CHURCHES TODAY SAILING INTO UNCHARTED WATERS

United Church delegates from across Ontario gather in Port Elgin. ~~ 
Saugeen Times Photo

No question about it, our churches today are at a crossroad and many are finding it necessary to look inward, often utilizing outside commercial communications sources, as congregations dwindle and an uncertain future with assorted social issues closes in.

This past weekend for instance, the Unifor Center in Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores) was the site of a unique first for the United Church of Canada. Approximately 550 delegates from across Ontario attended the inaugural meeting of a major restructuring of the church. The southwestern Ontario region has been re-formed into three regions: Antler River Watershed (Region 7), Western Ontario Waterways (Region 8) and Horseshoe Falls (Region 9).

While it was a busy weekend for delegates, among the highlights was guest speaker Rev. Cameron Trimble, a serial entrepreneur committed to the triple bottom line -- a concern for people, profit and the planet. Driven by an adventurous spirit, she runs businesses and NGO organizations, both secular and faith-based. She serves as a consultant, a frequent guest on national speaking circuits, is a pilot and an author.

Rev. Cameron Trimble

Cameron currently serves as the Executive Director of Stop the Traffik USA, an NGO focused on putting an end to human trafficking around the world through the use of technology-driven intelligence-led prevention. STT works in partnership with IBM, Barclays, Facebook, the Financial Times and many others to develop the tools to identify and disrupt human trafficking networks. She is the CEO of Convergence and the Center for Progressive Renewal, an international non-profit made up of subsidiary companies and organizations. She is the Co-Founder of Skycross Media, a for-profit venture that provides online solutions for organizations doing good in the world. She is also a partner in Trimble Properties, a real estate company dedicated to housing vulnerable people in the Atlanta area.

A petite and animated young woman, Cameron is particularly focused on the empowerment of women, people of color and LGBTQ (Gay-Lesbian community) people in leadership. Her coaching clients are primarily executive leaders going through dynamic culture transformations. Diversity, she believes, is the source of lasting innovation and the driver of fair profit. Becoming a pilot at a young age, Cameron learned many of her leadership lessons through the adventures of the cockpit of her airplane. She has also served as the pastor of four congregations in the Atlanta, GA area.

With humour but blunt dialogue, she focused on the ‘shared common vision’ that the United Church should now be considering. “You need to work together to hold the scale of vision through trust,” she said. “There are two kinds of trust – earned and granted. The church today faces the challenge of creating in a new unchartered territory. A congregation is a community as a whole and also individual communities (opinions).”

When it comes to disruptive people within a congregation, Trimble was adamant. “You have to ask them to leave. It’s nothing personal but you can say … ‘this is not the church for you’. If you don’t establish a culture and react to maintain it, then you lose credibility.” Now, there's a controversial challenge if there ever was one...In other words, get on side or get out!

There is no doubt, according to many clergy in attendance, that the United Church is undergoing major changes and ones that congregations may find difficult to accept.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AN ACTS 11 MOMENT

And, coincidentally, on the same weekend Rev. Randy Benson, in a sermon to the small congregation at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Southampton (Saugeen Shores) was more blunt and specific.

"...Looking at a more contemporary situation, our denomination now finds itself in what I am convicted to believe is an Acts 11 moment. Our denomination has a binding and losing decision to make. For the past few decades God has been including people into the Body of Christ whom many believe to be unclean...and yes, I am referring to that pesky sexuality and gender matter that we stand divided on. General Assembly is coming up in two weeks and the matter will again be on the table. I, being your dutiful minister, must brief you on what is happening so that you won’t be caught unawares if the PCC (Presbyterian Church in Canada) should make the national news at some point during the first week of June," Benson explained.

Rev. Randy Benson

"This is a difficult topic, this deciding who is included, who is acceptable, who is clean in God’s eyes. I’ve often heard ministers preach that when Jesus was crucified, He was nailed to the cross in such a way that his arms were wide open in love to all. Yet, when it comes to us, His disciples, we seem to have our arms crossed in judgement. But, you know, we should be careful when we construct boundaries around the love of God because it makes Jesus’ arms look crossed in judgement."

Benson went on to point out that sometimes God, through the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit, gets out in front of us and does things that challenge us and doing so He leads us to accept those whom we believe we have a Scriptural basis to consider unclean. "When God does this we have a choice: either to continue to exclude them and hinder what God himself has done, or to take a deep hard look at our own spiritual state and, considering the grace God has shown us each, humbly acknowledge as Peter did, 'Who am I, who am I, to hinder God?'

"As a matter of background, the current stance of our denomination is that we recognize that homosexuals and people who are differently gendered are the way they are because they were born that way not that because (and excuse my crassness) they made some “perverted” decision to “swing the other way.” To take this stance is to say we understand that God formed them in the womb to be the way they are just as he formed each of us to have the sexual identities that we each have. We have welcomed the work of some very sound science to come to this conclusion.

"This is also to acknowledge that nearly all of these folks have suffered greatly for simply being who they are. Historically, the Church hasn’t helped them much at all. Rather, we’ve called them an abomination to God and contributed to acts of violence against them. Our denomination has repented of these hate crimes and has vowed to discontinue and counter any practice that might continue this violence. It is the stance of the PCC that we want our churches to be safe places for people who are not heterosexual.

"Furthermore, it is our denomination’s practice that in acknowledgement of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of these folks we welcome these folks into the membership of our churches hoping they will find the love of Christ embodied in us and be accepted as they are. Moreover, they are welcome to serve in any ministry in the church even as elders and even ministers provided they stay celibate. Yes, homosexuals can be ministers in the PCC provided they stay single. For us to have this practice means that we recognize that the Holy Spirit is at work in these folks just as he is in us. Therefore, we must listen as did Peter to the voice in his vision that told him not once but three times, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'"

Benson added: "Presently, the matter that we continue to wrestle with as a denomination is what we call  'full inclusion'. This involves permitting or prohibiting homosexual marriage and permitting or prohibiting married homosexuals to serve as Ministers of Word and Sacrament. To do this we must change our definition of marriage. “Full inclusion” is on the table because we need to discern whether or not our current stance of being welcoming as long as they are not practicing is an insult to their basic human dignity and right to be in a fulfilling relationship."

He suggested that this matter has proven immensely divisive and threatens the very survival of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. from a Holier Last year’s PCC General Assembly formed a special committee consisting of former Moderators of the General Assembly and charged them with the task of trying to find a way to go forward. The report came out Tuesday (May 21) with four options which are: change nothing; full inclusion; create three sub-denominations under the one big denomination; or, let ministers, sessions, and congregations do what they want.

"Well, back to the council of Apostles in Jerusalem, and to Peter, and to the point I wish to make," Benson concluded: "Sometimes God, through the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit, gets out in front of us and leads us to accept those whom we believe we have a Scriptural basis to consider unclean. When God does this we have a choice either to continue to exclude those whom God has included and hinder what God himself has done or take a deep hard look at our own spiritual state and, considering the grace God has shown us each, humbly acknowledge as Peter did, “Who am I, who am I, to hinder God?” And maybe we should take a page out of Peter’s playbook and just spend time eating with and getting to know those whom we regard as uncomfortably different from ourselves. Amen."

Indeed, big changes and much soul-searching in the days ahead for members of protestant churches in Canada...Some communicants will go with the flow of the current while others are sure to bail out, if they haven't already! Still others may be asked to leave if they are "disruptive" and deemed to be making waves.

The old church vessel, she is a listing in churning waters

Personally, I float in a life raft with the possibilty of never coming ashore again. If I can't swim, perhaps I'm better off sinking anyway. A fellow can get to that point in life!

Is it just me, but wasn't doing church a lot easier when one could cast an insular, sanctimonious eye from our holier-than-thou comfortable pews?

TWO SYDENHAMS WITH SIMILAR HERITAGE

Old Sydenham at Dresden in "the day".

Sydenham River at Harrison Park, Owen Sound.

For a long time I thought that the Sydenham River that flows though my hometown of Dresden also connected with the City of Owen Sound in Grey County. It seemed logical to me because Owen Sound actually served as the last terminal on the Underground Railroad for escaped slaves who made their way across the Canada-U.S. border in the early 1800s.

It really wasn't until I moved to the Grey-Bruce area about 20 years ago that I finally realized that there are actually two Sydenham Rivers in Ontario. Did you ever stop to think about that. Quite frankly, I feel kind of stupid now when I realize that it took me 60 years to become aware of the geography and the rarity of rivers by the same name so relatively close to each other.

1) The Sydenham River at the base of the Bruce Peninsula flows north from a source near Williamsford, drops over the Niagara Escarpment at Inglis Falls and empties into Owen Sound harbour on Georgian Bay. It was named after Lord Sydenham, governor of Canada from 1839 to 1849.

2) The Sydenham River at Dresden flows west and south from near London, ON. emptying into Lake St. Clair just beyond Wallaceburg, as Dresden Virtual History Group members well know. At different times, by different people, the Sydenham River in Kent County has been called Jonquakamik, Ah-yan-yon-kege, or Big Bear Creek. One tributary off of the northern branch of the river is still referred to as Bear Creek. Again, the name Sydenham comes from Lord Sydenham.

It is also interesting to note that when escaped African-American slaves did not take advantage of Josiah Henson's Dawn Settlement "Institute" and safe haven on the bank of the southern Sydenham, many no doubt continued north to the end of the Underground Railroad at the Village of Sydenham (now Owen Sound) where they settled, found work and raised families, just as those who stopped at the settlement that would become Dresden.

In honour of these settlers, a commemorative cairn in Owen Sound's Harrison Park (see photo) was unveiled on July 31, 2004 at the annual Emancipation festival and picnic. The picnic has been held every year since 1862, always on the first weekend in August, marking the anniversary of the British Emancipation Act of August 1, 1834. It is believed to be the longest-running Emancipation event in North America.

The Town of Dresden and the City of Owen Sound have more in common than just two rivers by the same names.

Cairn in Owen Sound park commemorates early settlers.

DICK SALUTES...

Students line the bank of Saugeen River to release their baby salmon.

Well, here's another one for the "Dick Salutes" series with emphasis on kids.

G. C. Huston Public School students in Southampton learned a valuable wildlife lesson on Friday (May 17/19) when they released their ‘baby’ salmon into the Saugeen River

Here you go Fishy!!!

Each winter, the school is one of 50 throughout Bruce and Huron Counties that has the opportunity to raise salmon as part of the Lake Huron Fishing Club’s (LHFC) school outreach program sponsored by Bruce Power. LHFC volunteers maintain aquariums in each school where students can watch ‘their’ fish grow until the release in the Spring.

G. C. Huston students release their young fish each May into the Saugeen River which empties into Lake Huron. The students led by teachers and volunteer parents trek from the school in Southampton across the Zgaa-biig-ni-gan (We are Connected) bridge that spans the river and down to a boat launch area. There, each of the more than 100 Kindergarten and Grade 1 students have the experience of releasing a small salmon.

It's a big deal for the kids...and it's a big deal for Mother Nature too!

STUDENTS RAMP UP A COMMENDABLE PROGRAM

Carpentry class students building a ramp for public access program. (Saugeen Times photo)

Another in an occasional "Dick Salutes" series:

StopGap Foundation was registered as a Canadian charity in October 2013 but its roots date back to the Fall of 2011. What began as a small one-off project in Toronto has turned into a global movement.

The Town of Saugeen Shores’ Accessibility Committee has teamed up with the Saugeen District Secondary School Construction Class once again on an accessibility project called StopGap. The program is a national initiative aimed at removing barriers by providing temporary ramps to local businesses, allowing persons with mobility devices to enter the buildings.

“This is a great program that the Town is excited to be a part of,” says Mayor Luke Charbonneau, member of the Accessibility Committee. “Working with the construction class means these teens are able to practice their skills while also learning about accessibility and the barriers people in our community face every day.” Students in carpentry class building the Stopgap ramps

The StopGap ramps are built by the students under the supervision of teacher Bud Halpin. The entrance to each participating business is measured and the ramp is designed to fit the space. In the last three years, 20 businesses have stepped up to take part in the program and improve accessibility in Saugeen Shores.

The students and the Accessibility Advisory Committee have distributed the ramps to this year’s participating businesses just in time for Accessibility Awareness Day, taking place on today, May 16.

“The purpose of Accessibility Awareness Day is to get people talking, thinking and learning about accessibility and inclusion for people with different disabilities,” says Committee Chair, Maureen Crawford. “We hope that in addition to doing their intended job, these ramps help remind everyone that accessibility is essential throughout our community.”

Note: In 1998, the provincial government amalgamated the Towns of Southampton and Port Elgin, together with Saugeen Township, to form the Town of Port Elgin-Saugeen-Southampton. The entity was subsequently renamed as the Town of Saugeen Shores.

A PARKING TICKET PUB PATRONS DON'T MIND

Jeff Carver, owner of the Wismer House in Port Elgin and his management team, have come up with a unique customer awareness initiative.

Patrons who may have imbibed a little too much may find a ticket on their windshield. It’s not a parking ticket however, but a redeemable coupon for $10. What’s behind the idea?

“We want to encourage our patrons to act responsibly and not drive after they have had a couple of drinks,” explains Carver. “If they leave their vehicle overnight in our parking area, they will have a $10 gift coupon for their next visit.”

The idea is so great that it has been picked up by major news networks, including Fox News in the U.S.

Comments on the Wismer’s Facebook  page range from “Awesome” to “Great” to “wish other places did this”!

The yellow slip of paper, looking for all the world like a parking violation ticket, reads: “You made a smart and safe judgment call” and “we like the cut of your jib.” In a further act of Canadianness, the $10 gift certificate then apologizes, stating: “Sorry if you thought this was a legit parking fine.”

Creative promotional ideas are nothing new for Carver who is an active member of the Saugeen Shores Board of Trade. He's an interesting guy...needless to say!

I like the cut of his jib!

CROSS NOBODY WANTED WELCOMED IN MY HOME

Little things, like small blessings, mean a lot.

At least in my world they do!

Sometimes such things come quite by accident. Other times, perhaps by Divine intervention or pre-destination -- if you really want to get carried away with the prospect.

Pardon me, however, if I happen to think that it can be a little of all three possibilities.

Thanks to a friend of a friend, last evening I came into possession of a rather impressive handmade wooden cross -- all six feet of it. The sizable cedar crucifix has a rather unique history to it. It was the creation of Six Nations members and for the past 20 years had a place of prominence in the chapel of an Elders Building in Saugeen First Nation, just north of Southampton.

As time wore on the chapel was not being utilized for its intended purpose and last fall it was converted into office space for Home & Community Care programming. Pastors in Saugeen First Nation were initially offered the cross but when no interest was shown it was placed in storage over the winter.

Long story made short, I became aware of the availability of the cross (free of charge) and did not hesitate to express my interest in giving it a new home...in my home.

But what do you do with a large cross like that outside of a religious setting? Well, that's the upside of living alone -- you can do anything you want.

I have, perhaps temporarily, given the cross a new place of prominence in my living room along with an open bible on a strategically-placed drumtop table where I can see them as I pass by dozens of times a day. While symbolic of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ who died for the sins of the world, it is almost like having a another person in the house; one that brings an otherwise unexplained sense of comfort and salvation.

So, as I say, just "a little thing..."

Me, a rescue dog and a cross nobody wanted. Good company!

THE CARNEGIE FOUNDATION GAVE RISE TO MANY OF OUR LIBRARIES TODAY

THE DRESDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY: Built in 1913 with impetus provided by an $8,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation on November 27, 1906.

This post is intended primarily for my friends who are members of the Dresden Virtual History Group because the town's library is the oldest public service institution still active in the community today.

It is common knowledge that the Dresden Branch of the Chatham-Kent Library System on Brown Street in my hometown of Dresden, Ontario, was built more than 100 years ago with the help of a sizeable (in those days) start-up grant from the Carnegie Foundation. What is not common knowledge is the story behind the remarkable Carnegie Foundation itself. It is a deserving tale.

Here is a photo of my mother Grace (right)
with her best friend Edith Barett, standing
at the side door of the new Dresden Library
in about 1915.

In the early 1890s, Scottish-American industrialist and self-made millionaire Andrew Carnegie wrote that among institutions that could most benefit from philanthropy, the "best gift" to a community was a free, or "public," library. Carnegie credited his success in life partly from his childhood and teenage access to library books. But the 19th century was a time when most libraries were not free, and could only be accessed through annual paid subscriptions meaning that only wealthier people could afford to "borrow" books.

True to his beliefs, Carnegie announced in 1898 that he would start donating money to further the construction of public libraries in the United States and around the world. The "Carnegie Formula," by which Carnegie paid the capital costs of construction while municipalities were responsible for ongoing operational expenses, was part of his broader belief that educational opportunities should be accessible to all. 

By the time the Carnegie Corporation stopped providing grants 20 years later, 2,509 library buildings around the world had been constructed and over 56 million dollars had been donated. In Canada, 2.5 million dollars donated by Carnegie helped build 125 library buildings. The majority were built in Ontario (111), but libraries funded by Carnegie were also built in other provinces and territories: three each in Alberta and British Columbia, four in Manitoba, one in New Brunswick, two in Saskatchewan and one in the Yukon.

Andrew Carnegie

The funding of new libraries in Canadian towns and cities corresponded with a number of related societal issues. At the end of the 19th century, a dramatic expansion of Canadian society was occurring, and increasingly more people were demanding free public library services. City and town officials soon discovered, however, that while the rooms they rented to house lending libraries were now inadequate, there was still not enough money to build proper library buildings to accommodate public demand. Consequently, there was great enthusiasm when Carnegie announced his funding program.

Early Carnegie libraries in Canada, constructed between 1901 and 1905, were not built to standardized plans. The architects who designed them were more free to follow their imaginations, or to use architectural techniques that had been popular in the late 19th century. 

After 1905, and until it ended funding in 1917, the Carnegie Foundation demanded standardized designs for library buildings. This standardization is most evident in Carnegie-funded buildings built in Ontario. In general, they are in small towns and are designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style. This style became extremely popular in the first decade of the 20th century with architects and town planners, who were following the principles of the City Beautiful movement. This movement generally ascribed to the idea that cities should have well-designed and aesthetically pleasing streetscapes, combining green spaces with iconic buildings built along Classical forms. As a result, many institutional buildings between 1900 and 1914 (including the Dresden library in 1913) were built in a neo-classical or Beaux-Arts form. Libraries in this style generally have grand exterior staircases leading up to large main entrance doors, classical columns, triangular centre gables, large symmetrically placed windows on each side of the entrance, and even domes.

You cannot mistake a Carnegie library building: the words "PUBLIC LIBRARY" or "CARNEGIE LIBRARY" are prominently displayed above the front entrance. Interior furnishings were welcoming and cozy. Oak floors, high ceilings, finely-made wood bookshelves, stained glass windows, and fireplaces provided the ideal setting to enjoy the library's services. Most of these buildings are still standing which is a testament to the quality of their design and materials.

Carnegie libraries were expressions of the hopeful, thriving spirit of new communities, were designed to serve as prominent landmarks, and encouraged people to build greater community connections. Over a century later, Canada's remaining Carnegie libraries still function with the same intent. It is also worth noting that most libraries now serve as repositories for local community history resources, and help researchers piece together data that leads to important designations of historic places. As we celebrate the ways in which libraries provide Canadians with free access to stories, electronic information resources and social media, it is worth remembering how this tradition of free and accessible learning began.

Oddly enough, when I was going to school in Dresden in the 1940s little emphasis was placed by the education system on the local library as a lending and information source. Likewise, the library offered very few public programs to the community at large...A real shame in my mind. I almost feel that kids in my age bracket were somehow cheated in a way. It wasn't until later years that I came to appreciate libraries in general as a font of information for a fledgeling journalist and writer-researcher. 

I have been impressed to learn that the Dresden library today (with its readily available Photocopier, Microfilm Reader, Internet Access/Wireless Hotspot,  Elevator and Meeting Rooms) is a virtual beehive of activity. Here is a thumbnail look at some of the interesting and varied programs currently offered to the community.

Stay & Play: Every day the Dresden Branch has drop-in activities in the children's area.

Twilight Tales: Dates: Thursdays, until April 25
Time: 6:30 to 7:00 pm.
Wear your pajamas and be ready for fun because this is a great family storytime that gets everyone up and moving! No registration is necessary.

Morning Storytime: Dates: Wednesdays, until May 8
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Stories, songs and fun for the wee ones! An opportunity to let preschool kids start a lifelong love of the library.

How to Get the Most From Your Library: Date: Tuesday, May 14
Time: 1:00 to 2:00 pm.
When are the courier bins delivered? How do I put a hold on a specific DVD? How do I sign up for Hoopla movies? Bring your questions to this workshop and let the staff share some tricks that will make using CKPL so easy.

Teddy Bear Picnic: Date: Wednesday, June 5
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 am
Ages: 5 years and younger.
Teddy stories, Teddy games, Teddy songs, Teddy, crafts, Teddy snacks. Yes, It's Teddy everything! Everyone meets under the big tree in the park across from the library.

Dresden Used Book Sale: Date: Saturday, June 15 to Saturday, June 22
Saturday, June 15 to Saturday, June 22
Time: During library open hours
The book sale is set up in the basement of the Dresden Branch. You will be impressed at the state of these used books, so bring your friends and spend some time browsing the tables.

TD Summer Reading Club Registration Starts: Date: Saturday, June 22
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Ages: 0 to 16
Summer will be here in no time. Make sure you put this date on your calendar so you can register early. There will be activities all summer long and lots of prizes.

Mystic Drumz: Date: Friday, June 28
Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Ages: All ages
Kick off the summer with a unique interactive percussion experience. Rhythm and sound instruments from around the world will excite, enlighten and engage the whole family.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Book) Club: Date: Second Tuesday of the month. Time: 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
Each month there is a different theme for this book club for adults. There is no registration, so just read (or listen to) a book from the month's theme and then join a discussion group. Newcomers are always welcome.

Settlement Services: Date: the first Thursday of every month. Time: 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Are you a newcomer to Canada? Settlement Services can help with immigration issues, legal issues, education, housing and more.

Community Navigators: In partnership with Employment and Social Services, Chatham-Kent Public Library can help connect you with community services, fill in applications and more. Open to all, with the help of a Community Navigator, CKPL can:
1) provide one-on-one instruction in accessing government, social and health services online
2) assist with completing online forms and applications
3) help with referrals to community agencies
4) provide employment support and referrals to employment support agencies
help to identifying continuing learning opportunities based on your individual needs.

Friends of the Dresden Library: The Friends of the Dresden Library is a volunteer group focused on raising money to help enhance programs. Anyone is welcome to join this group and public assistance is greatly appreciated by the Dresden Branch staff.

Some institutions definitely get better with age. The legacy lives on...in towns like Dresden.

OUR MONARCHS FLY ALL THE WAY TO MEXICO

If you are a Monarch Butterfly fan -- and who isn't? -- here's an interesting story for you from my home turf.

Last year was an amazing one for Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores (BGOSS) with the tagging of 893 Monarchs. To top it off, ‘Monarch Watch’, from the University of Kansas, who co-ordinates the tagging program, has just announced that six Monarchs from Butterfly Gardens in Saugeen Shores were recovered in Mexico.

The recovered Monarchs were tagged in late August and early September in Southampton at the Saugeen Golf Course.

“This is quite an unexpected surprise and extraordinary,” said Kerry Jarvis, co-founder of BGOSS. “The odds of having one recovery is rare, but to have six in one year is quite exciting, especially when you consider that there are millions of Monarchs over wintering in Mexico.”

The recovered Monarchs were found in two of the major reserves in Mexico: El Rosario, and Cerro Pelon. They would have traveled a distance of more than 4,500 kilometers. An incredible journey for any flying creature, let alone an delicate butterfly.

Since it began its Community Tagging Days in 2015, BGOSS has tagged over 1,400 Monarchs and now has nine recoveries.

Needless to say, Butterfly Gardens of Saugeen Shores is eagerly awaiting the return of the great-grand children from last summer's migrating Monarchs to grace our community in the next month or two.

We're all hoping that the weather warms up soon to welcome them.