Page 27 - Presbyterian Connection

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WINTER 2022
Connection
GATHERINGS
At St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Markham, Ont., lunch has always been a focal point for both members of the congregation and the community at large. Unfortunately, like so many other things, COVID-19 dealt a blow to those fellowship gatherings. The good news is that the hibernation is now over, and our two popular monthly lunch gatherings are up and running: Lunch & Mingle, a Thursday gathering extended to the community, and the Let’s do Lunch program, a Sunday event after the service that’s also open to the community. There is no doubt that food is a great icebreaker when it comes to making new friends and reaching out to others.
On Sept. 25, members of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Lindsay, Ont., held a special celebration to honour the retirement of the Rev. Bob Quick. He and his wife, Cathie, were presented
with a beautifully refurbished original St. Andrew’s pew.
Members of Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., recognized Orange Shirt Day—National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, with a special worship service on Sunday, Sept. 25.
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The Rev. Mark Lewis addressed a gathering of members and adherents from St. James Presbyterian Church in Stouffville, Ont., on Sept. 13. The former PCC moderator was gathering information for the New Beginnings program, which St. James entered into this fall.
On Sunday, May 8, 2022, retiring Clerk of Session Doris Thompson was hon- oured for her 20 years of faithful service. On behalf of the Session of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Ancaster, Ont., the Rev. John Read presented Doris with a plaque in recognition of her service. Pictured with Doris and the Rev. Read are (front row, left to right) Session members, Janice Orovan, Diane Robb, the Rev. Anne Yee-Hibbs, the Rev. John Hibbs, Nancy Serafini and (second row) Linda Bleue, Evert Nieboer, Walter Owsianik.
On Sunday, Oct. 9, the congregation of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Orillia, Ont., held a Thanks-GIVING service during which food donations were collected from members as part of an initiative of the mission and outreach team. Altogether, the congregation donated 437 pounds of food to The Sharing Place, the local food bank.
Participating in Port Colborne’s September Harvest Fest celebrations has become an annual event for The Gathering Place Presbyterian community in Port Colborne, Ont. This year, there were crafts for kids and books for grown- ups (with the added enticement of an invitation to join our book club). It was a beautiful autumn day!