Easter Newsletter -April- 2025-Archdeacon Bill Gray
Anglican Parish of Bobcaygeon, Dunsford & Burnt River
Ice Storm Impact
The overwhelming predominant feeling in our community resulting from the impact of the recent ice storm may be that of weariness. We are tired. Visually we are overwhelmed by the scarred landscape of damaged trees resulting in the ground debris littered with fallen and broken branches and limbs. The widespread and lengthy hydro power outage for most required us to unexpectedly resort to using generators, space heaters, wood burning fireplaces for heat, light and maintaining our fridges and freezers. Some of us stayed in hotels or with friends and family or hosted the same if they/we still had power. Those in the county dependent on well water faced unique challenges in maintaining adequate sources of drinking water including livestock. Peterborough and much of the Kawarthas was placed under a state of emergency and boil water advisory. Some of us utilized community facilities that provided warming rooms, internet/wifi, shower rooms, swimming pools, exercise machines and walking tracks. We initially faced huge lineups at the smaller number of businesses that had power and were open such as gas stations, Tim Horton’s, restaurants, grocery stores, small engine sales and repair shops, hardware stores and lumber yards.
Many of us were engaged in some aspect of tree damage cleanup and removal using chainsaws and physical exertion. Ruth will tell you her back is sore from hauling tree limbs and branches both at our property and our families’ property. Well, some of us had to operate the chain saws! I have a sore trigger finger and back from bending over, does that count?) I know that some have experienced extremely significant tree damage and structural damage, and we feel your loss, challenge and frustration. While we can be grateful there was limited injury to persons, we are aware of at least one tragic loss of life in our community for which we are sincerely sorrowful and grieve along with her family and friends.
It is understandable that during this time our major preoccupations are necessarily focused on maintaining our own properties, homes and loved ones. However, I am extremely impressed with and want to recognize that you have given attention to others in need and the needs of our church during this time. Thank you for those who kept on eye on our church properties and buildings and did your part to prepare for and attend Sunday services after the ice storms. Out of our three parish churches, St. John’s and St. Luke’s were relatively spared while Christ Church was particularly hard hit by tree damage and falling tree branches and limbs. There was some damage to the Rectory hydro service and unfortunate water flooding in the church basement particularly in the old downstairs food bank room, but other than that no structural damage to the church buildings. Our thanks to Aaron, Judy, Todd and Mark Jermyn and David Prins for all their work in cleaning up tree debris on Christ Church property to enable access to the church parking lot to enable Sunday worship services to take place in spite of the demanding need to cleanup and maintain their own properties.
It may seem to us that in view of all we have been through in the first week of April that it will be difficult to summon the energy and enthusiasm to prepare for and participate in the coming Holy Week and Easter worship services. I want to provide a gentle reminder that it is at times such as this that we particularly need the encouragement and inspiration of our participation in the journey to the cross and the resulting resurrection experience that provides us new life and hope. As the warmer spring temperatures help us to recover from the recent extreme weather and damage, we need to recover some sense of normality that a true celebration of Easter affords. Don’t miss this important opportunity to rejoin the community and the strength of our church fellowship that enables us to cope with our individual needs and challenges. As you will see we also will be given opportunity in the coming weeks to help support those who clothe those in need at this time.
Lenten Ecumenical Service and soup lunch with the participation of other community churches takes place at 12:00 noon on Wednesday. April 16th. Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church.
Holy Week Services-2025
Palm Sunday and Congregational Reading of the Passion Narrative– April.13, 9:15am service at St. John’s Church, Dunsford, 11:00am service at Christ Church, Bobcaygeon
Good Friday – April.18. 11:00am service at Christ Church, Bobcaygeon
Easter Sunday – April.20, 9:15am service at St. John’s Church, Dunsford, 11:00am service at Christ Church, Bobcaygeon
Clothing Giveaway is scheduled for Friday May.2.2025 and Saturday May.3.2025. For more information, please contact Betty Ann Shaw at (705) 738-3670 or email: bashaw1967@hotmail.com.
Please use the enclosed Easter envelope to support our church’s ministry to our community. Donations can be made using this envelope and brought in person during public services of worship or mailed to the following addresses for each parish congregation. Donations can also be made online by using e-transfer or Canada Helps. Please follow the directions that can be found on our parish website. www.christchurchbobcaygeon.com
Christ Anglican Church St. John’s Anglican Church St. Luke’s Anglican Church
PO Box 133 1948 Sturgeon Rd 178 Burnt River Rd.
Bobcaygeon, Ontario Dunsford, Ontario Burnt River, Ontario
K0M 1A0 K0M 1L0 K0M 1C0