Page 19 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

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SPRING 2024
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
19
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Ont., welcomed visitors on Christmas Eve with a specially staged mini- production along with the traditional offering of carols and readings. A Victorian-style tableau performance, depicting the Nativity scene in the stable in Bethlehem, was choreographed to the hymn Angels from the Realms of Glory, and was accompanied by the choir along with Music Director John Hall at the piano. The cast were all members of the congregation. The St. Onge family took on the roles of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. Shepherd: Michael Pizutto. Wise King: Patrick Coderre. Christmas Star Angel: Laura Tyner-Clement. Set design: Janet Payne. Costume design: Eva Barnes. The Rev. Barry Carr presided. As the new incoming minister, this was Barry’s first Christmas at one of Kingston’s oldest historic churches that dates back to 1817.
Visitors who celebrated Christmas Eve at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Kingston, Ont., were delighted and surprised by the appearance of two tiny angels-in-training and a little black-and-white Nativity lamb in costume for the service. The lamb and angels joined the youngest children in the congregation for the singing of “Baby Jesus We Love You,” complete with expressive movements. Members of the choir provided music and encouragement.
The Presbyterian College, together with partners from the Montreal School of Theology, organized a group of students and friends for a trip to Cuba in January 2024, where they were hosted by partner Seminario Evangélico de Teología, in Mantanzas. While there, the group met with churches, community organizations and students, as they explored the culture of Cuba and learned some of its history.
This beautiful photo is of Bethel Presbyterian Church in Pictou Landing, N.S., and it was taken on Christmas Eve following the Christmas Eve Carol Service. At one point in the service, Clerk of Session Bill MacPherson recited One Solitary Life, by the Rev. James Allan Francis—which he has done for the past 50 years or so! To quote many a member of the congregation: “It is not really Christmas until Bill reads One Solitary Life.”
Just as Mary and Joseph gathered items for their journey to Bethlehem, the congregation at Burns Presbyterian Church in Milverton, Ont., collected food, warm clothes, toiletries and baby items over the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Due to the generosity of the congregation, two carloads of donations were delivered to the local food bank and the Emily Murphy Centre in Stratford, which supports women and children in crisis. The Rev. Megan Penfold and Clerk of Session Denise Smith happily delivered the much-needed donations.
On Sunday, Nov. 4, 2023, the congregation of Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Ont., was pleased to welcome the arrival of its new choir director, Imre Oláh. Imre was born in Hungary, where he studied music in Budapest. He specialized in organ performance, choral music and choral direction. Since moving to Canada in 1989, Imre has served as music director and organist in many churches around the Toronto area. He has been part of the musical life, presenting organ recitals and accompanying choirs and soloists. He has also performed in Hungary, Germany, Italy and the USA. Imre is the artistic director of the Organ Vespers at the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, and conductor for the St. Elizabeth Scola Cantorum.