by Connie Tabbert
Editor
BEACHBURG — The Keep the Fires Burning fundraiser at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church Sunday evening was a success.
Organizer Phil Cottrell said the different denominations coming together to sing and raise money was a very positive experience for all involved.
The fundraiser is to help the parishioners raise money to connect to natural gas to heat the church. The current oil furnace has been red-tagged, so it cannot be used to heat the church this year, Mr. Cottrell said.
Opening the event, Mr. Cottrell welcomed everyone and said, “It’s great to see the church full.” With a chuckle, and bringing laughter from those in the pews, he added. “It’s a little unusual.”
It was heartwarming to receive such a positive response from the various choirs and soloists from different denominations who agreed to perform, he said.
Rev. Linda Wheeler welcomed those gathered to the church and in prayer thanked the Lord for bringing everyone together to sing.
“We pray together for your glory and kindness,” she said. “We pray we are witness to your presence. Thank you for being with us tonight. May we sing your glory. Remember, everything we have is yours.”
For the next 45 minutes, the audience was entertained with groups, choirs and soloists. The silence during the performances was astounding, as each person gave the performers the attention they deserved.
Jean Robinson, Peter Saffery and Sandra Jeffries each peformed solists while the choirs included the Anglican Church choir under the direction of Marie Zettler, St. Andrew’s United Church choir in Westmeath under the direction of Myrtle Bromley and Gayle Ethier directing the Catholic Church choir, which was made up of members from Mount St. Caramel in LaPasse and Our Lady of Grace in Westmeath.
Rev. Kevin Moratz, who has been pastor at St. Andrew’s United Church in Beachburg for a year, was the guest speaker. He recalled when he was coming to the area, how he would be accepted.
“Since that time, I have been involved with the people of the community in both good times and bad,” he said. “From the community barbecues and baptisms to those times where tragedy and grief have gripped those around me; in all cases, it was the sense of community and caring that to me stands out. From those casseroles that just seem to show up at the right moment to the compassionate phone call that arrives just when it is needed, the concern that is shown by members of this community continues to amaze me.”
It’s easy to become isolated in today’s society, Rev. Moratz said. However, the crowd gathered at this fundraiser shows that hasn’t happened here, he noted.
“Those who are here know how important this church is in remaining connected,” he said. “We are all connected and intimately related to each other. This is the basis for the compassion, gratitude, wonder, vision, kindness, and so much more that I have experienced in my time here, and for that I am forever grateful.”
Just before the free-will offering was taken up, Mr. Cottrell said, “Please, help us keep warm.”
During the social time following the singing, Mr. Cottrell told the crowd just over $1,700 had been collected.
“That is beyond our expectations,” he said.
