Page 26 - Presbyterian Connection Fall 2025

26 FALL 2025
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In May and June, through a special sermon series, members and friends of Erindale Presbyterian Church in Mississauga, Ont., learned
about our responsibility in supporting nature and the environment. This learning went “experiential” with a bird walk led by Central
Ontario renowned birder, Luc Fazio. Sixteen participants, ages 5 to over 80, walked the Riverwood Conservancy and saw countless types
of trees, plants and wildflowers. However, the thrill of the walk was the 50 different bird species that were seen and heard, all in the heart
of Mississauga! The group saw indigo buntings, rose-breasted grosbeaks, Northern flickers, great crested flycatchers, a female red-winged
blackbird (sitting on her nest), and a brood of little Mallard ducks, to name a few. The wonder of a child seeing nature, and then that same
child teaching an elder, created special moments.
Last spring, staff at Crieff Hills Retreat & Conference Centre in Puslinch, Ont., planted a beautiful array of native fruit
trees all over the property. With the help of a grant from TD Friends of the Environment, as well as support from Green
Legacy Wellington, staff and volunteers added tree varieties like chokeberry and hackberry to the landscape, and they
will eventually produce a harvest for the retreat’s kitchen. Members of the board of directors for the MacLean Estate,
which oversees Crieff Hills, were on hand one Saturday in May to help out and participate in the celebrations.
On Saturday, May 3, ARISE Ministry, which is a mission of the Presbytery
of East Toronto and supported by the PCC, hosted a successful fundraising
dinner and gala at Armour Heights Presbyterian Church. The event featured
guest speaker Glenn Healy, former goaltender with the Toronto Maple Leafs,
who is now the executive director/president of the NHL Alumni Association.
ARISE helps those involved in the sex trade to reclaim their lives through
hope, love and justice. Learn more about ARISE at ariseministry.ca.
A thank-you video and other resources are available at presbyterian.ca/sharing
On June 22, the congregation at St. George’s Presbyterian Church in London, Ont., recognised Graham Esler’s 60 years
(and still counting!) as a church elder. He has also been an active member of Session. Some of his many notable
accomplishments include being part of the four-person committee that was instrumental in the concept, design and
oversight of the construction of our present church building and he continues to serve as one of the Trustees. He is
also the Archivist for St. George’s. He was thanked for his many years of service.