THE TRINITY MISSIVE -...
Transcript of 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
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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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,
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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
Trinity United Church Advent 2015
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