february 2013

I S S U E 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3

A Cross The Pews

Knox Waterloo

C e l e b r at i n g 1 2 5 Y e a rs !

Save the Date!

Reuben’s Ordination

February 24th 3 p.m. 6

Pancake Supper

February 12th 5‐7 p.m. Page 6

Knox has an official Facebook Page! “Like” us at www.facebook.com/knoxwaterloo

You are invited to Reuben St. Louis’ Ordination

Sunday, February 24th at 3 p.m. Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo

See page 16 for details.

During the Lenten Season you will see a prayer bowl in the atrium of the church. There will be sand in the bowl and small papers and pens nearby. Please feel free to write a prayer request and place it in the prayer bowl at any time. Each Sunday morning, these requests will be taken to the prayer room (room 200 upstairs) for intercessory prayer.

LENTEN PRAYER ROOM During the Season of Lent (from Sunday, February 17th to Easter Sunday, March 31st) Room 200* will be set up as a prayer room. It will be open during the day from 9‐4, as well as during LOGOS for anyone who would like a time of quiet prayer. On Sundays it will be open for ½ hour after worship. *Room 200 is upstairs at the end of the hall near the Knox Room and washrooms.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 3rd at 3 p.m. in the Church Hall.

Sunday Service at 10:00am Radio Broadcast: Sunday 10:00am CKWR FM 98.5 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T1 519 . 886 . 4150 [email protected] knoxwaterloo.ca

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FEBRUARY 2013 A CROSS THE PEWS

Minister’s Message From Psalm 23 (KJV)

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness…” It strikes me again and again how we can learn new wonders from scripture passages that we think that we know well. I looked at these familiar words and noticed for the first time how much we are called to follow when the Lord leads. The gentle words of the 23rd Psalm had taken on a pastoral feel in my mind, yet it is full of active words. Each of us is called first to be a follower, before we can be a leader. In following our Lord, we learn more about ourselves, and we learn more about Jesus. We as Christians are to prepare ourselves for the time of Lent, the weeks before Easter. This is a traditional time of personal reflection. We can choose to ask ourselves the big questions of life, even as we go through each busy day. The focus of Lent is always the person of Jesus. And Jesus always calls us into relationship. When Jesus pointed out how we should love, he put it in the context of “one another” living—never in a vacuum. We don’t love in isolation, we love in relationship. In fact, we have no identity in isolation; we are truly ourselves only when we operate within a network of relationships. Without faithful one‐another living, there is no Christian discipleship. We as Christians are called to follow Jesus. We are also called into leadership in many different ways. Our church community is strong because of the gifts of leadership that all of our people offer in service to our Lord. The efforts that we make to care for others, and to bring a passion for justice and compassion into our community all reflect the individual and collective leadership of our people and the relationships that nurture us all. As we celebrate our 125th year of continuous worship in Waterloo, we at Knox Presbyterian Church prepare ourselves for the future that has come. We may not like all aspects of our modern world today, but it is here and our personal preferences will not change the reality that is already here. We are called to follow Jesus into the world as it is, with the love that he has shown to us in his life, death and resurrection. Watchman Nee was a faithful follower of Jesus. He said:

“The characteristic of Christianity lies in the fact that its source, depth, and riches are involved with the knowledge of God’s son. It matters not how much we know of methods or doctrines or power. What really matters is the knowledge of Jesus.”

May our journeys together enable us all to discover the great love of Jesus as we mutually voyage the pathways to the cross. Respectfully submitted by Brooke Ashfield

By Brooke Ashfield

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Minister’s Message

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were authorised for public worship in the Church of Scotland. However for the last 100 years psalmody was replaced by the younger tradition of singing hymns. The Presbyterian Church in Canada published its own Psalter in 1995 as a worship resource for reading or singing the psalms. As it states

in the introduction;

“The Psalms are the hymnbook of the Bible. Across the centuries they have been sung in temple and synagogue, chapel, church and cathedral. From the 16th century, churches of the Reformation laid special claim to the Psalms, giving them a unique and honoured place in the private devotions and public worship of the people.”

Our Lenten them this year is “Praying the Psalms”. We will be reading, singing, learning and praying these ancient songs. It is our hope that they will “be for us what they have been in the past, a vital expression of the Church’s faith and devotion.”

Lent One ‐ February 17th ‐ The Prayer Book for God's People (introduction to the Psalms) Lent Two – February 24th ‐ Prayers of Praise and Thanksgiving (Psalms of joy, and praise) Lent Three ‐ March 3rd ‐ Prayers of Sacred History (Psalms of salvation and history) Lent Four ‐ March 10th ‐ Prayers of Trust (Psalms for Personal Meditation) Lent Five ‐ March 17th ‐ Prayers of Lament (Psalms of tears, fears and doubts)

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Sitting beside my grandmother in church, I noticed that she would begin her personal preparation for worship by first bowing her head in prayer and then taking her bible and hymn book (she brought her own from home) and putting book marks in all the places needed for that day. When the minister announced a hymn she had it bookmarked. When a scripture was being read she had it bookmarked. She would have loved the post‐its we now have. My grandmother loved the Psalms (or SAMS as she called them) and she would often get a very misty look in her eyes whenever we read or sang from the Psalms. As a little girl, not knowing much about where the bible was written, I assumed that the Psalms must have been from Scotland, or the “old country” as my grandmother called it because she loved them so much. Indeed the Presbyterian Church has long had an affinity with singing the Psalms. Both Calvin and Knox had the view that singing should be primarily from the Psalms since

“we shall not find better or more appropriate songs to this end than the Psalms of David, inspired by the Holy Spirit.” Calvin

When Knox returned to Scotland in 1560 he took with him the prayer book called The Order of Geneva, which included the Psalms of David in English metre. The Scottish Psalter was completed in 1564 with a new version in 1650. Until the middle of the 19th century, nothing beyond the Psalms

Rev. Linda Ashfield

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Photo taken by Hannah Carter in the Garden of Gethsemane

Passages

Congratulations! Stephen Carter and Amanda Farquhar welcomed a new baby boy into their family! Callum Ian Douglas was born on December 27th. Alice & Charlotte will make wonderful big sisters! It's a boy! Daniel David St. Louis was born January 24th at 6:49 am, weighing in at 7lbs 7oz. Congratulations to his parents, Reuben and Katherine St. Louis and big brother Ben!

Passing: Our thoughts are with the following Knox members: David Hare whose father passed away January 14th Ruth Larsen whose sister passed away January 21st

Prayer Line Did you know Knox Church has a prayer line? To request prayer OR to have your name added to the prayer line and receive updates of prayer requests from the congregation, contact the church office at 519‐886‐4150 or email [email protected].

Photo taken by Hannah Carter

in the Church of the Holy Sep

ulchre

Photo by Hannah Carter

Thinking of you & hoping you feel better soon:

Jim Anderson Wendy Morrison Lisa Jackson Ruth & Fred Worton

Hospital Visits If you or a loved one will be in hospital, please let the office know. Along with your ministers, Knox has people designated as hospital visitors.

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Thank You, Kathryn!

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Kathryn received an Honorary Doctorate from Chalmers University in Sweden in 2011, in recognition of her lifetime contributions to the field of mathematics.

She is a past Vice President of the

Canadian Mathematics Society. Last summer Kathryn was one of the principal organizers of the Women in Mathematics summer school held at the University of Waterloo, which was written up in the K‐W Record. If this is not enough, she is the co‐author of the just‐published book "Interpolation and Sidon Sets for Compact Groups" an advanced graduate level text book for students and researchers in her area. If Kathryn said she would do something, I knew it would be done before it was due. The old saying, ask a busy person to do it, if you want something done. As busy as Kathryn is she still had time to make a phone call or send an email “missed you at choir last night ‐‐‐ is everything ok?” I am sure Kathryn doesn't require as much sleep as I do as I would receive emails at 12:30 am and again at 5:30 am the day same. Kathryn and her family have experienced sabbatical years in Australia, Sweden, Hawaii and this July, leave for Scotland for a year. Kathryn we thank you and we wish you and your family all the best in the years to come. Submitted by Wendy Anderson

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Knox Church was truly blessed when Kathryn Hare joined our congregation. Kathryn has been involved with our finances for the past 15 years as Finance Chair, Stewardship Chair and Treasurer. It was my pleasure to work closely with Kathryn for the first 13 years. When Kathryn took on the treasurers position she was not aware that Knox would be building a new church and that there would be an additional set of books to oversee. Even though the new building took extra hours of work Kathryn did not blink an eye but met the challenge head on. Kathryn is a woman who wears many hats. First of all she is a supportive wife to David, and a loving mother to Laura, Khoral, Rose and Grace. Kathryn has been very involved here at Knox over the years. She is an elder of Session, has held several positions on Council, chair of the Stewardship Committee during our building campaign, sang in the choir, looks after the pre‐school room in Logos, and was one of the original members of the building committee. I am sure there are many other things Kathryn has done at Knox that I am not aware of. Kathryn is a member of the National Board of the Presbyterian World Service & Development and as a representative of PWS&D, Kathryn would preach on Sunday mornings in many congregations in our Presbytery. It always amazed me that with all the volunteering positions Kathryn holds, she is also a full professor of pure mathematics at the University of Waterloo, the first woman of that rank in that department's history.

Kathryn Hare

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A Note from Christian Education…

Vacation Bible Camp is being planned!!

July 15-19, 9am to noon - $20 Full Day Option available - $120 At Knox Presbyterian Church

Daily Themes (and Bible Story):

Day 1: Breathe in Life (Adam / Genesis 2:4‐9) Day 2: Breathe in Hope (Ezekiel Dry Bones / Ezekiel 37:1‐10) Day 3: Breathe in Courage (Jesus Walking on Water / Matthew 14:22‐33) Day 4: Breathe in Wisdom (Build on the solid rock / Matthew 7:24‐27) Day 5: Breathe in New Life (Pentecost / Acts 2:1‐6; 38‐42)

Mark your calendars and plan to attend! Let us know if you’d like to volunteer to help that week. Please see Glenda Ribey or Laura VanderVleuten. Sr. High is invited to stay in worship on the first

Sunday of each month to share in communion.

Pancake Supper Tuesday Feb. 12th, 5-7pm in the church hall.

Tickets: $5.00 for Students and Seniors

$7.00 for Adults $20.00 for Family (of 4)

Buy yours during coffee hour February 3rd & 10th

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Fundraiser for the Sr. High Mission Trip to Winnipeg

Please note that the Knox Movie Night Saturday, February 2nd has been cancelled for this year.

Next year ‐ planning a day at the movies with pizza afterwards for Family Day. Do you think it's a good idea?

Happy to help plan? Give Rev. Linda or Laura Vander Vleuten a call. Laura VanderVleuten

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If you’re college or university-age (a student, working or in‐between), join Food for Thought for a FREE dinner and study on Sunday nights, 6:30‐9 pm, at our house (774 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener, near Belmont and Union). Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Thank you to our Cooks! If you have volunteered to prepare a meal for Food for Thought, we extend our thanks to you. Your culinary efforts will be much appreciated!

Food For Thought Nancy & David Matthews

Knox 125th Anniversary Photo Directory

2013 marks 125 years of continuous Presbyterian worship in the city of Waterloo. The Session has many ideas and plans for us to mark this special occasion. One project is to publish a new Photo Directory. (Our last directory was made in 2006.) There will be pages dedicated to telling our story as well as photos of our members and adherents. Ideally, we would like everyone’s photo in our new directory. Please note that the photograph dates will be March 18-23, 2013 which is the week after March Break. Beginning February 17th, you can book your photo session on our website knoxwaterloo.ca or here at the church on Sunday mornings. Each photographed person/household/family will receive a free 125th Anniversary directory and a free 8’x10’ picture. There are no sitting fees. We need you; we need everyone to make our 125th Anniversary photo directory a success.

SUNDAY PRAYER ROOM NEEDS A PRAYER TEAM

During Lent we will have a prayer room open for ½ hour after Sunday worship for those who seek a quiet place or would like someone to pray with them. Rev. Linda is looking for people who are willing to help with this ministry. Would you consider being part of the prayer team? Each Sunday two volunteers will go to the prayer room to pray for prayer requests and to pray with anyone who asks for prayer. If you would be interested in being part of the prayer team, please let Linda know. There will be a brief orientation for each person who volunteers. Please email Linda at [email protected] or call her at the church.

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Oh well, it was another “P” word. Immediately, he replied: “SO AM I!” “DO YOU HAVE A CHURCH?” I sheepishly replied: “NO”.

HE exclaimed: “ WELL, YOU WILL

HAVE TO COME TO KNOX!” My husband was actually Roman Catholic and I grew up in the United Church! That invitation to check out Knox Presbyterian Church was all we needed. The kind invitation from a Knox member was all it took for us to join Knox! I have been a member of Knox for over 30 years. I love the warmth I feel from the people, the environment and of course the ministry.

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This is the true story of how my journey with Knox Presbyterian Church began. We moved to Waterloo from Calgary in 1981. Iain (my husband at the time) had a referral to see a medical

specialist in Waterloo. We had not acquired a family physician at the time so the specialist gave us a referral. Medical history was recorded during the initial visit with our new physician. He recorded all the necessary information for his records with a pen and paper...I might add! One question must have thrown me off... He asked: “And, what is your RELIGION?” I blurted out: “PRESBYTERIAN!” I meant to say: “PROTESTANT!”

Barb Tucker

HOLY WEEK AT KNOX

Please invite friends/family to come and worship with us this Easter. Maundy Thursday – March 28th 8 p.m. worship in the Knox Room

Good Friday – March 29th 10 a.m. with full church school program

Easter Sunday – March 31st 7:30 a.m. Early Morning Outdoor service at Waterloo Park 8:30 a.m. Pot luck Breakfast in the Church Hall

10:00 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary with full church school program.

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2013 got off to a terrific start at W@K, with our largest attendance to

date! Have a look at the bulletin board by the lounge, on the Knox website, and in the weekly Sunday bulletin for our upcoming presentation topics, special catered meals, and activities. If you are available over the lunch hour, please join us and bring friends! You may bring your own bag lunch, and we will provide tea, coffee, and desserts for free. For $5.00, we are now serving soup, homemade tea biscuits, cheese, desserts, tea, and coffee.

11:30 Tea, coffee and fellowship 11:45 Welcome, Announcements, and Devotion 12 ‐ 1:00 Lunch and Presentation

February 6 - What is Physiotherapy? When do I need it? With Mike

Clermont, Physiotherapist and a Knox Logos dad.

February 13 - Schnitzel Dinner for Valentines Day (Tickets $10-) Theme: Search My Heart. Bring your favourite scripture verse.

February 20 - “Building Positive Relationships and Connections to

Inspire and Create Change” with Knox member Catherine Fife, M.P.P.

February 27th - “Seeking The New Normal In A Changing World, Insights from Movement Science.” Dr. James Tung, U. of W. Research Fellow in Kinesiology

If you would like to come to W@K and need a ride, please call Ellen McIntosh at 519‐497‐9534, or email [email protected]. We’d love to see you!

Ellen McIntosh

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“THE COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR” is a non‐competitive 5‐ and 10‐km winter‐walk fundraiser supporting Canadian charities that serve the hungry, homeless and hurting in cities and communities across Canada. Held on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013, the walk provides participants the opportunity to experience a hint of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness by walking for a few hours during a cold Canadian night in the dead of winter.

The Kitchener‐Waterloo Walk supports Ray of Hope, which serves people struggling with poverty in our community. Once again, Knox Waterloo will provide a rest stop for the walkers, providing shelter, heat, a bathroom and some yummy snacks and warm drinks. Our Senior High LOGOS have made some granola bars and the Knox Global Partners Committee will be coordinating the evening. If you’d like to help in any way, please call the church office. THANK YOU!

Manna Day at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre

(Crieff is located near Guelph)

Thursday, February 28th 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Speaker is the Rev. Dr. Rick Horst and his topic is

“What kind of future for Israel and Palestine?”

Rick travelled to the Middle East while he was Moderator of the PCC. At the request of the 137th General Assembly he led a group of seven colleagues on an eighteen day exposure tour through Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. The main purpose of this trip was to seek to discover the real conditions on the ground for Palestinians in the West Bank and in refugee camps in Lebanon. Rick’s photos and narrative commentary will help us explore the questions and issues, which challenge the hope for peace in the land we call holy. The cost for the day is $20, which includes a hot lunch in Maclean Hall. The PCC Book Room will have a display of books and gifts to view and to purchase if you wish. To register please see the brochures on the Knox Bulletin Board (beside the lounge) or call Crieff at 1‐800‐884‐1525. Please speak with Rev. Linda Ashfield if you are interested in going, but need a ride.

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Knox Knitters and Supporters Knox knitters are continuing to produce prayer shawls and pneumonia vests and meeting the needs of many people here and abroad. Over the past few months we have given many prayer shawls to people within our congregation who have been facing challenges. Our pneumonia vests were delivered to the WMS in October for the last bale sponsored by the WMS. These pneumonia vests are a vital part of the health care for babies and children who are at risk of pneumonia during cold nights in India and Malawi. Doctors and nurses alike await the arrival of the vests with great anticipation. Our colleagues at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Kitchener and throughout Presbytery join us in continuing to make pneumonia vests and now to organize and finance the bale. Knox Knitting Supporters: Since the WMS is no longer able to sponsor the bales of pneumonia vests going to India and Malawi, we are forming support groups within Presbytery to raise the funds for the postage which is upwards of $1000.00. John Scace has set up a category for donations to Pneumonia Vest Support through the envelopes. This means that you may donate through your regular envelope and designate your support for the pneumonia vest program and thus receive tax receipts for these donations. Non knitters may help in this way to bring assistance to a needy group. Please consider this essential ministry when making your donations to Knox. Thank you.

Group C Group C is a Bible Study Group that meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m., usually at the church. In the past our meetings have been held at the home of Jean Shantz which in addition to providing easy access, also gave us a warm and inviting environment in which to meet. We thank Jean for her years of service in providing a gracious welcome to us. With convenient access at the new church in rain or shine, snow or sleet, we have moved our meetings to the church. During 2012 we studied the Visual Bible, Acts and now the Visual Bible, John. Jean Shantz, Lynn Allen and Betty Geddes have led the studies following the video. Our tea time following the study provides fellowship and animated discussions. Group C donates monthly to the WMS of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In 2012 our donations to WMS were $349.50. In addition we give a donation to the Fellowship of the Least Coin, an organization within the Women's Interchurch Council, giving support to women's needs. Our donations there were $23.23. At the end of the year we choose a charity to receive a special Christmas donation. This year we gave our donation to The House of Friendship Under One Roof campaign and the amount was $190. We welcome anyone who would like to be part of our group. Call Ellen Yessis at 519‐578‐0774.

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Community Services Sunday

January 27, 2013, was Community Services Sunday at Knox. We had the opportunity to hear from representatives of three of the ten organizations that joined us during the service and then set up displays in the church hall during Coffee Hour. It is always so inspiring to see the work that so many people do every day on behalf of others! We are privileged to be part of such a compassionate and active community and we hope that we, as a congregation and as individuals, will be encouraged to be even more involved in the community as a result of this special Sunday at Knox. The organizations that were represented were:

Aboriginal Services: Kandice Baptiste The Aboriginal Student Centre at Laurier assists incoming students in the transition to university life. In Kandice’s role, she answers admissions questions, does community visits and creates retention programming for current students. Her mission is to ensure that current and prospective students feel supported and welcomed throughout their university life. Community Justice Initiatives: Peggy LaFlamme Community Justice Initiatives (CJI) is a non‐profit organization known world‐wide as having started the first Restorative Justice program. CJI provides services in conflict resolution, group support for persons impacted by sexual trauma, and reintegration support for women returning to the community from prison through a weekly community engagement program (Stride Night) and reintegration support circles. Friendship Hamper: Michael Hackbush For 60+ years, House of Friendship's Emergency Food Hamper program has provided emergency food assistance to people in need. 31,730 food hampers were distributed in 2010‐11, serving approximately 22,000 people. The goal of the Emergency Food Hamper program is to alleviate hunger and to provide resources and sustainable opportunities within the community to cooperatively solve food insecurity issues. Lutherwood: Marilyn Jacobi Lutherwood’s Institute for Children and Youth Mental Health is an exciting initiative seeking to transform our national children’s mental health system. Its practical focus combined with the growing support of leading Canadian mental health professionals and organizations, will make the Institute a national resource for children’s mental health agencies, post‐secondary institutions, governments and concerned citizens. Marillac Place: Danielle Anderson Mothers who come to Marillac Place receive 24 hour guidance and support, continue their education and are enabled with the life‐skills they need to care for themselves and their child. Marillac Place provides a safe home for women between the ages of 16 and 25 who are pregnant, or who have a child in their care, or who are attempting to regain care of their child.

Continued on page 13

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February 9th 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Volunteer to help collect spuds for

the House of Friendship. Knox members are collecting at at Valu‐Mart & Fresh Co.

Knox members can also bring their

potato donations to church.

Community Services Sunday Continued from page 12

Nutrition for Learning: Brian Banks Our Mission is to enhance the ability to learn by ensuring that each student attends school well nourished. We support community based nutrition programs committed to improving the learning capacity, health and well‐being of children and youth in Waterloo Region. ROOF (Reaching Our Outdoor Friends): Dave Hare Reaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF) is committed to providing for the safety, support, and overall well‐being of homeless youths and youths‐at‐risk, age 12‐25, in the Waterloo Region. In accomplishing our objective of maintaining the health and safety of these individuals we provide resources and services that will enable them to make positive choices to end the cycle of homelessness. SHOW (Supportive Housing of Waterloo): Gael Gilbert. SHOW is a non‐profit organization whose mandate is to design, build and operate permanent, affordable, supportive housing in Waterloo to house people who have experienced persistent homelessness or who may be hard‐to‐house. St. Monica House: Terry Beingessner Saint Monica house is a community that provides supportive housing, counseling and on‐site education that creates opportunities for growth, learning and skill development. We empower young women who are pregnant, parenting or choosing adoption to make informed and healthy choices for themselves and their children. Waterloo Regional Police Service: Cst. Andrew Sharen The Waterloo Regional Police Service is committed to a leadership role in crime prevention and law enforcement in a community partnership to improve safety and the quality of life for all people.

Anagram:

Presbyterian = Best in prayer

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Retirement Home Ministry Our Retirement Home Ministry consists of a monthly service, written by Knox members, and brought to seven retirement and nursing homes within the area. Over the last few months we have had some changes within our providers, which are listed here. Lanark Heights: After many years of faithful service, Jean Shantz retired in September. Thank you for your commitment and contribution to this ministry. Mary Whitson (with support from Frank) has generously offered to support Ellen Yessis at Lanark. Mary is also willing to write services which is a big help as well. The Court at Laurelwood: We are grateful to Carolyn Culp and Connie Graham for their years of bringing a service to Laurelwood. The needs at Laurelwood are now being met in different ways and this service is no longer needed. Thank you to Carolyn and Connie who continue to support the program by meeting our needs in the absence of other members. Beechwood Manor: Nancy Matthews, George MacAskill and Agnes Steffy are the providers of the services at Beechwood. Thank you for your longstanding service. Waterloo Heights: Barbara Prysnuk and Lynn Allen enthusiastically bring the monthly service to Waterloo Heights. Following a car accident in October, Lynn was unable to provide this service but looks forward to returning upon her recovery. We thank Gordon Coyne for his willingness to support the service at Waterloo Heights. Terrace on the Square: Lynelle Purdy and Ramona McWatt have been faithful in providing a service at Terrace on the Square. Recently, health issues have sidelined Ramona and we appreciate the willingness of Bill Simpson to take her place. Mildred Seibel provides musical accompaniment on the organ. Bankside: Cheryl Meyer, Ramona McWatt and Agnes Steffy have been tireless in bringing the service to Bankside. Following Ramona's retirement, we have appreciated the willingness of Shelley Brubacher to take on this responsibility. Parkwood Mennonite Home: Betty Geddes and Cheryl Meyer bring the service to Parkwood. Pinehaven Nursing Home: Betty Geddes and Cheryl Meyer also bring the service to Pinehaven. Thank you for your unfailing commitment to this ministry. Marvin and Helen Reed are assisting at the Pinehaven Service. Thank you for becoming part of our Retirement Home Ministry. As seen above, our ministry is in regular need of additional support. We welcome anyone who would like to join us in this work. We are especially in need of substitutes for piano and organ accompaniment. Call Ellen Yessis at 519‐578‐0774 if you could contribute.

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Continued from Issue 1 of A Cross The Pews, January 2013.

We, the minister’s children, occupied the first pew immediately to the left of the pulpit. That let my father and mother (who sang in the choir) keep an eye on us. Families sat in the same pew Sunday after Sunday. One Sunday a visitor was asked to move as he was sitting where one family sat every week. I remember a small card was put at the entrance to each pew, which read, “These pews are free and unassigned. Welcome to Knox Presbyterian.” Some members of the congregation were upset at the time but it eventually became a non‐issue.

Sunday school Sunday school was 10‐11a.m. and one church service was only 11a.m.‐12p.m. Sunday school was one large room below the sanctuary. Teachers gathered their classes around them. It was at times a little hectic. I remember there was a big push to memorize the catechism. It was a daunting task but one boy, John Johnson succeeded. John in adult life became Rev. Dr. John Johnson and had a successful career in the Presbyterian Church in Hamilton. The new pipe organ at Knox Waterloo My memory of the installing of the new organ is very limited. The pipes behind the choir were strictly for show as the organ was an electric one. The actual pipes for the new organ were in the “loft” behind the choir. I don’t recall any campaign to raise funds for the organ. That may have occurred prior to our coming to Waterloo or it might have been a gift from an individual. Certainly there were in the congregation several “wealthy” families.

I recall vividly the first service after the installation. No one was more pleased than my mother. No longer did Knox Presbyterian take second place to the organ in the Presbyterian Church in Liverpool, England. The quality of the service was dramatically enhanced by the pipe organ just installed. It was good to hear that the organ was moved to your new sanctuary –pipes and all! Sincerely, George Kerr

George Kerr

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You are invited to Reuben St. Louis’ Ordination

Sunday, February 24th at 3 p.m.

Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo

The Worship Service We are delighted to be hosting the Presbytery of Waterloo‐Wellington as they gather for worship to ordain Reuben to the ministry of word and sacrament. Reuben and Katherine have been a vital part of the congregation here at Knox Church for many years and while we will miss them, we wish them well as Reuben begins his ministry at Nassagaweya Presbyterian Church in the next few weeks. We are expecting a lot of people to join us for this service and will need the support and help of the congregation. Our elders will be serving as ushers and greeters, but we will need people to bring in cookies/squares/sandwiches for the reception afterwards. As Moderator, Linda will be leading the ordination service, Reuben’s mom, the Rev. Nan St. Louis will give the charge and the Rev. Mark Lewis will preach. Our choir will be singing, and the Rev. Glen Soderholm as well as camp staff will provide special music. Gifts for Reuben In the past, our congregation has purchased a gift to give the newly ordained minister and we would like to do the same for Reuben. If you would like to contribute to this gift, please make your cheque out to Knox Presbyterian Church – gift for Reuben. Some of you may wish to buy your own gift for Reuben. If you are wondering what might be appropriate – please call the church office (519‐886‐4150). We have a list of items that Reuben can use – from a CD‐ROM, books, Djembe and clergy shirts – all various prices.

KNOX mission trip to Romania

Join Knox’s mission trip to Romania and help to build a home with Habitat for Humanity Canada and Romania. The dates for the build are June 3rd to June 7th. With travel and R&R days, the trip will be about 2 weeks long. For more information, please contact Stuart McTavish at [email protected] or see www.habitatglobalvillage.ca.

february 2013

Documents

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f e b r u

pews knox waterloo c

waterloo seepage16fordetails

louis ordination

knox presbyterian church