The Burning Bush St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston Summer 2015
the balanced winged platforms on an infinite, inexhaustible font. ‘Ho, if you are thirsty, come down to the water; ho, if you are hungry, come and sit and eat.’ This is the present, at last. This is the now, this flickering, broken light, this air that the wind of the future presses down my throat, pumping me buoyant and giddy with praise. I think I shall make Dillard’s repeated phrase my theme song these weeks ahead. Beside the rivers, ‘I never merited this grace.’ In a city and nation built by many before me, ‘I never merited this grace.’ In the midst of the summer festivals of creativity, from art in the park to outdoor concerts, ‘I never merited this grace.’ Surrounded by the abundance of Market Square and the joy of a backyard BBQ, ‘I never merited this grace’. With breath and blood in this season of life, ‘I never merited this grace.’ And ‘giddy with praise’ I know I shall be. I look forward to our summer services of praise, of gratitude, and of worship. Andrew Johnston
From the Minister’s Desk…
I look forward to walking along the Bow River in Alberta and the Fort Nelson River in British Columbia while visiting our ‘girls’. Even now, as I enjoy a daily walk along the Inner Harbour near our home, I think of a passage by Annie Dillard in her book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. … I never merited this grace, that when I face upstream I scent the virgin breath of mountains, I feel a spray of mist on my cheeks and lips, I hear a ceaseless splash and susurrus, a sound of water not merely poured smoothly down air to fill a steady pool, but tumbling live about, over, under, around, between, through an intricate speckling of rock … I never merited this grace, that when I face upstream I see light on the water careening towards me, inevitably, freely, down a graded series of terraces like
Included in this Issue…
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From the Minister’s Desk Thoughts From The Editor Church Family Photo Album 1 When My Husband Died… Kim Mills and the Environment Introducing Our Summer Students Christian Journey Series Presbyterian Church News The Poets’ Corner Christian Salvage Mission Spring Cleanup Photo’s Tower Restoration Update A Boy, Twelve Sheep & Prayers The Lighter Side of Saints Church Family Photo Album 2 Album of Prayerful Meditations Back Cover: St. A ndrew’s Windows
T houghts From the E ditor…
I have always loved a great mystery. But my favorite always has been the series That still plays in reruns. Columbo. An unassuming, bumbling sort of chap, Columbo intuitively knows the guilty one. Right from the start. The delight is in watching how he traps this person Into confessing their guilt. I have such little patience for a slowly unraveling plot. With these stories, if possible, I skip to the end first. Yes, I love a mystery, as long as the answers are not too long in forthcoming. In my message to our congregation in May, About my journey to India, I included a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A man whose words and life Have done much to guide my life and inspire my heart. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said in regard to our journeys,
“There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.” While I embrace the beautiful mystery inherent in this thought, Again I stand guilty of wanting to know that which is unknown. Far too quickly. As a Christian I am caught up in the apparent dilemma Of desiring an accepting spirit, One of contentment, While relentlessly striving for answers. I desire contentment, but it is striving that comes naturally. There is a secret fear in me That contentment might really Be complacency. “…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content..” (Philippians 4: 11) I confess that I am still striving to be content. God, however, has been gracious to my life, patiently drawing me To lean more on Him. I am a work in progress.
I am not unlike Peter who could walk on the troubled water As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. But sank when he looked to himself. I get wet a lot. But there is Hope. I know for certainty that I am Under His wings, safely abiding. I feel His hand on my shoulder. And so, while striving for contentment, I am also ..pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) So then, what about that meaning in my journey that is still unknown to myself? To this I smile inwardly. God’s mysteries are His. And with that I have no choice but to be content. Ada Mallory
Our St. Andrew’s Staff, united for an Orientation Session by the Personnel Committee
Note the ducks checking us out...
Church Family Photo Album 1
Larry House With Trumpet on Easter Sunday
Easter Lilies Donated by Congregational Members for Easter Sunday
New Members For St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston April 21, 2015 Left to Right: Karen and David Fabian, Marilyn And Peter Trudeau, Al and Barb Zabel, Rose DeShaw, Jamie Summers, Wendy Worling and Ralph Kendall
When My Husband Died I was Lost For Words There was a policeman at my door asking me to identify myself. He looked serious. It was a bright sunny day in July and I was feeling at peace with the world. Did I have a husband named Richard? “Well, yes, but everyone calls him Dick,” I said. “His dinner’s in the oven right now.” He frowned. “I’m sorry to tell you that your husband…” he began-‐ at this most opportune time, an old joke ran through my head: A tactless policeman asks a woman if she is the Widow Brown and she says she isn’t a widow and he says, “Well, you are now.” I had even laughed.-‐ “died suddenly on the golf course.” The officer concluded. “Pinch me,” I said when he finished. “This doesn’t feel real. It’s not like he’d been sick.” He took a step back. “Go turn off the oven.” he said. I went slowly to the kitchen. Of course he couldn’t pinch me, I thought. That would be common assault. I switched the oven off. Maybe there was a mistake. The policeman was still standing in the living room, frowning. “Can I go see him?” I asked. “I’ll drive you,” he said with a look of relief. “Is there anyone you should call?” “Not right now,” I said as we left the house. He held open the
cruiser and I got in the passenger seat, chattering away as though silence between us would be a bad thing. “He loved that old course the city built on the dump site,” I babbled. “He started caddying when he was 10 and now he’s 76…” We talked golf till we reached the course, which was full of puddles. I stopped talked as he manoeuvred his big car around the slippery cart paths. Ahead of us, on the third hole, I could see the manager and another man who introduced himself as a detective. My husband’s body was lying peacefully on the grass. Then I realized that this was the exact hole he had designated for his ashes someday. “Since it already has all my golf balls,” he would say. I identified the body, hugged the manager and shook hands with the detective. Then I went home to start on a mountain of social protocol and paperwork that began like snowfall and avalanched to take over every waking hour. Dick had just watched the PBS series Cosmos. “I can hardly wait to go!” he’d said. I’d heard his cosmology talk before-‐ that we were in eternity right now (otherwise it wouldn’t be eternal, he’d say)-‐ and that there weren’t just those two arbitrary places where organized religion says we go when we die, but millions of universes and solar systems to explore. By now I could probably
repeat this scientific take on the afterlife in my sleep. So when people began the usual expression “Sorry you lost your husband,” I’d say quickly: “Oh, he’s not lost. I know where he is. The cosmos, you see…” And they’d nod, nervously. “Sorry to hear about your husband,” they’d say more often, leaving out the loss part after perhaps having heard how I respond. “Nobody’s been glad yet,” I’d say shortly. No matter how I tried to remember to just say a simple “Thanks”, it just wouldn’t come. Never having been a hugger, sudden arms being thrown around me without warning were even worse. While I knew the intent was kindly, I hadn’t had any time to practice responding. I was not sorry that he hadn’t suffered; that he’d gotten to go where he always longed to be; that he’d died in the place he most loved, with people who loved him back. If I went to pieces, as so many probably well intentioned souls predicted, that would simply be self pity. I could only be happy for Dick, so I set about getting on with all those things with which we had been involved-‐ the list of friends to notify, the 12-‐step study we’d led together-‐ nervously looking over my shoulder for potential huggers as I did so.
About a week ago, a man we knew approached me. “How’s your husband?” he asked. “Dead,” I said, as usual. Then I caught myself. Remember? You were going to try to do this better. “My husband died about a month ago,” I added. “And your dog?” he inquired anxiously, as though there was some connection. “Our dog died several years ago?” I said, confused. “Oh, that poor dog,” he said. Then he walked away.
I smiled. He wasn’t any better at this than I was. I promised myself and loudly proclaimed that I would never say “Sorry to hear about your husband” to anyone again. Instead, I would tell an anecdote about him, or make an observation or offer a remembrance. Right after that, I ran into a woman who had been a caregiver for her elderly father and had listened to me
talk about how hard it was not to turn to the usual phrases when the subject came up. “My father just died,” she told me. And I spat out the words automatically: “Oh, I’m so sorry,” I said, giving her an unasked-for hug. Right away, by the look on her face, I could see we both remembered what I had solemnly vowed not to do. With my arms still around her, we both began to laugh.
A poem about laughter found in The Presbyterian Witness on May 28, 1910: A Laugh
A laugh is just like music It freshens all the day. It tips the peaks of life with light, And drives the clouds away; The soil grows glad that hears it, And feels its courage strong A laugh is just like sunshine for cheering folks along. A laugh is just like music, It lingers in the air, And where its melody is heard The ills of life depart, And happy thoughts come crowding Its joyful notes to greetA laugh is just like music For making the life sweet
By “The Friend” (and yes, this was the name provided)
Rose Deshaw is a contributing Writer and a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston Things God won’t ask on That Day…
God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation. God won't ask the square footage of your house. He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet. He'll ask how many you helped to clothe. God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it. God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability. God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived. He'll ask how you treated your neighbors. God won't ask about the color of your skin. He'll ask about the content of your character. Inspirational Christian Story. Unknown author.
The Environment and Social Initiatives K im Sutherland M ills ,
initially, and like so many of us, seems to be a contradiction within herself. As a child growing up in London, Ontario, she loved the quieter indoor pursuits of reading, cooking, baking. She loved to sing. But her great passion was for the great outdoors, as well. And its health. At a very young age, she determined that she would like to become a librarian. Consequently as a young adult, she attended the University of Western Ontario, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master’s degree in Library History. She added during an interview that she particularly loved the research aspect of history.
But that passion for being in the great outdoors, for the environment, never went away. Kim admits to being greatly influenced by time spent with her grandparents as she was growing up. Spending time outdoors at their home, and her summers at a trailer in Goderich, kindled that love for the land, that need to protect it. Also strongly influenced by a particular book about the climate, entitled, “This Changes Everything: Capitalism VS the Climate” by Naomi Klein (how the economics of capitalism actually contribute to the compromise of our physical environment), Kim chose a lifestyle of reducing her imprint on the world. She consequently has chosen to make clear distinctions between that
which are her wants and that which are her needs. Kim’s early years did not include regular church attendance. But God drew her to Himself in a unique way. God used her natural interest in history and in her Scottish genealogy, to inspire attendance in a small Presbyterian Church in Ilderton, Ontario. It was here that her dating with and subsequent marriage to Andrew Mills occurred. Kim adds that her spiritual life as a child was also influenced by her paternal grandparents. Singing hymns, especially “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, with them is one of her fondest memories. As well, during those university years, she had a close friend, a strong Christian, who encouraged her to attend church faithfully.
Social involvements, especially those involving literacy programs and involving small children have addressed her innate concern for people. Her career as a Librarian has satisfied her interest in books, in research, in history. Her joy of singing has been and continues to be satisfied through full participation in St. Andrew’s Choir. Her joy of domestic pursuits, is satisfied through her love of cooking, baking and gardening. Her involvement with the Blue Dot Program now incorporates her love and concern for the earth, with her desire to become part of the environmental solution.
Kim Sutherland Mills
In the end, those aspects of Kim’s personality that initially appeared contradictory, are now shown to be in truth balanced and simply reflect a spirit both caring and socially driven. Henry David Thoreau wrote so many years ago
“Live your beliefs and you can turn the world around” Kim Sutherland Mills would wholeheartedly concur.
Editor
The Blue Dot Movement
In 2014, Kim Sutherland Mills, a member of St. Andrew’s congregation in Kingston, and by nature socially and environmentally conscious, volunteered to co-‐ordinate the Blue Dot movement in Kingston. This organization, supported by the David Suzuki Foundation, was subsequently launched in September, its goals including governmental recognition of our right to a healthy environment — breathing fresh air, drinking clean water and eating healthy food, in particular. The Blue Dot Movement also stresses as one of its goals the rights of Canadians, both nationally and locally, to participate in government decisions related to the environment, as well as the right to know about pollutants that are released into our environment. For more information concerning this movement locally: contact
[email protected]. Kim and Andy Mills at the launching of the Blue Dot Movement on St. Andrew’s lawn, during the Week of March 7-‐14, 2015
Introducing …. Summer Students at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston 2015 Church Tours
St. Andrew’s has been awarded funding from the Canada Summer Jobs program again this year to hire two students to work as Cultural Interpreters. Along with some additional funding identified by Session, we will be able to employ two university students from mid June until the end of August, to welcome and engage visitors to St. Andrew’s Church during the summer tourist season. We would like to announce that Chloe Grande and Annie Dilworth have been hired to fill these rolls. Chloe has completed her degree in English, and will be pursuing graduate work in Journalism this fall. She is passionate about local history, speaks French and Italian as well, and has experience as a historical interpreter. Annie is completing her third year in English Literature and History and has been a volunteer at the Museum of Health Care in Kingston over the past year, as well as having some marketing experience. Chloe and Annie are looking forward to expanding how we draw visitors into the church, as well as involving youth-‐ and adults-‐as volunteers.
Andy Mills
“I'm honoured and excited to be working as a cultural interpreter this summer at St. Andrew's. In addition to learning more about the church's history, I'm eager to meet members of the congregation. I'm looking forward to everything St. Andrew's has to offer! “
Chloe Grande
Annie Dilworth
“I look forward to working with and m eeting everyone. Having lived in Kingston for 3 years as a Queen's student, I look forward to becoming more involved in the city itself and learning more about it, as well as joining the St. Andrew's community this summer. I can't w ait for the season to begin.”
Christian Journey Series… Only three pounds at her birth in the hamlet of Tweed, Ontario, Beverly was quite likely not expected to survive. Her incubator was the open door of a wood stove. She was the second daughter in a family that eventually included three girls. Beverly’s father worked for the local bakery doing home bread deliveries as well as doing some part time work at a wood veneer factory. Her mother, mostly a stay at home parent, did some part time work at a local canning factory. Both of Beverly’s parents had musical abilities. Her mother played the piano and guitar and her father played the trumpet. These musical gifts, however, were not often incorporated into their family life. Beverly survived, but remained small for her age. Quiet, timid but with a genuine concern for others even then, Beverly was often bullied in her early years. Her diminutive size and sensitive nature made her an easy target. She recalls that those early years of childhood were difficult. Even then she states that “I always had a sense of being on the outside looking in.” In Beverly’s middle school years, she became very athletic and participated enthusiastically in school Field Day competitions. But she reminisced, with a twinge of residual childhood pain still intact, that while she was a top performer, her accomplishments were diminished due to not being one of the ‘popular’ children. Pain, however, if allowed, can be a powerful teacher in one’s life. Beverly learned through her pain and isolation in school especially, the impact of genuine and unexpected kindness. She recalled how it was the mayor of the village of Tweed who had the insight and grace to see her childhood angst and who went out of his way to affirm her sense of self worth. The impact that this one particularly caring adult made on her life, greatly influenced the direction her life would eventually take. Neither of Bev’s parents attended a church in her early life, but Bev and her two sisters quite often attended a Sunday School at a nearby United Church. Bev became especially fond of one of her Sunday School teachers who presented her with a book of Bible Stories, a book
which Bev treasures to this day. Bev’s spiritual journey continued in her later years while attending Grace Bible Chapel in Kingston, and it was here that her parents’ spiritual journey eventually began. When asked what her happiest memories of those early years were, she paused and said reflectively, that it was the time spent with her paternal grandparents and her extended family. This was her source of stability and acceptance; also quality time with her father on his bread delivery truck, with her referring to him as her “Daddy Dumpling” (from an old Donna Fargo song). Bev inherited much musical talent from her parents, learning to play the guitar, piano and tambourine. She loved to sing and enjoyed being in choirs. Eventually, as a young adult living in Kingston, she teamed up with a close friend, Marion, and together they travelled and performed in various locations. Bev Admittedly, for a time, she drifted spiritually, but she was eventually drawn back to her faith and she made a recommitment to God’s service. Their gospel musical group, now named Faith, Hope and Charity, was asked to perform in prison ministries involving the Pittsburgh Annex of Joyceville Penitentiary, Collins Bay and Kingston Penitentiary.
Having spent much of her early years feeling as if she were on the outside, Bev’s empathy for the disenfranchised in society became more focused. Music became an increasingly larger part of her life. She became well known for her organizational abilities. For her kindness and love for people. For her spiritual and social commitment. It was these qualities that brought her name forward when the Special Meals Program, having run at St. Andrew’s for 30 years, was in danger of collapsing following a flood in Gill Hall. A new Co-‐ordinator was desperately needed to revive the program. Bill Esford, during the pastorate of Rev. Chris Walker, recommended Bev Woodcock for this ministry.
After much prayerful consideration, Bev accepted this responsibility, and with love, she took upon herself the burden of the disadvantaged, the homeless, those who live on the fringe of our society. And she has continued to do this extraordinary task with grace and dignity, showing genuine respect to all who come to her tables. And it is obvious to those of us who have assisted at these meals, that she is greatly loved and respected by her clients in return. When asked where her strength comes from, Bev is quick to say it is from her faith, from her relationship with God. Her favorite bible verse is a paraphrase from 1 Chronicles 4:9 and reads:
“Bless me today, bless me indeed. Broaden my territory that your hand be with me And keep me from evil that I might not cause pain For others.” Bev, you have been blessed indeed. For you have fed the hungry You have loved the unloved And your grace has eased their pain. Editor
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Update… At the end of May, I had the privilege of participating in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) events taking place in Ottawa to mark the ending of a five-‐year commission led by the government to work towards a more positive relationship and future with the Aboriginal peoples of Canada. For the past 5 years, Canada has been working hard on addressing one of the most difficult parts of their past—how we treated those that were in Canada before us. Back in the 1800’s, when settlers from Europe arrived in Canada, they came with one goal in mind: assimilation. Throughout my time in Ottawa, I was exposed to an overwhelming amount of new information and wisdom from Aboriginal elders, adults, and youth; social rights activists of all ages; leaders in the church; and more. But though these people were describing moments of complete despair and emotional turmoil, they then turned to a message of hope. They spoke of forgiveness and called upon us as brothers and sisters to take the time to listen, accept, and move forward—not dwelling on the past, and not forgetting it, but using it to work towards a better future. I encourage you, my family at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, people that I know are incredibly supportive, caring, and giving, to read more about the events of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. I look forward to seeing you all July 12th when I will share more of my experiences, and until then I will leave you with a quote from Joe Clark, former Prime Minister and now honourary commissioner to the TRC. “We need a society in which all of us have pride in our heritage.”
Allison Dyjach
Nepal Earthquake Update
May 12, 2015
Please continue to pray for the people of Nepal as they deal with the fear and destruction caused by a second massive earthquake. The 7.3 magnitude quake hits two weeks after the worst earthquake the country has experienced in over 80 years. PWS&D will continue to respond to the ongoing needs created by this natural disaster. Through the ACT Alliance, we are helping provide food, water, shelter and psychosocial support. ACT Alliance partner staff in Nepal are all reported to be fine. They continue to provide immediate relief and look towards longer-‐term rehabilitation support. You can make a donation to PWS&D through your church, by mailing a cheque to the office, donating online or calling 1-‐800-‐ 619-‐7301 x291. Please mark all donations as “Nepal Earthquake.” Please Give Today. The Cruel Face of Disaster Author of Photograph Unknown
Honouring Residential School Survivors: “The Witness Blanket” Unveiled… In advance of the closing ceremonies of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which begins May 31, The Presbyterian Church in Canada was represented at the local launch of the nationally touring exhibit, The Witness Blanket, on display at Ottawa City Hall until July 10, 2015. The Witness Blanket is a wooden carved double-‐layer “blanket” with 887 historical artifacts reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures including friendship centres, band offices, treatment centres and universities from across Canada. A number of items in the blanket can be witnessed closer online—a child’s lost shoe, written poems, a school door handle—even, Gordon Williams, a retired PCC sadly, a part of a school strap that belonged to Birtle School, one of two operated by The minister & Residential School Presbyterian Church in Canada. survivor, stands at Witness B lanket in Ottawa The Witness Blanket project is inspired by a woven blanket, a universal symbol of protection. For many First Nations people, the blanket identifies “who we are and where we’re from” and is worn in ceremonies and given as gifts. Blankets protect the young and comfort the elders. The Witness Blanket stands as a national monument to recognize the atrocities of the Indian residential school era, honour the children and symbolize ongoing reconciliation. Visit The Witness Blanket project for more information on the artist and tour dates across Canada. For more information on The Presbyterian Church in Canada and historical resources such as the Brief History of Residential Schools and the PCC Healing and Reconciliation Efforts, please visit the Healing & Reconciliation webpage.
presbyterianchurchofcanada.ca
Responding to Conflict in Syria In a sea of women at a meeting of Syrian refugee parents whose children attend a preschool in Lebanon, Latif Anaoun stands out. The 34 year-‐old father wishes it was his wife at the meeting. But she can’t be there – she died during childbirth, along with their infant. They are yet more victims of the conflict in Syria. As his little son, Leith, 6, cuddles on his lap, Anaoun remembers his family’s comfortable middle class life in Syria. “Here, we are suffering to eat,” he says. “I am not able to provide for my child,” he says. Back in Syria, Anaoun owned a cosmetics shop. He worked there as long as he could after the war started, but soon the fighting was coming closer and closer. People were getting killed. He didn’t feel safe anymore. After he closed the shop, Anaoun drove a taxi in order to earn money. But soon that became dangerous, too. Anaoun was especially worried about his wife, pregnant with their second child. There was only one thing he felt they could do—leave Syria. Latif Anaoun and his son Leith After selling a few things to get money, but not arouse suspicion, the family left in the middle of the night. They traveled to the Lebanese border, finding a place to live in Beirut. He was glad to be out of Syria, but things weren’t going well with his wife’s pregnancy. Although it’s possible for Syrians to receive medical care in Lebanon, the hospitals are overworked and overwhelmed due to the influx of so many refugees. When her health began to deteriorate, he made the difficult decision to take her back to Syria, where he knew they would be able to see a doctor. But by then it was too late. The Syrian doctors did what they could, but Anaoun lost his wife, only 31 years old, and the baby during childbirth. After she was laid to rest, he brought Leith back to Beirut. “It feels like a dream,” he says of the past few months. “Like a nightmare.” One thing that makes their lives a little easier is the food vouchers Anaoun receives from Canadian Foodgrains Bank [through a program supported by PWS&D and other CFGB members]*. “We could be on the street if it weren’t for this,” he says of the vouchers. Anaoun works as a courier but is drastically underpaid like most other Syrians in Lebanon. The vouchers allow Anaoun to save money on food so he can pay his portion of the rent in the tiny apartment he and Leith share with 18 other people. He hopes that one day his son can enjoy peace—like he did, Anaoun and Leith share a small apartment with 18 other before the war. “When the bombing stops, we will go back.” We just want to go home. eople in Beirut, Lebanon
Please pray for the people of Syria during this time of great uncertainty. Help ensure families who have been uprooted from their homes will receive critical, life-‐saving assistance and hope for the future. You can make a donation through your church offering, by mailing a cheque to the PWS&D office, calling us at 1-‐800-‐ 619-‐7301 ext. 291 Thank you for your compassion and generosity!
The Poets’ Corner… I asked the Lord…
I Have a Dream
I asked Him for Strength and God gave me Heartache. I asked Him for Wisdom and He gave me Troubles. I asked Him for Wealth and God gave me a job. Then I asked Him for Courage to overcome all. I asked for Love and God showed m e the poor. I got nothing I w anted. I received all I needed. I asked Him for Joy and He showed me His Grief. I asked Him for Peace and He showed me our World. I asked Him for Health and He showed me the Sick. Then I asked for His Will and He said “Peace Be Still”. I asked for Love and God showed me the Cross. I got nothing I w anted. I received all His Love. Dear Friend, are you weary and tired of your cares? Is life overwhelming and h ard to bear? He said, “Take my Yoke, I’ll help you and share’. Keep your eyes on the shore for the Harbour is n ear. I asked for love and God showed me His scars. I got nothing I w anted. I received only His love.
To see the face of God To see Martin Luther King, Ghandi, and Kennedy again, To see Edith Cavell perform her magic On the sick and wounded. To see other great men and women at work, To see the tender glow of my mother’s face anew Standing over the hot cookstove Recalling her native stories in song, When I was a young boy. To see my grandfather’s ashes rise from the grave And stand by me. If only for a brief moment… A poor man humble in character Beaten to death by the immortal soul of destiny Brought to bear on his shoulders… Slowly emptied of fuel like a dying star as it turns red. A fate befallen most men. Who is the other person in the faded picture From years gone by? The mystical stranger with the crooked n ose. Does anyone seem to know or care? A collector’s item. Or simply dreams Scattered across the p ages of my mind-‐ Which are dear to my heart. Dust on the album cover, Relics of photographs Buried deep within the attic. Author’s Comments: “For the day when we will be together again in the Kingdom of God! For hope springs eternal!”
W rit ten an d Submitt ed by M ike Piz zut o, a n ew c on tributin g a utho r to t he Burn ing Bush
A Franciscan Prayer
“May God bless you with discomfort At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships So that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war, So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness To believe that you can make a difference in the world, So that you can do what others claim cannot be done To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor. A men
J ohn Siko ra is a c on tr ibuting author fr om St. A nd rew ’s By The L ake
Church Kingston
“Like a morning dream, life becomes more and more bright the longer we live, and the reason of everything appears more clear. What has p uzzled us before seems less mysterious, and the crooked paths look straighter as we approach the end.”
Christian Salvage Mission
Worldwide Distribution of Evangelical Literature "Gathering the fragments that nothing may be lost" John 6:12
Who We Are
Materials We Will Take
Christian Salvage Mission is a non-profit ministry that collects used Bibles and other Evangelical material to ship overseas to Pastors, Bible Students and Churches.
Books - Concordances, Bible Dictionaries, Counseling books, Theology,Bible Commentaries, Church Growth & Discipleship, Christian Biographies,Bible Handbooks, Christian Fiction, Sermon Helps, Bible Study Books &Booklets, School Books from Christian Schools and Medical Books. Bibles - New and Old Testaments, Bibles (in good condition) Teaching Helps - Flannel-graph, Children’s Books, VBS material, clean Sunday School Material even if it is not a complete set.
Many, requests come into our office requesting a Bible, Bible Concordance or other Christian material. We are a registered charity that has a board that meets regularly to give direction and to establish sound policies for the mission. Monday to Thursday 10am-4pm 905-574-3334
Christian Music - Hymn Books with Music, Chorus Books with Music, Christian CD’s, DVD’s, Sheet Music with words, CDs and DVDs of well known Ministers and speakers.
[email protected]
Magazines, Devotionals Other Items - Confident Living, Daily Bread, Decision, Discipleship Journal, Focus on the Family, Friends of Israel, Good News Broadcaster, Gospel Light, In Touch, Insight For Living, Israel My Glory, Leadership, Scripture Press, Today, and Turning Point, Cancelled Postage Stamps - Christian Salvage Mission collects cancelled postage stamps to be then sold to a stamp collector. We acquired $3226.00 from the sale of cancelled postage stamps in 2013. The funds acquired from the sale of used postage stamps are used to help with shipping expenses as well as other expenses.
Our Mandate It is the mandate of this mission to send forth the This advertisement is paid for by John MacMillan. Proceeds to General Fund of St. Andrew’s.
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, unless the material you have is of the kind indicated on the list to the left, we will not take it. We ask that you please stick to this list as closely as possible.
Spring Cleanup Crew May 9, 2015
Leaning on a shovel is Wendy Worling (or is that Wendy Working?)
Elaine Coderre with a bag big enough to contain her. Has anyone seen Elaine lately?
Should pastors split hairs? Janet Payne with Andrew Johnston in tow
Using Ada’s personal chainsaw is Pat Coderre, our Treasurer. Step aside when you see him coming...
Mendal McEwen trimming Our Great Thorny Bush. Cut ‘er all down, Mendal!
How many Presbyterians does it take to cut off one small branch???
Perhaps the Bells of St. Andrew’s will Ring Again Soon…
A Pictorial Update of Tower Restorations Restoration work by Eastern
Restoration is Now Complete.
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Kingston Between 1898 and 1920 Ontario Archives
Inscription on Bell
These photographs were taken prior to bell tower restoration actually commenced. Care was taken to protect all pulleys and bell workings from the actual process.
To the Glory of God This Peal of Nine Bells Was Erected by Members and Friends Of St. Andrew’s Church December 1911 Through the zeal and untiring efforts of N.Y. Greenwood, Mentor and Choirmaster
A Boy, Twelve Sheep and Multiple Prayers This story is over 80 years in the making, and is told for only the first time. It needs telling in order to acknowledge and appreciate the faithfulness of God. It begins with the addition of a fourth child to a Christian farming couple, a boy whose older siblings included two girls and a brother. He was a bright boy, but ultra sensitive and who became fearful in unhealthy and irrational ways. As a primary student in an eight grade classroom, he was bullied by those who should have been friends. The older boys exacted their will on him even to the point of brandishing a knife. Not able to trust others, there was a transfer to not trusting himself, fearing culpability for crimes he had only heard about through newscasts. To his mother, who was his confidante, he worriedly said out loud, “Mom, I didn’t have anything to do with the murder of that man in Hamilton, did I?” His life was in crisis and his future was uncertain. The parents were greatly alarmed, and did not know how to go forward. They took him out of school; he was afraid to attend. They entrusted him to God, claiming a promise from scripture, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6. And
the previous verse provides the instruction for doing this. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” The father bought twelve sheep for him, giving him full responsibility for their care. The boy became a shepherd, feeding his sheep bean-‐ straw fodder, high protein food comprised of the empty pods of white beans. Watching over these sheep in fair weather and foul (like snow in October), the keeping of these sheep became therapeutic for the boy, and very significant in restoring the balance to his mental health. The boy was able to return to school and became an excellent student. He was awarded scholarships for university, and earned three degrees, eventually teaching in university. Who is this boy who was afraid of going to school? His name is not important. What is important is that God keeps His promises. Lamentations of Jeremiah, chapter 3 states, “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” James 1:17 states, “Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
Yes, the shepherd boy is Ron Axford. And as I once again enjoyed some residual shepherding skill as an adult a few years ago by redirecting some errant sheep off of the highway, I was reminded of how faithfully and fully God has brought me out of my adolescent despair into the bright light of His love and assurance. There can be no better ending to my story than this.
Ron Axford
The Lighter Side of Saints
The light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and started honking her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. As she was still in mid-‐rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer immediately ordered her to exit her car, with her hands up ... He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a
holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-‐School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-‐plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, so naturally.... I assumed you had stolen the car." Priceless
The church was badly in need of a coat of paint. So the pastor decided he'd do the job himself. But all he had was one bucket of paint. So he got a bunch of buckets and some water, and he thinned the paint enough to cover the entire church. Then he spent all day painting. That night it rained—very hard—and washed all the paint off. The pastor was quite discouraged and asked God, 'Why...why God, did you let it rain and wash off all my hard work?'
To which God thundered his reply, 'Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!
One day an angel appeared to Adam. The angel said, “Adam, I’ve got great news. God is going to create something wonderful for you.” Adam said, “Oh, what is it? The angel said, “It’s not an “it,” it’s a “she.” God is going to make something called a woman.” Adam said, “Go on.” The angel continued, “This is going to be wonderful. This woman will be made to be a lot like you physically, only much more beautiful. She will live to serve you at all times. When you are tired, she’ll give you a massage. When you are hungry, she’ll feed you. She’ll come and bow down to you in the morning and when you return from working in the garden in the evening. She’ll live to serve your every pleasure each day.” “In addition,” the angel continued, “she will never argue with you or complain. She won’t nag you or talk back to you either. For every command you give her, she’ll simply reply, “yes master.” She’ll clean your house, and tend to your every desire.” Adam had a sparkle in his eye and said with excitement, “Wow, that sounds amazing. I’d really like to have something like that. But what’s it going to cost me?” The angel said, “Well Adam, it’s going to cost you your right arm, and a leg.” Adam thought about it for a while, and then replied, “What can I get for just a rib?”
Church Family Photo Album 2
W.M.S. Presbyterial
Held at Strathcona Park Presbyterian Church April 25, 2015 Left: Tori Smit Education Counsellor Right: Colleen Wood Glad Tidings Editor May 2, 2015, the elders of St. Andrew’s invited (left) Rev. Dr. Kevin Livingston, Assoc. Professor of Tyndale University Toronto, and (Right) Rev Hugh Donnelly, Guildwood Presbyterian Church Toronto, to offer two different perspectives regarding the full inclusion to individuals who are homosexual.
Ada Mallory, BB Editor, with visiting family members
Another wonderful potluck in St. Andrew's Hall. Standing ‘first in line’ is Eva Barnes on left and Bob Evans on right.
John Hall, Music Director at St. Andrew's, has surprise visit from family on a very special birthday.
May 17, 2015 Karen Bach preaches at St. Andrew's
An Album of Prayerful Meditations… Philosophy We believe in God the Father, Who loved people enough to send His Son, Jesus Christ, To bring them closer to Him And to each other.
collaborative health care delivery system; Promoting health, preventing diseases and providing therapeutic care.
We believe that the teachings of Jesus enable us to be actively concerned with physical, social, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of every individual. Further, we believe nurses as qualified professionals are an integral and necessary part of a
Mid India Board of Education (MIBE) School For Nurses, Indore
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Life is an Examination God is a great examiner We are all the students The life is an answer book On which we write our answer. The world is a hall Wherein lies the examination. The time allowed is only three hours The first hour rings in childhood. Second in youth, Third in old age. The bell of the last hour is rung
A Priceless Pearl
Give me Strength O Lord Give me strength O Lord Lift my soul today My heart is full of sadness, Lord And painful is the way Give me strength O Lord Come fill my life with hope. Bestow on me thy gentle faith And help me Lord to cope, Give me strength O Lord My life I give to you. Hold me, dear Master, in Your hand, And set my spirit free. Sr. Annamma Abraham 2nd year post basic Bsc Nursing School for Nurses, Indore
So write down whatever you know, So that you might not say-‐ “The paper was lengthy. The time was short.” If we fail, we come to the same hall. If we pass, we go to heaven And return no more to this hall. Rosi Sherpa 2nd year Post Basic Bsc Nursing Student School for Nurses, Indore
By the messenger. The examination is over The copy is snatched. The life there meets an end Do not try to cheat the examiner. The examination is everywhere. Do not try to deceive him By writing useless stuff. You may lose marks thereby By wasting time and writing nothing,
All selections on this page are from the very first printing of “Ankur, The Germination of Knowledge” The College Magazine of the MIBE Graduate School of Nursing Indore, M.P., India
A pearl so smooth and beautiful Taken out from deep Inside of ocean or a sea. Used as a valuable jewel with gold Which signifies purity and Increases the beauty of ladies. We are the pearls Within and among crowded place Created by God Molded from deep within Gifted with qualities, wisdom, truth, honesty, skill… To be called as an angel, friend, daughter, sister… For which we should be proud Yes, a priceless pearl as a Nurse Selected by our Father to increase The beauty of humanity And spread the Light Of His healing care. Unknown author
Two More Windows
“Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt” This La tin Mo tto t ran sla tes int o the E nglish “ Where R ight s an d Glo ry L ead”
“To the Glory of God and in immortal memory of officers, noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery who fell in action the World Wars 1914-‐18’.
of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Kingston
“Dulce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori” This La tin Mo tto t ran sla tes into the En glish “ It is sweet an d right to d ie for yo ur co un try” This lin e c om es origina lly fro m t he lyric al Ho ra ce’s O d es.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 130 Clergy Street East, Kingston, Ontario, K7K 353, (Tel. 613-‐546-‐6316: Fax: 613-‐546-‐8844)e-‐mail
[email protected]. Minister/Consultant: Andrew Johnston. Editor/Production: Ada Mallory
[email protected]
