Page 16 - PC Winter 2023-24

16
PRESBYTERIAN
WINTER 2023
presbyterian.ca
Go Coyotes Go! Some of the players and parents of our local team.
Greeting Cards Provide Unique Outreach
year.
A new members class is
scheduled to commence in Oc- tober and we already have seven people signed up. Our Fall Bible study on the book of Daniel will start in October both in person and online. Everyone is welcome.
The Rev. Dr. Bob Faris, former
Moderator of the PCC, grew up at Knox, Flos and Elmvale Presbyte- rian churches. The Rev. Bob was our guest speaker for Elmvale’s 163rd anniversary service on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Discipleship is indeed prayerful and active at Elmvale Presbyte- rian, thanks be to God!
nal member left, says people feel “in the loop” when they receive a card. “They are thrilled when they hear people are praying for them, and children get excited when they receive mail.”
For the group’s 10th anniversa- ry, they celebrated with a lunch- eon. Margaret gave members birthday candles and she often gives little remembrances to say thanks.
During the pandemic, the group’s work became even more important to keep people in touch with the church. The writers met in a well-ventilated garage and also did “homework” individually to get the cards out. When the church reopened again, masks were worn to keep the members safe.
Member Barb Stuart says that for congregations in transition, “This is a wonderful outreach to members and the community while there is a vacancy.”
In our fast-paced society, the letter writers help keep people connected in a personal way that the Internet cannot do.
Connection
Actions of Love and Care at Elmvale
By the Rev. Thomas Mason, Elmvale Presbyterian Church in Elmvale, Ont.
At Elmvale Presbyterian Church in Elmvale, Ont., the congrega- tion’s discipleship in Jesus Christ
is rooted in the Bible, prayer and actions of love and care.
Over the last few months, our congregation has been living an active faith. The Mission and Out- reach team held a BBQ fundraiser that raised over $5,000 for the
Midland General Hospital’s new MRI machine.
The congregation and the local community were most generous with their support. The donation was then matched by the Mid- land’s Masonic Lodges, resulting in a total donation for the MRI ma- chine of over $10,000. Blessings, indeed!
A second fundraiser was held by the Women of Elmvale Presby- terian to help support the Elmvale Coyotes Junior hockey team. The team and their parents all partici- pated at the church and there was much laughter and a high level of energy present.
We were successful with the support of the congregation and community in raising over $2,000 to help send a player on the Coy- otes’ planned European trip next
The Mission and Outreach Team at Elmvale Presbyterian Church.
By Eric Howald, member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Kincardine, Ont.
Back in 2013, some members at Knox Presbyterian Church in Kin- cardine, Ont., were rather skepti- cal when Margaret Weir and the late Bob Bullen suggested a greet- ing card writers’ group. More than 3,000 cards have been sent out since then and the number con- tinues to grow.
The group marks the happy things in life—accomplishments,
birthdays, weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christ- mas. People are also sent cards when life takes a nasty turn—ac- cidents, deaths, serious illness.
The card writers star ted with three members in July 2013, and it took a little time to get or- ganized and sell the project as wor thwhile.
A sympathy card was sent to Buckingham Palace when Queen Elizabeth II died and King Charles replied with a beautiful thank you
Members of the card writers group, standing from left behind Margaret Weir (sitting), are Marilyn McKeeman, the Rev. Dan West, Linda Stanley, Dana How- ald and Barb Stuart. Missing is Janice Larsen.
with a picture of the Queen and him as a child.
Some cards are donated by the writers, otherwise they are pur- chased at the Dollar Store. The writers are sent an agenda a week prior to the monthly meeting, so that a list of recipient names can be edited and added to at the meeting. People who sign the
visitors’ book are added to the list and members of the congregation also send in names of people who should get cards.
Card writers can sign their own name or sign “From Your Friends at Knox” and they are to include at least one personal sentence in the card or note.
Margaret Weir, the only origi-
Daily prayers, weekly lectionary resources, images for worship, liturgies and so much more!
Find it all at:
presbyterian.ca/worship