| durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, June 23, 2022 | 20 After 187 years, the historic Trinity United Church in downtown Bowmanville has permanently closed its doors. "This is a sad day, when our church closes ... Trinity United Church is one of the many that is facing the tough realization that life has changed around us, that what once was is no more," Reverend Nancy Knox told churchgoers in the final service at Trinity. "I feel deeply for you as you feel a sense of being cut adrift from what has been a place of stability, rootedness, history, community and welcome." After several years of uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, the church reopened to in-person worship in early February. Earlier this spring, the Trinity United Church council members explained the problem to the congregation -- the membership has decreased, the large, old building is always in need of maintenance and repairs, and donations being offered and fundraising efforts were not able to match the costs. "I want you to know how very proud I am to have served with all of you. Your courage, caring support, and just plain hard work have shown what faith is all about," Sally Barrie, council chair, told the members. "Take Trinity's faith, hope and fellowship and spread and share (it) wherever you find your home." The landmark church opened in 1835 at 116 Church St. in Bowmanville. This June, the difficult decision was made to close it. "My family goes back three or four generation as part of that church. They (closed) it with dignity. I've very proud, sad, but very proud of the way it was handled," said Councillor Ron Hooper. The final service at Bowmanville's Trinity United Church was held on Sunday, June 12 at 10:30 a.m. "This service is not unlike a funeral service. While we are honest about our grief and sorrow, and carry our Kleenex, we also, as we do at funerals, want to celebrate and give thanks for the life that was. This is not only a time to grieve. We celebrate the joy and contribution that Trinity has given over the decades," said Rev. Knox. 'A SAD DAY': BOWMANVILLE'S TRINITY UNITED CHURCH CLOSES ITS DOORS JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@durhamregion.com NEWS After more than 185 years, Trinity United Church in downtown Bowmanville is closing. The last official worship service was on Sunday, June 12. Jennifer O'Meara/Metroland A contractor strike that could have delayed refurbishment work at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station has been settled. Contract negotiations between Candu Energy (SNC-Lavalin) and the Society of Professional Engineers and Associates (SPEA) reached a breaking point in late May. The engineers and technicians union issued a strike notice on Thursday, May 26 and began selective strike actions starting Sunday, May 29. SPEA engineers and technicians are currently contracted to work on Ontario Power Generation's Darlington refurbishment project (and the refurbishment work underway at Bruce Power). There was concern the crucial work to extend the life of the Darlington station in Clarington could be impacted by a long strike. On Friday, June 10, OPG said the impacts from the first two weeks of the strike were minimal and refurb work was able to continue. The labour dispute was not yet impacting the project, which remains on time and on budget. "OPG is monitoring the ongoing negotiations," said OPG spokesperson Neal Kelly. "This dispute does not impact OPG operations or our ability to safely supply electricity to the province. It could impact Darlington Refurbishment Project." A new contract was reached shortly after the interview. On Monday, June 13, SPEA members voted overwhelmingly in support of a settlement to end the strike. The refurbishment of the four reactors at Darlington will extend the life of the station by an extra 30 years. Darlington is now more than halfway into the 10-year project (which began in 2016). Refurbishment is expected to be done by the end of 2026. STRIKE OVER: DARLINGTON'S REFURB STILL ON TRACK JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@durhamregion.com Work is underway on the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station's Unit 1, the third of four reactors to undergo mid-life refurbishment. Metroland file photo The Durham Catholic District School Board has approved a new Right to Disconnect from Work Policy, in an effort to support work-life balance for teachers and other employees. The policy protects the right of the board's 2,400 staff to disconnect from work between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends, approved vacation days, statutory holidays and board-designated non-working days. In December 2021, the province passed the Working for Workers Act, which requires all employers with more than 25 employees to implement a policy that ensures staff have the opportunity to disconnect from work each day. "As a board, we recognize that our families have many different responsibilities and work obligations of their own which may impact the times when they are able to write notes and/or emails to their children's school and/or educators," the board said in an update to families. "All parents and guardians are advised however, that in most cases, communication received after hours will not be responded to until the next working day." DCDSB HAS NEW POLICY TO ENSURE STAFF CAN DISCONNECT FROM WORK The Durham Catholic District School Board has a new Right to Disconnect from Work Policy. Metroland file photo