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St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Kitchener, Ontario
Vol. 15 No. 4
Friday, April 13, 2007
In this Issue:
 Joy Rickert and Mike Cassidy share a laugh at the Soup, Sandwich and Socialize lunch in March. |
 Some of the Communicants and Youth gather on Sunday morning for a lively discussion of faith. |
  Mike Whiffin, left, and Michael Rea pitched in to make the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper a great success. Proceeds went to the Social Endowment Fund. |
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Concert features outstanding Ramessar
Musical talent abounds in this area, but on Saturday, May 5th, we're in for a real treat!
Kevin Ramessar, noted award-winning guitarist, will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The event is a fundraiser for Camp Kummoniwannago and anyone who has heard this talented young man play knows that the concert will be exceptional.
A two time winner of First Place for guitar at the Canadian Music Competitions, he has delighted listeners and critics with music that is passionate, lyrical and entirely satisfying according to reviewers. He has performed extensively across Canada, featured on the CBC, WNED and other TV and radio programs. He has appeared at the National Arts Centre, the Glenn Gould Studio, Roy Thompson Hall, the Stratford Festival Theatre, and other major centres across Canada. He has been invited to perform with several Canadian orchestras, including Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo. Guelph, London, North Bay, and the Stratford Festival Orchestra.
In a smaller venue, Kevin has been a guest artist at our own Noon Hour Concerts and has been guest soloist at morning services at St. Andrew's. He is always enthusiastically received.
Kevin lives in Kitchener-Waterloo and is currently on staff at Conrad Grebel University College, and directs instrumental music at Woodland Christian High School.
Camp Kummoniwannago staff and the camp committee are thrilled to be able to present this concert, which is sure to attract a large audience. Tickets are $12.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door.
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Accepts youth position
Jacqui Foxall, seen here with husband Matt, has been hired as Youth Worker at St. Andrew's.
Jacqui Foxall has accepted the post of Youth Worker at St. Andrew's, subject to approval by the Knox College placement board. Jacqui, a certified candidate for the ministry and presently studying at Knox, is required as part of her training, to do a field placement during the '07-'08 year.
She has been working with the youth of St. Andrew's on a volunteer basis and together she and her husband, Matt, provide leadership for a vibrant group of young people each week at the church, both on Friday nights and Sunday mornings.
In accepting this job, she will devote 10 hours a week to the youth program, for which she will be paid, and then put in 10 volunteer hours in other areas of the church in order to fulfill her Knox requirement. The contract position is from April 1, 2007 until June 30, 2008, with a two month break in the summer.
Jacqui is the head of the Knox Student Council. During the summer she will be heading off to Princeton University in New Jersey, to study towards a specialized certificate in youth ministry. She will spend three summers studying for that qualification.
She has formed a strong bond with the youth of the congregation and a sizable group of young people make weekly attendance at the youth group meetings a priority in their lives.
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Change to one service
On Sunday, April 15th St. Andrew's will begin meeting at 10:30 a.m., combining the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services into a single service.
The move was made due to declining numbers at the 11:00 a.m. service, which in part is due to the decision to have the Sanctuary Choir sing only at 9:30 a.m.
The Kirk Session engaged in a lively debate before reaching a decision.
Although a substantial number of people
were against the move, the vote was in favour of consolidating in a single service at 10:30.
It is difficult to pick a time that will suit every person, but 10:30 was chosen
as being probably the most accommodating for the greatest number.
Parking possibly will be a bit challenging, so those who are fit and able are asked to help out by parking perhaps a little further afield (Roy St., the Court House lot, the lot between St. Andrew's and Zion) in order to make it easier for those who have difficulty walking a longer distance.
Church school responds to water campaign
The children of the church school have been engaged in a fundraising project since the beginning of February to help support the Presbyterian World Service and Development project "Living Water - Enough for All".
In February jars of soup mix were assembled and sold for a suggested donation of $5.00. In March children have been engaged in the "Read with a Mission" part of the project, getting parents and friends to pledge a certain amount for every book from the church library that the child completes. As well, a water awareness component was offered, helping the children to realize how valuable is the resource that we take so much for granted here in Canada. Eight PWS&D envelopes went home with each child and they had the option of using those envelopes for their weekly collection.
The mission wraps up on April 15th. At press time it appeared that the children had raised close to $1000.
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Search committee
The Search Committee continues to pursue the goal of finding a second full time minister for St. Andrew's whose focus will be on pastoral care in the congregation
Applications are beginning to arrive, and the committee is assessing them, and pondering the list of questions that will be asked of each candidate interviewed.
The ministerial opportunity is posted on the website of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, along with St. Andrew's Congregational Profile in order to let potential applicants know that the position is available, and to acquaint them with the demographics of our congregation.
The committee is anxious that the process not be rushed, in order to be able to make the best possible recommendation to our congregation.
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Consider power and meaning of appearances
New photo directory planned for fall
Dear Friends:
It is my hope that the Easter season has been a time of restoration and hope for you and your family. For those who suffer, Easter is a time to remember that Christ ultimately conquers all pain. For those who are uncertain about the future, Easter is a time to remember that we are all headed towards victory in Christ. For those who grieve, Easter is a time to remember that our loved ones are alive in the resurrection of Christ, and that we will meet them again in glory. Easter is a season of such wonder and joy that it is a shame is passes by so quickly. But wait, Easter is not over; Easter is a season of forty days leading to the day of ascension.
During the forty day season of Easter we are called to consider the power and meaning of Christ's post resurrection appearances. We accept his resurrection with unbounded joy, but now we must ask why he was raised, and how we can respond to his resurrection. The secret to understanding the power of the resurrection for today is found in Jesus' words to his disciples following the resurrection. Jesus only has a brief period of forty days to affirm and solidify the goal of his actions and ministry before the day of ascension when he is taken back to the father until the time of his return. The resurrected Christ does not waste any time or words in this period.
In Matthew 28:10 the disciples were terrified by the growing anti-Christian sentiment in Jerusalem. To those disciples the resurrected Christ said, "Do not be afraid!" In Mark 16:15 the disciples were ready to give up the cause of the gospel. To those disciples the resurrected Christ said "Preach the gospel to the whole human race!" In Luke 24:37 the disciples doubted the reality of Christ's resurrection. To them the resurrected Christ said, "Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?" In John 20:21 the disciples felt abandoned by God. The resurrected Christ breathed on those disciples and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit!"
The resurrected Christ ministered with a sense of urgency and a great economy of words. Those words address the greatest needs and fears of all Christians. If you are ever in a time of fear, defeat, doubt or loneliness, recall the words of the resurrected Christ: "Do not he afraid!", "Preach the gospel to the whole human race!", "Why are these doubts coming up in your minds?" and "Receive the Holy Spirit!" The words of the resurrected Christ will focus your thoughts. After forty days of post resurrection appearances Christ ascended into heaven until the day of his return. Ten days later, during Pentecost, God poured out his Holy Spirit to walk beside us until the return of Christ.
God bless you and your family. I pray you will enjoy the rest of the season of Easter which lasts until May 17th this year.
Your Friend, Mark Lewis
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New church officers
The Kirk Session has approved the nomination of Catherine Hertel as the new Clerk of Session, replacing Ken Cressman, whose term had been completed.
Robert Hadley has been named Assistant Clerk. Bruce Hymmen is the Assistant Chair of the Pastoral Council.
John DeSchiffart will take on the responsibility of Presbytery Representative.
Former Assistant Clerks Shirley Gallinger and Al Cleghorn also have finished their terms of office.
An alternate representative to presbytery will be named, and a second Assistant Clerk of Session is being sought as well.
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By DONNA HODKGINSON
It's been a number of years since St. Andrew's published the last members' photo directory. And simply put, it's time for an update. When this was mentioned to the Rev. Mark Lewis, he quickly appealed to the Session to pass a motion putting the suggestion into action. This is what has happened to date.
A number of Session members have offered to assist with this project. That's very encouraging! We will soon be asking for more helpers from the congregation.
Discussions with a professional photographer have given insight into completing this project using the technological advances of the day. The photographer has kindly offered voluntary assistance to help us complete the project in house.
The Church office staff has willingly attempted to produce a database of families to be included in the photo directory. When this is available in complete and correct form, printing of the directory can occur - and not until. As you can imagine, this is a key starting point.
Consideration has been given to creating a 'pilot' run of the directory with a small number of families participating. This will help work out the bugs before we proceed to request photos from the full congregation.
If you would like to be involved in this `pilot' run, here's how you can help:
Using a digital camera, ask a friend or neighbour to take a photo of your family. (This should include only those family members who live at your address or consider your address to be home base. Try to keep the photo background plain if at all possible or snap the photo outdoors with greenery in the background.)
Attach the file and send it by e-mail to donnhodg@golden.net or hand the file into the church office on a CD or disk before May 7th.
List your family's names with your submission.
If you don't have a digital camera but you are willing to submit a photo, take a picture with a regular camera and then ask the developer to make a CD version for you to give to the church office. Or, if you have a good photo of your family that can be scanned to make a digital image, please submit it to the church office. We will scan it and your photo will be returned. (Note that professional photos are copyrighted and cannot be submitted for use in this directory.)
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Our Milestones
Deaths
We mourn
Smith, Doris, Waterloo, February 15, 2007
Devitt, James, Waterloo, February 13, 2007
Martin, John, Kitchener, February 20, 2007
Fereiro, Milton, Kitchener, February 13, 2007
Mitchell, Jean, Kitchener, February 24, 2007
Metler, Barbara, Kitchener, February 25,2007
Ditner, Marie, Waterloo, March 1, 2007
Dick, Dorothy, Waterloo, March 3, 2007
Robertson, Mary "Molly", Kitchener, March 9, 2007
Fitton, Elaine, Waterloo, March 24, 2007
Comments or suggestions are most welcome.