THE TRINITY MISSIVE -...

THE TRINITY

MISSIVE

360 Reid Street, Peterborough, ON, K9H 7G6 www.trinitypeterborough.com (705) 743-3301 Advent 2015

The Newsletter of Trinity United Church

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS

Trinity Methodist Church was

formally dedicated on January 3,

1916 on a site at the head of

Simcoe Street with a vista toward

the downtown and the Otonabee

River. Construc0on of this

imposing structure began just

weeks a3er the onset of World

War I and featured a gothic

design, using Credit Valley Stone

trimmed with Indiana sandstone.

It is a wonder that the church

was built on schedule, as

everyone’s focus was centered

on the ba8les raging in Europe.

130 members of the

congrega0on served in the Great

War with 18 losing their lives in

ba8le. Two of the stained glass

windows on the south wall of the Sanctuary are dedicated to those who ‘heard the call’ and ‘made the

sacrifice’ in the Great War.

For 100 years this Sanctuary has been witness to countless sermons, has heard magnificent music played and

sung, witnessed the joys of bap0sms and marriages and beheld the sorrow at funerals. For a century, our

congrega0on has reaffirmed their faith and dedica0on to God in this place.

Let’s celebrate this landmark occasion. Please join us on January 10, 2016 for a special service and

congrega0onal luncheon.

Trinity United Church Advent 2015

2/MISSIVE

FROM KEVIN’S STUDY

Isaiah 9:6-7b (NRSV)

6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us;

authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is

named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlas�ng Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His authority

shall grow con�nually, and there shall be endless

peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He

will establish and uphold it with jus�ce and with

righteousness from this �me onward and

forevermore.

Some0mes these seasonal ar0cles for the Missive

are very difficult to create and at other 0mes they

seem to create themselves. As I put words to

keyboard on a bright November a3ernoon, images

of the terror a8ack in Paris and the fire at Masjid

Al-Salaam here in Peterborough enrage and sadden

me. Then I see the outpouring of support from

around the world for France and the local response

to the Muslim community and my sadness and rage

are tempered with hope. Then I read of fear as

borders close to refugees and some North American

poli0cians ques0on proposed refugee policies and

numbers for the sake of security and I am saddened

once again, or I read some of the locally tweeted

messages of intolerance and hatred on Twi8er and I

am enraged once more.

However, I must remember the promise that the

all-encompassing love of the Holy will not be over-

come by acts of terror and crimes of hatred. The

words from Isaiah above, par0cularly the references

to peace, remind us as we once again embark on the

symbolic Bethlehem journey that we are not alone.

We are travelling a road to transforma0on as we try

to live out the hope, peace, joy and love of this

Advent and Christmas Season in the company of

each other and the Holy. It will be a transforma0on

of individuals and communi0es as we encounter

Emmanuel (God-With-Us) in friend, stranger and

mirror.

This Bethlehem journey will challenge us to stand in

solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers in

Peterborough and beyond as they become targets of

the fana0c, the fear-filled and the ignorant. This

Bethlehem journey will invite us as individuals and

as a faith community to open our doors and our

hearts to the vulnerable and marginalized in our

city, affirming our desire to be a safe, comfortable,

welcoming haven for all who would come here in

the harsh reality that can be our society. This

Bethlehem journey will invite us to stand

symbolically around a humble manger, while moving

us to live out our faith based on incarna0onal love

and acceptance, not intolerance and fear.

So as we light the candles, trim the trees, sing the

carols and hear the stories, let us make sure we

encounter and acknowledge the Holy in whatever

guise or costume she might wear – a babe in a

manger, a single mom at the food bank, a gay or

lesbian couple in a pew, a homeless person at the

shelter, a family out enjoying the winter weather, an

elder feeling the loneliness of the season – and the

list goes on. This is indeed the season for miracles!

The greatest miracles of all happen within our hearts

and transform our lives and communi0es with us or

in spite of us.

I wish you a wonder filled Advent and Christmas

season.

Sincerely,

Kevin

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED CHURCH

IN PETERBOROUGH?

I am pleased to report to you on a recent mee0ng of

Peterborough Church Council Chairs and clergy. On

November 16, in a facilitated session designed by

Jackie Powell, we did some blue sky brainstorming

about our future: in our most posi�ve outlook, what

would we think the United Church presence in

Peterborough might be in twenty years? Many

exci0ng ideas were generated - words like “strong

belief system; cell group worship; fewer buildings;

advocates for peace; ministry eldercare

specializa0on; relevant and engaged in the broader

community; strong and vibrant congrega0ons; one

pastoral charge- two campuses”.

Par0cipants were then asked to think about short

and medium term ac0ons that might take us to this

posi0ve future - what should we stop doing, start


3/MISSIVE

doing, or do more of? The group had great

conversa0on, generated posi0ve ideas and was

engaged and excited by the discussion. This

gathering allows Peterborough congrega0ons to

become be8er connected and opens opportuni0es

for sharing and working together. Great things can

and will happen when we trust the spirit leading us.

More discussions are planned in the new year.

My thanks to members of Trinity Church Council

and others who have stepped forward to take

leadership within Trinity. And we are truly blessed

to have a diligent and commi8ed group of staff.

Many thanks to Kevin, Sherry, Gladys, Bob, Trevor

and Shawn.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Ted Harvey

Chair, Church Council

WORSHIP AND SACRAMENTS REPORT

On Wednesday, December 2 the annual “Light in

the Shadows’” service will be held in the Trinity

Parlour - a quiet service for those who find this 0me

of the year difficult. Advent services will bring a

reminder of the stranger in our midst.

The Affirm Commi8ee leading the process for

Trinity United Church to become an Affirming

Ministry reports first to the Worship and

Sacraments Team and through them to Council. I

am pleased to welcome Kathy Parker to our Affirm

Commi8ee.

The following is an exerpt from an Observer ar0cle

of April 2007, by Mike Milne.

“The movement to welcome people of all sexual

orienta0ons into the United Church hits the quarter

-century mark this year. While its numbers remain

low, its influence is growing.”

Not long a3er the United Church’s General Council

decided in 1988 that all were eligible for ministry

regardless of sexual orienta0on, about 30 families

le3 the congrega0on at Edmonton’s Mill Woods

United in protest. Last month, a3er about three

years of commi8ee mee0ngs, study groups and

collec0ve soul-searching, the same church voted by

a comfortable majority to become an “Affirming”

congrega0on: one that officially and ac0vely

welcomes and supports people of all sexual

orienta0ons.

Today, gay-friendly rainbow flags are emblazoned

on the congrega0on’s signboard and website. Its

mission statement, framed and displayed alongside

the Sunday-morning greeters, declares Mill Wood’s

love and welcome for “all persons, regardless of

age, gender, race, sexual orienta0on, differing

abili0es, ethnic background or economic

circumstance.”

Affirm rose to prominence during the tumultuous

lead-up and a3ermath of the church’s 1988 decision

to allow the ordina0on and commissioning of

people of all sexual orienta0ons. In 1992, to help

GLBT churchgoers and clergy know where they

would be welcomed, Affirm established a set of

criteria that churches had to meet if they wished to

be called “Affirming.”

Trinity United Church is now in the process of

raising awareness of the marginalized and

a8emp0ng to meet the criteria in hopes of become

an Affirming Ministry in 2016.

Feel free to speak to any one on the Affirm Com-

mi8ee with your thoughts: Roy Braun, Kevin Derry,

Margaret Marris, Josephine Mewe8, Kathy Parker

and Jane Darling, Chair.

Jane Darling

Chair, Trinity Affirm Commi8ee


4/MISSIVE

TRINITY LEARNS ABOUT THE HEBREW BIBLE

On October 24 and 25 Trinity welcomed Dr. Lisa Wolfe, Professor of

the Endowed Chair of Hebrew Bible at Oklahoma City University, who

travelled to Peterborough to help celebrate Trinity’s Anniversary and

be the speaker for our third Trinity Lecture Series. Lisa’s DVD series

“Uppity Women of the Bible” and her book “Ruth, Esther, Song of

Songs and Judith” have provided thought-provoking insight into the

women of the Old Testament and why it is so important for today’s

theological inquiry. At Trinity, she cap0vated her Saturday audience

with an overview of the Hebrew Bible Timeline and wonderful stories

of the people and places, even drawing a map of the area. And then

there were the unforge8able “uppity” women such as Esther, Naomi

and Ruth whose stories Lisa brought to life and which teach us lessons

for modern living. At the Sunday service, Lisa led the children’s story

0me with a story about Naomi and Ruth and con0nued it as she deliv-

ered a medita0on that enlighted us all about the relevance of the Old

Testament. We are privileged to have had Lisa with us for a few days

to educate us about these women and their Old Testament stories.

TRINITY SILENT AUCTION

The organizers of the Silent Auc0on—Elizabeth Powell, Pat

Mare8 and Sherry Oldham— extend their thanks and

apprecia0on to everyone who par0cipated in the recent Silent

Auc0on. Whether by dona0ng one of the many items offered for

auc0on or by placing a bid on your favourite item, you helped to

make this fundraiser a great success. Over $1500 has been

donated to the Trinity General Fund. Thank you!!

- photo courtesy Sherry Oldham

- photos courtesy Peter Darling

- photo courtesy Sherry Oldham


5/MISSIVE

MUSIC FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

The music of Bri0sh composer Eric Thiman (1900-

1975) has been featured here at Trinity over the last

several months, as we remember the 40th

anniversary of his death. The culmina0on of this

li8le Thiman fes0val will happen on Sunday,

December 13th

, when the Chancel Choir, along with

guest organist Giles Bryant, will present Thiman’s

delighTul Cantata, “The Na0vity”. Scored for

soprano and tenor soloists, choir and organ, this

work was published in 1934 and shows his

masterful grasp of wri0ng for the abili0es of

amateur and church choirs in his use of themes

from familiar hymns.

Thiman was a prolific composer of choral music,

vocal solos and piano and organ works. His

cra3manship and gi3 for melody were much

admired. He was Director of Music at City Temple in

London. As an educator, he was a professor at the

Royal Academy of Music, wri0ng many books on

harmony, counterpoint and musical form. Ironically,

he was mainly self-taught.

In the weeks before and a3er the Cantata, you will

hear a variety of seasonal organ, choral, handbell

and instrumental music, from composers such as

Bach, Behnke, Burkhardt, Gramann, Mendelssohn,

Praetorius and a previously unknown composer to

me, O8o Goldschmidt, the husband of the

celebrated 19th

century soprano Jenny Lind. And of

course, music by the prolific composer known only

as Anon will also be heard!

There is so much glorious music for Advent and

Christmas that I have decided to extend the length

of the prelude 0me slightly in order to showcase as

much wonderful seasonal music as possible. The

musicians of Trinity invite you to come a few

minutes earlier than normal on Sundays and

experience the wonderful music of Advent and

Christmas.

Bob Grandy

Minister of Music

CHRISTMAS WORD SEARCH


6/MISSIVE

HOMEWARD BOUND – MOVING AHEAD

Recently Kevin and I a8ended a very fulfilling mee0ng with the

Peterborough Homeward Bound Team to get up-to-date with their

progress and to explore ways in which Trinity can support this

exci0ng ini0a0ve.

This enthusias0c team is comprised of representa0ves from The

Peterborough Housing Council and from Woodgreen Community

Services, the Toronto pioneers in establishing Homeward Bound.

In planning the Peterborough Homeward Bound Program, the team is using a well-proven “How-to Kit”

established by Woodgreen with funding from the Ontario Trillium Founda0on. Their comprehensive plan

defines the resources required for the four phases of the program – Skills Training, Formal Educa0on,

Internship and Employment. Locally program support has already been offered by Trent University,

Fleming College, the YWCA, YMCA and the City of Peterborough.

The list of the needed resources was reviewed to establish where, when and how we at Trinity can provide

support to the Program. The opportuni0es iden0fied are:

• Financial and volunteer help in furnishing six apartments • Facili0es for holding offsite mee0ngs and social events • Assistance to ensure food security for the families • Assistance to help develop the life skills of the par0cipants

The 0meline for the program is dependent on the availability of the housing units and the child support

facili0es for the par0cipants. A suitable site has been iden0fied but is not yet confirmed. Some

refurbishment of the building will be required and it could be available for occupancy during the last half of

2016. The selec0on process for par0cipants focuses upon proven indicators of success such as mo0va0on,

self determina0on and academic readiness. This comprehensive process is expected to begin in the spring

of 2016.

Both Kevin and I were impressed by the skills of the team and the completeness of the planning in the

program. We were le3 with no doubt that Trinity’s involvement as a partner in the program is

enthusias0cally welcomed. In accordance with the wishes of the congrega0on to support the

Peterborough Homeward Bound Program as part of our expanded Outreach mission, your Council has

passed the following mo0on:

“Council recommends that Trinity commit up to $20,000 in support to the furnishing of the six housing

units for the Peterborough Homeward Bound Program, if necessary this support to be taken from Trinity’s

Trust Funds.”

The hope is that this support will be raised through generous dona0ons and that the Trust Funds can be

kept intact. This recommenda0on will be presented for congrega0onal approval at the Annual General

Mee0ng in February 2016.

Geoff Brown


7/MISSIVE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

To support our food security mission and to create

awareness re hunger in our community, we need to

first consider our history. Churches like Trinity have

informally been involved in food - pot lucks, lunch-

eons, dinner theatre as well as money for the needy

through our Benevolent Fund.

Today, with poverty rampant in our community, we

need to recognize the collec0ve responsibility we

have for ensuring everyone has the basic right to ade-

quate food. All sectors of society have a role to play:

government, voluntary and private sector. Churches

are increasingly involved as various levels of govern-

ment change their funding priori0es.

How does food (in)security impact on our own pro-

grams and ac0vi0es?

1) Community Dinners at St. Paul's Church: On

November 14 and 15, twelve Trinity members plus

two students (volunteer hours) and two visitors

prepared veggies and fruit (Peterborough Farmer's

Market) then fed seventy-seven hungry but grateful

folks.

2) We can support YWCA Nourish project, a program

focused on growing, cooking, ea0ng and advoca0ng

for good food which builds community, economy and

our daily lives. In addi0on, it's about empowering the

marginalized and vulnerable to take a more ac0ve

role in shaping decisions regarding their needs and

future. See www.nourishproject.ca/

3) The YWCA Just Food program of fresh, local

produce and locally sourced staples is a tremendous

program we can support. Other local food programs

we can assist include: Community Gardens (Trinity has

one), Come Cook With Us, Peterborough Gleaning

(donated,) Babies First, Collec0ve Kitchens,

The Lighthouse (contributed food and socks), Out of

the Cold, YES (Youth Emergency Shelter),

Brock Mission and Kawartha Food Share.

4) We can celebrate the gi2 of food through our

worship as we stand in solidarity with those who are

vulnerable or marginalized. Besides Thanksgiving,

Oct. 17th was the Interna0onal Day for Eradica0on of

Poverty and Oct. 18th, World Food Sunday (3rd Sun.

of October.) (UCC videos, poverty ar0cles in future

Missives.)

5) We can support the Peterborough Farmer's

Market where Trinity can purchase a variety of foods

in season for church dinners. Small scale farmers

obtain a fair price direct from the consumer. The

benefits of farmers' markets include less long distance

transporta0on, handling, refrigera0on 0me and

storage while farmers retain profits. All much

friendlier for the environment and infrastructure

while consumers access fresh, healthy food.

6) We can lobby businesses to create a demand for

local and seasonal produce for school meal programs,

hospitals and seniors' homes, restaurants. Local food

markets return fair prices to area producers.

7) We can lobby our Federal Minister of Agriculture,

Lawrence MacAulay, re protec0ng rights of small

farmers and our Ontario Minister of Agriculture,

Food and Rural Affairs and local MPP, Jeff Leal. We

can ensure they keep Prime Minister Trudeau's

promise, "That all Canadian children deserve a real

and fair chance to succeed." That success relies on

basic Income to purchase food.

8) We can promote awareness, as quoted by the

Trent Centre, "Food programs increase people's

overall wellbeing beyond just nutrients: when we eat

together we share, grow and gain strength."

9) We can help children and grandchildren learn to

cook with us in the kitchen and by ea0ng together as

a family.

Though the role of churches is changing, Trinity can be

an important partner in public educa0on and

advocacy for food security and societal change.

Barb Diceman

Chair, Outreach Team


8/MISSIVE

CATHERINE FOUND

Catherine Jevons was born and raised in O8awa.

She has one brother, Chalmers who lives in

Kingston. Her dad was an office manager in the

General Electric office in downtown O8awa and

her mother volunteered with St John’s Ambulance.

Catherine remembers her pre-teen years during

WWII. As in London, total blackout was enforced

in O8awa. Her dad helped in the war effort by

serving as a Warden. He went out every night

dressed head to toe in black, with a large “W” on

his chest, checking homes for window shades that

were leXng out light. Catherine o3en went ice

ska0ng and remembers geXng off a blacked-out

bus and running the rest of the way home in the

dark. When the war was over she was amazed by

all the street and store lights being on, a sight she

couldn’t remember because she was so young

when the war started.

In her final years at Nepean High School a certain

young football coach in his first year, who also

taught science and geography, caught her eye. His

name was Bruce Found. Catherine must have

caught Bruce’s eye too, because not long a3er

Catherine graduated, Bruce and Catherine became

engaged and then married at Westboro United in

O8awa. If there is such a thing as soul mates, they

were Catherine and Bruce. Catherine remembers

that one Sunday per year was designated as “Bird

Sunday” in church. On that day everyone brought

their pet song birds in their cages and lined them

up across the front of the church. Hmmm-- we

wonder if Bob could work budgies and canaries in

with the bells and chimes at Trinity?

A3er leaving high school Catherine decided to be a

nurse and travelled to Toronto Western Hospital

for an interview which was required before

entering nursing school. The interviewers there

told her that she had all the qualifica0ons and

quali0es to make a fine nurse. That is, un0l she

men0oned that she was soon going to be married

- at which point they informed her that they didn’t

accept married people. How 0mes have changed!

So Catherine decided she would become a teacher

instead. She went to Teacher’s College in O8awa

and did supply teaching there for several years.

A3er their marriage and the arrival of two

beau0ful daughters, Bruce got the itch to move

somewhere else. At a teaching fair in Toronto,

Bruce learned that there were openings in

Peterborough. Since this was about half way

between Catherine’s parents in O8awa and

Bruce’s in Toronto, and because Bruce fell in love

with Anstruther Lake where a friend had a co8age,

they decided that Peterborough was the place.

However there was a housing shortage in

Peterborough because of all the people GE was

hiring. So the Founds “found” a lot on Westbrook

Drive and contracted to have a house built in 0me

for Bruce to start teaching in September. While it

was being built Bruce spent the summer at Camp

Petawawa, because, as well as being a first rate

teacher, Bruce was also in the Canadian Army

Reserves. Meanwhile Catherine and her very

young daughters spent the summer with friends

who had a large house in Toronto. On one

occasion her friends went away for a weekend

leaving Catherine and the children on their own.

- photo courtesy Garry Lister


9/MISSIVE

There had been break-ins in the area and

Catherine was frightened. So she braved the new

experience of hiring a taxi and, with her two young

daughters and all the required luggage, she made

for the train sta0on and Peterborough where she

would stay with friends. GeXng

everything and everyone from the taxi onto the

train by herself is a story in itself, but nothing

stops Catherine.

When it came close to September and 0me for

Bruce to start his teaching job in Peterborough

they checked to see if they could move into their

house. To their chagrin they found that the house

building progress consisted solely of the hole

having been dug. So Bruce moved into a boarding

house in the south end and Catherine and their

li8le daughters moved in with friends north of

Lindsay.

When they finally moved into their home on the

unpaved roads of Westbrook Drive they had a call

from the minister at St Andrew’s who was invi0ng

all the new arrivals on the street to a8end church

there. But he warned them that there were three

churches in a row on Reid Street – St Andrew’s, St

Peter’s and Trinity – and not to go to the wrong

one! Catherine didn’t know if he was kidding, so

they went to Trinity! Catherine remembers that

Trinity, at the 0me, had no centre aisle but instead

two aisles plus the two aisles against the walls.

Bruce and Catherine had five children – Chris0e,

Marion, Margaret, Paul and Jennifer - who have

all done well. When they were growing up

Catherine told them she had five things she

wanted each to accomplish – to be confirmed in

the church, to get their Senior badge in Red Cross

swimming, to reach Grade 8 piano, to finish Grade

13 and to get some educa0on beyond high school.

And they all did.

Bruce was vice-principal at Adam Sco8 for many

years and an ac0ve volunteer in the community.

Catherine and Bruce served on many commi8ees

at Trinity. Catherine loved making costumes for

numerous entertainment produc0ons that took

place. Bruce had a terrific interest in Trinity’s pipe

organ and soon became the go-to guy when it

needed fixing, adjus0ng or cleaning. Catherine

and their five children miss Bruce very much, as

does the Trinity congrega0on.

Before moving from O8awa to Peterborough,

Bruce had fallen in love with Anstruther Lake and

an island that was for sale. Unfortunately there

was no road into Anstruther - just a mile long path

from Gold Lake. So the ques0on was how to build

a co8age? Bruce bought a big war surplus truck in

O8awa but didn’t have a license to drive such a

vehicle. The motor vehicle licensing agent

men0oned to Bruce that he didn’t need a license if

the truck was being towed and he was just

steering it. And he also men0oned that there was

no law saying the truck’s motor couldn’t be

running. So Bruce and Catherine hooked a rope

from their sta0on wagon to the truck. Catherine

drove the sta0on wagon on the back roads and

“towed” the army truck which Bruce “steered with

the motor running”. Unfortunately the truck had a

flat 0re in Smiths Falls. They got the 0re fixed the

next morning and, by a stroke of luck, along came

a truck with a trailer that was used to carry up to

nine cars - and it was empty. The driver saw their

predicament and offered to put their army truck

on his car carrier – and he did. He let them off in

Norwood and Bruce drove the army truck towards

Gold Lake, hoping that he wouldn’t be stopped by

the OPP and asked for his truck driving license. At

Gold Lake they were able to hire a barge to carry

the truck across to the path on the other shore.

Then they barged lumber across Gold Lake, used

the army truck to carry the

lumber along the mile long path to Anstruther

Lake and used a boat to get it to the island. They

got the co8age built and the family has used it for

over 60 years.

Catherine has always been an ac0ve volunteer in

the community and remains ac0ve volunteering in

the gi3 shop at the Lakefield Animal Shelter.

Catherine, like Bruce, always has a twinkle in her

eye and a story to tell. Thanks Catherine.

Garry Lister


10/MISSIVE

REV. DR. BARRY and LILIA DAY

Barry Day was born in the village of Holland,

Manitoba. He had two sisters and his father was a

school principal. Barry’s father was transferred to

Pine Falls, Man. where he became a school

inspector, then to Morden, Man., where Barry

went to high school and finally to Winnipeg.

Barry decided to do his BA at United College which

was run by the United Church and would

eventually become the University of Winnipeg, On

enrollment day students were to line up

alphabe0cally and the person standing behind him

was a gorgeous blond who would become a

classmate.

Lilia Eylands was that gorgeous blond. Lilia was

born in Bellingham, Washington, the youngest of

four children. Her father was a Lutheran Minister

who had been born in Iceland. His name, when he

emigrated, was a good Viking name, Valdimar

Jonsson. But he discovered that there were so

many Jonssons and Johnsons and Johnstons in the

Icelandic and Scandinavian communi0es of the US

and Canadian northwest that he decided to

change it. And he made one up – Eylands. “Ey” is

Icelandic for “Island”, and “lands” is Icelandic for

“man”. In 1939 her family moved to Winnipeg.

Lilia went to high school at Daniel McIntyre

Collegiate where she won the Governor General’s

Award for Best Overall Student.

In college, Barry and Lilia became friends and at

lunch 0me they ate with others in a small

cafeteria. Lilia’s mom made good lunches, with

the result that Barry would eat his lunch and then

half of hers. They both enjoyed their BA studies

and in third year Barry was elected Senior S0ck

(a.k.a. Student Body President). One Sunday Barry

filled in for a friend in the pulpit in a United Church

in Selkirk, Man. This was to be Barry’s very first

sermon and, in prepara0on, Lilia became Barry’s

proxy congrega0on as Barry prac0ced it several

0mes. The evening following the service Barry and

Lilia were invited to dinner at Lilia’s parents’

home. Lilia’s father, s0ll a Lutheran minister, was

intensely interested in Barry’s progress toward the

ministry and asked Lilia how the sermon went - to

which Lilia proceeded to recite the whole sermon,

word for word.

The end of their BA programs was an exci0ng 0me

for Barry and Lilia. Barry enrolled in the three year

Theology School program at United College and

Lilia won a one year scholarship to study Icelandic

Language, Literature, and History in Reykjavik,

Iceland. Upon her return there were wedding

bells. The year was 1956.

During Theology School Barry had no money but

Lilia had a job selling stockings at Eaton’s so they

had a li8le money for the occasional movie or

pizza. And they were happy. During first and

second year at Theology School, Barry was

assistant minister at St Andrew’s River Heights

United Church. The church had two ministers and

these were valuable learning years for Barry. The

Sunday Services were frequently broadcast live on

CBC radio so the ministers had microphones. He

and one of the ministers, Jack Pa8erson, had the

reputa0on of being less than perfect singers. The

result was that when the choir would file past

them into the choir lo3, Barry and Jack would hear

various members whispering empha0cally to them

“Shut up during the hymns!”.

In third year of Theology School Barry was student

minister at High Bluff and Poplar Point, just

outside Portage La Prairie. The congrega0on of

this country charge was very good to them. One

day Barry had a call from a lady who said she had

something for him. Soon she arrived at their door

with eight dozen eggs, all cracked which meant

she couldn’t sell them. At first Barry and Lilia were

at a loss as to what to do with eight dozen cracked

eggs but enterprising Lilia took on the challenge

and made a whole lot of angel cakes, most of

which she distributed to congrega0on members.

Barry was ordained in 1958 and his first

assignment was a five point charge – Rapid City,


11/MISSIVE

Jus0ce, Moore Park, Hunterville and Wallace,

where he preached three sermons per Sunday.

The Wallace charge was a schoolhouse but a3er

Barry was there a year the congrega0on had

swelled so much that they decided to build a

church.

In 1960 Barry was called to a United Church in

Dauphin, Manitoba, a town of about 10,000 where

he served 0ll 1965. By then he and Lilia had been

blessed with three children, Kathryn, Lorna and

Duncan.

In 1965 Barry was called to be Assistant Minister in

the hallowed halls of Timothy Eaton Memorial

United Church in Toronto where they had four

ministers. Barry and Lilia enjoyed this calling very

much. But then in 1968 Barry got a call from Bill

Durant of Trinity United in Peterborough. Barry

and Lilia accepted and it was a wonderful experi-

ence for the next 14 years. During this 0me Lilia

commuted to University of Toronto for two years

and earned her diploma in Child Studies. She then

became Early Childhood Educa0on Coordinator at

Fleming for 12 years, teaching daycare and

nursery school workers. At Trinity, Lilia was an

accomplished contralto singer and sung many

duets in Diana’s choir with Elizabeth Venton as

soprano.

In 1973, while at Trinity, Barry was asked to do a

s0nt as the first United Church clergyman in the

Na0onal Defense College at Fort Frontenac in

Kingston. Trinity gave him a year’s leave and part

salary to do this. In this posi0on Barry travelled

the world to such places as Korea, China,

Indonesia, Congo, Dar es Salaam, London, Paris,

Berlin, Iqaluit, Whitehorse, and Washington. On

one occasion in Florida they were given a speech

followed by a Q&A session with a then young

senator named Joe Biden, now US Vice-President.

During his speech Biden men0oned several 0mes

that he was the youngest Senator in history. As is

o3en the case, Barry couldn’t restrain himself and

during the Q&A acknowledged that Joe was the

youngest Senator in history and asked him what

he had wanted to be when he grew up. Biden

didn’t appreciate the ques0on at all and mumbled

something about a “Smart Ass Clergyman”.

Barry’s next calling was in Burlington from 1982 to

1989, followed by Keene United Church un0l 1998,

a3er which he re0red. While in Keene, Lilia did

private counselling for children and elders. In

2012 Barry and Lilia moved back to Peterborough

and Trinity.

As well as conduc0ng eight group trips to Israel,

Barry and Lilia’s travels have taken them to such

places as England, France, Italy, Denmark,

Panama, the Caribbean and Iceland. For many

years they enjoyed a co8age on Kashabog Lake.

They have eight grandchildren and enjoy life at

Canterbury Gardens.

Barry and Lilia, we are glad to have you back. We

are the richer for it.

Garry Lister

- photo courtesy Garry Lister


12/MISSIVE

The Trinity Missive is published four 0mes a year.

Comments and sugges0ons are always

welcome. Please contact the editor at:

patricia.mare6@sympa�co.ca.

For weekly updates check the website:

www.trinitypeterborough.com

Pat Mare6, Editor

THE TRINITY GARDENS

The Trinity flower gardens have been prolific again this

year. There was a lot of sunshine and 0mely rainfall. The

gardeners have been rewarded with thanks and praise,

both from Trinity folk and by the many people who walk

past Trinity on their way downtown.

Laurel has been a great help in plan0ng plus keeping the

gardens neat and dead-heading.

Our plan is to put a truck-load of city compost on the gar-

dens in the spring to keep them nourished a3er such a

display of colour. More perennials have been added to

reduce the number of annual plants needed. Sheila has

collected zinnia and snapdragon seeds for next year’s

plan0ng.

Thank you, Trinity, for your encouragement.

Sheila and Doug

CHURCH SECURITY

As many of you are aware, we had an issue in early

November with the main entrance door to the church not

latching properly. While the problem has been corrected,

we urge all members of the congrega0on to please be

vigilant when you enter or depart the church outside of

office hours. Pull the door handle to ensure that it is

properly secured. If you are the last to leave the building

please make sure that all lights have been turned off.

FAREWELL TO MARY

We would like to take this moment to wish a very fond

farewell to Mary Rawlings. Mary has been a8ending

Trinity since 1983 except for a couple of years that she

spent teaching in Trinidad. Even then she organized a

book drive here at Trinity for her students in Trinidad.

Mary is a valued long-0me member of the Chancel Choir.

In December, Mary will be reloca0ng to Canmore, Alberta

to be closer to her son Chris and his partner Andrea.

We wish you the very best in your new adventure Mary.

You will be an asset to your new congrega0on and the

town of Canmore.

Best wishes from your Trinity family.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 29—Advent I Communion

The Bells of Trinity

December 2—7:00 PM Light in the Shadows

December 6 - Advent II White Gift Sunday

December 13 - Advent III

Cantata: The Nativity

December 20 - Advent IV Trinity Instrumental Ensemble and

The Bells of Trinity Special fellowship time

December 24 - Christmas Eve

7:30 PM Family Communion Service

December 27

Service of Lessons, Carols and a story

January 10 100th Anniversary of our Sanctuary

Communion Congregational Soup Lunch

February 7

Transfiguration Communion Service

February 9 Pancake Supper—5:00 PM

February 14

Annual General Meeting

March 20 Palm Sunday

THE TRINITY MISSIVE -...

Documents

Transcript of THE TRINITY MISSIVE -...