The Gathering Place: Port Colborne Presbyterian Church

03/17/2026

We used to have many the Sunday School wiener roast & hayride at Agapé Valley. Great fun!

Check out our menu! It’s maple season now which means you only have a few more days this month to enjoy our restaurant!

Open March 16-21, 28
Grab a parking pass and bring your appetite!

11/07/2025

The elegy does the work of mourning; it allows us to experience mortality. It turns loss into remembrance, and it delivers an inheritance.
Edward Hirsch

It’s November – a month of early dark and cooler days; a month to say a fond farewell to summer and welcome winter. (I write that as someone who likes winter.) It’s also the month that we start off with Remembrance days – this Sunday at church and Tuesday at H.H.Knoll Park.

As is our tradition, we will have our Memorials set up to those who served from First Presbyterian Church in both World Wars. There will also be a table for anyone who wants to bring family photos or mementos so that their loved ones are ‘present’ in the worship. Another part of our tradition is the reciting of “In Flanders Fields”, remembering that poet John McCrae had family connections with Port Colborne.

Normally, Larry Fisher would be in charge of Sunday’s service but, as we learned last Sunday, Dana Fisher has ended up in Hamilton hospital after a bad fall. The encouraging news is that she’s had an operation and things are “on the up”. 1 Thessalonians 5 does say to “pray without ceasing” so … do that! (Factoid: “Pray Without Ceasing” was the original title of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.) In Larry’s absence, The Gathering Place “team” will keep the traditions alive; come and help us Remember.

And we will also remember dear Isabel Brema who passed away last weekend in her 100th year. One of the ‘grand old characters’ of our congregation, Isabel was always in the thick of things on Elm Street. She will be fondly remembered!

Looking ahead, keep in mind that our “Share the Warmth” will be our Advent project again for…the fourth year? We’ll be looking for new hats, scarves, and gloves/mittens. Knitters, get knitting! Bargain hunters, get … umm … hunting? Bargaining?

On a separate note, although connected in spirit, a group of people working to support the homeless have asked us to help collect back packs; they’ll be used to put together support packs for people without at permanent home. Good is the work; great is the need.

So let’s remember those who have gone before, and serve those who are with us now. See you Sunday.

Seeking to forget makes exile all the longer;
the secret of redemption lies in remembrance.
Richard von Weizsaecker

10/30/2025

Remember this weekend ...

08/05/2025

So that's Canal Days done for another year! Thanks to everyone who staffed The Gathering Place so that visitors could put their feet up and cool off. We even had some 'takers' for the stress squeeze craft table!

07/08/2025

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.
Russell Baker

I’m not a heat lover but there is a pleasure in seeing people strolling down the streets and having a coffee al fresco. I even had an ice cream truck chiming it’s music down my street; have we ever had one in Port before? I don’t remember one …

Anyway, it may be summer but there are still things to do, jobs to get done!

First on our list is this coming Sunday. George McKibbon will be leading the service and we’re following that on with a Potluck Lunch – sort of an indoor church picnic! I like the idea of a potluck; if everyone brings ‘a dish’, doesn’t that mean that everyone has to eat the equivalent of ‘a dish’? I like the math of that.

Next up will be Canal Days. Now – we won’t be having a Service that Sunday but we will be open in the afternoons and evenings as a cooling centre for the crowds.
Friday Aug 1: 1.00 to 6.00 p.m.
Saturday Aug 2: 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Sunday Aug 3: 12.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m
Monday Aug 4: 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m
If you can spare a couple of hours in any of those time slots – not necessarily the whole time - please call in and put your name down OR just shoot us an email and we’ll sort it out.

Meanwhile, elsewhere …

Port Cares is deep into its School Supplies campaign which they hope to lock down by the end of July. Makes sense, doesn’t it? That gives them August to divvy it all up and get it out to the kids in time for that Back to School excitement. They’re collecting for the whole range – K right up to Grade 12 – but, please, they need NEW things. I’m long past the whole school thing but. boy, is it fun to be shopping for pencil cases and erasers and rulers and stuff. Join the fun! You can drop off the largess here at The Gathering Place, at Port Cares, or at our table at the Friday Farmers’ Market.

And that’s about it. Enjoy the heat, welcome the rain, and help if you can! ‘Til next time.

Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it.
Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it.
Sai Baba

06/17/2025

“And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” James Russel Lowell

Yes, I know. By time you get this it will probably raining, but the Welsh have a saying, “the sunshine on the hill will come again”. And it’s bright and warm right now so let us share some noteworthy bits and pieces coming up on our calendar.

We have a summer of interesting Sunday mornings before us. It kicked off this past Sunday with Jo’Anna Carter taking us through the importance of the Samaritan woman at the well. A great start as this summer’s theme is Women In the Bible and five of us are taking turns in the weeks to come. Here’s the low-down …

June 15 Jo’Anna Carter
June 22 Jane Thomas
June 29 Ann McKibbon
July 6 Larry Fisher
July 13 George McKibbon
July 20 Jo’Anna
July 27 Jane
Aug 3 No Service – Canal Days
Aug 10 Ann
Aug 17 Larry
Aug 24 George
Aug 31 Jo’Anna

While you’re getting those in your diary you might also jot down that July 13 will also be our summer Pot Luck! Do you have anything you want to mention, questions to ask? There’ll be a chance over coffee to put the world to rights.

We’re doing the Cooling Centre thing again for Canal Days. If you can sit around, smile, and be welcoming for a shift or two, let us know. Maybe you aren’t one of our congregation but your group could use some space downtown that weekend; drop us a line.

But BEFORE THAT … Georgia Smith is having a G Sale this coming Saturday, June 21, and there will be a bit set aside for us. If you have a few decent doodads and thingummies looking for a new home, we could use them to raise a bit of dosh for The GP but they MUST be delivered to Georgia at 205 Lakeshore West BY FRIDAY, June 20! Pray for good weather!

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

Port Cares is getting ready for the next school year even before the current one is over! Respect! Mustn’t leave these things too late … and that means us too. One bit of the programme that we know we can help with is the school supplies. They do need to be NEW and they’re looking for backpacks, crayons, pens, pencil crayons, math sets (protractors etc. for high school), binders, pencil sharpeners, spiral notebooks, erasers, highlighters, scientific calculators, pencil cases / supply boxes, and duo tangs. Am I showing my age, or that I’ve been out of country for a lonnnng time, if I admit that I don’t know what duo tangs are? Whatever, I have great faith in our Bits ‘n’ Bites peeps to step up and contribute BEFORE AUGUST!

Actually, there are lots of ways you can provide very real support to school kids and their families in the Port area. Make sure you visit https://www.portcares.ca/blog-port-cares/help-us-fill-kids-backpacks-for-september for full details.

So … what else?

Well, Adam’s doing OK. His mother hasn’t stopped feeding him but he’ll survive. He’s working hard and sent a precis of his thesis if anyone is interested. Make sure you have the Oxford English Dictionary to hand … and the Oxford Bible Commentary wouldn’t go amiss. You have been warned. At least it’s in English. We accidentally face-timed him a couple of Sundays ago (honest, I was just showing someone how you could do it and I hit the wrong button) and he seemed to be holding up quite nicely. He says hello.

And we have a new neighbour: Grills Cheese. It’s a wee café specializing in (surprise surprise) grilled cheese sandwiches as well as breakfast sandwiches and other delights. Pop in; swap howdies.

I’m sure there’s tons of stuff I’ve forgotten but I can always write again. Keep safe, keep well, keep cool, and God bless.

He who marvels at the beauty of the world in summer will find equal cause for wonder and admiration in winter.”
John Burroughs

05/02/2025

We're back at the Port Colborne Farmers' Market collecting for the Food Bank and inviting conversations with shoppers. Jeff Burch, our MPP, called around and congratulated us on a worthwhile Outreach.

03/30/2025

As promised, a few pix from Rev Adam's last Sunday as our Minister. Having said that ... he WILL be back as a Guest Minister for Holy Week!

03/30/2025

Rev. Adam's last Sunday as our Teaching Elder ended with a typical Gathering Place potluck - or maybe even a bit revved up from 'typical'. Apart from the food, there was a slide show with highlights of his 13 years with us (it's here: https://youtu.be/-Q90dVDUPEE), a congregational warble of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas", and a wee presentation at the end. Photos to follow.

Oh, we are going to miss him. (And, pretty sure, he'll miss us too.)

Our teaching Elder for 13 years, Adam is on his way back to Hungary to finish his Doctorate. Here are just a FEW things we've done together over the years.

03/27/2025

"I think the most beautiful thing is that we're not parting because there were problems. We're parting because we're celebrating each others' growth.” Kelly Rowland

Well, it’s here: Rev. Adam’s final Sunday as our Teaching Elder. We all know that he has stuck with us through times (very) thick and (very) thin and we have certainly learned how to pivot in the last 13 years! Of course, we won’t be letting him leave without a Send Off. Or two.

Starting this Sunday, March 30th, Worship will be followed by a Potluck Lunch – and you know how good our potlucks are. There may be a few things said, and a few things sung over dessert. Just sayin’. All welcome!

We know there will be some of you busy with your own churches on the Sunday so we will also be hosting an Open House on Saturday, April 26th from 2.00 to 4.00 p.m. with the Rev. as Guest of Honour. Again, mindenki az üdvözöljük (which I hope says, ‘everyone is welcome’; if it doesn’t, blame Google.)

Just to complicate matters a bit (in the nicest way), Sunday isn’t strictly speaking his last Service at The Gathering Place. Rumour has it he will be leading the Easter Sunday worship … as a Guest Preacher.

Rev. Wally Hong will be our Interim Moderator and he’s lining up Ministers and speakers so The Gathering Place will Rock On! Watch this space.

Meanwhile, elsewhere

You know the Summerhayes Art Studios over at the Guild Hall? They have some great courses and even the beginningest of beginners can produce something worthy of framing. Well, they’ve had a grant so that Seniors over 55 can come for free! Pop in for more info or email them: [email protected]

You’re going to be pulling out your summer clothes soon. You know how they’re all too big cuz you lost SO much weight over Christmas? Call on the services of Belquis. She and her two boys are from Afghanistan and are being sponsored by all the Niagara Presbytery Churches. And SHE’S A TAILOR! Get stitched up; contact her at [email protected]

So, keep safe, keep well, keep all the above in mind … and God Bless!

God be with you till we meet again;
loving counsels guide, uphold you,
may the Shepherd’s care enfold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
J.E.Rankin

03/24/2025

What are disinformation and misinformation? How are they being used in our society and media? Who is impacted? Why is it important for us to pay attention? What can we do if we encounter it in our faith life and community? Join us for a webinar hosted by Sara Speicher, Deputy General Secretary of the World Association for Christian Communication and find out! Register here: https://bit.ly/disinformation-misinformation_webinar