Page 32 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2020

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PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2020
presbyterian.ca
200th Anniversary at St. Andrew’s, New Glasgow
of a brighter future. The people of St. Andrew’s pursue justice without giv- ing up: economic justice, the equality of all human beings, justice for the ear th.
The evening service was con- ducted by our organist, Sandra John- son. She explained the history of our hymns and psalms, describing their 200-year evolution. Two hundred years ago, Presbyterian ministers, mostly from Scotland, brought to the Maritimes the metrical psalms of 1650. At the beginning of the 19th century all church singing was unac- companied. In fact, the organ at one point was referred to as “a carnal instrument.” After 1872 pipe organs were permitted. In 1907 the first pipe organ was installed in our church at a cost of $2,450.00.
The first Book of Praise was pub- lished in 1897, followed by updated editions in 1918, 1972 and in 1997, the one we use now. It includes songs and hymns that span many countries, styles and faith traditions. A few musi- cal choices we sing in morning wor- ship services now are not explicitly sacred, but their message does ex- press the teachings of Jesus.
Congregational and choir singing occurred between Sandy’s presenta- tions. Both services concluded with a time for fellowship, conversation and refreshments.
Connection
NEWS
Former minister the Rev. Richard Sand pictured along with present minister, the Rev. Dr. Joon Ki Kim, and the Rev. Andrew MacDonald, minister of First Presbyte- rian Church, New Glasgow, cutting the anniversary cake.
Submitted by Pat MacKay,
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow, N.S.
The year 2019 was an exciting one for St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, locally known as “The Kirk on the Hill,” in New Glasgow, N.S. It marked 200 years since the Rev. Donald Allan Fraser formed this con- gregation on Fraser’s Mountain, very near to the present-day site. To com- memorate this momentous time, in- formation on the long history of the congregation was provided weekly.
Many special events also took place, culminating on Sunday, Oct. 20, with two services. Throughout the year, we held two coffee parties, a tea, three breakfasts, bake sales, a potluck supper, and a Korean Cui- sine dinner held at Pictou Lunch Box, Lyons Brook, as well as a well- attended Church Family Dinner ca- tered by the ladies of the Plymouth Fire Department.
On May 12, Good Shepherd Sun- day, we held a “Good Shepherd Concert,” a program of songs and hymns, featuring the combined choirs from St. Andrew’s, First Presbyterian, Trinity United and St. George’s Anglican churches of New Glasgow.
Our Advent Alms Giving was in support of Presbyterian World Ser- vice and Development’s work toward education for children in the develop- ing world—“A Classroom for Every Child.”
In July, we held a very successful ABBA concert—“Dancing Queen,” with Adam Johnson and friends.
Betty Murphy did a yeoman’s job in creating a Memory Tree, a Memory Room, Guess Who Quiz and Scaven- ger Hunt Quiz.
During the anniversary weekend, the AMS (Atlantic Mission Soci- ety) quilt was on display. The quilt was made by Mary Condon, Pictou Landing, and the names of all AMS
presidents from 1876 to 2016 are acknowledged in the squares.
Our sister church, First Presby- terian, was invited to join us for the morning service on Oct. 20. The Rev. Dr. Joon Ki Kim extended a warm wel- come to all. The choir, accompanied by Ian Grant on drums, sang “Hallelu- jah Round of Praise” as their anthem.
The Rev. Richard Sand was the guest speaker and he began his message, “Promises,” with a review
of the ministers who have served this congregation since its founding by the Rev. Donald Allan Fraser. He stated, “Their service in the ministry here at St. Andrew’s has left a lasting imprint—of tolerance of diversity, ac- ceptance of compromise, and agree- ability that seeks what is good, hon- ourable, just, kind, decent in people.”
He then spoke about living in dif- ficult times, using the passage from Jeremiah, ending with God’s promise
Betty Murphy and Brenda Smith, who spent countless hours collect- ing and setting up the Memory Room.
Memory Room
Submitted by Pat MacKay,
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow, N.S.
A Memory Room was created at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow, N.S., to display past and present memorabilia of the Kirk. Youth groups such as Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers, Explorers, CGIT and Chil- dren of the Church no longer exist in St. Andrew’s. This is a way to honour their existence and the contribution that they made to the lives of youth in our congregation. The room displays pictures and memorabilia of these various groups’ past activities, plus past and present memorabilia from our church school and congregation.
Displayed in the Memory Room is one of three campfire blankets that belonged to the late Donnie MacDonald who grew up in St. Andrew’s. It is covered with the Scout badges he received, traded for, or collected wherever he participated in Scouting. There are estimated to be about 400 badges on this poncho.
The Memory Tree features memories of congregational members that are printed on white and blue church-shaped tags and hung on a white twig tree in the sanctuary. As part of these shared memories, a picture of the person(s) who wrote the memory or were a part of it is placed on the back of the tag. It is a great way to honour and remember past and present members by sharing memories and experiences together as “People of the Kirk.”
For the Memory Room, childhood pictures were also col- lected from congregation members, and black-and-white copies of the photos were made. Each Sunday, one or two pictures were placed in a “Guess Who” picture frame. The following Sunday, the people in the “Guess Who” pictures would be identified and new pictures would then be chosen and displayed. All the identified photos were displayed to- gether on “Looking Back” poster boards during the 200th Anniversary Weekend.
The “Looking Back” poster boards.
A Scavenger Hunt was also organized, consisting of 20 questions pertaining to things throughout the sanctuary and hall. One had to thoroughly search the premises to get the answers!