Page 20 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020

20
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2020
presbyterian.ca
Connection
GATHERINGS
Five new elders were inducted into service at Kings Presbyterian Church in New Minas, N.S., on February 2. Pictured (left to right) are Alice VanHattem, Jeff Brown, Debra Hutten, John Steenbeek and Andrew Hartlen. The Rev. Dr. Laurence Mawhinney officiated the induction service.
Once a month, the staff, participants, volunteers and friends of ARISE Ministry in Toronto, Ont., have been gathering around the table for LunChurch. At LunChurch, participants share a meal, stories, laughter and sometimes tears. Together we engage in conversation, reflection, prayer and friendship. Gathered around the table from many places and backgrounds, in all our diversity, is where we find healing, hope and wholeness.
The Sunday School at Knox Presbyterian Church in Ross Ferry, N.S., learned about maternal and child mortality rates in Malawi and Afghanistan from a PWS&D program, and decided to help. They began fundraising with the goal to buy one bicycle ambulance, but ended up raising enough to buy two. The money was matched by the Canadian Government for a total of four bicycle ambulances. Way to go, Knox Sunday School!
Two men from our choir, Klaas and Richard, combined their vocal talents during Karaoke Night at Caledonia Presbyterian Church in Caledonia, Ont., at the begin- ning of March. Their chosen song was “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson. We are blessed to have access to a professional karaoke system, so we hold karaoke nights a couple of times a year. It’s a wonderful family event often attended by many members of our junior Glee Club. The kids also love to sing. Music unites us all. Whether one sings or not, Karaoke Night is fun for everyone who attends.
Knox Presbyterian Church in Ottawa, Ont., made sure their church sign informed people that the congregation’s mission and ministry would continue.
The church sign at First Presbyterian Church in Regina, Sask., let people know that worship was taking place online, and offered words of encouragement during a difficult time.
Stamford Presbyterian Church in Niagara Falls, Ont., shared this message the very first week that social distancing measures went into effect. Every week, Stamford Presbyterian Church changes their sign to display a new message of hope from a place of faith.