MacKay United celebrates in ‘renewed’ space

MacKay United Church congregants will enjoy the Christmas festive season in their renewed sanctuary space.

No more falling or water-damaged plaster. Bright new paint on the walls and ceiling. New ceiling lights and fans plus new lights on each side of the sanctuary pillars replacing 1960s style sconces. No more sconces on the walls, allowing emphasis on the memorial plaques, and a cleaned and re-mounted Pentecost Dove artifact dating back to the 1950s.

The Christmas festive season and the month of November leading into it is always a busy time at MacKay. Music and Meditation returns on Tuesday, November 5. And as MacKay will celebrate its 150th birthday in 2025, along with the 100th anniversary of the United Church in Canada, the Anniversary Sunday service on November 17 will be special.

December 15 concert and bake sale

But there’s also time for fun in November — the popular Beechwood Night Market in MacKay’s Memorial Hall returns on Saturday, November 16. And before that event, MacKay’s United Church Women (UCW) will be entertained on Wednesday, November 13 at 1.00 p.m. in the Ladies’ Parlour by church treasurer Bruce Holyoake with tales of the adventures on the Turner Classic Movies cruise he enjoyed in October.

The UCW will be back in action with their “Big, Big Bake Sale” following the popular Christmas at MacKay concert on Sunday, December 15. The concert is usually standing room only, but there’s additional seating this year now that the sanctuary balcony is open again.

There will be a “Bittersweet of Christmas” event on December 17 to help those who may not be up for all the gaiety of the festive season. And the traditional Christmas candlelight family service will be held at 4.30 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

For information on all MacKay events, visit the church website or its Facebook page, or contact the church office at 613-749-8727 on weekday mornings until noon.

This article was written by Eleanor Dunn.