April, 1998

Focusing On An Incredible Easter Season
Trish Curry

A warm hello from the northern churches in Classis Ontario! While many of us are now focussing on the incredible Easter season and the spring weather that is outside, we also at times reflect on the exciting events that have been happening in the last two months.

We remember celebrating a fun Valentine's occasion and participating in events that focused on the meaning of it. The Master's Voice Players drama group of the Drayton Reformed Church had a dessert social on the night of February 14th. There were many delicious food items on the menu, and they were all well enjoyed by the numerous people that came out. Afterwards, there was a play put on by some of the Master's Voice Players that tied in well with the occasion. The Coffee Break group of the Harriston Church also celebrated Valentine's day by making a special craft. Coffee Break will soon be coming to a close, and they will host a closing program to bring it to an end for another year.

The Drayton Reformed Church has recently been involved in mission work. Two of the members, George VanAnkum and Albert Nykamp, brought a truck load of goods and supplies to the Brockville Church in order to help the [Eastern Ontario] ice storm victims. Churches in Drayton as well as the food bank were able to raise close to $9,500 for the storm victims. Erine Nykamp and her dad, Albert, went to help the less privileged people in Columbia with the program "Men With a Mission."

Harriston Reformed Church has recently had many prayers answered as they have been able to get a new pastor, Greg Girard. He will be spending 30 hours a week in Harriston, preaching and visiting the congregation. A program consisting of Harriston members, under the authority of the steering committee, will be responsible for the ongoing work of the church (worship services, pastoral care, outreach, and finances).

As I write this, the Easter Season is fast approaching and our churches are busily preparing for the many events that will also accompany it. The Drayton Reformed Church will be hosting an Easter Cantata. It is called "He's Alive." The Cantata will be performed on two nights in April. The Master's Voice Players and the True Proclaimers will also be involved in it.

Besides the presentation of the Cantata, the Drayton Senior Youth were involved in the fundraisers that are being held for their Genesis '98 trip on the weekend of March 6-8. They were very much looking forward to it, which made the fundraisers a lot easier to endure--especially the chicken catching! The Junior Youth from the church enjoyed the youth retreat at the end of February. The theme was "Garbage in--Garbage Out!" Bill Van Caulart spoke to them. On the night of February 22nd, the youth from Drayton and Harriston travelled by bus to the First Reformed Church of Hamilton. Pastor Henry DeKorte, the new pastor in Guelph Reformed, spoke on "Standing Against the Crowd." God was praised with enthusiastic singing, and an interesting skit was performed. Many youth from other churches in Ontario came out, and the evening was very well enjoyed by all. There hasn't been any new news from the Sheffield and Guelph churches, except that they are both enjoying their new pastors.

In the Easter Season, may each of you along with your families continue to focus on Jesus Christ our Lord, the One who unites us in harmony.

Trish Curry is the Regional Representative for The Pioneer for North Central Ontario.

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