Holy Week services at Knox

It has been 40 long years, but once again there will be Holy Week services at Knox Church.

Session decided in late fall that it was important that the church be open at this most holy time of the year, and made the decision to hold a Maundy Thursday  (7 p.m.) and a Good Friday (9:30 a.m.) service at the church.

Yes, there have been Holy Week services at Knox during those 40 years, but as part of ecumenical services with Wellington Square, Port Nelson and Burlington Baptist churches, meaning that such services were only held here every four years as it was alternated among the various churches.

This year, our interim moderator, the Rev. Bob Docherty will conduct the Maundy Thursday service that will include Communion as well as the Good Friday service, which is being held earlier than our normal worship service so that anyone who still wants to participate in the ecumenical service can still get over to Wellington Square for the 11 a.m. service.

As clerk of session, it was my responsibility to inform the other clergy of the Knox decision, and the following is part of the letter I received signed by the clergy of the other three churches.

We are saddened by your decision, for your presence will be missed. The people and clergy of Knox have contributed much to the spirit of our gatherings. You have richly blessed us in word, song and presence.

We do want you to know that we are grateful that you were able to join us for almost 40 years. This is, indeed, a record of which we can all be proud. Please express our thanks to the members of Session and to the congregation. We look forward to other opportunities when we might worship and serve together as sisters and brothers in Christ.

May God bless you and keep you, as you move forward, as God’s people at Knox Burlington.

A time to thank Trish
Ten weeks ago, I announced that Trish Redding, would be retiring as church administrator, and that if everything fell into place, she would be leaving by the end of February.

It is now going on toward the end of March and Trish is still with us, but only for a few more days as March 28th marks her last day before she heads into retirement.

Bright, cheerful, bubbly, Trish has provided an invaluable service to Knox Church over the years, first as office assistant and then as church administrator, a position she has held for the past five years.

That earlier blog noted that Trish had decided to step down to do things on a personal level, and by the sounds of things, she will be still busy, but busy in much different ways, indeed doing things she never had the time to do with her current responsibilities.

The congregation has an opportunity to thank Trish and wish her well as she travels down a new pathway as everyone is invited to a time of fellowship Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in Reception Room A and B.

Communion Sunday

This Sunday is Communion Sunday, changed by a week because of the disruption that was forecast by the Chilly Half Marathon, when access is difficult, and parking near impossible. That being said, there were indeed a good number of people who found a place to park, hitched a ride, walked or took some other form of transportation.

We had tried to make arrangements with the city to reserve parking for Knox, and those efforts proved to be just so, so. The group designated to reserve spots for Knox, unfortunately, were located at the wrong lot - I really think we are capable of looking after our own tiny lot, although some racers did indeed try to park there.

In any case, as I started to write this blog, it was 358:17:08:20 to the start of the next race. Yes, the race committee already has information up about the 2014 race, with a time clock attached, and so we already know that the race is 358 days away.

That, hopefully, gives the congregation lots of time to plan, and already there are some new thoughts as to how Knox can enjoy Sunday worship with thousands of racers and even more spectators on our doorstep.

And so, with Communion moved one week ahead, it also means that each of us must remember that this then is the time when we revert to Daylight Savings Time, and that means moving the clocks ahead.

Rev. Dr. Don Donaghey, recently retired from Knox, Dundas, will be with us again this week for the Communion service.

Victor writes

Dear Friends at Knox,
 I apologize for having been incommunicado the last little while. Mea culpa. It is currently reading week at McGill and I am taking the opportunity to catch up on correspondence.

Everything continues to go well at Presbyterian College; this semester I am particularly enjoying systematic theology (who would have guessed?). Clyde Ervine was in Montreal lecturing during the continuing education week in February and I had the chance to participate as well as catch up with him.

After discussing it with Clyde I have elected to remain a member of Hamilton Presbytery rather than becoming a member of the Presbytery of Montreal. It just feels right to remain where I am.

I will be taking an intensive New Testament Greek course this spring (May and June), and will probably take a July course as well to lighten the load for next year since my summer will be a short one. This will allow me more time next year for involvement in non-academic activities at both Westminster and PC. I also hope to take a summer charge next year for the months of May through August as may be available.

I do foresee being in Toronto towards the end of the summer since the guidance conference at Crieff Hills is normally held late August. Quite some time to go before then I know; still I look forward to seeing you all again.

I wish you all a blessed and happy Easter!

Yours in Christ,

Victor

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3)