Page 14 - PC Fall 2023

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PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2023
presbyterian.ca
By Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta.
Every other Friday, you’ll be greet- ed with the smell of home cook- ing at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta. It might be the rich scent of saffron rice, a traditional soup or delicious stir fry. Since January, VAPC has been hosting “Grandma’s Kitchen.”
The program, run by the Cal- gary Immigrant Women’s As- sociation, provides a place of belonging for immigrant women over the age of 50.
Older women who have immi- grated sometimes find themselves par ticularly vulnerable to isolation and marginalization. Their skills and experiences can be underval-
ued and, in a new cultural context, sometimes with limited English, they can find themselves alone, disconnected and unappreciated.
According to CIWA’s counsel- lor and group facilitator at VAPC, Yao Li, Grandma’s Kitchen is “a chance for immigrant women over 50 to come out, share cooking skills, counter loneliness, and build their self-esteem.” In addition to sharing and preparing recipes, the women learn traditions from each other’s cultures, have a chance to practice their English, make new friends and get information on community suppor t with a focus on healthy living and adjusting to life in Canada.
“It’s a natural community par t- nership for us,” said the Rev. Greg
Smith. “VAPC has always had a special relationship with those who are new to Canada. Many of our founding and earliest members were themselves first-generation Canadians.”
The two largest cultural groups in the program at VAPC are cur- rently from the Chinese and Iranian communities. Although par tici- pants find suppor t from those in their own community, they also share and learn together. “It is em- powering,” said Li. “Even if some par ticipants can’t speak English well, they can come to the kitchen and learn from each other. They can share a recipe, teach a skill or learn a dance...when you’re danc- ing with friends, you don’t need a language to communicate.”
Participants of “Grandma’s Kitchen” at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church.
Oscar Sieber and Susie Alexander at an ecumenical service. Oscar is a member of the St. David’s United Church choir. He took part in the “Pop-Up” choir this summer. Susie is a long-time member of WVPC and a committed volunteer leader.
Connection
Finding Belonging, One Recipe at a Time
Two West Vancouver Churches Sharing Summer Worship
By Jean Lawrence, West Vancouver Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, B.C.
One Spring morning in 2016, I had a coffee date at our local Delany’s Coffee House in West Vancouver with our West Vancouver Pres- byterian Church (WVPC) Stated Supply minister, the Rev. Dr. Glenn Inglis, and the St. David’s United Church minister, the Rev. Dr. Michael Caveney. Michael and Glenn knew each other from their Ontario days, when Michael was still a Presbyterian minister.
The general conversation seg- ued to the topic of ecumenical ministry, and congregations wor- shipping together, particularly in the summer (remembering that it
“used” to be done, especially in small towns across the country, including Neepawa, Man., where I had worshipped the previous summer—in the Presbyterian church with the United minister at the pulpit).
As the makeup of our two con- gregations was (and still is) very similar, we agreed that we should give it a try. And with the approval of our Session and the St. Da- vid’s Board, it was decided that April 17, 2016, would be a “pulpit exchange” Sunday to give each congregation a chance to meet the other church’s minister. It was well received, and in July and Au- gust that year, our “Summer Joint Services” (to quote the March 21, 2016, Session minutes) be-
gan. That first Sunday in July, at WVPC, Michael Caveney warmly welcomed everyone, wearing red for Canada Day. It was a bit like a first, awkward date for some at that first WVPC service, but I em- braced the innovation immediate- ly, seeing people from St. David’s that I knew but had no idea that it was their church. There was lots of mingling at our after-church coffee time, and then again in August at St. David’s, with Glenn at their pulpit, it was another re- sounding success.
Some of our people thought we should be worshipping with another Presbyterian church, in- stead. However, the closest one is in North Vancouver, and it is theologically more conservative than us. Then there is also West Vancouver United Church (where the Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart was minister before joining The Pres- byterian Church in Canada), but it is a large, more formal church; whereas St. David’s and West Vancouver Presbyterian with their small congregations were a good fit immediately.
Thus, the summer of shared worship continued, and about a year or so later, we also started to worship together during Holy Week—Maundy Thursday at one church, Good Friday at the other. Then Covid came along and threatened to unsettle our union,
but our combined worship con- tinued on YouTube, instead. After Covid, we were all so happy to be back together again in-person, re- newing our friendships.
Both Michael and Glenn have moved on, but the new ministers of both congregations immedi- ately embraced the partnership. This July at WVPC, each week the scripture reader is a St. Da- vid’s member, and in August at St. David’s, it will be WVPC’ers reading the scripture. Our music director, Kelly Nobles, has organ- ized a “Pop-Up” choir for our July 30 service, with members from both choirs, but also open to non-regular choir members. An indoor picnic will follow with
both congregations bringing sal- ads and sweets to supplement the barbecued hamburgers. One of our WVPC members, Randy Cunningham, leads a band called “Definitely Not the Beatles,” so there will be dancing, too!
St. David’s United has a new minister, the Rev. Philip Francis. WVPC’s pulpit is currently va- cant. When the Rev. Woldy Sos- nowsky, our interim moderator and worship leader most weeks, was on vacation, we enjoyed the worship leadership of Shirley Car- leton, a recent Vancouver School of Theology graduate, who also embraced the wonderful custom of these two West Vancouver Churches.
Gordon Munro, Board of Managers Chair of WVPC getting envelopes out of a shared plate along with Helen Greidanus, Finance Team Member of St. David’s.
The “Pop-Up” choir at West Vancouver Presbyterian Church.