A Cross The Pews. Through the Garden Gate HAPPY FATHER S DAY K N O X P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H. Wanted: Singers for Summer Service Choir

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1 K N O X P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H A Cross The Pews June, 2009 Issue 6 Through the Garden Gate Saturday, June 20th 12:00pm to 4:00pm Tickets $10.00 (includes refreshments) Please join us for a garden tour sponsored by the Women s Circle of Care Group in support of Knox s building fund. There will be perennials for sale at some of the garden locations. HAPPY FATHER S DAY Wanted: Singers for Summer Service Choir Rehearsals - Sundays at 9:00 am. Sing at 10:00 am service. This summer, you are invited to join us on any Sunday to sing as part of the Chancel Choir. We will rehearse an anthem at 9:00 am and sing that anthem at the Sunday Service. Feel free to join us anytime during the summer. Make it a family affair, mom, dad, children (old enough to read the text) and youth are welcome. This is a great opportunity for those who love to sing but can't make a long term commitment during the year. Knox Book Club June 18, 9:30 4:00 To end another great year, the Knox Book Club will be going to Brantford to visit Chiefswood, the home of Pauline Johnston and The Bell Homestead, home of Alexander Graham Bell. 50 Erb Street West Waterloo, On N2L ltl Phone knox@golden.net knoxwaterloo.ca Sunday Services start June 7th at 10:00am Radio Broadcast: Sunday 10:00am CKWR FM98.5

2 A Note from Christian Education CY 09 Fundraisers Many thanks to all who have supported the Sr High Fundraisers: Pancake Supper, Spaghetti Supper, Easter chocolates, and Hanging Baskets. We are excited that 10 youth and 2 adults will be representing Knox at the national conference July at Brock University in St Catherines. The cost per person is $ and your financial support of the fundraisers will help to subsidize some of the costs for your youth. Vacation Bible School CATCH THE SPIRIT Aug , 9am to noon At Erb St Mennonite Church 131 Erb St. W * (*this is a joint VBS presentation by Knox Presbyterian, Waterloo North and Erb St Mennonite churches) Hope Lives.is the theme for this summer s Sunday school lessons. Compassion changes everything: how you view the world...yourself...even Jesus. Come journey with us as we study lessons that create an understanding of poverty and develop a Jesus centered compassionate response to it. This exploration of compassion touches both the head and heart--and helps kids discover (and share) God's heart for the poor. Lessons Topics: The Rich Young Man The Good Samaritan Esther Believers Pray for Peter Spiritual Gifts and the Body of Christ If you are interested in teaching one Sunday this summer please see Laura V. For kids in JK-Gr 5 AND a special Jr Youth program for Gr 6,7& 8 s. Bible stories, crafts, games, music, fellowship, family BBQ for more info. and a registration form. Church Picnic Sunday June 21, 11am-4pm Waterloo Park (enter off Westmount Rd) Fundraiser BBQ hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be for sale. Bring a salad or dessert to share with everyone! Page 2 A Cross The Pews

3 Knox Waterloo member appointed Peace and Human Security Intern WATERLOO, ON -- The Life and Mission Agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and Project Ploughshares have announced the appointment of Ms. Laura Ashfield to an eight month internship with Project Ploughshares in Waterloo, Ontario. Laura is the second intern to participate in this three year partnership between The Presbyterian Church in Canada and Project Ploughshares. Her internship begins September In April 2009 Laura completed her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. Her international experience includes participation in the Sabeel International Youth Conference: 1948: The Nakba, Justice, and Beyond and volunteering for the Global Youth Network, assisting relief and development work in Lunglei, Mizoram, India. Laura served as an immigration and refugee host at her local YMCA, and has been involved in many community social justice events. Laura is a member of Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Laura brings to the internship a passionate sense of justice and commitment to nonviolent resolutions to conflict, and hopes her work with Project Ploughshares will continue unmasking the ugliness of war and creating awareness and pathways for peace. Funding for the Peace and Human Security Internship Program is made possible through undesignated bequest gifts to The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Founded in 1976, Project Ploughshares is the ecumenical peace centre of The Canadian Council of Churches with a mandate to work with churches, governments, and civil society, in Canada and abroad, to advance policies and actions that prevent war and armed violence and build peace. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is one of nine national churches that sponsor Project Ploughshares. For further information about the Peace and Human Security Internship Program, including the next internship cycle, contact Stephen Allen presbyterian.ca) or Katharine Masterton presbyterian.ca) in Justice Ministries: (1-800) ; (416) Congratulations To all who participated in the Talented Toonies Stewardship Project. The net profit of $ went to the New Building Fund. Our next A Cross The Pews will go out July 5th. Articles are due June 28th. Joan Campbell at joanmhc@rogers.com Or leave the information in my mailbox outside the church office. Issue 6 Page 3

4 LOOKING FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE THIS SUMMER? At Cairn, we believe strongly that camp is a powerful and wonderful experience for children of all ages. It is a time apart...a time to sing, dance, play, worship, read and discuss the Word of God, use imaginations, make lifelong friends, and build relationships. It is a time to allow children, youth and campers of all ages to become part of an extraordinary world. Cairn offers residential camp programming for children, teens and families. Wouldn t you or your child love to spend time this summer swimming in a lake, canoeing or kayaking, climbing or whizzing down a zipline, making crafts, learning dances, singing songs, and making new friends? Cairn is owned and operated by our Synod and the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It is a welcoming place where everyone feels safe and a true sense of belonging. And it is more fun than I can ever explain! No one should miss out on such a great adventure. Now, we recognize that the current economy presents challenges to all families and we will always strive to make camp an affordable opportunity. Camperships are also available for families who require a little extra assistance. We ask for your help in getting the news out to the families in your congregation and communities. Please let them know that they should contact the camp office at or go online at to register. Thank you for your continued support of our Synod's camping ministry. CAIRN IT S Submitted by Cindy Graham ABOUT TIME! The Summer Women s Build for Habitat For Humanity is the house being built in honour of Lila Willis Beach. Help is need with construction, organizing, administration and food preparation. Contact Rev. Linda Ashfield. Page 4 A Cross The Pews

5 Knox at the 2009 Cairn Work Weekend submitted by Grant Birks Many thanks to the ten Knox participants who traveled to Cairn Presbyterian Camp for the annual work weekend of May th. Plan to join us in 2010! May Not pictured below but also participating were Dave Ogram and Grant Birks. Gardeners-for-the-day, Sydney Piatkowski and Allison Dyjach On the Kybo (composting outhouse) assembly line: Erik Feldmann with Joel and Rich Hildred Kari Feldmann and John McBride activate the solar water heater that saves Cairn money. They installed the heater a couple of years ago. Marg Johnston, our Happy Painter, working on one of the Cairn camper cabins. Issue 6 Page 5

6 Presbyterian World Service and Development News Last month our Welcome and Fellowship committee organized a fun and successful Fashion show, raising several thousand dollars for the PWS&D - Towards a world without AIDS project. Altogether, our denomination has donated $1.5 million for AIDS related work in the last five years, with our own congregation contributing over $35,000. With these funds we have been able to help many AIDS victims and their families, particularly in sub- Saharan Africa, the region of the world most greatly affected by AIDS. For example: seven new orphan care centres have been built in Malawi 700 volunteers have been trained in child care 3000 orphans are being provided with basic daily necessities 16,500 people from remote communities in Malawi have been tested for HIV/AIDS and 70,000 have received psychosocial and spiritual counseling PWS&D has many other on-going, long term development projects in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Central America. They seek sustainable solutions to poverty, working mainly in the areas of food and agriculture, water and sanitation, health, education, income generation and human rights. Recently, PWS&D initiated a girls education program in Afghanistan. In a country where 82% of women are illiterate, this is sorely needed. The program works with families, teachers, communities and government officials to provide a safe and supportive environment to encourage girls to attend school and improve the quality of their education. To learn more about the recent activities of PWS&D you can watch the new video, Change is happening at Knox has long been a generous supporter of PWS&D and I pray this will continue, even as we generously support our own building campaign. Submitted by Kathryn Hare PWS&D Representative Notice from the Knox Church Office The church office will be telephoning each member and adherent family for a contact address if we do not have one in the data base. The office is working towards being able to send out letters and contribution statements via in an effort to save postage and paper. The families who do not have will receive their information the same as always. If we have not contacted you and you have an address please us at knox@golden.net Remember the church when you send out your change of address. Wendy Anderson, Church Administrator Page 6 A Cross The Pews

7 Painting the church There was a Scottish painter named Smokey MacGregor who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further. As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the Baptist Church decided to do a big restoration job on the outside of one of their biggest buildings.. Smokey put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job. So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine.. Well, Smokey was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Smokey clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.. Smokey was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried: "Oh, God, Oh God, forgive me; what should I do?" And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke.. " Repaint! And thin no more!" Submitted by Wendy Anderson Knox Knitters On Tuesday June 23, 7:00-8:30 p.m., you are invited to spend a relaxing evening in the Lounge at Knox with other knitters and crocheters as we work on prayer shawls or personal projects. Lessons in knitting and crochet are available for any who are interested. For more information, contact Margaret Woods at (519) Thank you to those who have contributed knit and crocheted squares. The squares are used to make Touch Quilts to provide sensory stimulation for Alzheimer s residents in long-term care facilities. The blocks need to be approx. 5 (12.5 cm) square and can be either knit or crocheted in any weight of yarn. This is a great way to use up scraps of yarn. A donation drop-off box is near the back door of the church. Margaret Woods is the contact person for this project. Thank you also to all those who contributed Prayer Shawls and Pneumonia Prevention Vests that are to be dedicated at the June 7 service! They are beautiful reminders of the loving care this congregation provides to those in need. Ellen Yessis is the contact person for both of these projects. Issue 6 Page 7

8 Knox folk are invited to attend these special workshops that are part of the national KAIROS conference being held at UW in June. The Presbyterian Church in Canada is a member of KAIROS, a group that "unites churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to 'do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God' (Micah 6:8). They deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation." Submitted by Nancy Matthews 1 Corinthians 10:31 b - Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (NIV) To inspire confidence, openness, and warmth, we need to make encouraging eye contact easily, keep the body relaxed in a non-threatening posture, and try not to invade other people's reserved space. Just by relaxing in the work and movements of the Holy Spirit, we can reveal the fruit of the Spirit, as well as dispel nervousness, tension, ill feeling, and agitation. PCC Daily Devotional Page 8 A Cross The Pews

9 KNOX READS "Sabbath-Keeping: Finding Freedom In The Rhythms Of Rest" by Lynne M. Baab (an enthusiastic endorsement by Nancy Matthews, member of Knox's Adult Education group) I want to encourage everyone to pick up a copy of this wonderful book! Lynne Baab is a Presbyterian minister in the US who has written an enjoyable, short exploration of keeping the Sabbath that is very helpful and easy-to-read. It's full of interesting and inspiring stories and suggestions relating to the Sabbath. I found it so intriguing that, while initially reading a borrowed copy, I had to keep all pens far away, in case I accidentally grabbed one to underline the many comments that caught my attention! So I highly recommend you sign up at the Welcome Desk for this book and go to Wordsworth Books (100 King St. S., Waterloo) to buy your discounted copy. There is a coupon in the blue insert of the Sunday bulletin that you should take to the store (although if you forget it, just say the magic words, "I'm from Knox," and that should work!). The book's special discounted price for Knox folk is $ tax. Besides reading this book, you can discuss it with others on three Tuesday nights in June -- the 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Come to one, two or all three of the sessions. The sermons in the summer will also be related to the theme of Sabbath. Please pass the word to others and take the opportunity to read this gem of a book, and to explore ways to incorporate the Sabbath into your week! PASSAGES Deaths: Rob Milne's father passed away and we send our condolences to Rob, Maria and family. Janice Harpers mother died and our sympathies go out to Janice, Mark and Family. John Arajs died - We send our sympathy to Anne Arajs and boys and also to Ruth Larsen. Births: Congratulations to Christine Hildred on the birth of her son Aedan and to the new grandparents, Rich and Dianne Hildred. Baptisms: On May 10, 2009 Isaac Thomas Kuruvilla, son of Sunil Kuruvilla and Lisa Rodrigues was baptized here at Knox. On May 17, 2009 Jeremy Thomas Hillier, son of Jason Hillier and Beverley Hall was baptized here at Knox. Marriages: Congratulations to Vince Garofalo and Joyce Zidovec on their marriage that took place here at Knox on May 16th. Thinking of You: Carl Rumig has been in hospital and Janet MacDowell has had recent surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Issue 6 Page 9

10 Retirement Home Ministry During June our Retirement Home Ministry Team will be completing another year of visiting retirement homes and nursing homes with a message of hope in Christ and faith in God. We continue to minister to 7 homes in the area. Twice a year, our ministers, Brooke or Linda Ashfield come to give the message and bring Communion to the residents. Our teams consist of the following people: Terrace on the Square Bankside Terrace Lynelle Purdy, Ramona McWatt, Mildred Seibel (music) Cheryl Meyer, Ramona McWatt, Agnes Steffy Beechwood Manor Nancy Matthews, George MacAskill Ruth Millard (music) With Nancy and David Matthews on sabbatical next year, we are happy to announce that George MacAskill and Agnes Steffy will continue the ministry at Beechwood. Parkwood Mennonite Jack and Betty Geddes Court at Laurelwood Carolyn Culp and Connie Graham From the ministry at Laurelwood there came a request for a Bible Study on a weekly basis. Jack and Betty Geddes have kindly undertaken this work and have been doing a much appreciated Bible Study there for several months. Lanark Heights Waterloo Heights Ellen Yessis, Jean Shantz, Ruth Millard (music) Elsie Baird and Grace Dengis We are sorry that Elsie Baird and Grace Dengis have decided to retire after serving faithfully at Waterloo Heights for the last 5 years. However we are happy to see them in a well-deserved retirement and we thank both of them for their commitment to the ministry and their warmth and care for the residents at Waterloo Heights. Thank you for a job extremely well done. In the fall we will be pleased to welcome Lynn Allen and Barbara Prysnuk to lead services at Waterloo Heights. Submitted by Ellen Yessis The October,2008 issue of the Mayo Clinic publication, Embody Health, makes these points in an article titled Humour Your Health Laughter reduces stress chemicals. Laughter helps your heart and lungs. Laughter improves your immune system. Laughter helps relieve pain. (A hearty laugh helps your body produce natural painkillers.) Laughter improves your quality of life. (It has the power to help you relax.) Page 10 A Cross The Pews

11 What does a mortgage mean? The Knox Redevelopment Committee, the Finance Sub-committee of Session, and Knox Session are proposing that we approve a 25 year term mortgage of $4.5 million dollars. The mortgage will mean we can build our exciting new home which will mean Knox can grow and serve others in the future. But just what does this mortgage mean? In short, it means that we have to support annual mortgage payments of $350,000 for the term of the mortgage. We need to understand these specifics so that we can vote with full awareness of what we, as a congregation, will have to support. Our Capital Campaign raised $2,300,000 from 195 pledges. In 2009, we have approximately 340 envelope and PACK (pre-authorized chequing) supporters. A Look Into the Future (if we approve the mortgage): Fall, 2009 In September, Knox Congregation approves the mortgage. October, construction begins. We have around $885,000 in the Capital Campaign Fund and expect another $250,737 in givings by the end of December. Knox Total Operating Budget is $501, Year Knox Total Operating Budget is projected to be $511,112. We will build our new church using our Capital Campaign money and the bank line of credit. A further $518,736 will be received from the Capital Campaign. No mortgage payments are required until after the building is complete. We move into the building in the Fall Year Knox Total Operating Budget is projected to be $521,335 plus $150,000 repayment on mortgage for the last six months of the year.. We begin our first full year in the new church building programs expand. The Congregation completes the Capital Campaign with donations of $148,914. (Note we use this for mortgage payments for the first 6 months of the year.) 2012 Year Knox Operating Budget is projected to be $531,763 plus $353,570 mortgage payment. Future Years Knox continues payments of $353,570 on its mortgage as well as its operating budget. Submitted by Tupper Cawsey as per David Blake Issue 6 Page 11

12 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 7:30 Church Council 2 1:15 Group D 7:30 Book Study 3 2:00 Group C :00 Trombone Choir 5:00 MYA Pool Party :00am Service Graduation Gr. 6,8,12 Communion 7:30 Book Study Junior High Retreat at Cairn :00am Service Presbytery 7:30 Book Study 7:30 Session 12:00 Knox Garden Tour 7:00 Duke of Edinburgh 21 10:00am Service 11:00am Church Picnic :00am Service 29 30