Page 16 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Connection
Retirement Celebration at Knox, Dundas
By Leslie Powers, Clerk of Session, Gail Poole and Wayne Poole, Knox Presbyterian Church in Dundas, Ont.
A retirement celebration was held for the Rev. Penny Garrison, min- ister at Knox Presbyterian Church in Dundas, Ont., on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, following Penny’s last sermon with the Binkley Unit- ed Church/Knox Presbyterian Church/St. Mark’s United Church ecumenical shared ministry.
Saying farewell to Penny and her husband, Steve, was diffi- cult. We wish them well and pray that their retirement will be a time spent with family and friends, a time to relax, but also to explore and enjoy new adventures.
Penny had a strong sense of call to pastoral ministry while at Carl- ton University but was involved in a number of ministries before she completed her M. Div. in 2002. She interned through Knox College under the mentorship of the Rev. Dr. Herb Gale at Westminster–St.
Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Guelph, and was student minister at Knox Presbyterian Church Crieff in Puslinch, Ont., while completing her studies.
Penny was ordained at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Cam- bridge, where she served as min- ister for 10 years. The Rev. Penny found her way to Knox Presbyte- rian Church in Dundas where she ministered to a thankful congre- gation for nine and a half years, until her well-deserved retirement on January 1, 2023. Between 2019 and 2021, she also served as moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton.
Penny served the church with a strong, lived-out faith and much enthusiasm, while encourag- ing and challenging us. The Rev. Penny cared deeply for her Knox family. She preached creatively, from the heart, and often shared lessons gained from her own life experience. Penny is a pragmatist and open to change.
As our numbers declined, and
The Rev. Penny Garrison and her hus- band, Steve.
then the pandemic changed how we all did church, we were led to examine the direction in which God was calling us. Knox Dundas journeyed through a challenging time over the last several years that saw us work through a vi- sioning, discerning and replant- ing process, as well as the sale of our well-loved historical church building, demonstrating that the
church is not the building but its people.
The Rev. Penny encouraged us to examine every aspect of our ministry, question that which needed questioning and offered insight into possible new direc- tions. In the end, a success- ful shared ecumenical ministry agreement was reached with St. Mark’s United Church.
As expectations and required skills evolved, Penny rose to the challenge. Through the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to focus on the safety, well-being and lov- ing care of our congregation. She was very quick to pivot toward new ways of worshipping and connecting with the congregation. She opened her home to us via YouTube and provided inspiring worship, despite the limitations— and even if that meant repeating an entire service when the tech- nology had not cooperated!
When we suddenly found our- selves without administrative support, Penny took on the task
of preparing the PowerPoint slides for the weekly service. Penny was also directly involved in ensuring that those without Internet access received a weekly mailing of the sermon as well as other updates. Small groups met online under the Rev. Penny’s leadership for meaningful Bible study and in- depth discussions. Those chal- lenging times were met with the Rev. Penny’s can-do attitude and boundless energy.
Gratitude is also owed to Pen- ny’s husband, Steve, for his work with the Maintenance Team, as consultant to the Finance Team and for his many hours produc- ing online worship to help us re- main connected and worshipping together.
The Knox congregation remains grateful for the strong leadership and powerful faith that Penny used to journey with us during times of crisis, illness, transition and grief. We are thankful for the gifts that God gave to her to lead us through our mission and ministry.
Curious about starting something new? Feeling called to faithful innovation? Love the local community you live in?
Connect with Cyclical PCC our church planting support network for resources, discerning conversations and hopeful
support.
To learn more, visit: presbyterian.ca/cyclicalpcc
Clerks’ Consultation
By the Rev. Don Muir, Deputy Clerk, General Assembly Office
Presbytery and Synod Clerks from across the country were invited to a gathering in Mississauga, Ont., held from April 14 to 17. Just over 30 of the 49 clerks were able to attend. Normally, this event takes place every two years, but due to Covid restrictions, this was the first chance to get together since 2018.
It’s called the Clerks’ Consul- tation, and that’s exactly what it is—an opportunity for clerks to discuss the joys and challenges of their service to the church. They learn together as they review new policies and procedures, pol- ity matters and developments
within the denomination.
Held in the Queen of the
Apostles’ Renewal Centre, last- ing friendships are formed over meals and during breaks. An On- tario clerk said one of his favourite features of the consultation is “the collegial relationships renewed, and the new ones formed, along with the sincere and honest shar- ing between colleagues.”
A highlight for many is the daily worship in the facility’s beautiful chapel. This year, the Rev. Dr. Jean Morris served as chaplain and conducted each service. She was suppor ted by clerks on keyboard and guitar, as well as by those who read scripture and offered prayer. “Jean Morris did an amazing job aschaplain,andtheworshipwas
inspiring, thoughtful, challenging and encouraging,” commented a clerkfromSaskatchewan.
Facilitated by the General As- sembly Office at national office, leadership was also drawn from six Life and Mission Agency staff, the Chief Operating Officer of the Presbyterian Church Building Cor- poration, and a retired minister who is a coach of the New Begin- nings program.
Presbyteries and synods pay a registration fee, and about half the cost of the event is funded by your contributions to Presbyteri- ans Sharing. This is a wonderful and effective way for our clerks to be strengthened and encouraged in their role in the courts of the church.