Page 25 - Presbyterian Connection

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SUMMER 2024
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN
25
During Lent, Lochwinnoch Presbyterian Church in Renfrew, Ont., filled a wire hen basket with plastic Easter eggs. Each egg represented a donation of $20. By Easter Sunday, $1,300 was raised and donated to two local food banks.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, several youth joined Gale Presbyterian Church in Elmira, Ont., after completing their confirmation classes, which they had been participating in since January. Of course the congregation celebrated with cake!
The congregation at Knox Presbyterian Church in Morrisburg, Ont., held their annual Fish Fry fundraiser at the Morrisburg Legion and served 225 people. The event is famous for the homemade desserts.
The above photo is from the Nowruz Table in celebration of Persian New Year held at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., with the local Iranian community, on Palm Sunday, March 24.
The Sunday school at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alta., was busy creating prayer flags for VAPC’s annual Earth Sunday service. With the help of VAPC’s Faith Education Coordinator, Kyle Agbing, and the convener of the church’s Faith Formation Group, Jo Colgan, kids of all ages created the flags from up-cycled material. Prayerful messages from the kids, written on the flags, included: Protect the Earth, Love, Hope, No Emissions and Home. The flags will be strung and flown at the front of the sanctuary throughout the Spring.
A joyful celebration at Knox Presbyterian Church in Bayfield, Ont., took place late last year and cake was served, of course! By profession of faith into the church family, the congregation warmly welcomed nine new members to their vibrant, spiritual community. These new members will help to shape the direction of Knox and its presence in the beautiful community of Bayfield. Joining the church, and pictured here, are (left to right): Marten Dykstra, Laurie Dykstra, Susanne Carter, Judith Roy, Lois Kacsandi, Gerry Roy, Pieter VanMeekeren and Teresa Steel. Absent for the photo were Jan Meyer and the Rev. Lisa Dolson.
Al Beardsall, senior elder at Elmvale
Presbyterian Church in Elmvale,
Ont., has had an incredible and
gifted ministry of music. His presence
and wisdom are also gladly shared
with Session. Al plays the bass guitar
each Sunday at worship, but his true
passion and gift is playing the piano.
Accompanied by his wife, Lila, Al has
faithfully tended to music ministry at
the Sarah Vista Retirement Home in
Elmvale for over 20 years, where they
play familiar hymns and music for the
residents. Their music brings great joy
to residents who attend the service on
their regular visits. Al is a modest and
humble man, who shares his faith and
outreach with many others, simply
through his actions of love and caring.
It is this strong witness of Christ in his
life that draws people to the church. The Elmvale congregation and the folks at Sarah Vista are so grateful to both Al and Lila for all that they do!
Calvin Presbyterian Church in Abbotsford, B.C., held a special joint Good Friday service on March 29, 2024, bringing together members from four Presbyterian congregations: Bradner, St. Paul’s, Langley and Calvin. The truly inspired Communion service included a special art installation, where, on the approach to receive the elements, people were invited to bring their burdens and troubles and lay them at the cross. Each person had the opportunity to dip the brush in red paint and place a mark on Jesus. It was a very powerful moment for all.