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The items on this page are not current news. These are events which were reported on PresbyKirk between September and December of 2007.
PresbyKirk Archives - Sept.-Dec., 2007
September Presbytery Meeting
The Presbytery of Hamilton met in Erskine Church, Hamilton, on September 11th. to commence a new season of fellowship and leadership for the Presbyterian congregations in the Hamilton area. The September meeting marks the beginning of another program year for the Presbytery. The photo displayed above is of the Moderator, Dr. Ian McPhee, addressing the Presbytery during the worship service which opened the formal meeting. For further details of this September meeting click on Photo Report. We are also pleased to be able to present the text of the Moderator's address to Presbytery during worship. Moving Into God's Future."
Special Meeting Approves Two Calls
A special meeting of the Presbytery of Hamilton was held in Knox Church, Binbrook, on September 26. The Presbytery considered two calls. The Presbytery approved a call from Kirkwall Presbyterian Church to Dr. Thomas Billard. Dr. Billard graduated from Knox College earlier this year, receiving a Master of Divinity Degree. The arrangements for Dr. Billard's ordination and induction in Kirkwall will be announced at a later date.
The second call that was considered was from Amberlea Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Pickering directed to the Rev. Fred Stewart, currently Minister of Knox Church, Binbrook and St. Paul's, Carluke. Representatives from Knox and St. Paul's spoke appreciatively of Mr. Stewart's ministry and leadership during the past three years. The Presbytery approved the call and Mr. Stewart indicated his intention to accept it. Fred Stewart's relationship with his present congregations in the Presbytery of Hamilton will conclude on December 1st.
Moderator Represents Presbyterians at Consecration
The Rev. Dr. Ian, McPhee, Moderator of the Presbytery of Hamilton, represented the Presbyterian Church at the consecration of the new Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Niagara on Sunday, September 30th. Ecumenical guests, along with the officiating clergy and Bishops, retired and current, gathered at the John Foote Armoury on James Street North in Hamilton and from there were piped to the nearby Anglican Cathedral. The two and a half hour service of consecration was conducted in the presence of one thousand invited guests in the Cathedral. The Rev. Michael Bird, Archdeacon of Trafalgar and Rector of St. Luke's Parish, Burlington, was consecrated as the Bishop of Niagara. The service included harp and vocal music by Ruth Sutherland, a brass ensemble led by Tim White, as well as the choral leadership of the Cathedral Choir and the Choir of St. Luke's Church, Burlington.PresbyKirk Archives - October 2007
St. John's, Grimsby, Hosts Presbytery
St. John's Church in Grimsby, which is presently celebrating its 175th. Anniversary, was the host congregation for the October meeting of the Presbytery of Hamilton on Tuesday, October 9th. In the absence of the Moderaor, Dr. Ian McPhee, the meeting was conducted by Dr. Don Donaghey of Knox Church, Dundas.
In addition to the usual business of the Presbytery, several significant reports were also received.
Representatives from Knox Church in Dundas reported on their positive experiences from having participated in the nationally sponsored Stewards by Design program. Also, on this theme the October Stewardship report from the National Offices of the PCC is available here.
A delegation from Aldershot Church in Burlington (photo on left is of their current church building) reported on their progress in identifying a new building location. They reported that they had explored 29 sites in the designated area of search and that only one of those sites is now actively under consideration. The location that they are currently exploring is near the Royal Botanical Garden's Administration building on Plains Road.
The Presbytery Gathered at St. John's Grimsby
The Presbytery at worship and at work in St. John's Church, Grimsby.
PresbyKirk Archives - Novenber 2007
Induction of the Rev. Tom Billard at Kirkwall
On Sunday evening, November 4th., the Presbytery of Hamilton met in Kirkwall Presbyterian Church to induct the Rev. Tom Billard as Minister. It was a joyful occasion for both the congregation and the presbytery. The induction service was conducted by the Rev. Bob Geddes with Mr. Brent Ellis preaching the sermon and the charge to the congregation and the new minister being delivered by the Rev. Dr. Charles Fensham (a former minister of the Kirkwall church). We welcome Kirkwall's new minister to the Presbytery of Hamilton and we are pleased to provide you with an introduction to the Rev. Tom Billard.
November Presbytery Meeting
The regular monthly meeting of the Presbytery of Hamilton was held at McMaster University on November 13th. The meeting in that location highlighted the Presbytery of Hamilton's long association with the Interdenominational Chaplaincy program at McMaster. The Rev. Carol Wood, a Chaplain at McMaster and a Presbyterian, was pleased to welcome the Presbytery to the campus.
The Presbytery received a request from Aldershot Church in Burlington to enter into amalgamation discussions with Knox Church, Waterdown. The requested permission was granted and the Moderator was given the power to name two Presbytery Advisors for the process.
On Sunday, November 25th. Rev. Dr. Hans Kouwenberg, Moderator of the General Assembly, addressed a service marking the 175th. Anniversary of West Flamboro Church. The Moderator delivered a sermon entitled "The Three Things that Last" from I Corinthians 13. See the "Church News" page for additional details of those celebrations.
A Service of Rededication was held at Trinity Church, Hamilton, on November 25th. This marked the completion of the extensive renovations to the Trinity building that have been undertaken during the past year. We will look forward to displaying a photo presentation of the renovated facilities on PresbyKirk.
Ecumenical Campus Ministry at McMaster
In 1970, Carl Moore, a visionary and perhaps weary United Church Chaplain, suggested that chaplains needed the help and oversight of a group of committed Christians. The timing was right for an Ecumenical group to form, which is now known as the McMaster Campus Ministries Council. In addition to students, staff and faculty, the Council includes a representative from the Presbytery of Hamilton, the United Church of Canada/Hamilton Conference and the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. Over the years, we have also had a close connection with MacNeill Baptist Church. The financial support comes from the three denominations, in addition to contributions from staff and faculty, retirees, and local churches. The Council hires the Ecumenical Chaplain, who is employed ¾ time.In a post-modern world, and on a secular campus, denominational distinctions are virtually unknown to many students. The opening phrase, “I’m not very religious,” often precedes a story of brokenness, hurt or difficulty. While the ministry is primarily to students, many programs are provided for the whole community, including seasonal worship, retreats, lunch-hour meditations, discussions, forums and bereavement support.
Hospitality is the heart and soul of student ministry. A small group of students gather every Thursday for a meal and a discussion. This program is jointly supported by the Ecumenical Chaplaincy and the Christian Reformed Chaplaincy. More than anything, chaplaincy is a ministry of presence and being part of the campus, and knowing what the stressors are for students. By serving on numerous university committees and initiatives, a rapport is also developed with staff, faculty and administrators. While the university does not contribute financially to the Chaplaincy, specific programs have received support, and “older” furniture and equipment is sometimes donated to the office.
The Chaplaincy Centre is located in the student centre. Thanks to the efforts of our Presbytery representative, Anne Yee Hibbs, and the WMS, the cookie tin is always full and ready to brighten the day of anyone who comes in the office. The Presbytery has also been especially generous in supporting exam hospitality to students. More than 50 dozen cookies arrived at the Presbytery meeting in November. We moved the location from the science library to the student centre, in a room beside the Chaplaincy Centre. We are able to use ceramic cups and thereby save the environment of paper cups. Students can’t believe it’s a free service just for them. They also think the home-made cookies are awesome. We are very grateful to be able to share the love of bakers all across the Presbytery with weary students.
Thanks for your support of our ministry to the McMaster community!
Carol Wood, Ecumenical Chaplain (woodcar@mcmaster.ca)