Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wow, what a wonderful weekend of celebration for our 170th anniversary as a church. The festivities began already last Wednesday when we were treated to a noon hour concert featuring Annette Haas who shared some wonderful memories of her Dad and also sang beautifully with the Leith Quartet. She sang Purple Rain by Prince and told how her Dad came to understand Prince as a brilliant artist breaking new territory in music. Andrew Hight and May Yan organized the three events on the weekend and all were received with warmth, love and laughter. On Saturday night, Iona Hall was filled with a buzz of conversation, reconnecting with friends, a delicious meal as well as the announcement of the establishment of the Future Media Fund which will ensure a strong hybrid ministry for years to come. Larry McIntyre gave an excellent review of the history of both radio and tv ministry by St. Andrew’s and St. Peter’s, highlighting the importance of being media savvy as a congregation in the past, present and future. Sunday morning featured the Rev. Dr. Vern Tozer, who helped guide the congregation through difficult times 20 years ago, and again helped us to have faith in God today and in the days ahead. The music in the service organized by our Director of Music, Ann-Marie MacDairmid and our Sanctuary Choir Director, Gord Burnett, spilled over into a full-blown concert in the evening and it was spectacular. The concert featured the organ, trumpets and two harps, together with our choral scholars. It was quite the evening. A warm word of appreciation to all who were part of the organizing team and all who participated. May we continue to make beautiful music together as God’s people in many different ways.
This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. Typically it is a celebration of family life, of the love and dedication of mothers and mothering figures in our lives. We recognize that there are many different kinds of families and we salute them all and all who play a mothering role within them. This year, we recognize families in crisis around the world, particularly in Gaza and in Israel. What is unfolding in Gaza has created a spike in ant-Semitism and Islamophobia around the world. As a church we need to speak out against such hatred. At the same time, for the sake of families, we need to do more. The Presbyterian Church in Canada urges the Government of Canada to:
● Call for an immediate ceasefire to allow aid into Gaza, protect civilians, and uphold human rights.
● Take decisive action to prevent further suffering in Gaza and advocate for increased humanitarian aid and support for Gaza's population, particularly those on the brink of starvation.
● Urge conflicting parties to allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid organizations to deliver life-saving assistance to Gaza.
● Substantially increase Canada’s aid envelope to Palestine and occupied territories in order to help meet the critical needs for food, health services, shelter, clean water, and psycho-social support.
● Appeal to all parties in Israel and Palestine to adhere to international humanitarian law, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and prioritize the protection of civilians.
● Call for an immediate resumption of dialogue towards a lasting peace agreement between all parties.
● Press for immediate release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners and detainees.
● Condemn relentless attacks on media freedom and on journalists, and contribute support for the reinstatement of communication infrastructures and media outlets in Gaza as a means of addressing the dearth of reliable and trustworthy information.
● Ensure sustained, safe access to all health facilities in order to supply them with urgently needed lifesaving healthcare on a regular basis.
● Support publicly the international efforts for accountability and justice through legal mechanisms, including the International Court of Justice.
On Sunday, two local women will be speaking to the congregation about "The resilience and resistance of Palestinian women living under occupation"
Here is a bio for both Hannah Marie Carter and Laura Ashfield:
Hannah and Laura grew up in the congregation of Knox Waterloo. They each were selected as representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Canada at the International Young Adults Conference hosted in Israel and Palestine by the Palestinian Christian grassroots organization, Sabeel in 2008 and 2009. They were each so impacted by what they witnessed that they returned together in 2009/10 to visit Israeli and Palestinian organizations working for peace and justice.
Hannah returned a third time as staff at the Sabeel conference in 2010. She now is a Waterloo business owner and professional photographer. Laura worked for Canadian Friends of Sabeel in 2015 and completed her Master's thesis on Palestinian identity and political action. Hannah and Laura have spoken about Israel and Palestine on University campuses and at churches across Canada.
As well, I have contacted my local MP, the Honorable Bardish Chagger and asked for a meeting with her to impress upon her the importance of these calls to action. Because I live in Waterloo, I have contacted Ms. Chagger. I invite any of you who may be willing to join with me.
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, this Sunday, may we do so knowing that we are speaking out for families everywhere.
Take care
Rev. Marty Molengraaf (he, him)
Minister, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church