Host, the Rev. Randy Boyd, presents Moderator, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson, on his visit to Thunder Bay, with some local momentoes, including a copy of Breakfast at the Hoito.

His term as Moderator, he said, would focus on the United Church itself. He emphasized the importance of worship coming "from the heart.".

Before the Town Hall meeting, there was ample opportunity to talk personally with the Moderator, seen here with the Rev. Ken Moffatt. Earlier, the Moderator had lunched with members of the clergy.

Pinegrove United Church
welcomed Hubert Den Draak
as their minister with a Fall covenanting service,
followed by refreshments downstairs.

A great day of music delighted choir members and others in late October when Ron Klusmeier and his team were at Trinity UC, Thunder Bay. Ron led a music workshop, featuring some of his well-loved compositions, as well as many new pieces.

Murray Young on drums acompanied Ron on piano; and Marcella Smithers joined in on the organ for the evening concert. A local pick-up choir was expertly led by Lonnie Moddle.

Christina Bogucki led a workshop on how and when to use projection and technology in worship.

It has been some 40 years that Ron has been touring across Canada with his music composed for text writers Walter Farquharson, Fred Kaan, Shirley Erena Murray, Ruth Duck, Brian Wren, John Oldham, and others.

The Musiklus Team - Christina, Ron, Lonnie, Lorraine and Clay.

Partnering Ron on his final tour are the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and The United Church Observer

Churches and individuals can subscribe to the Musiklus Anthology on Ron's web site. This gives access to access to Ron's entire catalogue of music for worship.

Ron's Tour of a Lifetime continues until late November and continues in the Spring of 2013.

Presbytery and Conference mourn the passing of the Rev. Jann Sampson on August 23, 2012. A Memorial Service celebrating Jann's life and ministry was held at St. Paul's United Church, Thunder Bay on August 30th.

The Service was planned by Jann herself, with the Rev. David Sparks and Kathy MacMillan leading.

The MicroFIT (Micro Feed-In Tariff) solar electrical production project allows the opportunity to install Solar generation systems of up to 10 kw per site. Each project sells solar generated electricity directly to the Ontario Power Authority at 20-year fixed price of $.802/kwh. All of the power produced goes to the grid. The church then buys the power it consumes at the current rates common for our region. For a more comprehensive article by Hubert Den Draak on the St. John’s solar power project (see here). It is from the visioning and financial support of the congregation, encouragement and financial support of Cambrian Presbytery with short term funding and the recognition of our efforts by the Conference on Manitoba and North-western Ontario with a carbon offset gift, that this project exists.

St. John’s United Church has added the MicroFIT project to a growing list of green projects and incentives including hosting the Marathon Community Garden, composting using both an outdoor composter and in-door Nature Mill composters (see here), replacement of all lights to compact fluorescents, replacement of fluorescent tubes in Reid Hall to more energy efficient fixtures, recycling all that is possible including supporting the local Thrift Store/Food Bank and replacing the fuel oil fired boilers with 92% efficient propane boilers.

Other greening projects are part of the long-term plans of the church’s Official Board in an effort to live out the promise to be good stewards of the earth.

SCREENING GUIDELINES