Page 20 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

Connection
On Sunday, November 12, at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, the Richmond
Hill Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 375) and the Rev. Robert Hayashi invited
the community to attend a special Remembrance Day worship service and
the No Stone Left Alone Campaign, which works to honour the service and
sacrifice of Canada’s military by educating and inspiring youth to place poppies
on veterans’ headstones. A ceremonial parade from the cemetery to the church
building preceded the service. In attendance were President Terri O’Connor
and members of the Legion; Parade Marshall Padre Clive Simpson; Sgt.-At-
Arms Brad Spragg, Captain Herman Lee and Cadets from the Royal Canadian
Air Cadets Squadron 8 Globemaster; honourable veterans; Member of Parliament Majid Jowhari; Member of Provincial Parliament Daisy Wai; city Mayor David West; Deputy Mayor Godwin Chan; local Councillors Simon Cui, Scott Thompson and Michael Shiu; Fire Services Chief Bryan Burbidge; Deputy Chief Joe Bennett; and President of the Richmond Hill Historical Society Jim Vollmersaussen.
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PRESBYTERIAN
SPRING 2024
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First Presbyterian Church in Brock- ville, Ont., celebrated its 212th anni- versary during worship on October 29. Guest preacher the Rev. Barry Carr gave an inspiring message entitled, “A Jesus-built Church.” Communion was celebrated during worship, with a light luncheon fol- lowing. The congregation is enthu- siastically looking forward to what God has in mind for its future!
On Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, the congregation of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont., recognized and congratulated their Custodian, Ruparian Sydney, for his 30 years of dedicated service. Syd not only keeps the interior and grounds of the National Historic Site spotless, but he also makes an effort to get to know every one of its members. In the photo, Syd is shown with elder and member Jean Donaldson. PHOTO CREDIT: MARK LEWIS
The Rev. John Borthwick hit the ground running in August 2023 as the Director of Knox College’s newly created Centre for Lifelong Learning. He travelled to the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces where he facilitated conversations on building confidence for lay worship leadership. He also preached at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow and Little Harbour, N.S., at the invitation of the Rev. Joon Ki Kim. He hosted virtual book conversations on Dr. Brian Irwin’s book, After Dispensationalism and Dr. Sarah Travis’s Unsettling Worship. The Ministry Forum hosted the Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim’s book signing and sponsored a conversation with Korean students. Each student received a copy of Dr. Kim’s book. Follow the adventures of the Centre for Lifelong Learning by subscribing to their regular email at ministryforum.ca.
Wanting to show its appreciation for one of its outstanding members, on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, the congregation of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont., celebrated the long and faithful service of their Organist and Music Director, Blair Havers. Blair’s music has helped lift the voices and spirits of the congregation each Sunday for the past 27 years, and the congregation hopes for many more years of Blair’s joyful music to come! The photo shows Blair with chorister and church member, Beth McJannett. PHOTO CREDIT: MARK LEWIS
On Nov. 5, 2023, at Knox Presbyterian Church in Bobcaygeon, Ont., a large crowd gathered for the induction service of the Rev. Ian Marnoch. The congregation also welcomed Ian’s wife, Hannah, and their two children, Micah and Pauline.
Florence Mair, member of Point Edward Presbyterian Church in Point Edward, Ont., turned 102 on Jan. 3, 2024! Florence is a remarkable woman who, whenever she can, says “Yes!” to opportunities presented to her. Recently, she and others who lived in the same retirement home lost most of their possessions in a fire. However, Florence said that things didn’t matter—what mattered was that she and others survived, and that they were more valuable than possessions. With the help of her walker, Florence still walks every day. She is interested in life and others around her. Congratulations to Florence on her 102nd birthday!