Page 28 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020

Connection
NEWS
Soothing a Community’s Soul During COVID-19
28
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2020
presbyterian.ca
By the Rev. Dean Adlam and the Music Committee, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church in
Mount Pleasant, Ont.
In times of trial, music soothes the soul, gives hope and draws people together. That’s why the Presbyterian church in the village of Mount Pleas- ant, Ont., has joined a community ef- fort to recognize the essential work- ers who staff hospitals and nursing homes.
Dent McIntyre, a member of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, was scrolling through the Mount Pleas- ant Village Group Facebook page when he noticed a posting from a local resident suggesting that Mount Pleasant villagers go out to the ends of their driveways every night at 7:00 p.m. and make noise with pots and pans as a tribute to first responders.
“Someone else replied to the post suggesting that rather than noise, people make music,” said Dent. “I immediately thought of our church carillon that normally plays every day at noon and on Sunday mornings be- fore the service.”
Dent suggested playing the chimes and received positive responses. He then contacted Janet Franklin, an- other church member, who programs the carillon. She jumped on the idea and by the end of the day had the ca- rillon programmed to chime the hour at 7:00 p.m. and play a different song each evening. The pianist also plays O Canada at the end of each service to show “Canada strong” and anoth- er way to show support to frontline workers.
“We try to play a mix of songs so there’s something for everyone,” she said. We play both modern and
traditional sacred songs, but we mix in a bit of classical music and a few secular songs.”
Although the carillon cannot be heard throughout the entire village, some villagers drive their cars to points where the music can be heard.
Responses from other villagers have been equally positive.
The church is also reaching out to the community through its website with weekly messages from the min- ister, the Rev. Dean Adlam, and the music director, Amy Groleau. Thanks to the technical savvy of Nadine Ad- lam, the weekly Sunday service is available online. Musical contribu- tions from church members have come from as far away as Texas. This has been a new initiative for this small community church that usually averages between 60 to 80 worship- pers on a Sunday. The first Sunday service that was uploaded online had 250 views!
People who have never attended a service before at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church have been shar- ing on our church Facebook page how much they are enjoying the
services. Previous members, from as far away as Texas and Vancouver, have been viewing these services and commenting on how it reminds them of home during this difficult time. In fact, a church member who now lives in West Texas sent a video of himself playing guitar and singing as a contribution to the special music portion of the service.
The closure of our church for ser- vices as a result of COVID-19 has not stopped us from reaching out and finding ways to touch the souls of those in the Mount Pleasant com- munity and beyond. When this pe- riod of self-isolation is over, it will be exciting for us to see who God may bring inside our doors on a Sunday as a result of this ministry. It will be equally exciting to see how God gives us new ideas for continuing this min- istry in our community.
Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room at Knox Stratford
By Kathy Baker, Knox Presbyterian Church in Stratford, Ont.
Throughout February of this year, the Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room of Knox Presbyterian Church in Strat- ford, Ont., was overwhelmed with generosity, love and support as a result of the hard work and dedicated efforts of many in the Knox Stratford community.
Knox Presbyterian Church’s Can- cer Care Mission/Wig Room offers a selection of wigs, hats, scarves, shawls and other accessories free of charge to cancer patients in South- western Ontario.
Since its inception in 2004, Knox Stratford has provided this care and comfort to more than 1,000 cancer patients—and the numbers only continue to increase. This mission has helped patients from Perth, Hu- ron, Oxford and Bruce Counties and surrounding areas as well as Kitch- ener and London.
The Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room currently operates with ap- proximately 20 volunteers, including two licensed hair stylists who assist with the wig fittings. The mission’s only sources of income are personal donations or fundraisers.
On Feb. 7, 2020, a Spaghetti Din-
ner Fundraiser was held for the Can- cer Care Mission/Wig Room. The mission team was completely blown away by the extremely positive re- sponse and support they received. Many people volunteered to help with every stage of the event—from set- ting up, preparing and serving the meal and cleaning up, to overseeing the silent auction. The Spaghetti Din- ner raised a grand total of just over $5,000! Words cannot express the gratitude for all of the volunteers and support from individuals and busi- nesses. The money raised through this event enables the mission team to continue to assist those diagnosed
Spaghetti dinner volunteers peeling apples (the best apple peelers in Perth County!) and posing in front of the dinner spread (left)—ready to be served!
A savvy Girl Guide collecting donations for the Knox Stratford Cancer Care Mission/ Wig Room at the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper.
with cancer in the community and surrounding areas.
The Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room was blessed with another out- pouring of generosity and support on Shrove Tuesday when the Girl Guides based out of Knox hosted a pancake supper, during which donations were
taken at the door. Following the sup- per, the girls were so happy to donate $720 to the Cancer Care Mission.
It is our hope at Knox Stratford to always be able to offer this comple- mentary care program to cancer pa- tients. We are so grateful to be able to continue assisting those who call.