Annesley United Church - Markdale

12/24/2025

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
December 24th 2025 at 7pm
Annesley United Church

07/23/2025

Goodbye Neighbours, Hello Friends
Last month I started posting about all my little walks through the Gardens at Annesley. In my heart, I was working through a long goodbye fueled by a full bodied presence of great Thanksgiving’s for all this place has been for us.
On the day we moved, our dear friend Heather came over and asked Cal what his favourite things about his new room were. He said his bed and his dresser that Poppa Mark built. One quiver followed by one look and our eyes transmitted all the news we could not speak aloud. We hugged and an hour later we were gone too with a package of biscuits and jam in hand. Since that moment I have not quite known what to say, how to feel or where to be because the truth is, change is hard. We have come to know so many of the Community at Annesley as friends who are just like family.
We arrived next door two years ago, stunned, startled and shrouded in the darkness of our great sufferings; we were empty, exhausted and terrified of the world all the while standing by the promise on our hearts that this was exactly where Gods hand was leading us. It’s His simplest known self really, to be all the things we need especially when we never knew or thought we needed them. It did not take long for us to know why. It was The People.
For us, It started with Mark and his friendly giant wave that gathered us straight up in his arms and into the pews. It was how he and Linda made Calvin know he was loved and watched over as he walked by to and from school. It was how they filled our home with hand crafted care. It was how that same care, that same love came from each and every person we connected to, communed with and consulted in. It was the way we felt seen, heard and valued without ever having to ask. Truth be told, we could not escape the love that came as a result of being Annesleys neighbour. Because of it, filled we left knowing exactly who we were and where we stood not just with God, but as people ourselves. As a family who needed the support of each and every hand that reached out to touch us, we are beyond Grateful for all that this place has been for us. Today, our whole home has pieces of this truth, from tables to hutches, sheet sets to books, biscuits to jams to grasses to herbs on the deck and an almost embarrassing picture library of every plant through all their seasons in these stunning gardens. The ones where, in the beginning, I found myself crawling hand over belly, dragging my legs behind just to nestle deep down into. Ohhh These Gardens that offered me so much of what I needed each and every day of our stay.
So Thank you ALL for everything you do for the Community of Markdale and beyond. It’s Welcoming, it’s Accessibilty it’s Warmth and Shelter for all those who need it. Supported foundations are the pillar of the good life. After that, who we are on the inside can begin to radiate from the very ground we stroll across to the atmosphere all around us.
We look forward to returning as friends of the community.
Love 💕 The Lahtis

06/18/2025

A walk with Me from Yesterday to Today!
Oh me oh my, what wonders await deep inside the Gardens at Annesley.
On Monday it was all about the Peonies! By Tuesday a Clematis caught my eye and now today 😍 Oh yes today, there are two Clematis flowers rounding the Corner Stones. There are 50 shades of Purple exploding through every view and the Maroons, mixed amongst these Crimson Queens, these Buds sitting perfectly pretty, awaiting their moment to burst fully into Life!
Oh my oh me, there certainly is a lot to see at Annesley!

06/16/2025

Walk with Me.
A few of the kids and I on a post Sunday Service Stroll through the Gardens! At first glance it’s a blank white page, but a second look on Monday shows us so very much more.
Peony season is unfurling this week with deep rich colours bursting into life. The lush green backdrops illuminate each blossoms Prideful display across the sunny side of the building.
Over in the shady shadows Bleeding Hearts 💕 delicately deliver their elegant sway under the canopy of Guac Hostas. And how could we not indulge into the last rush of Columbines enticingly calling is up through to the entranceway doors!
Oh my oh my, there is so much we can barely wait to see along these paths through Annesley! 😍

06/13/2025

A Stroll through the Gardens!

It’s a Hot Purple moment happening over at the Annesley Gardens and this author, for one, could not feel more honoured to showcase them.
The Aliums are closing in for the season, Solomon’s Seals are dripping like dewdrops of honey; while the Irises are rolling into their Splendour. Off in the horizon you can see the Peonies about burst into life as the Ants busy about their day!
It is definitely a site to see here at Annesley!

06/07/2025

The festivities are underway for the Spring Fling happening in the Lower Level of Annesley!
Shoes are Snapping
Snacks are Cracking
and the Fun is Flying!

Look for the ribbon and the propped door and follow the sound of music 🎶

06/06/2025

Not to boast but 😍
There is a buzz going on about Annesley lately especially with the First Annual Family Spring Fling just 2 sleeps away!
These Kids have been busy, dreaming up ideas, requesting snacks from and inviting all to come. Even some of our moms and members have been spotted rounding up supplies like projectors, pool noodles, games and crafting center pieces Oh My!
It is starting to look and sound like the thing to do this Saturday Night, 6-8pm! Complete with a Donated as Led Cost and a Joy Factor sure to carryover.

06/02/2025

This Saturday June 7th 6-8pm it’s a Dance Party kinda celebration over at Annesley United Church.
Grab your friends, your grandkids and come on out as the Youth Group hosts their first Annual Spring Fling and welcomes the Community in for an evening of impromptu Music and Games.
Cost is Donate as Led, All Families are Welcome!

05/02/2025

Save the Date!
Saturday June 7 from 6-8 pm
You are invited to a Family Dance and Games Night presented by the Annesley United Church Youth Group.
The Kids are very excited about having this call to service and to open the doors and invite
in their friends and greater community. They have an Under the Sea themed backdrop for Family Photos, a Dance Floor, Snacks and a Games Table with the hopes of creating a welcoming environment for Moms and Dads, Neighbors and Friends to be able to gather for an evening of Fun for everyone.
So call grandma and grandpa, round up your friends and dust off those dancing shoes because it’s sure to be a hit!
We all look forward to seeing you there.

04/25/2025

03/26/2025

Elvis is coming to Markdale!
Garry Wesley is the #1 International Elvis Tribute Artist. Also performing is Donna Brooks, singing the hits of Patsy Cline &Tammy Wynette. Don’t miss this great show!
See details below

03/10/2025

I loved just about everything that transpired in, around and outside of Annesley today. It’s had a kind of slow burn effect as I sit back and reflect across the bigger picture forming.

For me, Church starts a day or two before Sundays Service when the Ladies and I start messaging to let each other know “We’ll be there” It’s where we can all get caught up and up to speed with one another. It’s where our kids can go off on their own and bring joy to the entirety of the congregation just by being present. It’s literally where we go to have our cake and it too and I couldn’t be more lucky that it doubles as my actual neighbour.

But what I loved the most about today was seeing how these kids have this place, this space to feel safe under the shelter of God, in this Church that lets them know how special they are, how cared for they are and how loved they are by the people who are their neighbors too.

Thank you Rev Christine and Mike for making this happen and the Annesley Community for all you do, it really is a hopeful sight in the midst of so much global strife. It’s exactly what we need.

https://www.youtube.com/live/RDJz2Hh7y5k?si=fTWtm1iSjlUzuk-I