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How fast time goes! We all remember her as  baby in her parents’ arms sitting near the entrance. We watched her grow up, colouring books and playing with dolls—especially the dolls, which were like little babies to her. She treated them with such loving tender care, as a precious gift to protect and love.

Her presence in church along with her excellent behaviour has been a good example to other youth, and a proud reward for her parents. Her younger brother sat beside her with decorum. He too may one day choose to join our  servers in our beautiful service.

The years have rolled (or rather flown) by, and Chloe has reached the tender age of a teenager. Still the sweet caring, loving girl she has always been. What a joy for her whole family. 

We welcome her with open arms, grateful hearts, and good wishes in her new duties to the church and God.

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In July, we began with our annual crab dinner. Due to COVID-19 the previous two years, we could not have this dinner which was a disappointment to many. It’s an event anticipated by many and is always a roaring success. Thanks to Eleanor and Clarence Andrews, their family, and to the ACW, it is our main fundraiser, and I might add a great financial reward.

On August 4th, the ACW held a high tea, beginning at two in the afternoon. More than one hundred people, both young and old, came to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee and Come Home Year. The hall was decorated in honour of both events. Beautifully attired celebrants with fascinators were the pride of the day. It was wonderful that a few children and teenagers came to celebrate with us. Another great achievement due to the cooperation of all.

On August 6th, the church vestry hosted a breakfast. With the help of the parishioners, a full hot breakfast was served, and enjoyed by all. Our treasurer, Joyce Morgan, spearheaded this successful breakfast.

Our last fundraiser for the year was the ACW’s online auction, held from September 8th-12th. Many of the Bay Roberts and surrounding area businesses donated items for our event, as well as residents of Port de Grave. Thanks to Colleen and Stephanie Andrews for photographing all the items, and to Stephanie for setting up the auction on Facebook. Thanks to Eleanor Andrews for organizing the event, and all those who did the leg work of taking letters around to the businesses and then picking up the items. Great job.

This has been our greatest series of financial fundraisers ever, exceeding our wildest dreams.

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A project began in the late winter and continued until July. My crew of volunteers put in many hours of their spare time  to beautify our hall. Talent and hard work, along with their dedication to Church and community, compelled these generous and caring members of our community to give their time.

The first phase of work was completed last fall—the outside of the building. We finished the lower hall in July. Our next project will be the upper hall.

On July 13th, the first event after the  improvements was a celebrator dinner of Chinese food and wine to show appreciation to the volunteers for their hard work. This event was hosted by myself and my husband Barry, who also worked for many hours improving the hall.

Words cannot express the appreciation I feel for the co-operation and dedication of those who so willingly gave their time and energy to beautify and repair our hall. 

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It was a short time later, that I set up a group here in Port de Grave, knitting and crocheting shawls for the sick, the shut-ins, and anyone who wished to have one. Since then, we have made and given out between twenty to thirty shawls yearly.

Approximately five or six years ago, we began knitting scarves, hats and mittens for the  local women’s shelter and for the Helping Hand. These items are donated in early November. There is such a need for warm items, that it is sometimes difficult to supply enough of them.

Our group has evolved over the years. At first, we were all from St. Luke’s Church in Port de Grave, but now we have a member from St. Matthew’s (Bay Roberts), and St. Mark’s (Shearstown).  We also have one member from the Roman Catholic Church.

The blessing of the shawls normally takes place at St. Luke’s Church. However, on occasion when visiting a nearby seniors’ home, a religious service is performed. During the service, the shawls are blessed by the presiding priest; in many cases, that priest is from the local Roman Catholic Church. At the completion of the service, the shawls are then given out. Our relationship and the giving of our gifts, knows no religious boundaries.  

This past Sunday Fr. Paul Thoms, our Anglican priest, blessed thirteen shawls during the evening Holy Eucharist. Ten of these shawls were then taken to a local retirement home. 

Some of our members have changed over the years, yet others have been with us since the beginning.  

My thanks and gratitude goes to our eight members who knit, crochet, and purchase the yarn for the making of these shawls and winter items. I would also like to thank those who have donated yarn and those who made shawls but do not attend our meetings. Unfortunately, not  everyone has an afternoon free to join us.

Blessings to all.

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Between COVID-19, aging church congregations, and busy lives, it is becoming harder as time passes to find volunteers who are willing or able to give time to assist with church work. I am so pleased and thankful for the men and women from our declining congregation, who are mostly seniors, who came out and worked with me and my committee to paint, power wash, repair the cement foundation, and clean up the grounds around the building. It was an act of love and pride for our church and community that this work took place.

I, Florence, would like to thank my committee and volunteers who took time out of their busy lives to work on this project. We are so blessed to have you.

The post St. Luke’s, Port de Grave, Fixes Up Church Hall appeared first on Anglican Life.

Not only  the beauty of nature takes place at this time of year. Clean-ups, repairs, etc are also part of the spring season. Here in Port de Grave, at St. Luke’s Anglican Church our congregation and vestry members were hard at work.

So many jobs had to be done, and as in most churches, money is at a premium. What to do first? We have begun with the cemetery. Our old fence had seen better days, what with the pressure of snow build up from the plow on a chain fence, and it finally had given way.

Under the direction of our cemetery chair, Wayne Morgan, and his crew of volunteers, they removed the old fence and replaced it wilth a new chain fence. There will be no more problems with snow, hopefully, as it is flexible and should weather the  destructive nature of winters in Newfoundland.

What a difference the new fence makes: a classic aesthetic look, it enhances our sacred ground and sets the borders. 

Wayne has done a fabulous job at organizing and supervising this much needed project. Wayne, thanks all his volunteers for their dedication in building this fence and the clean-up of the grounds as well.  Thank you, Wayne.

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