June 5, 2005 marked the 80th anniversary of the United Church in Canada, and the official
farewell party for Darryl Macdonald who will leave Summerlea after the June 19 service to
to take up his first post as a United Church minister at Two Mountains United Church
starting in July.
The occasion gave Summerlea music director Connie Osborne the opportunity to celebrate
with music by the choir, flautists John Osborne and Aaron Miechkota and violinist Amy
Chen. Howard took the opportunity to reflect on the history of the United Church as an open
and caring community, with the first ordination of a woman minister, ordination of homosexual
ministers, dialogue with aboriginal peoples in response to residential schools, and so on.
(We did not sing that old favourite "How Great We Are").
The official farewell for Darryl after the service included some great "word photos" by Keith
Field reviewing Darryl's time with St. Andrew's Presbyterian and Summerlea, and some
reflections and expressions of sincere thanks to Darryl by Tom Pavlasek on behalf of
the "new and improved" Summerlea congregation.
Following are a few snapshots of the event, which are pickable to see a larger version.
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