinet table, it was easy relationship with her, I know her to be a woman of faith who inspiring figure for Canadians at a to understand that women bring dif- believes in the power of prayers and hard work. Anytime time when Kamala Harris has be- ferent thoughts and approaches to Dr. Jean Augustine made a special presen- we interact she will say ‘Reverend, please, remember me in come the first Black and first Asian business and politics and contribute tation during a retreat for women of St. your prayers.’ This is so profound for a young professional woman Vice-President of the United differently to political discussions. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. woman in this era to always trust God. I am not surprised States. Dr. Augustine has held many Whether to embrace a political ca- with her achievements. I pray and hope that she will excel posts and received many honours, reer or not, she recommends that allow other opportunities for us to including her service as Minister of every woman, indeed every person, hear such inspiring people, and also in her profession and continue to be a blessing to the State for Multiculturalism and the choose the cause they want to fight hoping that God will allow members church, her family and humanity.” Status of Women. for and keep focus on their goal. of the congregation to continue to —The Rev. Augustus Oku is a First Missionary from the The conversation with Dr. Augus- After announcing the donation by come together to share experiences, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria to The Presbyterian Church tine was very rich and engaging. It St. Andrew’s to the George Brown to share ourselves, to share God’s in Canada, as well as the Founding Minister and First mainly focused on: College Jean Augustine Scholar- love; and finally hoping that God will Minister of the Nigerian Presbyterian Church in Toronto. 1. Role models, inspiring hopes ship, the conversation ended with a help all members of the congrega- He currently serves as coordinator of Spiritual Health and passions: she revealed to us prayer. We thanked God on how it tion to remember that they are the the women who have been her role had been a blessing for each mem- light of the world, and may this light Therapy and Education at the William Osler Health System models, who have inspired her and ber of the congregation to listen to continue to shine forever for God’s facility of Etobicoke General Hospital. given her hope, including her grand- Dr. Augustine, hoping that God will glory. PRESBYTERIAN 18 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca RECOGNITION Marking a Retirement at Kincardine The retirement of the Rev. Dr. Peter our YouTube channel. Not only did Coutts, minister of Varsity Acres Presbyte- the co-interim moderators show rian Church in Calgary, Alta., and his wife, their flexibility and determination, Sheri. but also a cast of willing musicians and production people put forth their best efforts to make the services happen. The congregation at Knox, Retirement of the Rev. Dr. Kincardine, is grateful for the hard work of all these people! While the weather was warm, Peter Coutts in Calgary we had some small group activi- ties such as walking the labyrinth in the peace garden at one of our local By Cathy Gale, Elder, Varsity Acres Chicago. Out of this passion, his broader church, including Knox Col- parks. In September, we celebrated Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta. book Choosing Change was writ- lege and Canadian Ministries. Only a the ministry of the Rev. Fraser with ten; it spawned further work as a selection of them could be shared in an afternoon gathering on the front So much has changed with pandem- consultant and workshop leader for the program due to time constraints, By Barb Stuart, Elder, Knox lawn of the church. Although this ic life, and even a year into it, some congregations and organizations but all were given to Peter for later re- Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, was a very pared down version of occasions remain daunting… “How across Canada and the U.S. Leaving flection. These tributes spanned the Ont. the retirement party that had been do we do this in a pandemic?!” Many his call at St. Andrew’s in 2013, to length of Peter’s life and ministry. originally planned for May, it was a such times are the marker moments begin a brand-new type of ministry Our Faith Formation and Youth The year 2020 at Knox Presbyterian celebration nonetheless and enjoyed of life, meaningful for the change and in the PCC, as General Presbyter of groups put together several spe- Church in Kincardine, Ont., started by all who attended. transitions they bring us as individu- the Presbytery of Calgary-Macleod, cial videos, acknowledging Peter’s with the announcement that our Through online Session and als, and for those who care for us. was a ground-breaking and creative unique ministry to them. In addition, inspiring and beloved Minister of Board of Managers meetings, the They are opportunities for spiritual step. It was from that position that a number of choir members created, Word and Sacrament, the Rev. Kathy work of the congregation continues. growth, and, in the best of circum- he came to Varsity Acres PC in the recorded and sang a rendition of “Be Fraser, would retire at the end of Feb- We raised over $14,000 to buy seed stances, are celebrations. summer of 2017, for congregational Thou My Vision,” especially for Peter. ruary. The Rev. Kathy preached her for grandmothers in Malawi. Want- For the last three and a half years, ministry once more. One gift presentation came as a last service on Feb. 23, 2020, with ing to put some “fun” back in fun- Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church This leads to the “how to” part of result of numerous observations that a full sanctuary of well-wishers, in- draising, a virtual bazaar was held (VAPC) in Calgary, Alta., has been the question. One thing we have all his current home office chair was cluding her family, visitors from her in November. For the last two weeks blessed to have the Rev. Dr. Peter learned this past year is how God very squeaky—it was as clearly pre- former congregations and many of Advent, our music leader, Andy Coutts as our minister. We knew richly blesses us with creativity when sent at online meetings as Peter was! friends. It was a wonderful way to Fraser, played Christmas carols on it would be a brief ministry, as he we put our collective minds to it. Pe- After the program, Peter and Sheri celebrate her new life in retirement. the organ and amplified the music shared his retirement plans with us ter’s 10-month example of pivoting were treated to lunch followed by The Presbytery of Grey-Bruce- outside for people to hear as they early on, but still, it snuck up on us, quickly and creatively to online wor- an enthusiastic farewell car parade. Maitland appointed co-interim mod- passed by the church. During the and the pandemic sure didn’t help. ship, meetings and studies helped Topping it all off was the car sport- erators, the Reverends Bob Ged- last few months of 2020, volunteers The question became twofold: how us realize and believe that we could ing the nautical “Blue Peter” flag, a des and Peggy Kinsman. Little did from the congregation updated and to celebrate Peter’s long, rich, min- do it, too. Having had plenty of prac- nod to Peter’s navy years. The Blue they know when they accepted the painted the manse in preparation to istry, while showing our gratitude for tice, our community went online to Peter stands for the letter P, and when positions that only two in-person welcome our next minister. We look our time together? And how to do plan, prepare and celebrate Peter’s seen atop a ship at port, it indicates worship services would take place forward to the time when we can this when we can’t be together? Rec- retirement. A live-streamed program, an intention to leave soon, and that before the COVID-19 lockdown worship together and resume inter- ognition and gratitude for the fruitful blended with pre-recorded elements, the crew should get on board. A fit- started. active events in the community. ministry was the easy part! came together as many VAPC folk ting flag to prepare for retirement! Within two weeks, online services Read more about events in Seeds for Peter’s life in ministry shared talents and gifts. With an ac- Fare ye well, Peter. Thank you for were filmed and made available on Kincardine on p. 15. were planted through the faithful ex- tual audience limited to Peter, Sheri creatively guiding VAPC to God’s ample of his mother, key family friends and minimal in-person contributors, next destination for us. May God in youth, and time in nature, at camps it was enjoyed by many in Calgary continue to guide and bless you and and at sea. Naval service on the west and even across Canada, on Peter’s Sheri richly! coast preceded his education at Knox last Sunday at VAPC on Jan. 10, College, and on graduation in 1987, 2021. Peter was once again called west, with The program began by sharing wife Sheri, to his first charge at Saan- some of Peter’s ministry path through ich Peninsula PC as founding minister. a photo slideshow set to Lenny Gal- Subsequent calls took him to Oakridge lant’s song “Peter’s Dream,” sung by Presbyterian Church in London, Ont., the Lost Pilgrims. The Lost Pilgrims and St. Andrew’s in Calgary. At both has a number of Presbyterian min- of these churches, Peter guided and isterial connections, including one oversaw building projects, as he had of Peter’s former classmates, the at Saanich. Rev. Stephen Kendall. Peter received Growing interest in organizational many tributes in both video and writ- leadership and preparing churches ten formats, from former and cur- The Rev. Kathy Fraser retired from Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, Ont., in for change led to Peter’s doctoral rent colleagues, Sessions and con- Safely planning and preparing for the big February 2020. PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE CHREPTYK studies at McCormick Seminary in gregants, and representatives of the event. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 19 RECOGNITION

There were several members The Remarkable from Zion Presbyterian Church in at- tendance to show their support and respect for an entire life committed to God’s work. Among the visitors Rev. Dr. Gordon was Zion’s lead minister, the Rev. Douglas Rollwage, who spoke of Gordon’s continuing role as Minister Matheson Emeritus at Zion and the mentorship he has received from Gordon’s fre- quent visits and discussions. By John Barrett, Clerk of Session, lier, following an outstanding 23 While certainly well-known and re- Zion Presbyterian Church in years at Zion Presbyterian Church spected across our entire denomina- Charlottetown, P.E.I. in Charlottetown, the Presbytery of tion, Gordon’s wisdom and counsel (Left to right) Watson MacDonald, representative elder to presbytery; Tom Savage, P.E.I. appointed Gordon as interim worship leader; the Rev. Douglas Rollwage, Zion Presbyterian Church; the Rev. Dr. Gor- to his colleagues within the Atlantic For the past 14 years, the congrega- moderator in 2006. At the time, it don Matheson. synod has been a blessed gift. From tion of Nine Mile Creek Presbyterian appeared that this small congrega- the accolades of his fellow presby- Church in P.E.I. has been blessed by tion was on the brink of closure and tioned during his final sermon, “I’m the Greatest Spiritual Gift (prayer) ters to the words of the Nine Mile the presence of the Rev. Dr. Gordon that Gordon would be best suited to not really in the business of closing and ended with the Greatest Prom- Creek congregation, “To have lived a Matheson as their interim modera- deal with their situation. Since that churches.” ise (the wonder of glorification). life that has touched so many is an tor and full-time pulpit supply. On time, the church has actually built In his typical modest and Bible- As was noted in the church bulletin amazing accomplishment.” Sunday, Dec. 27, Gordon officially an extension to their facility, reju- based approach to worship, the Rev. that Sunday: “When Rev. Matheson Presbyterians across the country retired from his position and pre- venated a children’s ministry and Dr. Matheson presented a three-part steps to the pulpit you know the wish Gordon and Azalia continued sented a heartfelt final sermon to a shared their good fortune by tith- sermon interspersed with readings Lord is working through him, wheth- strength and happiness in the new Covid-capacity congregation. ing their revenue towards mission and special music. He focused on er that be in a powerful message or year and a time of rest for an out- Having retired two decades ear- initiatives. As Gordon himself men- the Greatest Gift (Christ’s birth), an interesting fact or anecdote.” standing and remarkable career. 50 Years of Eldership in Ottawa

years of her service as elder, she and visits to provide prayer and to practice English conversation has personally provided help to those devoted many hours to the visitation practical support for individuals and and gain skills to navigate life in a in need through the delivery of food and assistance of those in her elder’s families within her elder’s district new country. For several years, Jan and vouchers and the provision of district. and in the wider congregation and opened her home in December to transportation to and from worship, She has been an integral part of community. host a pre-Christmas celebration for meetings at the church and medical the Coffee Klatch, which began as an Jan also supported the English as newcomers. appointments. initiative for young mothers to meet a Second Language (ESL) outreach Jan has served for many years as On Nov. 30, the Clerk of Session for Bible study, and has continued initiative, which provided newcom- coordinator for the Session’s benev- delivered to Jan copies of the notes through the years, now as a Bible ers to Canada and the Parkwood olent fund and, beyond carrying out of appreciation and the miniature study for seniors, meeting in the past Hills community with opportunities administrative and financial duties, tapestry. Jan Sheridan marked 50 years of service year in a retirement residence to ac- as a ruling elder at Parkwood Presbyte- rian Church in Ottawa. commodate travel limitations. Jan has taken a great interest in By Dennis Featherstone, Clerk of the work of CanHave, supporting or- Session, Parkwood Presbyterian Church phans in Uganda who have lost their in Ottawa, Ont. parents to AIDS. She visited Uganda as a part of the delegation under the On Nov. 29, 2020, Parkwood Pres- leadership of Floyd McPhee and took byterian Church in Ottawa, Ont., the initiative to reproduce note cards celebrated (virtually) the 50th anni- designed by one of the student art- versary of Jan Sheridan’s continuous ists. She has tirelessly supported the service as a ruling elder. Our minister, ministry of CanHave through the sale the Rev. James Hurd, read a note of of cards and dolls. appreciation. There was also a clip At a season in life when many of appreciation from the moderator would retire, Jan took on a ministry of the PCC, a note from the Rev. Su- of outreach to young students who san Mattinson who created a gift of gathered in Parkwood Church for a miniature tapestry, and a display of tutoring in the Kumon after-school the tapestry. math and language study program, Jan Sheridan accepted the call offering hospitality to their parents from God and from Christ’s church to and siblings and providing a snack serve as elder, and on Nov. 29, 1970, and craft for students with their she was the first woman ordained as lesson. This ministry of outreach an elder for Parkwood Presbyterian prompted some families to enquire Church. She has served faithfully and learn about Christian faith. through all of the ensuing 50 years. Jan has consistently taken a per- Jan was a teacher in the Sunday sonal interest in children and youth School. She also volunteered to be among the congregation. She has the Sunday School superintendent supported those with special needs, for several years and served on vari- offered encouragement to young ous church committees. In the latter adults, and followed up with calls PRESBYTERIAN 20 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Safety First Congregations and ministries are continuously innovating and adapting to the changing circumstances of COVID-19 so that their communities can gather and enjoy fellowship in the safest possible conditions, ensuring masks and other necessary PPE are worn, appropriate physical distance is maintained and health regulations are adhered to.

The congregation at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Hillsburgh, Ont., like many other churches, reverted to online gather- ings over Christmas. In order to reach children and their families missing out on traditional Christmas activities because of the lack of Sunday School, craft and activity packages were created and delivered to their doorsteps. Photos of congregation members dressed as characters from the Nativity were collected and collated into a virtual Christmas pageant. Both the activity packs and the pageant were very successful.

Mathias Fehr is a member of Forbes Presbyterian Church in Grande Prairie, Alta. Every Sunday morning, he arrives wearing his hat, suit and tie, ready to ring the church bell and announce to the community that the church service is about to begin. He brings a gift of candy canes with attached Christmas wishes for the congregation to share at Christmas. Thank you to Mathias, for his spe- cial dedication in ringing the church bell! Since moving worship online, the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Ont., has held three online Communion services. Led by the Rev. Dr. Karen Dimock, members participated in the Lord’s Supper from the safety of their homes and connected to one another through the body, blood and Word of the Lord. Though we are missing our church, we are still a wonderfully loving, kind and engaged community—apart but together. The Lord will be with you, with all of us, wherever we are, from wherever we worship.

Each year, Tweedsmuir Memorial Presbyterian Church in Orangeville, Ont., participates in “Christmas in the Park.” Due to COVID-19, this event could not take place, so the display was put up in front of the church instead. The congregation wishes everyone God’s great blessings in 2021! PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 21 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. On Dec. 19, 2020, the Inbetweener group, along with friends of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Orillia, Ont., prepared a Christmas dinner for 380 hungry people. COVID-19 meant that the congregation had to adapt their traditional sit-down meal, and they did! A free take-out-style turkey dinner was offered for pickup or delivery. The small group who prepared this meal had their hearts filled with smiles and kind words from those picking up their dinners. The need was greater than ever during the pandemic. We all needed something to look forward to and for many this would be their Christmas dinner.

The congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Picton, Ont., is looking toward a more sustainable future for their church by transforming the sanctuary to accommodate a wider range of community activities and faith practices. To help in this work, the congregation invited Doreen Balabanoff, an artist and professor at Ontario College of Art & Design University, to help them re-vision their future and their building. Balabanoff assessed the sanctuary with the congregation’s Celtic roots, Indigenous friends and love of the planet in mind, and provided recommendations for creating a very different, yet more open space. Pictured to the bottom right is the original sanctuary, with models of the new sanctuary pictured above. PHOTO CREDIT: DOREEN BALABANOFF

This past Christmas, Knox Presbyterian Church in Vernon, B.C., challenged its members to support the Okanagan Learning Foun- dation’s “Food for Thought” program—an initiative that supplies weekend food back- packs for teenagers at local high schools. Twenty-four empty bags were placed under the tree, represent- ing the 24 days of Advent. Church members filled the bags with either teen-friend- ly food or a monetary dona- tion. By the time schools closed prior to Christmas, the food and an additional $1,700 were handed over to the Learning Foundation for distribution. PRESBYTERIAN 22 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

At Forbes Presbyterian Church in Grande Prairie, Alta., the ladies have a bazaar, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Picton, Ont., added a fire pit, straw bales and bake sale and tea every year in November to raise funds to donate to the community. spectacular lighting to its property around the labyrinth so that they could share This year that was not possible, so a new project was planned: Tea to Go! The ladies coffee hour after worship inside, as well as gather around the fire after community baked cookies and put together colourful bags containing Christmas mugs complete hikes and labyrinth walks. Although these were “pandemic initiatives,” congregants with tea bags, cookies, treats, candy and a Christmas message. In total, 120 bags were will continue to take up sacred practice and community togetherness outside. sold, and very generous donations were also received. The congregation was very supportive and appreciated having ready-made gifts for friends and family. They are thankful they can continue to help others with their donations again this year!

Cornerstone, a mission of Knox Presby- terian Church in Dunnville, Ont., held a Middle River (Rocklin) Presbyterian Church and St. Andrew’s (Gairloch) Presbyteri- Christmas celebration at the farm of its an Church in Westville, N.S., participated in a Reverse Advent Calendar for the month founder, the Rev. Nicole Reid. Everyone of November. Each day, one item was set aside for the local food bank. All donations enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, puzzles, were boxed up and weighed before being loaded into cars. An amazing 602 pounds of carolling and setting off fireworks in the food was donated! What a terrific act of kindness from these churches. bonfire.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Nanaimo, B.C., told the Nativity story in a fresh and physically distanced way. Congregants created scenes, and then, by following maps provided by the church, drove from house to house. At each stop, they read their por- tion of the story, waved to friends and celebrated Christmas together. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 23 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Sweet Heart Surprise is a Valentine’s Day fundraiser organized by Iona Presbyterian Church in Dartmouth, N.S., that has been running for 26 years. The treat included a dozen homemade cookies and a flower (a wooden rose), plus a tag that said who it is from and who it is going to, with a short, personalized message. This year, 74 trays were hand-delivered. First Presbyterian Church in Brockville, Ont., was glad to be part of the grant presentation to the Refugees for Brockville organization from the Emergency Community Support Program, which supports refugees and refugee sponsorship in the Brockville community. The Rev. Marianne Emig Carr participated in the presentation with local MP Michael Barrett, the United Way of Leeds & Grenville, the Brockville Employment and Education Centre and the Brockville and Area Community Foundation.

This past Christmas, many hands contrib- uted to the success of the Christmas Food Hamper outreach at St. Andrew’s Pres- During the pandemic, the West River Pastoral Charge in Pictou County, N.S., has held byterian Church in Lindsay, Ont. Thanks in-person worship services nearly every Sunday since Sept. 20, 2020, in Salt Springs, to the congregation’s generosity, 60 food Greenhill and Durham. Gifts for families, for the Star Wish Program, and food bank hampers were completed and delivered to donations were all received on the first Sunday of December. Elder Lorraine Tobin recipients who were overwhelmed with stands near a sorted portion of the faith communities’ generosity. This is the day that gratitude to receive them. the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

PCConnect The latest news and information in a short monthly email

presbyterian.ca/pcconnect

Last spring, Marjorie Johnson Fraser of St. David’s Presbyterian Church in Toney River, N.S., had the idea to compile an album that represented the life of St. David’s in 2020. Members were asked to share stories and photos about how they have spent their time during the COVID-19 lockdowns. An enthusiastic group of over 65 children and adults contributed. All of the submissions were put into an album entitled “Till The congregation of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Bramalea, Ont., maintains the sign the Storm Passes By”—46 back-to-back pages showing how the congregation has in front of their church to remind members and the community that, while the church been making the most of this isolated time “till the storm passes by.” building may be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the work of God continues. PRESBYTERIAN 24 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Women from Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., attended an online women’s retreat where they crafted a new COVID-19 pulpit fall, which was then assembled by Sandy Green. Even though COVID-19 keeps us physically apart, we are spiritually stitched together.

St. Andrew’s-Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Uxbridge, Ont., presented a virtual modern-day Christmas Pageant, “Do Not Be Afraid.” The video footage was filmed over the course of four hours on a Saturday and was expertly edited into an entertaining pageant for the Sunday following Christmas.

Rob Robertson, from St. Andrew’s Presby- terian Church in Ottawa, Ont., accepted the Kerry Kaiser Award on behalf of the The Living Christmas Tree Committee of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Lindsay, St. Andrew’s “All Saints.” The award was Ont., prepared a virtual presentation of their annual Living Christmas Tree service for presented to the All Saints by Ottawa’s Christmas 2020. The presentation, entitled “Christmas Hope,” went online Dec. 6, 2020, Centretown Churches chair, Kristine and has garnered over 1,000 views. Burr, for engaging the most donors and raising the most money in the annual walk to support the Centretown Emer- gency Food Centre. Kerry Kaiser, who was the long-serving director of the Centre, passed away in December.

Gail and Bob Bowes of St. Andrew’s Pres- byterian Church in Ottawa, Ont., deliv- ered the frozen berries they grow and A fall recital was held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Victoria, B.C., on Nov. 18, 2020. The audience sat back, relaxed, listened and were taken away with the beautiful sell to support the congregation’s refugee music performed by the talented Jorge Eduardo Flores Carrizales and Rio Kadama. It was the first recital since COVID-19, and it was such a joy to attend; for 45 minutes, listeners sponsorship fund. forgot about the pandemic. The congregation looks forward to continuing these recitals once provincial health mandates allow it. PHOTO CREDIT: JEAN MARCELLUS PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 25 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, Ont., was unable to host its usual yard sale and bazaar fundraiser for local charities because of the pandemic. So the music director, Amanda de Boer, and her husband, Steven Ladwig, decided to host a physically distanced driveway concert on Sept. 27, 2020, on behalf of St. Paul’s, to raise funds for some of the charities normally supported by the church. They performed a variety of songs (classic rock and oldies) for an hour and raised $320 to be split between Gate 3:16 and Denise House. As well, several bags of canned and dry goods were collected for Settlement House Food Bank.

Due to the pandemic, the congregation of Knox Presbyterian Church in Dunnville, Ont., was missing its tradition of serving several congregational dinners every year. So, through Session, members were offered a lasagna dinner delivered to them or for pickup on Dec. 8. Congregation numbers are down but the number of requests was a surprise—105 orders came in! The day before pickup, committee members made 20 fruit pies. On the actual day, members met early (masked, of course) to produce 12 large casseroles of lasagna. Each package also included coleslaw and garlic bread. At 4:00 p.m., pickup began and delivery was carried out by other team members. There was no charge but people could make a contribution: $740 was collected. We all felt cheered and a little more united! A special thank you to our chief cook, Pat Battle, and our cheerleader minister, the Rev. Dave Whitecross.

Nine churches in Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ont., participated in a drive-by Nativity Tour. Each church depicted a scene in the Christmas Story. St. John’s Presbyterian Church depicted the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary. The Nativity Tour exceeded expectations and was a huge success, with some estimating that 450 cars passed by the churches in the community. It has been quite some time since cars lined up to get into the church parking lot. The team pictured from left to right includes Ron Glendenning, Amanda Farrish, Jeff Tranton, Scott Hearn (Gabriel), Kayla Tranton (Mary), Bibi Ganesh and the Rev. Dr. Daniel Scott. PRESBYTERIAN 26 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Amanda de Boer, music director at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, Ont., started a charity fundraising drive for feminine hygiene products. This year, to keep everyone safe, she planned a “Drive Thru Event,” which was held Sunday Nov. 22, during one of the worst snow- storms of 2020! Thanks to a gracious offer from St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Oshawa, the event was held in the church’s large and conveniently located parking lot. St. Paul’s congregation helped advertise the event, and many from the congregation came to donate both money and products—and have a physically distanced picture taken with Santa! This was a very successful event with $1,750 in cash donations and over 11,500 individually wrapped hygiene products donated to several local Oshawa charities.

On Sunday, Nov. 1, members of First Presbyterian Church in Portage la Prairie, Man., prepared a take-out version of the church’s annual Turkey Fall Supper. They were very surprised and pleased by the overwhelming success of pre-selling the meals, with a total of 257 orders received. Donations of supplies for the supper came from the congregation as well as from three local farms. People were thankful for such an excellent meal and for the church taking on such an endeavour in these hectic times. Adapting the sup- per into a take-out service was a big undertaking and learning curve for the congregation, but they are grateful for what they have learned and hope to be able to provide a take-out meal again in place of their annual Spring Dinner. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 27 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

The Mission Team of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ancaster, Ont., conducted a community Textile Recycling Drive on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. Pictured right are (front row, left to right): Jenn Pooni, Anne Yee-Hibbs, Steve Potter, and (back row) Pat Foley, John Hibbs, Linda Bleue. This initiative prevented 2,000 pounds of textiles from going into a landfill site.

The Rev. Mary Campbell of Claude Presbyterian Church in Caledon, Ont., put her crafting skills to good use during the pandemic, building a new Nativity scene for the Members of the First Presbyterian Church Brockville Chancel Choir in Brockville, church. It was a lot of hard work but she created a marvellous display. While it was Ont., gathered in December at the Royal Brock Retirement Living residence to disappointing that the church was unable to open over Advent and Christmas in 2020, serenade long-time singer Max Farrelly on his 90th birthday. In true 2020 pandemic the congregation is grateful for Mary’s artistic accomplishment, and looks forward to style, the choir stood outside the Royal Brock’s main entrance (physically distanced setting up the scene this year. and wearing masks) and sang Christmas carols for Max, members of his family, and approximately 25 other residents, concluding with a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Congratulations and best wishes, Max!

Even though the congregation at Claude Presbyterian Church in Caledon, Ont., was prevented from gathering in person for Christmas Eve worship, they still managed to display the spirit of Christmas to those passing by on Highway 10 in the Caledon area. PRESBYTERIAN 28 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 and International Ministries the cyclone and met people who had lost everything. Living and working in someone else’s country is a power- ful way to show that they are impor- tant to us. It shows that we haven’t forgotten that they are our siblings in Christ. It also teaches us much about our faith, culture, world view and pri- orities. After living in the “Warm Heart of Africa,” as Malawi is so accurately known, one of my greatest fears is that Canadians will be afraid to live courageously and warmly when this is over. Will we be afraid to hug each other? Will some children be too afraid to go to school? Will we be so used to being locked up at home that we will continue to live isolated lives? As a nation, we have reacted in fear. Canadians have hoarded not only toilet paper but vaccines as well. Canada tops the chart of global vac- cine hoarders with enough to vac- cinate each Canadian five times.3 COVAX was set up to ensure fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.4 Canada signed on to CO- VAX, and I am proud to say we are the third largest donors in the world after the European Commission and the United Kingdom.5 However, we have undermined the efficacy of COVAX by signing purchasing agree- ments for more vaccines per capita than any other country in the world.6 We did this to ensure that we could have access to whichever vaccines By Vivian Bertrand, former PCC our three children and me to Ma- were ready first. I understand the mission staff in Blantyre, lawi, where we made friendships logic, and I know that I will benefit Malawi (2017–2020) and lived and served alongside our from this hoarding. It doesn’t mean I Presbyterian sisters and brothers. It agree with it. As of December 2020, to send them to live and serve along- their wealth. In 2020, about 1.8 million people was a unique opportunity and one I wealthy nations representing only side our sisters and brothers around 5 Bill Curry, Globe and Mail, November died from COVID-19 worldwide. Over would highly recommend. Living in 14% of the world’s population had the world. The relationships we form 1, 2020; Gavi. The Vaccine Alliance, seven million people died from hun- Malawi, where people are extremely bought up 53% of the most promis- will help us as the church and as in- “Donor Profiles: Canada.” ger.1 The pandemic will end, but we warm and community-oriented, has ing vaccines.7 Meanwhile, the poor- dividuals to be more compassionate 6 Bill Curry, Globe and Mail, November 1, 2020. don’t know if hunger will. Why have impacted how I view our response to est nations may have a long wait for and responsive to those who face 8 7 Samira Sawlani, “When will COVID-19 people all over the world drastically COVID-19 and the future ministry of vaccines to reach them. death or hunger every day. Vaccinations start in African Coun- changed their daily lives to prevent IM. Many people in Malawi face death Our response to COVID-19 high- tries?” Al Jazeera. December 11, COVID-19 deaths, while people are or hunger every day, and life expec- lights the importance of IM’s work. FOOTNOTES 2020. dying from hunger at a faster rate— tancy is nearly 20 years younger than We recognize how easily we focus Full sources for all footnotes are available 8 Maria Cheng and Aniruddha Gho- and have been for decades? in Canada.2 only on our country or our fears 1 Maytaal Angel, “World Food Pro- sal, “Poor Countries Face Long Wait We react to what impacts us and IM is a unique ministry of the when we are faced with trials, and gramme says needs $6.8 billion over for Vaccines Despite Promises.” AP what we can see. It is difficult to PCC. Until COVID-19 hit, through IM, how easy it is to hoard resources next 6 months to avert famine.” Reu- News. December 15, 2020. ters. October 13, 2020. remember those struggling in other the PCC sent staff to live and serve and protect our families while forget- 2 In Canada, 93% of persons who have parts of the world unless we know with our church partners around the ting the struggles of those living in died from COVID-19 have been past them personally. Recently, during an world. While Presbyterian World Ser- other parts of the world. I hope that the life expectancy of someone born online meeting of the PCC’s Interna- vice & Development does extremely COVID-19 will change us for the bet- in Malawi (64 years of age). (For sta- tional Ministries’ (IM) Advisory Com- important work as well, it does not ter—individually and as the church. tistics on COVID-19 deaths in Cana- mittee, I was asked how I thought send staff to live overseas and serve Most of all, I hope that when restric- da, see Health Canada, Figure 5 and COVID-19 will impact IM’s work. locally as members of the global tions are lifted we will be less fearful. choose deceased.) My answer may have startled some community of Presbyterians. In Ma- I hope that I will hug my neighbours 3 Bill Curry, “Canada and Other Wealth- Through grants committee members. Perhaps I think lawi, I worked for a relief and devel- and friends and family more often. I ier Countries Undermining Efforts to and mission staff, differently than many Canadians be- opment organization called Churches hope that I will be more grateful for Ensure Equitable Distribution of COV- cause I was living in Malawi when the Action in Relief and Development. what I have, fear economic instability ID-19 Vaccine, Report Warns.” Globe Presbyterians Sharing and Mail, November 1, 2020. pandemic began. My experience in I was the only non-Malawian in the less and therefore tithe more inten- 4 COVAX is a global alliance working to supports 53 mission Malawi is why I think our response to office. Some of my work involved tionally. As a church, I hope we do ensure fair and equitable access to partners working in COVID-19 proves that the PCC needs helping Malawians recover after not stop the work of IM because of COVID-19 vaccines for people in all more from IM, not less. they lost their crops and homes to fear. Once vaccines are available to countries of the world, regardless of 25 countries. In 2017, IM sent my husband, Cyclone Idai. I visited villages after IM staff, I think we should continue PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 29 INTERNATIONAL Christmas in Bethlehem gregarious, offering to take photos plate after plate of traditional Pales- with us and wishing us a “Happy tinian dishes. The whole group ate Christmas.” Soon we heard cheering until we had to practically roll away as a parade approached from behind from the tables. Satisfied, we retired us: this was the motorcade carrying to the Inn where the staff had set up the patriarchs and archbishops of the a hospitality room for us. The Jeri- churches of Jerusalem. We stopped cho team (three young women from to watch the parade and waved to the Sweden, Switzerland and Germany) officials as they went by, then quickly had planned an evening of Christmas hurried up to Manger Square to se- fun. We played games, took turns cure a place from which we could telling traditional Christmas stories, observe the ceremonies. read poems and of course sang Upon reaching the Square I was some songs. A particularly poignant enthralled. Thousands of worship- moment was when our Swiss and pers gathered around; a smorgasbord German colleagues sang an acapella of languages from all over the world version of “Silent Night” in German, Escorting Palestinian children to school could be heard among them. At one the original language in which it in Bethlehem past armed soldiers. end of the Square stands the minaret was written. Finishing off the even- of a Mosque, at the other the Church ing with gift giving, (we had drawn went back to our hotel room to pack of the Nativity. And all around, both names for a “Secret Santa”), we our things, and before we left we Christians and Muslims celebrating exchanged small gifts, mostly tradi- took a final look out over Bethlehem (as Christ is a most revered prophet tional, handmade works from each of through our large picture window, in Islam as well). We stood near the the Palestinian towns where we were and were hit with a stark reminder: entrance to the church and took in the stationed: Nabulsi soap, therapeutic just below us was a section of the festivities, which included speeches Dead Sea mud, Phoenician glass Great Barrier Wall, a planned 740 and, of course, music—including a from Hebron. km barricade cutting off Israel from Palestinian bagpiping band playing In the morning, several of us at- Palestine. In Bethlehem most of the traditional Celtic music, much to the tended another local church for the work is completed, so we were look- delight of my Irish friend and me. After Christmas Day service. It was amaz- ing at a 30-foot-high concrete enclo- Palestinian children re-enact Christ’s birth. this portion, the Holy Fathers proceed- ing for me to watch young Palestinian sure, reinforced with military guard ed into the church for a Latin service, children re-enacting the Christmas towers, that cut right through the city, By Shaun MacDonald, former place is that the hill it is located on which we attended for a short period, story in front of the congregation, separating Palestinian Bethlehem Ecumenical Accompanier in has always been traditionally referred but it was difficult to take in with the just as I had done many times as a from the illegal Israeli settlements Palestine-Israel to as the “Hill of Skulls,” which is crowds of worshippers streaming into young boy growing up in Knox Pres- surrounding it. With resolute hearts, what Golgotha translates to in Eng- the building. byterian Church in Baddeck, N.S. The we knew we had work to get back to. As part of the Ecumenical Accompa- lish. There is also an actual rock-cut We made our way back to the Inn service was of course in Arabic, but I To be an Ecumenical Accompanier niment Programme in Palestine and tomb on the premises, with crosses and met up with our teammates. We felt like I understood every word of it. means walking alongside those who Israel (EAPPI) mission in Palestine, carved into the walls by crusaders had dinner reservations at a local Unfortunately, it was soon time to are suffering, and boldly telling their my colleagues and I were given the nearly 1,000 years before. restaurant, and what a feast it was! go. We had to start making our way stories to the world. Some of our privilege of three days off over Christ- Next morning, we packed our bags The waiters kept coming out with back to our placements. Billy and I greatest challenges would lie ahead. mas to spend in Bethlehem, with ac- and jumped on an early bus to head commodations and meals provided. to the checkpoint that gives access We were all excited to get a reprieve to Bethlehem and the West Bank. from our work and to get the chance After crossing the checkpoint (with to spend time with the entire group far greater ease than our Palestinian again (there were 21 of us in all). We counterparts), we were greeted with were from nine different countries the ubiquitous Israeli military pres- around the world and had formed ence before making our way to our strong bonds of friendship in our two lodgings to drop off our luggage— and a half months in Palestine and the aptly titled Bethlehem Inn. Most Israel up to that point. of our colleagues had not yet arrived My friend Billy from Ireland and so we decided to explore the city and I had hit it off particularly well. Be- try to find our way down to Manger sides sharing a sense of humour and Square, where the main festivities love for the work we were doing, we would occur. In the end this was not had even studied the same subjects a difficult task. Bethlehem is a tour- in university. Billy was based in the ist town due to its significance to north of Palestine near Nablus while Christians, with gift shops on every I was in the southern city of Hebron. corner selling every sort of Christ- We met in Jerusalem on December mas trinket you can imagine. But this 23, staying in a hostel attached to the was unprecedented: throngs of peo- Syriac Catholic Church just outside ple walking as streets were closed of Damascus Gate, the entrance to off to traffic, all going in the same the old city of Jerusalem. We spent direction. We decided to follow the the day exploring the Garden of the crowd. Along the way, every couple Tomb, a small grove just outside the of hundred meters, we met up with walls of the old city that competes groups of armed men in uniform; but with the Church of the Holy Sepul- this was not the Israel Defense Forc- chre as the location of Jesus’s cruci- es, this was the Palestinian Authority fixion. What is interesting about this security service. They were open and Artwork by Palestinian children. PRESBYTERIAN 30 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca INTERNATIONAL

ple blamed the illness on sin or witch- terian University of East Africa, which craft. Years later, the Rev. Mutahi was serves as seminary training for min- A New Moderator invited to Canada as an international isters and he was also a chaplain. We partner guest to attend the PCC 2015 were pleased to support his studies. General Assembly, held in Vancouver, The Rev. Mutahi’s thesis title is: “The in East Africa B.C. Expressing the importance of our Perspectives of Muslim Leaders in mutual partnership, he paid tribute the Nairobi Presbyterian Metropolis By International Ministries congregations in Kenya, Uganda and to Dr. Allen for his training activities Towards Faithful Interreligious Dia- Tanzania. The Presbyterian Church and for the development of a ground- logue with Christians.” Insecurity in The Rev. Patrick Thegu Mutahi will in Canada has been a partner since breaking HIV and AIDS policy, which Kenya has been a concern for dec- be the new Moderator of the 23rd 1983, when the first mission volun- is still considered by many as the ades and the Rev. Mutahi’s com- General Assembly of the Presbyte- teer served. most progressive HIV and AIDS policy mitment to engagement in religious rian Church of East Africa (PCEA). The Rev. Mutahi has a 20-year of any church in Africa. dialogue is a sign of hope. He will be installed in April 2021 for connection with the PCC. He was se- The Rev. Patrick Thegu Mutahi and for- In 2016, The Presbyterian Church In a recent email, the Rev. Mutahi a three-year term, with a possible lected to be in the first HIV and AIDS mer international mission staff Dr. Rick in Canada received a request from wrote: “My hope is that our partner- Allen in 2015. second term. When expressing our training program for pastors, because the moderator of the PCEA, asking ship with the PCC will be strength- best wishes for his election to this of his progressive views. Dr. Richard explained that in 2000, when the pro- for scholarship support for the Rev. ened now that I have connections new position, he replied that, “It is Allen, PCC mission staff who served gram began, 600 people were dying Mutahi, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in with you.” To this, we say, Amen. a great honour and privilege from in Kenya from 1994 to 2015, played daily from the HIV and AIDS epidemic. Religious Studies at the Catholic Uni- The Rev. Mutahi is married to Wan- God.” The PCEA is a growing church a major role in conceiving and teach- The training program demystified the versity of East Africa. The Rev. Mu- jiru and together they have two sons, with 54 presbyteries and over 3,200 ing the program. The Rev. Mutahi causes of the epidemic, as most peo- tahi had been teaching at the Presby- Mutahi and Kamau. PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT A Changing Sense of Partnership

roots level. this initiative. Unfortunately, this pro- In recent years though, the gov- posal was not approved by the gov- ernment’s partnership model has ernment. changed. Through a call for propos- In this new context, organiza- als model, the government adopted tions—like PWS&D and our part- a competitive process for access to ners overseas—spend a substantial funds. This system often includes a amount of time, energy and money to particular development sector focus develop proposals with little guaran- and projects are selected based on tee of funding. Many get turned down scale and alignment with geographic simply because there are not enough Between 2011 and 2020, PWS&D, with and thematic priorities. resources available to support all the support from the Canadian government, PWS&D was initially quite suc- proposals, regardless of past suc- worked to improve maternal and child cessful within this new model. A cess or the quality of the project. health in Afghanistan and Malawi. PHO- three-year proposal to support ma- Now, for the first time in nearly 40 TO CREDIT: CWSA ternal, newborn and child health in years of partnership, PWS&D faces a PWS&D to KAIROS’ Women, Peace Malawi and Afghanistan from 2011 period with no direct funding from the and Security program are matched to 2014 was approved. Building on Canadian government. 3:1. Through this project, women’s the positive outcome of this project, In some cases, sustainability was groups in Colombia, South Sudan, we successfully submitted a pro- achieved—in Afghanistan, for ex- Democratic Republic of Congo and posal for the next period, which was ample, the Afghan government has Palestine and Israel are supported double the size. taken over responsibility for the clin- in their efforts to eradicate gender- Through partnership with Canadian Foodgrains Bank, PWS&D accesses government At the peak, we were programming ics that were established by our part- based violence. funding to maximize the impact of food security and emergency food projects, like $2 million per year in Malawi and Af- ner with PWS&D funding. In other In response to these changing this one in South Sudan. PHOTO CREDIT: CFGB/ADRA ghanistan and making a significant cases, it will be difficult for remote circumstances, PWS&D advocates By Guy Smagghe, PWS&D Director As government priorities shifted difference in the lives of thousands hospital outreach programs to con- with other Canadian development over time, our program proposals of women and children in places tinue without our support, such as agencies to engage the Canadian Since 1982, PWS&D has been work- also shifted to ensure that priorities where access to health services was the Embangweni Mission Hospital government’s attention on issues re- ing in partnership with the Cana- were aligned. As civil society or- previously non-existent or severely in Malawi. Within this new reality we lated both to the amount of funding dian government to achieve mutually ganizations, PWS&D’s partners were restricted. Field visits by our Cana- are working with our partners to en- available for overseas development agreed upon development goals. Our able to fill gaps where local govern- dian government program officers sure the progress made over the past assistance, but also the mechanisms programs have evolved—from the ments were lacking—making it pos- affirmed the necessity of our initia- number of years is not lost. by which they are distributed. initial grants in the early years that sible to reach out to populations that tive and the added value that we were Fortunately, PWS&D is still able to As we look forward, we are re- had few strings attached until now might otherwise be left behind. bringing to the table. access government matching funds, thinking our strategies to access when the government’s requirements Over the years, PWS&D, with fund- In 2020, we concluded the second up to 4:1, through its membership in government funding. We may need for reporting and accountability have ing from the Government of Canada, phase of our maternal, newborn and Canadian Foodgrains Bank. We are to form stronger alliances to increase risen exponentially. For a long time, supported partners in Malawi, Gha- child health project with the Govern- currently leveraging this opportunity our scale and our capacity to make a PWS&D could expect to receive na, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, ment of Canada. In response to the by leading a food assistance project difference. We may need to think out- government funding at a predictable India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Gua- government’s call for proposals, in Afghanistan and contributing to side the box to build a renewed vision level, around $400,000 per year, in a temala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and PWS&D submitted a five-year pro- support people affected by the Syria of what’s possible in changing times. 3:1 matching formula. This arrange- the Dominican Republic. We helped posal which would have built on the crisis, droughts in South Sudan, hun- Thank you for continuing to sup- ment allowed for predictability in the improve peoples’ livelihoods, health results of the last seven years. The ger in Yemen, as well as supporting port the ministry of PWS&D in these length of agreements and new pro- and food security. We also supported government received three times the conservation agriculture efforts in turbulent times, when reaching out posals could be developed to ensure women’s rights movements through number of proposals than could be Malawi. to the world is more important than continuity. active empowerment at the grass- supported by the funds allocated to Additionally, funds contributed by ever. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 31 PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT

the floor in the debris for three days. Lebanon Crisis: Before the devastating explosions, Lebanon was already facing an eco- nomic crisis. COVID-19 only made Six Months Later the situation worse—many lost their jobs, making it difficult to access food and health care. In response, PWS&D, with part- ners at Canadian Foodgrains Bank and ACT Alliance, provided vital food and other essential aid, including help with the clean-up efforts. As- sistance will continue for months as people get their lives back together. Hagop and his sister were able to get the windows and doors of their apartment fixed. Their apart- ment building is being repaired. “The church has given us vouchers, which we used to buy food from the super- Volunteers get ready to deliver hot meals to those affected by the blasts. PHOTO CREDIT: NORWEGIAN CHURCH AID/HÅVARD BJELLAND market. They were also so kind as to Hagop and his sister, Anaheed, stand on their balcony overlooking the damaged port in give us a new refrigerator and a new through some more steps. We pray rebuilding. Additionally, funds have Beirut. PHOTO CREDIT: MERATH-LEBANON oven, since ours were not working we can walk normally again soon assisted in the restoration of dam- By Stephanie Chunoo, clearly recall the moment the explo- anymore since the explosions. Some and not need assistance anymore.” aged homes and schools, and pro- PWS&D Communications sions occurred. The blast shook their people from the church are also vided water and sanitation kits for entire apartment and threw Anaheed cooking for us every day and bring- Thank You… households, and supplied emer- In early August 2020, multiple explo- in the air, injuring her back, legs and ing us hot meals to eat.” Thanks to the generosity of Presby- gency school kits for students upon sions rocked Beirut’s port, causing head. While there is more work to be terians across Canada, $164,132 their return to school. substantial damage to homes and When the explosions hit, they rav- done as the pair continue to rebuild was raised to aid in the Lebanon Your continuous support is helping health care facilities. It is estimated aged Hagop and Anaheed’s home, their lives, Hagop reflects, “Still, we relief efforts. These funds allowed many vulnerable families through an that the blast left 300,000 people destroying their windows, doors, fur- are thankful, because God protected PWS&D to provide vouchers for incredibly challenging time. homeless, including 80,000 children. niture and compromised the struc- us! Our faith is helping us a lot in families to purchase the food they To learn more about PWS&D’s Ninety-year-old Hagop and his ture. Fearing that their apartment this difficult time… When I struggle need and vouchers for small busi- Lebanon response, visit 80-year-old sister, Anaheed, still might get robbed, the duo slept on walking, I pray for God to carry me nesses to buy materials to start WeRespond.ca/Beirut. Climate Change and Food Security

By Karen Bokma, they have experienced increasingly PWS&D Communications difficult weather events—unpredict- able rain resulting in both drought Our ability to feed ourselves depends and floods—and watched the quality on the natural environment. Farm- of their soil degrade over time. ers the world over rely on sufficient In response, Andrew and Flora water, healthy soil, biodiversity and joined a conservation agriculture positive climatic conditions for their project supported by PWS&D’s local livelihoods. church partner. Conservation agricul- Sustainable agriculture is essential to help address both climate change and food se- But the global environment is ture—a technique to support sustain- curity. PHOTO CREDIT: PAUL JEFFREY Andrew Mzimbe and Flora Botha farm increasingly under stress, which able farming—enables farmers to their small plot of land using conserva- negatively impacts agricultural pro- reduce vulnerability, adapt to climate techniques, at low or no cost. part of the project to advocate for her tion agriculture techniques, which help ductivity and food security. Sustain- change and improve food security. The Synod of Livingstonia De- views in how the couple farms. After address some of the effects of climate change. able agriculture practices, which can Through the project, the couple velopment Department, PWS&D’s attending a training, Flora knew that improve food production and farmer has learned about the three key prin- partner in northern Malawi, provides it would be important for the couple dressing climate adaption techniques livelihoods, are needed to help farm- ciples of conservation agriculture: ongoing training and consultation to to rotate their crops more than they is essential to achieve food security ers address the environmental chal- minimal soil disturbance through the farmers who are part of the pro- had in the past. After raising her con- for millions of hungry people around lenges they face. reduced or no tillage; permanent soil ject. Flora and Andrew attend regular cerns with Andrew and presenting the world. Sustainable agriculture is espe- cover, such as mulch; and diversified training, where they learn about or- the information from the training, the While the farmers in Flora and An- cially important for smallholder farm- crop rotation or intercropping. ganic fertilizers and intercropping. couple decided to rotate the crops, drew’s community continue to face ers—the Food and Agriculture Organ- Conservation agriculture is knowl- Since joining the project, the cou- with successful results. challenges as they strive for food ization (FAO) of the UN estimates that edge intensive and requires extensive ple has doubled the amount of land Sustainable agriculture practices, security, the conservation agriculture 90 percent of the world’s 570 million learning initially, but when done well, they are farming using conservation like conservation agriculture, are techniques they have learned are farms are small, often no more than it is a boon to soil productivity, soil agriculture because they’ve seen especially important for smallholder helping them address the real climate two hectares of land. These farmers, health, resource management and how successful the results are. farmers, who are often the first to concerns they face and grow more with their mostly manual labour, play greenhouse gas reduction, particu- Compared to the areas of their con- experience the negative effects of cli- food to sustain their families. an essential role in feeding the world. larly for smallholder farmers where ventional farm, they are harvesting mate change. Those who experience To learn more about climate change Andrew Mzimbe and Flora Botha alternatives are limited, according much more and have seen notable hunger on a regular basis are most and what you can do to help address are two such farmers. The married to the FAO. Some farmers see their improvements in their soil quality. at risk of increased food and nutri- it, check out Allyson Carr’s article couple farm about two acres of land production go up manyfold after in- Flora has also been empowered tion insecurity due to environmental on the For the Love of Creation faith- in northern Malawi. In recent years tegrating conservation agriculture through the gender training that is crises. Continued investment in ad- based climate initiative on p. 10. PRESBYTERIAN 32 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT COVID-19: Responding Faithfully, Globally

cators, like the Sustainable Develop- in times of crisis.” ment Goals, has gone backward. The Thus, when ACT organized the number of people experiencing acute ACT Alliance High-Level Dialogue on hunger increased, as did the number COVID-19 in December 2020, inter- of people who live in extreme poverty. national attendees included senior Working to meet the humanitarian staff of UN humanitarian agencies and needs of the pandemic and then to faith-based relief and development help individuals, especially the most agencies, ministers from different vulnerable, build back better is a criti- governments and senior officials from cally important long-term obligation. churches in many countries. PWS&D has responded to COV- Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Direc- ID-19 with direct support to long-term tor of the United Nations Population partners in many countries where Fund, stated, “Faith-based commu- Working with local faith communities has allowed PWS&D to respond quickly to the governments simply do not have the nities are absolutely essential for the COVID-19 pandemic. PHOTO CREDIT: LWF/ACT ALLIANCE means to support their people through continuity of the family and for the this crisis. We have also responded transmission of values of human dig- By Rob Shropshire, ID-19 in Canada or around the world. to many other corners of the world nity and human rights, and love for In Afghanistan, where PWS&D is providing PWS&D Program Coordinator In January 2021, the number of through our membership in Canadian one another, that the United Nations’ emergency food relief to people affected documented cases approached 90 Foodgrains Bank and ACT Alliance. Charter also espouses. When we by COVID-19, working with faith leaders For over a year, the world has been million worldwide, with two million That faith-based organizations, think about COVID-19, people of faith, builds trust within local communities. dealing with COVID-19. Here in deaths. In a December interview with such as PWS&D, the Foodgrains Bank who are always steadfast in defense Canada, many have been impacted the Canadian Press, Canada’s Interna- and ACT Alliance, play a key role in of anyone in danger of being left be- rights,” he continued. “During the through the loss of loved ones, lost tional Development Minister, the Hon. responding to such crises is receiving hind, are going to be more and more COVID-19 pandemic...we have seen livelihoods and prolonged isolation. It Karina Gould, said, “What we’re talk- increased recognition in Canada and called on.” many faith actors stepping up, both in has been nearly impossible to turn on ing about in international development internationally. Mr. Erik Lysén, Director of ACT terms of services and support.” a TV or radio, or open a newspaper or is a decade of lost gains.” As well as responding to major dis- Church of Sweden, commented that, It is gratifying to see the internation- website, without getting news of COV- Progress on key development indi- asters, ACT makes an annual appeal “The world is predominantly religious. al community’s growing appreciation for its Global Rapid Response Fund If we want to change behaviour and of the role of faith-based organizations to provide immediate assistance to norms, we need to work with faith in responding where there is humani- smaller-scale emergencies or in the leaders and communities. Local tarian need, which is so present during first days of a major disaster, working communities are always the first re- this pandemic. Yet at the High-Level with local ACT members. In launch- sponders in humanitarian action or Dialogue, some speakers challenged ing the 2020 appeal, ACT noted: “Our in responding to diseases. In many us all to do more. PWS&D’s collabo- WE WANT national members and local faith countries, faith-based organizations ration with partners and organizations communities play (a primary role) in are responsible for providing a sig- like the Foodgrains Bank and ACT Al- TO HEAR humanitarian response. Dignity, com- nificant part of health services, espe- liance allows us to make a difference munity empowerment and capacity- cially in underserved and marginalized while living out our values of compas- building are cornerstones of our local communities. sion, justice and partnership, inspired FROM YOU and national responses. Our members “Faith communities and faith-relat- by God’s promise of abundant life for at the local and national levels are em- ed organizations are also active at the all. In February 2018, the bedded within communities, familiar national level with a prophetic voice, in Visit WeRespond.ca/COVID-19 to with the needs of communities and advocacy for inclusive social policies, learn more about PWS&D’s global re- Moderator of The Presbyterian able to respond before any other actor democratic accountability and human sponse to the coronavirus pandemic. Church in Canada issued a letter to LGBTQI people and the church repenting of Champions’ Corner homophobia and hypocrisy. The Life and Mission Agency By Emma Clarke, A Day in the Life of a Champion PWS&D Communications In the past, “Whenever anyone made wants to hear from you. an Advent donation they were able to How have you used the These days, it’s rare to see a colour- put an ornament on the Giving Tree,” ful table laid with goodies for sale to commented St. Andrew’s Champion Letter of Repentance in your support a PWS&D program. A large Barbara Waine. This winter, people ministry and what actions have group of people walking or biking driving by St. Andrew’s Presbyterian together for the Ride for Refuge is Church in Nanaimo, were greeted by you taken towards repentance a distant memory. Yet these used to a brightly coloured tree in the win- and reconciliation? be important initiatives for PWS&D dow, lovingly crafted from construc- Champions—volunteers passionate tion paper. Excited to see the tree be- about engaging their congregations come more colourful with each new to support the work of PWS&D. act of generosity, Barbara strung the Contact Carragh Erhardt Creativity has always been one of ornaments up herself. “We can all Program Coordinator the traits that makes a great Champi- make a difference in our world by Sexuality and Inclusion on, and with the COVID-19 pandemic sharing!” it has become even more important. If you would like to join the com- [email protected] Committed volunteers across Can- munity of Champions in support of The colourful Giving Tree in the window ada have come up with bright new PWS&D’s work, please contact Emma of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in ideas to keep their communities in- Clarke at [email protected]. Nanaimo, B.C., celebrates the congrega- spired to help people in need. tion’s generosity. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 33 REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP An Arrival Against All Odds

ney—and the beginning of their new rize—followed. life in Canada. Hasan found part-time work and In spring of 2012, Hasan was a Abdaljalil began school in Turkey, but staff sergeant in the Syrian Army, the family continued to live in hope of leading physical fitness training and coming to Canada. marching exercises for soldiers in his Finally, they were approved to unit. When orders came to fire on un- travel to Canada and had tickets for armed anti-government protestors, March 25, 2020. But disaster struck Hasan deserted. As a result, he was yet again when the borders were arrested and spent two years in pris- closed due to the worldwide coro- on where he was severely tortured. navirus pandemic. After another half Hasan was eventually freed and, year of uncertainty, the family finally against all odds, managed to reunite arrived. A Syrian family sponsored by Beaches Presbyterian Church arrives in Canada in with his wife, Dua, and young son, Since then, the family has been Abdaljalil learns to skate his first winter November 2020. Abdaljalil. The family fled to Turkey in busy with the usual activities for in Canada. early 2015, where the United Nations newcomers: signing a lease, set- By Klaas Kraay, Beaches Presbyterian from the Congo, Colombia, Iran and classified them as refugees. ting up a bank account, activating Of course, the family is sad to have Church in Toronto, Ont. Syria. In the fall of 2015, the Canadian cell phones and attending medical left friends and family behind, in both government paired this family with appointments. Hasan and Dua have Turkey and Syria. But overall, they Since 2003, Beaches Presbyterian On the evening of Nov. 11, 2020, Beaches Presbyterian Church in To- begun online English classes, and are thrilled to be safe and sound in Church in Toronto, Ont., with the a Syrian refugee family of three ar- ronto, which was told to expect their Abdaljalil is enrolled in Grade Two. Canada, at long last. And the congre- support of PWS&D’s refugee spon- rived at Pearson Airport in Toronto, imminent arrival. Alas, this was not Abdaljalil loves playing in the snow gation is delighted to welcome and sorship office, has sponsored 13 ref- Ont. This moment marked the end of to be. Years of bureaucratic twists and has even tried ice skating—with support them as they begin this new ugees and co-sponsored four more, a long and incredibly arduous jour- and turns—far too many to summa- great vigour! stage of their lives. PLANNED GIVING Cheerfully Give and Then Receive

Here are a few examples: * lives. Patricia and Robert are pleased ity. You can choose the annuity pay- ity, would receive a $10,000 receipt Barbara, an 80-year-old woman, that the church should receive at ment frequency (monthly, quarterly, and an income of $1,864.68/year, worked all her life and has a pension least $20,000 when they have both semi-annually, or annually) based on of which the taxable portion is only and some savings. Barbara would passed away, continuing to provide your spending needs. Whether or not $213.29. like to give a gift to her congregation a place where people gather to grow tax is payable on the income depends By acquiring a gift annuity through but is concerned about her long- spiritually and work together to share on the age of the annuitant(s) on the The Presbyterian Church in Canada, term income for the years ahead. Christ’s love with their community day they first obtain the annuity. The you can experience the double-bless- She knows she could leave a gift in and beyond. income is often completely tax-free ing of giving and receiving. A PCC charitable gift annuity of $25,000 her will, but she discovers that buy- Charitable gift annuities are de- for older couples and the tax payable For a confidential annuity for an 80-year-old woman provides her an immediate $7,190 tax receipt and a ing a PCC charitable gift annuity can signed to use the interest and capi- is quite small for younger couples. A quote, contact Maggie Leung yearly tax-free income of $1,520. allow her to achieve both her goals. tal to pay you an income for life and couple, where the husband is 69 and at 1-800-619-7301 ext. 239, or Barbara purchases a single annuity leave a gift of at least 20% to the char- the wife is 65 with a $50,000 annu- [email protected]. By Jim MacDonald, Development Man- for $25,000, designating her church ager for Stewardship & Planned Giving as the beneficiary. She immediately Sample PCC Annuity Quotes receives a charitable tax receipt for Did you know that there’s a way $7,189.99 and every year for the rest Single Annuity you can make a charitable gift to the of her life, she’ll receive $1,520.00. church and ensure a guaranteed in- When she dies, the funds remaining Female 80 Annual Payment: $1,520.00 Taxable Portion: $0.00 come for life? in the annuity will go to her congre- Annuity: $25,000.00 Annuity Rate: 6.08% Tax Receipt: $7,189.99 When you purchase a charitable gation. Barbara finds comfort in the gift annuity through The Presbyterian knowledge that her gift can help her Church in Canada, you can leave a congregation pursue future ministry Joint Annuity legacy to any PCC ministry (Presby- dreams. Female 75, Male 78 Annual Payment: $4,902.00 Taxable Portion: $27.58 terians Sharing, Presbyterian World Robert (78) and Patricia (75) have Annuity: $100,000.00 Annuity Rate:4.90% Tax Receipt: $21,697.42 Service & Development, PCC camps, had a good financial year and they theological colleges and/or your con- are looking to offset the taxes they gregation). When you acquire the will have to pay on some unexpected Joint Annuity annuity, you’ll receive a guaranteed extra income. They had been talk- income for life and an immediate ing about making a major gift to the Female 65, Male 69 Annual Payment: $1,864.68 Taxable Portion: $213.29 charitable donation tax receipt for at church in their will, but they heard Annuity: $50,000.00 Annuity Rate: 3.73% Tax Receipt: $10,000.00 least 20% of the annuity’s value how they can make a gift now with There are two options: a single a PCC charitable gift annuity. Patricia *These quotes were valid until Jan. 26, 2021. Rates will vary depending on when the quote is obtained, the age and annuity, which provides an income calls for a quote and discovers that gender of the annuitant(s) and whether it is a joint or single annuity. The minimum amount for a PCC annuity is $10,000, for yourself, or a joint annuity, which a $100,000 joint annuity will provide and the annuitant must be 60 to acquire a single annuity and 55 for a joint annuity. provides life-long income for you and them with a charitable tax receipt for The PCC is a member in good standing of the Canadian Charitable Annuity Association, adhering to the standards and your spouse or sibling. $21,697.42, and an annual income ethics required of members. The Association carefully sets annuity rates based on a professional actuarial firm’s calcula- of $4,902 as long as one of them still tions and assumptions. Everyone is encouraged to seek independent financial advice before obtaining a gift annuity. PRESBYTERIAN 34 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Drawing Closer to God with a “Rule of Life” 1. Where do I feel closest to God? 2. Are there practices that I engage in (e.g., silent prayer, singing, walking, having spiritual con- versations with friends) opening me to God’s presence? 3. What are my current practices? 4. What practices pique my inter- Pandemic Holy est that I have not yet explored? Step 3: Committing to God is working in your life through 5. What areas would I like to Specific Practices them. Is your relationship with Jesus Practices Habits change in my life (e.g., finding After you have spent time prayerfully Christ growing? Are you able to walk & more time to spend in God’s considering different options, you more faithfully on the path God has Rule of Life Word, recognizing that I am a can commit to three to five practices set before you? The answers to these beloved child of God, develop- that you will adopt for an extended questions from those who have al- ing greater generosity, serving period of time. Here is an example of ready been practicing the Rule of Life God’s people)? what a Rule of Life might look like: consistently will be yes and yes. By Canadian Ministries For the Knox community this means: • a set of common practices that Step 2: Explore Different On a daily basis I commit to: To learn more about the Rule of Life: While the pandemic has forced us shape daily and weekly living; Spiritual Practices • Reading scripture for twenty • Spiritual Disciplines Handbook to be physically distant from one an- • prioritizing relationships; After reflecting on these questions, minutes by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun other, it has also shown us how im- • practicing saying “no” to things create a list of spiritual practices that • Going for a prayer walk • Knox Presbyterian Church’s portant it is to be spiritually close to to enable a stronger “yes” to Je- you feel drawn to. Here are some • Listening to the local Christian Rule of Life website: each other and God. Knox Presbyte- sus; practices you might consider, but music station when I drive in habituscommunity.org rian Church in Toronto, Ont., realized • being open to God’s shaping you can also find many others in the my car • Fuller Formation’s Rule of Life early on during COVID-19 that people power. resource listed at the bottom of this course: formation.fuller.edu needed help drawing closer to God In essence, the Rule of Life is a sup- article: On a weekly basis I commit to: and the Christian community when port structure that empowers those • Memorizing the psalms • Giving generously to my church their habitual ways of doing so—at- participating to grow more like Jesus • Reading diverse theological and organizations whose work I tending worship and faith gatherings by living a God-focused life rooted in works support in person—were no longer possible. the beauty and mystery of the gospel. • Fasting • Memorizing one psalm Drawing on the Rule of Life, an While Knox is doing this as a group, • Spending time in silence ancient Christian tradition based it can be something that individuals • Walking prayers On a monthly basis I commit to: Knox Presbyterian Church’s on weaving spiritual practices into do on their own, as well. Here are the • Labyrinth walking • Taking a media break one day a Rule of Life online program the rhythms and routines of life, the steps to follow to craft a Rule of Life. • Daily scripture reading month was supported through Session launched an online ministry • Finding a prayer partner The Presbyterian Church in program to knit the community to- Step 1: Questions • Serving others Everyone’s Rule of Life will be dif- Canada’s Innovation Grant. gether through common practices. If you are curious about adopting • Journaling ferent. The key is to practice it faith- To learn more about various The leaders of this initiative describe a Rule of Life in 2021, here are a • Offering forgiveness fully. As you engage in these prac- funding opportunities, visit it as, “the way we choose to live the few questions that will help you get • Singing/listening to sacred or tices on a daily, weekly and monthly presbyterian.ca/funds. life of Jesus together.” started: praise music basis, pay attention to the way that A Covid Christmas at St. Andrew’s Calgary

without ribbons and without tags. It package also included a 3D-printed On December 26, we began the came without packages, boxes or Advent Nativity wreath. “12 Days of Sharing,” where we bags… The youth, on behalf of TheCreek, adapted the song to be a checklist Well, it actually came with all of a ministry of St. Andrew’s, placed of donated items needed to create those, but up until days before Christ- “Mitten Trees” around Southwest food hampers: On the first day of mas, we weren’t sure what was going Calgary to provide donation opportu- Christmas, I will share with those in to happen as we waited for decisions nities, and also allowed those in need need…one bag of pet feed… On the from the government as to whether to pick items off the tree. second day of Christmas, I will share we could get together or not. While On Christmas Eve, we had a terrific with those in need...two bottles of Advent devotional and 3D-printed Nativity. had plan A, B and C—and perhaps family service, where families told salad dressing… And so on. we ended up doing plan Z—what I do part of the Christmas story from their In closing our Advent/Christmas/ know is that the Spirit was upon us homes. We had a Lego stop-action Epiphany season, we had an online as we welcomed God Incarnate. movie, acting, singing and narration Service of Light for a dark world on The Incarnation by Adam Ham- by people of all ages. Families then the evening of the Epiphany. One of four mitten trees. ilton and its resources were used met online to light their candles and Like the Grinch, COVID-19 could in various ways. A Bible study was sing “Silent Night” together. not steal Christmas: “Then the Grinch By Fiona Swanson, St. Andrew’s held two days a week, in advance of The Christmas Eve and Christmas thought of something he hadn’t Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta. worship. An Advent Devotion Booklet Day services were about welcom- thought of before. What if Christmas was created based on scripture from ing the “Light of the World” and the means a little bit more?” Christmas at St. Andrew’s Presbyte- the study, which went out to every blessing of family, especially our Christ incarnated in us so that we rian Church in Calgary, Alta., came household in the congregation. Each “Family of God.” may bring his light to the world! Online Service of Light. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 35 CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Christmas Celebrations at Bramalea

Mission & Outreach collection teamwork. lengraaf procured evergreen boughs, taking part in the presentation of the which were packaged, along with Christmas story “live” or pre-record- Our amazing IT hero, Stacey Molengraaf. candles, Advent readings and ac- ed. This was followed by an at-home tivities, into at-home activity kits and Communion service. were then delivered to our church Decorations always add to the school families. On the first Sunday Christmas celebrations, and mem- afternoon of Advent, the Rev. Barb bers joyfully participated in the as- hosted a special online meeting sembling and lighting of our newly where she guided children, parents purchased crèche for “the whole and grandparents in making their world to see,” as well as in adorn- A message to God from a child at St. Paul’s. very own Advent wreath. We were ing our sanctuary with our traditional each encouraged to keep it at our tree and Advent banners for all those By Lee Janoschak, St. Paul’s Sunday worship and fellowship; kitchen table and at suppertime, light online. Presbyterian Church in Wednesday afternoon Bible study; the corresponding candle and par- Gift giving is also a part of Christ- Bramalea, Ont. fireside evening chats; and fun Friday take in the readings and guided con- mas tradition, and our Mission & afternoons. versations with our family. Outreach members were very active This certainly has been a Christmas Also online, our music direc- On the subject of reaching our as they collected and gifted grocery Worship leader, Shelly Watson. like none other, and in many ways, it tor, Paul Pacanowski, and worship young families, the Rev. Barb always gift cards to those in our local com- has enabled us to focus on keeping song leader, Shelly Watson, lead us has a children’s time during our “Zo- munity who needed assistance. Our our celebrations simple and sincere. every Sunday right from our own omorship” services, where she en- Finance team continued to facilitate Since November, St. Paul’s Pres- sanctuary. Adding to the emotion of courages the children through guid- the giving of regular and special of- byterian Church in Bramalea, Ont., “worshipping together while staying ed, relevant conversation to express ferings through our parking lot “trunk has been right in the middle of the apart,” our own choir members lend their thoughts, prayers or wishes in collections.” COVID-19 red zone, or hotspot, or their voices to the music for our on- words or drawings. Then, near the As you can see, even though whatever designation government line worship by recording their vocal close of the service, they are called COVID-19 has closed buildings, it officials are calling it. Early into the parts in advance and sending them back to the screen to share. These has not closed God’s church. Quite new year, we were placed under fur- to Paul who then, painstakingly and children have been an inspiration to the contrary, it has challenged us to ther restrictions as a “stay-at-home” lovingly combines them into amazing us all as, each week, they enthusias- be creative, given us new resolve, order was issued. As we shelter anthems. This was especially impor- tically present to us (and God) their enabled us to shine a new light in the at home, Zoom (with the techni- tant and appreciated throughout the works of art, poems and prose. darkness and poke holes in despair cal expertise of Stacey Molengraaf) season of Advent. Our Christmas Eve service saw that allow God’s glory to illuminate has enabled us to gather online for: Prior to Advent, the Rev. Barb Mo- many of these children and youth and God’s Spirit to blaze! Music director, Paul Pacanowski. The New Normal in Stouffville

By Jim Mason, St. James Presbyterian ing the always popular Christ- age into the new year. Church in Stouffville, Ont. mas Eve and Christmas Day • St. James held its annual budget services, have been recorded meeting last fall. “The power As with every other church across by a skeleton crew of four and failure in the middle of it re- the land, business has not been “as shared online. Guest readings minds us how much we miss usual” at St. James Presbyterian are recorded at home, emailed in-person meetings!” said the Church in Stouffville, Ont. The Main and inserted into the recorded Rev. Joan Masterton. Street church—in the community 45 service. A link is distributed via • Music director, Craig Garnham, minutes northeast of downtown To- email and social media to mem- recorded and distributed a ronto—has been closed since March bers and the community at large Christmas concert that featured 2020. every Sunday. invited soloists. To briefly recap this unusual sea- • In response to food insecurity Members of St. James Stouffville son of change, since then: during the pandemic, St. James continue to find ways to worship to- • The congregation has hosted opened a Little Free Pantry on its gether and reach out to the commu- more than 100 online meetings. front lawn on October 6. Volun- nity despite these challenging times. The pews at St. James Presbyterian Church were empty for the recording of the annual • All worship services, includ- teers have noticed increased us- Christmas Eve service. PHOTO CREDIT: JIM MASON PRESBYTERIAN 36 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

to online worship. Not every con- Pastoral Care Issues tional mini-crisis in the early months gregation had people with gifts and The inability to offer a ministry of of the pandemic when public ser- technical expertise. Not every con- presence was identified as a core vices of worship were cancelled and gregation had the funds to purchase pastoral care issue. This prompted other congregational activities sus- HD cameras, computers and other theological reflection on what it pended. With no services, no visita- electronic equipment. Congregations meant to be the church as the body of tion, no meetings or congregational in rural and remote areas frequently Christ when we cannot be physically programs, some clergy wondered, lacked access to reliable high-speed present to each other. Keeping mem- “What do I do as a minister when Internet service. bers connected proved challenging I can’t do the tasks of ministry for Congregations offering online ser- as congregations experimented with which I trained? What do I do with vices expected to see a decline in online Bible study and prayer groups, my week? How do I justify my sti- attendance. Most reported to their virtual coffee hours and creative on- pend, especially if the congregation surprise an increase in attendance, line programs for children and youth. has had to cut back the custodian’s sometimes well above that of in-per- The sacraments of baptism and Holy hours or lay off the music director?” son Sunday services. This prompted Communion were postponed; some A kind of “works righteousness” the obvious question, “Who are congregations held Communion crept in as ministers felt the pressure Seeing the they?” While it was not always pos- services adapted for a video confer- to be doing something, anything, to sible to discover who the attendees encing format. Visits to members in be productive and “earn their keep.” were, many congregations were able hospitals, long-term care facilities It was often a challenge to gain per- Spectrum: to determine they came from the fol- and palliative care units were at best spective, set priorities, trust God and lowing groups: severely restricted, and at worst not learn on a daily basis to live by grace. • The “Only Game in Town” peo- permitted at all. We heard painful ac- The ministers who were coping rela- Ministry During ple – if everything else is closed, counts of ministers who could not tively well during the pandemic iden- what else are we going to do on call on elderly members living alone, tified one or more of the following a Sunday morning but go to which only added to their isolation; factors as being important in their the Pandemic church? and ministers who could not visit ministerial self-care: • The “Home Church” people – dying members in their final hours. • Attention to significant per- By the Rev. Tim Purvis, continue without the offerings and those who had moved away but Funerals proved especially difficult. sonal connections with others: Associate Secretary, donations coming in? Will we have still maintained a connection to In some cases, funerals could not be spouse/partner, family, friend. Ministry and Church Vocations to close the church permanently?” their home church and were now held at all and had to be postponed, • Attention to proper diet, exercise Ministers and congregations were able to attend services online, re- depriving grieving families of the and sleep. In the spring of 2020, national church shifting their focus to the most im- gardless of where they lived. physical support of their clergy and • Building in Sabbath times of rest office staff began to attempt to call mediate and pressing priorities. • Elderly and infirm members congregations. Ministers struggled and renewal: taking days off and the ministries, clerks of presbytery We noticed a progression as min- – people who were unable to with enormous pressure not to fol- vacations, enjoying hobbies. and clerks of synod to hear how isters and congregations transitioned physically come to worship at low public health restrictions when • Collegial support: regular online things were going and how people to the “new normal.” The first round their church but who could par- their pastoral instinct was to provide gatherings with trusted col- were doing in this difficult time. of questions we heard mainly had to ticipate online. some measure of in-person pres- leagues to share the joys and The more than 969 ministries and do with how to move worship ser- • The “Housecoat and Slippers” ence in times of loss. challenges of ministry in a time clerks were divided into call lists given vices online. Staff from the Life and people – those who opted for Another central pastoral care is- of pandemic, and to realize they to participating members of the na- Mission Agency worked to prepare the convenience of worship- sue was the general sense of grief were not alone because they tional church office staff. Calls began online resources and to respond to ping in the comfort of their own and loss experienced not just by were all facing the same issues in late April and continued until after questions and provide technical as- homes. congregations and clergy, but by and challenges. Christmas. The responses covered a sistance to ministers and congrega- • The “Tire Kickers” – church the entire community. Everyone was • The practice of spiritual dis- broad spectrum. Some congregations tions. This was quickly followed by shoppers flitting from service to missing the various ways we gath- ciplines: prayer, meditation, were doing remarkably well and found a second round of questions con- service, though many congrega- ered together, not just as families and scripture reading, or other ways creative ways to meet the challenges cerning financial issues: “How do we tions saw this as an opportunity friends, but as a society as sporting of nourishing their souls and re- of the times. Other congregations gather offerings? How do we set up for evangelism and outreach! events, community festivals, parades storing their spirits. were struggling and deeply concerned a donation portal on our church web- • Members from other congrega- and other shared cultural events were about their future. Some ministers site? What do we do if we have to tions not holding online services cancelled. Major milestones like Summing Up: The Spectrum were coping well with stress and cut back the hours of, or lay off, our of their own. birthdays, anniversaries and gradu- Conversations revealed a spectrum adapting to ministry under difficult cir- church staff?” Again, staff prepared • Family members of the minister ations could not be celebrated in of experiences during the pandem- cumstances. Others were dealing with resources and offered guidance and and elders. the usual ways, if at all. Significant ic. At one end of the spectrum, we exhaustion, burnout, depression and technical assistance. • Those who were hurt by the planned events like family vacations heard about challenge and pain. We health issues brought on by unprec- Then we started to get questions church but still needed what the and weddings were postponed or heard from clergy who were ex- edented ministry demands. As one of about “usual” church matters. Ses- church had to offer, online at- cancelled outright. Important holi- hausted, burned out and wondering, our ministers put it, “Some things are sion and presbytery clerks and com- tendance was safe for them. days and annual traditions became “How long, O Lord?” We heard from flying; others are dying.” mittee chairpersons asked about how • Those for whom the church casualties of the pandemic. Even ministers who were struggling with to hold meetings online. Interim mod- building was a place of recent ordinary routines and simple tasks physical and mental health issues, What Did We Hear? erators asked about the mechanics loss; for instance, a church fu- were disrupted. A simple trip to the and who were using the anony- In the initial few weeks, we heard of a search-and-call process to fill a neral, online worship was a way grocery store required more time and mous counselling services pro- much anxiety and uncertainty. We pulpit vacancy. At this point it was evi- to ease back into community life. effort as all were required to wear vided by the Employee Assistance noted how a general shift occurred dent clergy and congregations were This common congregational ex- masks and line up outside where the Program offered to professional around the three-month mark. Before beginning to adapt to ministry in what perience of increased attendance at number of people permitted in build- church workers through the Pension that time, many accepted temporary was becoming “the new normal.” online services, because they were ings was restricted. and Benefits office. We heard from arrangements, assuming the pan- reaching people who weren’t being The collective grief and loss of congregations that were struggling, demic health restrictions would end The Shift to Online Worship reached through in-person services, all things normal affected everyone. especially smaller, more elderly, and soon and that things would return to Many congregations chose early on resulted in an emerging consensus: Congregations and clergy faced the rural or remote congregations who normal. to offer their Sunday services online, some online worship presence would challenge of offering hope and en- were wondering, “Will the burning After three months, the realization following the closure of their church have to continue after “normality” couragement even as they managed bush go out on our watch?” And set in that we were in it for the long buildings to public worship. Not all returned, even though provision of their own losses and their own grief. we heard how difficult it was to be haul. We were in a marathon, not a congregations were able to do this. both online worship and in-person the minister in a struggling pastoral sprint, and needed to adapt accord- Typically, the congregations with the worship would be demanding on Self-Care Issues charge, dealing with a sense of fail- ingly. We heard anxiety about finan- human, financial and infrastructure clergy and lay worship planners and A number of ministers indicated they ure, especially when other congre- cial concerns. “How long can we resources were able to make the shift leaders. were going through a kind of voca- Continued on page 37 PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 37 CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Wrapping Up 2020 at Armour

Heights Worship service participants from our live-streamed Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. “A COVID Christmas” concert photo.

By Erin Stone, Church Administrator & Manager of Community Engagement, Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont.

Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., had a pretty busy Advent and Christmas season with some special programming that in- cluded a series called “Merry Covid Christmas.” This online programming also had: a Christmas biscotti baking Our Christmas Angels team “wrap party” assembling gifts for ARISE and families in our community. event; an Advent wreath making event; a four-part Advent-themed a very special poem written by our Christmas Eve service and Christ- yoga class; a two-part Bible study clerk of Session called “A Visit from mas Angels “wrap party.” called “How Well Do You Know the COVID-19.” Despite the lockdown and the on- Christmas Story?”; a Christmas In addition to this, we volunteered going pandemic, it’s been a busy and “open mic”; a live-streamed concert at the Evangel Hall Mission Residents active time at Armour Heights. with our Armour Heights soloists and Dinner, crafted a new pulpit fall and Our past events are available at music director; a Christmas pageant held numerous other online events, armourheights.org/merry-covid- (with about 60 participants!); and including a youth baking event, our christmas Youth online “cinnamon bun baking event” with the Rev. Rebecca Jess and Vanessa Horne. Online Christmas Bazaar in Uxbridge By Irene Dimanis, Treasurer, St. of their choice. The flyer was then Andrew’s-Chalmers Presbyterian emailed and sent by mail to the con- Church in Uxbridge, Ont. gregation with the date and location for pickup outside the church en- The Ladies Association of St. trance. Andrew’s-Chalmers Presbyterian It was a very successful initiative! Church in Uxbridge, Ont., holds a We donated the funds raised to Evan- Christmas bazaar in November each gel Hall Mission, Kenora Fellowship year. Due to COVID-19, I came up Centre, Precious Minds, Jennifer with an idea of doing a first-ever vir- Ashleigh Children’s Charity, Angel tual bazaar on a much smaller scale Tree and Crieff Hills Retreat Centre. for 2020, and asked our President, It was a different experience for a ba- Bonnie, if this was feasible. zaar, but as our ladies’ group always We ended up making up a flyer of works together so well, it turned out all the items available for purchase amazingly, and our congregation with the names of people to contact loved being able to purchase some by email or phone for the item(s) of the items they buy every year.

Continued from page 36 gations were doing comparatively nections resulted in the collapse of they were going to be living in Baby- you a future with hope” (Jer. 29:4–5, well. physical distances as interim mod- lon for a while is applicable to us to- 11). At the other end of the spectrum, erators were able to expand their day: We cannot know what the world we heard about blessings and signs pool of supply preachers for online “Thus says the Lord of host s, t he will be like, or what the church will be of hope. We heard remarkable sto- services, and that presbytery bound- God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I like, on the other side of the pandem- ries of congregational and ministerial aries became permeable as clergy in have sent into exile from Jerusalem to ic. The glimpses we have already hint Presbyterians Sharing creativity and resilience. We heard one part of the country provided as- Babylon: Build houses and live in them; that much will be changed, and much encourages and supports that new leadership was emerging sistance and support in other parts. plant gardens and eat what they pro- will have to change. In the meantime, or long-serving leadership was being The journey through this pandemic duce.... For surely I know the plans I we journey from memory to hope, congregations through revitalized in many congregations. is not over yet. Jeremiah’s advice to have for you, says the Lord, plans for from that which was to that which times of change. We heard that reliance on online con- the exiles to set down roots because your welfare and not for harm, to give will be, as God’s own future unfolds. PRESBYTERIAN 38 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Christmas God’s Gonna Do it Again and Covid in The Rev. Tim Raeburn-Gibson

When I look back on the year I had Collingwood Some ups and some downs, some helping hands, Happy New Year, God’s By Marlene Weatherall, First available each week on the church’s youth leader, have created a new ini- celebrated Advent with music. While gonna do it again Presbyterian Church in Collingwood, website, Facebook and Instagram, tiative: TGN (The Good News). This adhering to COVID-19 restrictions Ont. and are joined by a large following. weekly news-style video is approxi- and guidelines, we gathered safely I have friends and family and The expertise of Jansje and Denman mately 10 minutes long, includes a in the sanctuary to hum our favourite good times to keep First Presbyterian Church in Colling- Lawrenson has been instrumental in Bible verse, a “joke news” section, Christmas carols under the leader- I have a fridge in the kitchen wood, Ont., is thankful for the abil- making this a reality. a weather report from a Children & ship of our music director, Kimberley and a warm place to sleep ity to continue to carry out our The Director of Pastoral Care, Youth volunteer, highlights from the Raeburn-Gibson. Happy New Year, ‘cause purpose to share the good news of Catherine Brown, communicates church, and features kids of all ages The Christmas Hamper Ministry God’s going to do it again Jesus Christ, as we live out our faith weekly through electronic messages, and their “good news.” The record- this year helped families enjoy the through worship, Christian educa- telephone chats and physically dis- ings are posted each week on the Christmas season that otherwise I have hope for the future, for tion, youth ministry and mission to tanced visits (at individual requests). Youth Group YouTube channel, the would not have had the means to all the days ahead both local and global communities. The weekly e-communications in- Children & Youth Facebook page, and do so. Twenty-eight church families ‘Cause I know that you love When COVID-19 restrictions were clude prayer requests, announce- the Children’s Ministry section of our prepared 38 baskets for 106 people set in place in March 2020, gathering ments, inspirational scriptures and website. The goal is to share and cel- in these families. Another 30 families me, just as Jesus did as a congregation was no longer pos- recognition to those who have birth- ebrate the good things happening in received gift cards and a local school Happy New Year, God’s sible. A team of volunteers gathered days or special occasions. Cath- the lives of our church family in a fun in need was supported, as well. gonna do it again to develop and implement protocols erine’s 70-person team of pastoral way. Children and youth also receive We were very excited about our to sanitize the church building and care visitors ensure that those in their opportunities to meet for interactive virtual presentation of the First Love is patient, love is kind make the sanctuary safe for those care are reached regularly. This con- lessons, Bible study and games on- Christmas Story on our YouTube And love forgives, time after participating in the live-streamed nection has been greatly appreciated. line each week. channel. Even though we couldn’t in- time Sunday services. YouTube links for The Director of Youth & Fam- Community dinners continue to be vite people into the church, we knew Happy New Year, ‘cause the live-streamed services are made ily Ministries, along with a volunteer offered monthly as a “take-out” meal. that our live-streamed presentation God’s going to do it again There is no cost and approximately was powerful and brought the Spirit 80–100 people receive a nutritious, of Emmanuel into the lives of all the If I invite you in, if you invite home-cooked meal. people who watched. The presenta- me in Each Wednesday in November and tion was complete with a 50+ voice miracles will happen, again part of December, we connected with First Christmas Story virtual choir, and again the church family and community at youth chorus and instrumentalists, Happy New Year, ‘cause large for an hour of outdoor Family interwoven with narration to share God’s gonna do it again Worship. While remaining in a “Fam- the simple message of Christmas to ily Pod,” physically distanced in the those at home. Happy New Year, ‘cause you parking lot, we offered outdoor wor- We started the 2021 year with an are gonna do it ship with music and prayer that was inspirational message from the Rev. We are gonna do it fun for all ages. Tim Raeburn-Gibson. The benedic- God’s gonna do it again When the weather turned colder, tion was an original song by the Rev. we moved into the sanctuary and Tim. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 39 CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Rolling Forward in Bolsover

By Elaine Anderson, St. Andrew’s Beth Ann Kenny, Cecil Rosenberger Presbyterian Church in Bolsover, Ont. and Brian Anderson. Thank you all for contributing to our weekly drive- The year 2020 delivered devastating in services. news of the COVID-19 pandemic. It We continued drive-in church ser- has held us back in so many ways vices throughout the summer and ever since St. Andrew’s Presbyterian fall months, enjoying the weather Church in Bolsover, Ont., was closed and the Word. Inclement weather Rosemary Watson (left) and Elaine An- on March 22 for regular church ser- challenged us at times, so clear vi- derson. vices. Mandatory physical distancing nyl sides were attached to the float and mask wearing were definitely to keep the wind, rain and snow at were asked the week before to bring obstacles to overcome. Going for- bay. We managed for several weeks their own elements and at the appro- ward, we asked ourselves, how can until it was suggested that we move priate time, consume them. we meet to worship our Lord? There to the area at the front entrance to the It was a cold day, so things moved must be a road from here! church, where it would be warmer along quickly. During the service, we On Sunday, June 21, a 1946 John for everyone, and allow our organ- noticed that it was getting difficult for Deere B tractor pulling a 16-foot float, ist, Shirley Mueller, to have a suitable the Rev. Bob to turn the pages, so it arrived on our church property along place (just inside the front doors) to was decided that we would stop our with flowers, a podium and an FM set up her keyboard. outdoor services at the end of Advent transmitter. This quaint set-up gave By November 29, Advent was on Dec. 20. The Rev. Bob did not ob- folks in their cars the ability to tune upon us. We knew we couldn’t use ject to this idea, joking with us about their radios to 90.5 FM and listen to real candles in our Advent wreath the situation. music and the message for the day. It outside, so Brian and Elaine Ander- It was a peaceful and solemn time Celebrating the Word with help from a was a wonderful way to celebrate the son created a large wooden cande- spent in the beautiful setting of our lit- tractor and car radios at St. Andrew’s. Word in beautiful natural surround- labra using coloured light bulbs large tle church in the pines. It gave me a ings. We’d done it! enough for people in their cars to see glimpse of what our ancestors must we have supplied food items for With a few small hurdles to over- from a distance. For our Advent ser- have gone through to bring their pa- Christmas breakfast and dinner, snack come, church services started hap- vices, readers had been assigned to rishioners together to worship the items and gifts for the family. pening again at St. Andrew’s. Num- read the weekly liturgies and to “turn Lord. And they all said: “It was good.” This year, however, we were not bers were few in the beginning, but on” the appropriate light bulb (it was allowed to purchase food or cloth- as word got around, more and more electric). It was very bright and it lit Christmas Outreach ing. Instead of food and clothing, gift cars drove up to our “Drive-In Church up the area nicely on dull days. St. Andrew’s Bolsover has supported cards were purchased. Through our Service.” We were able to fill our The Rev. Bob Quick, from St. An- a Christmas Family every year for the church’s generosity, we were able pulpit weekly with our interim mod- drew’s Presbyterian Church, Lind- past five years. Our local elementary to support three families. Wow! We erator the Rev. Caleb Kim, the Rev. say, came to lead us in Communion school is in Kirkfield, about five miles gave each family $275 in gift cards. Bob Quick, Youth and Family Ministry on Sunday, December 6. You might east of Bolsover. Each year, we are We received a thank-you from the pastor Shannon Shearer and pulpit wonder how we did this from the given a family (name unknown) to school for our generous support supplies Wayne Simpson, Ray Coker, inside of our cars. All congregants support for Christmas. In the past, once again. BOOK REVIEW

passionate Friends that offers support with grief through all of its ups and A Review of for bereaved parents. All of the sensi- downs. You will also find a witness to tive soul-searching that has happened the power of the presence of God in over those 20 years infuses this book. and through other people who care, Finding Heartstone Cathy picks up on a theme that is all in their unique fumbling ways. pervasive in Canadian literature—the And you will find recipes. I’ve tried By the Rev. Brian Fraser, Brentwood opinion pieces. She is active in lead- healing power of the wilderness. This some and they’re really good. My Presbyterian Church in Burnaby, B.C. ership with West Vancouver Presby- particular wilderness is on an island personal favourite, weird as it seems, terian Church, B.C., leading a faith off the coast of British Columbia, is Standby Corned Beef Hash (p. 75), Finding Heartstone: A Taste of Wil- study group as well as coordinating owned by the “idealistic and sensi- made from corned beef and served derness the communications team. Cathy’s ble” Hemming Bay Community on with loads of ketchup. As I tasted my Written by Cathy Sosnowsky Christian faith does not show up ex- East Thurlow Island. That coopera- versions of her recipes in our North Caitlin Press, 2020. plicitly in this book (it does in her first tive has flourished for over 40 years Vancouver condo, I imagined what memoir, Snapshots: A Story of Love, now. We’re treated to an eloquent ac- that comfort food might have tasted This book is about grief felt deeply. I Loss and Life), but its resilience un- count of how, after the death of Alex, like at Heartstone in that wilderness want you to read it. I pray these ob- derlies every line. Cathy’s husband, Woldy, and his land so filled with lament. servations will encourage you to do The grief that fills this book has to brother constructed, mainly by hand, I trust these glimpses of the rich that. Then pass it on or recommend do with the loss of one child to a freak a home in that wilderness. wisdom that fill this book have stimu- it to others. fatal accident and two children to ad- who are living with such traumas. The You won’t find easy answers to lated a taste for reading it. You will The author, Cathy Sosnowsky, diction. These losses are not only en- death of her son, Alex, elicited a mov- getting over loss in this book. That’s not be disappointed. Deep gratitude taught English at Langara College dured with remarkable resilience, but ing collection of poems (Holding On: because grief doesn’t work that way. to Cathy for sharing her soul with in Vancouver for many years. She also observed with a deep compas- Poems for Alex) and worldwide lead- You will, however, find an articulate such eloquence. Please read, ponder, has published poetry, memoirs and sion for herself, her family and others ership in an organization called Com- awareness of what it means to live and pass it on. PRESBYTERIAN 40 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca REFLECTIONS Anchored to Jesus in an Uncertain World

quite certain, sensing that outcomes to find ultimate hope for the future, aren’t as reliable as we once thought not in human resources, beneficial them to be. Meanwhile, most folk though they certainly are, but in God. can’t go to work, go to school, op- Biblical words like “vanity,” “fool- erate their business, eat out, go to ish” and “wilderness” suggest the a concert, attend public worship or need for us to re-evaluate our lives. meet with friends. More than any- But I also believe strongly that the thing, I feel sad that I can’t visit my God whom we delight to name as brother in England. Shepherd and as Father has more If I sound negative, let me coun- encouraging words to give us in this Jesus Christ, our great high priest, an- teract that by celebrating the massive moment—the Bible is full of them. chor and forerunner, who has redeemed commitment undertaken by all those One such word that’s been in my us and is in the midst of restoring us, working to alleviate our uncertain- mind in recent days is the word, tethers us to a God without limits. In ties—researchers who have swiftly “anchor,” even though it appears in him we’re forever secure and safe. By The Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine, retired developed new vaccines, the un- the New Testament once only. It’s a minister from Knox Presbyterian ceasing dedication of frontline health positive word that symbolized hope edge life’s uncertainty and limits, the Church in St. Catharines, Ont., and workers, the huge efforts of govern- in ancient times and was used visu- current pandemic offers us the op- adjunct professor at Knox College in ments to mitigate financial hardship, ally as such by Christians in the early portunity to discover that Jesus is, Toronto the adaptivity and orderliness of food centuries of the church; today, it isn’t as Hebrews 6:19–20 claims and the supply chains, and the sacrificial way as popularly used. I, however, was Boys’ Brigade hymn celebrates, an times, not to general doctrines of “We have an anchor that keeps the in which the vast majority of people introduced to the word “anchor” immovable anchor whom no storm God’s love or sovereignty, vital soul; steadfast and sure while the bil- continue to respect and endure re- when I joined the Boys’ Brigade at or pandemic can dislodge or destroy. though such doctrines are, but spe- lows roll; fastened to the rock which strictions. Compassion and concern age eight! The Boys’ Brigade, an Throughout his short life, Jesus cifically to the accomplished, ongo- cannot move, grounded firm and for others has made the pandemic organization with roots in the mus- endured terrible temptation and trials, ing ministry of Jesus. This is what deep in the Saviours’ love.” more bearable than it would other- cular Christianity of late Victorian was abandoned by both the justice the Book of Hebrews articulates. My brother Ian, recuperating from wise be. Yet we’re haunted by the Britain, has now faded in Canada, system of his day and his closest As God’s incarnate Son, through COVID-19, continues to cope with gnawing fear that life may not soon, but not in Ulster where I grew up. Its disciples, and finally endured the suf- whom God has spoken to us, Jesus cancer. Similar grim situations are or ever, return to normal. emblem is an anchor, and its motto, fering and shame of the cross. How- is “the reflection of God’s glory and currently being endured across the In view of how untethered and un- “steadfast and sure,” comes from ever, and this is the claim that under- the exact imprint of God’s very be- globe, accompanied, at least in predictable life now feels, Christians the hymn, “Will your anchor hold in pins Christian scripture, sacraments ing” (1:3) who was made “like his Canada, with an increasingly darker rightly seek a word from God that will the storms of life?”—a hymn that, and song, “God raised him up, hav- brothers and sisters in every respect, mood. In the early months of the be a lamp to our uncertain feet and as boys, we sang lustily. That hymn, ing freed him from death, because it so that he might be a merciful and coronavirus pandemic, we heard a light to our unprecedented path. I the chorus of which I quoted to open was impossible for him to be held in faithful high priest” (2:17), who “in various politicians say, “we’re all in confess, however, that the first bib- this reflection, is based on the New its power” (Acts 2:24). This stagger- every respect has been tested as we this together”; but since, in spite of lical words that come to mind rein- Testament’s sole use of the word ing claim so seized the disciples who are” (4:15), and who “offered him- guidelines discouraging non-essen- force rather than remove my fears “anchor,” in Hebrews 6:19–20: “We abandoned Jesus that they were to- self” for our sins (7:27). Hebrews tial travel, some of our politicians for the future. I think of the repeated have this hope, a sure and steadfast tally transformed by it, ready to die in then goes on to celebrate what the enjoyed international vacations over cry, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity,” anchor of the soul, a hope that enters order to witness to Jesus, the Lord of crucified, risen and exalted Jesus the Christmas holidays, we’re clearly from a seemingly skeptical preacher the inner shrine behind the curtain, life. The same staggering claim about means to us in these words: he’s our not “all in this together.” It’s thus no (Ecclesiastes 1:2), or Jesus calling where Jesus, a forerunner on our be- Jesus led Hebrews 6:19 to liken him “sure and steadfast anchor,” having surprise that it’s proving difficult for the man foolish, who, having built his half, has entered.” to an anchor who tethers us to God. entered “the inner shrine behind the politicians to keep on convincing the house on sand, later saw it destroyed The word “anchor” that the Boys’ At least two points flow from the curtain…a forerunner on our behalf” public to follow guidelines that limit by floods and winds (Matthew 7:26). Brigade and so many generations of above assertion. First: Christians (6:19–20). freedom of movement. Then there’s the bleak word “wil- Christians have found meaningful, need an anchor because we’re not The words, “the inner shrine be- To make matters worse, though derness,” used in the four gospel seems so applicable, appropriate spared life’s storms. This point may hind the curtain” sound obscure, but vaccines to combat COVID-19 are accounts of John the Baptist warning and appealing in the face of our cur- seem obvious; yet some Christians not to those who know that the Old now available, the pace of vaccina- his generation of its need to repent. rent pandemic. Its striking use in He- keep hoping for the sort of divine Testament identifies the inner shrine tion across Canada seems slow, Matthew 3:1, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:2 brews 6:19–20 makes the point that preferential treatment that will enable of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem even as daily COVID-19 cases con- and John 1:23 all report that to hear if a ship can be saved, protected and them to escape the storms that trou- as the Holy of Holies. On the Day of tinue, leading in this second year of John, people had to leave their com- preserved from storms so long as ble the rest of humanity: “Our faith,” Atonement, held annually, the Jewish pandemic to a troubling loss of cer- fort, convenience and certainties be- it’s tethered to the massive weight of they say, “will save us from having to High Priest was permitted to enter and tainty about the future. Of course, the hind, and head into the wilderness, a an anchor, so can those who face the endure trouble.” In response to such make a sin-offering in that shrine, a future has always been and always fierce, forbidding location that Jews storms of life (including a pandemic) thinking, I simply note that there’s separated place “behind the curtain” will be uncertain; as the apostle Paul tried hard to avoid. And yet it must who are tethered to Jesus. little in the Bible to support it and understood to be God’s earthly dwell- noted long ago, “we walk by faith, also be said that the wilderness had Among the lessons that the coro- much to contradict it. After all, what ing place. But why does Hebrews not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Yet often been a place where God met navirus pandemic is teaching us is prompted the author of Hebrews mention such details? Because its true as that is, most people, most of the people of Israel and renewed Is- that human life is less certain than 6:19–20 to apply the image of the author sees the Jewish sacrificial sys- the time, approach the future they rael. It proved to be so again in the we’d like it to be. Ours is, we proudly anchor to Jesus was surely the fact tem as preparatory for the infinitely can’t yet see with a good deal of con- days of John the Baptist, for in the imagine, an advanced technologi- that Christians at that time, suffer- superior, sacrificial ministry of Jesus, fidence. Not in 2021! Judean wilderness, people, removed cal world; yet it’s a world with lim- ing severe hostility from the Roman who sacrificed not animal blood, but Though we hope that global and from their normal, everyday lives, its—limited health resources, limited Empire, needed to know that in un- his own (9:12), whose sacrifice for national economies will survive the heard God’s Word from John. If so, financial resources, limited scientific certain, insecure times, they were sin obtained “eternal redemption” coronavirus tsunami and that new maybe our fear that all our vaunted and epidemiological knowledge, lim- anchored to God through Jesus. such that no other sacrifices for sin vaccines will protect us from the human resources may not be able to ited time and, I might add, limited Second, Hebrews 6:19–20 points would ever be needed (9:12), and virus’s many mutations, we’re not rid us of the coronavirus will lead us hope. But in forcing us to acknowl- those living in uncertain, insecure Continued on page 41 PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 41 REFLECTIONS Zooming with Santa

lost our family cat in February and our dog in August. My daughter will only ask you one question on the call. It is, ‘Santa, do you see my brother in heaven?’” This type of question is not unu- sual and needs to be thought through very carefully. I often rely on my wife, Mrs. Claus, for help in thinking of an appropriate response. Preparing Santa’s set-up for the calls began in the summer. Mrs. Claus was just a little surprised when the elves showed up with a gallon of Chroma Key green paint and painted one of the basement walls to work Five-year-old Cayden and Santa meeting online just prior to Christmas. as a green screen. A lighting system from the local community channel By Bruce Templeton, Clerk of Session at upgrades of Santa attire and study was also set up and the Internet con- St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in St. of the history and lore of Christmas. nection was strengthened by switch- John’s N.L., member of the PCC Trustee Who knew, for example, that the nine ing from a wireless connection to a Board and Investment Advisory reindeer who carry Santa around in direct connection to the router so Committee his sleigh on Christmas Eve are all that Santa’s visits would not be inter- females? rupted by a slow Wi-Fi connection. I Bruce Templeton and his family, who Mrs. Claus is not surprised by this then embarked on a whole new ad- live in Newfoundland, have assisted at all and reminds Santa annually that venture learning OBS (Open Broad- Santa and his nine-year-old friend Santa Claus for the past 42 years nine males would get lost and cer- caster Software), a video recording feeding the ducks and talking together. and have brought the joy and hope tainly run out of energy before the job program with tools that make it pos- of Christmas to countless children was complete! sible for the North Pole, the toyshop, When it came time for the nine- with more than 1,500 Santa Claus Those at the second level are able the conservatory with the northern year-old girl to receive her visit from visits. Bruce holds the honour of be- to listen, not only to children’s wants lights, and snowfall to be shown on Santa, provincial health guidelines ing one of only three Canadians to be and wishes, but also to their tough the green screen in the background. made it permissible to meet in per- inducted into the International Santa questions that need to be answered. And then I hunted down the right son outdoors, so Santa arranged to Claus Hall of Fame. Those who can answer the tough webcam. meet her safely outdoors with her Last year, when the seriousness questions graduate to the third level In the weeks that led up to Christ- mother instead. Near where they live, of the pandemic became clear and of doing the work of St. Nicholas mas, I did Zoom calls with five local there is a small pond with ducks. The all gatherings became online meet- where one brings peace, hope and schools where teachers went class family has erected a bench in memo- ings, Bruce and his family realized acceptance in very difficult times. to class, a few churches in Toronto ry of their son, who they used to take that things were different, and that This year, one such question came and some of the families of my col- there in his wheelchair. Santa, safely las. I told my little friend that every Christmas would present unique from a nine-year-old girl who was set leagues. There were six hours of masked and with a big bag of duck time she came to this place, she challenges to the tradition of meet- to receive a special Zoom call from visiting with the CNIB children in food in hand, met her and her mother would remember her brother and St. ing Santa at Christmastime. Never- Santa at Christmastime. In prepara- Newfoundland and Labrador, and there, and together we fed the ducks. Nicholas. As we were getting ready theless, Santa and his helpers rose tion for the online calls, parents were two-hour sessions with the families We then sat on the bench and I told to leave, my little friend gave Santa to the challenge and organized a way asked to “whisper in Santa’s ear” so of the John Howard Society and Ron- her the story of the Saint who would a big hug. to meet with children across Cana- that Santa was “in the know” in ad- ald McDonald House. On Christmas become Santa Claus. “Thank you, Santa, that is all I da—virtually. vance of the call. Her mother wrote: Eve, Santa did a Zoom call with the We chatted about a young boy her needed to know for Christmas. I “Santa, your call to my daughter is Intensive Care Department of the age whose parents had died and was know now that my brother is safe There are, I believe, three levels of really important this Christmas. Her children’s hospital and tried not only brought up by a church. He gave his with St. Nicholas.” Then she pointed professional Santa Clauses. The dad cannot get home from Brazil to cheer up the children and their money to those who needed it and out into the pond at the gaggle of first/starting level is the seasonal where he is working. Our family has families but add a little joy to the had started by putting coins in three ducks and said, “Look Santa, there performer. The second level comes had a tough year. Our son died of amazing professionals who work dili- young girls’ stockings. The young are two white ones. I wonder if they after years of experience, countless cerebral palsy at age 16. As well, we gently through the night. boy went on to become St. Nicho- are my brother and Nicholas.”

Continued from page 40 who entered not the Holy of Holies chor links, connects or tethers a ship him, we can know peace and confi- universe nor the crises that come our No need to fear “behind the curtain” in Jerusalem’s to a firm foundation. This anchoring dence, even in a world that makes us way, for Jesus Christ, our great high When times of trouble come temple, a “sanctuary made by human ministry of our mediator is further fearful and uncertain. priest, anchor and forerunner, who Oppression’s storm beats at your hands,” but “heaven itself, [where he elaborated by the word, “forerunner,” In the coming months, we will join has redeemed us and is in the midst door now appears] in the presence of God in Hebrews 6:20. Just as an advance millions around the globe in praying of restoring us, tethers us to a God No need to fear. on our behalf” (9:24), securing an- party of forerunners might go ahead that the coronavirus pandemic will without limits. In him we’re forever No need to fear chorage for us. to ensure that it’s safe for the rest of be wiped out by a combination of so- secure and safe. Though evil seems so strong The Hebrews 6:19 image of Jesus an army to move forward, so Jesus cial distancing, good health practices I close with some words from a Their pride and power is not for as our anchor, though it occurs only our forerunner opened, pioneered or and appropriate vaccines, encour- song written by Graham Kendrick, long once, lies within a larger discussion cleared for us a way to God, having aged by the fact that our world has “No Need to Fear.” You can find it Be still my soul and trust in God of his role as the One who mediates overcome all temptations and con- faced larger pandemics in the past beautifully sung by Sylvia Burn- And place your life into his hands the gulf between sinful humans and quered the power of both sin and and recovered. But as we wait, we side, accompanied by the New Irish For he will never fail you a holy God (2:17, 4:14, 6:20, 7:26, death. Being fully God but also fully ought also to be reassured that God Choir and Orchestra, recorded in And in the morning, you’ll see his 10:21). Jesus thus links, connects human, the exalted Jesus thus rep- is for us and not against us, and that St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. See: face or tethers us to God, just as an an- resents us before God. Anchored to we need fear neither the God of the youtube.com/watch?v=KkabiFoIhDg. No need to fear—don’t fear. PRESBYTERIAN 42 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca REFLECTIONS The Seasons of Change

By Vivian Ketchum, originating stream of visitors. The elderly resi- were following the Code Red restric- from Wauzhushk Onigum Nation of dents who are confined to their home tions. Allowing the limited number of Northern Ontario and now a member due to their health and vulnerability. I people in the stores. of Place of Hope Presbyterian Church turn around to have my breakfast and So much has changed in the last in Winnipeg, Man., and Life and leave my cat’s breakfast on the floor. year. People gradually wearing masks Mission Agency Committee member It is now noon and time for me everywhere. Buses and stores. Chil- to get ready for work. I head to the dren attending school from home I start my day with coffee in hand sit- dining room where my home office with digital aids. Many people now ting in my recliner in my living room. is set in the corner by the window. I working from home. Setting up re- Lyrics to be Sung The City of Winnipeg is under Code have been working from home since mote home offices. Bylaw officers Red restrictions and people are ad- March of last year, when my office checking stores enforcing the rules. vised to stay home if they can. My moved all its employees to remote It is frightening to see how the world at the Toppling of world is now the four walls of my home offices. Before I settle, I see the has changed over a year. I have seen home. Figuratively speaking. bylaw vehicle outside my window. It it changed all through the windows It is early morning and the front is the bylaw officer walking around of my home. view of my window faces a busy the area. No, he was not ticketing The Seasons of Change happen- Tyrants’ Statues street. I watch the rush-hour traffic cars, but checking the stores in the ing through the windowpanes of my begin as the sun rises. Buses rum- area. Making sure the store owners home. By Joshua Weresch, Central We now confront these statues, ble by and stop outside my building. Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Some deeds poised in metal, stone, I have noticed there are less passen- Ont., Anishinaabeg land But there’s no history in emblems, gers lately. As the sun rises even fur- For it’s in stories, blood and bones. ther, I hear the sound of children out- I grew up in the Spirit: side my window. There is a school Pentecost was every day. What are statues: more than a right across the street. Sadly, not as She gave us our own stories window, many children heading to school as To walk in Jesus’ Way. Aquinas’s “instant that abides,” last year. My cat jumps up to the win- The past yanked toward a future, dow to watch the children walking by. My wife grew up United: In which only force decides? This is his favourite part of the day. Love watered many a just seed: My coffee is done and the morn- MacDonald hangs Louis Riel, ing rush is now over. Time to have “From each, by their ability, Dewdney’s rations: tools of war, breakfast. I head to the back part of To each, in their own need.” Sarge Kenneth Deane kills Dudley my place where my kitchen is. My George: cat follows me knowing it is break- Now we have four children, Still stolen land: that’s what it’s for. fast time. I make my cereal and open Presbyterian, for now, a can of cat food for my cat. Before Though name is unimportant: The statues threw their shadows we can settle down for our breakfast, Jesus’ love is Why and How. From their then onto this now, I hear a noise outside the back win- But they were just their shadows, dow by the kitchen. My cat runs and We grew up under statues, Not the bodies breaking down. jumps up to the window. I watch to As you, in shadow of them all, see how my cat reacts to the noise. And only learned as we grew older When you see what once were If he hisses and runs, there is pos- How so many sought their fall. statues, sibly danger outside. My cat is show- The first statue named Enchantment As you pull them to the ground, ing signs of curiosity, so I go over to Fell, as church leaders fell Think on the space you’ve now look out the back window. It is my Into beds with others’ wives. created, young neighbour who has visitors. You know such stories well. Possible sunlights streaming down. There is also a home support worker dropping off meals for residents in The second named Intelligent Think of the metals to re-purpose, the next building. The residents are Tumbled: taught in home or school, On the spears beat into ‘shares, elderly and are not able to go out due Asking questions of the Bible Or the stones to build the houses, to their health. It is a mixed bag of Was to be an apparent fool. Always the poor’s, from rich folks’ reactions to the pandemic restric- lairs. tions. The youth and his constant Thus, three fell in the shredded Bible, Think on all clay-footed tyrants, For many manuscripts abound Sons of David, ground to dust, And each witness to a Jesus For if something’s made from Who loved, died, and lives, unwritten nothing, A full year’s worth of PCC bulletin covers down. There’s, first, some nothing: so God must. Leaned on and under, presbyterian.ca/bulletins They felt right, smelled just and true, If there’s something worth re- Yet as they’ve other sides and lights, building, They were destroyed. Thus, honest May it be storied breaths and words, stories do. Though may our tears not be the mortar Yet built upon the hearts so stirred. PRESBYTERIAN presbyterian.ca Connection SPRING 2021 43 PULPIT VACANCIES JUST WONDERING... To see all pulpit vacancies, visit presbyterian.ca/vacancies Calgary, Varsity Acres (full-time Deep River, Deep River Community minister) – Alberta & the Northwest (full-time minister) – Quebec & Fredericton, St. Andrew’s (full-time Eastern Ontario minister) – Atlantic Provinces Montreal, Taiwanese Robert Duncan, St. Andrew’s (full-time Campbell (full-time minister) – minister) – British Columbia Quebec & Eastern Ontario Montreal, The Church of St. Submit your questions to office of ruling elder, men and wom- voted more than once. Prince George, St. Giles (full-time [email protected] en are ordained to share with the 3. The ballots could be counted by minister) – British Columbia Andrew and St. Paul (full-time Associate Minister for Community minister in the leadership, pastoral elders using a video conference (full-time Vancouver, Kerrisdale Connections and Care) – Quebec & In view of the pandemic, we are care, and oversight of the congrega- call or by meeting at a place minister) – British Columbia Eastern Ontario conducting our services online. Our tion” (Living Faith 7.2). We thank God where safe physical distanc- Barrie, St. Andrew’s (full-time Kenora, First (full-time minister) – minister told us that because of for qualified individuals who are will- ing is possible, subject to local minister) – Central, Northeastern Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario copyright rules, we can no longer ing to accept this servant-leadership pandemic instruction. One elder Ontario & Bermuda Winnipeg, Westwood (full- post hymns on slides on Zoom. Are role. could open the ballots in the Elmvale, Elmvale Presbyterian and time minister) – Manitoba & the copyright laws so strict that The need to elect new elders has presence of at least one other (full-time minister, 2-point Knox Flos Northwestern Ontario we cannot put hymns on Zoom? not diminished during the COVID-19 elder and the results are tallied. charge) – Central, Northeastern Have churches been prosecuted pandemic. Electing them, however, 4. If a ballot of nominees is used, Ontario & Bermuda Dundas, West Flamboro (80%-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario for breach of copyright in situations has become a little more difficult due the Session will determine the Kitchener, St. Andrew’s (full-time Durham, Durham Presbyterian like this? to physical separation and subse- candidates who have been minister) – Central, Northeastern It is correct that in order to use quent communication barriers. Some elected based on the strength of Ontario & Bermuda (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario copyrighted music in online wor- congregations have found they are congregational support demon- Lakefield, St. Andrew’s and Fonthill, Kirk on the Hill (full-time ship services, an active streaming li- able to communicate effectively with strated by the number of votes Lakehurst, Knox (60%-time cense is required to digitally transmit their members by way of a teleconfer- each one receives and the num- minister) – Central, Northeastern minister) – Southwestern Ontario copyrighted music from a streaming ence platform such as Zoom. Others ber of additional elders required Ontario & Bermuda Niagara Falls, Chippawa (full-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario platform, such as Zoom, even if the rely more on telephone calls, social (See Book of Forms 132.7). If Orillia, St. Andrew’s (full-time services are not recorded or shared media, email, Canada Post and the the ballot of members is used, minister) – Central, Northeastern North Yarmouth, St. James online afterwards. An article on Mu- like to keep their members informed the Session will determine which Ontario & Bermuda (part-time or student minister) – Southwestern Ontario sic Copyright in Online Worship Ser- and to receive ideas and concerns. candidates to approach about Peterborough, St. Paul’s (70%-time vices is available on the PCC website Whichever way you reach out to your their willingness to serve based minister) – Central, Northeastern Point Edward, Point Edward at presbyterian.ca/music-copyright, congregation, it is hoped the following on their suitability for the elder- Ontario & Bermuda Presbyterian (half-time minister) – Southwestern Ontario which may be helpful to refer to. steps will help Sessions select new ship, the number of votes each Toronto, University (part-time Regarding hymns in the 1997 ver- elders. See Book of Forms 132–133 one receives and the number of minister) – Central, Northeastern St. Catharines, Knox (full-time sion of the Book of Praise, it is per- for election legislation. The Book of additional elders required (See Ontario & Bermuda minister) – Southwestern Ontario missible to post/share hymns online Forms can be read and downloaded at Book of Forms 132.8.). Arnprior, St. Andrew’s (full-time Thorold, St. Andrew’s (full-time that are in the public domain. A list of presbyterian.ca/gao. 5. Elected elders who are already minister) – Quebec & Eastern Ontario minister) – Southwestern Ontario Book of Praise hymns in the public 1. The Session decides which ordained, could be permitted by Woodstock, Knox (full-time minister) domain are found at presbyterian.ca/ election method best suits the the Session to participate fully – Southwestern Ontario worship. needs of their congregation: Bal- in Session responsibilities, in- Answered by the Rev. Ian Ross- lot of Nominees (Book of Forms cluding voting at meetings, right McDonald, General Secretary of the 132.2.1) or Ballot of Members away. Elders elected who have DEATH NOTICES Life and Mission Agency (Book of Forms 132.2.2). De- not yet been ordained, could be Read all full obituaries online at presbyterian.ca pending on the method chosen, permitted by the Session to par- How are elders elected during a the Session will contact the ticipate in the work of the Ses- The Rev. Dr. Helen Goggin Dorothy Wilson pandemic? congregation and either call for sion without a vote until they can Oakville, Ont. Niagara Falls, Ont. Electing elders is one of the most nominations that will result in a be ordained at a public service Deceased February 12, 2021 Deceased December 22, 2020 important functions of Presbyterian ballot of nominees or it will cir- of worship. Marie Betty Nicholson The Rev. John Fortier congregations. At every level of the culate a ballot of members with 6. When public worship can be Durham, Ont. Port Howe, N.S. church, from Session to General As- the usual instructions. held again, Book of Forms Ap- Deceased January 27, 2021 Deceased December 5, 2020 sembly, we call upon elders to pro- 2. The Session asks for ballots to pendix A-11 Edict for the ordina- Florence Metzger The Rev. Connie Lee vide prayerful, wise, creative, faithful be returned to [person or lo- tion/admission of elders, could Vancouver, B.C. Edmonton, Alta. leadership. In the words of Living cation] by [date]. To maintain be read to the congregation to Deceased January 26, 2021 Deceased November 29, 2020 Faith, “The Lord continues his min- voting confidentiality, marked provide sufficient notice. On the The Rev. John Burkhart The Rev. Jean Armstrong istry in and through the church… ballots could be folded inside announced Sunday, elders not Amherstburg, Ont. Richmond Hill, Ont. Through the church, God orders this a signed and sealed envelope yet ordained would be ordained, Deceased January 24, 2021 Deceased November 28, 2020 ministry by calling some to special that clearly indicates who has and all the newly elected elders Dorothyann Summers The Rev. William G. MacDonald tasks in the equipping of the saints voted so that the Session can are officially admitted to the of- Barrie, Ont. Fonthill, Ont. for the work of ministry, for building know only members have voted fice of elder. Deceased January 20, 2021 Deceased November 20, 2020 up the body of Christ… Through the and that no one has accidentally Answered by the Clerks of Assembly Evelyn Bailey Jessie Margaret Horne Simcoe, Ont. London, Ont. Deceased January 16, 2021 Deceased November 18, 2020  The Rev. Kenneth Knight Marjorie Douglas          Hensall, Ont. Toronto, Ont. Deceased January 15, 2021 Deceased November 7, 2020   The Rev. Eric Alexander Beggs William Steward       Richmond Hill, Ont. Langley, B.C.     Deceased January 11, 2021 Deceased October 13, 2020  The Rev. Norman Grant Joy Margaret Ross Randall Orillia, Ont. Cobourg, Ont.   
        Deceased January 1, 2021 Deceased July 10, 2020        

Robert Baron   London, Ont. Deceased December 25, 2020  PRESBYTERIAN 44 SPRING 2021 Connection presbyterian.ca CROSSWORD

Test your knowledge of the Bible, the PCC and more DOWN with this edition’s latest crossword puzzle. 1. The mother of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. 2. Traditionally, the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are made from the previous year’s ___ ACROSS branches. 3. Bavarian passion play site. 4. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel are called the ____ prophets. 8. Noah’s great-grandfather, the first prophet in the Bible. 5. The name of the woman who was an early church leader along with her husband, Aquila. 9. Joseph’s coat of many colours that sparked jealousy in his brothers was given to him by 6. The Book of ____ contains the polity of the PCC. _____. 7. Most frequently mentioned animal in the Bible. 11. Elijah’s elevator. 10. Saint who wrote Confessions and The City of God. 12. The date of Easter is based on the phases of the _____. 13. This disciple, armed with a sword, cut off a servant’s ear during the arrest of Jesus. 13. The “hymnbook” of the Bible. 14. Units of time or official meeting record. 15. The offering of grateful worship in words or song. 16. King ______Version of the Bible. 17. “It is easier for a ______to go through the eye of a needle…” 17. Author of The Institutes of the Christian Religion. 20. This non-Jewish Moabite woman was an ancestor of Jesus. 18. He posted the 95 theses. 21. Periodic table, or communion bread and wine. 19. Snack food often said to have been made originally during the Lenten season to look like 24. The only Presbyterian church located on an Indigenous reserve in Canada. arms crossed in prayer. 25. Authoritative list of scripture. 22. Common Easter flower. 27. Where important records are lodged. 23. Jesus’ first crown was made of this. 29. Jerry or C.S. 26. Son of Amram and Jochebed. 30. Thankfulness. 28. Number of seals, bowls and trumpets.

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

28. SEVEN 28.

26. AARON 26.

30. GRATITUDE 30. 23. THORNS 23.

29. LEWIS LEWIS 29. 22. LILY 22.

27. ARCHIVES ARCHIVES 27. 19. PRETZEL 19.

25. CANON CANON 25. 18. LUTHER 18.

24. MISTAWASIS MISTAWASIS 24. 17. CALVIN 17.

21. ELEMENTS ELEMENTS 21. 16. JAMES 16.

20. RUTH RUTH 20. 14. MINUTES 14.

17. CAMEL CAMEL 17. 13. PETER 13.

15. PRAISE PRAISE 15. 10. AUGUSTINE 10.

13. PSALMS PSALMS 13. 7. DOVE 7.

12. MOON MOON 12. 6. FORMS 6.

11. WHIRLWIND WHIRLWIND 11. 5. PRISCILLA 5.

9. JACOB JACOB 9. 4. MAJOR 4.

8. ENOCH ENOCH 8. 2. PALM 2.

3. OBERAMMERGAU OBERAMMERGAU 3. 1. JOCHEBED 1.

ACROSS DOWN