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April
2001 Newsletter
Jubilee
A Celebration in the Valley
The
Red Hill Creek Valley means different things to different
people. For many it's a bit of nature preserved in our midst,
for others it's a spot for recreation and escape from the
urban concrete all around and for some the Creek plays a
spiritual role. These people may take a walk along the Creek
and feel close to the powerful story of Creation as they
see the dark earth waken and release the fresh growth under
the warmth of the spring sunshine. For them the Creek actually
helps them feel closer to their God.
The
Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee Initiative is helping us in
Hamilton celebrate the spiritual role of nature. They have
prepared an ecumenical service, which is going to be put
on in the Red Hill Creek Valley. A number of different churches
and environmental groups have worked for over a year to
prepare the ecumenical service and it's going to happen
on Saturday, April 28.
The
service is open to everyone. You don't have to be a churchgoer
to attend. There will be lots of music for people to enjoy.
There will be hymns to sing together and poet John Terpstra
will recite one of his poems, accompanied by pianist Bart
Nameth. The Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts Children's
Choir will perform during the service.
The
Rt. Rev. Sen. Lois Wilson, former Moderator of the United
Church, will be the main celebrant. She will also speak
about the importance of nature to humanity. Jesuit priest
Jim Profit will be joining us from Guelph and he will give
a short address on Jubilee and the Environment. After we've
sung and rejoiced at the beauty of creation all around us
we will join together to plant some Jubilee saplings in
the valley.
The
service will be held on the baseball diamonds below the
Rosedale Arena
at Greenhill Ave and Cochrane Rd. However, it is recommended
that participants from above the escarpment meet in the
parking lot on Mud Street, just west of Mount Albion Road
at 1:30 pm, to walk to the site. People who live below the
escarpment should meet at the Red Hill Bowl parking lot
(SW corner of King St. and Lawrence Rd.) also at 1:30 pm.
Volunteers will be available at 1:30 pm to guide walkers
along the trails to the tent where the service will be held.
As you walk along pick up a broken twig from the ground
for the offertory. If you prefer not to walk you can drive
to the Rosedale Arena and park above the site in the arena
parking lot or drive down to the lot north of the diamonds.
The
musicians will begin to play in the big tent below the Rosedale
Arena at 2:00 pm. Daniel Allen, Jacob Moon accompanied by
his group and Stephen Fuller will entertain until the service
begins at 2:30 pm.
The
Jubilee Committee isn't very large and needs volunteers
to make this event a success. Volunteers from Friends
of Red Hill are needed to guide people along the trail.
Many of the participants will never have been in the valley
before. We need people who know the valley to share their
knowledge and enthusiasm for it. We also need people to
direct traffic at the Rosedale Arena and to help people
find their way. We need volunteers to look after a children's
craft table and to help keep children busy during the service.
During
the service there won't be chairs to sit on so we'd like
members of the FRHV to bring extra lawn chairs to the site
(labeled with their names) for people who feel they need
to sit down part way through the service. More than anything
we need Friends of Red Hill Valley to welcome participants
into the valley with warmth and enthusiasm for the beauty
that is there for all to enjoy.
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