knox fall newsletter 2013

8/14/2019 Knox Fall newsletter 2013

1/16

FALL 2013

Knox Presbyterian Church

142 Ontario Street

Stratford, ON N5A 3H2

Phone: 519-271-0373

Fax 519-271-0080

Email: [email protected]

Minister: Rev.Mark Gedcke

Director of Music: Suzanne Strahan

Office Administrator: Kathy Baker

Treasurer: Shannon Archer
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


2/16

.MESSAGE FROM REV. MARK..

I thank God every time I mention you in my prayers. Im thankful for all of you

every time I pray, and its always a prayer full of joy. Philippians 1:3-4

This is a wonderful beginning of a letter that Paul writes to his friends at

Philippi. Paul helped to establish the church in this Greek city in the middle of the first century. A bit later, thePhilippians helped Paul again and again when he was doing his mission work in the city of Thessalonica. Their

generosity supported a friend when he needed it the most. (see Philippians 4:10, 15-16). It is grounded in

their relationship with one another that Paul keeps them in his thoughts and close to his heart.

I would like to encourage us to practice this very thing in our shared journey at Knox Church. Let us pray for

one another with thankfulness, and may that prayer lead us to actions of kindness and respect. When a

person or a group does something wonderful, let us rejoice. When difficulties arise for a dear one, let us

stand by their side.

As I begin my second year as your minister, I am blessed to have seen the care you show, and I am grateful.Let us be mindful of Gods calling for us to pray. Let us embrace it as a gift. And let us remember that when

we feel lonely, or bereft, we have friends to share the journey with.

When I volunteered at Camp Kintail this summer, one of my major goals was to be supportive of Guitar Camp.

I joined with counsellors to support a group of 12 (girls and boys) to grow in their skills on the guitar, and

their love of music. I had the opportunity to be with this group day by day, and to be able to call each one of

them by name.

On a couple of nights, I shared in their time of devotions at the end of the day. On these nights, we sat

outside on picnic tables, and went around the circle speaking about our day. What was one thing that gaveme joy today? What was one thing that was a downer today? What am I looking forward to tomorrow?

There were lots of honest answers, fun answers. Sometimes, some would say I dont have a sad thing today.

But, wherever each one of us was at, we listened and supported one another.

As I look back at camp this year, that evening devotion has stayed with me. When I remember, I look back at

my day, and think of these three things. I remember those whom I am concerned for, and hold them in my

heart.

I look forward to the coming months at Knox Church. Let us look out for the opportunities to share our gifts

in ministry that includes worship, meals, fixing, cleaning, set up, take down, hosting, thanking, listening,playing, laughing, crying together.

Blessings.

Mark


3/16

GOOD NEWS TO SHARE

Bev and George Hider are very proud of their granddaughter, Kaitlyn. Bev shares her story..

Kaitlyn is a very thoughtful child. When one of her friends had cancer, she lost all her hair and had to wear awig. It was at this time that Kaitlyn decided to cut her hair off and donate it for Cancer Care for Kids. Having

had long hair all her life, she kept postponing her appointment. On August 14, 2013, she made up her mind

to go ahead. Kaitlyn is 8 years old and I feel that she has a great life of giving ahead of her. I couldnt be

prouder of her. Bev Hider

Following are some photos of her experience

As you can see from the

smile on her face, it was

the best decision she

made.

Congratulations, Kaitlyn,

we are all very proud of

you and your caring

personality.

LOU GEHRIGS DISEASE FUNDRAISER

I am again asking for your help as I take part in thisyears ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) Fundraiser. Mydonations are all going to the Ritsma Familys RaisingHope Campaign. You can donate directly athttp://www.als.ca/raisinghope2013Go to Sponsor Meand your donation will be listed under the name of AlysiaRitsma. You will receive an immediate tax receipt for alldonations of $20 or more.

You may also send your gift to me and I will forward itand see that you receive a receipt in the mail.Thank you for your help. Margaret Lupton R. R. 2 Embro, N0J 1J0519-475-4443 [email protected]

Since this newsletter is late being printed, I apologize if this walk has already been completed, but I am sureyou can still submit a donation.
http://www.als.ca/raisinghope2013http://www.als.ca/raisinghope2013mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.als.ca/raisinghope2013


4/16

FROM THE ALLEY

Summer is over at The Alley. The store is now full of great fall clothes for the

whole family.

We enjoyed welcoming so many tourists to our store this summer.

Mrs. Coopers jams and relishes are a hit with tourists, locals and staff at The

Alley. If you havent tried them, dont miss out. Peach marmalade oh sooo good.

SPECIAL VISITORS

The Alley was happy to welcome the Cuban Creole Choir to The Alley. We invited them

to come on August 28thafter the store closed. They loaded up with clothing, linens, toys

and many other things to take back to Cuba for their families. They paid us by singing a

beautiful song and offered many thanks.

We love doing this kind of outreach.

MERCHANDISING 101

When The Alley first opened we determined that the one thing we would always ensure was that the items we

were selling were in good clean condition and in working order. The Alley would always be a thrift store and

not a junk store.

This philosophy has worked in that we often receive comments on our good quality merchandise and the

condition of our store.

Lately, we have received some comments and questions regarding ourFree Bins.

Unfortunately, everything that we receive is not in a condition that meets our standards. We have two choices

we can send it to the landfill and pay or we can put some out in free bins.

Items that go in free bins include those that might be chipped, have pieces missing, cant be cleaned proper ly,

have been on our shelves for a long time and arent selling, or are out dated.

Our more needy customers benefit from these bins. It is always good to see the smile on a childs face when

they find a tiny toy or book for free.

The Alley is not just about making money but also helping and reaching out to our community.

After almost four years of operation, we know what will sell and what wont. Therefore, there are times when

we will not accept a donation. Our space is very limited both in the store and storeroom. An example of why a

donation may be declined is that it is too big or outdated.

DONATIONS NEEDED

The Alley is in need of the following

Costume Jewellery

Linenstowels, sheets, blankets

Small kitchen appliances

Pots and pans

Dishes and Housewares


5/16

GIRL GUIDESAnother year of Girl Guides has begun. Both the 1stStratford Guides and the 12th

Stratford Guides meet at Knox Presbyterian Church. The first meeting for the 12thwas

on Monday, September 9thfrom 6:308:00 p.m. and the 1stwas Tuesday, September

10thfrom 6:308:00 p.m.

Our spring programming for 2013 was full of fun and interesting ideas. We worked on a Chocolate

Challenge to earn a badge with the assistance of Kristene Steed from Rheo Thompsons Chocolate Factory.Kristene told us about where and how chocolate is produced. We were given a personal tour of the Chocolate

Factory and a sample of the product. Fun night for all!

We also made an imaginary trip to Curacao as part of the Girl Guide Twinning Project. We learned

about their culture, music, games, food and attractions. Each girl was able to gain some global knowledge

and earn a crest for their poncho.

The girls all worked hard selling Girl Guide cookies both fall and spring. We were able to use a large

amount of this profit to hire a bus to take us camping at the African Lion Safari. We were dropped off Friday

night and spent all day Saturday at the Safari. We had ordered pizza to be delivered to our campsite for dinner

on the Saturday night. The girls grazed all evening on the pizza along with smores. The bus arrived again on

Sunday morning to return us home. It was one of the best camps I have attended. No cooking, nocomplaining. Just fun!

Plans for the 2013-2014 Guiding year are in full swing. S.T.E.M. is going to be our theme for the new

year. Lots of fun activities and challenges are being planned for the girls. A winter camp in buildings is also

being considered. This will allow the girls to learn some winter sports.

As always, leaders are desperately required for all branches of Guiding. A list of the other units and

locations are listed below:

Girl Guides and Locations:

4thStratford Sparks, age 5-7 years Meet: Tuesday 6:15-7:45 p.m. @ St. James

Anglican Church1stStratford Sparks, age 5-7 years Meet: Wednesday 6:15-7:30 p.m. @ Central

United Church

1stStratford Brownies, age 7-9 years Meet: Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ St. James

Anglican Church

3rdStratford Brownies, age 7-9 years Meet: Wednesday 6:15-7:30 p.m. @ Central

United Church

1stStratford Guides, age 9-12 years Meet: Tuesday 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Knox

Presbyterian Church

12thStratford Guides, age 9-12 years Meet: Mondays 6:30-8:00 p.m. @ Knox

Presbyterian Church3rdStratford Pathfinders/Rangers, age 12-17 years Meet: Monday 6:00-8:00 p.m. @ Zion

Lutheran Church

All registration is completed online atwww.girlguides.caor by calling Kathy Bohar @ 1-877-323-4545 ext #

3108.

Please consider assisting with a unit as the girls need you and units will close without you.
http://www.girlguides.ca/http://www.girlguides.ca/http://www.girlguides.ca/http://www.girlguides.ca/


6/16

GAMES NIGHTLooking for something to do? Want to have a night out with friends? Join us for a fun evening

of games, yummie snacks and lots of laughter in the banquet hall on Friday, October 25,

2013. Bring your favourite game and munchie. You can play your game with your friends or

learn a new one! Mark your calendars and be ready to have some fun with your church family!

CANCER CARE MISSION/WIG ROOMWe are very grateful for the many people who volunteered to sit at the Cancer Care Mission/Wig Room display

at the International Plowing Match in Mitchell. We also must thank those involved with our display at the

Stratford Fair. Our new poster is very informative and detailed. The business cards were a good addition to

the info and promo table.

While Cathy Bachner was at the fair judging, she heard positive drive-by comments from other fair go-ers.

I am sure, looking at the photos below, that the display at the IPM was just as impressive.

Again, thanks to everyone who helped. Without you, we wouldnt be able to function.

Special thanks to Grace & Nancy Rothwell for setting up the displays.

These four photos were taken at the International Plowing Match at Mitchell.

Looking good, Grace!


7/16

This is the beautiful display at the Stratford Fair. Ed, thanks for helping with the set-up of this display. Looks

wonderful!

CANCER CARE MISSIONTaking Control of Cancer RisksSponsored by Knox Stratford Cancer Care Mission

Join Diane Hernden for a FREE 3-Part Workshop Series that will show you how to:

Lower your risk of breast cancer

Decrease recurrence

Optimize your health

Location: Here at Knox

Time: 7:008:30 p.m.

Workshop 1: Wednesday, October 16thLean Muscle for Life (Exercise has benefits for prevention of breastcancer as well as during and after treatment. This is an ACTIVE session.)

Workshop 2: Wednesday, October 23rdEat Your Way to Health (The right food can lower your cancer risk

and keep you energized during and after treatment.)

Workshop 3: Wednesday, November 6thCan Stress Keep You Well? (Finding Life Balance is the key to

lowering cancer risk while improving your health for the long term.)

To register, call the office or email Kathy Baker [email protected]

Enrolment is limited, so register early. All workshops are open to the public.

MISSION SUNDAYJoin us for the special worship service on Sunday, October 27, 2013. We will be

joined by Megan Speiran and Sue Orr as they tell us about their recent mission

trips. Please join us for a breakfast at 9:30 a.m. There will be egg/sausage

mcmuffins, fruit, yogurt and some cereal. Donations from this breakfast will

go to SAWA. This is an excellent time to chat and relax before our worship service.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


8/16

CONGRATULATIONS!Ruby Murray wishes to report that her grandson, Richard Bast, won the Mens Single AChampionship at the

Stratford Tennis Club. Her daughter, Lynn Bast, won the Ladies B Doubles Consolation title in the Masters

Tournament.

One day this summer, her son, Brian Murray and some friends, biked over 250 km to another friends cottage.

Ruby still tries to play golf, but reports that she will never win the championship in her sport!

Congratulations to everyone on their wins! Keep swinging, Ruby!

Darien Murray (daughter of Brian & Lisa Murray and niece of Dale & Lynn Bast) is in her third year at Queens

University and is majoring in history. She is also on the executive of the Dance Club at the school. This is the

largest school club in Canada! Way to go, Darien!

YOUTH GROUPOn Sunday, September 22nd, about fifteen youth and two leaders came together for

our first youth group meeting of the school year. Thanks to Heather Hislop, we made

and ate fantastic sundaes. We played and talked together. The dynamic energy ofour youth was an amazing gift. We will meet again on Sunday, October 20thfrom

6:008:00 p.m. Again, please come ready to eat dessert, to share your ideas and to

grow in our friendship. If you are in Grade 7-12, you are invited!

REMINDERThe ballot box will be on the information table in the narthex as of October 20thfor three (3) consecutive

Sundays. Please remember to put your nominations in the box.

We want you to know that your givings in the Thanksgiving Offerings envelopes will be put towards the

Ministry at Knox Church.

STRATFORD AND AREA WORLD AID Fundraiser for the Ethiopian Well Project

WOO HA Dinner (WooHa = Water)

When: Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Where: Knox ChurchStratford

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Cost: $25.00Tickets Available: at Knox Church Office or Orr Insurance

Donations gratefully accepted. Tax Receipt for donations of $20 or more

Fun and Learning Silent Auction Information about the Project

The Dream: to drill a well for a sustainable water source for a village in Ethiopia.


9/16


10/16

KINTAIL WEEKENDOn Sunday, June 23rd, Katelyn Berg, Alicia Pitts and Anne Rothwell became members of our church by

profession of their faith. This service was at the outdoor chapel at Camp Kintail. Two of their mentors,

Heather Hislop and Cathy Bachner, introduced these three. We give great thanks!


11/16

Jenn Raleigh 1st

Victoria Shiell 2nd

Dorothy Way 6th

Lilian Greve 8th

Joanne Knechtel 8th

Joanne Musgrave 8th

Laverne Ackersviller 12th

Elizabeth Drake 12th

Lois Nichol 13thYvonne Shiell 13th

Justine Shiell 15th

Megan Speiran 15th

Cora Hislop 17th

Dale Shiell 17th

Connie Orr 18th

Margaret Lupton 21st

Shirley Smart 22nd

Matthew Waldie 22nd

Sam Knechtel 23rd

Sue Orr 24th

Margaret Spandler 24th

Carter Berg 25thJonah Weber 25th

Audrey Forbes 26th

George Hider 26th

Clive Lawry 28th

Gerry Feeney & Darlene Bridge 4th

Elmer & Barb Dredge 5th

Robert & Olivia Anwender 8th

Kirk & Lori Speiran 11th

Ed & Grace Rothwell 12thGeorge & Bev Hider 14th

Stewart & Gail Robertson 16th

Brad & Yvonne Shiell 16th

Phil & Eleanor Anwender 17th

Ralph & Susan Brunskill 17th

Tom & Heather Hislop 17th

Steve & Patty Wells 17th

Graham & Sharon Ewart 18th

Robert & Marian DeWever 19thKeith & Kathy Pehlke 19th

Mike & Krista Dona 25th

Mark & Maggie Harris 28th


12/16

Helen Chalmers 1st

Don Kennedy 1st

Susan Brunskill 2nd

Mark Harris 2nd

Mikaila Boon 3rd

Dale James 3rd

Audrey MacPherson 3

rd

Devin Thompson 6th

Garrett Wells 8th

Patty Wells 10th

Paul Barton 11th

Krista Dona 11th

Jamie Wells 12th

Ralph Brunskill 13th

Vivien Harding 13th

Leeanne Garvey 14th

Adeline MacMillan 14th

Kevin Miller 14th

Gladys Skinner 15th

Lynn Bast 17th

Tom Hislop 18th

Elizabeth Shiell 18th

Bev Hider 20

th

Elliott Barton 21st

Jillian Pitts 21st

Faith Knechtel 22nd

David Strahan 22nd

Marj Sinclair 23rd

Mike Bachner 25th

Brian Murray 26th

Colleen Rothwell 26th

Jason & Chantale Pitts 1st

Randy & Barb Fink 3rd

Michael Bender & Carol Rothwell 4th

Tom Cottenie & Gail Smith 4th

John & Marg Sinclair 6th

Jamie & Helen MacAlpine 7th

Fred & Pat Diehl 8th

Jeff & Janice Berg 10th

Brian & Lisa Murray 13th

Scott & Karen Savelle 16th

Roly & Glenna Bullock 22nd

Jeff & Sue Orr 24th

Steve & Caryn Scott 25th

Thomas & Dorothy Drake 29th


13/16


14/16

A little something to ponder

THE BEAUTY OF HOLLAND

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disabilityto try to help people who have

not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. Its like this..

When youre going to have a baby, its like planning a fabulous vacation trip to Italy. You buy a

bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful vacation plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David.

The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. Its all very, very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go.

Several hours later, the plane lands. The flight attendant comes in and says, Welcome to Holland.

Holland?you say. What do you mean, Holland? I signed up for Italy! Im supposed to be in Italy. All

my life Ive dreamed of going to Italy. But theres been a change in the flight plan. They landed in

Holland and there you must stay.

The important thing is that they havent taken you to a horrible place, full of pestilence and

famine. Its just a different place. So you must go out and buy new guidebooks. And you must learn a

whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people that you would never have met.

Its just a different place, its slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you have

been there for awhile and you catch your breath, you look around and you begin to notice that Hollandhas windmills. Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy and theyre bragging about what a

wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life you will say, Yes, thats where I was

supposed to go. Thats what I planned. And the pain of that will never, ever, ever go away because the

loss of that dream is a very significant loss.

But if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didnt go to Italy, you may never be free to

enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.


15/16

A NOTE FROM THE OFFICE

Where has the time gone?????

First of all, I want to apologize to all of those who celebrated either a birthday or an anniversary in September

I had good intentions of getting this newsletter out long before this, but time definitely slipped away.

Things are rolling along in the office and we are back to our regular rentals for the 2013-2014 year. For your

information, I will list most of them below.

Mondays: Belly Dancing/Praise Explosion Practice/Girl Guides/Choices for Change (Crossing

Bridges)/Conestoga College

Tuesdays: Girl Guides/Seniors Exercise/Choices for Change (Crossing Bridges)/Community

Choir/(Bowlers (as of November)

Wednesdays: Community Players/Narcotics Anonymous/Phoenix Survivors

Thursdays: Choir Rehearsal/Diners Club (every fourth week)/Community Meal/Photo Group/ Bowlers

(as of November)

Fridays: Community Meal

Saturdays: Narcotics Anonymous/Meditation Group/Stratford Symphony Orchestra (approx. once a

month beginning in November)

We have some weddings and other occasional events booked, as well.

We did have a busy summer with Kintail on the Road, the Stratford Seminar Society, our Stratford Y using the

banquet hall for two weeks of their summer program, the Black Swan Caf Revival and two very successful

Lorenna McKennitt concerts. At these concerts, we were able to raise $2000 towards our stage fundraiser.

This fundraiser was by donation only for a bottle of water. We received everything from .75 for two bottles to

$40 for two bottles. The prize of best water girl goes to Grace Rothwell!!! Since the concert, we have

received another donation of $200 for our stage. Thanks to everyone who helped with one or more of these

successful events.

Pat Scott and I are attempting to update and make better use of our database for our members/ adherents.

Please be sure to keep Pat or I updated on any changes in your personal data.

In the near future, we hope to start a new program for our older Sunday School students. We would like to

have them interview members and adherents in our congregation and share their findings in the newsletters.

This way, we can get to know each other a little better. They will only be asking for information such as your

hobbies, about her family, vacations, etc.

Be sure to share any information about your lives or events in the life of Knox to be included in our

newsletters.

Until next time Kathy


16/16

TREASURERS REPORT

knox fall newsletter 2013

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