Snow. On the one hand, I’d be thrilled if I never saw another flake of the wretched stuff… at least on my front walk, laneway and the highways and byways of Glengarry. On the other, I can’t wait until Old Man Winter takes by-law enforcement into his own hands and provides temporary relief from the township’s “Community Standards” scofflaws. For at least three or four months of the year, the multiplicity of abandoned vehicles, rusting piles of scrap and other eyesores are magically disguised with a pillowy blanket of snow. Thankfully, Mother Nature provides similar camouflage (albeit lush green) at the height of summer. If only we had some way of dealing with this issue in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.
Much more than just a calendar
The word advent comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival” or “the coming” of something with great import. For congregations like Dunvegan’s Kenyon Presbyterian Church, the Advent season is both a time of joyful anticipation and introspective preparation.
That said, in a 2019 StatsCan survey of religious practices, 53 per cent of respondentsanswered “not at all” when asked if they attended religious services. For these Canadians, the word “Advent” is usually joined at the hip with the word “calendar” and has all but lost any religious connection. What started out as a piece of printed cardboard with small numbered flaps to be opened on each day of Advent, has defected to the Santa side. And the iconography of the Christmas story hidden under the flaps when I was a young lad in the 1950s has been replaced with small toys, candies or chocolates. I even saw a pet-friendly version last month at Costco with a different doggie treat behind each door.
However, for denominations that do celebrate the Christmas season, Advent does not automatically start on December 1st. It actually begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, or the Sunday that falls closest to November 30. And it lasts through Christmas Eve; which means Advent can be anywhere from 22 to 28 days long. This year, the starting line for Advent was Sunday, December 4th. As members of the Dunvegan kirk continue their journey through the Advent season, the highlight of the service this coming Sunday, December 11th will be a celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion. The service begins at 11 am, and all are welcome to attend.
Rev. Jim also asked that I include two items of church news. The first is a reminder that this coming Sunday marks the end of the Kenyon Church’s food drive. Please bring along non-perishable food items when you come to worship. Looks like the demand for Christmas baskets will be higher than ever this year. Your generosity will help the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank meet this need. Don’t forget the SVP Food Bank accepts cash donations, as well. In fact, cash is often preferable as SVP knows exactly what to buy and can get it at discount prices.
The second notice is that, last Sunday following worship, an Appreciation Luncheon was held to recognize the contribution of those members who do so much for the church behind the scenes. I’d name names but, alas, none were provided.
Saying fare thee well to the M&M gang
Fours years ago, when the curtain closed on the final performance of the “Best of Music & Mayhem” revue, I really thought this unique assemblage of volunteer talent was gone forever. So you can imagine my delight when the show’s creator, Rosemary Chatterson, announced earlier this year that the gang was getting back together and mounting an ‘encore’ production. Well, not really an encore. Aside from Audrey (Saw Down My Dress) Nixon’s reprise of Patsy Cline’s 1962 hit, She’s Got You, this year’s comeback was all new.
And hundreds of spectators agreed with me as they packed the Dunvegan Recreation hall for five more performances, rewarding the M&M gang with hoots of sidesplitting laughter and standing ovations. And they deserved every bit; they’ve been rehearsing their buns off — in Jim Winchester’s case, literally — since the beginning of the summer.
Once again, I’d like to thank the cast and crew who made this unique fundraising initiative for The Beyond 21 Foundation such a success. The backbone of the show was, of course, the performers: Rosemary Chatterson and Allan MacDonald; Shashtin and Jim Winchester; Audrey Nixon; Jim McRae; Gerry Schmidt; Flip Flockton; MCs Matt Williams and Barb Graham; and musical accompanist Elizabeth Caddell.
Then there was the M&M stage crew which consisted of: co-managers Alyson Graham and Wendy Macleod who not only kept the performers, sets and costumes in line, but also earned acting credits for helping with the 12 Days of Christmas finale; Nancy and Gord White who transformed the DRA Hall into a Christmas Wonderland: and John Macaulay who, at the very last moment, so kindly stepped in to take over the audio and lighting chores when I faltered. Thanks are also due Sandra Daigle for co-ordinating the Yuletide refreshments; Jim, Marlie and Kate Tilker, son-in-law Zac Bowland and all the other volunteers who staffed the box office… and the Caisse Populaire Desjardins and Dunvegan Recreation Association for sponsoring the event.
PS: If you thought the on-stage performance was great, I just wish you could have seen the madcap action that would take place in the wings as the performers prepared for the next skit or musical number. I will never forget watching Alyson and Wendy squeezing Gerry into his “Elvis” costume and getting a pompadour wig to fit on his head. Priceless.
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