january 2013

I S S U E 1 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 3

A Cross The Pews

Knox Waterloo

C e l e b r at i n g 1 2 5 Y e a rs !

Offering Envelopes

Please do not use envelopes from previous years. Please use only the envelope number you have been given for 2013. If you have any questions please contact Ruth Song in the church office.

Save the Date!

Taizé Service

January 27th 7:30 p.m. Page 7

Knox Nite

January 26th 5‐7 p.m. Page 9

Sunday Service at 10:00am Radio Broadcast: Sunday 10:00am CKWR FM 98.5 50 Erb Street West, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T1 519 . 886 . 4150 [email protected] knoxwaterloo.ca

Knox has an official Facebook Page! “Like” us at www.facebook.com/knoxwaterloo

M y M e mo r i e s 1938-1942

“The P.K.’s were excited. We were moving from Shakespeare, Ontario to Waterloo, Ontario. Why were we excited? We were moving to a home that had running water and taps (no more pumping water) and the new home had indoor plumbing! This was a new experience for the five of us.”

Cont inued on page 12…

Fellowship at Knox

January 19th 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Pot Luck at the church followed by outdoor skating at Waterloo Town Square!

February 2nd 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Movie Night in the sanctuary!

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JANUARY 2013 A CROSS THE PEWS

Minister’s Message I must be an optimist. Every year I truly believe that this will be a year to get into better shape and to lose some weight. And every year I am right! I lose a fair bit of weight. Unfortunately, I seem to acquire the same amount back again. Maybe this is the year! We all live with expectations and desire for a better future. I stand in awe at the miracles that happen around Knox each year during the Christmas and Advent time. We all need hope, and each year through the generosity of God we become more aware of the stories of hope that each one of has in our journeys. The sharing that happens at our Longest Night Service each year is a source of great encouragement to me. Those who have faced the worst that life has to offer seem able to reach out to the community and find the hope, healing and inspiration that they need to continue on. This is a true miracle of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus. The abiding comfort and strengthening power of prayer continues to amaze. Where have you met Jesus this Christmas? This year of 2013 marks the 125th year of the continuous worshipping community known as Knox, Waterloo. No one is here from that first worship service, yet we continue to be inspired and encouraged by the culture of sacrifice, faithfulness, generosity, and compassion that marked that small group of worshippers back in 1888. There will be a number of initiatives that you will hear more of over the coming months. I am deeply appreciative for each one of the many people who gave of themselves so deeply to make our December worship services so outstanding. The Pageant on December 9th was priceless. The talent of our children was nurtured be so many leaders and encouragers. I have never laughed out loud so often in a worship service before. The simple and profound message of our Lord Jesus was beautifully conveyed. Our choir, bell ringers, special instrumentalists, and accompanists for our Lessons and Carols service on December 16th were all generous and brilliant in their presentation of the Scripture Lessons for Christmas. There were tears and many exclamations of delight. There are no words to adequately thank our Music Director Terry English whose vision and organization and hard work brought this ambitious work across so wonderfully. We are a blessed community. We are blessed with a culture of generosity and openness. We are not afraid to dare something new. In this we follow our Lord Jesus who said: “Behold I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5) Knox is known for the fair processes that we follow. We are not afraid to disagree, because we have faith in our ability to come to fair resolutions in processes that are both transparent and reasonable. I am not unaware of the difficulties that some congregations have experienced. In our Presbytery of Waterloo‐Wellington we have closed two congregations and amalgamated two congregations in just the past 13 months. Some congregations continue to struggle. We are blessed with vitality, not because we are lucky, and not because God loves us more, but through careful and wise leadership. Our elders are among the finest leaders that I have ever had the privilege to work with. Each and every one has responded to a call to lead, and to lead in prayer and in faithfulness. Our Session clerk Deborah Schlichter leads by example and with gifts of insight and wisdom. We who lead, also need your prayers and support.

By Brooke Ashfield

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A New Year’s Resolution (or Taking Care of Business)

By Brooke Ashfield

One of the privileges of being your minister is that of planning your funeral. Yes, this is an honour for me. In my office are over 20 files for future funerals. Each file is the result of a meeting with a family or individual to plan the details of how to reflect their life in a Memorial or Funeral Service. I have consulted with people of all ages, but mostly over 60 years of age. When the time comes to discuss end of life issues, an important part of our legacy is the witness that we leave behind in the service that reflects our life’s journey. This can be surprisingly fun. Each person is unique and each funeral is unique. We talk about music, hymns, solos, favourite artists, scripture passages, and significant life events, (one die hard Toronto Maple Leaf fan wants me to mention their hope for the Leafs for next year). We also speak of key values to pass on to loved ones, whether cremation or burial, where the funeral is to take place, what refreshments are to be served at the reception, and many, many other details including the entire flavour of the service. Everyone wants this to be a very personal and comforting time.

• This is a time to reflect our faith. • This is a time to celebrate all of the blessings of family and of life. • This is the time to proclaim what is ultimately important to you.

It is a tremendous comfort to family when I can meet with them at the time of death and then show them exactly what you wanted to happen at your life celebration. Wouldn’t you want to give them the comfort of knowing that you had prepared for this? This would be an excellent New Year’s resolution. Either Linda or I will be happy to meet and spend some quality time with you as we together plan your funeral. Another resolution to consider is about how to reflect our values to those we leave behind in our will. Some people have consulted with me and have shared how they wish to reflect their values in life and their faith in God as part of their life’s journey. Some have decided to leave 10% of their estate to Knox Church Waterloo as an important way to carry on their faith after they are no longer here. Some have designated a life insurance policy and some have decided to give a “charitable remainder trust” gift or other charitable gift options. It is important to get the appropriate professional advice to minimise taxes to the estate while giving a generous gift to your church home. Our Financial Officer, John Scace BBA, CMA, is able to assist on a confidential basis to assist in speaking with you and your professional advisor. The Knox Church Living Legacy Fund is a vehicle which allows the reception of significant gifts to Knox of a lasting nature. Gifts can be designated to one or more of the Legacy Funds: Knox Fund, Music and Worship Fund, Mission and Outreach Fund, Education Fund, and the Knox Building Fund. (Thanks to a generous gift from 2011 the Education Fund is able to support our Youth Mission Trip this July to Winnipeg and Fist Nations.) While speaking on matters related to end of life issues, I might encourage us all to speak with loved ones about a “living will” (In Ontario, a living will is called a “power of attorney for personal care”.) A "living will" contains your written instructions about what level of medical treatment you want in the event that you are unable to express your wishes verbally. It will be a privilege to speak with you about any of these important matters.

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Photo taken by Hannah Carter in the Garden of Gethsemane

Passages

A Fond Farewell:

Knox Waterloo says a fond farewell to John and Linda Hedquist who are moving this month to Wilmington, North Carolina. (Aaron is already in the States in his first year of University in Washington, D.C.) We have been greatly blessed by their presence with us and wish them all the best as they make their transition back to the United States. A special thanks to Linda who has taught many of us what true Christian hospitality looks like. "Blest be the tie that binds"

Passing: Our thoughts are with the following Knox members: ‐Patti Jackson whose sister passed away Nov 28 ‐Dianne Linnerth whose mother passed away Nov 29 ‐Mark Jackson whose father passed away Dec 10 ‐Connie Bieth and Cindy Thibodeau whose father passed away Dec 4

Wedding

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Congratulations to Christine (Neudoerffer) and Doug Epp who exchanged vows while surrounded by family and friends, on January 5th.

Photo taken by Hannah Carter

in the Church of the Holy Sep

ulchre

Photo by Hannah Carter

Photo by Hannah Carter

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Baptisms: Continued blessings to Agaba Mwanje Ssenabulya Son of Mathias and Doreen baptized on December 23, 2012.

Get Well Soon: Lynn Allen Ruth Worton Harry Beeksma Mildred Seibel Wendy Morrison Pat Erler Grace Ibrahima Inez Watson Grace Flewelling

Linda &

John

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Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo

Financial Update Year-to-date November 2012

We continue to enjoy a small operating surplus at the end of November largely due to strong donations during the month and expenses coming in under budget. The income includes rental income from the building and the parking lot. We continue to receive keen interest from the community at large to rent space at Knox for concerts, speaking engagements, small meetings, and in some instances large community meetings. The November expenses include a rebate from our insurance company. We will now receive lower insurance rates due the fact that our building has a sprinkler & alarm system. All other expenses are in line with budgeted amounts for 2012. As Kathryn Hare pointed out in her October financial update, we receive nearly 25% of our annual donations in the final quarter of the year. As you can see the November donations were strong and we need this trend to continue into 2013 so that we reach financial sustainability. I encourage all of us to “Determine your potential for giving” and then “Decide on a personal giving plan” all the while keeping in mind that our Knox stewardship campaign was and is based on “Equal sacrifice, not equal giving’s”. As we stand on the threshold of a New Year, I encourage everyone to give thanks, count your blessings and remember to be grateful for all of the many kindnesses we have received over the past year.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.

It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Melody Beattie, Quoted in "Simple Abundance", by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Wishing you a Happy & Healthy New Year John R. Scace CMA

Nov-12 Nov-12 Nov-12 2012

Month End YTD YTD ANNUAL

ACTUAL ACTUAL BUDGET BUDGET

$ $ $ $

INCOME: 88,109 719,100 742,600 870,200

EXPENSES: 34,360 487,239 543,389 626,131

MORTGAGE 29,436 221,179 330,000 360,000

Surplus/(Deficit) 24,313 10,682 (130,789) (115,931)

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New Year’s Message

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spoke live to offer a message of reassurance to his people. It was to be a landmark speech and was to have an important effect on the listening public as they were plunged into the uncertainty of war. Delivered in the opening stages of the Second World War, he began: “A new year is at hand. We cannot tell what it will bring. If it brings the peace, how thankful we shall all be. If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.”

He then went on to quote from Minnie Haskins’ poem “God Knows”…

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!”

It seems that it was his daughter, the then Princess Elizabeth, who had given him a copy of the poem. Its words remained a source of comfort to the Queen Mom (George VI’s wife and known to us as the Queen mother) for the rest of her life. She had its words engraved on brass plaques and fixed to the gates of the King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the King was interred. The Queen Mother was also buried there in 2002, and the words of "God Knows” now known as “The Gate of the Year" were read out at her state funeral at her request.

The next line in the poem is, “So I went forth and finding the Hand of God trod gladly into the night.”

As we enter a new year together we know that there will be dark days as well as days filled with light. There will be days of certainty and days of doubt, days of contentment and days of

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While I’ve often thought that August 31st would make a superb New Year’s Eve, it is January that is the first month of the year in the Julian and

Gregorian calendars. The Romans named January

after Janus, who in Roman mythology was the god of the doorway and therefore connected to beginnings and endings. Janus is usually depicted as a two‐faced god since he looks to the future and the past. An obvious choice, as one year passes and another begins we all look back to the year that was, and see January as the door to the year ahead.

When I was a little girl one of our Christmas traditions was to watch the Queen’s Christmas Message on CBC at 10 a.m. on Christmas Day. I remember having to stay still while my parents and grandparents and great‐grandmother sat reverently listening. As a child I was always grateful the speeches were never very long. I do remember the Queen would say something about the year that was, and make comments about the year ahead before wishing us all a very Happy Christmas.

After seeing the film, “The King’s Speech” I realized that this was a tradition begun by the Queen’s grandfather George V in 1932 with a radio broadcast on the British Broadcasting Corporation Empire Service. While his brother, Edward VIII abdicated just before his first Christmas as king, George VI continued his father's Christmas broadcasts.

It was 1939 that firmly established the Royal Christmas Broadcast as a British tradition. Dressed in the uniform of the Admiral of the Fleet, and sitting in front of two microphones on a table at Sandringham, King George VI

Linda Ashfield

New Year’s Message - Cont’d on page 7

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Linda’s New Year’s Message - Cont’d from page 6

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As we stand at the beginning of this New Year, we ask for God’s presence and guidance as we face the future. While we all have hopes and expectations for the year ahead, we pray that God will give us the strength and the wisdom we will need to meet its challenges. May we put our hands into the hand of the loving God of our yesterdays, our today, and all of our tomorrows.

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frustration. Both joy and sorrow will greet us. During the times that seem to overwhelm us, may we call to mind the words of this poem that encourage us to put our hand into God’s hand, knowing we will be safe and secure. As Isaiah also reminded us – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ “(Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Knox Will Host January Taizé Service

On January 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., Knox will host a service of worship in the Taizé tradition, an ecumenical form of Christian meditative worship. The Taizé worship service includes short songs of praise, sung in repetition, followed by silence and the lighting of candles.

Since November, 1998, Taizé services have been held in Waterloo Region approximately once per month. Taizé began in 1944 in the village of Taizé, France, led by a Swiss Lutheran named Roger Shutz. A multi‐denominational, monastic community grew in response to the tragedy of war. The community continues in a spirit of healing and reconciliation, welcoming Christian Pilgrims from all over the world. As this meditative style of worship has spread widely, its songs have been included in current hymnbooks of many denomination, including ours. Taizé services welcome all people and encourage community‐building among participating churches.

Our January 27 Taizé service will be the first to be held in Knox’s new sanctuary. Refreshments will follow. All are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to prepare refreshments and to create a small choir. For more information or to offer your help, please contact the following: Agnes Steffy, Kathryn Hare, Nancy Matthews, Cheryl Meyer or Lawrie Carter.

Submitted by Agnes Steffy

Adult Tone Chime Choir Some of you have expressed an interest in learning to play the tone chimes. In response to this interest, we would like to start an adult group. Rehearsals will take place in the Knox room, Wednesday mornings from 10:30 – 11:30, beginning January 16. The group will run for 10 weeks. 8‐10 people are needed for a full choir. Musical knowledge, while always helpful, is not necessary. Join us for some fun and learning! Please leave your name and contact information with Carolyn Culp or Terry English.

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Bridge Report January 2013

As the New Year begins, the Bridge Team will continue to keep the congregation updated on how Knox is doing with respect to realizing our Vision and on the progress with our Sustainable Stewardship Initiative (SSI). However, each month in 2013, we are also going to highlight a personal Knox story. In November, we asked you to reflect on your time here at Knox and to tell us about a significant moment for you or your family. We want to say a big thank you to those who came forward. We are delighted to share these stories with you and hope you may be inspired, to show God’s love and make a difference. If you haven’t had the chance to talk to us, we would still love to hear from you.

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At the end of your tour would you have been excited when your guide said “if you come back on Sunday, October 23rd you will be able to witness the Official Dedication by Presbytery”. Well, that was me.

When you had moved to Waterloo a

few weeks later would you have wanted to begin a continuing relationship with Knox as a result of this friendly welcome? Well, that was me too. I am Gordon Coyne, and I am very happy to be one of Knox’s newest members. The gracious lady who was so kind to a visitor who dropped in one afternoon, was Ruth Song, Church Administrator…..and this experience has made a big difference in my faith journey.

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If you had been a visitor to Waterloo on a quiet, sunny afternoon in October 2011…..and you were driving aimlessly around the downtown core…..and you suddenly saw the handsome, big, new Presbyterian church that you had heard glowing reports about…..would you have been tempted to drop in, hoping to have a look inside? Well, that was me. Would you have been hoping there would be a gracious lady to welcome you and show you around? Well, that was me. Once inside, would you have been excited to see the sanctuary, with the broad open stage…..and see the history wall…..and see the beautiful stained glass windows linking the new so effectively with the old? Well, that was me.

Grant Birks & Barb Prysnuk

SSI Bridge Team

Gordon Coyne

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A Note from Christian Education…

LOGOS

Has your child joined the fun yet? Ball Hockey season starts Tues., Jan. 15, 6‐8pm in the Gym for kids in Grades 1‐6. Registration forms are available at the Welcome Desk or in the Office. Cost is $75.00 for 10 weeks. No Upward on Feb 12. Please bring your own helmet with face protector, hockey gloves and running shoes. Sticks provided. Water bottles and mini sticks also provided. Youth coaches are needed, please contact Vaughn Sauve for info.

LOGOS starts Thursday Jan. 10, 4:30‐7:30pm. This is our after school Ministry for families with children and youth in Grades 1‐12. If you would like more information about participating in the winter season please contact the LOGOS Director, Marg Woods.

Knox Nite “Following Jesus Every Day”

Pot Luck supper starts at 5pm; after dinner activities from 5:45‐7pm. Bring a dish to share (no nuts please) and join us to discover Jesus’ mission here on earth. The evening includes music, readings, table activities, conversation and fellowship. This is an all ages event, come relax and celebrate what happened in Jesus’ life after his birthday on Christmas day!

Saturday Jan. 26, 5-7pm

Laura VanderVleuten

Sr. High are invited to stay in worship on the first Sunday of each month to share in communion.

Youth Mission Trip to Winnipeg Update 18 youth and 7 adults are planning to participate in the mission trip to Winnipeg this July 27‐Aug 6. The group will fly to Winnipeg, help with a community picnic, complete work projects around the Anishinabe Community Centre, present two days of vacation bible camp and spend two days on a First Nations Reserve. The cost per participant is approx. $1,000. and each youth will be continuing to fundraise for their portions. Watch for ways you can help support the youth in the coming months. Prayer partners will be assigned in the next few weeks, please see Laura V or Mary Whitson if you are interested in being a Prayer Partner. For more information about the mission trip, please contact Laura V.

Fellowship at Knox Saturday January 19 outside Skating at Waterloo Town Square. Pot Luck supper at 5:30pm followed by skating at the Square. All Welcome!

Safety training for Sunday school and LOGOS is Mon., Jan. 21, 7:30pm in Room 205. Please come to this training event if you are a Sunday school leader or are an adult participant at LOGOS. This is part of the PCC’s Leading with Care safety policy which requires that we have emergency and safety training for all who have a leadership role at church with children or vulnerable adults. Also, please hand in your Police Record Check to Laura V or Marg Woods if you have not already done so.

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We had a wonderful fall at W@K, with lunch, presentations, and fellowship! The up‐to‐date

schedule of themes, speakers, and presenters will be posted each week on the bulletin board by the lounge, and monthly on the website and in this newsletter. If you are available over the lunch hour, please join us and bring friends! You may bring your own bag lunch, and we will provide tea, coffee, and desserts for free. As the cold sets in, we are now serving soup, homemade tea biscuits, cheese, desserts, tea, and coffee for $5.00.

11:30 Tea, coffee and fellowship 11:45 Welcome and Announcements

Devotion 12 ‐ 1:00 Lunch and Presentation

January 16 -History of Waterloo with Mary Johnston, local historian and retired elementary school principal. January 23 -The Middle East with Grant Birks, reporting on his recent trip to Israel and Palestine. January 30 - Scottish Country Dancing with Royal Scottish Country Dance

Society, Bob Kerr and Susan McTavish.

February 6 - What is Physiotherapy? How do I know I need it? With Mike Clermont, Waterloo PT practitioner and a Knox Logos dad.

February 13 - Schnitzel Dinner for Valentines Day (Tickets $10-) Theme: Search My Heart. Bring your favourite scripture verse.

If you would like to come to W@K and need a ride, please call Ellen McIntosh at 519‐497‐9534, or email [email protected]. We’d love to see you!

Ellen McIntosh

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If you’re college or university-age (a student, working or in‐between), join Food for Thought for a FREE dinner and study on Sunday nights beginning Jan 6th, 6:30‐9 pm, at our house (774 Belmont Ave W, Kitchener, near Belmont and Union). Questions? Email us at [email protected]. Calling All Cooks! If you can prepare a meal for Food for Thought, please sign up at the Welcome Desk. Your culinary efforts will be much appreciated!

Food For Thought Nancy & David Matthews

We Share the Air

Some people who worship at Knox suffer from allergies and/or asthma. In addition, there are others who have sensitivities to the chemicals contained in products such as perfume, hair spray, aftershave and permanent markers. These products can also trigger serious allergic reactions, which can last for days after the initial exposure. Consequently, coming to church can be very challenging for people who have a scent sensitivity.

A meeting was held Sunday, November 4, 2012 for anyone interested in discussing this issue. It was very helpful getting everyone’s input and discussing possible solutions. Feedback from the meeting was taken to the Session meeting in November. Session felt that it was important to work towards being more inclusive and to take steps towards making sure that all who gather to worship at Knox, can do so in a healthy environment. Consequently, we are asking the congregation to be aware that others suffer from the exposure to chemicals found in scents. To prevent harm to people who have scent related health difficulties, we ask that you please avoid using scented products such as perfume, cologne, and aftershave. To remind us, there will be signs posted in the church, as well as verbal, written and visual announcements as we begin the New Year. It was also decided to try designating “Scent Free” seating in the Sanctuary. This area will be the last five rows, at the back, on the right, as you face the front of the church. Signs will be posted on those five rows of chairs and pews. We realize that this request will be a “work in progress”; however, we can all feel good about being part of the solution. Many thanks in advance for being respectful of others and for helping to make Knox a healthy place to be. If you have any suggestions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to either one of us. Barb Prysnuk & Dave Ogram

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We moved to 37 Victoria Street (now called Avondale.) The family settled in quickly and enjoyed our new lifestyle. However after three months our new home was sold. Knox Presbyterian had been renting the home. Mrs. Somerville, the wife of the president of Mutual Life came to our rescue. She purchased 175 King Street for just over three thousand dollars. What arrangements she made with Knox Trustees I do not know. Our school was Alexandra P.S except for Muriel who went to K.W.C.I. This was a pleasant change from Shakespeare where we were in a single room.

*Today our second home in Waterloo has been demolished and the land is a parking lot for a funeral home. The congregation at Knox (to my knowledge) was strictly English, Scottish, and Irish. They worked at the two big insurance companies Mutual Life and Dominion Life. A few worked at the Sunshine Plant and a few had businesses on King Street. There was a doctor, dentist, several school teachers, a professor, and a few retirees. Surnames that I recall – Livingstone, Henderson, Johnson, Watson, Hertel, McEachern, Harper, Putnam, Somerville, Armstrong.

Note from the editor: George Kerr, son of Rev. D.M. Kerr, was kind enough to write to me after reading November’s newsletter (he and his sisters were pictured on the last page, along with a photo of their father.) In the letter he shared many memories from his time as a P.K. (Pastor’s Kid) at Knox. Watch for Part Two of his letter next month when he shares about Sunday school, and the new organ! I would love to receive more memories from Knox’s past to include in newsletters throughout 2013. Please submit you’re anecdotes to me at [email protected] or in my mailbox in the church office.

George Kerr

Hannah Carter Editor of the Newsletter

january 2013

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