COUNCIL

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Faith Development

 

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The Faith Development Committee met by ZOOM on September 08th to review its programmes and to envision new directions.

CE: The Christian Education component of Faith Development currently has very strong leadership and has continued to offer programming by ZOOM and with outdoor activities through the pandemic.  A new temporary part-time staff person, Elizabeth Stewart (a Diaconal minister working in Port-Stanley-Dexter pastoral charges) has been employed until the end of December (to cover Jane Dockrill’s sick leave) and will help develop curriculum with Allyson Watson for Sundays and will assist Chris Lindsay with youth.   Allyson Watson will assume the Chair of the revived CE Committee later this Fall.

ADULT EDUCTION:  With Covid restrictons in mind we are exploring the feasibility of restoring Sunday morning Kerygma studies and Thursday morning Bible studies in October—dependent on safety measures being adequate. Jo Ann Silcox will facilitate both. The Book Club will begin about the same time under the leadership of Linda Radford.  Other studies will resume as safety permits.

WORSHIP:

• MUSIC: Erich Knapp is hard at work creating the music aspect of worship through the Fall—with individual musicians assisting—mass groups (choirs, Bells etc.) not being deemed safe until 2021.

• WORSHIP: David McKane has now assumed the role of Pastoral Charge Supervisor and will be providing worship leadership many Sundays—the Rev. Ann Corbett offering pulpit supply as needed.We are exploring safe ways to offer traditional aspects of liturgy—e.g. Communion, Healing Prayer, Christmas Eve Family Worship, Anniversary Sunday etc.STAY TUNED!!

 

COMMITTEE INDIVIDUATION:  CE and WORSHIP will begin meeting separately in the Fall to ensure that the issues unique to each committee are not lost—but consulting with one another as needed.

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Music

Welcome to Director of Music – Erich Knapp:

• The Music Committee met for a social gathering at the home of Jane Smith on Friday afternoon, Sept. 4. We were safely outside on the deck. This was our opportunity to meet Erich in person, which was greatly appreciated by all.

• Erich shared with the committee his hopes and plans for music in services this fall. This includes a special service on Sunday, November 15, the one year anniversary of Terry’s death.

 

2. Laudamus Bells meet Erich:

• The Laudamus Bells were also able to meet Erich for a social gathering at the home of Anne Cummings on Wednesday, Sep 9. Once more the gathering was outside in the garden and greatly appreciated by the group. We have been fortunate that the lovely weather of September has allowed us to meet Erich in person this way.

• Erich discussed what setup with social distancing may be possible for the handbells to begin rehearsals possibly in October. Still under discussion.

 

3. Virtual Worship Services:

• The last Virtual service was Sep 6 and Sonja Gustafson and Paul Merritt provided the “live” music for this service.

 

4. Reopening FSA:

• Sep 13 was the first service back in the sanctuary. It was meant to be outside but the weather didn’t quite cooperate. Erich played for this service and Chris Wood, choir soloist, was the soloist and cantor.

• The second service in the sanctuary will be on Sep 20. Erich and the choir soloists will be providing music.

 

5. FSA Organ Scholar:

• We are fortunate to have Owen Spicer as our organ scholar for this fall. Owen is an organ student of Hans-Ola Ericsson (Professor, Organ & Church Music) at McGill University but due to COVID he is studying from home this term.

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