A brief history The Name: The unique name of Fort Massey Church recalls the early years of the garrison town when there was a blockhouse on the site. The fort was named after General Eyre Massey who was commander-in-chief at Halifax from 1776-1780. The Building: From the Halifax Reporter, 1871: "The interior... has almost a cathedral appearance. In form and style there is nothing like it in Nova Scotia." From the Canadian Illustrated News, 1873: "...one of the most handsome specimens of Gothic architecture to be met in the Dominion." Opened in 1871, the Scottish architect, David Stirling, made skilful use of Gothic designs with more than a dozen window shapes and sizes and numerous versions of decorative window tracery. Inside there are richlycarved ceiling braces supported by hammer-beams, ornamental kings' heads and bands of trefoil arches punctuated by protruding, small winged creatures which gaze down into the nave below. The church hall with gymnasium was added in 1898, and is shared with numerous community groups. The Organ: The three manual Casavant organ, installed in 1913, was played by television's first lady of the organ, Diane Bish (Joy of Music) to a full house; and each October the local chapter of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO) brings together organists and musical guests for an evening of frighteningly fine music at the Phantoms of the Pipes concert The People: Fort Massey, along with many other Presbyterian churches, joined the Methodists and Congregationalists in the union of The United Church of Canada in 1925. Over the years many notable Haligonians attended Fort Massey including Lucy Maud Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables) and Anna Leonowens (Governess to the King of Siam's children The King and I musical). Some of the original subscribers included politicians such as Hiram Blanchard, Premier of Nova Scotia in 1867; William Garvie, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Commissioner of Public Works; and Sir Robert Boak, President of the Legislative Council and Provincial Treasurer. Other noted subscribers included merchant William Robertson, proprietor of Robertson's Hardware (now part of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic) and President of the Union Bank; Andrew Muir, who had fought at the Battle of Trafalgar; and Captain J. Taylor Wood, grandson of American President Zachary Taylor. Today, the congregation consists of long-time south-enders, students, seniors, young families, and new residents who live in the neighbouring buildings, as well as people from throughout the HRM. We strive to be a welcoming oasis in the midst of city living. (Adapted from a brief history of Fort Massey Church written by Dr. Elizabeth Pacey OC, for the occasion of FMC s Provincial Heritage designation on Sep 12, 1996.)
Fort Massey by~the~sea c.1871 T. D. Cleveland-Thompson, Pastor Tristan Cleveland-Thompson, Music Director John Walter, Assistant Organist Kevin Robarts, Flutist Sancia Knorr, Church School Co-ordinator Elizabeth Dorey, Nursery Elliott Prouty, Head Usher/Presb. Rep. Richard & Carol Robinson, Sextons Nancy E. Riggs, Treasurer Ruth MacKenzie, Chief Steward Alison McDonald, Clerk of Session Alasdair Sinclair, Clerk Emeritus Alan G. Hayman, Sr. Trustee Ian MacDonald, Halifax Presbytery Rep. John Beveridge, Brunswick St. Mission Rep. Kathy Cochrane, Office Administrator Martina Sommer, Facilities Manager 902.423.4294 ftmassey@eastlink.ca A Congregation of The United Church of Canada A Gathering Place for the community, the arts, and the spiritual quest www.fortmasseychurch.com 14th Sunday after Pentecost September 10, 2017 10:30 a.m.
O R D E R of S E R V I C E * indicates standing for those who are able PRELUDE SILENT REFLECTION Jesu Meine Freude by JS Bach The Trinity Bell is rung; the Community Candle is lit. GATHERING WORDS Prayer of Jesus VU 921 *OPENING HYMN Come In, Come In and Sit Down VU 395 *THE PEACE WELCOME THE NOTICES Peace be with you. And also with you. GETTING TO KNOW YOU MINUTE FOR MISSION Colleen Estabrooks OFFERING OFFERTORY * DOXOLOGY: Praise God VU 541 Standing, as offering brought forward TODAY S THEME WITH THE SUNDAY S COOL CROWD *HYMN When I Needed a Neighbour VU 600 Children leave for Church School & Nursery MEDITATION & PRAYER ANTHEM Watch Once More the Windswept Storm Clouds by Neil Weisensel READINGS Excerpt from Robert Fulghum blog, September Song Redux ; from The Bible, Galations 6:1-9 Offered as wisdom for the journey. May we walk in its light. Calvin Burt SERMON Could Do Better Rev. Trent *AFFIRMATION OF FAITH A New Creed VU 918 *CLOSING HYMN The Church of Christ in Every Age VU 601 *PARTING WORDS POSTLUDE Amen. May it be so. Fugue in D by JS Bach Welcome to Fort Massey. We are delighted to have you joining us at our Sunday morning gathering. Visitors are invited to sign our Guest Book and fill out a Welcome Card at the left of the main doors upon exiting the nave, leaving it with the guest book. Welcome back to students and our Church School & Nursery. Please join us after the Service for lemonade and conversation.
Kirk Session will meet briefly after today s Service in the chancel. While our minister was away, we want to thank student minister, Kim Curlett; emergency contacts, Alison McDonald and Ruth MacKenzie; and our sexton, Richard Robinson, for holding things together here at the Fort. Coffee & Conversation Hosts are needed for the fall. Coffee, tea and biscuits (cookies) are provided. You provide only the milk. Please sign-up in the Tobin St. lobby. Lecture, Round Church, 2222 Brunswick St., Sep 16, 2 PM, Matthew MacDonald will present a lecture on the only man buried in the crypt of St. George s entitled: Averting the Malignity of Slander: Treason, Murder, and a Conspiracy of Weak and Deluded Men. Welcome Back Sunday, Sep 24, after the 10:30 AM Gathering. We need people to help with the following: organize activities for the children, purchase food, husk and cook corn, bbq the hotdogs, set up lower hall, clean up lower hall, wash dishes. Sign-up in the Tobin St. lobby. Thank you. World Communion Sunday will be observed Oct 1, 10:30 AM Afternoon Tea, Tuesday, Oct 3, at 3 PM, at the Evangeline Snack Bar (Stirlings), Grand Pre. $15.95 plus tax and gratuity. Sign-up sheet and fixed menu are in the Tobin St lobby. Reservation for 20. Sorry, no special orders or dietary requirements are available. 11 th Annual Mission Breakfast. World Trade and Convention Centre Thu, Oct 10, 7:30 AM. Guest speaker is social entrepreneur, Mark Brand. $100/ticket. Sign-up in the Tobin St. lobby. Last year we had nearly 3 tables of 10 from FMC at the breakfast. Links to You Tube videos about Mark Brand can be found at: https:// www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mark+brand+vancouver Men of the Deeps in concert in support of First United at Eastern Shore District High, 25 West Petpeswick Rd, Musquodoboit Harbour. Oct 14, 7 PM. Tickets $35. 902.889.2359.
Food Bank Drive for Oct 15, World Food Sunday. Fill a grocery bag and bring it to church. At the first my family and me want to thanks' all the committee for everything, since we arrived to Halifax we touch the special care for every one of us, this summer was very interesting and important for our new life, and this is some of activities: 1.Set up for banking account in RBC Bank. 2.Registered the kids in schools (Judy G10 - Sydra G6 - Besher G1). 3.Registered Maysan& Saeed in ISANS. 4.Got MSI cards. 5.Filling immigration documents. 6.Got a family Dr. 7.Got a dentist. 8.Got an optometrist. 9.Registerd in Public Library. 10.We had a family visiting in Toronto. 11.Our kids can driving bicycles now. 12.Maysan& Saeed have a weekly meeting in Public Library& some classes at home. 13.Visiting to Zoo, citadel, Festival of sailing ships. 14.We try to recognize this lovely city, gardens, parks, museums, stores and we promise to learn quickly to be a part of this society, we would to thank`s all of you Thank u Halifax, thank u Canada - Saeed Sagherji (sorry about grammar mistakes) The family of Saeed Sagherji arrived in Halifax in June from Beirut via Syria thanks to the generous support of people from the congregations of Fort Massey, St. David s, and St. Matthew s Churches.
England & Wales. Would you like to participate in a 19 day 1 st Class tour of England and Wales from May 28-June 15, 2018, with a group of United Church folks from across Canada? If so, here is your opportunity. Just contact the tour hosts, the Rev d Dr. Bob & Mrs. Fay Jackson at bandfjackson65@gmail.com for all the fabulous details. Early booking discounts apply, so respond as soon as possible. Coming up: Fort Massey Church 10/09/17 Music Committee, Wed, Sep 20, 7:30 PM, sanctuary Outreach Committee, Tue, Sep 26, 6:30 PM, minister s study Kirk Session, Tue, Sep 26, 7:30 PM, Irene Parks Memorial Room Board of Management, Tue, Oct 3, 7:30 PM, IPM Room Women s Coffee Group, Tue, Oct 10, location-tba Men s Breakfast, Fri, Oct 13, 9:30 AM, Steak & Stein, Young St. Joe Howe Fellowship, Tue, Oct 17, 2 PM, JH Manor Book Study Group, Wed, Oct 18, 10:30 AM, The Berkeley, Green St. Phantoms of the Pipes, Sat, Oct 28, 7 PM, sanctuary Remembrance Sunday, Nov 12, 10:30 AM Christmas Tea & Sale, Sat, Nov 18, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM Anniversary Sunday, Nov 26, 10:30 AM A learning and conversation opportunity Commitment to Community. With or Without God. Promoting Respectful Dialogue as we look to the Future of the United Church of Canada with Gretta Vosper and members of West Hill United Church. This is a chance to hear from Gretta and the congregation in person, to find common ground and common cause, to hear each other, and consider whether and how the United Church might provide space for all of us. The event is for the committed and the curious, for traditional or atheist or anywhere in between. Mon. Sept. 25, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.- at Trinity United Church, Shelburne Registration - contact Joanne McFadden, tuc@ns.sympatico.com OR 1.902.875.2943 Getting to Know You is a new segment we are introducing to our 10:30 AM Sunday Gatherings. This is an opportunity for anyone to share something new about themselves, even if you ve been coming to FMC for years. Sign-up for a Sunday in the Tobin St. lobby.
Pizza Sunday is coming soon. Beginning Oct 1 st, the first Sunday of each month we ll be ordering pizza in lieu of Coffee & Conversation. A free will offering basket will be placed in the hall to help recover some or all of the cost. You may even want to make arrangements with the minister and cover the cost for that Sunday as a way of expressing thanksgiving for community. Interested in making a commitment to the Church? The United Church? Fort Massey Church? Contact the minister at 902.423.4294 or fmminister@eastlink.ca