Close enough to Toronto to commute to work, yet far enough away to enjoy a slower pace and nature's bounties, the Presbytery of Lindsay-Peterborough faces some unique challenges and interesting possibilities. Older individuals flock to the tranquil towns and rolling hills, looking for relaxation in retirement. Small, rural towns add country charm, while the presbytery's northern bounds dip into cottage country — bringing a wealth of city escapees to its shores in the summer months.
Contrary to many presbyteries where aging congregations often mean little hope for the future, the influx of older individuals is exciting. "Some smaller communities might develop into larger retirement communities, which are a possibility for congregations that have been dwindling to have an opportunity for growth," said Rev. Reg McMillan, clerk of presbytery and minister at St. Stephen's, Peterborough.
The diversity of the presbytery comes from the merging of the two separate areas in late 1970. It currently consists of 21 charges — two of which have three points, and eight with two-points. Only four charges sit vacant. The challenges to multi-point charges call for creative thinking. Part-time staff, stated supply and lay ministers are all being used to fill the gaps. The three-point charge of Cannington, Cresswell and Wick are currently under the eye of Rev. Dawn Griffiths, but a new approach is in the works.
In January, the three congregations decided to create an "open door" cluster ministry. Supported in part by Canada Ministries, a ministry team will handle the charge's long list of duties. The "open door" aspect reflects the congregations' attitude towards their communities. The presbytery's other three-point charge, Bolsover, Kirkfield and Woodville, have already been practising a less-formal version of this, rotating two ministers through the three congregations for Sunday morning services. The congregations are making it work, but McMillan, who has been in the presbytery for 15 years, said the situation is "still a struggle."
Despite seeing his fair number of small churches close, McMillan can see the hopeful aspects of a grim situation. "Those congregations hated to close, but they wanted to be part of something more than maintaining a building. They wanted to be a part of something that carried out the mission of Christ."
One of the more exciting endeavours is the presbytery's recent focus on youth. Several congregations have active youth groups, while others have few youth at all. Making this commitment a presbytery-wide initiative helps get the ball rolling. In the winter of 2004, the presbytery conducted a youth survey "just to see what's going on and how programs can be supported," said McMillan. "We also wanted to see what the possibility was of having presbytery-wide events." Plans are still in the discussion process. The highest number of youth is at St. Andrew's, Cobourg, with 45. They have a special program called SPRED that supports the spiritual and social needs of the developmentally handicapped.
Although it's currently catering to the young, the presbytery has its share of old buildings and historic moments. St. Paul's, Port Hope, established in 1827, celebrated 177 years last June. Congregants still worship in the building's second version (erected in 1905), which features a chime donated to the church in 1912 "to be used for the delight and inspiration of the citizens of Port Hope". During extensive renovations to the building in 1998, a time capsule was found in the cornerstone, including a 1905 copy of the Presbyterian Record.
The church also features a memorial plaque dedicated to Rev. Lt. Col. John Weir Foote, a minister at the church from 1936 – 1940. Enlisting as a military chaplain at the outbreak of WWII, Foote was awarded the Victoria Cross for transferring wounded soldiers to ships waiting beside the beaches of Dieppe.
Likewise, St. Paul's, Peterborough, (established in 1833 when services were held in an old stable), honours William Ferguson, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who died in Normandy at age 22. His mission was to bomb a German munitions train, but he never completed the task. A stained glass window memorializes his bravery.
Centreville Church, South Monaghan, held its first services in a log schoolhouse as early as 1833, when the town consisted of a blacksmith shop, hotel, general store, post office, community hall, church, Sunday school, and cemetery. The present church sits on the same site, with the Sunday school and cemetery also remaining. Perhaps the stability of the church has something to do with its foundations. Known as the "church built upon a rock", the building has no basement, but boasts a huge rock under the choir loft.
The presbytery's diversity continues to be a blessing and a challenge. "We're focusing on youth, but there are all kinds of age groups who are in need of ministry just as much as the younger ones," said McMillan. "We're just trying to meet those needs."
