President’s Message May-June 2023:

...summer is soon to follow. Many of us are excited to enjoy the outdoors – whether working in a garden, or hiking/biking on our many local trails, or sharing a family BBQ. Likewise, we hope to make good use of nature in our park this season. 

The last two months were quite busy. We held our AGM, Easter Sunday was quite extraordinary – complete with a special musical performance that should not have been missed, and our annual Royal Dinner was also enjoyed by the participants. Confirmation Sunday put happy smiles on four young confirmands and their families, and the Spring Concert provided a nice prelude into this new season. 

At the dinner, plaques were presented honouring the significant gifts received by the church from three very generous donors – the Verner Norgaard Estate, and the Danish churches in Grimsby and Granly, both of which sadly had to close. Take a moment to look at these reminders of people and organizations that cared for our church next time you are there.  

We also learned that pastor Simon and family will be returning to Denmark this summer. Please help us say thank you and good bye at his last service Sunday June 25 – yes Skt. Hans on Sunday complete with a party in the park. We have asked DSUK to help find a suitable replacement for Simon – not an easy task as we all know – but we are moving forward with that effort. We will of course share any pertinent news as it becomes available, but we will have to manage with temporary pastors until we can find the right replacement. Similarly, we are also in the final steps of bringing on a part-time Program Coordinator who will help to pick up some of Simon’s and other board members’ current multi-media and administrative duties. 

You need to be aware of a couple of building maintenance issues. Now that snow and ice have hopefully left us – we need to work on our front Finch steps, and repair the leak along the north wall. As well, we hope to have the sound absorption boxes in the sanctuary installed soon to help with the sound issue we have there. 

Coming up is the Spring Bazaar May 13th – always a big event. As with last fall, we will have exciting activities on all levels of the church – both inside and out. Imported goods, Danish sandwiches, and booths galore!! Check out the bazaar notice elsewhere in this newsletter. 

In June we will help Sunset Villa celebrate Constitution Day and hold an outdoor service in the Mindepark as we did last year. Later we will celebrate Skt. Hans complete with a lottery, and an outdoor party in the park. As this will also be Simon’s last official day as our pastor, we hope to see many of you there.

Remember – this is your church and cultural centre. But we need your participation to make it work. Whether at Sunday services, Sunday coffee, weekday activity groups, concerts, dinners, bazaars, lotteries, or any new cultural event you wish to introduce – the opportunities are there. Come and join us – you will have a wonderful time.

Have a great spring and early summer!!

Sune Overgaard