From the very beginning there have been organizations
associated with St. Mark’s. The first meeting on June 21, 1949 set
in motion plans for a Ladies’ Guild, a Men’s Group, and an Anglican
Young People’s Association (AYPA), and of course, the Sunday School
was there even before the first meeting.
Sunday School
The origins of St. Mark’s is the Sunday School. Even
before there were any worship services in the area, a group lead by
Maurice Morgan took the initiative in August 1947 to establish a Sunday
School at S.S.#14, the Harboard School, at the foot of Dynes Road
on Prince of Wales Highway. During the winter of 1947/48, there were
six teachers and 25 children who came from all Christian faiths.
In 1948, with the completion of the Carleton Heights
Public School, the Sunday School moved to the new School. It was
not without its problems. The students knew the School far better
than the Sunday School teachers and would frequently disappear in
some corner or do some mischief that they had wanted to do during the
week, but couldn’t get away with. But the kids and the teachers survived.
Despite the Parish of St. Mark’s being established in
1949, the Sunday School was still being run on a community basis,
as indicated in an article in the November 1949 Diocesan Times, probably
written by Robert Shannon:
“...The Sunday School work up to the present is on a community
basis and is expanding rapidly having at present an enrollment of
102 pupils, of whom 41 are Anglican, and of the 11 teachers, five
are Anglican...”
The March 1951 Parish Newsletter reported that they now
had over 100 families on the Parish List. "... The Sunday School
enrollment was 68 children taught by '6 very keen and efficient teachers.'
”
In April 1953 a St. Mark’s Parish Circular listed Captain
Ralph Smith as the Superintendent of the Sunday School. He admonished
the parents and godparents with the following:
“The office of Public Baptism of Infants instructs Godparents,
and I think naturally parents, that, for as much as children have
promised, by you their sureties, to renounce the devil, to believe
in God, and to keep the Holy Commandments, you must remember that it
is your duty to see that these children be taught what a solemn vow,
promise, and profession you have made for them. Therefore you are to call
upon your children to hear sermons and chiefly provide that they may learn
the Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments, and all other things
which a Christian ought to know and believe to his soul’s health.
We provide this opportunity every Sunday, from 9:30
to 10:30 A.M. in the Carleton Heights School, and may I emphasize
that this responsibility lies upon the shoulders of the parents to
the point of bringing their children themselves to the Church School.
With this thought in mind, may you strive for regularity in the attendance
of your children at St. Mark’s Sunday School.
Do you realize that with perfect attendance at Sunday
School, your child will only receive forty-two hours of Christian
instruction per year? We have 95 children registered in our Sunday
School. The average number present so far this year has been 53 per
Sunday, whereas, from September to December 1951, we had an average
attendance of 61. This obviously points out that someone is slipping.
If it is the Sunday School Staff, please tell us -- if not, please come.”
If you ever wondered what your role as a parent was,
A.E.O. Anderson stated it plainly in the following plea for Sunday
School teachers in the September 12, 1954 leaflet:
“Next in importance (to attending Church) is the teaching
of our children. I heard on the radio this morning the report of a
professor at Toronto who said that the students at the University were
religious illiterates. In other words, that while they were not without
religion, they were, on the whole ignorant of their faith and the truths
of their religion. We in the Church of England believe that we should,
as St. Peter tells us in his first Epistle, “be able to give a reason
for the hope that is in us,” that is what parents are for - to teach their
children to know and love and serve God.
In order to help parents, we have Sunday Schools. Ours
meet at the same time as our Morning Worship on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
We are fortunate in having Mr C.E. Goodhue come each Sunday for
a while to help us to re-organize our School and show us the “know
how” of the work. He is also coming out on Tuesday evenings to help
the teachers and superintendents further. In addition to those helping
now, one woman is needed to help in the kindergarten, one man is needed
to teach the 8 year old boys, two men and one woman are needed in
the Junior School, i.e. ages 9-10-11. Can we have five volunteers?
Now is the time to do it as you will get the help you want in learning
how to teach . It may be of interest to you to know that the best
way to learn more yourself is to teach others. This appeal is urgent.
Please answer the call. The next teachers meeting is at Mr and Mrs
Perry's house, 179 Chandler on Tues. at 8:15 p.m.”
Considerable progress was made in recruiting teachers
because AEO gives the following information on Sunday School from
a Leaflet on the Third Sunday Before Lent 1955:
“Sunday School -10 a.m. Children 6-7-8 yrs. in the Hall,
10 a.m. Children 9 and over in the Church, 11:15 a.m. Children under
6 yrs. in the Hall. Services and Sunday Schools - Later there will be
an Evening Service on Sunday but for the moment we will try to establish
the portion for the morning - the best time undoubtedly as a general
rule for worship. First of all, the Communion Service comes as the foundation
of all our worship. The 9 a.m. Service with hymns and a short address
is intended to be the family Service of the Church, and to be the complete
Service - not just communion - but the full service with the ministry
of the word and music and older boys and girls attending as well as
communicants. By having the older children's Sunday School at 10 a.m.
both children and teachers can attend worship at either 9 or 11:15.
By having the youngest Sunday School at 11:15 a.m. the small children
can be brought by their parents who can worship at 11:15 - and take the
children home. The greatest difficulty is the 6-7-8 age group, some of
whom are young too - but at 11:15 there is only the hall available for Sunday
School and these children need a different programme from the Infants and
you can't have both going on at the same time in the same place. We will
adjust little difficulties as we go along but we are trying to avoid going
to Sunday afternoon for Sunday School.”
The Vestry Report for the year ending December 31, 1958
gave the Church School membership as 268 made up of Kindergarten -
37; Nursery - 18; Primary - 84; Junior - 94; Senior - 24; and Bible
Class - 11. The average weekly attendance was 184 for October 1958.
There were 19 teachers and 2 teacher assistants. So in less than
seven years the Sunday School had grown from 95 to 268. And it was
not through growing yet.
The growth put a strain on everything - the building,
the teachers, the pupils, and the Rector, George Foy. With one Church
and one basement hall, how could possibly 6 different groups be
accommodated? George Foy added one more room by offering the use
of the Rectory study/office for the Senior Department.
The 1958 Vestry Report also notes that Bud Magee had
resigned after four years as treasurer of the Sunday School and
was replaced by Dorothea Ostrander, both long time workers in St.
Mark’s.
In a stroke of luck, agreement was reach with the Separate
School Board for the use of St. Rita’s. Without St. Rita’s the
situation would have been impossible as the Sunday School grew to
a peak of 330 in 1963. Starting in 1962 Sunday School was conducted
at St. Rita’s School until the numbers reduced sufficiently to be
accommodated in the Church halls.
The 1975 Vestry Report gave a brief outline of the new
curriculum adopted by the Education Committee. The resource materials
for the instruction were taken from the Readiness for Religion series
by Dr. Ronald J. Goldman. The curriculum used theme topics such as
caring, the world around us, bread, sheep and shepherds, light, water,
what is the Bible, and symbols. The Church School operated on a four semester
system.
Although not part of the Sunday School, a Baptism course
was introduced in 1975 by David Bolton. The course was given to
parents and sponsors to prepare them for the responsibilities they
were making for the children to be baptized. It was the first in
the Diocese and was quickly used by other Churches.
In 1981 the Church School introduced the Living the Good
News curriculum, produced by the Diocese of Colorado. Joe Savill
organized the Church School picnic that year in Vincent Massey Park.
In September 1989 the curriculum was changed to the Whole People
of God.
Superintendents of Sunday School
Year
|
Superintendent
|
Pupils
|
|
Year
|
Superintendent
|
Pupils
|
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
|
Community
Community
Community
Captain Ralph Smith
Captain Ralph Smith
Captain Ralph Smith
Allan Turner
Allan Turner
Allan Turner
Allan Turner
Allan Turner
Allan Turner
Henry Brigley
Henry Brigley
Henry Brigley
Frank Booth
William Armstrong
Thelma Armstrong
Thelma Armstrong
Thelma Armstrong
Audrey Clarke
Audrey Clarke
Ted Dale
Ted Dale
Ted Dale
Ted Dale
|
41Anglicans
68
90
151
163
268
280
306
330
265
275
263
291
202
170
115
127
76
|
|
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
|
Ted Dale
Ted Dale
Marian Chapman
Marian Chapman
Marian Chapman
Marian Chapman
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Carol Dicks
Bob Temple
Bob Temple
Bob Temple
Bob Temple
Bob Temple
Bob Temple
Gillian Morris
Gillian Morris
Gillian Morris
Gillian Morris
Kate Mellon
Allison Brooks
Allison Brooks
|
95
65
65
58
65
45
69
67
58
52
43
43
42
39
40
36
36
24
35
35
25
|
Women’s Organizations
A women’s organization was formed at the very first meeting
of the Parish on June 21, 1949 along with a men’s organization, and
a young people’s organization. The main difference of the women’s
organizations from the other two is that they have survived to the present
day.
The Ladies’ Guild started as one group called a circle, and
grew from there into six circles, as the Parish expanded. Membership
in a particular circle was initially based on the geographic location
of the homes of the members. As soon as two circles had been established,
there was co-ordination into a larger organization called the Ladies’
Guild. Early in the life of the parish, a Women’s Auxiliary (WA)
group was also formed, which carried out the missionary work, such as
collecting items for the bales; this group changed its name to Anglican
Church Women (ACW) in the late sixties. In 1985, all of the women’s
groups in the parish (the Circles, the missionary ACW group, the Altar
Guild and the Mother’s Union) agreed to come under the ACW umbrella,
while keeping their unique identities. This structure has continued
to the present, although some of the initial groups have since disbanded.
The system works well.
Ladies’ Guild
The Diocesan News in November 1949, most likely in an article
written by Robert Shannon, stated clearly the task of the Ladies’
Guild of St. Mark’s:
“It
is expected that the Ladies’ Guild will have considerable money on
hand to purchase church furnishings for the church when it is built.”
That statement set the tone for the circles of the Ladies’
Guild. They were money raisers and they still carry out this activity.
In the trying financial times of 1966 to 1982, the Ladies’ Guild was
the one thing constant in finances. For many of those years they made
the difference between success and failure, but that is ahead of the
story.
The minutes of the First Annual Vestry Meeting on February
1, 1950 record the following:
“Mrs, J.D. Langley presented a very interesting report on the activities
of the Ladies’ Guild, stating they had donated $100 to the Church Building
Fund. Mrs. Langley moved the adoption of her report and it was seconded
by Mrs. Nelson. Carried.”
The money-raising activities were, and still are, traditional
at St. Mark’s: teas, bazaars, auctions, craft sales, dinners, and in
the early years, catering. The Strawberry Festival was the main money
raiser in the early years and it was hosted by both the Ladies’ Guild and
the Mens’ Club. As soon as a Church Building was available, the Bazaar,
run by the Guild, became the number-one raiser of funds.
The March 1951 Parish News Letter asked the question:
“Did you know that so far this year the Ladies’ Guild has raised
over $250.00 and the Men’s Club over $75.00?”
This 1951 question was probably intended to highlight both
the Ladies’ Guild and the Mens’ Club, but in 1999 it reads like the
women were outpacing the men by a factor of over three.
The June 1952 Parish Circular comments on the Strawberry
Festival:
“The St. Mark’s Strawberry Festival is being held on Saturday,
June 21st from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Carleton Heights School. Make
it a point to attend yourself and bring your friends to this popular annual
event where you can enjoy the luscious strawberry along with ice cream,
cake, tea, etc. In addition to the fine food, you will find many bargains
at the Ladies’ Guild work table and at the Project Table sponsored by
the Mens’ Club. The youngsters will find entertainment at the Fish Pond
and the ice cream and pop stand.”
In 1956, a note in a weekly leaflet sums up the Ladies’ Guild
organization at that time:
“The Ladies’ Guild is the oldest organization and it is the one
through which a great deal of the health and wealth of the Parish
is effected. New membership is always a happy occasion. There are
five groups or Circles who have their identity as separate working groups
responsible through their conveners to the main Guild. The latter meets
the fourth Tuesday of the month in the Church and the President is Mrs.
Proudfoot..
Circle 1 Mrs. Baldwin
Circle 2 Mrs. Hutchingame
Circle 3 Mrs. Grand
Circle 4 Mrs. West
Circle 5 Mrs. Haig
Circle 6 To be formed shortly in Fisher Heights”
A major observation about the ACW is that the players change,
but the script and show remain the same. This is not to say that
there is not great work being done. It is just that there is not much
news or dramatic changes. Probably the best way to give a snapshot
of the good work that is being done in many areas is to simply pick
up a portion of the Vestry Report. The 1989 one has been chosen.
ACW Report 1989
The ACW is the umbrella organization of all baptised Anglican
women and encompasses the following women's groups at St Mark's: Circles
1,2 & 4; the ACW Wednesday Group; the Altar Guild; and the Mothers'
Union.
The Umbrella Executive, which includes a representative from
each group, met in June and November to discuss matters of general
interest among the groups, and to make year-end financial decisions.
The purchase of a new refrigerator for the kitchen was arranged in June.
In November, it was decided that the $6,000 to be passed to the parish
treasury at the beginning of 1990 should carry the recommendation that
$1,500 be used for the Carlington ministry and $4,500 be applied toward
outstanding loans.
The Annual General Meeting of the full ACW was held in January.
A short business meeting was followed by pot-luck dessert and an
interesting travelogue given by June and Jim Armstrong on their trip
to Tanzania.
The groups under the ACW umbrella are involved in a variety
of activities, some of which are particular to just one group, others
of which are spearheaded by a group but depend on different groups
and the whole parish for support. A few of these activities are noted
below, while more details of the activities of the Mothers' Union appear
in a separate report.
The regular fund-raising events enjoyed great success in 1989.
The April Art Show, sponsored by Circle 2, provided a showplace for
about 40 local artists and resulted in a record sale of paintings. Good
crowds attended the two rummage sales in April and October, also sponsored
by Circle 2; after the sales, clothing donations were made to Centre 454,
All Saints Women's Shelter, The Well, Carleton Memorial United clothing
cupboard, the ACW Bale and the Salvation Army. The parish Bazaar, held
in November, attracted young and old. Our thanks go to the many hard workers
without whom these events could not take place.
In May, St Mark's ladies were pleased to host, for the third
consecutive year, the annual luncheon of the Retired Clergy and Spouses
of the Ottawa Diocese. Both workers and diners took the opportunity
to renew many old acquaintances at this event.
Circle 4 took on a new activity this year - the sale of Bridgehead
products, particularly coffee. Such sales bring Third World agricultural
products to Canadian consumers and give farmers a fairer return for
their crops. With the funds raised from these sales, and from the sale
of Christmas puddings, Circle 4 supported Centre 454, the Carlington
ministry, The Well, the Women's Shelter, and the Arthur TurnerTraining
School.
Circle 4 also co-ordinated the 40th Anniversary celebration
of the founding of St Mark's. The presentation by Chris Holloway
of the details of his transpolar expedition was enthusiastically received
by a capacity crowd.
The Altar Guild, whose membership rose to 20 in 1989, carried
on their valuable work caring for the church linens and vessels and
setting up for all services.
The ACW Wednesday Group spearheaded the collection of articles
for the Bales for the North. In 1989, St Mark's contributions were
valued at $4,600 - an unusually large amount due to the many items provided
by Robinson's department store, through St Mark's 'bag lady' Doreen
Matweow. Doreen, who moved to Calgary in the fall, will be missed for
her work in gathering items for the Bale and for her 12 years of organizing
rummage sales. For a second year, the ACW Wednesday Group led an appeal
for toys for children required to spend Christmas in the Children's
Hospital.
The entire ACW was saddened by the death of Jean Wilcox
in 1989. Circle 2 purchased two servers' stools and a large-print
hymn book, provided by the ACW Wednesday group, will be dedicated to
her memory.
We thank our fellow parishioners for their support in our
many endeavours over the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Georgia Roberts
ACW Co-ordinator
Tables at the ANNUAL BAZAAR earned the following
amounts:
Bake Table
Preserves
Sewing
Knitting
Jewellery
Handicraft
Scarves
Candles/Mix
Kitchen
Mystery Box
Plants
White Elephant
Books
|
587.20
303.35
707.25
1155.80
243.94
758.50
149.14
392.20
521.62
65.95
298.10
611.88
179.99
|
Mother’s Union
The Mother’s Union (MU) was another women’s organization
that began early in the life of the Parish. It was started in 1953
or 1954 by Mrs. A.E.O. Anderson. Unfortunately, however, it had a
short life in most parts of Canada because of internal conflicts of who
could or could not belong. The conflict centred around whether divorced
and/or separated women could be members of the MU, and not whether someone
was a mother or not. This would likely be a non-issue in 1999, a time where
there are hot debates over same sex couples being considered married.
The MU was started again in 1983 and continues strong in
1999.
As was the case with the Guild and ACW, the Vestry Report
in 1989 will serve to provide the flavour of the work done.
Mothers’ Union Report 1989 The Mothers' Union is a world-wide
sisterhood, within the Anglican Communion, whose members uphold each
other in prayer, and in our case offer support as we bring up our children
in Christian homes and in the Church. In Africa the MU is a very important
support system in villages, helping women become literate, learn child
and health care, and work together to become more self-sufficient.
Our group remains stable with 16 members. While we are
definitely not a fund-raising group, we need to pay our way, and
earned money at the Parish Barbecue selling pies, and made $240 at the
Bazaar. This money is divided 3 ways: one-third we keep to send delegates
to Canadian conferences, etc; one-third goes to the ACW, and one-third
to outreach. We sent $40 to PWRDF, $40 to Northern Clergy Wives' Discretionary
Fund, and $25 to the Caldwell (Carlington) Family Centre.
The parish supported us faithfully in supplying toiletries
at Christmas, and 59 small packages were sent to the various shelters.
We provided flowers, simnel cake and coffee on Mothering Sunday, served
refreshments at the Carol service, and helped with the Bale.
Most of us attended the annual Lady Day Service held at St
Peter's, and 4 members enjoyed an overnight retreat at Temple Pastures.
Our meetings on the 1st Wednesday at 7:30 PM begin with
a short service in the church, when we pray for families and for
our members throughout the world. This is followed by coffee and an
education program run by a different member each month. Leslie Worden
gave us a preview of a new Diocesan pre-marriage course - the how, why,
when etc. of it all! I'm not sure how much we helped her, but it was
fun. We strongly recommend a video we saw in the Spring, "Cry Freedom",
about a black activist in South Africa.
Our Christmas family pot-luck was a very pleasant evening
of fellowship. At a time when the importance of family and Christian
values seems to be diminishing, we would like to welcome mothers to
our group, to encourage them and their children to feel positive about
belonging to a Christian community.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Greer
Altar Guild
Just as the Ladies’ Guild was devoted to raising
money, the Altar Guild was devoted to service. The official formation
of an Altar Guild in St. Mark’s Parish took place at a meeting on April
21, 1955 at the home of Elsie Kempsey. Elsie was chosen as the first President.
One of the first things arranged was a training session by Lena Jackman
on the whys and hows of Altar Guild duties. The September 10, 1955 Parish
Newsletter updated the news since the spring and confirmed the formation
of the Altar Guild and its role:
“Under the presidency of Mrs. Kempsey the Altar Guild was formed
in the spring. The care of the Altar and Sanctuary is the highest honour
that can be given to women workers in the physical framework of
the Church. It is a dedicated service that is being fulfilled pleasantly
at St. Mark's. (Because of the dry season, the floral demonstration they
had hoped to sponsor has been cancelled.)”
You will note above that the Altar Guild in the ACW 1989
Vestry Report got one sentence. In 1990 they did much better with Betty
Gillham making sure that the work of this dedicated group was highlighted.
The Altar Guild continues its ministry in the sanctuary, preparing
and arranging the vessels, linens and floral decoration for services.
Our membership has increased to the point (19 members) that we can
now have 3 persons on each 2-week rotation. Regretfully due to illness
Buddy Provost found it necessary to resign last year. We thank her for
her contribution to this ministry. The floral arrangements are the gifted
ministry of Joan Knight, assisted by Joy Bowerman. New purificators
and 2 wedding bows were made by Diann May, and the alms basin cover
by Buddy Provost.
Joan Knight, in consultation with others, purchased from Tudor
the blue Advent chasuble, burse, veil and markers, and had them ready
for the first Sunday of Advent. These are a memorial gift donated by
Ivy Blakeney. Dorothy Brigley made the blue alms bags used by the choir.
Three of our five meetings in the past year were Corporate
Communions at 8:00 AM followed by breakfast. This new time and format
has more than tripled our attendance. A potluck supper in May was our
opportunity to say goodbye to Father Gordon Worden and Leslie and to
thank them for their wonderful ministry at St Mark's. The November annual
meeting was as usual a potluck supper which gave us a chance to share
time with Father David Lethbridge and his wife Phyllis.
The Altar Guild wishes to express our gratitude to Pam
Zoubie, our Past President, who had graciously extended her two-year
term to four years. Pam's organizational gifts have helped give a firmer
foundation to our Guild and make it easier for another to follow.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Gillham, President
The list of Altar Guild members since 1955 as remembered
by Dorothy Brigley is:
Gloria Acheson, Phyllis Archambeaut, Thelma Armstrong, Joan
Barbier, Marjorie Bender, Dorothy Brigley, Olive Bunting, Doreen Craig,
Donna Cundell, Jenny Emmerson, Chris Genn, Betty Gillham, Marguerite
Godin, Lillian Gray, Cynthia Greer, Irene Hiles, Eileen Holt, Peggy Johnson,
Helen Kelly, Elsie Kempsey, Joan Knight, Kay Lapointe, Ann Little,
Pat Longsworth, Vera Mackin, Rose Magee, Penny Miller, Gillian Morris,
Elaine Myers, Connie Peake, Kay Peever, Janis Perkin, Sheila Pitt, Celia
Proudfoot, Eileen Raymond, Georgia Roberts, Ellen Robertson, May Rump,
Nora Sparling, Libby Stanzel, Winnie Sully, Peggy Taylor, Jean Wilcox,
Anne Wilkinson, Brooksie Wright, and Pam Zoubie.
Kay Whitfield has been making candles for the Church for many
years.
Joan Knight, Joy Bowerman, and Penny Miller have been the
“Flower Ladies” for many years as well.
The Present in 1999
There are now many fewer groups under the ACW Umbrella than
what existed in the 70s and 80s. And, due to a change in lifestyles,
younger parishioners have not tended to join the formal women’s organizations.
However, these groups still are important for many longer-standing
members, and are a vital part of the fabric of St. Mark’s.
Men’s Organizations
The men’s organizations have been known by various names, however,
the name "Marksmen’ has stuck the longest. In 1999 the Marksmen are
considered a Chapter of the Brotherhood of Anglican Churchmen (BAC).
The one characteristic of St. Mark’s many different men’s organizations
is that they hate meetings. They will come out to a work party, put on
a Pancake Supper, a Strawberry Social, a barbecue, a square dance, or
organize something different, but if you call a meeting, the response
with be practically zero. Once someone understands that aspect, then
it is smooth going in trying to hold a function or get a job done. Tell
them what to do, and they will do it. And the leadership rotates around.
The first mention of a men’s group was in the November 1949 Diocesan
News, most likely written by Robert Shannon. It records:
"It is hoped that in the near future, the men of the parish
will be organized into a club known as the Hardwood Floor Club whose job
it will be to raise money for the purchase of hardwood floors for the church."
The Hardwood Floor Club name didn’t seem to survive because
the term "Men’s Club" appeared very quickly. The Vestry Meeting of February
1, 1951 records the Men’s Club with receipts of $185.29 and disbursements
$170.05 leaving a balance on hand of $15.24. The Financial Statement
notes the Men’s Club contributed $80 to the Church.
Robert Shannon in the May 1952 Newsletter notes:
"The Men’s Club will hold their monthly meeting at the home of
Mr. Jack Reid, 979 Falaise Road on Wednesday evening, May 7. A good attendance
is requested as one of the items of business is the arranging of the
Annual Spring Fishing Trip."
The term "The Men’s Fellowship" came into being in the late
50s. The following notice appears in a leaflet:
"This organization has its function to stimulate Church identity
and to foster fellowship among the men of the Parish. We meet the first
Wednesday of the month in the Parish Hall at 8:30 p.m. New members are
always welcomed by the President, Mr. Joe Savill, PA2-5619. Plan now for
your season's identity and contribution in this group, if you are a man."
In January 1965, a Chapter of the Brotherhood of Anglican
Churchmen was formed with George Wilcox as President.
In 1967 the men’s group was resurrected again under the name of
the "Marksmen". Cliff Davis was the first chair, followed by Ray Kempster.
Despite some excellent programs, only the Pancake Supper lasted.
The first Pancake Supper put on by the Marksmen was held in 1969.
Aided by a group of men, Murray Cobb has been the organizer since day
1. St. Mark’s was a pioneer of pancake suppers put on by men, and has
published a howto manual to help other churches. Murray’s recipe for
the pancakes is in use in many churches in the area. Murray recalls
that the women used to put on the pancake suppers in the lower hall, but
it was very hard work with the facilities they had.
In 1993 Lorne Bowerman decided there was room for a corporate breakfast
for the men. With the aid of Cliff Davis, Don Porter, Murray Cobb, and
Tom Wilkinson, the breakfasts were started on October 17, 1993. They were
scheduled four times a year in September, October, January, and March.
Within a year however, the breakfasts were extended to all as it didn’t
make sense to have the ladies excluded. Connie Bowerman, Jean Porter, Jean
Cobb, and Gladys Scharfe became regular workers. A regular program of guest
speakers and good food has been a feature of the Marksmen’s Breakfast. In
1997 Laurie Baker was honoured for his work in building the Church and Rectory.
In 1999, Elsie Kempsey was honoured for her founding role in the Church.
Written by Lorne Bowerman.
Youth Groups
Throughout the years there has always been a youth group although
the names have changed from time to time. The group has never been large,
like the Sunday School in the mid-60s.
A Junior AYPA (Anglican Young Peoples’ Association) was formed
at the initial meeting of the Parish on June 21, 1949 with Joan Kempsey
listed as the President. Shortly after, the AYPA was given its charter
on November 28, 1950.
The AYPA at the time was very active at the diocesan, provincial,
and national levels. Many of the leaders in the Church received their
training in the AYPA. The motto of the AYPA was worship, work, fellowship,
and edification. The AYPA organization did not survive the tremendous
social changes of the 60s.
In 1964 the Vestry Report tells of the formation of of an another
AYPA group with Lucy Foy as President and John Poser as the adult adviser.
However, with the AYPA no longer a force, there were still many
youths interested in the Church and social life within the Church. Records
are very scant during the period because very few reports were carried
in the Vestry Report.
In 1968, the "Young Generation Youth Group" was formed with a program
of helping and fellowship.
There was a write-up in the 1981 Vestry Report submitted by David
Griffiths. It noted participating in the 24-Hour Dance-a-thon at St.
John’s Elgin St to raise money for projects. They also sold Hasti-notes
and had a car wash. The meetings were bi-monthly. Rob & Julie Beadle
were the advisors for the Group.
Chris Kelly, the current President of the Youth Group, contributed
the following summary of the group in 1999.
Everything starts out with an idea and from there it grows.
This is the best way to describe how the youth group became what we are.
Let me start off by telling you how we began.
The winter of ‘98 at a Sunday school outing a couple of us were
discussing how nice it would be for St. Marks to have an active youth
group. We quickly got permission.
From there we had our first meeting where we met Cheryl Dowell
who is our Adult Supervisor. Then we got to introduce everybody that
was there. People in attendance were: Deidre Sheehan, Noel Perkin, Erin
Perkin, Alan Steinke, Chris Kelly, Cerian Morris, Sheila Vaudrey, and
Father Roger.
After that meeting we had our first Wednesday Event which was sort
of like an Ice breaker for everyone where we played games and the Losers
of those games got their mouth’s stuffed with marshmallows.
Other events included Go-Karting where we had a lot of fun and
there still is a battle as to who is Better the Boys or the Girls.
I think we will give to the girls so we can move on with our lives.
Then we took the summer off and when we came back we had our first
official planning session.
Later on in the year we had our first fund raiser where we raised
$146. That was our first one.
Then in April we had bake sales where our grand total was about
two hundred dollars. This was a great accomplishment for us.
Finally to bring you up to date we had a retreat which was a blast.
Next year we look forward to doing more stuff.
Written by Lorne Bowerman and Chris Kelly.
72nd St. Mark’s Scout Group, Ottawa
The Scout movement started in the area with the formation of the
50th Scout Group in Carleton Heights School. It started as soon as there
were young boys old enough to form a cub pack. With the numbers of boys
in the area, it soon became apparent that the pack had to be split. George
May was recruited by George Foy to lead the formation of a new pack with
Cubs transferred from the 50th. There were four "Sixes" and three leaders,
George, Bill Archambault, and Milfred Chapman. George recalls that he
tried for the number "70" but it was gone so he was allocated "72." The
charter date for the 72nd was 1957.
The colours in the 72nd Scout Troop kerchief were chosen from the
veteran’s background who lived in the Carleton Heights area. The colours
were RED for the Army, GREY for the Air Force, and BLUE for the Navy.
Among the earliest leaders of area scouting was Joe Savill, an
association he retained as long as he was a member of St. Mark’s. Joe
was honoured in 1997 by Scouts Canada for his contribution over the years.
It didn’t take long for the numbers to increase. A 1957 report
stated that the Hall in the Church Basement was used every night of the
week by Scouts, Guides, Brownies, or Cubs. The times were:
Monday - Scouts from 7 to 8:30
Tuesday - Guides from 7 to 8:30
Wednesday - Brownies from 6:30 to 8
Thursday - Cubs from 6:30 to 8
Friday - Cubs from 6:30 to 8
Bill Archambault took over the Cub pack after George May was transferred
to Montreal in 1957. Bill was the Akela until 1963, when he was transferred
to Smiths Falls.
The September 28, 1958 leaflet notes the following contacts: Ted
Dale for the Scouts, Mrs. Lyle Gillespie for the Guides. The Akelas
for the cub packs were Bill Archambault and Les Rule. The Brown Owls
for the Brownies were Mrs. Earl Charlebois, Mrs. Joseph Burns, and Mrs.
John Samson.
Long before recycling became a daily word, the Scouts were in the
business under the leadership of Joe Savill. He was the pioneer of paper
recycling in our area. A notice in the November 30, 1958 leaflet from
the Group Committee thanks all the men who helped out in their recent very
successful paper drive. And a word of thanks was given as well to those
who saved the paper. They planned to conduct another paper drive in January.
The Scout Group Committee in 1958 was composed of 14 members with
Joe Savill as Chairman and G.J. Groleau as Secretary-Treasurer. The scout
leaders and cub leaders attended the majority of the meetings which were
held monthly. The committee arranged a father and son banquet and two
paper drives during the year. It also helped in procuring the service of
leaders for other scout and cub groups.
The same Vestry Report for the year 1958 gave this brief report
by Doug Baker:
"Twenty-five boys, grouped into four patrols, attend meetings
regularly. During '58 the boys showed a greater interest in hiking and
outdoor cooking. Some of the boys attended swimming at the Plant Bath
to achieve their swimming badge. Assistant Scouters: Mr. Dale, Mr. Fleck,
Mr. Howieson and Mr. Ellacott, none of whom have boys in the troop demonstrated
a real interest in Scouting and in the Church's youth programme. We offer
our thanks to Rev. Foy, the troop chaplain, for his keen interest and leadership.
The dues collected in 1958 totaled $60.50 and expenditures were $53.74."
72nd St Mark's Cubs and Scouts in 1962
The 1972 Vestry Report gave the number of Venturers as 5, Scouts
as 17, and Cubs as 51. The leaders were Bruce Crowther, Joe Farley, Zem
Colynuck, and Jim Gilmour. Brian Reid headed the Group Committee.
The 1986 Vestry Report noted proudly that St. Mark’s sponsored
a Rover group for ages 18-26. The Rovers were open to young men and
women. The Scout program at St. Mark’s covered ages then from 5 to 26.
The 1991 Vestry Report details the Group as: Beavers - 35; Cubs
- 26; Scouts - 13; Venturers - 5 and Rovers - 2.
Baden-Powell Sunday in February has become an established part
of the connection between the 72nd and St. Mark’s.
A dramatic change took place in 1994 with the introduction of co-ed
Beavers. When the female Beavers were ready to move to the Cubs, some
hard decisions were required. In a voting process that involved the members
and their parents, the decision was made to make the 72nd co-ed.
In 1997, the 72nd had dropped particularly at the older youth end
to 21 Beavers, 19 Cubs, 3 Scouts, and no Venturers or Rovers.
In March 1999, Joe Savill accompanied his wife Dorothy to a care
facility in Mitchell ON, close to a daughter. Joe and the Scouts were
synonymous at St. Mark’s. He was the hardest working and most faithful
of the Scout leaders in the area. Joe’s major problem from the Wardens’
viewpoint was that he was a pack-rat. The Scouts were always looking
for more space at the Church. The Wardens were always unwilling to yield
up more just for what they considered to be junk. And so life went on.
The March 1999 Edition of the Hogs Back News gives a short description
of the present program:
"Scouts Canada, First Canada Region - St. Mark’s Scouts.
The St. Mark’s group offers three sections of co-ed scouting Beavers
(5-7), Cubs (8-10), and Scouts (11-13). Monday night the Scouts meet
at St Rita’s School. Wednesday night the Cubs meet at St. Mark’s. Thursday
night the Beaver’s meet at St. Rita’s."
Written by Lorne Bowerman, Don Wagman,
Sharon Walter and Michael Perkin.
Girl Guides
The Girl Guides of Canada’s association with St. Mark’s began with
the 18th Guide company in the late 1950s and continues to this day with
the 60th Pathfinders.
A 1957 report states that the Church basement was used by the Guides
on Tuesdays and the Brownies on Wednesdays. The September 28, 1958 leaflet
cites Mrs. Lyle Gillespie as a contact for the Guides, while the Brown
Owls for the Brownies were Mrs. Earl Charlebois, Mrs. Joseph Burns and Mrs.
John Samson. The 1958 Vestry Report gives the following two reports:
"18th Girl Guide Company - Mrs. Peggy Gillespie, Captain. During
the year 1958 we had two enrollments of six Tenderfoot Guides, Madame
Commissioner being present for both these occasions. During the year the
Company held a variety of activities which included Company hikes, corn
roasts, a candy sale, and a Christmas party. Eighteen girls qualified
on the Preliminary St. John Course in First Aid, our own Mr. Elworthy being
the St. John trainer. During the year 13 Second Class badges, 7 Religion
and Life Emblems, 4 Skater’s Badges, 12 Hostess Badges, 12 Nurse Badges,
7 Cook Badges, ten first year Service Stars, seven second year Service
Stars and one third year Service Star were won and presented.
88th Brownie Pack -
Mrs. Joan Charlebois, Brown Owl - Mrs. Vivian Edge, Tawney Owl
Number of Brownies - 23
Number of Golden Bars earned during year - 12
Number of Golden Hands and Wings during the year - 9
Number of new Brownies since September 1st - 13
Number enrolled since September - 8
Number of Brownies to Guides - 15"
In January 1963, 14 girls of the 88th Brownie Pack were
enrolled at St. Mark’s under the leadership of Mrs. McCrum (Brown Owl),
Mrs. Friesen (Tawney Owl) and Mrs. Cattroll (Snowy Owl). Later that month,
12 Guides of the 18th Company were enrolled and some of the girls, including
Diane Savill and Cathy Chapman, were tested for the Hostess Badge.
18th Girl Guides Company in 1962
Irene Pidgeon, who took over the 88th Brownie Pack from Mrs. Bird
in 1965, was the leader until 1970. One of her humorous remembrances
was of her girls collecting books for the newly opened Riverside Hospital.
Invariably the books came to the curb in beer cartons, so she was left going
up and down the street in full uniform with a stack of beer cartons. Another
fond memory is that of the devotion and dedication of Rev. George Foy, always
available to help and encourage the girls. She also remembers the girls
selling fudge at St. Mark’s bazaar every year. In 1966, after construction
of the Hall, the Guides donated a small table, inscribed "Presented by
the 18th Guides and 88th Brownies," for the minister’s office.
In November 1966, the All Round Cord, the second highest award
at the time for Guides, was presented to 60th Guide Susan Zoubie by her
mother Pam, Captain of the 60th. Mrs. W. Gibbons was also enrolled as
Lieutenant. The Fire Brigade and Laundress Badges and Little House Emblem
were awarded to Susan Zoubie, and the Fire Brigade Badge to Pat Mortimer.
The Gold Cord, the highest Guiding award, was presented to Jean Willis
and Elaine Marier in 1960 and to Gail Gillespie in 1961.
Through the years, other badges were awarded to deserving girls:
the 2nd Class Proficiency Badge to Lucy Foy, Elaine Marier and Jean
Willis in March 1958 and to Diane Savill in 1962; the 1st Class Proficiency
Badge to Lucy Foy in November 1960; the Religion and Life Emblem to
Carolyn Sorfleet in 1961 and to Diane Savill the following year; and
miscellaneous badges to Jean Willis, Gail Gillespie, Elaine Marier, and
Frances Tripp.
By 1960, the 60th Guides Company was resident at St. Mark’s with
Pam Zoubie serving as Captain until the early 1970s.
The 60th Guides returned to St. Mark’s in 1986 with Leslie Worden
as Guider-in-Charge. During Leslie’s leadership, the Carleton Heights
District Girl Guides held their annual spring bazaar in Bishop Reed Hall.
The girls learned community service, a major element of the guiding movement,
while serving tea, sandwiches and sweets in the tea room. The 60th
Guides set up a Haunted House in the basement hallway at a couple of
bazaars... "Awesome!" The girls served St. Mark’s and the surrounding
area by helping to carry up items from the basement for the spring and
fall rummage sales and by participating in neighbourhood litter chases.
One year the girls participated in the Great Storm Drain Fish Stencilling
Project by painting yellow fishes on Carleton Heights’ storm drains to
make people aware that what they put down the drain affects our wildlife.
The Guides always remembered the Food Bank with donations at District events
and assisted at the Garage Sale concession at the Community Centre.
1989 - Leslie Worden
welcoming a new guide
Besides community service, the girls had fun earning various badges
such as the Keep Fit Badge, which Debbie Ford, a high school teacher and
former parishioner, helped the girls earn in 1992. Some girls of our parish
in the 60th Guides earned their All Round Cord, now the highest award for
a Guide: Emily Worden in 1987, Sarah Sheehan and Stephanie Bowman in 1988,
and Deirdre Sheehan in 1992.
The 60th Guides do not meet at St. Mark’s at present, but the 60th
Pathfinders, led by Colette Gibney , Rosalie Awad and Julie Sinclair,
meet every Thursday in the basement.
In addition to those mentioned in this brief history, other parishioners
have served as leaders of the Guide Companies at St. Mark’s: Alice Mulligan,
Nan Stonehouse, Mrs. R. Drinkwater, and Coralie Sheehan.
Written by Coralie Sheehan and Lorne Bowerman.
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