Page 26 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2021
presbyterian.ca
Quilting While Quarantined in Bobcaygeon
By Myra Coene, Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcaygeon, Ont.
Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcay- geon Ont., has a sewing group called Knox Frox. Several years ago, we started making dresses and shorts for children in developing countries; we have sent them to nine different countries. Through the years, we have had marvellous donations of fabrics and supplies that we use, all of which are well organized in the basement of our church.
The past year, because of restric- tions, we could not gather to sew, so we took to sewing at home. Our sew- ers could not even meet for a picture! We now affectionately refer to our-
selves as “Quarantine Quilters”! We have shipped boxes to the Cariboo Church in B.C., and to Winnipeg In- ner City Missions in Winnipeg, total- ling approximately 35 quilts. Also, we have recently delivered about 30 quilts locally to the Women’s Re- sources Shelter and Kawartha Lakes Pregnancy Center in Lindsay. Others in our church have contributed sew- ing and knitting to these groups too. We have now been asked to make 75 gift bags to be distributed to golfers involved in a charity golf tournament in September.
We have received heart-warming notes of thanks in return for our work, and we pray that our gifts show God’s love in times of need.
Quilts made by the “Knox Frox,” sewing group in Bobcaygeon, Ont.
Brightening Lives in West Vancouver
Connection
MISSION & OUTREACH
By Jean Lawrence,
Communication Team, West Vancouver Presbyterian Church, B.C.
May Loudon, local artist and member of West Vancouver Presbyterian Church.
As a Communication Team mem- ber at West Vancouver Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, B.C., we were again so grateful to have the oppor- tunity to apply for a Small Neighbour- hood Grant from the West Vancouver Community Foundation.
As the isolation of many in our com- munity and church continues, par ticu- larly those older adults living on their own, we wondered what would make a small difference to brighten the lives of these shut-in people and give them encouragement.
May Loudon is an excellent ar tist, recently widowed, and finding these ongoing isolated months difficult. She loves to paint, par ticularly on cards.
I asked her if she would be part of this project where we would send 100 cards to people in the church, neighbourhood and beyond. She was delighted and said, “It gives me pur- pose.”
We applied for the maximum amount of $500—$400 for the cards and ar t supplies, and $100 for stamps and spring stickers from the local Dollar Store. We were de- lighted to receive the grant.
When May finished painting a batch of 20 cards, they were deliv- ered to Communication Team mem- ber Joanne Wallis, a retired teacher, who, with her lovely McLean pen- manship, wrote beautiful and inspir- ing notes in each card. Then I picked them up to address the envelopes, stamp, sticker and mail.
A simple inspiring note brought great joy and encouragement to many lonely people in our communi- ty. One person even had hers framed!
As we prepare to celebrate our 70th anniversary as a congrega- tion in 2022, our minister, the Rev. Heinrich Botha, is working on an art project that will incorporate many of these beautiful paintings by May (who celebrated her 89th birthday at the end of May!).
American Finch
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Halifax, N.S., distributed Easter treat bags to sen- iors from the congrega- tion, which included Easter greeting cards coloured by the youth from the church. Shown receiving theirs is Harry and Phyllis Poole who live at Parkland Re- tirement Home.