Page 14 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Memorial Service in Rosedale
On Saturday, May 6, a special memorial service was held at Rosedale Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., to mark one year since the horrific discovery of a young girl’s body in a dumpster in the community. To honour and affirm the life and dignity of this child, and every child, the congre- gation held a public neighbour- hood service of remembrance.
The girl was believed to be be- tween the ages of four and seven, and she still has not been identified by police, although they have indi- cated that progress is being made in the investigation. The congrega- tion wanted to honour and remem- ber this little girl’s brief life and to continue to raise awareness of the unsolved case. The Rev. Daniel Cho, minister at Rosedale Pres- byterian Church, said that she shouldn’t be forgotten, and that the community needed an opportunity to grieve together.
Attendees at the memorial
wore scarves that were knitted by members and friends of the congregation in colours resem- bling those of the two blankets that the girl’s body was found wrapped in. Among the many who took par t in the memorial were members of the Toronto Police Service, the Rev. Dr. Rob- ert (Bob) Faris, former Modera- tor of the PCC, and residents of the community. The service included a “Remembering Her” reflection from the Rev. Cho, a musical meditation, prayers and hymns.
In selecting the appropriate music for this public service that captured the right tone and spirit, Music Director Christopher Dawes reached out to friends from all over the world for ad- vice and suggestions. One of them was John L. Bell, a Scottish hymn-writer and minister with the Church of Scotland. He was so taken by the idea for this memo-
rial service that, unsolicited, he reworked an existing song of his and tailored it to the event.
“I’ve heard it said that her story hurt our hearts—we want so much to believe that she was loved and tenderly cared for,” said the Rev. Cho during the service. “We’ve gathered for the oppor- tunity to share our grief, to stand in solidarity with her, to embrace the full extent of the ugliness of this reality, and to recognize that, tragically, this can and does hap- pen, anywhere. But most impor- tant, we are here to lift her up, and affirm the dignity of her life... We don’t know her name, but we do know who she is: she is a child of God. Precious, beloved, valued, honoured.”
The “Service to Remember Her” is available to watch on the Rosedale Presbyterian Church YouTube channel. Visit rosedalepresbyterianchurch.ca to learn more.
This artwork is a watercolour painting by illustrator Michele Nidenoff, a long- time member of Rosedale Presbyterian Church. The little girl is shown in pro- file as a silhouette because we don’t know what she looked like or her exact age, although we do know that her hair was in braids. The framed picture surrounded by two blankets is a reminder that she was found wrapped in two distinctly patterned blankets. The candle in front is lit in honour and memory of this young girl and as a symbol of hope. ILLUSTRATION CREDIT: COPYRIGHT MICHELE NIDENOFF, 2023.
Dora Ismailova at the piano at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church.
Connection
Building Bridges to Community
in Calgary
By Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta.
When music teacher Dora Is- mailova walked into Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church (VAPC) in Calgary, Alta., to enquire about a space for a piano recital, she didn’t expect to find herself play- ing for Sunday services.
Dora, a Muslim from Uzbeki- stan, arrived in Canada with her family only four years ago and lives just a few streets from the church. She’d walked by many
times and thought it might be a good venue to hold a student recital. At the time, VAPC was working with interim musicians, following the retirement of their director of music. With two regu- lar supply musicians, the church was looking for some additional musicians to help fill gaps.
While discussing the possi- bilities for a rental, the Rev. Greg Smith asked if Dora would have any interest in playing for servic- es. She did, but wanted to think about it and discuss it with her husband. A few days later, Dora let the Rev. Smith know that she would be willing to play.
VAPC’s Session unanimously suppor ted Dora joining the roster of supply musicians. The unique nature of the relationship didn’t immediately occur to her. “It didn’t even come to my mind that it’s a church and I’m Muslim,” said Dora, thinking back on her first few
services. As she reflected on how this might seem unusual to some, she recalls being reassured by Greg’s welcome at the beginning of each service.
“I remember when he would say everyone is welcome here...eve- ryone...whatever religion, what- ever gender. It was so amazing the way the people at VAPC accepted me.” She found the congregation to be helpful and encouraging as well. “They were really nice and always supporting me.”
Dora had never heard the hymns and worship music that she would be playing, but quickly adapted and developed an appre- ciation of this new music. “The melodies were very beautiful.”
In time, she found that the sanctuary of the church was a place she cherished. “In the service, it was so peaceful and I would listen to the words that were being spoken too. So many
of the values and how we should treat people were similar to my culture.”
Dora’s family continued to sup- port her work in the church for the six months that she was part of the musician roster at VAPC. Even her family in Uzbekistan would watch the services online. After six months of regular music supply with Varsity Acres, Dora
decided to focus on growing her business as an independent mu- sic teacher. She still holds fond memories of VAPC and the peo- ple she met there...and she still plays the music that she learned for services.
“I still play them, you know,” said Dora, “and I feel so positively about the church and everyone there.”