with the advantage of their initial assessment surveys. The first date of operation of the church's Women's Clothing Exchange was April 30, 1996.10 Later in the year, the Official Board allowed two outside organizations: a prenatal class and a theatrical group, to use portions of the church building, their having complied with the trustees' requirements.

At the June, 1996 meeting of the Official Board, it was announced that Ava Kelly, a trustee and current church caretaker, had asked the Session to present her as a candidate to enter the United Church ministry. A Discernment Committee was formed and was functioning as the year ended.11 Also during June, the sloping portion of the lawn near the front entrance was replaced by a "Garden of Remembrance", a rock garden created by members of the church to accept donated memorial plants and flowers. In 1996, the church remained open for Sunday worship during July, after many years of closing for the month. With the minister and organist taking their traditional July vacations, and the senior choir absent for the summer, local members conducted the services and provided music. 12 At its September meeting, the minister informed the Board that the church's Worship Committee had reviewed the new United Church hymn book: Voices United, and recommended to an agreeable Session that it be adopted for use at Wesley. Sales promotion followed with announcements from the pulpit and in weekly bulletins and the church newsletter. The choirs were initially provided with the hymn books using church funds, while a number of the books were purchased by individuals as gifts or memorials. A fund was subsequently es-tablished to receive donations to gradually obtain a sufficient quantity to supply the congregation.

Wesley's minister was an avid supporter of Ottawa Presbytery during 1996. She was a member of the executive where she agreed to chair the Division of Mission in Canada Committee. She was also a member of the Youth Ministries Committee and became a part of the Conference implementation team for the newly published "Voices United" worship and hymn book. In addition., she retained the office of the Presbytery U. C. W. Chaplain for a second year. A general meeting of the Ottawa Presbytery was held at Wesley, November 12, 1996. On that occasion, a "poverty meal" was provided by members of the Ottawa West End Community Chaplaincy. In addition., a brunch furnished by Dave Smith, local humanitarian-restauranteur, was held in the church hall following the morning service, November 24th. The function was held to raise money for the W.H. Scrivens Memorial Fund, a registered charitable trust fund established in 1993 to support the Youth Ministry of the Ottawa Presbytery.

For several years, the Sunday School has conducted a traditional Christmas Eve service at Wesley. It has invariably been well attended and the informal atmosphere and the participation of children has made it a popular event. In closing the recorded history of the church up to the end of 1996, it seems appropriate to mention some aspects of the latest Christmas Eve at Wesley. Aside from late night Christmas Eve Communion services held during the term of the Rev. Col. Ross, the Sunday School service remains Wesley's observance of Christmas Eve. Local weather conditions through the years have varied widely on that evening from unusually cold to unusually mild; heavy snow to none. In 1996, the December 24th temperature during the day remained above freezing. There was virtually no snow on the ground and during the day, there had been brief periods of light rain. The temperature began to drop during the seven o'clock service and later brought a few snow flurries and high winds, demanding wary driving on pavement subjected to a critical thaw-freeze temperature.

The walkway leading to the church's front entrance was lined with candles burning within open- topped paper bags as worshippers entered a waiting sanctuary in anticipation of the annual event. Pastor Karen Niven-Wigston delivered words of welcome. from the pulpit and, led by members of the senior choir without their usual gowns, the Sunday School children proceeded up the centre aisle holding

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electric candles. All joined the congregation in singing "O Come All Ye Faithful". Sunday School students handled most of the ritual portions of the service with Deirdre Sutton proclaiming the call to worship and Erica Sutton leading in the prayer of approach. The youth choir sang "What Child is This?" and Sunday School secretary-treasurer, Anne Darwin, lit the final advent candle. The senior choir followed in singing "Calm Was The Night", a Christmas hymn written by the late Hany Hill, one-time Ottawa musician and educator.

The Christmas story was reviewed in readings and carols. Readings were given by Melissa Carrigan, Karen Niven-Wigston, Abdul Ibrahim and Tim Carrigan. The Sunday School sang "Away In A Man-ger", "Christmas Is A Time..." and "O Christmas Star" (tune: "O Christmas Tree"). Frequent guest soloist, John Griffiths sang "O Holy Night" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and the senior choir sang again - the West Indian carol, "The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy". The message, traditionally delivered by the Sunday School superintendent, was shared on this occasion with the minister, who read a Christ-mas children's story.

In addition to the processional hymn, the congregation sang "Go Tell It On The Mountain" and "Joy To The World". The service closed with the senior, youth and Sunday school choirs joining togeth-er to sing "Silent Night" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

And so we come to the end of this portion of the story of Wesley United Church.

As 1996 is relegated to the pages of history, the United Church of Canada continues in its en-deavour to capture the interest of young people and attract those who have never been involved with the Christian Church. There exists an intense desire to conform to what is described as a changing environment, and Wesley is feeling that change. Organized youth groups other than the Sunday school and a youth choir do not exist here. Our young adults, however, are strong supporters of Ottawa Presbytery's Youth Ministry programs. As has often been the case at Wesley throughout its history, a men's group that had been flourishing as late as 1994, has once again ebbed and awaits hopeful rejuvenation as the cycle revolves. The men held four breakfast meetings in 1996 under the interim chairmanship of Cyril Chapman, but interest was not sufficient to sustain the organization.

Outreach remains a major consideration at Wesley, raising the profile of the church locally and in Presbyterial circles. Weekly congregational offerings, however, continue to trail the church's financial responsibilities by some one thousand dollars per month, according to verbal treasurer's reports. Income from organizational activities and outside donations remain vital for the continuing existence of the church. The Committee of Stewards, as well as the traditionally dependable and hard working U.C.W. continue to struggle to help the church avoid debt. The Sunday School helps out on occasion and the lately formed Women's Clothing Exchange, which is not a fund raising organization, made a small dona-tion to the church during 1996. Outside groups using church facilities also offer donations.

With social issues kept before the congregation and liturgy reflecting a departure from tradition, life at Wesley is undergoing a fundamental change. Although the church's congregations have always

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been somewhat informal in worship, while retaining an underlying sense of fidelity and devotion, an even more participatory and dramatic style of worship is evolving, as is the use of inclusive language and contemporary terminology in liturgy and hymns. Also, a feminine influence within the higher courts of the church, as well as at the local level, is clearly evident. Whereas we have seen that in the early days of Wesley's existence, decisions affecting church life were made almost exclusively by men, recent years have shown a distinct increase in the election of women to boards, committees and executive office. Of fifty-four such positions at Wesley during the latter part of 1996 (excluding U.C.W. and Bamboo), thirty- nine were filled by women. (figures based on Annual report, 1995. Annual meeting, 1996 and actual count, 1996)

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This book is a history of our church; it is not a declaration of guidelines for future policies. But one cannot help but wonder what may appear on Wesley's horizon. Will there be an influx of wealthy members, or will a committed and determined congregation continue to confront and overcome situations as they arise? Will this church eventually amalgamate with a like congregation? Surely, if the Wesley population is resolved to maintain the dream of its pioneers, it must display a genuine bonding with its church and what it represents, as well as a stewardship and conviction equal to or greater than that of those who have gone before.

The changes taking place throughout the Church will undoubtedly be acceptable to some and not others. The hope is, however, that whatever the people of Wesley United Church accept or reject, they will never forget nor supplant the prayer of the founders of Ottawa East's original Wesley Methodist Church:

"That the blessing of God may rest upon this church;
that the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ may always be preached;
that countless numbers may find salvation within her walls"

Harold Kneen, 1909