Page 38 - Presbyterian Connection – Spring 2021

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