An Act of Covenanting between the Reverend Linda Buchanan, the Congregation of Lennoxville United Church and the Consistoire Québec Presbytery of the United Church of Canada took place at Lennoxville United Church on Sunday, September 25th at 2:00 p.m. The service and ceremonies were presided over by Marc Grenon, Chair of the Québec Presbytery, David Lambie, its Secretary and the Reverend Samuel Dansokho, Plymouth Trinity United Church, Sherbrooke. Esther Barnett, Chair of the Official Board of Lennoxville United Church, expressed warm greetings to those in attendance and welcomed special invited guests, the Right Reverend Edward Symington of St. George’s Anglican Church, Lennoxville, Pastor Marc Potvin, Green Ridge Baptist Church, Reverend Heather Thomson, St. Mark’s Chapel, Bishop’s University and Claude Charron, Conseiller – Borough of Lennoxville.

Beautiful music and inspirational hymns were provided throughout the service by the combined Choirs of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Lennoxville United Church, Plymouth Trinity United Church and Bishop’s University soloist Daphnee Vandal, with Lennoxville United’s Organist and Choir Director Maryse Simard at the organ and Bishop’s University’s Fannie Gaudette at the piano. The musical highlight of the afternoon was a beautiful rendition of the anthem “O Happy Day!” by Edwin R. Hawkins.

Pat Smith and Debbie Harrison greeted the guests and congregants as they entered the Church and were seated by ushers Nancy Blair, Doug Blair and Russell Gillam. Stewards on Duty were Chrissie Mackey and Russell Gillam. Pierre Demers read the selection from the Old Testament: Exodus 16: Verses 1-15: “Bread in the Dessert” and Nancy Rowell read from the Gospel, Matthew 14: Verses 13-21 “Bread in a Deserted Place”. A most uplifting sermon was then delivered by guest preacher, the Reverend Steve Gillam from Dorval.

Following the Service of the Word the Act of Covenanting took place with promises entered into by the new minister, the Reverend Linda Buchanan, the members and adherents of the congregation of Lennoxville United Church and those representing the Québec Presbytery.

A most impressive part of the service occurred when the Symbols of the Ministry were presented to our new Minister, Linda Buchanan, by Michael Durrant and Nancy Suitor (the Bible from which to preach the Word), Glenys Groves and Dillon Everett (the Water from which to baptize into Christ), Andy & Jean Porter (the Chalice and Paten, with which to celebrate the Holy Meal) and Robert Evans and Rebecca Boire (the Quilt with which to care for the congregation).

We then took part in a Service of Thanksgiving during which the offering was dedicated to helping the work of Mission and Service which supports partners and programmes of the United Church in Canada and throughout the developing world. This was followed by the greatly anticipated message from the new minister after which the service drew to a close in usual form.

Guests and congregants gathered in the Lower Scott Hall after the Service for a time of fellowship and refreshments served by the United Church Women.