Searching

Ministers are now preaching for a call in Knox Presbyterian Church. Next Sunday, Rev. A. A. Gibson, director of Religious Education, Knox Presbyterian Church, Toronto, will be the preacher at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Now, before anyone thinks a step in the search process – or perhaps many steps – have been skipped over, readers should know that this was an item that appeared in the Burlington Gazette on Aug. 8, 1928.

That a newspaper would even give coverage to a Sunday service no matter the search process indicates a much different philosophy on news coverage back then. Then again, the lead item in that column indicated that Mr. Joseph Smith and family spent the holiday at Turkey Point. "Joe made a fine catch of perch and bass and our thanks are due him for a lovely bass."

Times and newspapers do indeed change, except Knox Church is yet again searching for a minister, with the process starting to take shape on several fronts, with the congregation asked to fill out Congregational Profile sheets, with the composition of the search committee starting to take shape and then with a workshop on March 3 entitled Knox Looks to the Future.

There were only about 40 people in attendance, but those attending learned about the search process, some history about the Presbyterian church, received an interesting perspective about why Presbyterian church membership has dropped steadily from a high of 500,000 in 1972, and also had a chance to really get to know others sitting around the tables.

While the names of the search committee will be revealed within the next few days, another step in the process has already been taken as the vacancy is now listed on the Presbyterian Church in Canada website, and there will be an advertisement relating to the vacancy in the June issue of The Record, the monthly magazine for the Presbyterian Church in Canada.  

And more,

• Representatives from the four Presbyterian churches in Burlington met recently to discuss the four-church picnic scheduled to be held at Crieff on June 17th. John McGibbon has seized upon this initiative and has been meeting with the other Presbyterian churches to make this event a reality, providing an opportunity for a joint worship service and a time of fellowship in a most unique setting. Church members received a questionnaire recently, and the results were forwarded to the committee so as to ascertain interest. A church service will still be held at St. Paul’s on that date, while the Knox session will consider whether to still hold a service for those members not attending the picnic.

Looking to the future

It is quite appropriate that the workshop being held Saturday morning is entitled, Knox Looks to the Future as this meeting will mark an important stepping-stone toward the future of Knox.

The congregation received a letter from interim moderator the Rev. Thomas Kay recently where he wrote about the search process and invited every member and adherent of the congregation to attend the workshop scheduled to go from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in Fellowship Hall. The purpose, as the letter notes, is to engage all of those present in sharing the story, strengths and challenges of the congregation, and to provide material that will form the basis for the Congregational Profile, and shape the search for a new minister.

Everyone – including those who cannot make it out Saturday morning – is urged to complete the questionnaire, which will help shape the work of the search committee. The completed questionnaires must be into the church office by Sunday, so that work can start immediately on the Congregational Profile, and so that the actual search can begin early in April.

And also, 
• The session, at its most recent meeting, authorized the purchase of a new piece of equipment that could literally save lives. The Leading With Care committee had been researching the possible purchase of a Zoll AED defibrillator (automated external defibrillator) for installation within the church. An anonymous donor has come forward to purchase the defibrillator and training sessions will be offered in the near future for those wishing to be certified in its use.

• The Christian Nurture committee handed out a survey form following last Sunday’s service which asks eight questions pertaining to a four-church picnic. The event, which would be held at Crieff Hills Retreat and Conference Centre on June 17th, would involve all four Presbyterian churches in Burlington, and would replace the picnic which in recent years has been held at Hidden Valley Park. Please return the questionnaire by this Sunday, or if you have not received one, pick one up at the church so that the committee can determine the level of interest in this event.

• There will be yet another road race this Sunday, one that will affect those travelling to Knox who come along Lakeshore Road. And, because Lakeshore will be closed, there will be no doubt heavier traffic on the alternate routes you may be taking, so everyone should allow a bit extra travelling time for this occasion. The event is the 17th annual Peak Performance Chilly Half Marathon and Frosty 5 km in aid of Joseph Brant Hospital, with both events getting under way at 10:05 from City Hall meaning that not only will surrounding streets be closed, but parking will be at a premium around the church.

• As a result of the Knox Looks to the Future workshop this Saturday, it has meant a change in the schedule for the Men’s Breakfast which will now be held March 10, starting at 8 a.m. at the Golden Griddle on Harvest Road. There is an open invitation for all men to enjoy this time of fellowship.