Stopped in Awe: News from Tobermory United
Submitted by Rev. Sheryl Spencer
It was a busy time at Tobermory United in the week leading up to Christmas. Our first event that week was “Christmas with Peninsula Musicians,” a fundraising concert on December 20 for the Golden Dawn that featured BlueSky Day, Jonathan Newitt, Brian Taylor, Carol Mulder, Barb Zych and the Tobermory United Pop-up Choir with Elaine White as accompanist. Almost 60 people attended this beautiful evening of music and stories that will hopefully become a Tobermory holiday tradition!
More than $3,000 was raised to support the upcoming developments at the Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home in Lion’s Head. Memories of this evening are tinged with sadness, however, in that a few days after the event, Carol Mulder, who had played the cello with such poignancy, passed away. It was her last concert.
On December 21st, we held “The Longest Night” service. This service not only honours the Solstice, but also offers a time of quiet contemplation for those who find themselves grieving or weary during the holiday season. With the sanctuary in semi-darkness, all who attended were invited forward to light a candle in honour of a loved one whom they were holding in their hearts. I’m not often moved by my own services, but at the end of this service, I couldn’t help but think of all the things that had happened over the year, and it was good to shed a few tears.
The morning of Christmas eve, Tobermory United shared a joint service with St. Edmund’s Anglican. It was wonderful to share worship leadership with my friend and colleague Pastor Janaki Bandara. Rather than a sermon, Janaki and I had a conversation about Mary. Was she powerful or powerless? I think we agreed that despite the society in which she lived, her resilience, courage and steadfastness made her a powerful individual indeed.
Finally, we celebrated Christmas eve, so welcome after this service not being celebrated for so many years during the pandemic and because of the snowstorm last year. We sang “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” whilst acknowledging that the city of Bethlehem currently is in a war zone. After the singing of “Silent Night,” it was a beautiful sight indeed to see all who attended moving through the sanctuary greeting one another with Christmas greetings.
And now? A bit of breathing space. Time for budgeting and visioning. Time for gratitude and taking stock, but the pancake supper, February 13, is not far off…
Rev. Sheryl Spencer is the minister at Tobermory United Church.
