Page 5 - Presbyterian Connection – Spring 2021

presbyterian.ca
SPRING 2021
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
5
A Sweet Fundraiser
LEADERSHIP
ever, unexpected costs and com- peting priorities from the operating budget made the project difficult to complete.
As a series of special fundrais- ers for the worship team, the Ger- ries continued to increase their jam sales, and they now sell over 1,000 jars annually. The whole family plays their part. Patricia is often searching for new and unique flavour combina- tions to create, and now makes over 40 varieties of jam, including Carrot Cake Jam and Peach Blush. In addi- tion to tending to the berry bushes, a bumper crop of tomatoes led Blair to begin canning tomato soup to add to their inventory. Their son, Tristan— sales staff and red pepper jelly mak- er—encourages friends, co-workers and acquaintances to distribute the order forms far and wide.
The Gerries have always preserved fresh fruit. When they first married, a peach tree in their backyard provided the first fruit they preserved so they could enjoy peaches all year-round. Preserving became a treasured fam- ily tradition with grandparents and children joining the production line to help peel, stir and snack. Years later, the Gerries purchased a cottage on Lake Huron that had a number of red currant bushes. Unsure of what to do with them, Patricia began to experi- ment with jam making. Blair, an avid gardener, quickly began to plant more fruit—raspberries, black currants, blackberries, crabapples, gooseber- ries—all of which provided Patricia with more latitude to experiment. They enjoy and value the opportunity to give back to their community of faith by doing what they love.
During MHP’s 125th Anniversary, proceeds from the jam sales helped the congregation begin to install a new audio-visual system. Over the years, funds from the jam sales have been used to enhance existing resources and purchase new music and vibrant banners for the sanctuary.
Scottish Garden Jam Recipe
Makes 12–13 250 ml jars of jam
Ingredients:
4 cups black currants 4 cups blackberries
3 cups raspberries
4 cups strawberries 9 cups white sugar
1 tbsp of butter
Method:
Sterilize jars, lids, funnel and tongs, and keep hot.
Put black currants in a large pre- serving pot and add 2/3 cup of wa- ter.
Bring to a boil and simmer until berries are almost soft (about 10 minutes). Stir constantly.
Add a tablespoon of butter to pre- vent excess foaming.
Add the rest of the fruit and sim- mer gently, stirring occasionally for approximately 10 minutes, or until fruit is turning soft.
Add sugar and stir over gentle heat until sugar is dissolved.
Bring to a boil and cook until set- ting point is reached, stirring con- stantly (about 24–30 minutes).
Setting point is reached when the mixture reaches 220°C.
Skim off foam and pour jam into sterilized jars and seal with warm sterilized lids.
The jam can take up to 24 hours to set. Store in a cool place. Refrigerate after opening.
By Tristan Gerrie, Elder, Morningside– High Park Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont.
What started with a few loonies has grown into an annual fundrais- ing campaign that has raised over $20,000 in a decade for Morning- side–High Park (MHP) Presbyterian Church in Toronto.
In 2011, MHP held a summer stewardship campaign called Seed- time to Harvest. Congregants were each given a loonie as their “seed money” and were challenged to “grow” their loonie over the sum- mer months and then “harvest” the rewards in the autumn.
While trying to decide how to “plant” their “seed,” Blair, Patricia and Tristan Gerrie (elders at MHP) looked to one of their typical sum- mer activities—preserving jars of
jam, jellies, soup, chutney and chili sauce. They pooled their loonies to purchase their first bag of sugar and package of pectin. Much of the fruit used in their jam comes from their cottage garden on Lake Huron. What they don’t grow, they purchase from local farmer’s markets or Mennon- ites nearby.
Blair and Patricia were amazed by the enthusiastic response to their sale. What excited them most was the opportunity to bring in funds from outside the congregation—extended family, friends and co-workers ea- gerly purchased jam and shared the order form with others.
After the success of the first year, the Gerries saw an opportunity to continue to support the ministry of MHP. The congregation had long planned to replace the outdated sound system at the church; how-
The Rev. Janet Ryu-Chan, Patricia Gerrie and Donna Sullivan.
Colleague Covenant Group Grants
By the Rev. Tim Purvis, Associate Secretary, Ministry and Church Vocations
One of the most valued resources for self-careIusedincongregationalmin- istry was a weekly lectionary study group. It began with five colleagues who would gather on Tuesdays to discuss the scripture passages we were preaching on the following Sun- day. Certainly, we all became better preachers by exchanging insights on the weekly texts over coffee and muf- fins. But as we got to know each other,
the group also became a place where we found mutual suppor t and encour- agement as we talked about the joys and struggles of ministry. Over time, we built trust and walls came down. Inthissafespace,webecamemore open and vulnerable. While ministry can be isolating at times, the collegial suppor t we offered one another was a lifeline.
Ministry is a demanding and fre- quently solitary calling. Clergy can feel like Elijah hiding in the cave, thinking he was doing God’s work alone while facing overwhelming
odds (1 Kings 19:9–10). Feelings of isolation which occur in “normal” times have been compounded in the pandemic. Clergy report feeling physically and mentally depleted and experiencing exhaustion, burnout, depression and a sense of isolation. Collegial support helped keep clergy who use them grounded and whole during difficult times in their ministry.
To encourage ministers in develop- ing this kind of mutual clergy support network, Colleague Covenant Group Grants are available through the de- nominational office. The program
provides a one-time grant of “seed money” to assist in the start-up of a new colleague covenant group. To qualify for funds, an application must be made that meets the criteria avail- able on The Presbyterian Church in Canada website.
Full details of the program can be found at presbyterian.ca/ccgg or contact Liz Brewer (ebrewer@presbyterian.ca) or Tim Purvis (tpurvis@presbyterian.ca) in the Ministry and Church Vocations department.