In Memoriam: Donald Cameron

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of Don Cameron on December 13th after a life well lived.

“His health had taken a turn the last month,” says daughter Wendy, “but his passing was unexpected. Fortunately Mom, Andrew and his wife were with him and my nephews and I got to say goodbye on the phone.”

One of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, Donald always had a smile and a greeting for everyone. He particularly loved children, and never talked down to them. He happily dressed as Santa for several years at the Mission Christmas party.

As a Mason, Donald played in a pipe and drum band, and could occasionally be persuaded to drum for us at church on Christmas Eve or other special occasions. At SouthWest, he sang in the choir and sat on Church Council. At the annual Holly Tea, Donald could always be found selling raffle tickets, often with a young apprentice (Roman, then Theo) by his side.

He was a loving husband to Helen for 67 years, a proud father to Wendy, Andrew and the late Ian, and a devoted grandfather.

We have nothing to report about “arrangements”. As you know, funerals are severely restricted in these Covid times. I can report that Wendy has arrived from Ottawa and will spend Christmas with her mother.

Donald lives on in our memories as we hold his family in prayer.

 

Amy

A kilted Donald played his drum at the first official service of the newly amalgamated SouthWest United Church; Donald and Helen in October 2013 on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary.

Kilt_Don.jpg
Donald_Oct_2013.jpg

Beryl's Blog: Advent 4 - Love

As Christmas approaches, I am reminded of the words of Christine Sine*, written in 2018.

“We think of Advent as a time of us waiting for the birth of Christ, yet in some ways it is just as much a time of Christ waiting for us – waiting for us to notice him, to take time to acknowledge him and to more than anything, waiting for us to allow his light to shine through us.”

She went on to write the following poem which touches me as much today as it did when I first read it.  I hope that it will touch you too!

Advent 4.png

*Christine Sine is the founder and facilitator for Godspace, which grew out of her passion for creative spirituality, gardening and sustainability. She describes herself as a contemplative activist, passionate gardener, author, and liturgist.

Merry Little Christmases

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas has long been my favorite Christmas song. This year, it has special meaning.

It was originally performed by Judy Garland in Meet Me in St. Louis, a nostalgic movie musical set near the turn of the last century, and there have been many many covers of it since then. Legend has it that Frank Sinatra asked lyricist Hugh Martin for a few revisions when he wanted to record the song for a Christmas album in 1957 but found the original lyrics, well, a tad glum. Most of us have been singing these slightly more upbeat lyrics ever since.

When Judy (as Esther Smith) sings it to Margaret O’Brien, who plays her little sister, it is Christmas Eve; the Smith family has been thrown into turmoil by their father’s announcement that he will be relocating them all to New York right after the holidays.  This comes at least three-quarters of the way into a film in which all anyone can talk about is the World’s Fair which is to open in their “home town” the following spring. Esther’s St. Louis is a charming place full of horse-drawn carriages, clanging trolley cars and adorable boys-next-door. She and her siblings are devastated at having to leave, feeling that their lives will never be the same again.

It’s no accident that this song (original version) was first sung in a film released in November, 1944, when many families were separated by the war, and had been for some time. I can’t quite believe how appropriate they are for this current Christmas when many of us will forgo gathering with friends and loved ones because of the pandemic.  Our celebrations are likely to be much “littler” than we would like.

The original lyrics are sad and wistful, acknowledging – unusual for a seasonal ditty - that we have troubles, that we may not feel okay. But they also remind us that things won’t always be as they are. They encourage us to just hold on a little longer:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yule tide gay
Next year all our troubles will be miles away

Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Will be near to us once more

Someday soon, we all will be together
If the fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

 

- Amy

Beryl's Blog: Advent 3 - Joy

December 13, 2020

JOY Sunday

(Also known as Mary Sunday) 

 

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?

 Mary, did you know? Did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again…

 

Mary, Did You Know?" is Christmas song addressing Mary, mother of Jesus, with lyrics written by Mark Lowry in 1984, and music written by Buddy Greene in 1991.

English
Français