What a Wonderful Celebration Weekend!

Our 175th Anniversary Celebrations got off to a great start with the  Heritage Meet & Greet, a lovely evening of fellowship and the opportunity to view the history of Glen Morris United Church, a hub of this community for those many years. Margaret McPherson did a phenomenal job of creating the historical display!

And oh what a night as we were treated to the most amazing evening on Saturday, September 28th with the fabulous Allison Lupton Band! Allison, along with her band of all-stars of Shane Cook on fiddle, Kyle Weymouth on guitar (and step dancing!) and Joe Philips on bass, definitely made it a night to remember. Their musicality - or truly their virtuosity - on all instruments, combined with Allison’s beautiful voice, delightful banter and songwriting/storytelling abilities created the most captivating toe-tapping, hand-clapping time for a sold-out crowd (over 100!) in our wee kirk! A special treat was hearing from our wonderful choir on one number, backed by the band. And then to top it all off, our own talented Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai performed the most lovely Highland jig and reel as the band accompanied. Just such a special moment!

And the sun broke through the clouds as a capacity congregation gathered for Sunday’s 175th Anniversary Celebration Worship featuring special pre-service music with Stan Szymkow on sax and Neil Sandilands on violin with  Margaret Fleury  at the piano followed by some beautiful repetoire by the choir under the direction of Lynn McRuer. Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai led a most reflective and inspiring service of 175 years of this faith community, and all were delighted with the dynamic delivery of the message by special guest Dr. Morgan Bell, minister at St. Andrew’s United Church, Toronto. With a free lunch  following the service - pulled pork by Strodes, homemade buns by Don Taylor,  coleslaw and celebration cake all on the menu - as well as marvelous fellowship,, this day was a lovely conclusion to a most wonderful weekend of memories made.

And a huge thank you to the Anniversary Committee who worked hard for not only this weekend, but for special events all year long! Please make sure to share your thanks with - Lynn McRuer (chair), Bill Labron , Ingrid and Don Douglas, Charlotte and Don Taylor, Margaret and Leon Fleury,  Deb Fraser, Lyanne Lynch, Margaret McPherson, , Ross Earnshaw, Suzanne Crichton, Michiko Bown-Kai, Jenna Scheske and Karen Murray-Hopf.