Worker Bees

The link for this week's on-line worship service is:                     http://bit.ly/sppcworship

For much of the summer we've enjoyed beautiful bouquets from Norma's garden on Sunday mornings. Thank you Norma for sharing the fruits of your labour with SPPC.
For anyone who would like to donate flowers, the sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. Or you could call the office, 250 656-2241
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Our church building is now 30 years old, and showing some wear, particularly on the south side. Our stretch of good weather has given the property committee a chance to do some repairs. 

Who measured this?

Where did you go?

Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: (NIV)






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Linda continues to bring order to the flower beds. There was an internment in the Garden of Remembrance on Saturday and the landscaping looked beautiful and peaceful. Thank you, Linda for your gift of a green thumb -- and your determination to beat back the horsetail!

Along with Tore, she is now making progress on the front beds. The thicket created by a self-seeded Hawthorne tree and a holly bush is gone. The heather has been rediscovered and the ornamental grasses given some breathing room, and the sidewalk edge cleared of creeping buttercup.

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Tore and his multi-tool have cut back wild rose, blackberry and ivy to freshen up the large plantings along the north and east perimeters. He's been stung a few times for his efforts, too.

No fig crop this year but the tree is lush

the more he prunes the more it grows!

Nice work, everyone. With most activities at the church suspended, it is easy to forget that the maintenance needs continue apace. 

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (ESV)

The Mountain Ash

   

 According to the memorial book at SPPC, a tree was planted in 1998 in memory of Sam Shaw and Clara Kinnon. Twenty years later, we could find no sign of the tree so a new one was set in, a lovely mountain ash, on the Willingdon side of the property. It is now showing off some brilliant red berries.
The tree is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Clara Kinnon (Noel's mother) and her brother Mr. Sam Shaw. 
     Sam never married and Clara was widowed early in life. The custom in Ireland is for the eldest daughter to take care of any unmarried brother so Sam became a part of Noel's life at a very early age. 
     Uncle Sam was a short man, maybe five feet tall, but he was an excellent badminton player. In Ireland professional badminton players were graded, with #1 being the top category. Sam was not a professional but he was graded at #2. As a result he could only play for the church club eight times a year. His exalted status prevented him from taking part in more competitions. One of his advantages was his ability to play equally well with either hand. An opponent expecting a right-handed return was be taken completely off guard when the shot was played from the left hand.
     Years later, when Noel sponsored his mother to immigrate to Canada, she said she wouldn't come unless Sam came too. After a hunt for all the appropriate papers, brother and sister came together to their new home. 
     When Noel was minister in Medicine Hat, Sam lived nearby. He was retired by that time and loved to garden so he undertook to maintain the church flower beds at their blooming best during the growing season. He had a green thumb. They used to say around the congregation that if Sam put a piece of green paper in the ground, it would grow. 
     Sam didn't drive and travelled to the church by bus nearly every day. He kept an old pair of shoes and gardening gloves and tools at the church so he wouldn't appear untidy on the city bus.
     I'm so glad the newly planted mountain ash is doing well. Something green and growing seems an appropriate remembrance for a dedicated gardener and his older sister. 
     Thank you, Rev. Noel, for sharing this bit of family history with us.

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     Now that our building is open, under strict COVID guidelines, we are able to bless the community by making a space available for non-church events. One such event is a concert by Larry's musical group, Raven Baroque, this Friday. The program is laid out below. Admission by donation. 

Raven Baroque at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church

7:00 p.m. Friday, August 28, 2020

Admission by Donation

1. G P Telemann, Viola Concerto in G, Jessica Pickersgill, soloist
2. Vincenzo Galilei, Ricercare #10, #7 - 2 very short Renaissance musical experiments of a set of 12 by the father of scientist Galileo Galilei
3. Antonio Vivaldi Violin Concerto in G, Op. 4, #3 (RV 301), Kate Rhodes soloist
4. GF Handel, Deutsche Aria HWV205 Suesse Stille, Sanfte Quelle, Kate Rhodes, voice
5. J S Bach, Violin Concerto in a, BW1041, Hollas Longton, soloist
6. Arcangelo Corelli, Concerto Grosso, Op.6, #8, Fatto per la notte di natale 

Performers: 

Violin                                                Cello                                                      

Hollas Longton                               Larry Skaggs 

Kate Rhodes                                    

Don Kissinger                                 Bass

                                                      Mary Rannie 

Viola                                              

Jessica Pickersgill                           Voice

Don Kissinger                                   Kate Rhodes

Support in 2020 by BC Arts Council and Heritage Canada

"Different" Things

The link to this week's worship service is here: https://youtu.be/Gn2sghdEG5c

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Harold and Hazel had a celebratory week. Hazel had a birthday and together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. I'm really sorry we can't have a cake and sing happy birthday, but I hope Harold and Hazel had a lovely week.
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There are two concerts planned for SPPC. 

• Raven Baroque on Aug. 28 at 7:00 pm. 
• Die Mahler Group on Sept. 4 at 6:00 pm.

All Covid protocols apply, including a maximum of 50 people inside.

• Die Mahler will also host a concert on Larry's lawn on Aug. 21 and 28.

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Travelling in “Covid times” 
by Roy and Dorothy

In February, which seems such a long time ago now, we were in Southern California in our RV, enjoying the scenery and the warmer climate in the Coachella valley. The news about the “corona virus” from WHO was a little worrying but seemed, at that time, a long way from California. Gradually, concerns accelerated and it soon became clear that, despite denials from politicians in several countries, this was bad news, bad news that would not go away. In March, international borders were slammed shut, and insurance companies urged policy holders to head home as they would no longer be covered for Covid-19 illness. So ended our trip, and we headed home.

Our border crossing was the fastest ever; we were the only vehicle in line. However, we were unable to change our well established practice of choosing the slowest line, surely a first!

Usually, in the summer we are privileged to enjoy having our daughter, Julie, and family spend time with us. Our summer plans for 2020 were drastically changed and we greatly missed all the activity involved with five grand-kids. How quiet life seemed in comparison to previous summers!

In June, we decided that it was time to take an RV trip to Jasper and Banff, which we had visited some forty year ago, when our kids were little. In our previous visit to the Rockies from Ontario, the drive was quite an adventure, but that is another story.

In Banff, we could only get a reservation in the national park for one night. The park was not as busy as we had expected and covid precautions were evident. In the town, mask wearing was, at best, 50-50. Restaurants were partially open, some hotels were still closed but there was a fair amount of activity.  As usual, the scenery was magnificent.

We were in awe at the beauty of God’s creation…how wonderful, how marvellous…was our only description, as words are so inadequate.

Our next part of the journey was along the Ice-fields Parkway to Banff, again so inspiring. In Jasper, it seemed that mask wearing was only for older folks, and not many at that. One day, in Jasper we heard police sirens and saw RCMP cars racing along the highway to some accident, we presumed. That evening, we were sad to hear of a serious accident where a vehicle taking tourists to the ice fields had overturned, leading to loss of life and serious injury.  In all the splendour of creation, the human journey of life and death still unfolds.

On returning towards Banff, the campsites were full, so we were assigned to a fairly vacant campground which was unserviced, (no electric or water hook-ups). Interestingly, our next door camper was a lady from Victoria. Next morning, while chatting, we were advised that we shared the campground with others, a mother bear and her cubs. Apparently, earlier in the summer, the bears had visited a camper in the tent one evening, and had demolished the tent in their search for food. Fortunately, the campers, while safe, could only grin and bear their loss! (oops). For that reason only hard sided RVs, but no tents were allowed in this campsite.

On our return journey home, we stopped in Revelstoke where there is a terrific railway museum. This was an excellent museum which told the story of how the railway was built.

It was fascinating, from the stories of financiers, to Scottish and American engineers, and to the various work crews. The last spike where the east coast line met with the west coast line, which was completed a month ahead of time, was driven in Craigellachie, west of Revelstoke. This was an interesting stop in our visit.

When we returned home and reviewed the many photographs of the splendour of mountains, rivers and lakes, the early chapters of Genesis rang loudly in our minds…in the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth…

Roy and Dorothy

Thanks, Roy and Dorothy, for sharing your adventure.

Camp Imadene 2020

The link to this week's youtube service is https://youtu.be/Gn2sghdEG5c

Camp Imadene as we know it will not happen this summer of 2020. No cabins full of eager campers. No cabin leaders wondering if they'll ever get some sleep. No kitchen staff trying to keep everyone fed and happy.

However, there are still opportunities to enjoy a day camp experience.  Check out these websites for information.

 https://imadene.com/

 https://imadene.com/imadeneinvictoria.html

 There will be a lot of staff as campers will be separated into 10 member pods, each with their own leader, and minimal contact with the other pods. In preparation for day-campers Diane, Benjamin and Peter spent a couple of days making physical preparations at the site to accommodate COVID-19 protocols.

There was a hornet's nest that had to be destroyed. 

   

Time spent in the kitchen produced a little whimsy and a menu board. . .

. . .and some awesome treats. 

Rice Krispie squares?

Camp in 2020 won't look the same -- I saw a cartoon the other day where an older person on her birthday said she wasn't counting 2020 because she hadn't used it--but there will camp. There will be good times, there will be new friends, there will be God-talk. It's all part of our "new normal."

We are grateful to those who have figured out a way to make it happen and still keep everyone safe -- and kind and calm.

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This arrived in our in-box at church. If you can, remember all the agencies who are struggling right now. 

As we reopen our doors to welcome our family members back to Our Place at 919 Pandora, we find ourselves in need of toiletries – ( hotel size shampoo, soap, skin lotions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth wash, dental floss, deodorant, safety razors, shaving cream, band aids, sun screen )  Thank you for your continuing generosity to the Our Place Family.  Items can be dropped off at 919 Pandora Ave 7 days per week at Reception.

 

Cheerful Things

The link for our on-line service this week is:https://youtu.be/_BF8ECUsxuA

As the pandemic wears on, tempers are wearing thin and patience is wearing out. We can all cite instances of mask rage in the grocery store, rudeness on the street, and scoff-laws at the beach. It makes for a heavy-hearted summer.

So, as an antidote, I bring you a few cheerful things.
The perfect symmetry and brilliant colour of the rose pictured above should lift your spirits. Who can gaze on such beauty and remain glum?
Or a sleeping cat. Isn't she the picture of innocence? No matter how naughty she has been, my heart melts when I see her, so relaxed, so trusting, so sure she "has a right to be here."
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For celebration this week, we have a 50th wedding anniversary. Rosemary and Reynold are celebrating that milestone. Another bit of cheerful news is that they have been able to move back to Rest Haven Lodge in Sidney. 

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The bad news is our mission team was unable to travel to the Domincan Republic in March. The good news is, that money is not quarantined.
Here are pictures of the house that was funded by the money that would have been spent on airfare. This is the dwelling our team had expected to work on, providing a home for a mother leaving an abusive relationship. Our people had to stay home, but the work went ahead and  a woman in need has a house to call home.

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And speaking of the DR, the Valdal garden has been generous with zucchini this year, so this bundle was donated to SPPC.  It will make soup, cakes, quiche, jam--

 whatever the cooks decide-- for the next fund-raising soup sale.

These sales serve two purposes. They provide tasty, nourishing food for members of the congregation and generate income for our special missions. The House Upon the Rock Ministry in the Dominican Republic is a major beneficiary of these funds.
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If you are missing live music, Larry's group, Raven Baroque is offering a free outdoor concert on Aug. 3. -- Covid Rules apply. See poster 
Another performance will take place on Larry's front lawn on Aug.5, 6:00 pm. Call 250 652-5015 for more details.
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If you have cheerful things, or not so cheerful things, to share on this blog, please let me know. The best way to keep the blues at bay is to connect, even if it's from a distance.

Saints Above and Saints Below

The link for our video service this week is: https://youtu.be/6SOsdiusOI4

We've had a number of losses in our congregation over the past two weeks. These were long lives and well lived, but still their passing leaves a hole in our fellowship. I'll miss one in particular.

Bill made his living on the sea, but church and the fine arts put life in his living. He was a long-time member of the choir, coming faithfully to rehearsal on Thursdays and church on Sundays. Even as he had to give up other activities, choir remained a joy to him.


He was also a willing and cheerful member of the chorus when we did Christmas musicals. Donating his voice and his considerable artistic talents to the show.

the ox and the ass were Bill's work

He would draw our posters and paint sets. He often contributed a piece to the Presbyterian Record art contest at Christmas. 

One year, his painting became the cover of the magazine.

Presbyterian Record, Dec. 2011

His art work enlivened the pages of our newsletter, "The Shepherd's Way," and he was a generous contributor to sales and auctions with the proceeds of his drawings going to various causes in the church.
He could be counted on for Bible Study and for concerts and the church picnic on the beach. 

Even in January of this year when we had our 2020 party, Bill was there, cheerful as always.

In ordinary times, we'd gather together as a congregation of friends and family and share our Bill stories. We'd laugh a little and shed a few tears. We'd hold each other close in the embrace of Christian love. We'd eat Blanche's shortbread cookies and drink a cup of tea. We would commend our friend to God's keeping and sing one of his favourite hymns.

But these are not ordinary times and we cannot perform the usual comforting rituals. The need to stay apart makes our grief even harder to bear.  This is a heartache born not only by our congregation but by thousands of families across the country. Death in the time of COVID is particularly cruel. 

May we take comfort knowing that Bill and others from our fellowship are now among "that great cloud of witnesses." They have run the race before them and are now at peace.

For All The Saints  Sung by the RSCM Millennium Youth Choir

More news

The link for this week's worship service is: https://youtu.be/XECBk4XLv6E

While the COVID 19 restrictions have been difficult for everyone, those in communal living situations have had extra challenges. For example, a prime reason to move into these types of facilities is for more community engagement. Kay took up residence in The Peninsula for just that reason. She was tired of eating alone. Three days after moving in, the dining room was shut down and she spent three months eating along in her room!
Life is better now as restrictions ease. The facility has made adjustments so that residents can dine together, two to a table, six feet apart. Since Kay is assigned to a certain table with a certain tablemate, it's a good thing they are friends. In fact, her tablemate is a neighbour from her previous residence so that has worked well. There are still no visitors allowed into the building, but there is a patio where outdoor visits can take place. Kay is also able to walk over to the rose garden beside the library and enjoy a chat with friends and admire the lovely surroundings. Medical appointments outside the building are now allowed too, so Kay can go to her physio appointments.

Despite the restrictions, Kay is very happy with her move. She says getting groceries and managing by herself during the province-wide shutdown would have been much more difficult than staying in her room while someone else looked after all that daily living stuff. 
She is enjoying the church services over youtube--and keeps up with the congregation via this blog. She's happy to chat on the phone, or would be glad to walk around the rose garden with "safe" visitors.

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All the rainy weather has kept the tomatoes from ripening, but the weeds have loved it--especially the weeds in the Garden of Remembrance.

Linda has decided to take a hand. She has dedicated the time that would have been used for our Bible study, to clearing out the chickweed and rediscovering the flowers. One corner at a time, she's making a difference. The result is lovely. Thanks, Linda. 

The weeds are gone

ornamental grasses rescued and transplanted

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My electric bike (E-Bike)  

                                                        by Brian Altenkirk

                                                          

I have always had a passion for cycling.

Growing up in South Africa, I was able to ride to school summer and winter all year long. Even when I went to Medical school in Pretoria I rode to classes every day.

I have cycle toured with light weight camping equipment in Canada, Mexico, Chile and Japan.

Wherever I have been, I have met hospitable people when I needed some form of help.

More recently due to ageing and health my feet have been sending me a message that some help in cycling would be a good idea. I have always enjoyed the challenge of getting up every hill I could find without getting off the bike as well as simply being out early in the morning.

Now the E-Bike helps and the challenge has shifted more into how far I can go on a single charge of the battery.

I am never happier that when I am on the saddle and pedalling the open road or trail.

As the saying goes, ``Keep pedalling or the bike will fall over``.

Ed. Note: At the time Meta sent this picture, Brian was off to the Brentwood-Mill Bay ferry en route to Duncan.