June Messenger 2022

June Messenger 2022

The MacKay Messenger

The Newsletter of MacKay United Church, New Edinburgh, Ottawa

www.mackayunited.ca

" He is not here, He has risen." Matthew 28:6 June 2022

One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal. Sarah Ban Breathnach

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Welcome to Summer T he longest day of the year brings happiness, joy and contentment as summer officially begins. We can celebrate Mother Nature turning the wheels of the universe and God ’ s gifts to our world. Midsummer ’ s Eve is also called St. John ’ s Eve because his birthday was on the summer solstice. Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain in England is aligned with the solstices and is about 6500 years old. There are remnants of bones and graves indicating a burial site associated with the huge stones but no preserved records of why people erected it and what purpose it served. Historians discuss theories of a healing centre, primitive astronomical observations, honoring ancestors, spiritual worship, primitive religion, myths and science fiction. People in Ottawa adapt well to the changing of the seasons - the chill and the colourful leaves of autumn, snow and cold in winter, buds and blossoms in springtime and the warmth and growth of summer. Without tolerating January ’ s long nights and ice, we would not fully appreciate the pleasure of walking outside in shorts and sandals in July. (There is no bad weather - just bad clothing). People acclimatize themselves to the rhythms of the natural world and honouring the solstices can remind us just how precious each day and season is, strengthening our sense of being part of nature and interconnecting human beings as active participants. We can count our blessings that Covid is resolving, and electrical power is restored. Have a wonderful summer. Susan

William Shakespeare 1564 - 1616

Shall I compare thee to a summer ’ s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate. Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer ’ s lease hath all too short a date. Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines, And often is his gold complexion dimmed; And every fair from fair sometime declines, By chance, or nature ’ s changing course, untrimmed; But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow ’ st, Nor shall death brag thou wand ’ rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to Time thou grow ’ st. So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Inside this edition ~

• Council members 2022 - 23 • Farewell to Mitchell • Solstice in Denmark and Sweden • A Secret Weapon • Summer camping - who remembers these campers?

1

The Spirit Inspires

Our Vision Seeking Spiritual Understanding in a welcoming community

The New Creed

together in Christ open to the Spirit acting in service through God’s love for all.

We are not alone,

We live in God’s world.

We believe in God:

Who has created and is creating,

S ummer and Solstice and Celebration take me in two very different personal and spiritual directions.

Who has come in Jesus,

Reverend Peter Woods

The Word made flesh,

On one hand, Carolyn and I have recently welcomed a new being into our household. Her name is Coco and she is ready to celebrate solstice and anything else she can get her tiny (but growing!) puppy teeth into! She is a living reminder for us to stop and smell the roses (and everything else!) as we wander through the streets and parks of Vanier and New Edinburgh with some renewed vigour. Coco, like all the animals and creatures and plants in our shared world, calls us to honour the cycles of birth and growth and decay and death. It ’ s such a gift to celebrate the mysterious web of life revealed, for us, in Coco, and revealed in moments such as Summer Solstice. (Editor ’ s note: Coco is a Hungarian wirehaired Vizsla. I had to look it up!) Within days of this year ’ s Solstice, Carolyn and I will fly east to Saint John, New Brunswick to celebrate the wedding of my daughter Maude, on the shores of the Bay of Fundy. Through a remarkable series of circumstances, Maude and Charlie are planning to wed within the bounds of my United Church settlement charge …. St. Martins Pastoral Charge. In order for me to qualify to preside at the small family wedding, I had to seek the blessing and permission of that Charge. Apart from our actual wedding preparations, we ’ ve had a warm and celebratory exchange with the Church community over the winter. Roots and relationships run deep within the life of ministry and challenges take new shapes over the decades. St. Martins is the village in which both of my children were born, and they remain beloved children of the Charge all these years later. Meanwhile ministry along the Fundy Shore has faced personnel challenges on many occasions. I think I remain - at seven years - the longest - serving minister of that Church since its founding. They currently are unable to find a minister to serve in this remarkable community. As a small gesture, I recorded a sermon titled “ Help ” in the MacKay sanctuary and have shared it with them for one of the solstice Sunday morning services at the end of June in New Brunswick. Weddings and puppies! Love and life! And along the way the dedicated and creative work of pastoral life as we are called to service across this great country. Charlie & Maude on the beach where the wedding will be held

To reconcile and make new,

Who works in us and others

By the Spirit.

We trust in God.

We are called to be

the Church:

To celebrate God’s presen ce,

To live with respect in Creation,

To love and serve others,

To seek justice and

resist evil,

To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,

Our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life

beyond death,

God is with us.

We are not alone.

Thanks be to God.

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Living our Vision

FROM OUR MISSION STATEMENT

In Christ ’ s name, we will live our vision … … by responsibly using our skills to build and sustain MacKay United Church, to care for and comfort others, and to seek justice, in the church, local community, and the world .

Welcome to MacKay United Church ~ founded 1875 ~

Council meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month except for July and August.

39 Dufferin Road Ottawa, ON, K1M 2H3 Telephone (613) 749 - 8727

David Fraser Chair of Council

vacation meant spending some time with dad ’ s mother and stepfather in South Lancaster and swimming in the St. Lawrence. Sometimes, it was a trip after Church to visit relatives in Prescott, Almonte, Cornwall or, best of all, Montreal where mom ’ s sisters and mother lived. All special times. A stay at a summer camp was a dream, but only three of us, my older sister and brother and I got to attend a camp. I was luckier! I went to three different camps. The best was 6 weeks at the National Army Cadet Camp in Banff, Alberta, including a train ride there and back. Quite a treat for a 15 - year - old from Williamstown! I only realized the importance of a summer vacation when I had a family of my own. Normally, we visited family, but one year Lise and I decided to stay home and visit area attractions, such as the Mint, Bonnechere Caves, the King Estates, and Laurier House. It was great fun and educational to boot! Lise and I have enjoyed many vacations in Canada and elsewhere, but one of the best was in 2019, when our sons took their vacations at the same time as we did. We all travelled to Sidney, B.C. to get together with my sister and brother - in - law and their extended family, which created many lasting memories. Summers offer a respite from our everyday hectic lives, but summers can be stressful as there is always work to be done. Life at MacKay may slow down, but we still have service on Sunday. There are weddings,

“ It ’ s summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime, summertime …” When I saw the topic for this edition of The Messenger, the above refrain popped into my head. Then came “ Summertime and the livin ’ is easy ”, only to be followed by “ But there ain ’ t no cure for the summertime blues ”. George Gershwin ’ s song Summertime and Eddie Cochran ’ s hit Summertime Blues are but two of the many songs about summer. Do you remember Hot Fun in the Summertime, Summer in the City, Summer Nights, or Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer? Why are summer songs so popular? Perhaps they remind us of a special time, a time when we had no worries, a time of carefree youth, or a time when we could stay up late because there was no school! For many families, summer means a vacation, picking wild berries, camping, swimming, sleeping out under the stars, and reveling in the awe of a thunderstorm. Growing up, my siblings and I spent most summers doing chores under mom ’ s ever watchful eye, but we still had fun. Summer

www.mackayunitedchurch.com

Office hours: 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday Minister Reverend Peter Woods [email protected] Music Director Mitchell Wright [email protected] Church Administrator Janice Rideout [email protected]

Council Executive David Fraser, Chair

Recording Secretary Sharon Cook Pastoral Emergencies 613 - 749 - 8727

God Our Fortress

Editor : Susan Pitt

Design : M.J. Czerny - Holownia

Proofing : Janice Rideout, Dennis Pitt

Website : Janice Rideout

To cancel the MacKay Messenger, or to receive it electronically, please call the office or send an email to [email protected]

© 2017 All rights Reserved

(Continued on page 4)

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Summer Changes

Summer bachelors, like summer breezes, are never as cool as they pretend to be.’ -Nora Ephron

Beginning a New Chapter

Chair of Council cont ’ d

By Patricia Power

(Continued from page 3)

funerals, and a concert or two. This summer we are finishing the building repairs that have been underway for the last couple of years. We will also be installing more audio - visual gear in the Sanctuary. After three summers, Jazz at Noon in June returns, and we hope to host some concerts that will be open to the public. Our Music Director, Mitchell Wright, has enrolled in a full - time course at St. Paul ’ s University, which, with his day job, will keep him busy. He has given notice that he will not renew his contract but has indicated he will be available as a supply pianist. I wish Mitchell success in his studies and thank him for the wonderful gift of music he has been sharing with us. Worship and Ministry & Personnel will begin the search for a new Music Director shortly. Council is continuing its efforts to return to the path of growth and innovation we were on before COVID ripped the rug from under our feet, and will be looking to all of you, the people who call MacKay their church, to help guide us along this path. The new Council will be introduced on May 29th. There are still vacant positions that should be filled if Council is to function properly. If you would like to serve on MacKay ’ s Council and share your energy, ideas, and skills to help reinforce MacKay ’ s position as an important asset in our community, please call the Office (613 - 749 - 8727) or email [email protected] with your name and contact information. Oh yes, the catchy refrain above is from the song “ Summertime, Summertime ” by the The Jamies and was released in July 1958. I wish everyone a fun - filled, fantastic, and safe summer. Be Blessed. Be a Blessing.

Hi all, it was so great to see some of you when I led the service at MacKay in early May. For those of you whom I haven't yet met, I am a candidate for ordained ministry, studying at the Atlantic School of Theology through their distance program. I am a member at MacKay and folks there supported me during my discernment process. I just finished two academic years on a volunteer basis at Riverside United working with Rev. Paul Dillman. It was a real eye opener for me: working directly with a minister allowed me to see how hands - on a minister can be and also acquired some much - needed experience in pastoral care. The congregation was very welcoming and I feel lucky to have had that placement. Now I'm moving on to a new chapter. I am currently applying for a placement in solo ministry. For the next two years, I am hoping to find a pastoral charge where I will be the minister on the ground. Although I will have a supervisor, it will be at a distance. It is a challenge that I am looking forward to and one to which I believe God has been leading me. With a bit of luck, I'll find something within the National Capital Region, and I'm really looking forward to this opportunity.

Other than that, life goes on well. Although working full time for the Government of Canada, going to school, as well as my placements is keeping me busy, I still have time for other things in my life like my Danú (picture attached) and music. I will be leading worship again in August and look forward to seeing some of you then.

MacKay Council 2022 - 2023

Chair

David Fraser

Minister Secretary Treasurer

Rev. Peter Woods

Sharon Cook

Bruce Holyoake Michael Siewecke

Ministry & Personnel

Pastoral Care

Sharon Cook

Property

Al Bowker

Service & Outreach

Norma McCord

Worship

Jane Kops

Communication Member at Large Member at Large

Eleanor Dunn Caitlin Fisher

Mary Ruth Endicott

UCW Rep

Eleanor Dunn Gordon Peters

David A. Fraser MacKay Council Chair

Trustee Rep

Children & Youth

vacant vacant vacant

Vice Chair

Finance

4

Congregants Stories

‘ Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars. To sit on a branch and study the clouds. ’ - Regina Brett

Ruth ’ s Limerick

Congratulations T wo members of the choir had birthdays in May. Norma McCord had her 80th birthday and Derek Morris, former choir member, celebrated his 92nd birthday. This plaque which hangs in the Choir Room is ‘ in appreciation of those who have given over 25 years service to the choir of MacKay United Church ’. Derek ’ s name is there as is Jim Reardon who is a member and sings when he is in Ottawa.

By Ruth Brown

Cheers for the longest day of the year -- On June twenty - first it is really quite clear In a northern clime It ’ s all daylight time So why go to bed, now that summer is here?

Stockholms skärgård

By Ruth Brown W hen we lived in Sweden, almost fifty years ago, the longest day in the year around June 21, was known as midsummer. Stockholm lies more or less in the same latitude as Whitehorse and the sun hardly sets there at that time of the year. I have happy memories of one midsummer when we set out in a boat to visit Swedish friends who lived farther out in the Swedish archipelago, a large collection of islands which stretched from Stockholm out to the Baltic Sea. Our friends took us to see young women dancing round a maypole to celebrate the event and gave us an excellent Swedish meal. It never grew dark, and as I remember we did not go to bed, but spent the rest of a memorable night looking at the sea and conversing in a mixture of Swedish and English.

Elmwood School Father Daughter Ball

M ulti - talented Stella Fisher made her dress to fit the Colour Outside the Lines pop culture theme. She is here with her father Gil Gaspar. Stella made the dress in just a couple of hours and she will be next year ’ s Arts prefect, part of the senior leadership team at Elmwood School. Photo by Ashley Fraser/Postmedia

5

A Summer Choir Surprise

“It’s a sure sign of summer if the chair gets up when you do.” – Walter Winchell

A Fond Farewell to Mitchell

A Letter from Mitchell Dearest Congregation of MacKay United Church, I t is with a heavy heart that I write this, a note to commemorate my time with you all. The last five years have been wonderful for me, deeply impactful and transformational. I want to thank you all for the gift you have given me. The opportunity, the chance to grow and the encouragement as I made my way through. When I first joined as an interim accompanist I didn't think our time together would be so long or become so personal. I am really grateful that it did. It has been a distinct privilege and a great pleasure to bear witness to and participate in the ministry of MacKay United Church.

By Jane Kops H ow surprised we were at the news that Mitchell, our much - loved music director, will not be renewing his contract for another year. Was it something we said? What will we do without him? He assured us that he has absolutely enjoyed his time here at MacKay. When he took over the position, he was hesitant, as was the congregation. But how he has grown into someone who quietly, but capably sets the tone for worship each week in a solid, grounded liturgical style. I venture to say that the Mitchell who came to MacKay five years ago is not the same Mitchell who is now seeking new opportunities. His work with the choir, about which he was unsure at first, has been a real joy, to both him and the choir members. During the last two years of on - line church, he eagerly contributed first to the Virtch services from Orléans United Church, and then from our Sanctuary here at MacKay. His solid musical leadership was much appreciated. We have very much enjoyed the musical compositions that Mitchell has created, and they always just seem to perfectly suit the themes of the day. Keep on composing, Mitchell. We love your work. Going back to school is a very brave choice, and we admire and respect Mitchell ’ s choice. We are going to miss you a lot. We hope you come back to visit, Mitchell, and tinkle those ivories whenever you want! Godspeed and God Bless. I'm also including a story about Mitchell from Dennis Pitt. It says a lot about Mitchell, and how he encouraged choir members. "A solo?" "Yes, I will find something that's in your vocal range and the congregation is very tolerant. " "Okay" After much practice at home and with Mitchell, I sang The Pilgrim. No, I did not wear a Johnny Cash cowboy hat. I am a pilgrim and a stranger Traveling through this wearisome land I've got a home in that yonder city, good Lord And it's not, not made by hand Fortunately, some people in the pews knew the song and sang along, so my actual solo singing was only the first verse. Mitchell recorded it and I played it on my iPhone for my sister who is an accomplished musician. Having explained to her that my phone had very poor acoustics and the music director said it sounded fine in church, she nodded her approval.

Thank you.

Mitchell

Mitchell leading the choir at a special service.

United Church Women (UCW) T he UCW continue to meet monthly via ZOOM on the second Wednesday at 1 pm. Eleanor Dunn is the liaison with Church Council and Wendy Peters continues to lead the group. A reminder and a link to the ZOOM meeting are sent out previous to the meeting. If you wish to be included please notify Wendy at [email protected] or Janice at the office. The next meeting is Wednesday, June 8 at 1 pm.

Thanks Mitchell, Dennis

6

Sankthansaften in Denmark

One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal. Sarah Ban Breathnach

told us that they had always looked to Canada as a model country – diverse, prosperous, democratic, tolerant, and inclusive – all that they hoped their own countries could now become. But then, something happened in Canada that darkened our sunny optimism. On June 22, 1990, Elijah Harper raised an eagle feather in the Manitoba Legislature to deny unanimous consent to the Meech Lake Accord, because it did not address the rights of aboriginal peoples. Newfoundland then cancelled its ratification vote, the clock ran out, and on June 23 Meech Lake was dead. On Saint Jean Baptiste Day an estimated 500,000 people marched in Quebec City demanding separation. Lucien Bouchard had left the Mulroney

Midsummer in Copenhagen 1990

By Alan Bowker M idsummer Eve, or Sankthansaften, on June 23, is a big event in Denmark. Just as the Danes mark the beginning of a long dark winter with a festival of lights, so they also celebrate the summer solstice with bonfires to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. The date, which falls between the solstice and the birthdate of St. John the Baptist, combines pagan and Christian traditions. Friends and families sing, drink and feast outdoors far into the short night. I was in Copenhagen in June 1990 as deputy head of the Canadian delegation to something called the Conference on the Human Dimension, which was a sub - conference of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). The long evenings allowed me to tour the city with my camera after a lengthy day of conference negotiations. Mid - Summer ’ s Evening in 1990 seemed emblematic of another triumph of light over darkness; for this oddly titled meeting within an arcane diplomatic process was actually an important step in ending the Cold War. The Berlin Wall had fallen. The once - subject countries of Eastern Europe were electing democratic governments and even the Soviet Union was professing itself a democracy. Gigantic breakthroughs had been achieved in conventional and nuclear disarmament. The “ Common European Home ” proclaimed by Mikhail Gorbachev and the “ Europe Whole and Free ” called for by US President Bush seemed within sight. Our Conference was reaching landmark agreements in democratic governance, human rights, rule of law, human contacts, free flow of information, and the rights of religious and national minorities. A Summit in the fall would produce a draft Charter for a New Europe and convert the CSCE into a permanent Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which exists today. Canada was playing a major role in almost all the subject areas of the Conference. We were also quietly mentoring some delegates from former Soviet satellites, young people who had never dreamed they would suddenly be representing their country at a major international conference. Several of them

government and would soon form the Bloc Quebecois. TV networks like CNN that had never paid much attention to Canada, were now providing wall - to - wall coverage and their message was

that Canada was in crisis and its breakup was a real possibility.

The young Eastern European delegates could not conceal their dismay. If

Canada was now at risk, they asked us, what chance had their countries in the new world they were entering? The same question was being posed to the three parliamentary observers who were attached to the Canadian delegation. Each parliamentary observer represented a different party and at times they had had some pretty lively discussions. But they also got along well together and they recognized the important role they were playing with their own counterparts from Eastern Europe. At lunch the three observers, our wise Head of Delegation Ted Lee, and I, earnestly addressed the question: what could we tell our new friends who placed so much faith in Canada? As we talked, in a flash of mid - summer inspiration the answer became clear. The real message to people embarking on the perilous experiment of democracy was not whether Canada was about to fail, but that a country like Canada could have the most fundamental debate it was possible for a country to have – about our national character and purpose, even the need for our continued existence. Such a debate was bound to be passionate. Some argued loudly for separation. (Continued on page 8)

7

What ’ s Coming Next?

A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.” – Earl Wilson

Sankthansaften in Denmark

Momentum at MacKay

(Continued from page 7)

Tuesday, June 7, 1:30 in the MacKay Sanctuary

Others deplored a national experiment that had failed to deliver its promise, one that in many cases had oppressed them. Disparate voices demanded sweeping changes, many of which could not be achieved except at the expense of things equally fervently demanded by others. There was no guarantee we would arrive at a solution. Yet no one was in jail, there were no mobs clashing with police in the streets, no media had been censored or shut down, no ideas were out of bounds except the use of violence and any resort to extra - legal activity – we had settled that in 1970. We would work it out, for better or worse, within the framework of our shared democratic traditions and our parliamentary and political institutions. Liberal democracy is a foundation not an edifice, a state of mind not a Utopia, and honest dialogue and willingness to compromise are the only means by which free people can address and hopefully resolve their problems. That is the message we gave our new friends, and it was welcomed. More than thirty years have passed, much has happened and much has changed in the world, but I have often thought of that lunch in Copenhagen, at midsummer, in 1990. Today our political climate is increasingly polarized, lies and misinformation proliferate on social media, charlatans exploit division for profit and power, authoritarians proclaim that they “ alone can fix it ”. Our faith in liberal democracy may now seem naïve. But those who were tasting freedom after decades of Soviet domination had no doubt that democracy was something to be valued and fought for. They knew better than anyone that when demagogues, ideologues, and dictators promise something better, it always turns out badly. The Canadian experience could serve as an example that, however noisy the debate, however messy the process, however inelegant the product, liberal democracy and dialogue based on mutual respect and compromise, are the only pathways to a healthy and just society. That was true then, and it remains true today.

You are all invited to “ Momentum at MacKay ” - and in person dialogue with Peter and David Fraser, Chair of Council, after the Jazz concert. The interactive discussion with you will include: How it feels to be in the Sanctuary? What happens next for MacKay? We have lots of events to look forward to in the Fall and they will be shared during this informal meeting. We do encourage you all to attend this exciting discussion as we look ahead at MacKay together.

Welcome to New Members

Transfer of membership June, 2021

Rev. John Moor, former member of St. Paul ’ s Eastern

New members June 5, 2022

Christina Torsein and David Gillies Andrew Hoff, nephew of Ellen Dennis Wiilliametta Weekie Moulton, nephew of Ellen Dennis Laurie and Dan Mason Robert Craig, former member of St. Paul ’ s Eastern

Betty Ann Bryanton Michael Rutherford

Tulipathon 2022

N orma McCord, Susan and Dennis Pitt for Team MacKay, and others of many Faith groups walked in the Tulipathon at Dow ’ s Lake on May 29, raising over $2,300 for MultiFaith Housing Initiative. Thanks to the donors! Our goal is $2,500. Donations can be made throughout June. https://www.classy.org/team/402661

Music and Meditation in the Fall

Tuesdays at 7 pm in the Sanctuary and Online

Links will be sent out from the office for September 6 and then weekly from October 4 until November 1.

8

blowing, and the lawn mower is broken. James Dent

Summer Camping

“A lot of parents pack up their troubles and send them off to summer camp.” – Raymond Duncan

early or bribe these people. I never knew what or how we did it but we were always among the first to get our trailer, but then I would not be at all surprised if Grandma did grease a hand or two. With the trailer leveled up the swearing began as the folded up annex had to be unfolded and put in place and never did this operation go smoothly. If my dad and grandfather had only listened to my grandmother, it would have been easier but male egos were in play. My mother made the beds, stocked the shelves and we headed to the kitchen to see which

Clear Lake Campground Summers

By Linda Bell T he May 24th weekend does conjure childhood memories especially of our annual trek to Clear Lake camp ground in Manitoba. It all started when the polio epidemic ravaged the prairies and my grandmother decided that her 3 grandchildren had to leave the city (population 12,000) for the summer. To this end she rented a camp site at Clear Lake. Ours was on Second Street North lot 18 and it was

electrified. Those on the south side of the drive had no electricity. Next she purchased an 18 foot trailer and directed my poor dear dad to construct the annex. The annex was a plywood, collapsible room and the entire thing was painted robin's egg blue.

families had arrived. The initialed kettle was filled and hummed along with about a dozen others. By the time the sun went down we were joined by the adults and ate hot chili all the while laughing about the chaos of the day. I would not have had it any other way.

It was at this point that the fun began. The structures could not remain in place throughout the winter. They were stored in Onanole, a small village just outside the park and were allowed back the May long weekend. But first there was the annual trip to Winnipeg to get the much needed seasonal water pistols. There were perfectly acceptable squirt guns available in Brandon but Grandma grabbed any excuse be it the ballet or water pistols to fire up the Plymouth and hit the road. Suitably armed, the serious preparations began. Collecting the crockery, cooking utensils and bedding to be piled in various places through out the house, with special attention being paid to the kettle marked with our initials in nail polish. These kettles boiled and hissed on the plaster stoves in the communal outdoor kitchens scattered through out the camp ground. We loved these kitchens as they were the meeting place for summer friend ’ s kids and adults alike. All of this paraphenalia was then packed into the Plymouth and the Ford Falcon station wagon. First, my little brother had to have his tummy wrapped in brown paper to keep him from being car sick, something thankfully he grew out of. We three and a very large dog clambered into the car and then they piled all manner of "stuff" on top of us. It really did not take long to get to the lake and while people think the Prairies are flat, this route is an up and down hill affair. The objective was to be at your lot when the hired tow truck arrived with your set - up and since everyone was doing the same thing in the same time frame you either had to book

Summer means Camp Kalalla

An awesome summer experience for girls 7 to 15 years

Canoeing * Kayaking * Crafts * Swimming * Hiking * Outdoor Cooking * Nature Lore * Discovery Time * Singsongs * Fun Evening Programs * Great Food * Campfires * Vespers A camping experience at Kalalla is very special! This is an opportunity to meet new friends, learn new skills, join in

fun - filled activities, enjoy the beauty of nature and experience God ’ s love through the camp program which values each individual camper and is based on the CGIT purpose. The camp is located on a beautiful 107 acre site in the Gatineau Hills, 50 km from Ottawa.

The dates and fees for camp this summer are as follows:

Campers: July 17 - 24 $620 LITs: July 16 - 24 $665

Information: http://kalalla.com/fees - information/

9

“I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June.” — L.M. Montgomery Summer Adventures & Volunteers

The Secret Weapon: Perogies

Summer Adventures in Ghana

By Eleanor Dunn T here ’ s a huge Ukranian war relief effort going on in communities across North America, including here in Ottawa, where teams of volunteers have been making perogies by the thousands! The hall at the Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin on Byron Avenue, has been turned into a production kitchen where teams of volunteers peel, chop and process potatoes, onions and cheese for the filling; teams equipped with small cookie dough scoops turn the filling into small balls; teams roll out and cut the dough into rounds; and other teams assemble and pinch; while the final team packages the perogies by the dozen. It ’ s like an auto plant assembly line. When my friend Judith Yaworsky put out the call for volunteers, I answered the call and spent two mornings in April wielding the cookie dough scoop making balls of filling. The first session was early in the month, preparing perogies to be sold at the church ’ s bazaar on April 16 — by then, over 10,000 perogies had been produced for sale at $12.00 per dozen. Volunteers were called back on April 27 where the goal was production of 150 dozen of the tasty bites for a fundraiser in Almonte on Saturday, April 30. All the funds raised through the sale of the perogies are used to buy necessary supplies for Ukranian war relief. We had the pleasure of meeting the Ukranian Orthodox Cathedral ’ s new priest, Father Tamar, who just arrived in Ottawa with his wife and two - year - old daughter. We also were introduced to a refugee who recently arrived in Ottawa — a psychologist by training who hopes to resume her career here in Ottawa, where her son lives. In our team photo, from left to right: Dee Darby, Judith Yaworsky, Kathy Brown and me, Eleanor Dunn.

By Mike Bonsu G rowing up in the village of Offinso, it was part of our usual chores to accompany our mothers on Saturday to the farm to make sure all was in order on the farm and also to collect a few foodstuffs for the weekend. Offinso is on the river Offin, 17 miles from Kumasi which is the second largest city in Ghana and seat of the Ashanti King.

Like many of the village youth, I had a bushy 'Afro' hairstyle with thick, tiny impenetrable curls. Often to get my hair ready for an outing, it was not only a work of art but also half or one hour of arduous and

meticulous "hair - stretching" in an attempt to comb the hair - attempts by Mother to take me to a barber were almost always futile.

One hot late Saturday morning, around 11 am, my mother came to our soccer field and 'plugged' me out of our soccer match - I was the goal - keeper. She wanted me to accompany her to one of her farms close to the village to check if the seedlings she had planted were still safe from rodents, and also to bring some foodstuffs for Saturday and Sunday. I left with her. Luckily, only an hour later, we were on our way back home, my Mom carrying a few food items in a basket on her head. I had the leisure of only holding (carrying) the cutlass (machete) in one hand and going in front of her. Feeling free, I took the liberty to divert from the usual path and walked under some bushes to keep cool. As we got out of the secondary forest onto an open field, I tried to get rid of the tiny twigs that had gotten caught in my hair. While doing so, I felt a thick slimy foam on my head. I asked my Mom to take a look. She felt it between her fingers and exclaimed, "God is taking care of you" - a snake bit you on the head but it did not go through because of your thick hair. I carried my 'Afro' many years after, well into the 80's while living in Europe. ( Editor ’ s note: I am trying to picture Mike in the choir with an Afro and a machete!)

We were allowed to take our hairnets off for the

photo shoot.

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Staying Connected “ Being a child at home alone in the summer is a high risk occupation. If you call your mother at work thirteen times an hour, she can hurt you. ” – Erma Bombeck Sunday Services New Edinburgh StreetFest

Saturday, September 10 N ew Edinburgh is 190 years old and has a lot of history under its belt. Laurentian Chapter (IODE) is planning a neighbourhood celebration and fundraiser focusing on neighbourhood heritage. MacKay Sanctuary will be host to several 20 minute concerts during the day, at the top of every hour from 11 am to 3 pm and will host Self - guided tours. Al Bowker will take part in the opening ceremony at St. Bart ’ s. Also included in this event are various vendors, walking tours, wagon rides, garden experts, guest speakers, an antique car parade and more!

Services at MacKay mackayunited.ca Sunday mornings at 10:30 am.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/mackay.united

Summer Hours The office will be closed August 1 through 15. Peter is away the last two Sundays in July. Pulpit supply for July 31 is Rev. Caroline Penhale from Orleans United Church; August 7, 14 & 21 is Patricia Power and 28 is Rev. Caroline Penhale. Pastoral Care The Pastoral Care Team wants to be sure that anyone who needs it will be included in MacKay ’ s Prayers each week. You are invited to contact the Office in order to share names of those that you want to have included on the Prayer list. Garry J. Armstrong Services Peter leads a church service on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 10:30 at the Garry J. Armstrong Residence. There will be a service June 24 and beginning again the 4th Tuesday in September. M acKay Sanctuary is going to be the venue for multiple afternoon concerts in the Chamberfest concert series this summer at the end of July and beginning of August. Check the Chamberfest website at chamberfest.com or mackayunited.ca for the dates and times. UNIFIED CONSCIOUSNESS: ONE MIND, ONE HEART with Dom Laurence Freeman, OSB Presented by the Canadian Christian Meditation Community

Jazz in June concerts are back in the Sanctuary and are made possible in part due to a UCC Foundation grant for MacKay ’ s Kindness of Jazz initiatives.

JAZZ AND SPIRITUALITY WORKSHOP AT M AC KAY FEATURING THE TOM REYNOLDS TRIO WITH PETER WOODS TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 3:00 - 4:30 PM Y ou are invited to a workshop lead by The Tom Reynolds Trio where they will perform several pieces and lead a discussion on how jazz and spirituality can be linked to provide a spiritually meaningful experience and a life that exudes spiritual vitality.

Friday, June 10 from 7 - 9 PM at Saint Paul Amphitheatre, 110 Hazel Street, Ottawa Tickets $25 at the door

FREE WILL DONATION is gratefully accepted for all concerts .

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