Page 27 - Presbyterian Connection Newspaper

Connection
NEWS
Honouring Those Who Served in WWI at St. Paul’s
PRESBYTERIAN
27
presbyterian.ca
WINTER 2018
By Rachel Braithwaite, Office Administrator, St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Ont.
On Nov. 11, 2018, 100 years had passed since the signing of the armi- stice that officially ended WWI. As a tribute to all Canadians who served in this horrific struggle, St. Paul’s Pres- byterian Church in Hamilton, Ont., was proud to take part in the Bells of Peace initiative and rang its bells 100 times at sundown. The hope is that all who heard the bells stopped and focused on the loss and sacrifice both on the battlefield and at home. The war to end all wars left an indel- ible impression on Canada.
According to the Canadian War Museum information, some 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the war, and approximately 424,000 served overseas. Close to 61,000 Canadi- ans were killed during the war, and another 172,000 were wounded.
Many more returned home broken in mind and body. The Dominion of Newfoundland suffered 1,305 killed and several thousand wounded. Of the more than 172,000 Canadians who reported wounds during the war, medical authorities classified approx- imately 138,000 as battle casualties. Of the wounded who survived, 3,461 men and one woman had a limb am- putated. No reliable method existed for tracking or treating psychological casualties, but authorities identified over 9,000 Canadians as suffering from “shell shock.”
Bells call us to wake, to pray, to work, to arms, to feast and, in times of crisis, to come together. A BBC News article reported that the ring- ing of church bells erupted sponta- neously across the UK on November 11, 1918, as an outpouring of relief that four years of war had come to an end.
The Bells of Peace initiative was designed to emulate that moment of
remembrance in honour of our vet- erans who served in WWI. The bells at St. Paul’s are very impressive and were actually used first on Sunday, Nov. 11, 1906. Eleven bells make up the chimes, the largest one weighing 2,100 pounds and the smallest one 300 pounds. The total weight is 9873 pounds.
The Cross of Sacrifice, erected in 1921, commemorates the fallen men and women of the congrega- tion. The large Celtic Cross is con- sidered to be one of the most beau- tiful war memorials in the country. It was carved in Scotland and is similar to the ancient crosses in Iona where Christianity was first brought to Scotland from Ireland by St. Columba. The arms of the Cross are truncated, and the column ta- pers from its base to the apex. A cir- cle symbolical of a crown or wreath surrounds the arms. In Scotland and Ireland, some of these ancient crosses still remain.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ont.
ing St. Andrew’s, sponsored five families to come to Canada and give continuing support through the LinC program for Syrian refugees.
This year, St. Andrew’s celebrated its bicentennial with many special events. The kickoff service in Sep- tember 2017 was modeled on an early 1800s outdoor church service and many people came in period costume. Food and fellowship fol- lowed to the delight of everyone.
The year-end banquet was like a grand homecoming, bringing peo- ple with past connections together
The Cross of Sacrifice at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Hamilton.
Inside the bell tower.
The outdoor kick-off service for the bicentennial celebrations.
Associate Pastor Monica McClure and Pastor Duncan Cameron at the outdoor kickoff service for the bicentennial year of celebrations.
All Are Welcome at
St. Andrew’s Scarborough
By the Rev. Monica McClure, Associate Pastor, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Scarborough, Ont.
A pastoral patch of land nestled in the midst of the bustling city of Scarborough, Ont., is home to a thriving three-hundred-plus member Christian congregation, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The church’s mission has been to share God’s love in this country-like setting for over two hundred years. The first church building was erected in 1819 on land donated by David Thomson, who settled here from Scotland in 1799; it lies adjacent to Thomson Park.
Seventeen pastors have been called to St. Andrew’s, beginning with the Rev. William Jenkins, and in- cluding both the current pastor, Dun- can Cameron, and the first associate pastor, Monica McClure.
St. Andrew’s is known for its ex- cellent preaching, its warm welcome and its programs for all ages. Two services on Sunday morning pro-
vide a diverse music program and programming for Kids’ Church and Youth Group. Next spring the church will host an “Alpha program” where one can explore life, faith and God in an informal, friendly environment. There are also a variety of social ac- tivities, often revolving around food, such as Burns’ Night and St. Pat- rick’s night. The Pastoral Care pro- gram maintains contact with those unable to attend worship services; it supports families in caregiving, and those who are grieving. The Pastoral Care luncheons include a Commun- ion Service, food, fun and fellowship.
St. Andrew’s is pleased to support the work of Evangel Hall, an inner- city mission in downtown Toronto. This Mission works with the margin- alized and homeless. St. Andrew’s is also actively supporting the Pikangi- kum infrastructure project, which provides indoor plumbing for homes in this remote First Nation Commu- nity. During the Syrian refugee crisis, churches in this presbytery, includ-
for great fellowship. The highlight of the culminating bicentennial worship service on June 10, was the presen- tation of a specially commissioned
anthem “We Will Share Your Love, Oh Lord.” For those looking for a Chris- tian faith-based community to belong to, all are welcome at St. Andrew’s!