Guildwood Gazette May 2005

Israel 2005-First in a Series

"How would you like to go to Israel?"

At the end of February, I received a call from my friend and colleague, Mr. Manuel Prutschi. Manuel is the National Executive Vice President of the Canadian Jewish Congress, and a colleague of mine on the Canadian Christian Jewish Consultation.

"How would you like to go to Israel?" he asked.
"Ha ha," I said, "Why, are you going to fly me over?"
And it turns out the answer was "Yes."

Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial site in Israel, was opening the new Holocaust Museum, and Manuel was asking if I would be interested in going, as a guest of the Israel Government, through the Ministry of Tourism.

I would represent both the Presbyterian Church in Canada and the Canadian Christian Jewish Consultation.

The flight would leave on a Sunday evening, and return at dawn the following Sunday, so I wouldn't even miss a service.

Following a consultation with our National Office, and arranging for the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rick Fee, to also attend, I was able to say "Yes." Emphatically, yes!

The formal invitation came in the mail, accompanied by an itinerary that outlined not only the formal inauguration ceremonies, but also opportunities to tour other parts of the country.

I was thrilled, and the congregation was thrilled with me.

To think, here we were, doing a Bible study on the Stations of the Cross, and I would soon be walking the very Via Dolorosa itself!

God is very, very good.

After being wished well on Sunday morning, with many praying for my safety, I packed my bags and headed for the airport, where I met the remainder of the Canadian delegation.

Anne Anderson, Dean of the Faculty of Theology of St. Michael's College; Art Eggleton, chair of the Canadian Yad Vashem Society; Avie Bennet, Chancellor Emeritus of York University and Chair of McClelland & Stewart Publishing; and Chief Rabbi Perlman rounded out the group.

We would be joined in Israel by Bruce Gregerson of the United Church of Canada's General Council.

We were also travelling with Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman, a wonderful, unassuming couple, who were primary donors for the construction of the new museum.

Friendships were immediately formed.

It was a thrill, following the 11-hour overnight flight, to see the coastline of Israel as we flew over the Mediterranean.

We were greeted in Tel Aviv by representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, shuttled through the Diplomatic Gate at Passport control, and stuffed into our waiting minivan.

What with the time change and all, it was 4:30 p.m. when we landed, and dusk when we drove up into Jerusalem.

What a wonder to be in the Holy City!

We were welcomed at the desk of the Renaissance hotel and escorted to our rooms.

I had a lovely view of the New City, overlooking the Knesset and Supreme Court, but too far away to see the Old City.
I turned on the television to catch a glimpse of Israeli television-Sponge Bob Squarepants!
That was the last time the television went on.
My room was large and modern, and graced by a bowl of fresh fruit.
The delicious fruit was a foretaste of the wonderful meals to come.

Following a shower and an hour to unpack and organize, it was into taxis and across the city to the Sheraton for a reception in honour of the Canadian delegation.
This would be my first Israeli cheese buffet, and I quickly fell in love with the variety of unripened cheeses that would also comprise most breakfasts.

There were many toasts, introductions, and stories from Holocaust survivors whose memories would be forever enshrined in the new museum.
As we reviewed the schedule for Tuesday, and the free time before the inauguration ceremony at 4 p.m., Anne said she was going into the Old City to see friends and purchase gifts she had promised to the folks back home.

Anne leads student courses from St. Michael's in Israel, is a frequent visitor, and knows the country-and Old Jerusalem-very well.
She very graciously agreed to have me and Rick tag along.
We returned to our hotel, travel-weary but happy, by about 10 p.m.

The streets of the city were being closed off in preparation for the arrival of the international dignitaries such as Kofi Annan, and prime ministers, presidents, foreign ministers, not to mention the minister of Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church!

Following phone calls home, I was asleep before my head hit the pillow, and slept the night through.

We met in the banquet hall of our hotel for breakfast at 7:00.
What a feast!

My friend Cantor Moshe Loomer had told me the breakfasts could make a grown man cry, and I was moved to tears.

Everything is kosher, which means no meat at brekkie, but there was no lack of wonderful cheeses, yogurt, amazing fruit, fish (!), salads, blintzes, bagels, and coffee.


(Note to self: Open a Tim Hortons in Jerusalem ASAP. Coffee, they can't make!)


Then it was in a cab, haggle out a price, and off to the Old City with Anne and Rick.

We cabbed as far as the pedestrian mall of the New City (Ben Yehuda Street) and walked to the Old City.

Along the walk, Anne pointed out where various suicide bombers had ended the lives of scores of people who were just going about their day.
Many buildings and shops still bear the scars.
It helps you to understand the omnipresent army and security people walking around with machine guns slung over their shoulders-quite a shock to our Canadian sensibilities.

But soon the sight of the Old City took all other thoughts away.

Surrounded by the 500-year-old walls constructed by Suleiman the Magnificent, the Old City is an amazing warren of narrow streets and living history.

We entered by the Damascus Gate and into the time machine that is the Holy City.
What do I mean?

One of our first visits was to pay our respects at the Palace of the Latin Patriarchate, and to enjoy an audience with His Beatitude, Archbishop Michel Sabbah.

It pays to travel with Anne, who, it turns out, is a Lady of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, and His Beatitude conferred upon her the Pilgrim's Shell in our humble presence.
Such things had been going on in Jerusalem for over a thousand years, and yet there we were.

I'm thinking of trying to get people to call me "Your Beatitude," but so far, not much luck.

The ground level of the Old City is comprised of archways, shops, chapels, mosques, restaurants, and cubbyholes with no immediate purpose other than the mystery of their existence.
The upper stories are where the vibrant population actually lives.
Anne gave us a quick overview of how to conduct ourselves among the merchant class.
Don't walk into a shop unless you are prepared to buy something.
Don't accept a gift or an offer of coffee from a merchant unless you are prepared to buy something.
Don't ask for the price of an object unless-well, you get the idea.
Since we were in the Christian quarter, I was drooling as we passed shop after shop selling marvellous icons, vestments, ceramics, and the like.
Finally, I wandered into a shop and started my mantra of "No thank you, no thank you," as the merchant offered me coffee, an orange, maybe some tea and dates, a little gift, lunch at his home.

I couldn't help reaching out and touching a beautiful purple preaching stole, perfect for Good Friday and Communion.
The bartering began.

Then I accidentally admired a wonderful silver icon, which added a great deal of excitement to the mix.
Fifteen minutes later, after many tears (his) and grim determination (mine), we arrived at a price about one-fourth of the original estimate.

(Tip: Cash only. If you show a credit card, there's no telling what you'll discover when the bill arrives. And American dollars are just as popular as shekels. Just make sure that you know which currency you're bartering in-you get four shekels per American dollar).
I am now his permanent friend.

When I think back, it is hard to believe all I saw in a single day. From the inner sanctum of the Palace of the Latin Patriarchate to the Stations of the Cross to the Western (or "Wailing") Wall, it was all completely beyond comprehension.

The Armenian ceramics shop off the Via Dolorosa (Anne knew the family); the delicious Al Shukra restaurant ("Best in the Old City-and cheap!" -Anne); the Arab Christian Textile Cooperative where I bought a gift for Dana ("Here, there's no haggling," said Anne, "the proceeds go to hospitals and clinics"); Tamara's jewelry shop ("Anne! How wonderful to see you!") for earrings for Dana and Hannah.

As we taxied back to the hotel to prepare for the inauguration, Anne asked me my favourite part of the day. "The Western Wall," I said, without hesitation, where I was able to pray for my congregation and my family, leaving my card with the picture of the church on it in one of the ancient cracks. I will never forget that moment.

Next Time: From Yad Vashem to Bethlehem

From June 5 to September 25, we will worship at 10 a.m.
There will only be one service. (no early service).
On October 2, services will resume at 9:30 and 11 a.m.

Decoding Da Vinci: A Summary

Perhaps you were one of the many people who enjoyed our four-week study, "Decoding Da Vinci."
We spent time going through the claims made by novelist Dan Brown in his best seller, The Da Vinci Code, and looked at what the Bible-and actual history-have to say. While I can't give you everything from the four weeks, here's an "executive summary:"

The Da Vinci Code says (TDVC): Roman Emperor Constantine collated the New Testament in 324 AD at the Council of Nicea, which also invented the Divinity of Christ (by a close vote).

History and the Bible say (HB): Wrong by 200 years.
The New Testament (NT) existed in much the form we have it today by the mid 100s, with all of the books within it written many decades-as much as 100 years-before then.
The Vote at Nicea did not invent but reaffirmed the divinity of Christ by a vote of approximately 328-2; the NT itself affirmed the divinity of Christ by as early as AD 55.

TDVC: The NT degrades the status of woman, made Mary Magdalene a prostitute, and downgraded her from "Goddess" and chief of Apostles.

HB: Wrong. Jesus affirms women, and Paul states that they have equal status with men "in Christ." The New Testament never identifies Mary as a prostitute, and gives her a leading role among all NT women and even the Apostles in being first to proclaim the Resurrection.

TDVC: Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married-"part of the historical record, my dear,"-and had a child who founded the line of Marovingian Kings of France, who also founded Paris.

HB: Wrong. There is not one single historical indication of this marriage or child, and endless historical records contrary to it; the Marovingian line was established fully 400 years after Christ, and Paris was founded by the Romans before Christ was born.

TDVC: The Priory of Sion was founded more than 1000 years ago to safeguard the secret of the Grail.

HB: Wrong. The Grail legend itself, concerning the cup and plate at the Last Supper, first began about 850 years ago in a romance novel; the Priory of Sion was founded in 1956 by a French nut with royal aspirations who later denounced the whole thing as a fraud.

TDVC: The Knights Templar discovered documents under the Temple in Jerusalem proving the Jesus/Mary offspring story, became fabulously wealthy through blackmail, and were destroyed by the Vatican in Rome in the 1300s to cover it up.

HB: Wrong. The Knights Templar discovered the secret of international banking and were destroyed by the King of France in France in the 1300s to gain their financial base.

TDVC: The Knights Templar built cathedrals with architectural echoes of female anatomy to celebrate the "sacred goddess."

HB: Wrong. The Knights Templar did not build a single cathedral. The churches they did commission were round, to echo the Dome of the Rock and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. European cathedrals were modelled after Roman basilicas, or public law courts, or with cross-shaped floor plans.

TDVC: In medieval times, the Vatican published The Witches' Hammer to promote the hunting and burning of witches, including midwives, resulting in over five million women burned by the Church, all to quell goddess worship.

HB: Wrong. The church actually banned The Witches' Hammer, placing it on the list of forbidden books, and burning one of its authors for writing it. Approximately 25,000 (not 5,000,000) men and women were hanged or burned for witchcraft or devil worship, and less than half by the church.

TDVC: The Priory of Sion was led at one point by Leonardo da Vinci, who placed hints of the goddess and Mary Magdalene in his works of art, hundreds of which were commissioned by the Vatican.

HB: Wrong. There was no Priory of Sion for da Vinci to be head of; he received only one commission from the Vatican (which he never delivered), and the figure beside Christ in the Last Supper painting is the widely recognized traditional figure of St. John, a "beardless youth."

TDVC: Opus Dei is a monastic order founded by the Vatican, with world headquarters in New York, to oppose the Priory of Sion, and keep the secret of Jesus/Mary hidden.

HB: Opus Dei has no monks, was founded by Fr. Josemaria Escriva, was recognized by the Vatican 23 years later, does not have a world headquarters in New York, and is a lay organization founded to promote a conservative lifestyle among Roman Catholic laity, integrating faith and work.

TDVC: Jesus' real intent was to elevate woman in the role of goddess, through the ritual sex act of Heiros Gamos, giving men an insight into the divine at the point of sexual climax.

HB: Wrong. Religious, ritual, or temple prostitution was denounced 1,000 years before Jesus, who reflected Jewish sexual morals in his teaching, and protected the sexual integrity of women through his teaching on adultery, marriage, divorce, acceptance, and forgiveness.

TDVC: Jesus was ultimately a failure, a victim of the religious oppression of his day, about whom everything the church has taught is false, a creation of Roman pagan emperor Constantine in the early 300s, never regarded by his followers as divine, and misrepresented in teaching and fact by the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

HB: Wrong. Jesus was indeed the Son of God, who brought God's message of love and grace to the world for which he died and was resurrected to life, giving hope to all.

TDVC: "FACT: The Priory of Sion-a European secret society founded in 1099-is a real organization. In 1975 Paris' Bibliothèque Nationale discovered parchments known as Les Dossiers Secrets, identifying numerous members of the Priory of Sion, including Sir Isaac Newton, Botticelli, Victor Hugo, and Leonardo da Vinci… All descriptions of artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals in this novel are accurate."

HB: FICTION! In which Jesus would you rather believe?

TDVC: The Jesus who sought to resurrect ritual sex and whose ultimate accomplishment was to sire a failed line of French kings?

HB: The Jesus who taught us of God's love, grace, mercy and truth, who sacrificed himself for our forgiveness, and who was resurrected so that we would have eternal life?

So enjoy the book if you must but remember that its claims are 100 percent fiction, no matter what Dan Brown says! Now if you really want to read something worthwhile, may I recommend a few books written by friends of mine? They've outsold even The Da Vinci Code a thousand times over. You may have heard of them: Matthew...Mark...Luke...John...Paul...Peter…

In Our Library

Upon coming to Guildwood Presbyterian Church just under two years ago, one of the first things I was delighted to discover was the library with its variety of resources. With relevant titles for adults and children, it is easy to find reading material.
One very informative book, Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ, seems especially worth mentioning at this time, in the light of the recent study related to The Da Vinci Code.
The novel raises questions about who Jesus really was and what He taught. In Strobel's book, those questions are also explored, but with different conclusions.

Strobel, with degrees in law and journalism, considered himself an atheist who felt he had plenty of support for his position-that is, until his wife became a Christian, and the changes he saw in her caused him to re-examine his point of view.
Calling on his legal training to look at and assess evidence, and his journalism skills to interview people of faith whose lives had been spent researching and teaching about the claims of Jesus, Strobel sets out on his search.

Strobel asks hard questions about many topics: the reliability of the books included in the Bible, the claim that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, the case for belief in Jesus' resurrection, and many other topics.
He addresses such issues as historical, scientific, medical, psychological, and circumstantial evidence; then concludes with a section entitled "The Verdict of History."

This chapter gives us an intensely personal look at the author as he responds to the final challenge given by one of the people he interviewed. "There's one other category of evidence you haven't asked about.... It's the ongoing encounter with the resurrected Christ that happens all over the world.... They all will testify that more than any single thing in their lives, Jesus Christ has changed them."

As Strobel weighs the evidence collected during his travels, reading, and interviews, he faces the question, "What must I do with this evidence and how will I respond?"
He makes a choice that changes the direction of his life.
His choice was, in his own words, one of reason, but in the words of his five-year-old much more than that. She saw the change in her father and said, "Mommy, I want God to do for me what He's done for Daddy."

For those who have intellectual questions about the Christian faith, this book provides much information, as well as discussion questions for any who want to read it with a group or partner.
The author is respectful of those who continue to have questions, but challenges those who have reached the same conclusion that he has to act on it.

Since the search for answers Strobel has recorded in this book, he has worked as a teaching pastor in several Christian churches, including Saddleback Valley Community Church in California, and has written other books.

Mission and Outreach

ARMAGH is non-profit second-stage housing that offers a safe, supportive environment for abused women and their children and is a mission of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Women often remain in abusive environments because they have no other family support, financial means, or housing.
While first stage shelters are equipped to respond to short-term emergencies, Armagh can provide secure housing for up to one year.
Women are referred from local crisis shelters and other community agencies.
The following poem was written by an Armagh resident in 2002.

A Song For High Places Help me turn away from the dross Show me how to hold my head up Help me clean my wings So that I can fly again I have been drinking from bitter water Eating from poisoned trees Accepting filth. Within my finger's reach Is pure, nourishing food for my body And healing for my soul Plug my ears against siren song Open the windows to the sun And finally, take my hand As I step into the light I will fly again, I know And someday he won't be able to hurt me I will be strong and confident And I will walk away into my future For now, let me be held by your love Let me listen to your song Let me cry on your shoulder For you are teaching me to be strong

Music News

On April 3, the Ontario Presbyterian Chorus presented an uplifting choral concert at Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Under the direction of Alastair McCallum, Helen Peacock, and Marie McLaren, approximately 35 singers performed a variety of selections to the delight of the large congregation.
Old favourites including "Psalm 100", "Come, Thou Almighty King", and "It Is Well With My Soul" continued to inspire alongside newer selections such as "The Majesty & Glory Of Your Name" and "Let Us Serve Him."
The choir also presented a selection of spirituals including "Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet" and "Plenty Good Room."

Mina Park accompanied the choir on piano, as did Beth Clelland and Marion McCallum on violin and Helen Peacock on organ.
As Mr. McCallum remarked, the event was more of a worship service than a concert, and to that end the congregation joined the choir in singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer."
Despite the cold and blustery weather outside, hearts were warm inside.
Our church building will be warm next winter too, thanks to the Ontario Presbyterian Chorus: proceeds from the evening will go towards a new boiler.

On May 15, the Bells of Guildwood presented the 2005 Spring Concert.
Under the direction of Rick Humphrey, our talented handbell ringers demonstrated their musical skills by performing a variety of selections, including the contemplative "Be Thou My Vision" and a medley of several familiar pieces, "The Music of the Spheres." "Siyahamba," a piece from the South African musical tradition, was performed on handbells and chimes.

Two of the pieces performed, "Make Me An Instrument of Thy Peace" and "Passacaglia," were written by Kevin McChesney, who will conduct over 500 handbell ringers (including the Bells of Guildwood) at the Bells Over Ottawa festival during the last week of May 2005.

The concert also featured organist Imre Olah and flautist Lani Sommers. Both of these talented musicians performed selections individually, while the final selection of the concert, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," allowed Imre, Lani, and the handbell ringers to perform together.
Thank you to Rick and our handbell ringers for entertaining and inspiring the members of the audience!

Praise Be

Stories of hymns being composed under inspirational circumstances abound, but there are also a few that fall into the "never-intended-to-happen-that-way" category, otherwise known as the Silent Night Syndrome.
That particular carol was meant to get Father Franz Gruber out of a tight spot on the Christmas Eve when the organ conked out; he never expected or intended it to become one of the world's most loved carols!

A similar irony surrounds "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind", #451 in our hymnbook.
The author, John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892), was an American Quaker, an abolitionist, and a poet of some note during his lifetime.
Hymn #451 was extracted from a longer poem in which Whittier complained about the heartiness and lustiness of congregational singing, likening it to the stimulation of hallucinogenic drugs.
And yet in a 1990 British poll, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind" ranked as one of the top ten most-loved hymns!

"Onward Christian Soldiers" is another hymn whose author wouldn't have believed his hastily written hymn could ever be the centre of controversy.

Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was a prolific writer; in fact, it is said that the British Museum shows more titles by him than any other author of the time.
Yet he is remembered today because of this one controversial hymn.
Here is what he said about it: "It was written in a very simple fashion, without thought of publication. Whitmonday is a great day for school festivals in Yorkshire, and one Whitmonday, it was arranged that our school should join forces with that of a neighbouring village. I wanted the children to sing when marching from one village to the other, but couldn't think of anything quite suitable, so I sat up at night, resolved to write something myself.'Onward Christian Soldiers' was the result. It was written in great haste, and I am afraid that some of the rhymes are faulty. I am certain that nothing has surprised me more than its popularity."
You won't find this hymn in our hymnbook; what was once a much-loved hymn written to encourage children in the faith is now considered too militaristic even for adults.

Another hymn lately excluded from our hymnbook is "Rise Up, O Men of God".
It has long been out of popularity because of its masculine language.
Written by William Pierson Merrill (1867-1954), it was a call to the church to recognize its responsibility to care for the body as well as the soul of the individual.
Merrill was a Presbyterian minister who pastored in great American cities and saw the need for church outreach programs as a response to social crises.
During his lifetime, Merrill insisted that one verse in particular never be omitted from the publication of the hymn.
Wouldn't he be surprised to learn that rarely now is any verse published?

And I'm sure the great John Newton (1725-1807), author of the famous "Amazing Grace", #670, would be much amazed by the use to which his hymn is put in one instance today.
Newton was a slaver in his early days who was converted to Christianity while still plying his trade.
Eventually he quit and became an Anglican minister, beginning his pastorate in Olney, England.
He preferred hymns that expressed the same heartfelt faith as his preaching did, and began to write his own-hence "Amazing Grace", which actually speaks of his own conversion.

The conviction expressed in the hymn remained with him for life; shortly before his death he wrote: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: 'That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour!'"
But here's the most "amazing" story about that hymn: since 1947, the ladies of Olney parish hold their annual pancake race on Shrove Tuesday.
They race from the centre of town to the Anglican church, flipping pancakes. At the service that follows, the winner is announced, followed by the singing of "Amazing Grace".
Go figure.

Art Group Report

On April 30, 16 people from our church paid a visit to historic St. Anne's Anglican Church.
Everyone was very impressed with the beauty and history of this unique place in the heart of Toronto.

Here's what we learned on our visit:
The Diocese originated in 1862 and construction of its new and present Byzantine church was started in 1907.
In 1923 the interior had been redecorated by members of the Group of Seven (J.E.H. MacDonald, Franklin Carmichael, and Frederick Varley) as well as several other Canadian artists.
The beautiful stained-glass windows were brought from the original church and date back to at least 1863.

The central dome, which rises over 70 feet, is painted soft gold with many blue stars scattered about.
There are close to 25 major art works, done in a style in keeping with the Byzantine architecture and each artist worked closely with the others to maintain continuity.
The images of Biblical events and people are rendered on canvas and can be removed for cleaning or restoration.

If anyone is interested in visiting St. Anne's, go to www.stannes.on.ca or phone (416) 922-4415.
The church's address is 270 Gladstone Ave., just blocks from Dufferin St. and Dundas St. West.

(Note from Webmaster/Webmistress: We'll have comments and pictures made by those of us who visited posted soon.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Boiler

Why do we need to replace the boiler?

The existing boiler is over 40 years old. It has served us well but just like your own furnace, eventually it has to be replaced. It has broken down a couple of times in the last few years and we have been told that it will be increasingly difficult to find spare parts. We don't want to risk it breaking down in the winter and having to cancel a service because we can't get it fixed in time.

How much is it going to cost?

Based on the quotes we have received so far, it could cost about $50,000. This includes removing the existing boiler and changes to the pipes. We may also have to enlarge the chimney. If so, then this will add to the cost. As soon as we have a firm estimate we will inform the congregation.

When do you plan to install the new boiler? We plan to have the work done during the summer when there is not very much going on in the Church and the weather is warm.

Can't we put if off for a few more years? (cont'd on pg. 10) ("Boiler FAQ" cont'd from pg. 9) With luck, maybe we could put off the decision for a few more years.
However, as well as the inconvenience of getting it fixed (and you know that it will break down for good on the coldest Saturday night of the year), it is very energy inefficient.
Our heating bills more than doubled between 1999 and 2004.
The new boiler, which will consist of two units, will consume less fuel and will give us a back-up if one breaks down.

Over the next several years we will have to replace other items, like the sanctuary roof, so we need to spread out our financial requirements.

How are we going to pay for this?

We have about $70,000 in our Capital Fund.
However, as agreed at our last Annual Meeting, we want to maintain a minimum balance of $50,000 in case of emergencies.
While we may have to "borrow" money from the fund to pay for the new boiler this summer, we want to replenish the fund by the end of the year.
Therefore we plan to raise the $50,000 through fund-raising and individual contributions. A number of committees have indicated their willingness to organize fundraising events this year.
Realistically we may raise about $10,000, leaving about $40,000 that will come from individual contributions.

What can I do? Support our fundraising events. As well as contributing to a good cause you will meet some new people and have a good time.

We ask that you take the time to carefully consider how much you can afford to contribute as an individual or as a family.
Based on 307 members and adherents, this works out to about $130 per person.
If spread out over the next 20 Sundays, this is equivalent to an extra $6.50 per week.
We acknowledge that this may not be possible for some people; on the other hand, we hope that others will be able to contribute more than this.
Only you can decide.
We recognize that replacing the boiler is not very exciting.
However, we pride ourselves in providing a warm and welcoming environment for regulars, newcomers and visitors of all ages in which to worship, and the boiler is certainly an essential ingredient.

If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask any member of the Finance & Maintenance Committee.

Women's Ministry

Maureen Monk

57 women of all ages attended the intergenerational Tea and Bee tea party.
A few treasured memories: tables with flower-filled teapot centrepieces and plates of home-baked goodies; Sarah and Rachel's "very own table" complete with miniature tea set; huge balls of brightly coloured yarn; girls delighting in learning to knit for the first time (they didn't want to leave!); happy chatter of those doing the quilt tying; beautiful decorated crosses for the Extendicare; silver tea service lovingly restored; mother of the bride in daffodil yellow, and hat, hats, everywhere.

Each in attendance will have personal favourites.
Mine: the table of girls seated in front of the worship table where Dana rolled out the purple and white backdrop for Ralph Kendall's wonderful carved figures of the Jerusalem gate, Jesus, disciples, and children.
She told the story of the disciples shooing the children away from Jesus, and as He called them back, each child figure was gently brought up face to face with the figure of Jesus.
The drama was prefaced and followed with the "signing" and singing of "Be Still and Know that I am God".
It was wonderful!! A day to remember!

A few weeks later, Muffin Morning brought 27 women back for more laughter and sharing as we sampled homemade jam and seven varieties of muffins, then gathered in the sanctuary to view and listen to Patsy Clairmont, our "virtual speaker" from 2004 Women of Faith Conference.

The miracle of how God lifted this tiny, fearful, agoraphobic person into a life of joyful celebration, of Irrepressible Hope, was brought to life on the screen!
We laughed, we cried, we sang, and we prayed together.
We left refreshed, encouraged, and strengthened for whatever else the day might hold.

We will have the privilege of having Siosi Palefau share with us Friday, June 3 prior to returning with her family to Tonga.
Details will be announced.
Tell each other; tell your friends.
You won't want to miss it!

Church History

When Robert Robertson Smith, Thelma James' great-grandfather, left Scotland with his bride in 1831, his mother gave him a Bible and admonished him to read it constantly and to observe its teachings.
He kept the Bible until his death and in it he recorded family history.
Here are excerpts from his letter to the Pembroke Observer:


"In 1832 I ascended the Bonnechere and settled at the third Chute.
I never saw priest or minister except when in Bytown, where we got our supplies.
I went to hear Mr Cruickshanks and Mr Strong, the ministers then officiating in Ottawa.
But the Rev. Stephen Brownell heard John Campbell's in Adamston, of some 18 settlers near the third Chute, and about New Year's time ventured up the ice and put up at old Thomas Byers, who kept a stopping place.
The same evening Mr Byers sent his son to tell the settlers there would be Divine service the next day.
I felt so good that a preacher of the gospel thought us worthy of a call that I went two miles after night to see him.
When on arrival at Mr Byers' there were some four persons before me.
The minister thought we had been misinformed about the service.
All looked at me for some explanation.
I declared my delight at having the gospel preached and children baptized in our little settlement that I could not rest till I should see him and bid him a hearty welcome.
All declared that the same feeling brought them out too.
That good man did much good in our settlement and abode with us on the Bonnechere for the three years that he remained…."

R.R. Smith then worked to have a road surveyed and built and a bridge over the Bonnechere River built so that he could travel the 23 miles to church in McNab-the first church built in McNab Township.
The "Canaan Church" was built in 1840 of logs covered with painted clapboards.

"….Mr Brownell visited every three weeks for three years, driving his horse in winter.
In summer I went down eight miles in my canoe for him regularly to Campbell's landing and John M. Ross took him back.
When he left, a reverend gentleman in the Presbyterian church, named Cairns came round often, preaching, baptizing and marrying, and often held Divine service in my house….
So delighted were all of us at the clerical visits of Mr Brownell, that all the settlement attended his services….

How different I find the feelings of the people where I now live, in a new settlement, that the minister had to call a meeting of the people to ascertain the cause of the non-attendance of some, near hand the place of worship, every two weeks.
It must be discouraging to a minister who, after preaching twice, and travelling ten miles to serve us the same day, and on the Sabbath too, finds but few to hear him.
Faithfully he discharges his duty, notwithstanding the indifference of some."

Signed, R.R. Smith
Restoule, Ontario, April 20, 1886

Photo: Courtesy of Thelma James

Congratulations!

His ministry was particularly committed to evangelism, outreach to the marginalized and to dedicated pastoral care.
He is considered a visionary for his work on media ministries.
He served on the Religious Advisory Committee for CFTO television for 30 years, appearing regularly on CTV's program "Focus" and also did filming for religious series such as "Faith Finders" and two children's TV series "Footsteps" and "Nuts and Bolts and Things".
"His life work clearly models and portrays his deep love of his Lord Jesus Christ, his willing spending of himself in reaching out to others and his unequivocal faith in God."

[Reprinted from the February 2005 issue of Connexions, the Knox College magazine.]

Garage Sale

GCPC is joining the community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 28 from 8 a.m. to noon.
We welcome all saleable goods, including sports equipment, books, attic treasures, toys, games, tools, dishes, plants, furniture, and electrical appliances, BUT PLEASE NO CLOTHING.
All donations can be brought to the church on Thursday, May 26 from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Friday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., or on Saturday before 9 a.m.

Volunteers are urgently required to help out with this sale on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Please sign the volunteer form on the bulletin board opposite the minister's office.

Guildwood Day

Volunteers are needed to help with the pancake breakfast on Saturday, June 4.
There are two time slots available: 7:30-9:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and a special request for young men to set up tables from 7-7:30 a.m. and/or 11-11:30 a.m.
Please see the signup sheet on the bulletin board opposite the minister's office.

Food Bank Update

Donations of plastic bags are doing well.
We get about 50 bags per week but we could use more, since the food bank uses 50 bags each day.
Thank you for doing your best to support the food bank.
But as you read in the daily paper, the food bank's supplies are 25 percent below its need.
Please keep giving all you can as summer approaches.

Summer Help

Planning a summer vacation and have no one to cut the grass, water the plants, or care for your pets?
A youth from your congregation would be happy to help.
Please contact Scott Alexander at (416) 261-5203.
Rates are very reasonable and we guarantee that your lawn will be expertly groomed, your plants will be watered regularly, and your pets will be cared for with lots of love.

Trying to decide how to keep the kids entertained and well supervised over the summer without spending a huge amount on camps and daycare?
Dayna Alexander would be happy to take care of your children in your home.
Dayna has three years' experience working at the Sunshine Childcare Centre and is entering college in September to take ECE.
Please call Dayna at (416) 458-7066.