Spring Presbytery at
Kimberley United Church
Kootenay Presbytery
The United Church of Canada, BC Conference
Spring Presbytery at
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| Well, what a weekend! We met in the beautiful town of Kimberley set among the mountains and enjoyed sunshine and snow! Most drove over uneventfully on Friday, April 13 and left on Sunday after a very full weekend. The highlight of the weekend was sharing it with our Moderator, Mardi Tindal. She is so vivacious and enthusiastic and at the same time compassionate, having the patience to listen to people, even when she was in a rush. Her interactive talk which was open to the public on Saturday night had us thinking, her presentation on Friday afternoon illustrated just how committed she is to the well being of God's creation. She also led our Theological Reflection.On Sunday we joined the Kimberley congregation for a very meaningful service with a fabulous choir anthem, and Mardi spoke to us about “speaking from the heart not from ego”. It was a wonderful time for all to engage with her, to listen to her and to enjoy her presence. She was gifted with a plate painted in Creston, mid-Kootenay Presbytery, with a Doukhobour house and sunflowers depicting the West Kootenay section of Kootenay Presbytery and was presented to her during the service in Kimberley in the East Kootenay. She was also presented with a beautiful prayer shawl that had been woven in purple by Anne Jones of the Kimberley congregation. We were lead in worship led by Castlegar United Church, St. Andrews United Church, Burton, and Communities in Faith members. I have to add that the music was amazing all weekend: guitars, a flute, clarinets, drum and piano accompaniment. Thank you to all who shared their talent. Jean Daniels had us going through the business agenda fast and furiously as most of the reports had been presented in writing earlier. We did have to pass a few motions. We gave special recognition to Barbara Langton as she is retiring after 40 years in ministry. Members of congregations in which she served spoke about her ministry with them. She served in Grand Forks, Creston, Kimberley and Cranbrook, and helped Windermere Valley on a regular basis when they were without clergy. She was also our Mutual Ministries co-ordinator and toured the Presbytery helping and advising congregations. We all want to wish her well. | We elected a slate of officers put forth by the Nomination Team who will take office at the rise of B.C. Conference in June. We still need someone to edit a monthly newsletter. A large part of our weekend was spent participating in a Circle Way workshop lead by Christina and Ann. This was the second part of a two part series of workshops organized by the Support to Congregations Team. We learned how to have discussions in circles where each one is heard and listened to. The first session was telling our stories. The second session was actually discussing a question of activities in our church that include the congregation. The third session was discussing “the Remit” that we were required to vote on at this meeting. This proved very helpful when the time to vote came around. We enjoyed having eight young people and their “fearless” leader, Kim Matson, with us. They slept in the church and had fun; they enjoyed painting ceramics. Swimming at the Aquatic Centre was practical and necessary so that they could shower at least once during the weekend when showers are not available in the church building!! They joined us for some of our sessions but had their own time together and reported back to us. Jenna Woods and Katie Cameron will be our youth delegates to B.C. Conference and we are in the midst of deciding on a youth representative to attend General Council. A big thank you to all from Kimberley who were on the planning team—a job well done. The food was excellent, the facility and people were warm and inviting and Gerda Mann did an excellent job arranging for a lot of us to stay at the Chateau Kimberley, a perfect spot with quiet, comfortable rooms, an area that we could meet and let our hair down after the day was over and a very adequate breakfast. The others enjoyed the hospitality of gracious billeting families. Another very successful Kootenay Presbytery Meeting! We shared with one another, met new friends, enjoyed being away from our homes in beautiful surroundings, completed the business agenda, were fed wonderful food and had someone else do the dishes... What more could we ask for? See you all in June. (submitted by Sarah Tupholme) |
Mardi Tindal was interview by Carolyn Grant
of the local Kimberley newspaper, The Bulletin,
with this article,
United Church Moderator visits Kimberley
appearing in the Monday, April 16 edition.