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12 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 28, 1986 Congregation, Choir in period costumes United Church re-dedicated after 100 years | by Doug Farndale The Port Perry Methodist Church and its congregation were dedicated to God's service on Friday, January 22, 1986 at 7:30 P.M. One hundred - years later to the day and hour, the building, now Port Perry United Church, and congregation were re- dedicated. Wednesday evening's service followed the Methodist doctrines which probably would have been us- ed at the first dedication. An 1886 at- mosphere was recreated by the Minister and many of the choir and congregation who were dressed in period costume. The order of ser- vice began: '"The people being gathered at the appointed hour for worship, the ~ Minister and Choir shall seek ad- mission in the manner prescribed for the Dedication of the Church.'" Three loud knocks were heazd at the Church doors which were "securely locked. Irvin Gibson, Clerk of Session, rose, answered the knocking and admitted the Minister and Choir. Rev. Glenn Jackson, the incumbent Minister, offered a prayer of Invocation at the en- trance. At the Sanctuary doors, Rev. Raymond Edwards, Chairman of the Oshawa Presbytery and Minister at Centennial United Church, Oshawa, proclaimed The "Peace. oe The Clerk of Seskion delivered the Church key to the Presbytery Chair- man. After a prayer of thanksgiving for the hundred years of service by the church and its people to God, Rev. Edwards then presented the key to Rev. Jackson. Selected passages of scriptures concerning Prayer, the Preaching of the Word of God, Ministry of Music, Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Administration of the Church, Burial of the Dead, and the Lord's Supper were read by Mrs. Jean McDermott, Eric Donnelly, Glenn Taylor, Mrs. Shaaron Cox- Rensink, Michael Toye, Mrs. Laurie Mastin, John Woodward, Mrs. Mary Brinkman, and Mrs. Ken Farndale respectively. Rev. Glenn Jackson and his wife Linda dressed in period costume last Wednesday evening as the United Church in Port Perry celebrated 100 years of service to the community. They were just two of the many that wore old clothing to the special service. From the 1874 Methodist Book of Discipline, Rev. Donald Tansley, the Voluntary Pastoral Associate of the Port Perry-Prince Albert Charge, read the same words of The special honour of cutting the Port Perry United Church Centennial" birthday cake was given to three longtime members of the con- Declaration and Prayer that were likely heard at the first dedication. The Song of Jubilee - Psalm 47 was read by Mrs. Zula Hall. The act of re-dedicating the building was con- a 4 " I) & Atty R ERR LIRA LA Prior to entering the church last W Glenn Jackson knocked on the door to custom 100 years ago when it was still ducted by Rev. Edwards. Rev. Jackson led the congregation as they re-dedicated themselves. The Words of the Covenant were taken from John Wesley's 1757 Covenan- gregation. Sharing the special honour were, from left: Mrs. Meta Howsam, Mr. Arthur Brock and Mrs. Marguerite Brock. ting Service. Rev. Brian Robinson, Minister of the Scugog Pastoral Charge concluded the re-dedication with a prayer. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Jackson. Under - the direction of 'Glenn Taylor, the Choir provided excellent leadership in music throughout the 'service. The Church's Centennial Theme Hymn -- "This is Qur History," sung during the service, was adapted by two members of the choir. The Communion Table was decorated by a beautiful floral ar- rangement in memory of Mrs. Irene Reesor who was born on January 22, 1890, the fourth anniversary of the building. Recognition was also given to the longest standing member, Mrs. Greta St. John (nee Foster) who joined in 1914 but was unable to attend. Corsages were also presented by Rev. and Mrs. Jackson to two of the longest standing active members - Mrs. Vera Honey (nee Miller), from 1916, and Mrs. Effie Ploughman (nee Bruce) from 1921. Greetings and congratulations were received by letter, telegram * and in person from various sources including church members unable to attend, a former minister the Oshawa Presbytery, sister churches . and congregations, the Scugog Ministerial Association and the Township of Scugog. Following the service, a reception was held in the auditorium. A large birthday cake prepared for this oc- casion was decorated with the Centennial logo suggested by Sun- day School student Robbie Johnston. Arthur and Marguerite Brock (nee Jackson) and Mrs. Meta: Howsam (nee Miller) representing the earliest church membership group performed the cutting of the cake. Mrs. Vera Honey proposed a toast to the church. Special services, each marking a different decade of the Church's history, are scheduled throughout the year. A full day of celebration is planned for Homecoming Day - Sun- day, May 4 - to mark this very im- portant anniversary. ednesday evening, Rev. gain entry. This was the a Methodist Church. W TT Yr SH Ct i a i em