XII

On February 15, 1958, the congregation's fiftieth anniversary was marked by special morning and evening services with the Right Rev. Dr. James S. Thompson, Moderator of the United Church, preaching at both. That anniversary was also observed with the sale of souvenir plates and hasty-notes and the anniversary dinner held in the hall the following evening.

Notwithstanding the concerns and struggles at Wesley with respect to midweek activities, church attendance and finances, there have been highlights - some happy joyous occasions and some unsettling. Reference has been made of the problem in choir seating resulting in its diminished size almost immediately following the opening of the present church building. On a more favourable note, however, it was during the new church's infancy that Eva Miller, president of the Women's Association, led a group of very hard-working members in a project that gave Wesley one of its most laudable and visible assets at the time. They faithfully catered each week to a professional men's luncheon at the Lansdowne Coliseum. After the W.A commitment ended, Mrs. Miller and the ladies continued the program for a time in an unofficial capacity. The ladies of the church, in sponsoring projects within the building, included for several years, an annual anniversary dinner. As the present building was first occupied in February, the anniversary celebration for the fist few years of its use were held during that month, but in December of 1959, the Session elected to observe church anniversaries in October each year.

"By 1963, official views with regard to the election of women to church office and the type of ac-tivities permitted within the church building had changed. The first women elders to be elected to the Session of Wesley were Mrs. J.B. (Eva) Miller and Isobel McWhinney on February 6th of that year. The use of the church hall was granted to the Young People's Union for square dancing in 1960 and a few square dances were subsequently held The playing of cards in the hall was sanctioned by the Session when the U.C.W.'s Unit 1 requested that ladies of the Orange Lodge for whom the unit was currently ca-tering dinners, be allowed to do so. It was strictly understood that money would not be involved in any of the games. That decision was reached at the April 4, 1964 meeting. Permission had also been granted the boys' group to hold monthly Saturday evening dances in the hall, but Sessional displeasure with the consequences was voiced at its January, 1963 meeting, as this excerpt from the minutes discloses:

"It was pointed out that contrary to the understanding on which permission was originally granted for the holding of dances in the church hall, advertising was being placed in nearby store windows. In addition, the majority of people attending had no connection with the church and con-sequently, the conduct of a number of the attendees left a lot to be de-sired. This consisted of smoking in the Primary Room, on the stage where a number of cigarettes were extinguished under the carpet, in the furnace room and on the upper stairway. Dr. Pointen also reported that the hall itself was not Sufficiently illuminated during the dance and that he experienced decided lack of co-operation from some of the boys.".

Approval for the use of the hall for dancing was withdrawn while the Session sought clarification of the situation. After considering the proposals of James MacFarlane for future boys' work programs, a committee comprising Cyril Chapman, William Wilson and David Livie was appointed to draw up guide--

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-lines to be observed in the use of the hall. The resulting proclamation was submitted to the Christian Education Committee on February 11th and received Session approval March 6, 1963.

At the annual Congregational Meeting of the same year, George Chapman, as a member of the Trustee Board, suggested a fund be started for a new organ to eventually replace the existing instrument. He made a formal motion to the effect at the congregation's 1964 annual meeting which was seconded but defeated. Concern for the future of Wesley's organ was voiced again in 1968 when a request was made by Edward Green, choir director, that an attempt be made to raise funds for a new organ. A committee consisting of Cedric Dale, Ivan Sparks, Thomas Davies, Wayne Pointen and Eva Miller was appointed by the congregation and asked to determine the cost of a suitable new organ or repair of the present one and re-port its findings along with recommended action. The committee's report was presented on February 25th, suggesting the repair of the existing organ at a cost not to exceed $275 and a special fund be set up at the next meeting of the Official Board for the purchase of a new organ. The organ was repaired but no further action was taken. 1 The organ's condition was such that it had undergone extensive repairs a year earlier when it was out of service for a period of some ten weeks. During that time, the Bradley Piano & Organ Co. provided the church with a small electronic organ for which the Committee of Stewards re-turned a gratuity of fifty dollars. 2

An event occurred in 1966 that profoundly affected church board relationships. Having com-pleted the building of the new church and paying all accounts, there remained a residual sum in the Building Fund which had been administered by the Trustees since being given the responsibility at the annual. Congregational Meeting of 1958, at the dissolution of the Building Committee. The delicate and sometimes evasive line separating the responsibilities of the Trustees toward the building and property, and the purpose of the Committee of Stewards in handling the church's finances, at times became almost invisible. The fact that 8 new building had been erected naturally called upon vital trustee participation and after completion, it had seemed logical to the congregation to place everything with the designation "building" into the hands of the trustees. Some saw the term "Building Fund" as a misnomer since it no longer served to build the church. At the same time, the Board of Trustees having been so intimately involved in the construction of the building, saw the use of the fund in subsequent minor renovations as within the realm of its jurisdiction and was carrying on in what it believed to be the just fulfillment of its responsibilities. The question of what board should deal with which items and with whose money became a source of friction between Trustees and Stewards. In turning to the newly adopted 1950 edition of the United Church Manual and supplementary literature, it seemed that arguments on both sides were reinforced in one paragraph and destroyed in another, subject to personal interpretation. 3 When in June of 1964, the Building and Renovation funds were transferred from the Trustees to the congregation (read Committee of Stewards), relations between the two groups dropped a few degrees and cooled even further as isolationism set in, resulting in the inevitable charges of interference and countercharges of noncommunication.

By February of 1966, serving officials had tired of working under the existing circumstances and watching dedicated members tender resignations. An informal meeting was finally held on February 27th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Sparks when representatives of the Session, Trustee Board and Com-mittee of Stewards joined in an attempt to once and for all define areas of responsibility and remove the sources of irritation." The meeting was a success and it produced for the boards, a six point Memorandum to be used as a guide in relations between the Board of Trustees and the Committee of Stewards. The fourth item listed in the Memorandum was seen as fundamental to the smooth operation of the

Page 28

church, as it designated certain areas of responsibility which might have been claimed by either group. i.e.:

"4. Following some discussion, it was generally agreed that the following activities fall within the scope of the Trustees: buying, selling, mort-gaging, constructing, renovating, remodelling, fencing, hedging insuring, parking, landscaping, assessment for taxes and zoning.

It was also agreed that the following activities fall within the scope of the Stewards: heating, lighting, purchasing supplies, maintenance of building, equipment and grounds (including painting or other decorating, electrical, furnace or organ repairs), paying insurance premiums and paying water, sewer and tax rates." .

With peace and serenity restored between the two bodies, the Official Board turned its thoughts to the upcoming celebrations of the Centennial of Canadian Confederation.

XIII

The girls and ladies of the congregation wore period costumes at the special services and church functions planned by the Christian Education Committee during one of Wesley's most memorable years: 1967 Canadian Centennial year. The Christian Education Committee was formed of representatives from the Session, Stewards, Sunday School and other organizations and interested church members. It was charged with the oversight and implementation of the total educational program of the church. The secretary of the committee in 1967 was James MacFarlane, an active worker at Wesley for a number of years who became a lay preacher and who occupied Wesley's pulpit on several occasions. Largely due to the organizational efforts of Mr. MacFarlane, the C.E. Committee and Session devised a series of special Centennial services that included the presence of various religious figures and internationally known personages and parliamentarians, some of whom took part in the services.

The pulpit on May 21st was occupied by the Right Honorable John G. Diefenbaker, Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the House of Commons and former Prime Minister of Canada. The congregation met Mr. and Mrs. Diefenbaker informally in the church hall following the service and found them to be a most gracious couple whose appeal to the children led to a surprise visit to the Diefenbakers' home (Stornaway) on the occasion of Mr. Diefenbaker's seventy-second birthday. His joy at receiving the children, most of whom were dressed in Centennial costume, was evident in the photo appearing in the Ottawa Citizen covering the event and in the personal letter received by Mr. MacFarlane extending his "warmest thanks" to the class.

May 28th was designated "International Sunday". The service on that day saw the assembly of representatives from several countries, drawn from local Embassies and Legations in Ottawa. Addressing the large congregation that day was Dr. Grace Maynard, president of International House. Numbered among the invited guests were Mr. J.A Stockwell, First Secretary of the British High Commission and Mrs. Stockwell; Koichi Tsutsumi, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan and his wife, and the High Commissioner of Ghana, Mr. W. B. van Lare and Mrs. van Lare. The ambassadors of Korea and Israel

Page 29

were also invited but sent their regrets. During the service, the flags of a great many countries lined both sides of the sanctuary.

On one particular Sunday, a plush red carpet stretched the length of the centre aisle and the front of the sanctuary was adorned with the flags of Canada's provinces and territories. The congregation stood. Outside, a large black limousine glided to a stop at Wesley's front door at precisely eleven o'clock in the morning of October 1, 1967. Their Excellencies, Governor General Roland Michener and Mrs. Michener followed an aide-de-camp and a lady-in-waiting along the carpeted aisle and took their reserved places north of the centre aisle near the front of the church. It was a very impressive special Centennial service with the Governor General of Canada assuming the lectern and reading the morning Scripture.

Annual Ladies' Sunday was observed September 24th. Occupying the pulpit that day was Grace McInnis, Federal Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Kingsway and on Men's Sunday, October 29th, the address was given by Robert Thompson, M.P., leader of the national Social Credit Party. His talk was not a political harangue, but an interesting and highly satisfying Christian sermon.

Amid the planning of the numerous events marking Centennial year, Wesley's own fifty-ninth anniversary was not overlooked.. On the Sunday set aside for its observance, a former minister at Wesley, the Rev. Col. M.ID. Carson returned to the pulpit. During the last quarter of the year, inter-denomina-tionalism and the church's Christian mission were emphasized and at the October 16th anniversary dinner held in the church hall, the guest speaker was the Anglican Bishop of Ottawa, the Right Rev. E.S. Reed. The Rev. Fr. M. J. Brennan, Canadian Martyrs Church and Mrs. J. E. Alsopp of the Church of the Ascen-sion were also in attendance.

During the autumn of 1967 a Mission Festival took place with the church hall transformed into a veritable "United Nations" display of posters, banners and crafts of many countries, representatives of which tended some of the displays. Even a few foods native to various areas of the world were offered for sampling by the many church members, friends and guests who attended the event. Still in keeping with the interdenominational theme nearing the year's end, the Salvation Army's Brigadier John J.Smith addressed the congregation at yet another special Sunday service. Because of a schedule otherwise heavily committed, an invitation to Canada's Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. L. B. Pearson, whom it was hoped would bring the year's celebrations to a close in December, was declined.

Before concluding the account of Wesley's 1967 special events, it is important that mention be made of a group within the church known as the St. Andrew's Society. Within the structure of official church organizations, it is not easy to decide under what classification this group might be listed. Perhaps the closest to an accurate description of its place as a church organization would simply be in the recognition of its activities and accomplishments. It strove to serve the congregation in ways that might easily be taken for granted by those who unknowingly benefited from its existence. The St. Andrew's Society was responsible for the catering of after-service social hours, not only during Centennial year, but on many other occasions. Its members sought out church workers to receive gifts and awards and provided plants and flowers for the church's elderly and shut-ins,. The Society also produced a short-run series of newsletters. Decoration of the sanctuary at special times of the year such as Thanksgiving and Christmas was undertaken by the group for a time, following which the duties were taken over by the Sunday School and later shared with other groups.

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The name of the group was undoubtedly the inspiration of James MacFarlane who, being of proud Scottish descent, saw the use of the St. Andrew's name as synonymous with the early follower of Christ. The concept of service held by the group, and with the Union Jack, flag of the Commonwealth and a banner easily recognized throughout the world (Canada's Maple Leaf flag did not yet exist). That much of the society's work involved the preparation and serving of food is not surprising, as its founding members were no strangers to the commercial catering industry. Originators of the St. Andrew's Society were James MacFarlane, Anne Carrigan (Darwin) and Beverley Cleland. Joining later were Ruth Pointen (Foster) and Cedric Dale. Dr. Harold Pointen was an honorary member.

During 1970, the C.G. I. T. failed to attract sufficient numbers of suitably aged girls to continue, so in June of that year it disbanded and a new organization was formed of boys and girls between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Earlier in the year, however, the dwindling C.G.I.T., along with regular social acti-vities, conducted the Easter sunrise service and before its demise, presented a floral arrangement for the church library founded in honour of the late Dr. Pointen. The newly formed group was called TWYGS-The Wesley Youth Group which with an initial membership of six, grew to fourteen by the fol-lowing year. During its short tenure under the leadership of Anne Carrigan. the TWYGS held monthly supper meetings at the homes of parents and decorated the church at Thanksgiving. They went carolling at Christmas time and with the help of Parker Smith and Tom Davies, set up a floodlit creche above the church's front entrance. There is unfortunately no record of this useful church group beyond 1971.

XIV

Although the Rev. Col. P. D. Ross occupied Wesley's pulpit in October of 1969, he officially be-came the church's minister in September, 1970.1 Colonel ("Padre") Ross was the first of two successive retiring armed forces chaplains called to Wesley during the seventies and Mrs. (Sybil) Ross proved to be a competent and pleasing soprano soloist and a welcome asset to the choir which she directed following the resignation Ivy Hewis in 1971.

Early in the decade, Wesley once again became concerned with declining membership and small Sunday congregations. To those who had not been paying close attention to the situation, it must have come as somewhat of a shock to hear the minister voice the opinion that the church's size did not justify the services of its own full time minister.2 For many years, Wesley's pulpit had been occupied by retired clergymen, appointees or students, and while successive congregations were grateful and appreciated the work of all of these people on behalf of Wesley, it was seen as a happy day and a mile-stone in the church's history when it was first able to employ a full time PSStor at the prescribed rate. It was a situa-tion that once gained, would not easily be relinquished and the proposal that a minister be shared with another congregation was discarded A serious attempt was made, however, to implement the advice of Col. Ross; that Wesley take a positive and optimistic view of the future and and its influence beyond the walls its own building in cooperation with other groups and congregations. a

The Session's Ivy Hewis, in her role of Missions Convenor, agreed to serve as liaison between the Session and all other groups within the church in formulating and carrying out mission projects. As an example, she reported to the Official Board that the children of the Sunday School were corresponding with girls in a west coast lighthouse and that the west coast's Dr. Kenleyside had received packages from the Sunday School. At the same time, Mrs. Hewis stated that De. Walter Anderson at a Rattan Lake mis-