Page 12 - PC Fall 2023

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PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2023
presbyterian.ca
Former Moderator
Visits Prince
Edward Island
The Rev. Torrey Griffiths, Camp Convener; Chloe Hamilton, Camp Director; and the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris.
By John Barrett, Clerk of Session, Zion Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Zion Presbyterian Church in Char- lottetown, P.E.I., was pleased when their invitation was accept- ed by then-moderator of the PCC, the Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Faris, to visit Zion on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Bob joined the congrega- tion for their 176th anniversary service and provided the congre- gation with the morning’s sermon. A special highlight of the service was the 2022 moderator’s award presentation to church member and elder Scott MacDonald, who received the Committee on His- tory prize for his congregational history of Zion Church.
In attendance that morning was Glen Davis, Moderator of the 126th General Assembly, as Glen was in town as part of the Vancouver Or- pheus Men’s Choir Atlantic Tour that performed on the evening of Anniversary Sunday at Zion. In ad- dition to Glen, the Rev. Dr. Gordon Matheson, former lead minister of Zion, was able to attend this spe- cial service. A post-service lunch- eon included the Rev. Dr. Doug Rollwage, Moderator of the 142nd General Assembly.
A very busy schedule was planned for Bob during his time on Prince Edward Island, including meetings and visits to Camp Keir (the P.E.I. Presbytery’s camp), Wellspring Presbyterian Church, the Kirk of St. James, Summer-
Anne Cameron, the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris and the Rev. Dr. John Cameron.
The Rev. Dr. Glen Davis, the Rev. Dr. Gordon Matheson, the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris and the Rev. Will Henbest.
Connection
side Presbyterian Church, St. John’s Belfast, St. Mark’s Presby- terian Church and the New Lon- don Presbyterian Church (where famed author Lucy Maud Mont- gomery once worshipped).
A highlight for Bob was the opportunity to visit Jean and Jim Farris. Jim, who passed away at age 100, had been a profes- sor of Bob’s in his early college years. Following that visit, Bob also visited with the Rev. Dr. John Cameron, Moderator of the 117th General Assembly, and his wife, Anne. During John’s year as moderator, the Camerons had visited Bob while he was serving in Mozambique.
In the spirit of learning and un- derstanding, Bob had the oppor- tunity to meet with Chief Darlene Bernard, Chief of the Lennox Is- land First Nation. It was enlight- ening to hear the emphasis she placed on language training for the regino’s Mi’kmaq people.
Completing a busy three-day visit, Bob was able to attend a meeting of the P.E.I. Presbytery’s Ministry Committee, when revi- sions to their standing orders were discussed.
It’s always a special occasion for members of the P.E.I. Presby- tery to meet and spend time with a moderator of the PCC. Much knowledge is exchanged and new things are learned through these interactions. We are most grateful for the time that Bob was able to spend on our island.
The Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Faris, the Rev. Will Henbest and Scott MacDonald.
Jean Farris, the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris and the late Rev. Dr. Jim Farris.
Chief Darlene Bernard and the Rev. Dr. Bob Faris.
Finding Hope Through Song
the breath of God? We speak to one another “in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, giving thanks for all things.”
The Ancients were no fools. They knew that teaching was one thing; getting people to remember was another. Poetry and music were essential tools in passing on wisdom.
Rhythmic words and musi- cal notes? They carry. Imagine a crowded market before electricity and loudspeakers. To be heard, you would speak in a strong, high voice, and heavy rhythm. The old town criers, ballad singers and
itinerant preachers knew this.
Continued on page 13
By Siân Thomas, The Gathering Place Presbyterian Church in Port Colborne, Ont.
In the PCC hymn book, you will find almost 40 hymns with “sing,” “singing,” or “song” in their first lines; more if you comb through all the verses. Music and verse take us back to our very beginnings.
The Bible is full of singing and songs; entire books, or parts of
books, are given in verse. The Psalms are all poetic praise and then there is the Song of Moses, of Miriam, of Deborah, of Judah, the Songs of Solomon. In 2 Sam- uel we hear that David spoke the words of a song to the Lord. In the New Testament, there is the Song of Mary.
And God sings, too. Zepha- niah 3 (in verse) says, “God will rejoice over you with singing.”
And we were created in God’s own image. Music and poetry are in our DNA.
In the New Testament we are
told to be “filled with the Holy Spirit” and to “sing.” What hap- pens when we’re filled with the Spirit, or when we are filled with