MISSIVE - Trinity United Church
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THE TRINITY
MISSIVE
The Newsletter of Trinity United Church
360 Reid Street, Peterborough, ON, K9H 7G6 (705) 743-3301 www.trinitypeterborough.com Easter 2021
-photo courtesy Sherry Oldham
TRINITY RECEIVES VOLUNTEER AWARD
In November, Chris & Dave Freeman, on behalf of Trinity, accepted the Volunteer of the Year Award from Garry
Lister, also a Trinity member and on the board of Friends of Honduran Children. Since 2009, Trinity has been
sponsoring two children at Nuevo Paraiso and in Transition. They are Dania, who is now twenty-four and in
university studying to be a Phys Ed teacher and Luis who is thirteen. Through the years Trinity's Congregational
Life Team has supported these two children using the funds raised by Trinity's annual Pancake Supper, Rally Sun-
day pizza lunches, chili lunches, the Valentine cookie sales and marmalade jam sales. The children of the Church
School prepare and send Christmas gifts and cards. Trinity has been a faithful supporter of the children at Nuevo
in other ways as well. The congregation donated enough money to completely furnish a house for 12 children
and 2 Tias at Nuevo Paraiso and also donated school supplies. In addition twelve Trinity members have
volunteered for the build project in Honduras and individual Trinity members sponsor an additional eleven
children.
Trinity United Church Easter 2021
MESSAGE FROM JOANNA brain didn’t function the way it once did. By the time he
was 17, Jesse had been hospitalized 32 times. Through
The young children next door had their colourful plastic the ups and downs, his mother took care of him. She
slide out in the sunshine yesterday. Their squeals of was his rock. And then, sadly three years ago, she died
delight and persistent trips up the three steps and down of cancer. Without his mother, Jesse’s life spiraled out of
the slide had me smiling with nostalgia for the times, control. Two years ago, he survived the painfully cold
when such a simple activity brings such pleasure. winter sleeping in a storage unit. “I lost 40 pounds and
all hope. Finally, on one forlorn morning I made a final
Perhaps that has been
attempt to better my situation by reaching out to Stella’s
one of the surprising
Circle, a Mission & Service partner. Without hesitation
gifts of
they opened their arms,” says Jesse. “Since that fateful
pandemic times—
morning, their staggering support and generosity has
teaching us once more
completely altered my life. Because of them, I now dwell
to relish the joy in
in a home I can call my own. They’ve helped me obtain
finding a jigsaw piece,
the counselling services needed to heal from my past,
watching a squirrel or
and have even provided me with a washing machine.
‘phoning a friend for no
There has rarely been a day they haven’t sought me out
particular reason.
to ask about my well-being or if I needed anything.”
Last evening, I enjoyed listening, as our COVID choir held
Jesse is now completing
a marathon session, practising and recording the music
a greenhouse technician
for three of the upcoming Holy Week services. As I
college program. He also
hummed a little behind my mask and marveled at how
leads a new social
much good sound they manage to project, even while
enterprise at Stella’s
masked, I felt once again the energy of being present
Circle that grows
with others.
produce for sale.
As Holy Week slides into the great fifty days of the “Thanks to the team at
Easter season and more and more of you tell me of your Stella’s Circle, I have new
vaccine appointments, I look forward to the day when found hope and a proper
we will once again be able to meet in person for Sunday foothold to help propel
worship, Spirituality Group, Book Discussions, etc. Like a me into a more
bear emerging from hibernation, we long for the prosperous future,” he says.
liberation that will come—eventually—when the
Jesse’s story is proof that your generosity through
infection rate declines. In the meantime, we pray for
Mission & Service truly does help transform lives!
the patience for continued vigilance and dream of just
Jesus lived, died and rose again to show us what it
what we’ll do, when the stone will be rolled away from
means to shelter each other with
the tomb of forced separation.
God’s transforming love—a love stronger than
Ironically, there are ways in which reduced activity has injustice, deeper than despair and more
given us opportunities to be more aware of other places. expansive than poverty.
I’ve heard more about Brazil, Russia and Italy than I
usually do, have read and watched a video about a As you’ll read elsewhere in the Missive, on Easter
rafting trip down the Nahanni River in Canada’s north Sunday at 8:00 a.m., we’ll gather with our lawn chairs,
and checked out united-church.ca to follow some of the tuques and masks outside on the church’s south lawn
work our church is doing with partners around the for a Sunrise service. It’s not quite the same as being
world. One example: Jesse’s Story. inside with the organ and central heating, but let us
When he was 12 years old, Jesse had a traumatic brain prepare to celebrate together both the
injury. His life instantly changed because his- resurrection and the joy of gathered community. (The
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
‘regular’ inside Easter service will be available on REPORT FROM COUNCIL
video as well.)
Just this past week we began the second year
On April 18 at 10:00, Trinity will join with Mark under restrictions pertaining to the Covid-19
Street UC to worship with the Rev. Michael Blair, pandemic. The worldwide effects have been
dynamic speaker and new General Secretary (CEO) challenging and Trinity as a microcosm of this is no
of the United Church of Canada. With a ‘larger different.
than Peterborough’ vantage point, Michael can tell
us of ways in which the stone is being rolled away Many thanks to Joanna for continuing to be our
and hope reborn across Canada and around the minister. She not only prepares and leads our
world. His sermon is an Easter present to look Sunday services but also carries out pastoral care,
forward to. weekly messages, Bible Study groups and many
other things. Trinity staff continue to send out
We did it folks! We made it through the winter, Monday and Friday blogs via email, maintain the
which many dreaded, and found ways to stay
church building and property and make sure that
connected apart. Now, with the new life of spring we are compliant with all health and safety
ahead, we celebrate the self-giving love of Christ measures required by local and provincial health
and the surprising rebirths and transformations, authorities, provide music and choir performances
which the Spirit empowers each day. and other everyday requirements too numerous to
mention. Our technical team has also worked
Happy Easter! Blessings to you. tirelessly to create the weekly virtual services.
Joanna Thank you Bob, Chris & Dave Freeman, Trevor,
Sherry and Gladys.
Thank you also to you, the members of the
Holy One, healer of our every ill Congregation for continuing your support of time
and hope of each tomorrow, and treasure and for your understanding and
Thank you. Thank you for sustaining love, acceptance of the myriad number of changes that
when life feels dark and heavy are necessary as a result of the pandemic. We look
and impatience and longing rule our hearts. forward to the latter part of the year when
As we walk with Jesus through both challenging restrictions may finally be lifted and we will be able
and life-giving experiences, help us to keep ever to gather together once again.
before us the promise of resurrection, of newness of With the expiration of Joanna’s contract in June
life, which you inspire and empower. this year we are faced with appointing someone to
May we live into the message that leadership role. We also have to come to grips
and promise of Easter. with the future of our congregation. (Please refer to
Like yeast in dough, may our individual witness the message from the Moving Forward Task Group)
and service Council has been working to understand what our
join with that of others to motivate transformation options might be and how we can put them in front
and to energize life and hope in your beloved world. of you for your decision.
Amen
Three members of Council retired at the end of
2020. Elizabeth Powell, Chair of Trustees, Doug
Lavery, Chair of M & P and Pat Marett, Council
Secretary. They have given many years of service
to the Council and we thank them for their
guidance and input over the years. At this point we
are still looking for replacements. Council is
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
meeting every month and occasionally more often which we have become accustomed. The future is
to deal with the many challenges that are before uncertain to say the least; we look forward to your
us. It is a pleasure to work with all members and patience as a core of Trinity folks work to provide
on your behalf I thank them for their contribution meaningful music in worship. We ask for your
to Trinity. thoughts and prayers for Bob, his wife Barb and
Stay well and may your lives be full of joy and love. their son Matt. If anyone feels able to contribute
to music in worship at Trinity in the next while
Peter Darling either through instrumental music, piano or organ,
Chair, Trinity Church Council please contact Jane Darling 705-742- 9957. This
may be an opportunity to be creative, so as they
say in brainstorming, there are no wrong answers
THANK YOU PAT
or suggestions.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Pat Joanna had a short break during the last week of
Marett who retired as editor of the Trinity Missive February, and Ann Siddell spoke during the service
following the Advent 2020 issue. about the importance of prayer, the history of the
Pat’s ability to find just the right word or Prayer Chain at Trinity and demonstrated a way
determine the layout of the newsletter has been for the young people to remember who they wish
invaluable for these past thirteen years. Her grace to pray for, each finger of your hand representing
under pressure also helped to calm nerves when a particular person or group.
last minute revisions and additions came in just
before ‘going to press’. Joanna will take another short break after the
busyness of planning the services around Holy
Thank you so much Pat. Week. The following Sunday April 11, our speaker
will be Drew Monkman, whose family have been
long time members of Trinity and whose
WORSHIP & SACRAMENTS
wonderful column appears most weeks in The
Examiner. April 18 we will join virtually with Mark
Many definitions exist of worship. Merriam Street United as they host Rev. Michael Blair,
Webster Dictionary says that worship comes from General Secretary of the United Church of Canada.
the core of who the worshipper is and what God There will be no service of any kind at Trinity that
means to them. Similarly music in worship can be Sunday.
defined as that which helps us engage emotionally
with the words we’re singing. By stretching things It’s hard to believe but it has been 5 years since
out through the repetition of words or phrases we Trinity became an Affirming Ministry and we will
are given time to think about the words more celebrate on Sunday June 6th with our Guest
carefully and our emotions become amplified. Speakers, Ruth and Anne Wood.
We have been saddened by the news that our Jane Darling,
Minister of Music Robert Grandy is awaiting Chair, W & S
treatment for a serious illness and we are
becoming ever more appreciative of his gifts of
OUTREACH REPORT
music in worship to Trinity over the past 16 years.
Worship has taken many forms through the As part of Trinity’s Food Security mission,
pandemic, from in-person, to virtual, to in-person Outreach has been supporting local food related
to virtual, all of which can change at a moments community organizations like Nourish whose
notice and until recently we relied on Bob and Jo- demand for Just Food box service has increased
anna to keep us worshipping in the manner to
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
during the pandemic. We need your help. People sustain the valuable work of Nourish Just Food
on low income cannot afford to buy nutritious boxes, healthy food choices of staple items and
food to maintain their health. Not eating properly fresh produce.
affects both physical and mental health leading to
Barb Diceman,
chronic conditions such as diabetes. cancer and
Chair, Trinity Local Outreach Team
heart disease. The marginalized who are food
insecure struggle daily with insufficient money to
buy healthy food. After rent is paid, single
mothers feed their families first, leaving MOVING FORWARD TASK GROUP
themselves unable to buy healthy fruits and
vegetables. Others may be employed in two or The Moving Forward Task Group (MFTG )would
three part time jobs to make ends meet. Statistics like to take this opportunity to let the
show the number of food insecure in congregation of Trinity United Church know they
Peterborough is higher than the provincial have been working steadily on suggesting options
average. There’s a local movement by Nourish for for us in the future.
a Basic Income for all.
As you probably know we have been in
Basic Income (BI) is not a new idea but has come discussions with United Property Resource
to the forefront during the pandemic. Local Corporation (UPRC).As we indicated in the
advocates like the BI P’boro Network and the Annual Report UPRC was started by the
Nourish BI task group say a Basic Income could United Church of Canada with the mandate to
work for all to help with basic needs of food, help churches such as Trinity look to the
housing, clothing, transportation, medical supplies future. A presentation (date to follow- after mid
and internet services. Results of the Ont. Basic April) for a UPRC presentation via Zoom is being
Income pilot in 2017-18, which included 2000 organized. This presentation will be recorded for
recipients in Lindsay, demonstrated improved those who are unable to join on line at this time.
employment and well-being. Options included
upgrading education, finding employment, starting We are assuming that we wish to continue and
a new business, women and those with disabilities grow as a Community of faith and that our
and the Indigenous receiving paid employment, Mission/Vision will continue as currently
affordability of childcare, better housing. In other executed.
words, living a life with dignity. Since 1972, the
United Church has always advocated for a more We recognize the need for the Congregation as a
equitable Guaranteed Annual Income for all. whole to be drawn in to the discussions as soon as
Current moderator Richard Bott sent a letter to the possible. The organizing of a presentation by UPRC
Prime Minister in May 2020 that the United is the first step. Going forward we envisage
Church has always emphasized human dignity and opportunities for all of us to participate in
spirit from birth to death. Workshops, Congregational Meetings and official
votes to decide our future direction.
Two things you can do are: 1) learn more about
Basic Income which will ensure Trinity members Moving Forward Task Group
can help address Homelessness and Food
Insecurity. Check the Nourish “Hungry for Income” Dave & Chris Freeman Jackie Powell
5-part series beginning Mon. March 22-April 19, Jim Rainey Ted Harvey
6:30-7:30 p.m.. To register, contact Elisha at Garry Lister Bill Devitt
events@nourishproject.ca. 2) Please consider a Patrick Cooper Cathy Rowland
contribution to our Outreach Fund so we can all Rev. Joanna MacQuarrie (ex officio)
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
WHAT OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN UP TO
C9 continued to control our lives and activities throughout the winter months. Many people
have talked about embracing this past winter with long walks and other winter activities. We
had many days of brilliant sunshine that helped us appreciate our Canadian winter. For many
of us it also presented the only opportunity to catch up in person with friends and relatives.
Here is a compilation of what some of our members have been doing over the past few
months.
Barry Diceman was 2021 Canadian
Marathon Nordic Ski Participant at
Kawartha Nordic Ski Club. While enjoying
beautiful days like the one pictured, Barry
has skied about 750 km this season!
The Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper did not happen
this year. Rather than dine alone on Shrove Tuesday, Joan
& Richard Boehme (below) invited a long-time family friend
to share their meal of pancakes and maple syrup. Ted
eagerly accepted the invitation and enjoyed every bite of
pancakes and every drop of maple syrup.
Martin Deeley (right) had his plate piled high and topped his
pancakes with colourful strawberries.
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Amy and her children Elizabeth and Ben have
taken up watercolour painting and the results
are beautiful.
These paintings were made into greeting cards
which were sent to the Church School teachers.
Trinity Church School has continued to deliver
craft and lesson packets to the children over the
course of Covid. It is wonderful to see the
results of many of the crafts which have been
completed.
Back in June 2020 three hikers,
Barb Rimmer , Roxanne Heard,
and Eveline Stout, members of
the Ganaraska Hiking Trails
Association, needed a project as
we were so limited in hiking
activities because of COVID 19.
The club had cancelled organized
hikes and the three of us were
used to walking about 10,000
steps most days. So began a
seven month challenge, walking
all of the streets of Peterborough.
Some days the three of us walked
together, others only two of us
were available and on other days we walked alone. As many of you know, it is much more enjoyable to
walk with someone and you can usually walk further than when you walk alone.
According to the city, there are about 957 km of roads within the city limits. The problem with this
number is that there are many subdivisions with an odd number of streets, so we had to retrace our
steps on at least one of the streets in each area. There are also many dead-end streets, so we actually
walked better than 1200 km by the time we were done. As well, I am amazed at the number of paths
joining different streets. We were able to use some of these to access other areas rather than walking
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
around. We found some really interesting sights. Drive or the Parkway. There was just too much
In some areas all the houses look different and fast traffic and no sidewalks. At times it was
have some very noteworthy architecture and in almost scary walking along these roads, especially
other areas the houses are so much alike - some when big truck whizzed by. I did thoroughly enjoy
call them cookie cutter houses - that you would walking through the old west end to see the gar-
need to check the number over the front door so dens and the variety of homes and gardens. It was
that you didn’t walk into the wrong house! Some interesting to see the variety of companies, small
homes were situated on beautiful lots with well and large, in the industrial areas within city limits,
manicured lawns and gardens while others had but these areas could never be described as
no little or no lawn and still others that had so scenic. I am amazed at how many hills there are in
much ‘stuff’ all around the yard that you couldn’t Peterborough. Some of them don’t ever seem to
tell what the property was like. Some houses have end.
gorgeous views looking over a creek or the farm During these seven months the weather varied
land and hills to the south of the city and other from beautiful sun to rainy days, from hail to
homes looked out at brick walls. snow to beat the band and often lots of wind.
I also organized one hike for a group to walk the Some days were 30+ C and others were -20C.
four forests of Peterborough West after I found Some days we got away with shorts and t-shirt
them on my walks. These are wonderful gems and other days multiple layers were still not
right in the city. The first forest is beside enough. All of these variations just added to the
Sherbrooke Heights Retirement Residence on the experience.
north side of Sherbrooke St.; the second is behind It was interesting trying to figure out where to
the houses on Ridgewood Drive south of park when we were walking in the different areas
Sherbrooke St.; the third is the beautiful forest off so we didn’t have to back track too much or get
of Kawartha Heights Blvd. - well worth roaming parking tickets. More often than not we did have
through - and the fourth is west of Brealey Drive to retrace some steps at least, no matter where
in Mapleridge Park. In some neighbourhoods, I we parked.
enjoyed speaking to others who were out walking.
Everyone seemed so friendly after being cooped Many people thought we were crazy, which may
up in their homes for what seemed like forever be true, this was an enjoyable undertaking that
during COVID. There were some roads that were we would not have experienced without Covid.
not as pleasant, such as Television Rd or Fleming
Barb Rimmer
My mother is a resident at Fairhaven LTC. The staff
on her wing have been very dedicated to their
residents over these many months when physical
visits have not been possible. To hopefully lift spirits
and to show our gratitude to the staff, I made and
decorated Valentine cookies for each resident and
employee on my mom’s floor and wrapped them
individually for easy distribution. With donations
from my whole family, we included Tim Horton gift
cards to each staff member as a small way of
showing our gratitude for all they have done for
each person in their care. - Sherry Oldham
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PROFILE - BEV LANE drama, art, the book club, student council,
organizing the school dances, and was awarded
Beverley Walton should have been born in Certificates of Excellence in Art and English.
Bancroft where her parents lived but she decided Outside of school Bev was active around Keene in
to enter the world early while her parents were Girl Guides, teaching Sunday School, and the
visiting her maternal grandparents in Belleville. Homemaking branch of 4H where she taught
Bev was the eldest of 5 boys and 2 girls and grew sewing and cooking for 18 years. Bev did all the
up “mostly in Bancroft” where her mother Gwen art work for the opening of Lang Pioneer Village,
had been born and raised. Bev’s father was born and painted the lines and logo on the ice at Keene
in Thessalon a lumber mill town on the north Arena where her dad was a hockey coach. As a
shore of Lake Huron. He was in the Navy when he teenager Bev also did the art work for the Annual
married Gwen while on a weekend pass for Beef & Pork BBQ in the Keene Arena as a fund
Thanksgiving on October 9, 1948. After the Navy raiser for the Keene United Church. Bev noticed
he became a salesman for a lumber company recently that her art work is still used there to this
which took the family to live, short term, in such day – with only the date changed every year.
places as Brantford, Chatham and Belleville. Later From Keene it was a long bus ride to school,
he joined the Department of Highways as a traffic including transferring between two buses, one of
counter and reporter which involved setting up the which was shared with the Catholic kids. Bev
traffic counting cables you sometimes see laid found math difficult and she received help from a
across roads. Eventually the family decided to fellow student during the long ride from Keene to
move to the Keene area onto a small farm. Bev’s PCVS. They began dating. Bev finished her high
dad still continued to work for the Department of school at age 16 at the newly built Crestwood
Highways but on the farm they also had goats, Secondary School and then attended the Ontario
rabbits and pigs, as well as two horses for Bev and College of Art in Toronto for four years. Bev’s boy
her sister. Life was exciting there. Gwen, was friend worked as a machinist at Outboard Marine
active with the Keene United Church and the kids and they were married in Centennial year. Bev
spent a lot of time playing outside, skating on a worked at home raising three children and took
pond in the winter, and swimming at Hope’s Mill in courses in food preparation, cake making and cake
the summer. Bev’s dad would drive their car into a decorating. The marriage ended after five years,
shallow part of the Indian River and the rule was and Bev became a single mom of her three
that the kids had to wash the car before they could children.
go swimming at Hope’s Mill. Bev also did ballet
A few years later, and after much coaxing, a friend
and tap dancing and took piano lessons. When Bev
persuaded Bev to go on a blind date with an
was twelve, her five year-old brother died
interesting young man. His name was Danny
tragically in a baby crib accident.
Lane. Danny was from a family of ten children
Bev attended the one room public school S.S.#1 raised on Bethune Street, just a few blocks from
Villiers , with a pot bellied stove in the middle, and the home that he and Bev would eventually
an outside backhouse. Wood was chopped and purchase on Rubidge Street. After public school
the pot bellied stove stoked all winter by a quiet Danny worked at Tilco Plastics. He was a
man the kids called “the woodsman”. That little determined guy and got his high school diploma
school is now a community centre where Bev still through correspondence, working on it during
takes quilting classes. Eventually a new school was evenings. He was also active in hockey, broomball
built and Bev graduated from David Fife Memorial and bowling. After Tilco he spent the rest of his
Public School. Bev entered PCVS at the age of only working life with Silverwoods Dairy which eventu-
twelve, having skipped two grades during all the ally became Baskin Robbins.
family moves. In high school she was active in
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Trinity United Church Easter 2021
group at Trinity that met once a month planning
events such as sleigh rides and pot luck dinners.
Every November there was “Christmas Crafts at
Bev’s” with as many as 22 people in the house. One
year Charlie Ketcheson got the idea of hiding Easter
eggs all over the Sanctuary before the Easter Sunday
service including behind the cushions in the pews. It
was pretty packed and warm that Sunday and people
sitting and wiggling around in the pews started to
melt the eggs which got chocolate all over the
cushions. And of course Bev had to clean those
cushions. After that there were repeated remarks
about “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to
Charlie’s hang-dog expression as he observed “Guess
we won’t do that again. Next year jelly beans!”. The
kids used to leave the service to attend Sunday
School and return at the end of the service. One
Sunday when sparkles fell off their art work onto the
cushions Charlie whispered while passing Bev “Don’t
tell the custodian!”. In 1994 Bev finally retired from
her custodian job at Trinity.
- photo courtesy Bev Lane
Bev has done many things in her life. She worked at
Red Dog Catering for 11 years. She co-ordinated
Bev’s mother, Gwen, had tried to talk them into Trinity Sunday School with Anne Morawetz and
attending Mark Street United where Rev. Bob Root taught Sunday School as well, eventually becoming
preached. But since they owned the house right Sunday School Superintendent. All together Bev was
across from Trinity, they thought “Let’s go to this involved in the Trinity Sunday School more than 20
one!”. That was in 1980 - and it stuck – to this years. She spent 6 years in the Women’s Lyceum
day. The chemistry was strong between Bev and Club catering fancy teas, making cookies & goodies,
Danny. They were married by Rec. Charlie Ketcheson setting up chairs, etc.. Back when she was age
on Thanksgiving weekend October 9, 1981, thirty seventeen she had been the featured artist at one of
three years to the day after her own parent’s wed- their teas.
ding. Soon Gwen was attending Trinity as well.
Sharon McLeod encouraged Bev to join the Trinity
For a while Bev did repair sewing at a cleaners but Flower Guild where she helped out for many years,
didn’t like it. In the winter of 1982 Danny was laid partnering with Carol Mutton. One of the jobs of the
off and Bev wanted a new job. Trinity’s custodian Guild was to decorate the Christmas Tree in the
had taken a bad fall on the stairs. Reverend Charlie sanctuary. Bev, Danny, Carol & her husband Wayne
Ketcheson offered Bev a job at Trinity, in his words would pick an evening to decorate the tree, and
“just making coffee, vacuuming and moving some when it was finished they would have pizza with the
chairs”. She was put on trial as church custodian – lights out except for the tree lights. It was a cozy
where she remained for 11 years! For years she feeling - “Peace on earth”. This past Advent was the
donated her time on weekends setting up and first time in 38 years that Bev didn’t help decorate
catering for weddings and funerals at the the tree. Not many people know that Bev bought the
church. She also catered the Friendship Club’s 12 ½ foot Christmas tree one year after Christmas
Christmas dinners. Bev belonged to the Take A Break when she saw it at Canadian Tire at 70% off.
Bev has donated her time to Trinity in a host of
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other artistic ways. She sewed curtains for the fans, littering the pews, until the bats eventually
library and upstairs offices; with Catherine Found learned how to avoid the fans. And it was only in
made costumes for dinner theatres and Christmas 2014 at age 65 that Bev “mostly retired” from
pageants; made and decorated cakes for every church work after 32 years.
occasion and celebration for years; decorated the Danny was also active at Trinity. He was weekend
sanctuary for Thanksgivings every October; made custodian for nine years. For four years he was the
Easter eggs to be sold as a fundraiser; decorated DJ at the New Years Eve party in Trinity Hall. Using a
Trinity Hall ceiling with butterflies for Diana giant stepladder he would fill a net with balloons
McLeod’s birthday; made the brocades that hang and attach it to the ceiling. At midnight he would
under the bible and from the pulpit in blue satin pull a string and the balloons would cascade
when the colours were officially changed from down. Danny would set up the stage in the
purple to blue for Advent and Lent; taught quilting sanctuary for the Christmas Nativity scenes, and the
to ladies making quilts for the School for Young stage in Trinity Hall for dinner theatres.
Moms; painted the back drops for all of the dinner
theatres and participated in finding props. For the Bev was also very active in the surrounding
production of “Nunsense” at one of the dinner community – wherever she was asked to help. For
theatres, Melanie Watt wanted to wear red cowboy 23 years during the summers she cooked at Camp
boots under her nun’s habit, just like in the off- Ponacka for Anne & Don Bocking. This was in Bev’s
broad way production, where her nun’s character DNA as her mother, Gwen, did the same for 25
always wanted to be a country & western years. Bev also cooked at Quin-Mo-Lac United
singer. Everyone looked everywhere for red cowboy Church Camp for 10 years. Bev just loved to be
boots without success until Bev borrowed an old around kids. Recently a friend asked Bev if she
pair of Danny’s, painted them red, and decorated would do the art work for a fundraiser at St. James
them with sparkles. U.C. and of course She accepted. The challenge
consisted of painting two birch trees, almost life
For four years Bev helped coordinate the size, onto the walls on either side of the
elementary school children of Peterborough area entrance. Members and friends were encouraged
United Churches in the “United We’re Awesome” to buy a leaf in memory of a loved one and Bev
project with Don Genge and Bob Root. They would paint their names on the leaves on the tree.
arranged for any children who wanted to replace a On one occasion Bev & Danny took a memorable
day at school with a day of religious based road trip through 12 states. In 2006, at age 60,
curriculum including arts and crafts and guest Danny was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer.
speakers. Two adults per classroom would supervise After treatment at hospitals in Oshawa and Toronto
them. At the end of the day the children would put he was declared cancer free in 2007. To celebrate,
on their own church service. Bev & Danny got married again for their 25th
wedding anniversary with their original wedding
Bev was always available for church maintenance as party, Diana at the organ, and officiated by Richard
well. She painted rooms, repaired holes in walls and Boehme. Bev even had her original flower girl who
carpets, and painted radiators. On Sunday mornings was 5 at their original wedding and was now 30.
she would arrive at the church at 6 AM to check on Danny was cancer free for 14 wonderful years, and
the bats. Regularly bats would swoop around the then passed away in January, 2020 within 4 days
Sanctuary, Trinity Hall and Morrow Hall. Bev and from diagnosis of squamous cell cancer.
Danny would use butterfly nets, sheets and brooms Bev’s three children live in the Peterborough area
to snare the creatures. When the fans were first and she devotes a lot of her time to her ten
installed in the Sanctuary Bev and Danny would grandchildren. In her “retirement” Bev enjoys
invariably find pieces of bats that had flown into the working on her UFOs (Unfinished Objects) and has
11/MISSIVETrinity United Church Easter 2021
started painting again. Danny was also a painter. From
DATES TO REMEMBER
her house across from Trinity, where she has lived for
40 years, Bev keeps a watchful eye on Trinity. She
April 1 - Maundy Thursday Service*
watches the snowplowing, the gardens, the grass
cutting, and watches for the steam rising from the pipes
April 2 - Good Friday Service*
early on Sunday mornings to make sure the boiler is
working. Many were the times when she saw that
steam was not rising and ran across the road and got April 4 - 8:00 am
the boiler back up and running before the service. Easter Sunrise Service -
South lawn at Trinity Church
Bev’s lifelong motto has been “You don’t just love your (bring your lawn chair. We ask that
work, you live it!!” But nevertheless, how she has you keep your mask on at all times
packed so many varied and worthwhile projects into her and maintain social distancing
life so far is truly amazing! Thanks Bev, on behalf of requirements)
Trinity and our community.
Easter Celebration Service*
Garry Lister Communion Service
April 11 - Guest Speaker Drew Monkman*
“An Earth Day Message of Hope”
April 18 - 10:00 am Live Stream Virtual Service#
From Mark Street United Church
Guest Speaker: Rev. Michal Blair,
General Secretary of the United
Church of Canada.
June 6 - Affirming Anniversary Service
Guests: Ruth and Anne Wood
* These services will only be available via
YouTube. All services are available at 6 a.m.
on their respective dates. Links will be sent
out via e-mail on March 30.
# This service will be live-streamed. Information
on how to connect will be emailed to you on
April 15.
Trinity Church Council has made the difficult decision
to remain closed to in-person worship during Holy
The Trinity Missive is published Week. We are monitoring all recommendations from
four times a year. Peterborough Public Health and will reopen as soon as
Comments and suggestions are always it we feel that it is safe to do so.
welcome. Please contact the editor at:
trinitychurch@cogeco.net.
down
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