Page 26 - Presbyterian Connection

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PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2024
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The congregation at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Ont., is having fun supporting and enjoying God’s ministry and mission. On Feb. 25, member Meg McCrae was recognized during worship for turning 99 years young. Her actual birthday was Feb. 28. In March, the Mission & Outreach team held a St. Patrick’s Day–themed community pancake breakfast. In April, there was a community rummage sale.
The ministers of St. Paul’s Lutheran, St. Matthew’s United and Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church in the Richmond Hill, Ont., area organized a time of spiritual reflection and fellowship during Lent. This was held on Thursday afternoons through Lent, where, through “Lenten expressions” of scripture, art, music and crafts, members opened their hearts and minds to what God has in mind for them. Pictured are the burning of the palms at St. Paul’s Lutheran, and congregants learning about the intricacies of stained-glass windows at Richmond Hill Presbyterian.
Maundy Thursday, March 28, included an Ecumenical Worship Service at 7:30 p.m., held at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church in Richmond Hill, Ont. The ecumenical event was organized by the Revs. Annette Smith (St. Paul’s Lutheran), David Kim-Cragg (St. Matthews United) and Robert Hayashi (Richmond Hill Presbyterian). It included a foot-washing ceremony and the serving of communion.
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Nearly 40 members of the Presbytery of Oak Ridges sent aside the morning of April 27 to explore congregational development at a workshop held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newmarket, Ont. The Rev. Dr. Jim Czegledi presented his research and findings on how small churches can be more vital and viable, while Karen Plater, Associate Secretary of Stewardship & Planned Giving, and the Rev. Jim MacDonald, minister at St. Andrew’s, Markham, helped leaders learn strategic and practical ways to encourage generosity in their congregations by seeing stewardship as an important spiritual discipline and using planned gifts to support impactful mission and ministry. There was good energy among participants, who were committed to seeing God’s mission continue through healthy Presbyterian ministries, far into the future.
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