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GREETINGS November 24th, 2016
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"CELEBRATING MARSHALL: ACTIVATING HOPE"
(This is the first in a series of reports seeking to capture the spirit of what was shared at a congregational event on Sunday, October 16th as we heard stories from Marshall Memorial's history)
A Dream Comes to Life
Ellen Fairclough had been the first female Federal Cabinet minister for four years. Overseas, Queen Elizabeth had been on the throne for two. Colour TV was still just catching on and CHCH TV had its inaugural broadcasts. As Hamilton and area was busy recovering and refurbishing itself from the ravages of Hurricane Hazel, gentler winds of a new possibility were gathering steam of their own. Suburban growth was widening the boundaries of Ancaster. Ryerson United became a single point pastoral charge in 1953 (leaving Bowman and Bethesda United as the remaining partnership). People in the newer subdivisions yearned for a church they and their children could walk to. A combination of a generous land grant from a farming family named Marshall, the willingness of Rev. Milton Cook of Ryerson United to minister to a new congregation, and an act of Hamilton Presbytery brought Marshall Memorial United Church congregation into being. The first services were held in the Spring Valley Community Hall. Not long after, they moved to the newly built church hall while the congregation and their first called minister, Rev. Eveleigh Smith raised funds to add on sanctuary space. That dream became concretized by 1957 and was formally dedicated on November 24th of that year.
Rev. Smith's ministry would be characterized by making cold calls, welcoming newcomers, and as some recall "following moving vans around". He was keen to initiate youth programs, had a "super wife" who shared in an unpaid partnership in ministry, and was really good at remembering people's names. Marshall Memorial typified the church growth movement that characterized many denominations in the 1950s. People felt individually valued. Church was the "happening place" in the neighbourhood. Eveleigh Smith's training for ministry would have emphasized that kind of evangelical approach.
Canada could call itself a "Christian country" then. Sunday shopping, Sunday morning sports, Sunday opening for entertainment venues didn't happen until the early 1960s. Nonetheless, 1954-1964 was a kind of breakout decade for better or worse as occasion would have it: Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Alabama in 1955. Elvis created a big stir on Ed Sullivan's "really big shew" in 1956. The first Sputnik was launched into space in 1957. Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959 and the United States/Soviet Union Cold War settled into place around 1960. The DNA code was cracked in 1961. What Elvis got rolling became fever pitched when the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan in 1963. As Eveleigh Smith's ministry at Marshall came to its close, the first Tim Horton's franchise in Canada opened in Hamilton. Around that same time, a British bishop and scholar, John A. T. Robinson, published a little book called "Honest to God" that would begin to rock many people's theological foundations.
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In our
thoughts and prayers are Berna Aslan, Geoffrey Parkinson (nephew of Patricia Bradshaw)
Ellen Sawesky, Judy VanDuzer, the Gales family, Jack Wishart (8 months old with a rare disease) requested by Jason Kovacs and Patty Cheshire's niece Melissa, The Cheeseman family on the death of Kim's mom Mary Ann English, and Janet & Ken Hockley and Eric & Rose Winger invite us to pray for their niece Louise as she undergoes a stem-cell transplant.
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This is a novel about a young rising rodeo star, Tyler Stedman and his family and friends set in a small town in turn-of-the millennium Alberta. It was written by Rev. Harry Disher and has just been released into publication. $25.00 will get you a signed copy during the refreshment time following our Choir's Christmas concert on December 11th.
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"Time Out with Trees". Feel free to join Rev. Disher on the benches in Bertram Brockhouse Park (corner of Wilson and Fiddler's Green) at noon on Tuesdays. Bring a lunch, chat a bit and then rest in God for a half-hour of private meditation time. (In inclement weather, we will meet in the Church parlour).
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Meet with Rev. Disher Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Coach and Lantern pub to talk about faith, life, church, sports, quilting, whatever you wish. It's a chance for you to connect and share something of your story.
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Again this year Marshall will be presenting a Christmas Pageant on Saturday December 24th at 7pm. This year we will only be hosting one pageant, (we will not be holding the Children's 5:30 service), however anyone interested in participating in the 7pm pageant is more than welcome. The opportunities to get involved with this production are endless. It takes many hands and minds to make this production a success. Some of the positions that we are looking for help with are as follows:
* cast members,
* ushers,
* costume assistance,
* props,
* some big strong and burley folks for stage set up and tear down, and anything you would like to assist with to make the Pageant a success.
There will be a sign up sheet in the foyer for anyone interested in helping. Please see John Mitchell, Patty Cheshire, Leslie Johnston, Lynn Townsend, and Rick MacKenzie for more information.
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The Outreach Committee will be selling their irresistible chocolate bark on Sunday, December 11th, before and after services. All proceeds will go to the White Gift Fund. Due to the increase in product prices, a bag of bark will be $6. These festive bags make great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers.
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White Gift Sunday is December 4th. There are White Gift envelopes available in the pews for donations (please make cheques payable to the church). All proceeds will go to the White Gift Fund which is supporting The Living Rock. If you are inclined to donate a gift, there is a list of suggested items for needy teenagers on the bulletin board at the far end of the hall. We will be delivering the gifts you have kindly donated to the Wesley Christmas store. If you, members of your family, or friends would like to volunteer in the store you can register for this program at wesley.ca. For those who knit, your donated items can be dropped off in November to Wesley Day Centre at 195 Ferguson Ave. North Monday to Saturday 8:30 to 1:30. Thank you for your generous support.
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Planning & Communications Committee
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People are needed to assist with the Power Point at both services and camera at the contemporary service. Please contact the church office if you are able to help in this regard.
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The annual Choices Lunch will be held here on Friday, December 9th. Our chef, Kevin Usher, is coming from Owen Sound to join us. We will need kitchen help in the morning, servers and a cleanup crew. If you would like to be part of this joyful afternoon please contact Landra Smith 905-648-8356 or [email protected]. Donations for the gift bags for our guests would be appreciated. Many thanks!
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The sign-up sheet for the Christmas Pot Luck Luncheon on Wednesday, December 7th is on the UCW Bulletin Board at the end of the hallway. Please sign up for main dish, salad or dessert. If you are unable to prepare food please feel free to attend anyway. There is always lots of food. ALL ARE WELCOME!!
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On Saturday, December 10 the Marshall Men will enjoy breakfast at Bowman United Church. This has become a monthly tradition at Bowman, that has grown in popularity due to the excellent food and the musical jam session (hence the name "Breakfast & Jam"). Raymond Wilson will welcome us and give us a short talk about the founding and history of Bowman Church. It should be a good social opportunity for ourselves and a chance to get to know others from another Ancaster United Church. We'll meet at the Bowman Church parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Please sign the list in the Foyer, so we know who plans to attend and feel free to bring a friend.
Location: Bowman Church, 888 Garner Rd E
(near Bennett's Apples)
Time: 8:15 a.m. in Bowman Parking Lot
Cost: $9 per person
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Please mark on your calendar December 11
th at 3pm for the choir's annual Christmas Concert. The cantata
"Jesus! The Advent of the Messiah" will be presented along with special guests and orchestra. Appetizers and wine will be served following the concert.
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