Harvest Thanksgiving Newsletter, Autumn, 2025
Anglican Parish of Bobcaygeon, Dunsford and Burnt River
A Thanksgiving Message from Archdeacon Bill
I want to thank all of you for your support of our church’s ministry during the past 8 years. I appreciate all you have done in welcoming Ruth and I. We have been through a lot together, beginning with my time as interim priest, the global pandemic when we worshipped together virtually online, to my appointment as priest in charge during the return to public worship. During this time, you prayed and cared for us as well when I underwent heart surgery and Ruth survived cancer treatment. Together we have loved, laughed and experienced sadness regarding the loss of former members.
During the past eight years I have presided at over 800 regular Sunday (at least two per Sunday) and weekday services of worship, close to 30 services of Holy Baptism and in the neighbourhood of over 80 funerals and one wedding as many were postponed or cancelled during the time of the Covid pandemic. I have visited your homes and prayed by your side when you were sick or in hospital. I enjoyed the opportunity to present Lenten and Advent weeknight programs on Israel and the history of the founding of our church by Thomas Need and Mossom Boyd history. I have participated in community life including the Bobcaygeon Ministerial, Bobcaygeon Legion, Bobcaygeon and Dunsford Ecumenical Services, World Day of Prayer, Boyd Museum and Kawartha Lakes sponsored tours of church. I have also had the enormous opportunity of helping to recruit and mentor a new office administrator, organist/music director, support new and veteran church wardens, support new and veteran lay readers, and many other parish officers and volunteers. Ruth and I will miss you all and we pray for the future success of our church’s ministry and that God will provide you the required future clergy ministry. God bless you all.”
Archdeacon Bill Gray’s last service as Priest in Charge will be occur on Sunday September 28, 2025, 11 am at a combined parish service at Christ Church, Bobcaygeon. There will be no service at St. John’s Dunsford or St. Luke’s Burnt River on that Sunday. A reception will follow in the parish hall to acknowledge Bill and Ruth contribution to our church family in the eight years of ministry we have shared.
Combined Parish Harvest Thanksgiving Service: Sunday October, 5, 2025 at 11:00am St. John’s Church, Dunsford. Lunch to follow in the St. John’s parish hall. There will be no services on this Sunday for Christ Church, Bobcaygeon or St. Luke’s Church, Burnt River. Please join us for this parish tradition. This is an important opportunity for our 3 congregations to worship together. The service will be Morning Prayer led by Bob Fenton.
Bobcaygeon and Dunsford Community Food Banks Request Donations: Thanksgiving Sunday, and the following two Sundays, will be designated in our parish for receiving donations for local foodbanks. In each of our congregations during the gathering for Sunday services of worship, there will be designated boxes decorated and identified for receiving such donations. Those items donated at St. John’s will be dedicated and forwarded to the Dunsford Community Food Bank and those items donated at Christ Church will be dedicated and forwarded to the Bobcaygeon Community Food Bank. Requested donations include: Canned Veggies: Green Beans, Peas, Corn Niblets, Juice Boxes for Children. Canned Fruit, Apple Juice – liter, Cereal. Peanut Butter, Sugar, Instant Coffee, Granola Bars – no nuts, Macaroni, diapers all sizes, Pull ups, Baby formula, Baby cereal, Baby food, Baby wipes, Canned soups, canned stew/chili, Pasta sauce, Pasta noodles, Rice, Pancake Mix, Peanut Butter and Jam, Maple Syrup, Laundry Soap, Dish Soap.
Next Clothing Giveaway – Christ Church, Bobcaygeon; Friday October.24.2024 9:30am- 12:30pm;
Saturday October.25.2024 9:30am- 12:30pm. Contact: Betty Ann Shaw (705) 738-3670 if you would like to volunteer, make a donation of gently used clothes or have any questions.
Advance Notice: CHRISTMAS MARKET Christ Church, Bobcaygeon will once again be participating in Bobcaygeon’s Mingle and Jingle which will take place in the parish hall on Saturday, December 15, 2025. There is a way for everyone to become involved and help out. Please save your previously enjoyed books, puzzles, games and Christmas treasures. Christmas type crafts are always welcome. We will be having a bake table. Monetary donations towards the preparation of our frozen soups and dinners would be greatly appreciated. We are in the planning stage, so any suggestions are welcome. This has been one of our Church’s most successful fundraisers last year and with your support we hope to have a successful 2025 Christmas Market.
Please use the enclosed Harvest Thanksgiving envelope to express your gratitude for our many blessings. Parish finances currently indicate that we are in deficit, and we ask for your assistance to offer relief. If possible, please return your thank offering either in person at public service or by mail, using the following mailing addresses with our thanks.
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