Inside This Edition

Knox United Church2569 Midland Ave. Agincourt ON M1S 1R3

Tel: 416­293­4424 Fax:416­293­6128 email: knoxunited@bellnet.ca website: www.myknox.ca

Knox News Lent / Easter 2019

2 ­ Worship Corner Holy Week and Easter 3 ­ Message From Knox Council 4 ­ Rob’s Farewell Ramble 5 ­ Farewell Photos 6 ­ Message from Search Committee Basket Appeal, GST Auction 7 ­ Rev. Linda Petrides Loving Our Seniors Pastoral Care Lighting the Memorial Candles 8 ­ United Church of Canada Shining Waters Regional Council 9 ­ Out of the cold10 ­ Doors Open Knox11 ­ Alpha : Parenting Teenagers Easter Flowers Lighting the Memorial Candles12 ­ Chinese New Year, UCW

Next Edition: Pentecost ­ June 2019

Tuesday ­ March 5 : Shrove Tuesday6:00 pm ­ Pancake Supper

Sunday, March 10 ­ First Sunday in Lent

10:00 am ­ Worship/Communion(Daylight Saving Time begins)

Sunday, March 17 ­ Second Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Worship Service12:30pm ­ Mandarin Fellowship

Sunday, March 24 ­ Third Sunday in Lent 10:00 am Worship Service

Sunday, March 31 ­ Fourth Sunday in Lent10:00 am Worship Service

Sunday, April 7 ­ Fifth Sunday in Lent10:00 am ­ English/Mandarin Service12:30 pm – Mandarin Fellowship

Holy Week and Easter ServicesSee Page 2 ­ Worship Corner

The Annual Congregational meeting will be held on

Sunday, May 5, 2019

It isn't about forfeiting stuff, it's about spiritual formation and preparing our hearts for Easter.

Wednesday, March 6, to Thursday, April 18

Lent, the annual period of Christian observance that precedes Easter, begins on Ash Wednesday. During these forty days of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter, Christians replicate Jesus Christ's sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. To help you prepare, check out: https://40acts.org.uk/resources

Knox News Page 2

Lent / Easter 2019

Worship Corner

This editionThanks to everyone who has contributed articles to this edition of the Knox News. Communication Chair, Manley James. Editors: C. Amos, M. James. Inquiries about advertising may be directed to the Communications Committee (knoxinfo@bellnet.ca).You may send any suggestions, articles and pictures to the Communication Committee c/o the church office, knoxunited@bellnet.ca

Palm Sunday ­ Sunday, April 1410 am ­ Members of the congregation, led by the choir will walk to the Christian Education Centre and back to the Sanctuary waving palm branches and singing the opening hymn.

Holy Week and Easter Worship at Knox

Maundy Thursday, April 18 6:00 pm ­ Potluck Supper6:45 pm ­ Service ­ Communion

Good Friday ­ Friday, April 19 10:00 am ­ Worship Service A joint service with Agincourt Baptist, Knox Presbyterian and Knox United Church of Canada. This year the service is being hosted by Knox United Church.

Easter Sunday ­ Sunday, April 21 10:00 am ­ Easter Sunday Service

Celebration of the Resurrection with Holy Communion and special music to enhance the worship experience.

Easter 2 ­ Sunday, April 28 (Outreach Sunday ) 10:00 am ­ Worship Service

Easter 3 ­ Sunday, May 5 10:00 am ­ Worship Service (Congregational Meeting )

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 3

Knox News

With the retirement of Rev. Rob Selby, the Council Co­Chairs and Secretary is sharing some thoughts on behalf of the Knox Council.

Rob will be missed and we wish him all the best in his future endeavours. At the same time, we appreciate the efforts of the various clergy who will share our pulpit over the next few Sundays and share their inspirational messages. Thanks to the Worship Committee, M & P and the church office for their efforts to make sure we continue to have excellent services each Sunday. We look forward to Rob’s replacement and offer thanks and prayers to the members of our Search Team who are working on our behalf to call a new minister to Knox. A lot has happened at Knox over the past few months. At the end of January, we held a going away luncheon for Rob as we said goodbye to a good friend. We also celebrated other major events in February including the Chinese New Year Spring Festival and we met together as a congregation to discuss the state of our finances. Unfortunately, we also must note the fire and accompanying destruction of the Agincourt Community Centre and the loss it is to our community. We are grateful for the extraordinary efforts of the fire crews who fought the blaze, we thank God that no one was seriously injured in the fire, and we look forward to the Community Centre being rebuilt.As we move through Lent toward the Easter season, there will be many occasions when we can share in the fellowship and celebrations of our faith, including the Pancake Tuesday Supper and Ash Wednesday service, and Holy Week services of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter.The Loving Our Senior’s Program continues under the guidance of Rev. Linda Petrides, our Minister of Visitation. Ross Inglis’ music moves us every Sunday and the concerts he arranges enliven our

sanctuary on a regular basis. Check them out and attend the next one for a truly joyous occasion. Our Chinese Ministry continues to bring the word of God and our ongoing fellowship to the Mandarin speaking community. The United Church Women (UCW) meet on a regular basis, as does the Men’s Fellowship, and you are encouraged to be involved in their activities. The Nearly New Shop continues to offer high­quality clothing at bargain rates and you should check them out every Wednesday afternoon. Knox continues to host the Out of the Cold program every Friday night when we offer a warm place to sleep and hot food for the homeless during the cold and dreary Winter months. Recently, an eye doctor and nurses have been present to offer care to the clients. We are grateful to the dozens of people at Knox and other churches that make the Out of the Cold an important contribution to our community. In April, we look forward to the GST Auction on April 27 and the opportunity it provides to pick up some bargains and support our church. In May, we will be holding our annual congregational meeting to celebrate the life and work of the church. We are also going to try something completely different this year. On May 25th and 26th, Knox will be participating in Doors Open Toronto 2019. Some of you may have visited Doors Open Toronto locations in previous years. It is part of Doors Open Ontario, a series of annual events that show off some of the most interesting and historically significant buildings across Ontario. This year, Doors Open will be an occasion to showcase Knox United Church and its rich history in Scarborough. A lot is happening at Knox and we hope that you will be able to participate, not only in the Sunday services but in the other events at our church. They will further your spiritual growth and your fellowship with the rest of the congregation.

J. McAllister, Co­ChairJ. Downes, Co­ChairM. Walker, Secretary

Message from Knox Council

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 4

Knox News

Rev. Rob’s Final Ramble!I am pretty certain I have told you about the fellow who plays his Country Music Records backwards and gets his house back, gets his truck back and gets his wife back! There is a very real sense that on Sunday, January 27, my final Sunday at Knox, when you so kindly and generously honoured me for my short years of service at

Knox, we somehow got it backwards. Please don’t misinterpret me in this! I was indeed honoured. I loved every moment of the day and I thank you profusely. However. the reality is, I was the one who should have been honouring and thanking you, not the way oyjer way around!You see, that is the very essence and nature of ministry. It was back in my scouting days, when I first experienced the joy of taking a Ramble (a fascinating hike along a trail), that I also learned the deep significance and the true meaning of the term ‘Leading­Learner’! Those of us in leadership positions, and that includes ministry in the Church of Jesus Christ, glean far more from the experience than those we serve! The joy of serving at Knox, Agincourt for 6.5 years has all been mine. So, you see you said thanks and honoured me, which was delightful, for doing what I loved to do and got more from than you will ever know! The joy and delight were all mine! Truly they were!A fellow alumnus of my Alma Mater, The Rev. Dr. Oswald J Smith, the former pastor of the Peoples Church, yes, further west along Sheppard Ave. penned these wonderful words;

“There is joy in serving JesusAs I journey on my way

Joy that fills my heart with praisesEvery hour and every day!”

He was right! I recently read that ‘70% of working people don't like their jobs. And only 13% actually enjoy their work.’ How sad is that? I truly and fully loved serving in the Church, especially amongst you all! I sometimes wonder why I retired. More and more these days, as I unpack box after box! Oh, my aching back! If I didn’t know this is what God was calling me to, right now, I would truly struggle with my decision!The point is, while it is nice to hear people say thank you, and sing your praises, as you did on January 27 for me, I was the one who experienced the greater joy in serving among you! I am convinced of that!

I will celebrate that for years to come! Recently I had a phone conversation with my good friend, Dave from Scouts Canada, who attended the celebration of my ministry on January 27. He said; ‘Rob, you had a wonderful congregation at Knox and they truly thought a great deal of you!’ Dave grew up in the church, has been a faithful church goer all his life, has shared with me some of the challenges and obstacles that he has found in being involved with his family in several congregations in the GTA. For Dave to say that, is high praise and recognition! I responded ‘I know, and I truly thought a great deal of them!’Please don’t ever miss out on the joy and the benefits of service! Especially service within the Church of Jesus Christ! I can’t help but recall those words attributed to John Templeton, founder of the Templeton Growth Fund, ‘It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice!’ The same goes for our serving in the church, it is nice to be feted for what we do, but the true joy, is in the doing! Thank you! Thank you so very much!A quick update, on how my life and my move is progressing. First know I miss you all! My move went reasonably well. As good as a move can go, I guess! I have met and I think done reasonably well at confronting the challenges of Eastern Ontario rural life. On my way here, I got out of my car to scrape the ice off the windshield in Maberley Ontario, (no, not Mayberry, the home of Andy Griffith, a little smaller than that) and locked my keys in the car. People in Maberley, seem to prefer plastic coat hangers to wire ones! Plastic is useless, even to a Montrealer, who is adept at breaking into cars! Never did put that on my resume! Even Knox wouldn’t have hired me with that skill listed! It really is beautiful here. I love watching the morning sky over the Lanark Highlands from the warmth of my bed! Ah, retirement, bliss! As I lay there, my retired mind asks; ‘What will I do today?’. But WOW can it snow, 35 cm. the other night! Shoveling beats going to the gym and is a welcome change from unpacking boxes!My personal email remains the same; robselby228@gmail.com. Thank you once again for all you did for me on my final Sunday, and throughout my 6+ years in ministry at Knox. But please know; the joy was all mine!

Rambling On!Your friend!

Rob

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 5

Knox News

Goodbye From Knox Staff

Rob's Farewell

Final Moment Of Discovery with the kids

The farewell group

Vote of Thanks presented by Bob So Long, all the best

Cake cutting while posing with his daughter

Best wishes from the Worship Committe

Knox News Page 6

Lent / Easter 2019

MESSAGE FROM THE SEARCH COMMITTEE

As you know the search for a New Minister can be a lengthy process. The Search Committee has been working very hard to find the best Minister to lead Knox United Church in the future. We have had several applicants and

have been interviewing, checking references and listening to sermons, but have yet to find a minister who we feel would be the best to lead our congregation. Unfortunately, the changes

within the larger church have also presented the committee with some delays in the process . The Worship committee has been very helpful in ensuring that we have someone in our Pulpit each Sunday to provide us with quality services until we find the “right” minister for Knox United. Please continue to give both committees your support, prayers and patience during this time.

Search Committee

You all probably saw the baskets at the Fall Fair that were put together by Margo and I. The draw was such a success that we would like to organize some for the GST auction. Our hope is that each committee will be responsible for one. (If you are a

small group, please consider joining with another group)Some ideas are Chocolate, baking, sports, children's, paper, jams & jellies, men's, office supplies, garden, coffee/tea, bags, cosmetics, .........We would really appreciate your help. Please get back to Margo or I with your idea (be creative) as soon as possible as we have to get the tickets ready to go with the information.Thank you.

M. Huff M. Brown

The Basket Appeal

Saturday April 27 ­ starting at 6:00 pm ­ dessert & coffee ­ early bird auction at 6:30 ­ main auction at 7:00

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 7

Knox News

This month marks the one year anniversary of the LOVING OUR SENIORS program. Oh my, how time flies when you are having fun. Over the past year we have enjoyed a variety

of lunches, speakers, movies and an outing.It has been a wonderful experience for me to get to know you at these events. We are making memories...memories that fill me with a sense of gratitude and a deep sense of affection for the privilege of serving here at Knox.I would like to thank everyone that has been helping out. It really is a team effort. The faith and commitment that people have shown for this program reflects the strength of the people at Knox in their relationships with one another and with God.Together we are strong, we are faithful and we will

continue to enjoy all that we can do together.Upcoming

Loving Our Seniors Events

Tuesday , March 19th @ 12:00 ­ Lunch followed by our guest speaker

Paula Nadin­Smith – Storyteller

Thursday, April 18th @ 6:00 ­ Maundy Thursday Pot Luck Supper

followed by a Communion Service

hosted by “Loving Our Seniors”

May (TBA) ­ Games Afternoon

Blessings, Rev. Linda Petrides

Minister of Visitation and Seniors Programmimg(416) 293­4424 ext. 202

Loving Our Seniors

Visiting Elders are members of the church who share the task of Pastoral Care by facilitating communications between members of

Knox , the ministers and other Visiting Elders.They contact families in an assigned district 3­4 times a year, most often when the Knox News is published. They ensure that the News arrives at every household, even if it is by e mail! They ascertain and report any needs to the Pastoral Care Committee and/or the ministers.Many of our long serving members who in their day worked tirelessly for Knox, are now unable to go to Church. Other folks for health or other problems may depend on a Visiting Elder to maintain their link to

Knox. It is extremely important to have a strong network of Elders. However, our concern is not just for aging members, but for all members, sharing joyous occasions as well as sorrow.Elders meet twice a year to share their experiences. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday May 13th from 7­8:15 p.m.Recently we have had some new members join our congregation. Therefore, we are currently in need of several more Visiting Elders. If you are interested in this important work, please contact the Church Office or J. Rogde.Thank you to all the Visiting Elders and everyone who makes a phone call, pays a visit or sends a note or e mail. These acts of kindness means a lot.

J. Rogde

Pastoral Care

Knox News Page 8

Lent / Easter 2019

On January 1st of this year, the United Church began living into the new church structure which sees Regional Councils replacing presbyteries and conferences.The Shining Waters Region

is less than 2 months old, as this is being written in mid­

February, and significant structural practices and policies are still evolving. Lynella and Marg, as well as our ministers, have

served as presbytery reps for many years with responsibility to attend regular presbytery meetings (5 each year), the annual meeting of Toronto Conference and to serve on a committee. Knox can elect 3 representatives to the Regional

Council. The responsibilities are quite different. Members of the Regional Council will represent their community of faith at the regional meeting which will occur once a year. The members will be expected to provide key communication updates between the Regional Council and their community of faith throughout the year. Regional Council members should be people who are passionate about building relationships beyond their congregation. In addition, the Regional Council member may consider serving within the regional council governance structure. The first meeting of the Regional Council will be

held May 24 to 26 at Georgian College in Barrie. Members of congregations will be welcome to attend, but that is the weekend when Knox is hosting ‘Doors Open’ and many of us will be involved at Knox. Over the next few months, Knox will have the

opportunity to think about how we can participate in clusters and networks. “Creating Connections” is the theme of the May Regional meeting and there will be other opportunities to ‘connect’ and learn about how congregations and individuals are working and growing together in new and different ways.

Knox and every other community of faith will develop a covenant with the new Shining Waters Region in the coming months. There are changes in pastoral relations practices and other areas. More information will be included in the next Knox

News or you can check with Lynella or Marg. The Region Website is currently www.region10.ca

For more information The United Church Manual 2019 is now available on line at:https://www.united­church.ca/news/manual­2019­now­online

Knox UCC reps: L. Reid­James, M. Walker

United Church of Canada updateKnox is now a Community of Faith (Congregation)

in the newShining Waters Regional Council.

In the Anishinaabemowin language Georgian Bay is referred to as 'Shining Waters'. Also the word 'Ontario' is related to Haudenosaunee words describing a beautiful or sparkling lake.

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 9

Knox News

Out of the Cold­ Knox Site

The OOTC season started on Friday 9th November 2018. Sixteen groups have accepted the responsibility to host Friday dinner and, for overnight guests, Saturday breakfast and a packed lunch. Two new organizations will host in 2019, the Knights of Columbus and the Scarborough Cedarbrae Golden Mile Lions Club. In collaboration with Dixon Hall two of three initiatives have been realized. Firstly, the St. Michael’s Eye Care Project Team, headed by Dr. Lichter, in January and February provided on site examinations, reader glasses and follow up appointments for guests diagnosed with serious eye diseases. Secondly, St. Elizabeth Health Care has scheduled two nurses that will visit on a rotating basis for one hour to provide blood pressure checks, wound care and address other health concerns.

The third initiative is a work in progress and involves an outreach to the Toronto Police Community Partnerships and Engagement Unit, as they are very interested in learning more about the Out of the Cold program at the local level. The intention is to familiarize the local officers with the Knox Site and extend an invitation to visit and meet our guests and volunteers and be onsite in a non­emergency way. Recognizing the need for permanent shelter, a Dixon Hall visiting housing worker has begun to register guests for placement. With the influx of personal care items, a closet in the CE Building has been adapted for distribution and storage.

Donors include host groups, members of the Knox United congregation, community organizations and others who wish to remain anonymous. Of note is a girl’s hockey team that opted to pack 67 gift bags and prepare personalized greeting cards in lieu of a

Christmas party. The girls were aged nine and ten! Music as an integral part of the entertainment during dinner has been provided by host groups and Knox’s music director. Guests have been known to happily provide backup vocals and rap along to the music. The Knox Site is also actively working with Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) to organize a haircut program to complement its existing shower schedule. The emergency protocols for the CE Building has been revised with training provided to host groups, the Dixon Hall support team and all Knox volunteers to ensure safety for all. Three new volunteers have been welcomed that are capable of assisting in multiple areas of the Knox Site operations. As of February 8th, 826 dinners and 374 breakfasts have been served to appreciative guests with the help of over 200 volunteers.

Out of the coldS. Silochan

Knox News Page 10

Lent / Easter 2019

UCW Spring Luncheonand fashion show

SAVE THE DATE

May 4 at 12:00 noonCE Building

Fashions by Alia and TanJay Tickets: $20

DOORS OPEN KNOX 2019 Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, 2019

Please consider how you can lend your time and talents to make this event a success:• Join the Task Group to plan cultural performances by Knox members, community displays showing regular and special events at Knox, videos and publicity showing Knox’s heritage and current activities

• Volunteer to help make this event a big success. We will need volunteers to serve as tour guides, organize archival material, create videos and other media, and generate publicity for the event

Please join the Task Group or volunteer by contacting: G. Marshall, J. McAllister, M. Ma.

Next

Knox Concert Series

Sunday Apr 14 @7:30pm Brass Extravaganza

Sunday June 9 @ 4pmRoss and Friends

Tickets: $25 Available at Coffee Hour or from the church Office

Help Knox participate in Doors Open Toronto 2019 and be recognized as one of Toronto’s 150 most architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings

Plan to attend and celebrate Knox’s significance: • its Heritage status • its 170 years of serving the people of Scarborough • its stained­glass windows, its organ, its historic cemetery

• its modern cultural diversity

Lent / Easter 2019 Page 11

Knox News

Come and join our

THE PARENTING TEENAGERS COURSE

For parent/caregiver of teenagers aged 11 & up(whether all is going well or they are facing challenges)

Includes suppers, video talks and discussions.Make friends & enjoy mutual support.It’s Free. Child care is provided.

For more information or to register, please contact Helen at helenmwong@trebnet.com.

Fridays starting on March 8, 20196:30 pm – 9:00 pmLocation: Knox United Church2569 Midland Ave, Scarborough ON(Sheppard & Midland)Tel: 416­293­4424 ext 0 for info or to register

Jointly offered by Knox Presbyterian & Knox United Church

Each Sunday, at Knox, the Memorial Candles on the Communion Table are lit from the Christ Candle. These are lit in memory of loved ones who have passed away, in celebration of birthdays and anniversaries or any other significant milestones in one’s life. The candles were given to the church in 1999 in memory of Kerry Higgins. Please sign the list on the bulletin board in The Heritage Room, if you wish to light the candles.

Memorial Candles

such fitting emblems for this time of year!

Daffodils, Hydrangeas, Tulips, …………. Time to order, decorate the Sanctuary and share the beauty of these with all in our community of faith and beyond. The order forms will be out March 20, March 31 and April 7 and available from the church office. The deadline for orders will be Monday, April 8. The plants will be placed in the Sanctuary on Saturday, April 20, to be collected following the service on April 21.

Easter Flowers

Knox United Church ­ Agincourt2569 Midland Ave. Toronto, Ontario. M1S 1R3

Phone: 416-293-4424email: knoxunited@bellnet.caweb: http://www.myknox.ca

Rev. Linda Petrides - Minister of Visitation ...........ext 202Ross Inglis - Director of Music ..............................ext 204Jayne Bossert - Christian Education Coordinator...ext 205Richard Wang - Chinese Ministry Coordinator ..... ext 206Mario Martell - Church Custodian..........................ext 209Tricia Cook - Church Office Administrator.............ext 201

UCW Sunday

Chinese New Year's Eve Celebration

Out with the Old in with the New.A wide variety of food music and

entertainment.

Cutting of the cake