Message from the Chair
Grace & Peace to you, Dear Friends,
As Christians, we have been celebrating the Master of Life—the Risen
Christ. This past Sunday, we posed the question, “Where have you seen the
Risen Christ?”
I was very sure I saw the Lord of Life in the eyes of Lily who held the
baptismal candle for her brother who was being baptized on Easter Sunday.
She glowed as she carried the Light of Christ. Later in the week, I heard the
voice of our Risen Lord as Thelma thanked me for prayers & visits. She will
be 97 on May 18.—such a gracious woman, full of hope & compassion.. Last
month she broke her wrist & hip. But already she is moving with a walker &
looking to the future.
In this holy time, we sing the Easter chorus:
“In our fasting & our feasting,
Called to follow in his way;
May 2014
KENT PRESBYTERY NEWSLETTER
This week the world celebrated William Shakespeare who was born
450 years ago on April 23, 1564. This was about 50 years after Martin Luther
nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Saxony—just to give
historical perspective. Shakespeare only lived to be 52, which certainly gives
pause for thought. Written records give little indication of the way in which his
education helped formed his writing. Some even raise questions about the
authorship of his work and even about whether or not William Shakespeare
ever existed. One of his famous quotes stands out: “The fool doth think he is
wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” Probably, many of you
memorized his famous poem, “All The World’s A Stage”. (See the full text
page.----) Shakespeare was indeed a Master of language & thought.
Called to walk his road to Easter,
Called to live his cross today.” (VU 253 vs. 3)
God’s blessings to you as you encounter Christ,
Annalee
Kenesserie Camp News
Senior Staff are arriving!!!
Katie Montgomery is our Camp Director for 2014
Katie has been a camper and staff member at Kenesserie before. She attends Brock University in the Child
and Youth Studies program.
The Senior Staff this year will be:
Courtney Young, (2013 staff) attending Brescia College in Spirituality and Community Leadership
McKenna Pearce, (2013 staff), attending Brock University in Child & Youth Studies
Stephen Cook, University of Windsor-Nursing
Jared Carriere, University of Windsor, English Language
Cassandra Hooyer, attending Redeemer University in Kinesiology
Eric Montgomery, University of Ottawa – Political Science
Kenesserie registration is now online https://kenesserie.campbrainregistration.com
Create your own account and password and then complete the information and forms online. You can
choose to mail in a cheque OR pay by charge card immediately.
The Kitchen Project will be starting soon at a cost of $40,000. Not to worry—Kitchen Arrangements are
being made for any rentals that will be onsite during the construction of our new sparkling kitchen. We
have already received some funding from Chatham-Kent, South-Kent Wind, and various churches which
totals to around $20,000 Still waiting for word from the other applications and pledges made.
Be sure to send ALL correspondence and funding to the camp:
R. R. # 1, Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0
E-mail is still [email protected]
Come join us on a
‘Pilgrimage to Pride’.
Victoria Avenue United Church is
organizing a day trip to Toronto
on June 29 to WorldPride – an
international celebration incorporating activism, education and the
history and culture of global
LGBTTIQQ2SA communities and
highlighting Canada’s continued
progress in human rights. Toronto
will be the first WorldPride celebration ever held in North America, and the 4th such festival in the
K E N T PR E S B Y T E R Y
world. The festival takes place
from June 20 – June 29.
The festival’s Annual Pride Parade will be held on Sunday June
29. The United Church folks are
invited to march behind an
“Affirm United” banner, which is
being prepared (in French and
English) for the parade. People at
Metropolitan United Church have
been working on plans for a float,
and the Moderator will either be
on the float or marching with the
rest of the participants. The number of people marching in the parade may be limited … details are
still being worked out by our Toronto Conference friends. If we
can’t march … we can watch and
join the festivities!
A 47-seat bus has been reserved
and will be leaving Chatham on
June 29 at 8am and returning at
about 9pm. The cost is $45 per
person. Please contact Janet
Johnston at 519-354-9504 or
[email protected] if you are
interested. Space is limited … reserve your spot soon!
Page 2
Lord Of The Dance by Sydney Carter
I danced on a Friday when the world turned
black
It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
They buried my body, they thought I was gone
But I am the dance, and the dance goes on
I danced in the morning when the world was
begun
I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
I came down from heaven and I danced on the They cut me down and I leapt up high
earth
I am the life that will never, never die
At Bethlehem I had my birth
I'll live in you if you'll live in me
I am the Lord of the dance, said he
I danced for the scribes and the Pharisees
They wouldn't dance, they wouldn't follow me
CHORUS:
I danced for the fishermen James and John
Dance, dance, wherever you may be
They came with me so the dance went on
I am the lord of the dance, said he
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame And I lead you all, wherever you may be
And I lead you all in the dance, said he.
The holy people said it was a shame
They ripped, they stripped, they hung me high (VU 352)
Left me there on the cross to die
Page 3
M A Y 20 1 4
All the World's a Stage –William Shakespeare
On The Sunnyside:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players.
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then, the whining school-boy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like a snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then, a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then, the justice,
In fair round belly, with a good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.[6]
Picking Kittens
A three-year-old boy went with his Dad to see a litter of kittens.
On returning home, he breathlessly informed his mother, “There
were 2 boy kittens and 2 girl kittens.”
“How do you know?” his mother asked.
“Daddy picked them up and looked underneath,” He replied.
“I think it’s printed on the bottom.”
School Essay
Jimmy’s English teacher was a perfectionist and demanded the
very best of his pupils. So it was to be expected that he would get
furious when Jimmy handed in a poor paper.
“This is the worst essay it has ever been my misfortune to read,”
ranted the teacher. “It has too many mistakes. I can’t understand
how one person would have made all these mistakes.”
“One person didn’t,” replied Jimmy defensively. “My father
helped me.”
Lending a Hand
A man is out walking when he notices a very small boy trying to
press a doorbell on a house across the street. The doorbell is much
too high for him to reach. After watching the boy’s efforts for a
moment, the man moves closer to the house. He crosses the street,
walks up behind the little fellow, and placing his hand kindly on
the child’s shoulder, leans over and gives the doorbell a solid ring.
Crouching down to the child’s level, the man smiles benevolently
and asks, “And now what, my little man?”
The boy replies, “Now we run!”
Chatham St. Andrew’s U.C.W. will host a
MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON
Wednesday, May 7th.
11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.
settings are available.
$10.00-Adults $3.00-Children(under 12)
Tickets: (519)-352-0010 (office) or (519)-351-1073
Page 4
M A Y 20 1 4
Prayer Cycle for the Congregations of Kent Presbytery
May 4
May 11
May 18
May 25
General Council Executive (as they meet in Toronto)
Trinity United Church, Wallaceburg – Ministers Cheryl Kirk and Doreen Hewitson
Our Jewish Friends
London Conference Meeting
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
Our Muslim Friends
Charing Cross Pastoral Charge (Charing Cross and Wesley) – Minister Margaret Trapnell
Our Resource Centre Director – Susan Scaman
The Moderator – Gary Paterson
All those who will be travelling this summer.
Believing in the power of prayer, the intention of this
prayer cycle is to encourage
each of our congregations to remember that the
United Church as a whole,
churches across the Presbytery,
and neighbouring congregations should also be supported in prayer.
There may be emerging needs with Kent Presbytery congregations or
neighbouring churches that you become aware of during the year.
We hope that you might add these needs to this prayer cycle.
K E N T PR E S B Y T E R Y
Page 5
KENT PRESBYTERY NEWSLETTER
Editor
Kent Presbytery
We’re on the Web
www.kentpres.org
Resource Centre
Doreen Hewitson
108 O'Neil Street
Chatham, ON N7M 3A3
Phone: 519-358-1713
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 to 4:00
Other hours by appointment
WebMaster
email: [email protected]
CurtisMarwood
Marwood
Curtis
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone: 519-436-0819
7952 8th Line, R.R. #3. Chatham, Ontario N7M5J3
Kent Presbytery Centre for Renewal
To support and renew United Church Ministries
www.kentrenewal.wordpress.org
Upcoming Events from
Doing Theology on Occupied Land:
A Symposium on United Church of
Canada Engagement with Israel/Palestine
May 12 - 13. St. Andrew's College,
Saskatoon. A call for deeper theological
reflection on the Canadian reality of
colonization and the church's engagement
with Israel/Palestine. Sponsored by Theology
and Inter-Church Inter-Faith Committee of
The United Church of Canada. Email for
more information & registration. To submit a
proposal by the March 1 deadline see
attached Call for Presentations
Children At Conference
May 22 - 25. Camp Bimini, St. Paul's
and The Hellenic Centre, London. A program
for elementary school children, Grade 3 Grade 8, held in conjunction with the London
Conference Annual Meeting. A time for
children to enjoy activities, creativity, friends
and fun with worship. Email Betsy Exley for
more information. Registration now closed.
90th Annual Meeting of London
Conference
May 23 - 25. The Hellenic Centre, London.
Diana Butler Bass, scholar & author, speaks
to President Philip Newman`s
theme Changing the Landscape. Register
here!
Page 6
Pre-Retirement Seminar
June 2. Offered online through the
United-In-Learning website programs.
All you need is a computer with an
Internet connection and a telephone.
Ministry and Employment presents the
2013 Pre-retirement Seminar. Click
on www.united-in-learning.com for more
information and registration.
Becoming a Missional Church/Leader
June 17 - 19. This ecumenical event, led
by Rev. Dr. Alan Roxburgh, explores
what it means to be missional. This
intensive 3-day workshop is designed to
build on answering the question, "How do
we become a missional church in our
community?" Held at Conrad Grebel
University College in Waterloo. Click
on www.conciliationservices.ca for more
information and registration.
Becoming Agents of Evolutionary
Change - A Summer Symposium
July 4 - 6. The Sisters of St. Joseph in
partnership with King's University College
presents A Summer Symposium. Carter
Phipps and Sue Wilson explore the frontier
of what is being called integral spirituality
and integral politics. A movement of
visionary scientists, philosophers and
spiritual thinkers is forging a new
understanding of evolution that honours
science, reframes culture and radically
updates spirituality.
Download brochure. Online
Registration.Email Susan Masonfor
information.
The GO Project
Between July 6 - August 7. Unique people
require unique programs! The GO Project
was envisioned to be a hands-on
experience of mission and outreach while
integrating a process of discernment. GO
programs are held in Halifax, St. John's,
Toronto, Vancouver and a new rural
program in Stratford. Children's GO
projects are in two Toronto churches and
now at Riverside United Church in
London. Click onwww.thegoproject.ca for
information and registration.
M A Y 20 1 4