Sharbot Lake United Church says Farewell

Ina Hunt Turner | Nov 03, 2011

Photo: Gari Jones  and Geri Butler

It was with genuine sadness that the congregations from Parham, Maberly and Sharbot Lake United Churches said goodbye last Sunday, October 30, to their ministerial team Geri Butler and Gary Jones, who after more than 18 years each in the pulpit are retiring from the ministry.

The service was very moving and rich in music.

Stanley Stinchcombe, who plays piano for the Parham congregation, played a wonderful organ rendition of "Bach's Air on a g string" and also led the congregational singing along with Barbara Agnew who played the piano. Barbara was coaxed out of retirement for the occasion and accompanied Christina Wotherspoon in "Hear my cry, O God". Christina is a very talented vocalist and it is always a pleasure to listen to her sing. Christina is also the director of the "Young Choristers".

Both ministers shared the service quoting Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, which highlighted the fact that there is a time for everything; each spoke of their individual interpretation of it. At the end of the service they did a unique and moving "Passing of the Peace".

Neither one has a definite plan yet for the future but I am sure that they will soon be embroiled in something worthwhile. Both are avid environmentalists.

At the well-attended luncheon after the service, the three churches they have served for the last three years wished them well and all expressed the hope that they will often come for a visit.