Page 23 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2020

presbyterian.ca
SPRING 2020
Connection
GATHERINGS
First Presbyterian Church in Port Colborne, Ont., made a major decision to move from its traditional building to a storefront church in 2018. Our work continues! The congregation gave parents a pre-Christmas break and enter- tained kids with a morning of Pirate Patch fun. Painting (real) fish and walking the plank were among the jollifications!
PRESBYTERIAN
23
As part of Advent worship at Lochwinnoch Presbyterian Church in Renfrew, Ont., the young people led the congregation in a Christmas Action poem. The congregation ea- gerly took part.
January is Alzheimer’s Month! On Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, the Mission and Outreach Committee of Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church hosted a presentation entitled: “Living Well with Dementia.” Over 100 people from the community and congrega- tion attended, along with 20 exhibitors, MPP Daisy Wai and David West, Council- lor Ward 4. The presentation was organized by Mona Lancaster from Memory Lane Home Living Inc. Moira Welsh, Investigative Reporter for the Toronto Star, spoke about “Innovation in Long-Term Care.” Jaime Cruz, Public Education/Minds in Mo- tion Coordinator of the Alzheimer’s Society of York Region, spoke about the “Demen- tia Journey.” It was a valuable and educational morning spent listening to excellent speakers! PHOTO CREDIT: DAVID LANCASTER
A joyous Advent season was rung in on Dec. 5, 2019, at Knox Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta., with song and fellowship at the first annual Community Sing-a-long: Cof-fee and Carols! People of all ages enjoyed singing along to seasonal classics. This event was held as part of the church’s ongoing Thursday morning café, which provides free coffee/tea and snacks for anyone who drops by.
Celebrating Remembrance Day is always extra-spe- cial at First. Member Wanda Beiffus is a great-niece of Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, author of “In Flanders Fields,” and we enjoyed her reading the poem during the Remembrance Day service.
The Morningside–High Park Presbyterian Church’s “Deck the Halls” event was one for all ages. At the start of Advent, people from all age groups in our congregation gathered for a plentiful meal, then decorated our sanctuary for the season. We sang along to Christmas music playing in the background as we placed the garlands, trees and lights in their rightful places. After we couldn’t fit one more ornament on the trees, we ate warm cinnamon buns and talked about our anticipation for the season. It was absolutely wonderful to connect across generations.
Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre in Puslinch, Ont., now has a dedicated group of Trail Stewards. These staff and volunteers will care for an extensive network of wooded trails on the property, clear- ing brush and ensuring safe pathways throughout the year.
Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre in Puslinch, Ont., hosted a first-ever retreat for women clergy in Janu- ary, and it included a beautiful evening of stories and song with the Rev. Glen Soderholm, Canadian singer-songwriter and praise and worship leader.
A group of youths enjoying a Friday- evening games night in the banquet hall at Knox Presbyteri- an Church in Strat- ford, Ont. It was a fun time to have fellowship and enjoy tasty snacks!