St. David’s 122nd Anniversary November 25th, 2007

For the one hundred and twenty second anniversary of the official opening of St. David’s Church, Lorna MacRury carried on a tradition that kept the church going through the years. Although the area was settled in the 1790’s and the first recorded Presbyterian service was held by missionary clergy in 1818 in a building on Lorna’s great, great grandfather, Adam MacPherson’s farm in Askilton, it wasn’t until 1832 that the first minister, Rev. Dougald McKichan arrived and settled in the River Inhabitants area.

In fact, when Rev. William Gordon Forbes retired in 1881 after 29 years of ministry in the Strait area, the congregation continued with plans to build a new church. St. David’s Presbyterian Church was officially opened on November 29th, 1885, but it would be two more years before they had a minister when Rev. Donald MacDonald arrived.

Lorna noted that St. David’s is well cared for and loved by those who worship here, leaving lasting legacies such as the the Rosetta window and the Christ the King stained glass window.
It was lay people like Lorna who provided continuity over the years as ordained ministers come and go.

Yvonne Fox

SAERC Graduates 2007

Jessica Bussey

Lauren Gillis

Jessica MacInnis

Kyle MacDonald

Luke MacNeil

Craig MacRae

Ernest Reinberger



Sara Wagar

The following SAERC graduates did not submit their photo:

Timothy Gillis

Alex Greencorn

Sherry Shear

Luke 11:9
“And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”

Our University Graduate

Brent Butcher

Graduated from
University of Kings College
June 2007
Bachelor of Journalism

Son of Frank & Annemary Butcher
Grandson of
Hermann & Anna Hildebrandt

In Memoriam

ST. MARK’S

Laura Elizabeth Swain
November 28, 1929 - August 12, 2007

Lester Herbert Swain
July 16, 1926 - August 14, 2007

Olive Mary King
May 3, 1918 - September 10, 2007

Garfield Emerson Long
January 16, 1959 - September 19, 2007

Wilma Gertrude Monahan
March 18, 1920 - September 25, 2007
(Graveside Service Only)


ST. DAVID’S

Sarah Catherine MacQuarrie

February 27, 1919 - June 13, 2007,

Robert Gordon MacGregor
April 10, 1922- October 7, 2007

Baptisms

ST. MARK’S Baptism October 21, 2007

Kale Donald Hart
Son of Lennan B. Hart & Heather (Urquhart) Hart
Born June 19, 2007

Coleson Willam Morris
Son of Nicolas Morris & Jennifer Arnold
Born November 3, 2007


ST. MARK’S Baptism October 28, 2007

Carter Laughlin Petrie
Son of Winston Harvey Petrie & Megan Hudson Petrie
Born June 29, 2004

Clara Eaton Petrie
Daughter of Winston Harvey Petrie & Megan Hudson Petrie
Born April 20, 2007

Covenanting Service for Reverend Sheldon LeGrow

A service of Covenanting to recognize the ministry of the Rev. Sheldon LeGrow of the St. Mark’s Pastoral Charge took place by Commission of the Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery at St. Mark’s United Church, Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia on Sunday, November 18th, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Donna Tourneur, Chair of Presbytery, presided over the act of covenanting and the sermon was delivered by the Rev. Heather Manuel.

The Warrant to Covenant was read by Maxine Smith, secretary of the Presbytery.
Rev. LeGrow was presented to the Chairperson and the congregation by Annabel Butts, a member of St. Mark’s Pastoral Charge and Ian MacKinnon, a member of St. David’s Pastoral Charge.

The symbols were presented by members of the Pastoral Charges: Bowl and Water (Andy Palmer); Seeds (Page Walker); Bread and Wine (Larry MacKeigan).

Commissioning and Benediction were pronounced by Rev. LeGrow.

Following the service there was a time of fellowship and refreshments.

Maxine Smith

St. Mark’s Congregational Board

The short dark days of fall have arrived, but on a brighter side our church community has taken on new energy with the fall activities and the arrival of Rev. Sheldon LeGrow and his wife Christene to the Pastoral Charges. They are settling in nicely, have made numberous contacts through visitation and community events and we look forward to their Ministery here. We of course were saddened by the departure of Rev.Wilf and Melita Pelly but know that they also are happy in their new home.

The nominating committee of the Board is now preparing to bring in the new slate of officiers for the year 2008. It is hoped that many will offer for another term but also that new people will come forward with an interest in serving on one of the committees.

I would like to thank those who helped me through my year as Board Chairperson especially Ruth, as Board Secretary, Jane as Church Secretary, and the Committee chairpersons.

We are now entering the Season of Advent so let us remember the true meaning of the Season as we celebrate with our families and friends.

May God richly bless us all through out the Season and the coming year.

Annabel Butts

St. David’s Official Board

Since the last contact of June 2007 was issued, St. David’s has experienced a loss in the retirement of Rev. Wilfred Pelley. We wish both him and Melita much happiness as they pursue activities that they have put on the back burner over the last few years. With that, we welcome Rev. Legrow and his wife Christine to our church community. We are happy to see that he has brought a renewed life to St. David’s following the absence of a minister during the summer months. We appreciate the energy and commitment he brings to the congregation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kalley family as they continue the transition of making a home in Nova Scotia.

As we prepare for the Advent Season we hope that all will take time out of their busy schedule for personal reflection and to make time to spend with family and people in their community.

Alicia Vink

St. David’s Board of Stewards

St. David’s Church and hall now have energy saving lights installed. In early May Port Hastings Fire Department was given information on these lights and were lucky to obtain a good number to do all the Church and upstairs of the Church hall. These lights do make a difference in lighting. Thanks to the personnel who replaced the bulbs and cleaning all the fixtures.

St. David’s has a new wind break at the door of the Church hall. Thanks to Harvey and Douglas Timmons for replacing the wind break. Looks great!

In August of 2008, again St. David’s will host the Quilt weekend. Last year the event went very well. Members of the congregation will again be asked to help out. Anyone interested in helping you can contact any board member. Mostly the work is at the door passing out information and greeting people. Great to make a schedule early as lots of hands make light work.

Ian MacKinnon

Helping Hands

Once again St. Mark’s Helping Hands organized a very successful Yard Sale and Bake Sale on September 15th. The amount raised was an amazing $900.00!
Thanks are given to all who helped set up, brought in items and especially those who baked for the kitchen sale.

On September 18th, the Congregational Board received a cheque in the amount of $1000.00 from the Helping Hands account to be used for the taxes on the manse.

Barb MacIntyre

St. Mark’s Worship and Pastoral Care Committee

Since our last contact, a Discernment Committee has been appointed for a one year period to assist Lana MacLean in exploring her vocational direction toward ministry.

Church services were held at St. David’s during the month of July. Services at St. Mark’s in August were led by Lana MacLean, Marina Martins & Joyce Oliver-Snair, Chris Cook and Gary MacDonald, Bob Latimer led the service on September2nd. Starting September 9th services were held at St. Mark’s and St. David’s led by Ruth Digdon, Lorna MacRury, Linda Schurzinger and Jim St. Clair. We were extremely grateful to the clergy and lay ministers who shared their gifts until our new minister was able to begin his ministry with us. A big thank you goes out to committee members June Oliver and Marie Horton who worked hard over the summer to arrange for supply ministry for this period.

Reverend Sheldon LeGrow performed his first service on October 7th and we all welcome Sheldon and his wife Christine to our community. Rev. LeGrow’s Covenanting Service was held on November 18th.

Communion was served on May 27 serving 92 members and Thanksgiving Sunday, October 7, serving 142.

The sanctuary was beautifully decorated for Thanksgiving by Bonnie Dawson for which the Worship and Pastoral Care Committee were very appreciative.

On October 21, Colson Morris (son of Jennifer Arnold and Nick Morris) and Kale Donald Hart (son of Lennie and Heather Hart) were baptized and on October 28, Carter Loughlin Petrie and Clara Eaton Petrie (children of Winston & Megan Petrie) were baptized.
One marriage ceremony has been approved for 2008.

Archie Noseworthy

St. Mark’s Trustees and Finance Committee

We have installed a loop transmitter for the sound system which broadcasts a radio frequency signal that can be picked up by telecoils in most modern hearing aids. This makes it possible for people with hearing aids to hear the sound system directly without background noise. The system was installed by a group of retired telephone employees who install these systems for the audio in public buildings on a volunteer basis at minimum charge. It was installed in September and paid for from the Memorial Fund. For best reception, one should sit within about ten feet (three meters) of the sidewall or the back of the sanctuary. One person, who attends faithfully, said it was the first time she had heard the whole service in three years.

If you have any questions, ask Andy Palmer. Some hearing aids have to be switched manually to RF mode.

The interior of the manse was painted during the summer after Rev. Pelley moved out.
A ride-on mower has been purchased and tested. It works well. Next spring we will need a shed for it. This will save volunteers from having to bring their own mowers, and should make it a lot easier to get volunteers for the job.

A window has been installed in the door to the minister’s office, and arrangements are being made to bring high speed internet to the minister’s computer.

Dave Chapman

St. David’s U.C.W.

St. David’s UCW resumed monthly meetings on September 12th when we met at the home of Yvonne Fox. In October, we met at Patsy Swain’s and were pleased to have Rev. LeGrow and Christine drop in for a visit and a cup of tea. We will continue to meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. instead of at noon. All women of the congregation are invited to attend.

In September, we received a rebate check from Sobey’s for $266.00 which was a tremendous boost to our finances. Thank you to Margaret Ashford for all her work tabulating the cash register slips and to the congregation for supporting this project.

Our group looked after the food for two receptions in October following a funeral and a committal service. We catered the evening meal for the Inverness Guysborough Presbytery meeting on November 13th. Our pie sale originally scheduled for December 6th has been postponed for now. We will do our annual Christmas Dinner Boxes for needy families in our area. We also plan to collect used winter clothing to send to the Brunswick Street Mission in Halifax.

St. David’s UCW members extend a warm welcome to Rev. Sheldon and Christine LeGrow and hope they will have a happy time in our midst.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Julia MacKinnon

St. Mark’s Men’s Group

We donated $50.00 each for two delegates to the Youth Forum. One could not attend due to a conflicting activity so her cheque was returned.

Since we had purchased a new computer for the Church earlier in the year, we chose to pass on our annual $500.00 donation to the General Fund this year.

We will probably do our usual fundraiser, possibly a buffet supper, likely on February 1st. This is on the agenda to be discussed at our December meeting.

Dave Chapman

St. Mark’s Mission and Outreach Committee

What is the Mission and Service Fund?

The United Church is able to love, serve, and minister in the world
thanks to the Mission and Service Fund. This unified fund connects us to
others around the corner and around the world to whom we offer a loving
hand of support. The M&S Fund connects us to each other as members of
the United Church in Canada and Bermuda, enabling us to speak with a
united voice in advocacy and justice work and to participate together in
our worship life. The M&S Fund connects us to our faith: we live in
God's world, we believe in God who works in us and by the Spirit. The
M&S Fund is the only fund in which members and friends of the United
Church pool their givings. Gifts are also given by members to their
local church, but it is through the Mission and Service Fund that we
collectively live our creed "to be the Church, to celebrate God's
presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others,
and to seek justice and resist evil."

Gifts to the Mission and Service Fund from congregations, individuals,
and from bequests have exceeded $30,000,000 annually since 2000. This
money is spent in hundreds of different ways. Some of the money supports
congregations, programs, and new church development. Some of the money
is spent in Canadian outreach programs; some on international relief and
development programs; some to train ministers; some to maintain
ecumenical relationships; some to administer the work of the church.

Supporters of the Mission and Service Fund want to give their gifts to
support work that reflects their values and beliefs. The United Church's
Mission and Service Fund works with partners in Canada and
internationally to ensure that needs are assessed quickly and
accurately, that responses are immediate, and that ongoing support helps
prevent problems from recurring. Because of the Mission and Service
Fund, the United Church is able to quickly respond to emergency
situations without waiting for media appeals to create interest in them.
Working with reliable trusted partners in Canada and in 37 countries
means that less money is spent coordinating and delivering aid and more
money goes where it is needed. The United Church is also blessed by the
countless hours of work fulfilled by hundreds of United Church
volunteers. These individuals enable more of your M&S gifts to go to our
partners and to the work we share.

Consider supporting the Mission and Service Fund. You can make a gift
through your local church. At St. Mark's we have a commitment of
$12,600 for the year 2007 and already $11,000 of that has been submitted
to the national church. Last year we exceeded our commitment and we
hope to do so again. It is by giving that we receive, and we are truly
blessed in our congregation that so many people believe in helping
others through the Mission and Service fund of our church. If you don't
already contribute to the Mission and Service fund, please consider an
extra few dollars for the work of the church in the world--remember you
need to mark your envelope with the portion to go to M & S. Thank you
for your support.

Lana MacLean

Ten Thousand Villages Sale Was the Best Yet!

Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Craft Sale held October 27, 2007 at St. Mark’s realized $11,819.35 before taxes. This is greater than last year’s total sales of $11,200. The profit from $3,500 in sales would keep a family of four for one year. The profit that St. Mark’s garnered for the crafts people, this year, was sufficient to keep 3.4 families of four for one year!

Thanks to all who worked at the sale, unpacked, set up, those who worked on checkouts, those who prepared food for the volunteers, those who packed up the remaining crafts at the end of the sale and those enlightened, discerning shoppers who chose to support this admirable cause. A special thanks to Jean Wilson, who opened her home to the people from the Mennonite Central Committee. Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit program of Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America. St. Mark’s has hosted this Craft show and sale for a number of years and it was decided to do it again next year. So, mark your calendar for October 25, 2008.

Lana MacLean

St. Mark’s Ways & Means Committee

The amount that was turned in from the Pringle Can summer fundraiser to date is $770.95. Not all of the cans that were taken in the Spring have been returned, so if you have a Pringle Can at home with your change in it, please bring it or give it to Gladys or any member of the Ways & Means Committee as soon as possible.

Our last fundraiser was a very successful roast beef dinner that was held on November 2nd. We made a profit of $1820.00. There were enough donations made by members of the congregation to cover the cost of the groceries, which was a tremendous help. A few notes were made following the dinner on quantities to buy or make for our next dinner, i.e. throw a few more potatoes in the pot, cook more turnips, make more gravy, don’t let Angus drain the peas, etc., and hopefully there will be enough food left for the crew who worked so hard dishing up, serving, cleaning up, doing dishes or whatever anyone did on that day. We received many great compliments on the meal and the desserts. There is a new member on the W & M Committee this year who is a keeper in the kitchen - no names mentioned but he is tall, has grey hair and works at a car dealership, and there are a couple of other members who are great potato peelers. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed in any way - without your support this annual event would not take place and it is truly appreciated.

Ruth MacRae

St. Mark’s Church Directory

This is the fourth time that St. Mark’s has had a pictorial directory and the second time it has been combined with St. David’s. It is also the second time for Universal Portrait Studios of Church Point, Nova Scotia, to do the directory. Much effort has been made to have the directory as complete and accurate as possible. Ninety-six of St. Mark’s families will be represented in the directory. Some people have worked many hours to help prepare this directory. Dorothy Dingle, Ruth MacRae, Gladys and Rilla phoned the 188 families on our congregational list to see if they wanted their pictures taken. Jean Wilson, Linda Howlett, Judy Castle, Ruth Laskey, Gladys and Rilla acted as greeters for the six days of the photo shoot. Ruth MacRae typed the Church Roster a number of times to ensure we have all the names spelled correctly plus correct phone numbers and addresses. Camille Chapman helped to choose, lay out and write captions for the four pages of pictures that will give a view of life at St. Mark’s for the past five years since the last directory. She also prepared the submitted photos that Jim McLean took for the people unable to keep their appointments.

We thank all of you who supported this project by posing or helping. We hope you like your pictures and use the new Church directory for the next five years.

Rilla McLean

St. Mark's Special Events Group

We held our Christmas Bazaar on Friday, November 23rd. This included a bake table with a pies, pies and more pies, a new to you table, crafts table and of course a cup of tea with lots of goodies. It was a great a success giving us a total of $2,146.25! Thanks all!

The Special Events group made donations to the following, Food Bank, Brunswick Street Mission, LeesideTransition House, Seasonal Services and to our Foster Child. We will also be giving candy to our residents in the nursing home for Christmas.

We prepared lunch for several funerals and prepared sandwiches for the Ross wedding and catered to Presbytery Meeting.

We were all very saddened by the death of Laura Swain who was a long time, dedicated member of our group. We will certainly miss Laura’s imput and her presence at our meetings.

June Oliver

St. David’s Sunday School

St. David’s Sunday School opened Sunday September 16, 2007. We are again using the Seasons Of The Spirit curriculum. This year we ordered the multi-age package, which is for children 5 to 12 years old, and we have been doing well with it.

We are very excited to have Page Walker back teaching again this year. All the Children love her and she is a fantastic asset to our Sunday School program.

The children are becoming very excited as we prepare for the Advent Season and for the White Gift Service on Sunday December 9, 2007.

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support and hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy Holiday season.

Lisa Rhynold

St. Mark's Sunday School & Christian Education Committee

The 2006-07 year ended with a pool party, followed by cake and ice cream. Everyone had great time.

We are very fortunate to have twelve Sunday School teachers. We welcome the addition of Karen MacKinnon as a new teacher who has replaced Brenda MacEachern. The Sunday School extends a heartfelt Thank You to Brenda who has given a great deal of her time, and continues to support the Sunday School through her work with the Christian Education Committee. If there are any members of the congregation who would like to participate in the Sunday School program, we would welcome their involvement at any time. We are currently without a Sunday School Superintendent. As a result, the Christian Education Committee has taken over this role.

Nursery coverage has been discontinued at this time. We are encouraging parents to utilize the Nursery and would like to remind them that the church service is broadcast there via speakers.

On September 16th, we began Sunday School Registration. We currently have 16 children registered. We are continuing to use the One Room Sunday School curriculum, with separate Junior and Senior Sunday School groups. Our registration is ongoing, and we would welcome children to join the Sunday School at any time.

On October 15th, the Sunday School Teachers and Christian Education Committee members held a tea. Rev. and Mrs. LeGrow were present. There was discussion about Rev. LeGrow’s goals for the Sunday School, and how we as teachers can best prepare the children for Confirmation. It was a very enjoyable evening, and was wonderful to become more acquainted with the LeGrows.

The Sunday School children participated in the Thanksgiving service by carrying the congregation’s food donations to the altar. The food was later delivered to the Port Hawkesbury Food Bank. Thank you to all who donated items, and to those who delivered them.

There were four children Baptized this Fall. The Sunday School children presented each child with a banner, made by the Sunday School children, and a lamb with the child’s name and date of baptism which remain on the Cradle Roll banners.

We will soon be preparing for the Hanging of the Greens service at St. Mark’s on Sunday December 2nd at 7 p.m. The service will include both the Sunday School children and the youth. We encourage the congregation to attend this beautiful service.

Thank you to the Christian Education Committee for the support they are providing to the Sunday School. Thank you to Jane for all that she does to help us, and to Al and the Choir for their support to the Sunday School throughout the year. The Sunday School extends a heartfelt welcome to Rev. and Mrs. LeGrow, and thanks them for the wonderful support and guidance they have already provided.

Heather Brander

St. Mark's Christmas Bazaar & Tea

St. Mark's Special Events Group (U.C.W.) outdid themselves again this year with a grand total of $2,146.25 profit. Thanks to all who contributed to this event, either by baking, making crafts, selling at tables, taking admission, working in the kitchen serving the tea and setting up and cleaning up after it was over. Great work everyone!

St. Mark's Annual Christmas Bazaar & Tea, Friday November 23

St. Mark's Annual Bazaar & Tea
November 23, 2007
7:00 p.m. - 9 p.m.
*********************************************
Tea, Home Baking, Crafts and New-to-you Table
Admission: $2.00 per person
*********************************************
For information contact:
June Oliver 625-1098, Connie Fowlie 625-1417 or Annabel Butts 625-0741

Covenanting Service for Rev. Sheldon LeGrow on November 18th, 2007

Roast Beef Dinner November 2

The roast beef dinner held at St. Mark's on November 2nd made a profit of $1,920. The Ways & Means Committee would like to thank everyone who helped out in any way.

Church Supper Nov 2 raised $1900

Crowd Enjoying Supper

Dorothy & Annie

Inverness- Guysborough Presbytery

Inverness- Guysorough Presbytery will meet at St. David's Church on Tuesday, November 13th at 5 pm.

Readings for November 18th

Isaiah 65: 17 - 25
Isaiah 12 (VU p. 880)
2 Thessalonians 3: 6 -13
Luke 21: 5 - 19

St. David's Announcements

November 25th: 11 am.- St. David's Anniversary Service will be conducted by Lorna MacRury. There will be a Pot Luck Dinner to follow the service. Combined service.

Saturday, December 1st - The annual decorating of St. David's Church will take place beginning at 9 am. Lunch will be provided.

Sharing / Learning Circle

Saturday Nov. 10th there will be a Sharing / Learning Circle with Whycobah First Nations at the Whycobah Community Hall, Highway 105, from 10 AM to 4 PM; lunch provided; pot luck to follow. All are welcome! This event is sponsored by Tatamagouche Centre, the Aboriginal Rights Coalition - Atlantic, and Coastal Communities Network (all of which are United Church Maritime Conference partners). Please RSVP to Cynthia MacLean so there's enough food for all. Tel.: 902-485-4754 or ccn@ns.sympatico.ca