Stopped in Awe: News from Tobermory United
Submitted by Rev. Sheryl Spencer
Items on lists are being checked off, and the final preparations are being made for Tobermory United’s annual Summer Chicken BBQ, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 3. This event is a feat of organization, so thank goodness the folks at Tobermory United have fifty years of experience behind them to pull it off! Our biggest ticket seller for our barbecues is Vi Adams, who, even at 94, can sell over 200 tickets! Our beloved Vi, however, has been recuperating from hip surgery, and it’s taken four people with phone lists to replace her!
Once again, the BBQ will be on a drive-through basis. Dinners, which include a half chicken (or vegetarian curry with rice), baked potato, coleslaw, sour cream, butter, a roll and a home-made tart, can be picked up at the church at 5 Brock St. Deliveries are also available, if indicated in advance. Advance tickets are $25.00. If you still need to reserve some, please call 519-596-2227 asap! You can also e-mail tucbbqtickets@outlook.com. If you live in Lion’s Head, please order tickets from Murray Mielhausen at 519-270-2610. Dinners will be delivered to a central pick-up spot in Lion’s Head. Tickets will be available on site the day of the BBQ for $30.00. The chicken barbecue is not only a favourite community event, but a significant fundraiser for the work of Tobermory United.
Many thanks to the entire community for supporting the Tobermory Thrift Shop at 7101 Highway 6, another initiative of Tobermory United Church. Donations have been flowing in on Mondays and Tuesdays, and sales have been brisk on sales days, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. No matter how unusual the donation, it always finds the right home!
Summer in the Spirit, a joint initiative with St. Edmund’s Anglican, continues! Voices and glasses were raised at the Tobermory Legion on June 24 at “Brews and Hymns,” and offerings of $175.00 were collected for the repair of the Legion roof. Don’t miss “Songs for a Summer Night” at 7:00 p.m. July 31 at St. Edmund’s at the Gap as well as the “Tobermory Camino” at 7:00 p.m. on August 7, a pilgrimage through Tobermory led by several members of the community, that will commence at the Bruce Trail cairn on Bay Street. Summer in the Spirit is designed to build community, honour the sacredness of place and celebrate Spirit.
Do you remember what you were doing in 2004? Many folks in Tobermory and the surrounding area were involved in the building of Tobermory United Church, a building designed from the outset to be shared with the St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Mission and to be a place where the community would gather. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the building of this little church in the woods, a special service will be held on September 22. Rev. Susan Schantz, the first minister in the new building, will serve as the guest speaker, and there will be lots of music, followed by lunch, more music and stories. Please save the date, and if you’re planning on attending, rsvp to 519-596-2394.
Rev. Sheryl Spencer is the minister at Tobermory United Church, 5 Brock St. She has office hours every Friday morning from 9:30 to noon (except for August 30). All are welcome to drop by for a chat or just to say hi!
