News

ABC (Art, Books, Cookies) Sale, June 11 at the Kirk

May 2022

This spring the Kirk is trying out a new fundraising idea – an ABC (Art, Books & Cookies) Sale. The event will take place in-person in the Kirk Hall at 35 Fitzroy Street on June 11, 2022 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm.

 

Kirk Collaboration with Island Pregnancy Centre

May 2022

The Kirk is working with the Island Pregnancy Centre (IPC) this year on a new mission project to provide support and encouragement to new mothers who are either disadvantaged or lack robust social supports.

 

Frances McBurnie Receives Honourary Doctorate

May 2022

The Kirk’s organist and Music Director, Frances McBurnie, was awarded an Honourary Doctorate by the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) during convocation ceremonies on May 12, 2022.

 

Unmarked Graves at Residential Schools

July 2021

During the month of June, 2021, three horrific discoveries of unmarked graves near the sites of former Residential Schools have been announced. While all of the three schools were run by the Roman Catholic Church, Residential Schools were operated by a number of Christian denominations, including the Presbyterian Church in Canada. In this context, the following Joint Statement from the Current and Former Moderator Regarding Residential Schools was issued.

 

Kirk Thanks Choral Scholars

April 2021

On Sunday, April 25, 2021, the Kirk enjoyed its last scheduled choral selection from its Choral Scholars, a magnificent Anthem, “Hear my Prayer” by Mendelssohn. Following the selection, David Robinson, the Clerk of Session, thanked the Choral Scholars for their many contributions to Kirk life.

 

Our first (and hopefully last) Lobster-less Fundraiser

April 2021

As Mother’s Day approaches, friends of the Kirk usually turn their thoughts to the enjoyment of our  traditional Lobster Plate Take-Out. Unfortunately, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, we do not feel that we can successfully hold the Take-Out this year. Instead, this year we are holding a Lobster-less Fundraiser. UPDATED

 

Christmas Joy for Ibtisam and Haneen

December 2020

Three years ago the Kirk joined a number of other Island churches in sponsoring the Toma family of refugees from Iraq. Last year we learned that we could also sponsor Basma’s sister, Ibtisam Toma and her 17 year old daughter Haneen Alnas. After months of planning, the pair finally arrived in Prince Edward Island on December 10, 2020.

 

‘Liberation75’ Tulips Bloom at the Kirk

May 2020

A lovely display of salmon-orange tulips is currently enhancing the façade of the Kirk of St. James. The hundred tulips were planted last fall as part of a Royal Canadian Legion initiative to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian and Allied forces on May 5, 1945.

 

Jocelyne Lloyd new Managing Editor of The Guardian

May 2020

Kirk Elder, Jocelyne Lloyd has been confirmed as the new Managing Editor of The Guardian, our Island newspaper.

 

Bell Tolls for Nova Scotia Shooting Victims

April 2020

On Friday, April 24, 2020 at six p.m., the Kirk’s bell will toll in remembrance of the victims of the deadly shooting rampage that took place in Nova Scotia’s Colchester County this past weekend.

 

‘Liberation75’ Tulips Planted at Kirk

November 2019

the Liberation 75 tulip is being planted across Canada this autumn, to bloom in the spring of 2020, to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands by Canadian and Allied troops in 1945.

 

$1.0 Million and Counting…

August 2019

During worship on August 18, David Hooley, Chair of the Kirk’s Renewing HOPE Capital Campaign, was able to announce a significant milestone in the fundraising effort.

 

Winsloe Soccer Pitch named Tom Wallis Field

August 2019

On July 13, 2019 one of the large soccer pitches at the Winsloe Soccer Complex was formally named the Tom Wallis Field. Tom was a valued member of the Kirk congregation, before he passed away in December 2017.

 

Daphne Dumont receives the Law Society of PEI Distinguished Community Service Award

June 2019

Kirk Elder Daphne Dumont has been named the 2019 recipient of the Law Society of PEI Distinguished Community Service Award for her many good works over the years.

 

Problematic music video “O Lord” shot at Kirk

May 2019

On May 25, Island rap singer Greg MacDonald, aka “Problematic,” shot a music video for his new single “O Lord” in the Sanctuary of the Kirk of St. James.

 

Lobster Plate Take-Out at the Kirk

May 2019

On Sunday, May 12, 2019, Mother’s Day, the Kirk of St. James will again be hosting it’s annual Lobster Plate Take-Out fundraiser.

 

Invitation from the Rainbow Communion

April 2019

Rainbow Communion is mandated by the 2017 General Assembly to host safe and respectful Listening Spaces across the country. All who wish to share stories of harm done to them within and by the church because of homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism &/or hypocrisy, as well as experiences of God’s grace in ministry amidst those challenges are invited to share.

 

Nakhleh Family Safe in Charlottetown

March 2019

The Nakhleh family of Syrian refugees are finally safely settled into their new home in Charlottetown, PE. They arrived after a two day journey from Beirut, Lebanon, landing on Friday morning, March 1, 2019.

Kirk Introduces New Interim Minister

February 2019

The Rev. Dr. Kay Diviney will be temporarily leading the congregation of the Kirk of St. James, between February 1 and August 31, 2019. She is providing maternity leave coverage for Rev. Amanda Henderson-Bolton.

 

Rev. Amanda’s Baby Boy Arrives

January 2019

On January 22, her firstborn son was born! He arrived almost three weeks early, taking Rev. Amanda and the Kirk family by surprise.

 

Kirk launches “Renewing Hope” Capital Campaign

January 2019

On January 6, 2019, the Kirk of St. James launched its “Renewing Hope” capital campaign. The campaign will raise the funds needed to update and repair the Kirk’s facilities.

 

Don MacKenzie appointed Queen’s Counsel

December 2018

Don MacKenzie, a Kirk Elder, has received the highly prestigious appointment as a Queen’s Counsel.

 

Joyous Start to Advent

December 2018

The Advent season commenced in joyous fashion at the Kirk, with the lighting of the first candle on our Advent wreath, a baptism, the reception of five new members, and our Advent communion service.

 

Bells of Peace to Ring November 11

November 2018

To mark the hundredth anniversary of the signing of the First World War armistice on November 11, 1918, the Kirk and all Charlottetown places of worship that are fitted with bells, will ring them 100 times at sunset, 4:44 pm.

 

Kirk to Launch Million Dollar Capital Campaign

September 2018

At a Special Congregational Meeting held on September 23, the congregation of the Kirk of St. James unanimously voted to undertake a $1.0 million major capital campaign to restore and improve the church building.

 

Rev. Amanda New Moderator of the Presbytery of PEI

September 2018

During its annual meeting Rev. Amanda Henderson-Bolton was inducted as the new Moderator of the Presbytery of Prince Edward Island.

 

Dr. Eric Green Lecturer 2018

August 2018

The 2018 Dr. Eric Green Lecture, will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Peter Denton on Friday, September 28, 2018 at the University of Prince Edward Island.

 

Quilt Raffle

August 2018

A group of talented quilters have hand-made a beautiful 80” x 86” quilt for the purpose of raising funds for the Kirk of St. James.

 

Kirk Youth a Suzanne Brenton Award winner

June 2018

The Kirk would like to congratulate Judy Yun on winning the Suzanne Brenton Award at the 2018 Kiwanis PEI Music Festival.

 

The Kirk’s Faith in Action Weekend

June 2018

On Saturday, June 9, the Kirk of St. James held its annual Faith-in-Action slate of activities in support of local mission and outreach.

 

New Accessible Pew at the Kirk

May 2018

As part of our ongoing efforts to make the Kirk more accessible, suitable seating area for those in wheelchairs or using walkers has been provided.

 

Jim Macnutt wins national award for book

April 2018

Kirk Elder Jim Macnutt has won the Canadian Museums Association’s 2018 Award of Outstanding Achievement for his 2017 book, Historic Furniture of Prince Edward Island.

 

Kirk Choral Scholars in National Youth Choir

April 2018

The Kirk’s four Choral scholars, Tara Llewellyn, Melissa Lewis, Ian Soloman and Gaige Waugh, have all been selected to join the National Youth Choir for 2018.

 

Lady Baker’s Tea Trolley becomes Kirk tenant

April 2018

Kirk member Katherine Burnett has moved the back-room part of her successful tea business, Lady Baker’s Tea Trolley, into facilities in the Kirk’s basement.

 

The Royal Commonwealth Society 2018 Observances

March 2018

On Monday, March 12, 2018 the PEI Branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society held its Commonwealth Day observance at the Kirk of St. James, celebrating the theme “Towards a Common Future.”

 

Pamela Stewart completes term as Action Clerk of Session

March 2018

During the Kirk’s Annual General Meeting on March 4, 2018, Kirk Elder Pamela Stewart completed six years as an active Elder and better than four years as the Action Clerk of Session.

 

Letter of Repentance to the LGBTQI Community

February 2018

Rev. Peter Bush, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, issued an historic letter of repentance to members of the LGBTQI community.

 

Raymond Moore inducted into PEI Rugby Union Hall of Fame

January 2018

Long time Kirk choir member and Elder Raymond Moore has been named to the initial class of inductees into the PEI Rugby Union’s Hall of Fame.

 

Jim Macnutt authors new book

January 2018

Kirk Elder Jim Macnutt has published a new book, his first novel, Entitled On Five Dollars a Day: An Innocent Abroad in Europe 1965.

 

Kirk Members receive Senate of Canada 150th Medals

November 2017

Two members of the Kirk family have been honoured by the Senate of Canada for their volunteer work in the community.