Page 27 - Presbyterian Connection

Connection
GATHERINGS
On Easter Sunday, the members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Westville, N.S., surprised their minister, the Rev. Gail Johnson-Murdock, when she arrived for worship. Gail had shared with a few members that for a future Easter she’d love to do an Easter bonnet Sunday. The members of the church got busy, and Gail walked into the sanctuary with everyone sporting an Easter bonnet/ hat. The Clerk of Session even got in on the fun!
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SUMMER 2023
PRESBYTERIAN
27
Thornhill Presbyterian Church in Thornhill, Ont., was pleased to confirm seven youths at their recent Easter Sunday service. They attended an intensive two-month long classroom study session, preparing them for continued service in our church and beyond. They are pictured with their teachers, the Rev. Dr. Heather Vais and Abel Pandy.
The members and adherents of Saint Columba Presbyterian Church in Saint John, N.B., gathered for the congregation’s final group meeting of the New Beginnings Program. The program was developed to help the church discern God’s call for their future and create a plan to move forward. New Begin- nings is a discernment program designed to empower congregations with an assessment and reflection process in order to be intentional about discerning God’s call for future mission and crafting an implementation plan for action. It is a period of renewal and optimism for the church.
Worship Resources for the Liturgical Year
Find worship planners, lectionary readings, prayers and special dates
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At First Presbyterian Church in Brandon, Man., it was suggested that during Lent this year, rather than giving something up they GIVE to advance the work of Presbyte- rian World Service & Development (PWS&D). A large Lenten coin box and smaller boxes were used to col- lect money during Lent. Nearly $700 was sent to PWS&D for Turkey-Syria Earthquake Relief. Zack South- combe and Savannah Falk-Hamilton conducted the readings.
This spring, Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre in Puslinch, Ont., wel- comed a new farm manager and 10 beautiful lambs! Gillian Murphy will lead the next stage of expansion as the farm grows to include several new acres of vegetable production, more than 100 chickens and 25 Scottish Soay sheep, used to control invasive plant species on the property. This year for the first time, guests were invited into the barn for “lamb therapy,” which included hand feeding and cuddling the new arrivals. Every guest who stays at Crieff Hills is invited to encounter God’s creation in a new way, which also honours Col. J.B. Maclean’s original vision when he donated the property to The Pres- byterian Church in Canada at the time of his death in 1950.