unnamed

Sunday January 11 is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald. As Presbyterians we add a particular dimension to the national discussions and celebrations of the day – we remember that our nation’s first Prime Minister was raised within the worship of St. Andrew’s Church Kingston, of which his father, Hugh Macdonald, was among the first elders. As a young lawyer and member of St. Andrew’s, John A. Macdonald seconded the motion at a congregational meeting to begin Queen’s College in 1841, which later became Queen’s University.

615x200-ehow-images-a06-6g-7k-duties-baptist-choir_s-president_-1.1-800x800

‘The faith that shaped the man who shaped a nation’ will be highlighted during this special afternoon hour in the sanctuary. We will be greeted at the sanctuary doors by folk in attire of the first half of the nineteenth century. The same Scottish metrical psalms sung in the early 19th century will be sung again – six of them, including ‘All people that on earth do dwell’, ‘God’s name for ever shall endure’, and ‘Ye gates, ye doors lift up your heads on high’ – but as was the custom then, unaccompanied, led by a precentor with a tuning fork. We will hear about other distinctives of the Presbyterian worship of Sir John’s childhood and youth,  including the use of Communion Tokens, as these of the congregation of St. Andrew’s from the year 1823.

P1150745

Join us!

This hour in the sanctuary will be followed by a demonstration by the Royal Scottish Country Dancing Society in St. Andrew’s Hall from 6-7 p.m., Scottish nibbles in the manse from 7-8 p.m., and a performance by Salon Theatre back in the Hall at 8 p.m. All free! Ample parking available along the streets and in the public lot on Queen Street just west of Clergy.

 

Comments are closed.

Post Navigation