Centre celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Church of Canada. At an impressive memorial service September 29th, a stained glass window was dedicated to the memory of Pastor Emeritus, the Rev. Robert Condon, who passed away July 30, 1985.

Rev. D.R. McDonald announced his intention to retire from the active ministry, effective June 30, 1986, following eight years of ministry at Wesley. Accordingly, at a special meeting of the congrega-tion on November 17th, Presbytery Pastoral Relations Committee representatives, Les Fraser and Alf Percival spoke to the congregation concerning the appointment of a Pastoral Relations Committee for Wesley, and outlining the procedures in calling a new minister. The committee was formed on December 9th and set about its assignment to choose an appropriate candidate to place before the congregation.2 The committee made its recommendation at a special congregational meeting, February 13, 1986. Named was Rev. William Taylor from Long Sault-Lunenburg pastoral charge. Rev. Taylor preached at Wesley on Sunday, March 9th and the congregation elected to extend the call to him. Ottawa Presbytery voted approval two days later. Unfortunately, Rev. McDonald was unable to retain his duties until June 30th as planned because of a heart attack suffered March 13th. He recovered, however, and was well enough to assist in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, June 15th. Also on that date, he and Mrs. McDonald (Kit), received a farewell gift of $1,362 from the congregation. The McDonalds left for Kelowna, B.C. June 18, 1986.

Rev. McDonald did not return to the pulpit before his departure. The intervening Sunday ser-vices were conducted by various clergy and lay preachers until the annual church closing in July. 3 August 10, 1986 marked the first service conducted by Rev. Taylor as Wesley's minister, although he had assumed the position as of July 1st. The Ottawa Presbytery's service for Rev. Taylor's induction into the Wesley mi1listry was held September 28th. Wesley also welcomed his wife, Vina, daughter Jo-Anne and son, Ross. The sermon on the occasion was preached by Rev. Gervis Beecher Black of Parkdale United Church and special music included the first performance of The Lord's House, a vocal duet written by Wesley's Cyril Chapman.4 Rev. Taylor was a former police officer with the Nepean Police Service and, with the approval of the Official Board, accepted an invitation to become Nepean's Police Chaplain; a position held concurrently with his Wesley duties. His police experience was found to be of value at Wesley as he was routinely called upon to dispense benevolent funds and food to suppliants seeking help at the church. Whereas the Wesley congregation has always been aware of the plight of the destitute and has contributed much in time and resources to aiding the poor and indigent, it was considered fortunate to have a person who was acquainted with and could (usually) recognize dishonest and fraudulent pan-handlers. This became an even more important consideration when the church instituted a food cupboard in addition to the congregation's regular food donations, an ongoing project begun on November 10, 1985. The new plan involved the sorting of food items into grocery bags to be given to those who ap-proached the church and had no food at home for their next meal. The food cupboard was established in December of 1991 by Laurine Pointen who managed the project.

Throughout Wesley's history, it is evident that whenever a new minister is welcomed, efforts are made to enhance the work and profile of the church. In Rev. (Bill) Taylor's case, 1986 saw the return (regrettably brief) of a youth group. With Norman Dale as Co-ordinator, the Wesley Young Adults an-nounced purpose was "...to provide a forum where young adults could meet to discuss contemporary is-sues of concern to them in a Christian atmosphere". The group's first meeting took place October 19, 1986 with an attendance of three.5 Nonetheless, a slate of officers was chosen and the group carried on with several functions. A 24 hour dance marathon, November 14-15, netted $225 which was given to the church. Other activities included spaghetti dinners and a pancake supper. The Wesley Young Adults

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conducted the worship service on March 15, 1987, with Norman Dale delivering the address. A planned dinner dance was cancelled on May 22 that year due to lack of support and a further Young Adult service in which Norman Dale once again occupied the pulpit on April 24, 1988 is the last recorded activity of the group.

The re-establishment of a men's group also occurred in 1986. Led by George McLellan, the men held their first breakfast meeting on November 29,1986. During nine years of unchanging leadership, the group accomplished much, both for the church and for outside organizations. The assets of a functioning men's group in the church were evident immediately in fellowship, fun, worship and goodwill. On a number of occasions, women of the church were invited to share in the breakfast get-togethers. The list of events and activities of the men's group is extensive and includes several sales and entertainment eve-nings. The men sponsored a musical evening with Dominic Darcy, The Singing Policeman" in March of 1986. In tribute to one of its members, Garry Perkins, the group placed 10 Good News Bibles in the pews. During 1987, the men purchased a window air conditioner and installed it in the minister's study. Congregational meeting day luncheons and Easter morning breakfasts were prepared and served by the men and the group joined with the Sunday School in paying for the decorating and refurbishing of a room at Ottawa's Union Mission. An unusual fund raiser was the sale of Canada Savings Bonds. A member of the group held official authority to do so.

The ladies of the church, who had figured prominently both financially and physically during Wesley's 75th anniversary year, did not let up in their support and activity during the years following. Each of the three Units of the UC.W. have consistently contributed to the welfare of the church as well as to programs directed outside of the church. When deposited into general UC.W. treasury, the money becomes available to the church, where several large sums have annually been given to the General Fund as well as contributions to special projects. (i.e: organ, windows, piano, carpets, etc.) Thousands of dol-lars have been pumped into the church's treasury by the UC.W. through the years. Up until very recently, the congregation appears to have been satisfied with offering no more than seventy-five percent of the church's expenses, depending upon the UC.W. to stave off bankruptcy.6 Additional UC.W. support in 1986 in the form of $1,255 paid for the painting of the kitchen, washrooms, stairwell and hall by Gary Simser and Ray Breton. The UC.W., active as it was, had begun to suffer a decline in membership and in 1986, combined Unit 2 with Unit 1, leaving Units 1 and 3 to constitute the Wesley United Church Women. On March 20th that year in the church hall, Unit 1 sponsored a country music show featuring a group called the Redwing Fiddlers. The same group was brought back a year later by the Wesley Men.

Wesley's women found a popular respite of sorts from their hard work in their annual shopping trips to US.A Since the mid-seventies, the ladies of the church (and some others) had chartered a bus and travelled to Syracuse, N.Y.7 for weekend get-aways, providing their own tour operators from within their midst. Subsequent legislation gave the touring industry sole operation of such trips, thus preventing the group from running its own tours. The move raised the cost of the excursions and gradually took its toll on the popularity of the event. The last trip was made in November of 1992.

A change was made to the hour of worship in 1986. Largely as a result of complaints that the traditional 11 O'clock Sunday morning services ended too late for some worshippers to board the local bus to travel home, two congregational votes were taken to determine whether' services should begin at 10:30 a.m. or remain at 11 o'clock. Others liked the idea of the early start already in place during the summer (10:00 a.m.), which left more time for lunch and a long afternoon, and they wished to see the earlier service observed throughout the year. The results of the votes, October 19th and 22nd,

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indicated a majority desire to change to 10:30 a.m.8 The first service at the new time was the Remem-brance Day observance. November 9th.

XVII

Given as a requirement of the United Church. a new committee was formed in 1987, and it held its first meeting on January 18th. The Ministry. Personnel and Education (M.P.& E.) Committee's responsibilities at its inception at Wesley lay mainly as a liaison between the congregation and minister and officers of the church. The idea was to provide a means for an individual or group finding themselves at odds with the minister or others in the church to privately voice their concerns to the committee, who would investigate and seek m acceptable solution and avoid anger or confrontation among church members. The same avenues were opened for the clergy and staff members. 1

Each year, one week in November has been designated Canada Music Week. All music chosen for the service on that Sunday is traditionally by Canadian composers. On November 22, 1987. the hymns sung were by Canadian composers and all other music was by Wesley's own Cyril Chapman, who has written a number of hymns and choir anthems for the church. One of those compositions, The First Psalm was sung for the first time by the choir on June 14th of the same year. Chapman music has been played or sung on occasion at Wesley since 1973. It is worthy of note to mention that in 1987, Andy Ha1vorson, who twice filled the office of church treasurer, relinquished that duty after conscientiously serving a total of eighteen years - longest of any before or since. He was presented with a framed scroll from a grateful congregation at the morning service, April 5th.

1988 was Wesley's 80th anniversary year and an anniversary committee was formed in December of 1987.2 Even before the formation of the committee, Joan Smith volunteered to organize a photo pro-gram. Laurine Pointen agreed to head the committee and arrangements were begun to make 1988 a special year in the life of the church. Two further events of some significance took place in December of 1987. The Committee of Stewards agreed to help the Sunday School pay to redecorate the primary room and change it into a nursery. The committee also placed m organizational mail box, made by Gary Simser. over the lighting dimmer at the rear of the sanctuary and Bill Irvine manufactured and installed security bars on the kitchen cupboards. Hancock Electric was contracted to upgrade the electrical breaker panel in the boiler room and install additional appliance outlets in the kitchen and parlour. The Sunday School purchased carpeting and other items before the year's end Also. on December 29th, a new Yamaha piano, purchased by the U.C.W. at a cost of $4,500. was placed in the sanctuary. It was dedicated to the women of Wesley, pest and present, in recognition of their continuous and dedicated service. During the year, the women also purchased a vacuum cleaner for the church officer.

The banners used during the 75th Anniversary, reappeared on the wall of the chancel, with the "75" replaced by "80". Major accomplishments of the 80th anniversary committee included a church photo directory. sale of commemorative plates bearing the picture of Wesley and a brief digest of the church's history, prepared by Cyril Chapman, framed and hung in the narthex. The church also procured forty-six Good News Bibles, the use of which was by now paralleling that of the traditional King James version in church liturgy. They had been purchased in 1987 and were stamped and placed in the pews by Marlene Ziemm. More Bibles were presented in memory of Gloucester Deputy Police Chief, William James Nichol Brown at a service of dedication, June 5th. A suggestion that the church hall be given a memorial

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name was briefly considered, but never acted upon. One anniversary event that drew a sizeable gathering was a Hymn-sing, led by Staff Sergeant Garth Hampson, popular soloist with the R.C.M.P. band. Besides solos and congregational singing, the musical evening included an organ and piano duet with Grace Davies, organist and Eleanor Earl, pianist.

Rev. Taylor's association with the Nepean Police Service allowed him to successfully launch a tradition of annual services to mark what was designated, "Police Appreciation Sunday". The special Sundays were observed in May of each year, when the size of the congregation was invariably swollen with the addition of many Nepean Police officers, a number of whom participated in the services. The first of these special services was held May 15, 1988 with (then) Deputy Chief Wayne Phillips delivering the message. The service also featured soprano soloist, Const. Lauri Boone singing, "Flying Free"- a song sung several times since by Wesley's choir. Anniversary Sunday, 1988, was observed October 30th. Guest preacher on that occasion was Rev. William KT. Wan, M.A, LL.B., M.C.S., M. Div., minister of Ottawa's Chinese United Church and past chair of the Ottawa Presbytery. He also participated in the dedication of a stained glass window: 'The Carpenter's Family", honouring the memory of the late Agnes and George Chapman and Thomas and Glynn Davies. An anniversary dinner was held November 7th, and a large crowd enjoyed a meal catered by Porteous Caterers of Vernon, Ontario. Invited guests included Rev. and Mrs. Wan and Mr. and Mrs. (Ernie and Linda) Cox, who provided musical entertainment and led the audience in singing. .

A major expense became necessary in 1988 when it was discovered that wooden frames and other portions of exterior woodwork was beginning to rot and, rather than try to repair and paint the outside of the church, the Trustees and Stewards decided to have the sills, frames fascias and soffits covered with enamelled aluminum. A $12,000 contract was awarded to Shad Construction and a special appeal to the congregation realized a little more than one third of the cost. The difference was made up from the Building Fund and the account promptly paid. In April of 1988, the Committee of Stewards and men of the church spread crushed stone on the parking lot again, and this time created the two parking spaces in front of the minister's study to be used only by the minister and church officer. (No sign was posted)

The United Church's various Conferences and committees of the General Council had, until 1987, been viewed by many at Wesley as being a distant bureaucracy having little to do with the day-to-day running of the local congregation. However, the report of Wesley's representative to Ottawa Presbytery during that year, George McLellan, drew attention to a subject upon which the church was forced to take a stand and proclaim it to the very top of the United Church hierarchy. The report served to introduce its readers to a number of contentious issues being hotly debated at the Presbytery level. Concern was being expressed by some about the direction the United Church had begun to move, considering the decisions made by General Council regarding such things as capital punishment, free trade, etc. The wisdom of political involvement with many such issues was questioned. 3

Further topics mentioned in later reports included "Inclusive Language", "The Authority and Interpretation of Scripture" and "Report Toward a Christian Understanding of Sexual Orientation, Lifestyle and Ministry". The latter subject continued to be the most controversial; the one upon which Wesley made its views known most emphatically. During 1988, shortly after the release of that report, the Ministry, Personnel and Education Committee at Wesley conducted a vote among Wesley members to determine the will of the congregation concerning acceptance or rejection of the report. The report generally would allow the ordination of practising homosexuals into the ministry of the United Church of Canada. The result was rejection by 96% of voters. 4 The congregation subsequently expressed agreement with the

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"Declaration of Conviction" of a group called "Community of Concern", which stated: that '…the Biblical intention for sexual behaviour is loving fidelity for life within marriage and loving celibacy outside marriage ".

Contrary to the wishes of the Wesley congregation, the thirty-second General Council of the United Church voted on August 24, 1988 to accept practising homosexual persons for ordination into the ministry of the church. A special meeting of the Official Board was held on the following October 17th to plan Wesley's official reaction to the General Council's decision. On November 6th, the congregation met to vote on whether to join "Community of Concern". That organization was fighting the decision of General Council with respect to the ordination of homosexuals (and some other changes being implem-ented within the United Church). A motion to accept the Community of Concern's Declaration of Conviction, but to reserve judgement on its Declaration of Intentions until after the formal request for a plebiscite had been made, was carried. 5 A request for a plebiscite involving members of the United Church across Canada was ultimately denied. The furor that had enraged so many people at the time gradually subsided, but other concerns such as inclusive language and revisionism were incrementally introduced, and an accelerated liberalization in theological circles later extended throughout the United Church and began to find its way into the liturgy and functioning at Wesley.

In November of 1986, the trustees received communication from the City of Ottawa announcing its desire to implement a plan of streetscaping between Clegg Street and Colonel By Drive. The plan involved placing a seat on Wesley's lawn at the bus stop, tree planting and decorative pedestrian lighting. The Board advised the city that it had no objection to the proposed changes. The trustees included a request that the problem of left turning from Main Street into Graham Avenue be addressed, and carried a suggestion that flashing green signals be placed at the intersection of Lees Avenue, Graham Avenue and Main Street. A reply to that letter stated that a flashing light would likely be installed. No such move was ever made and subsequent requests for consideration met with no success, either from the City nor the Region of Ottawa-Carleton. In spite of the poor response, the Board consented on August 16, 1987 to a request of the City that they plant five Honey Locust trees on the church lawn in keeping with the development plan of November, 1986.6

Records show that during the late 70's and 80's, a recurring item on the Trustees' agenda was, then as now, insurance considerations. It is an important responsibility of the trustees to ensure that suf-ficient coverage be maintained as far as reasonably possible, since the church property is held in trust for the United Church of Canada. Concerns discussed at various meetings included boiler coverage, em-ployee injury compensation, liability to persons using the building, value of building and contents and fire insurance. Changes in insurers were made according to coverage, cost and service provided by repre-sentatives. In 1980, the question of whether or not the boiler and ancillary heating equipment carried specific protection led to inquiries of the church's independent insurance agent, W.H. Scrivens & Son, and a request for a quotation.7 A subsequent reply from the agent assured the Board that the policy in ef-fect covered the boiler and the subject was dropped for the time being.8 The subject returned in 1986. The fact that no inspection of the heating plant by an insurance company had been made, created the sus-picion that no specific coverage was in place and a letter from the insurance agent left the trustees still wondering just exactly what the church could expect in the way of compensation, should a problem occur with the heating plant. The Board requested that specific information from the insurer.9 It was eventual-ly determined that damage to the building resulting from a malfunction of the boiler would be covered, but the equipment itself would not. Measures were therefore taken during 1988 to include optional in-surance coverage on the boiler and machinery - an astute move which was later justified.