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PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2024
presbyterian.ca
35 Years in the Celtic Heartland of Ontario
Ian and his wife, Jane.
By Janis Pasco, Clerk of Session, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Lancaster, Ont.
The Rev. Ian MacMillan was or- dained at the East Lake Ainslie Presbyterian Church, N.S., on Au- gust 26, 1988, after he was called to the Lancaster/Martintown Pas- toral Charge in Eastern Ontario. Ian has remained in the charge for the past 35 years, making him the longest serving minister at St. Andrew’s Martintown, and the second-longest serving minister at St. Andrew’s Lancaster.
Coming from Cape Breton, N.S., Ian soon realized that the Glengarry/Cape Breton marriage of cultures was the perfect fit for him. Over the past 35 years, both
Lancaster and Martintown Pres- byterian Churches have continued to thrive and grow. Both churches have been in the forefront of Glen- garry County by hosting events and worship services. They have also raised money for local, na- tional and international chari- ties such as Presbyterian World Service & Development, refu- gee sponsorship, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and the Com- munity Christmas Dinner.
St. Andrew’s Martintown is well-known for events that are held annually, such as the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, the Easter Breakfast, the Annual Har- vest Supper, the Summer River- side Service and the Advent Carol Service. They are renowned for their bake sales.
St. Andrew’s Lancaster has also been vibrant and active. Throughout Ian’s ministry, the congregation completed building projects, which included a new church wing for Christian Educa- tion space, a choir room and a large meeting area. Popular an- nual events include the Christmas Eve worship service, ecumenical Lenten services and Tartan Sun- day. They have a long tradition of leading a community Vacation Bible School, which hosts up to 100 children every July. The congregation has also invited the community to participate in many events, such as church suppers, bake sales, fashion and variety shows, goods and services auc-
tions, and guest choirs.
The hallmark of Ian’s ministry
has been his dedication to preach- ing the word of Jesus Christ. Over 35 years, we have enjoyed many inspirational sermons that moti- vated us to learn and serve. Ian has become known in Glengarry as a minister who is a Good Shep- herdtohisflock,afisherofpeople, and a person to call upon in both times of joy and times of crisis. He helped our community weather manystorms,includingtheCovid pandemic. A moment of great pride for Ian was being invited to sayaprayerattheofficialopening of the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville last August. Dressed in his MacMillan tartan kilt, it was a fitting highlight of his final year in full-time ministry.
Retirement celebrations were held in both churches on his last weekends of preaching. In Martintown, the congregation gathered for an old-fashioned homemade luncheon featuring Ian’s favourite dishes. Tributes presented included an album with pictures of the entire church fam- ily, and a beautiful bagpipe com- position written by Rory Blackad- der. After this poignant musical tribute, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church.
The Lancaster congregation hosted a Saturday afternoon cei- lidh, inviting the community to a musical tribute to Ian’s Scottish heritage and his roots in Cape Breton and Glengarry. It featured
The Rev. Ian Cameron MacMillan at the Glengarry Highland Games in August 2023.
Connection
singing, dancing, fiddles and bag- pipes, followed by a Scottish tea. After Ian delivered his final mes- sage from the pulpit on Sunday, the festivities continued with a catered luncheon with gifts and special tributes.
We wish Ian a blessed and well-deserved retirement. He plans to spend more time enjoy- ing family life with his wife, Jane, and daughter, Emily. You may also find him enjoying nature walks on the Summerstown Trails, feeding
the birds, or playing his favourite sport: curling. We know he will al- ways be sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. A heartfelt thank you goes to Ian for 35 years of dedicated leadership and service to our congregations and to our community!
The two-point charge of St. Andrew’s Martintown and St. An- drew’s Lancaster are now seeking an inspiring leader. For more infor- mation, please see the vacancy posting listed at presbyterian.ca.
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