Why a blog

As a congregation, Knox has been most fortunate with the response from the Presbytery of Hamilton during this sudden vacancy, so that while we grieve the passing of Rev. Mark, the presbytery has stepped in to assure that there is a continuation of the high level of ministry and pastoral care that Knox has experienced in the past.

Rev. Mark was not only the minister of Knox Church, but he was moderator of session, providing leadership in all aspects of church life, so that as a result, various programs and initiatives which were in the planning stages, have been put aside…for the time being.

But with the leadership of our interim moderator, Rev. Thomas Kay of MacNab Street Presbyterian Church in Hamilton, Knox is moving ahead through the summer of interim ministry and with renewed resources for pastoral care and bereavement counselling.

There is a lot happening at Knox, and will be in the months ahead; things which the congregation should know about in a timely fashion.

So, that brings us to this blog.

As clerk of session, I felt it was important to keep the entire congregation as up to date as possible on the current affairs around the church. The blog format is a relatively new way to communicate, and it holds one real advantage: important information can get out to a great number of people…quickly.

You already receive some news in various ways – through the church bulletin, weekly pulpit announcements and Knox Talks. Those are all great resources of information, but if you happen to be away, the bulletin won’t serve it’s purpose, and while Knox Talks provides a lot of information in each issue, it is quarterly, and some information needs to get out now. That being said, there is no doubt that various details contained in the blog will be repeated in Knox Talks so that some items will get maximum coverage.

I already write two blogs for the church – one for the general public, and a second which keeps elders informed about various issues. This one is just for the congregation and the link will be emailed out to an ever growing database, while copies will be made available through the church office for those not on a computer.

And just one more thing. This blog will not be just concentrated on aspects surrounding the vacancy, but will provide timely information about what’s happening at Knox.

Stated supply

 While many of you no doubt have heard the details about the interim ministry at Knox which were announced from the pulpit recently, it is important that everyone knows the direction that is being taken as we approach the start of the new church year.

At the June meeting of session, our interim moderator presented session with three options as far as interim ministry is concerned starting in September.

Session was in total agreement as to what direction they wanted to take, and as a result, Rev. Kay presented that option to a special meeting of the presbytery on July 24^th, which was approved at that time. The motion as presented to presbytery was as follows:

 (a) That the Rev. John Duff be engaged as stated supply at Knox Presbyterian Church, Burlington, on a one-third time basis, to provide regular pulpit supply and essential pastoral care;

(b) That the appointment be for a period of five months, commencing 1 September 2011 and concluding 31 January 2012;

(c) That prior to 31 January 2012, the Session will review the needs of the congregation going forward into the New Year, and make recommendations accordingly;

(d) That the Session of Knox Presbyterian Church, Burlington be given approval to contract with the Rev. Linda Corry to provide bereavement and other pastoral care as agreed to the congregation of Knox, Burlington;

(e) That the appointment be for a period of five months, commencing 1 September 2011 and concluding 31 January 2012.

Session also requested that the Rev. Thomas Kay remain in place as Interim Moderator during the pulpit vacancy and he indicated his willingness to do so, action that was also approved by presbytery.

Rev. John Duff is a retired Presbyterian minister now living in Ancaster and worshipping at MacNab Street Presbyterian Church.

John says that grew up in Burlington but as a child attended MacNab Street Presbyterian Church, where his grandfather, the Rev. Dr. Beverley Ketchen was minister.  Later his family became part of the beginnings for Aldershot Presbyterian Church, under the ministry of the Rev. William Black. As a child he remembers that in the summer months his family sometimes attended Knox Church; and he also remember Cub and Scout church parades that brought him to Knox.

His ministry has taken him to Red Deer, Meaford and Thornbury, Toronto, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Nicaragua; and St. John's Newfoundland.  He officially retired in 2002, but has done some part-time ministerial assignments from time to time since then.

John has already shown special interest in the Knox congregation. You won’t find his name in the guest book, but he was a visitor in early July, worshipping with the Knox congregation to “get the feel of worship at Knox.”

John emailed me while I was on holidays, and subsequent to that, we had a long telephone conversation concerning his ministry here at Knox. He is on extended holidays out West at the present time, but we will be sitting down soon after he returns to discuss Knox, its ministry, pastoral care, and the needs of the congregation.
 As well, further details about bereavement counselling will be announced as they become available.