Annual meetings - Now and Then

I have recently been involved in a great deal of research for a new book project, going through old microfilm during the period after the Second World War. Aside from my primary research, it’s interesting to note some of the other news stories of that era, and one thing that really stands out was the level of coverage churches received in the pages of the Burlington Gazette.

Most churches were able to receive a certain level of coverage, but of course I was most interested in the stories involving Knox church, noting that the various women’s groups received extensive coverage concerning their regular meetings, with names, names and more names of those who were involved in the meetings.

This Sunday is an important one in the life and witness of the Knox congregation, as we not only celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but after the service, we will adjourn to Fellowship Hall for a light lunch followed by our annual meeting.

Annual church meetings were major news back in the 1940s, as there was not only extensive coverage, but often it was front page news. With that in mind, what follows is the front page news story from the Gazette, wherein there is a detailed story concerning the annual meeting covering the year 1946.

The annual meeting of Knox Presbyterian Church was held on Thursday evening in the Sunday school room. The minister, Rev. Dr. James G. Berry, presided and conducted a short devotional service.

John Blair was then chosen chairman. In the course of his remarks, he said that the congregation had had a good year. The reports would testify to the work done and the finances well maintained.

Dr. Berry gave the report of the session: The past year saw release from war strain and the return to peace conditions. These were, however, disturbed and difficult. Yet in our church life there is much ground for thankfulness. It is a good thing to say, “first of all we give thanks to God’.

The work of the church was faithfully performed. Besides our ordinary services, the customary special ones of Communion, Easter, Anniversary, Thanksgiving and Christmas were seasons of refreshing and grateful giving.

For the Advance for Christ and Peace Thank Offering a substantial contribution had been made. There were also some contributions to be given over the three-year period. A united effort during 1947 and 1948 would bring us to the desired goal. Let us resolve to have a good try together.

Our missionary giving was well maintained. The offering of the Sunday school from the monthly missionary Sundays was most encouraging.

The reports of the organizations show that much good work has been done both for congregational needs, and for the needs of the church at large.

To all members and friends of the church for their support, and to the officers and members of the boards and societies, the session expresses its sincere appreciation. This includes the teachers of the Sunday school, the organist and choirmaster, and those who give their services in the choirs. Our caretaker and his wife deserve a special word of thanks here. Let us renew our devotion to the worship and work of the church, and in unity and fellowship seek its welfare.

The reports of the other boards and societies were then given by the treasurers as follows:
Board of Management, Board of Trustees, Session Fund, Missions. Ladies Aid, WMS, Mission Band, Choir Fund, Sunday school, Young People, Young Women’s Auxiliary, Junior Choir and Auditors.

Especially notable were the varied services rendered by the Ladies’ Aid and the large amount raised by the three groups. The ladies were warmly thanked for their untiring work.

The board of managers were re-relected as follows: John N. Blair (chairman), R. S. Merton. R. McFarlane, John Troughton, J. D. Gibbins, E. W. Smith, W. G. Henderson. A. M. Bryce, C. A. Peace (secretary), Stanley Craze (treasurer), also the auditors. G. F. Buzza and R. McFarlane.

A committee of ladies, with Mrs. Fraser Buzza, convener, served refreshments.

Moderator to preach

This Sunday, Knox is delighted to welcome as our guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Rick Horst, moderator of the 137th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

Born in Hamilton, Dr. Horst was raised in St. Enoch Presbyterian Church, and studied broadcast journalism before he answered the call to pastoral ministry.  Ordained in 1984, Rick was appointed to three inner-city congregations in Toronto, and later answered a call to St. Marys Presbyterian Church, where he served for 17 years.

 Witnessing significant congregational growth in St. Marys, he also guided and oversaw two major building expansion programs during his ministry there.  But in the spring of 2004, Rick felt the call of God to St. Andrew's Church in Barrie, commencing his duties in August of that year.  In 2007, Rick was appointed to the Board of Barrie's Royal Victoria Hospital, where he currently offers his governance expertise in the role of vice-chairman.  His earlier concern for those in our nation's armed forces takes expression today through his volunteer work as Padre to the Veteran's Club of Barrie.

 Married to Karen who ministers to St. Andrew's, Orillia, Rick says that he continues to nurse his imperfections through the unconditional support of his beloved Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is also very much a baseball fan as during his time in St. Marys he served as a governor of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

Throughout his ministry, Rick has brought emphasis to the local congregation's sense of mission in the wider community.  His work with Dr. Kennon Callahan, author of the influential “Twelve Keys to Effective Churches” materials, has seen Rick working with many congregations and presbyteries to strengthen and enhance their efforts in concrete missional ministries.  He has served our denomination in many capacities, including the chairmanship of two Synod Camp Boards, a member of the Special Committee on Restructuring, the Assembly Council, convenor of the Canada Ministries Advisory Committee and his Synod's Missions Committee.

Rick's profound love of people and for the life and witness of the local congregation is a theme that underlies and informs his daily work as a pastoral minister.  His passion for helping congregations build upon their God-given gifts and strengths in order to be more effective agents in addressing human hurts and hopes in the larger community influences what he is sharing with our churches this year.

There will be a reception in Fellowship Hall following Sunday’s service which will be hosted by the Knox session, and everyone is urged to attend, providing an opportunity to meet with Rick at that time.

Knox North

It has been called Knox North, and for good reason as over the years a number of people from the Knox congregation have called it home.

Knox North is Heritage Place, a retirement home just off Walker’s Line in north Burlington, and for a number of years, the church has offered a monthly worship service to the residents living there.

That tradition has continued through the vacancy thanks to the efforts of a number of people. During the summer months, at a time when we had a different minister in the pulpit most Sundays, a group from Knox made sure that the services continued without a minister being present, this with the service taking the form of singing favorite hymns.

Once the Rev. John Duff was contracted as interim minister, he led the worship service, with residents, both from Knox or others associated with other denominations, in attendance.

Now, the Rev. Bob Docherty, who will serve as interim minister for the next three months, will be leading worship at Heritage Place, with the next service scheduled for Thursday morning (Feb. 9) at 11 a.m.

Although the service is intended for residents of Heritage Place, others are welcome – indeed encouraged – to attend and give support to this important outreach ministry.

And some bits and pieces

• Anyone who would like to meet with the Rev. Bob Docherty is encouraged to phone the church office and make an appoint as he plans to be in the church office on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 12 noon. He can also be reached at 1-905-309-3603 or through RevBob.Docherty@gmail.com as necessary.

• With the annual meeting scheduled for the last Sunday in February, everyone is urged to pick up copies of the annual report which will be available this Sunday, Feb. 12. There is a bit of a switch in scheduling for this year’s annual meeting as there will be a lunch in fellowship hall before – rather than after - the meeting.