Page 15 - PC Fall 2023

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FALL 2023
Presbytery of Montreal Cooperates in Local Mission
By the Rev. Bartholomew Alexander, Georgetown Presbyterian Church in Howick, Que.
The Presbytery of Montreal has a par t-time mission promoter to aid congregations in engaging their neighbourhoods in local mission. Exploring needs in their com- munities, and the skills of their members, congregations can im- agine possibilities for new mission projects, as well as community groups to potentially par tner with. The mission promoter also helps equip congregations by organizing workshops and training sessions.
Occasionally, the mission pro- moter seeks volunteers from con- gregations across the presbytery to cooperate on a short-term pro- ject. One year, a cultural group in Montreal provided names of single mothers who needed help mov- ing to new apartments. July 1 is known as Moving Day in Montreal, as many leases expire on Canada Day. A Canada Day move is much more expensive than moving on other days due to the high de- mand for trucks and movers. Over two days, volunteers from several churches in the presbytery moved five single mothers and their chil- dren to new homes.
This year, volunteers from Côte-des-Neiges Presbyterian Church, Georgetown Presbyterian Church, St. Edward’s Presbyte- rian Church Beauharnois, and the Church of Saint Andrew and Saint Paul, gathered together to move a married couple to a new apartment. It was indeed a case of many hands making light work. All the volunteers left with feelings of accomplishment, having dem- onstrated Christ’s love for people in a tangible way.
Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats helps us to imagine mission in our communities. May we continue to serve, remember-
Photos from a recent mission project by the Presbytery of Montreal.
ing the King’s words: “For I was hungry and you gave me some- thing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Organist Retires
in Stratford
After 63 Years
By the Rev. Mark Wolfe, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stratford, Ont.
Sunday, June 25, 2023, marked the end of an era at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Stratford, Ont., for, after 63 years of faith- ful service, Earl Clark retired as Organist and Choir Director. By conservative estimate, Earl has played at over 3,000 services of worship, and with his work in the public school system, as well as the Kiwanis Music Festival, Earl is a musical legend in the Stratford area.
On July 5, he was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award from the Royal Canadian College of Organists in a cer- emony at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Toronto: a fitting tribute to a long and dedicated career.
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Knox Flos PC Celebrates 145 Years
By the Rev. Thomas Mason, Knox Flos Presbyterian Church in Elmvale, Ont.
On Sunday, June 4, over 85 peo- ple crammed into the pews at Knox Flos Presbyterian Church in Elmvale, Ont., to commemo- rate the church’s 145th anniver- sary, recognizing 145 years of Christian faith and witness in the community.
It was a truly wonderful event, where joyful voices sang hymns and the Rev. Jim Young preached an inspiring message, that “God is not finished with us yet.” Prayers of gratitude and thankful- ness to God were offered for all the blessings that have been re- ceived in the past, in the present and for the future that is to come.
Hymns of praise were led by
Karen Parnell from St. John’s United Church, accompanied by Elmvale Presbyterian’s musical director, Ruth Currie.
The Knox congregation, the Rev. Tom Mason and the Rev. Jim Young also blessed and dedicated the new stairlift to the glory of
God, which will allow access to the sanctuary for the congrega- tion’s needs for the future. Thank you to the many people who gave so generously toward this project.
Five present and former Pres- byterian ministers from the charge attended the service: the Rev. Jim Young, the Rev. Lois Lyons, the Rev. Margaret Robertson, the Rev. Paul Sakasov and the current minister, the Rev. Tom Mason.
A special thanks goes out to the Rev. Young and his wife, Anne, for their participation and presence.
Elders Sandy Conn, Elaine Tub- man and Larry Huth, and all of the members of the congrega- tion, would also like to thank the members of Elmvale Presbyterian and all the visitors who took part in the service.
Many memories were shared— of weddings, baptisms and fam- ily services. The whole building seemed to come alive during the service.
The many members who had come before must have been looking down at us smiling, through joyful worship and at the fellowship lunch with the incredi- ble home-baked pies, which were enjoyed and shared with much laughter and pleasure by all.
God has indeed blessed the people of Knox Flos Presbyterian Church!
Earl Clark.
As one chapter ends, a new one begins, and St. Andrew’s is delighted to welcome Gord Allgei- er as Organist and Choir Director. Gord hails from the Kitchener area and is an accomplished and long- serving Organist and Choirmaster with many years of experience in both United and Presbyterian churches.
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