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Box 129

Shakespeare, ON N0B 2P0

519 – 625 – 8317

shakespearepresbyterianchurch

@gmail.com

www.pccweb.ca/shakespeare

Interim Minister:

Rev. Catherine Calkin

Pulpit Supply:

Rev. James Stewart

Clerk of Session:

Al. Morris

Session Members:

Kathy Burton,

Kathi Diamond-Rock,

Lark Hargreaves,

Alex McMillan,

Robert McTavish,

Peter Ross,

Jeff Skubowius

Chair Board of Managers:

Michael Hill

Bulletin Editor:

Judy Hill

After School Program:

Kirsten Dill

Director of Music:

Paul Hyatt

Custodian

Karen Danis

Shakespeare Church Women:

Myrna Schell

We gather for worship every

Sunday at 11 am from Sept. to

May; and at 10 am June through

August.

Our service is a relaxed and infor-

mal experience featuring good mu-

sic, strong fellowship, and a mean-

ingful exploration of what it means

to follow Christ in the 21st Cen-

tury. Issue 4 March 2015

Community Care Team

Shakespeare Presbyterian Church’s Community Care Team is our

congregation’s visiting ministry to people who are in hospital, nursing

homes, or homebound. We are happy to visit not only congregational

members but also people of the wider community. If you, or someone

you know, would appreciate having a visitor to chat with, share a

prayer with, or simply to offer encouragement; then please speak to a

member of our church or contact our Care Team coordinators, Barb

and John Zehr at careteamspc@gmail.com or call 519- 625- 8317.

From the Search Committee

In our Search for a new Minister we were fortunate to receive sixteen

applications from far and wide. The individual profiles were pre-

sented to us without names for the first round of reviews. From this

blind screen we chose six candidates that we wanted to pursue more.

At that time we reviewed the full profiles with names. The grouping

was narrowed to three candidates and we viewed videos of sermons

from each of these.

A candidate was chosen that we felt would best match the needs of

our congregation and to help us move forward as “Christ’s Hands in

… continued on next page

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… continued from previous page

the Community”. This person’s name was presented to the Church Session for approval.

Following the approval of Session, the candidate Rev. Rob. Congram has been asked to ‘Preach for the

Call” and will be doing so on Sunday, March 22.

Once he has preached, the congregation will be asked to vote on whether or not he is the right fit for us. If

the answer is yes, then formal Call papers will be prepared and presented to the Presbytery of Huron

Perth for their blessing and approval. A timeline will be established for Rev. Congram to begin his active

ministry in Shakespeare.

Search Committee Members

Anne Skubowius, Susan Kirk, Darlene Schmidt, Mary McTavish, Barb Zehr, Don Burton, Jim Baechler

and Al Morris

A Note from the Editors!

Thank you to the Session and Members of Shakespeare Presby-

terian who so willingly share items for

our newsletter.

We encourage members to receive their copy of “CHIC”

electronically via email or on our website at

www.pccweb.ca/shakespeare

2015 Newsletter Schedule

Month Deadline Date

June May 17

September August 9

December November 15

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 15

The Annual Congregational Meeting was

held on Sunday Feb. 15 following the

regular Sunday service and wonderful

lunch prepared by the Ladies of the

Church.

It was very fulfilling to have reports from

all of our working groups within the

Church and to see documented the good

things that are happening at Shakespeare

Presbyterian Church. We do have a small

shortfall in our finances that we will con-

tinue to address in the future but all in all

we are in a reasonable financial position.

The sale of the Manse is progressing with

a proposed closing date of April 1, 2015.

We remembered with sadness the passing

of congregational members Don Pitts and

Thea Kreyger.

Thanks to all who attended and contrib-

uted to this important meeting in the life

of our congregation. Thanks also to those

who work tirelessly to see that our Church

in Shakespeare is a spiritual center and

promote our Church as “Christ’s Hands in

the Community.

I Love It When…

When the snow starts to pack on the horse’s feet

And the days are getting long,

A new born lamb is starting to bleat

And the smell of the earth is strong.

When the afternoons are balmy and still

And the icicles melt in the sun,

The old cat sits on a window sill

And the sap is starting to run.

When a southern wind breathes on dormant trees

And starts their life anew,

The flowers in bloom attract the bees

And the grass is laden with dew.

Reprinted with permission from Robert G. Irvine’s book of poems,

“The Dust and Dew” printed 2002

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The Man in Red On Saturday, December 13, 2014, the big man in red made his return to the

hamlet of Shakespeare during the 4th Annual Shakespeare Santa Claus Parade.

The streets were lined with a delightful crowd who all gathered to watch the pa-

rade, which continues to grow each year.

The Shakespeare Men's Club would like to thank the Shakespeare Presbyterian

Church for hosting this year's post-parade activities, and also to congratulate

their Congregation on a successful bake sale!

Shakespeare Church Women Christmas Bake Sale

When Santa and his reindeer came to Shakespeare the SCW decided it would be a perfect day for a bake

sale. Phone calls were made to request baking from the congregation and boy did we get baking. There

were cookies and pies, reindeer cupcakes, nuts and bolts, caramel corn, brownies, fudge, shortbread,

sweet rolls enough baking to feed Santa and his reindeer and all of Shakespeare.

Ruby set up hot apple cider and sweet rolls. Everyone loved the

cider. What a great way to warm up on a cold day. Thanks to Santa's

elves, Ruby, Janet, Myrna, Joyce and Marilyn who helped set up the

bake sale and helped the customers with their purchases. Just over a

$1000.00 was raised and so the ladies were able to pay for one of the

new stoves recently purchased for the church kitchen. The SCW

looks forward to 2015 Christmas Bake Sale which will be December

12, 2015. Thanks everyone for your continued support of the SCW.

Shakespeare & Community Athletic Association

We encourage everyone to continue to use and enjoy the ice rink provided at the SCAA Pavilion for the

rest of the winter season.

We are in the midst of organizing our sports programs/teams and our fundraising events

for the summer. If you are interested in helping out by becoming a board member or a

committee member please contact us for further information. Everyone is welcome!

For Park Bookings including the Rec Centre (Pavilion) please email scaa@hotmail.com

Check out our new SCAA website: www.shakespeare-scaa.com for on-going updates and activities hap-

pening at the park.

Visit us on Facebook: Shakespeare Communityathleticassociation

Shakespeare Optimist Club

Kids and community are the main focus of the Optimist Club of Shakespeare. The

Club just donated $10,000.00 to the two public schools in our immediate area. North

Easthope public school received $5,000.00 for a Smart Board the junior kindergarden

room. Sprucedale public school will use their $5000.00 for ipad mini's for the lower grades.

We are investing in the future.

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Coming Events

We are entering one of the most important periods of the year in the Christian calendar. Easter is the

time to remember and celebrate the sacrifice that Christ made to grant us Eternal Life. The period

of Lent has begun leading us to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We will be holding special services both

of these days to commemorate his sacrifice for us.

Please join us for this special time. Look for announcements on our Church sign for service times.

March 22 - Mark your calendars and plan to attend Rev. Rob Congram’s service at

11:00 am. All congregational members must decide if he is the Minister that can

lead us forward as we continue to be “Christ’s Hands in the Community”.

April 2 - Optimists pigtail and rib stag at Optimist Hall

April 3 - Good Friday

April 4 - Opti-Mrs Easter Egg Hunt at 11 a.m. sharp (Sprucedale Public School)

April 5 - The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be celebrated on Easter Sunday.

April 12 - Opti-Mrs Brunch at Optimist Hall from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 ages 13+, $6

ages 6-12 and free for 5 and under. Contact any Opti-Mrs member or Diane at 519-625-8575.

June 13 - SCAA 68th Annual Field Day & Fish Fry

August 17 – 21 - Our popular Vacation Bible Camp is scheduled for the week! This active, inspiring

and engaging experience will once again be held at the Optimist Hall. Remember please that the success

of this activity relies on the active participation of many volunteers. Please speak to Diane Danen to find

out what role you can play to make this a and meaningful experience for the children of our community.

September 18 & 19 - SCAA Co-Ed 3-pitch Tournament

Please also watch for more events and happenings in our

Church bulletin and on our lawn sign.

2014/2015

The after school program is attended by 15 energetic boys and girls from

grades 1-6 on Tuesdays. We are lucky to have wonderful volunteers that

help in the areas of walking the children from school to the church, snack

and cleanup, story time, crafts and games.

Some of the activities the children have done so far have

been: building a beaver car and racing it down the cub car track. Paper Mache, bak-

ing (a big favorite ‘cause who doesn't love sampling the tasty treats), salt painting,

Q-tip painting, muffin paper poppies and playing balloon games.

Some of the things to come are match stick crosses and Easter treats. What a won-

derful year so far with Gods children.