Last month, readers got to know the Presbytery of Hamilton with its commitment to youth ministry, and vibrant, re-vamped worship. The challenges of being one of the church's largest presbyteries were also highlighted, with ministers noting that strong leadership, cooperation and building relationships with each other were hard-to-realize but important priorities. The presbytery's story continues in this issue.
St. Paul's, Hamilton, (est. 1830s) boasts a heritage building designated by the federal and provincial governments. Located in the heart of downtown Hamilton, St. Paul's serves an eclectic group of worshipers spanning a wide age range and cultural background. Issues of history are important to the congregation, which is proud of its 2,800-pipe Casavant organ installed in 1911, its 100-year-old chimes and 35 years of service from resident chimer Walter Plater (the celebration service and chime recital attracted local and national politicians, historians, architects, and representatives from the national church), and the 1921 Scottish-made Celtic cross memorial commemorating fallen soldiers from the two great wars.
But the congregation doesn't only look to the past. It serves in the present, which to downtown St. Paul's often means ministering to street people who come to the church looking for help. The church hosts a weekly friendship centre, where vulnerable people in the community can spend a morning of socializing and a light lunch. It also supports Cottage Studio, an art program that promotes mental health and the artistic talent of people recovering from mental illness.
“One of our biggest challenges now and in the future will be to communicate to the general public, who have become complacent about the Christian way of life, that we are a viable and welcoming church,” said Rev. James Dickey. “At St. Paul's, we honour the past without being entombed in it.”
Coming together
Successful amalgamation of congregations is not an everyday occurrence — and is not an easy task. While an attempted amalgamation at Aldershot, Burlington, failed to come to fruition (the congregation is now thinking about selling the building and shifting its ministry focus), two others in the presbytery are enjoying the benefits of their new partnerships. Kirkwall and Knox, Sheffield, two historic country churches located just outside Cambridge, were so close to each other that it made sense to pool their resources during a time when growth was stalling and both human and financial resources were increasingly stressed.
“Amalgamation brings to the new Kirkwall Church much more than an increase in membership and better stewardship of resources,” said interim minister Rev. Heather Vais. “It also enables the congregation to develop the spirit of outreach and mission.”
The newly formed congregation has a passion for mission with the Corn Share program through CFGB, and they are excited about other mission goals they can now pursue together.
Vais also oversaw the January 1st amalgamation of Pineland and Strathcona churches in Burlington, renaming themselves Burlington East Presbyterian Church. “Once again the members of the congregation realized that two churches located so close to one another could serve God better together than apart,” said Vais. “They're excited about their instantly expanded family and are working well together in planning ministry.”
In the news
The land dispute conflict between the Ontario government and First Nations in Caledonia has put the entire community under stress. In February 2006, demonstrators from the Six Nations Reserve began occupying a 60-hectare tract of land that was slated for development. During the spring and summer months, violence broke out between Caledonia residents and demonstrators.
But during this time of trial, Caledonia Presbyterian Church built relationships with the community and their First Nations neighbours — something the national church is trying to encourage with the launch of its Walking Together program.
“Throughout this time of anxiety and uncertainty Caledonia Church and other local churches have continued to pray for peace and a resolution to the dispute,” said Rev. Tom Vais. “Every Wednesday morning, ministers from the churches in Caledonia and some ministers from the Six Nations Reserve gather to have a time of fellowship and prayer.”
Church members have also prepared food for the hundreds of police officers who work seemingly endless shifts, have helped organize special events for the children and families living in homes that are close to the disputed land, and some were part of a community group that rented the local pool and offered an afternoon of free swimming and doughnuts to children in the community.
“Caledonia Church has always been a church for the community,” said Vais. For the past five years in December, the congregation holds a non-denominational service for families who have recently lost a loved one. “This candlelight memorial service gives grieving families a sense of hope and comfort when the Christmas season can be such a difficult time for them.”
The list of outreach and mission projects goes on and on. Other great things happening in the presbytery include:
- Aldershot, Burlington, supports local charities such as the Partnership West Food Bank and the Compassion Society of Burlington which is a clothing bank that opens at Aldershot once a week. There are numerous groups to join that focus on fellowship, social time, healing, discipleship and ministry. Groups always leave an empty chair during their meetings and pray that God will one day fill the chair.
- Knox, Burlington, has a music event team, a junior choir, teen praise band and senior choir; their WMS group sells fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate after worship each Sunday; the congregation also supports CFGB, and runs a food bank in the church.
- St. Paul's, Burlington, has a modern website featuring video clips, blog entries, announcements, book reviews, event listings, thank-yous, and broadcast times for local Christian radio shows.
- Since June 2005 at Erskine, Hamilton, three members of the Alpha team have spent Wednesday evenings in the Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre. Gibson, the first volunteer dog guide the Centre has had, is the fourth member of the team. The evening begins with a DVD presentation, followed by discussion. “Our team is dedicated to the prison ministry,” said Rev. Ian McPhee. “In 2006, they only missed two nights. The support and prayers of the Erskine congregation go with them each week. The inmates wear orange uniforms. A member of the team once remarked, 'We all wear orange, just some of us wear it on the inside.'”
- At Alberton Church, where the 161-year-old worshipping community has never had a full-time minister of its own, meaningful outreach continues. Every Sunday, two women greet people with a welcome hug as they walk through the door for worship. Following worship, up to one-third of the congregation stays behind for Bible study and discussion. Its 86 members support CFGB and local charities as well as ecumenical programs with the Canadian Bible Society and Leprosy Mission. In 2006, the congregation forwarded to PWS&D the second-largest sum of any congregation in the presbytery, with nearly $5,000 given. The congregation is a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Record and Glad Tidings, which minister John Johnston said are “integral to the mission awareness program of Alberton.”
- Established in 1905, Chalmers, Hamilton, sponsors and accommodates Boy Scouts and Girl Guide groups–a relationship that has lasted more than 80 years. Chalmers also supports local charities such as Wesley Urban Ministries, Neighbour-to-Neighbour, City Kidz and local women's shelters. This year's Sunday school focus is Malawi and the kids will be hosting a spaghetti supper to raise money for the project. The annual bazaar is held in October, and has been going strong for more than 50 years. The congregation prides itself on maintaining a traditional church bazaar feel. Most of the items sold are handmade or home-baked, including jams and jellies, cookies and cakes, knitted baby blankets and booties, and quilts made by the church women that are donated and raffled off. Nearly $4,000 is raised each year, and the funds are traditionally used for budgetary needs.
- Trinity, Hamilton, is the product of an amalgamation of Eastmount and St. Enoch's back in 2005. The congregation meets at the old Eastmount building, and is currently working with local architects to renovate the church. Trinity has various teams that contribute to the life and leadership of the church including teams for caring ministries, mission, welcoming and special events. The Sunday school offers a computer lab, and church members donate various items — clothing, food, eye glasses, books, stamps and Canadian Tire money–to numerous charities.
- Heritage Green, Stoney Creek, established 21 years ago, has come through some seasons of unsettlement and is now on the verge of growth and positive change. As the only mainline reformed church in a growing neighbourhood, the congregation is committed to reaching out. In addition to supporting PWS&D, Heritage Green supports local agencies, including the Women's Aboriginal Shelter and Care Centre of Hamilton, the local food bank, a local seniors' residence, and the community work of the Heritage Green Community Centre. It also began an Alpha “Life Meaning” weekly program for congregation and community members in March. The congregation recently reinstated former members and adherents, causing a growth in membership of 20 per cent; has elected seven new elders, and developed a Strategic Planning Guide of goals and objectives for the next five years. The congregation hopes to soon form a search committee for a half-time minister “to help it fulfill its desire to move forward in the midst of the potential that is now on its doorstep.”
- A partnership between St. Cuthbert's, Hamilton, and a church in Uganda has been going strong for several years. Six people have travelled to Uganda to visit their African partners, and the congregations are striving to make it a two-way learning experience. Music ministry is an integral part of worship. “We defy the categories of traditional and contemporary,” said Rev. Cathy Stewart-Kroeker, who admitted she doesn't care for such labels. “We do everything!” The congregation has resisted the trend towards technology — there are no giant screens, projectors or Power Point presentations. “It seems like a quick fix to challenges that are much deeper and more interesting.” The congregation is also figuring out how to support members in their daily jobs — which many feel is their own personal ministry. “How are we compatible with or stand in tension to that?” asks Stewart-Kroeker. “I think people come to church on Sunday to be strengthened for what they do from Monday to Friday. People pore themselves into what they are already doing.”
Rev. Judee Archer Green, a part of the presbytery since her ordination in 1977 and now presbytery clerk, admits that many congregations — just like others across the country — are wrestling with issues such as discerning whether to change or remain the same, reaching out to changing communities, worship considerations, and where the church stands in the 21st century. She praised the current efforts to help congregations and members relate to each other less formally, and to encourage cooperation. “There are congregations that realize that they need to analyze what they are doing; that what they're doing right now may not be working. Some are there now; others are close.
“Whatever they do, I hope they focus on being the Christian Church, and not a social club. The primary focus should be relating to God and then being faithful in whatever they're doing, in whatever style works for them.”
The Presbytery of Hamilton at a glance
Congregations: 36
Charges: 32 (Four are two-point)
Members in 2004: 6,307; Attendance 3,538; Adherents 2,377
Members in 2005: 6,139; Attendance 3,339; Adherents 2,413
Vacancies: 8 + 4 with interim minister or stated supply
Largest by members: Chedoke, Hamilton (428), Knox, Burlington (418), Central, Hamilton (417)
Largest by attendance: Chedoke, Hamilton (325), Knox, Burlington (250), MacNab St, Hamilton (210)
Largest by adherents: Knox, Burlington (287), Chedoke, Hamilton (201), Central, Hamilton (184)
