Over the Backyard Fence

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A CBOQ Retiree Newsletter

Spring 2015

Over the Backyard Fence

Why “Over the Backyard Fence?” Years ago we all did our laundry in a wringer washing machine then went outside to hang the clothes on the clothesline. While spending time hanging them, we would often speak to our neighbours over the fences of our yards and caught up on family or neighbourhood news. Hence, we have our own, “Over the Backyard Fence.”

Gone Home

Rev. Theo Gibson Rev. Egon Von Keitz – Barrie Rev. Thomas Hunter Sue MacDonald

Connecting

Over the Backyard Fence is compiled by Mrs. Margaret Freeland. If you would like to correspond with Mrs. Freeland – and we hope you will – you can reach her here: Mrs. Margaret Freeland 80 Coehill Drive, #210 Toronto, ON M6S 3C9 (416) 769-2561 To connect with CBOQ regarding Over the Backyard Fence, please send your letters to: Over the Backyard Fence Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec 100-304 The East Mall Etobicoke, ON M9B 6E2 communications@baptist.ca

Margaret’s Missives

Many of you enjoy a lively correspondence with Mrs. Freeland. Here are some of your letters.

FROM GERALD AND KAY HUNT WASAGA BEACH Thanks for the gracious greeting on my 85 years. Plus something for my sniffles. In September lost my lifelong friend, Desmond McCracken. We met at Camp Kwasind 69 years ago. Perhaps readers will remember his father, Rev. Dr. R. J. McCracken. Kathrine and I have tried to make our way around cancer and arthritis. Kathrine does creative printing and writing.

Gerald plays organ, sings at Tricity Gospel Chorus and works at the food bank. Three grandchildren, one in the navy. Gerald had cataract surgery which improved his vision. We continue to take our turn at providing services in 2 nursing homes. Learning to use a tablet in the wake of an old computer’s demise has been a challenge. Our big trip this year was to Omaha, Nebraska for nephew’s wedding at the end of March. Andrew travelled with us. With Andrew’s encouragement, Kathrine discovered a Tai Chi health

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recovery class in March, which she has found very helpful in managing pain. Gerald and Andrew are also doing Tai Chi. Gerald will celebrate 60th anniversary of his ordination on January 15th, and on June 24th we celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary.

FROM GLEN AND STARR BARRETT MYRTLE BEACH Thanks again for the lovely handkerchief as a remembrance of my birthday. Birthdays seem to come closer and closer together each year as one grow older!!

We were again privileged to be in Myrtle Beach at this time of year. Starr and I had a great time in the south. The weather was a little cool again, so not good weather for wearing shorts! We attend the First Baptist Church where Rev. Bruce Crawford is pastor!

He brings a powerful message each Sunday and we enjoy their choir and music ministry too! May the Lord continue to bless you in this wonderful ministry.

FROM REV. JOE AND ROSE NOVAK MISSISSAUGA

By God’s grace I am still able to pack and mail out parcels with Bibles, tracts and stationary. Rose continues to pack and we ship out big barrels with clothes, shoes and various practical items. Thus far we shipped 135 barrels to missions and orphanages in 6 countries. Almost every day I receive requests for literature. Recently, in one envelope from prisoners in Zambia there were 5 letters because these people don’t have enough money for postage. We continue to print our literature and purchase Bibles in India, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, because in those countries printing and postage expenses are lower.

We are sorry that we were unable to attend the Annual Czech Baptist Convention in July, because we are not able to travel long distances, but we thank God that at our advanced age we are still able to look after ourselves. I received my birthday card and hanky, I am 84 today and it is 65 years since I met Rose. May the Lord bless you all.

FROM RUTH WILTON HAMILTON It’s always a joy hearing from you on my birthday and receiving my lovely gift. Thank you, it was my 85th! When family took me out for dinner, I ruefully said I had always hoped Ralph would be able to help celebrate it with me. Quick as a wink my daughter Miriam broke the sadness when she said she was sure he was enjoying the meal in heaven, because she was sure she had just heard him say, “This would taste even better with a little more pepper!” Great laughter!

FROM GEORGE AND INA CAWFIELD KANATA November 11. Sincere greetings! We look at the date, and we remember. How could it be otherwise?

World conflicts, defeats and victories. And we cannot forget names and faces of those who, down the decades, became much more than acquaintances. This letter will go to the British Isles, Australia, Africa and to many Canadian destinations. Friends – we thank God for them all.

Now this will cause you to sit up and take notice. Did you know that God whistles? Zechariah 10:8 says, “I will whistle for them and gather then, for I will redeem them.” The prophet clearly states that the Lord will draw many people to Himself. May we witness this in our churches in the year 2015. The angel of the Lord, appearing to Joseph, stated that Mary’s child would be called Jesus, “for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt 1:21. Doctor Donald Barnhouse once said that, “The Christmas name of God is Jesus.” How true that is. December 25th is a very special day for every Christian, so also that Easter date which says to all those who will listen, “The story of the cradle and the cross are graphic indeed, but now behold the empty tomb.” Jesus saves, keeps and satisfies.

FROM REX AND RITA DEVERELL COLDWATER Greetings! Rita tells me that I need to keep this short.

I am, of course, the soul of brevity. So, sigh…here goes. Our son, Selton Ramsay, is in Santiago, Chile, this year teaching English as a second language. We

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are planning on visiting him over Christmas. We’re trying to be productive. Rita has contributed to two books published this year. The opera I’ve been working on with composer Elizabeth Raum was finished last week. Rita and I will be part of a production of Rivera’s play “Sonnets for an Old Century” in January. So life forges on with sadness in saying goodbye to some long-time friends, but also with joy!

FROM EDNA AND ARTHUR HADLEY MISSISSAUGA Once again we are indebted to you for remembering our birthdays and reminding us of good times in the service of the denomination. This year we celebrated (quietly) our 66th wedding anniversary and looking back over the years of ministry in various parts of the country. Our biggest news of the year was our move from our home we shared with our daughter and son-in-law to a retirement residence just 3 kilometers away. Our new address is Suite 316, 1500 Rathburn Road East, Mississauga, L4W 4L7. We are pleased with our new surroundings, and are making new friends, but so far have found no fellow brother or sister Baptists. In May our daughter and Art spent a delightful week in Ireland, making names like Killarney, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary take on new meaning.

Art had been in and out of Londonderry in Northern Ireland in navy days in WWII. The Lord continue to bless this gracious ministry of remembrance.

FROM DON AND JOY CORBETT ORILLIA Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your kind remembrances. It is especially appreciated because my rememberer is not as good as yours is. However, I must admit that my rememberer is quite selective.

There are some things I always remember and others I tend to forget. Meals and appointments are examples of each – you can guess which is which!

Other than the years rolling around, other things in our lives remain much as they have been for several years. Although Joy has limited mobility, she continues to play the organ at West Oro Baptist Church each week. I continue to do Pastoral Care Ministry for the Presbyterian Church in Orillia. We are beginning to understand what people go through as they age and

their physical needs change, and their caregivers and family are scattered across the country. We hang onto the 23rd Psalm about fearing no evil as we pass through the “gloomy valley” (JB) for God is with us.

FROM GLADYS OGILVIE LONDON Thanks you for my birthday handkerchief. So nice to be remembered. This year was my 80th birthday celebration with family, friends and a large gathering at Westview Baptist Church. It was a real winner! God is good.

Early in the year, an invitation was extended by the Clarke family in Melbourne Australia to attend their daughter Anna’s wedding in February. We knew the Clarkes in Montreal and Anna had visited with us a few years ago. I couldn’t imagine that I could actually go, but I so wanted to celebrate with them and see our Ogilvie family in Australia. In the end, the pieces fell into place and my son Glenn was able to escort me on the trip! We stayed with the Clarkes at the time of the wedding and then travelled to Canberra to stay with Keith and Helen Ogilvie where we visited the rest of the family. I met my newest great grandson, Alexander, in May. Alex and his parents were home from Germany so that Jen could defend her PhD. The visit was too short but it was so good to meet him! I’m looking forward to another great grandchild arriving this spring. In June I traveled to Vancouver to witness my granddaughter Lauren get married. It was so special to be there. Many said that I rivaled the bride in my turquoise gown and feathered fascinator!

Christmas was spent with my siblings. At this time of year I think especially of the many celebrations of lives well-lived and other milestones that have passed by.

God bless.

FROM JIM RUDD Thank you for remembering me on my 84th birthday.

It’s good being connected with the CBOQ through Over the Backyard Fence year by year. Sincerely, in Christ.

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Ordained Over 60 Years Rev. Dr. Max De Wolfe – 74 years Rev. Dr. Earl Cameron – 73 years Rev. George A Cawfield – 72 years Rev. Dr. Muriel Carder – 67 years Rev. Frank K. Stone – 67 years Rev. George W. Campbell – 65 years Rev. Jess Roque – 65 years Rev. Dr. Charles Foster – 64 years Rev. Clair Clark – 63 years Rev. Arthur J. Hadley – 63 years Rev. Frederick Habermehl – 63 years

Rev. Dr. William Sturgess – 63 years Rev. Elmer G. Anderson – 62 years Rev. Loren Gorman – 62 years Rev. Philip Karpetz – 62 years Rev. John C. Amy – 61 years Rev. Dr. Joseph Ban – 61 years Rev. Gheorge Cocis – 61 years Rev. Samuel Holmes – 61 years Rev. Dr. Bruce Neal – 60 years Rev. Clarence A. Roberts – 60 years Rev. Iochim Tunea – 60 years LOOKING BACK

by Rev. Eustace and Sylvia Meade

Never Alone

Looking back we can truly say, “All the Way My I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Saviour Leads Me.” We met at the London College Hebrews 13:5 of Bible and Missions (currently Tyndale) in London, Ontario and following Sylvia’s graduation in 1960 I’m never alone in the morning we were married on June 4th in the Verdun Baptist As I rise at the break of day, Church, Quebec. On May 7, 1962 Eustace graduFor Jesus who watched through the darkated with his Bachelor or Theology and Bachelor of Religious Education degrees. From 1960 – 62 Sylvia ness worked at Western University in the Faculty of Law Says, “Lo, I am with you always.” and in the Computing Centre.

I’m never alone at my table.

Though loved ones no longer I see; Eustace pastored at Fingal Baptist, Ontario, Zion For dearer than all who have vanished United Baptist, Truro N.S., the United Baptist (Stone) Is Jesus who breaks bread with me.

Church, Clark’s Harbour, N.S. and First Baptist and

I’m never alone through the daylight, Though nothing but trials I see.

Though the furnace be seven times heated, The “form of the fourth” walks with me.

I’m never alone at the twilight When darkness around me doth creep And specters press hard round my pillow He watches and cares while I sleep.

I’m walking and talking with Jesus Each day as I travel along.

I’m never alone. Hallelujah!

The joy of the Lord is my song.

by Elizabeth Osborn

Shiloh Baptist in Toronto. Sylvia was active in all the churches as President of the WMS, teaching Sunday School and Teacher Training Classes and committee work. The many decades of ministry were challenging and stimulating. There were blessings and disappointments within our personal lives and that of the churches.

Looking back we can say we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37). 55 years is a long time! In 1960 we were in our twenties – full of hope and faith that if we committed our ways to the Lord, He would direct our paths (Prov. 3:5,6).

We dreamed dreams and we set goals, but we could never see the future. We did not know how God would use us to fulfill His work. There were city-wide

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crusades in 1982-84, and Eustace played a key role in raising the profile of First Baptist Church in Toronto.

We have the privilege of looking back on a life lived, goals achieved and dreams fulfilled. “Now thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.” (II Cor. 2:14).

“Thank you, Eustace, for the phone call on your birthday!”

REFLECTION ON CITIES VISITED

by Audrey Morikawa, December 2014 A surprise phone call from Margaret Freeland, the founder of “Over the Backyard Fence,” prompted this reflection. For the next issue, she asked if I would share something about the cities I had opportunity to visit while I was travelling as Women’s Department president of the Baptist World Alliance. I hesitated … that was nearly 15 years ago … how could I do that?

The question was put on hold until I started to trim our Christmas tree and began to unpack some of the memorabilia of those years. Here was a little cut glass koala given to me by someone from Australia.

It was in the beautiful city of Melbourne in January 2000 that I was given the privilege of representing the Baptist women of the world for the next five years.

The year before, I was interviewed in Dresden, Germany and my chosen souvenir - lace ornaments designed as a Christmas tree and a domed church - now find a place on our tree. The church reminds me of the famous Frauenkirche reduced to rubble in WWII bombings but restored to become the site of the East German Peace movement leading to the fall of Communism.

Since the BWA Office is situated on the edge of Washington DC, a gilt state capital ornament and two glittery balls from the Kennedy Centre are hung.

The painted clay bell from Zagreb, Croatia reminds me that bells were traditionally used to call people to worship and the red umbrella reminds me of my visit to the City Market. I hang a blue Royal Copenhagen china decoration from Copenhagen, a folksy fish-symbol fashioned out of brightly-coloured textile from Okinawa City and a turquoise and silver- painted shell from Providenciales,Turks and Caicos. There is also a

beaded crown from London, reminiscent of our visit there in the year of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee.

This visit preceded planning meetings for the 2005 BWA Assembly in Birmingham UK. The cities mentioned above are situated in only five of the constituent bodies of the BWA Women’s Department – the Southwest Pacific, Europe, North America, Asia and the Caribbean. My memories of Africa and Latin America are represented by other souvenirs and I remember fondly being in Accra, Ghana and Santiago, Chile for Continental Union Assemblies. I visited with women and attended meetings in other cities as well – Seoul, Korea; Aukland, New Zealand and Suva, Fiji; Havana and Santiago, Cuba; Chisinau, Moldova; Vienna, Austria; Berlin, Elstal and Mainz in Germany; Seville, Spain; Jakarta and Pontianak,Indonesia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Punta Arenas in Southern Chile. These cities are not represented on my Christmas tree but the memories of people in all these places and many more, are forever etched in my heart.

What to call You? You could have taught us to call You Immense Creator, or Holy Untouchable One, or Unsearchable God. Instead You taught us to pray “Our Father….ABBA! The One who gives us life Provides and protects, Comforts and corrects, Saves and sets us free.

Dear Father, Who art in heaven, You are also in our Grateful hearts.

by Susan Lenzkes

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A GLASS OF MILK Based on a true story.

One day a young hiker was so wrapped up in the beauty of nature that he wandered much farther than he’d though. Terribly thirsty, he decided he would ask for something to drink at the next house. However, he almost lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. The young woman brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it very slowly and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”

Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. Her doctors sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to help her. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her.

He recognized her at once. He went back to his office determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it and wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and at the side of the bill she read these words – “Paid in full with one glass of milk…signed Dr. Howard Kelly.” Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: “Thank You, God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands.”

There’s a saying, which goes like this: Bread cast on the water comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again, at least you have made the world a better place. Isn’t that what life should be all about?

-Author Unknown

A Little Levity JULIE ANDREWS’ FAVOURITE THINGS AS SHE APPROACHES 80!

In a special appearance at Manhattan’s Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP Julie sang a slightly different version of “My Favourite Things” from the legendary “Sound of Music.”

Here are the lyrics she used: Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting.

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings.

Bundles of magazines tied up in strings.

These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts and hearing aids and glasses.

Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, Pacemarkers, golf carts and porches with swings, When we remember our favourite things.

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak, When the knees go bad.

I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don’t feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions, No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions.

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring, These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pains, confused brains and no fear of sinnin’ Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin’ And we won’t mention our short shrunken frames, When we remember our favourite things.

When the joins ache, when the hips break, When the eyes grow dim.

Then I remember the great life I’ve had, And then I don’t feel so bad.

She received a four minute standing ovation!

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MORE OF US LIVING TO 100 It’s starting to get crowded in the 100-year-old’s club.

Once nearly nonexistent, the world’s population of centenarians is projected to reach nearly 6 million by mid-century. Here are the startline facts: 340K – The number of people worldwide who are 100 or older today.

6M – The estimated number of people who will be 100 or older in 2050 233% - The estimated grown of the world’s population 80 and older by 2040.

The highest concentration of centenarians is in the United States and Japan, according to the latest Census Bureau figures and a report being released by the National Institute on Aging.

CHURCH SIGNS • Down in the mouth? It’s time for a faith lift!

• ETERNITY: Smoking or non-smoking?

• Everyone has a knee-mail account – but not everyone uses it.

• For heaven’s sake! What on earth are you doing?

• Weather Forecast: God reigns, the Son shines!

• When God saw you, it was love at first sight!

• You have to wonder about humans: They think God is dead and Elvis is alive!

• Extreme Savings offered here. No coupons required.

• Forbidden fruit creates many jams.

• Forgive your enemies, it will mess with their minds!

FROM CHILDREN’S ESSAYS • The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still, and he obeyed him.

• David was a Hebrew King who was skilled at playing the liar. He fought the finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in biblical times.

• Solomon, one of David’s sons, had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.

• When Mary heard she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.

• Jesus was born because Mary had an immaculate contraption.

• Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says to do unto others before they do one to you. He also explained a man doth not live by sweat alone.

• The people who followed the Lord were called the 12 decibels.

• One of the opposums was St. Matthew who was also a Taximan.

• St. Paul cavorted to Christianity, and he preached holy acrimony which is another name for marriage.

• Christians have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

INTERESTING ANNOUNCEMENTS IN CHURCH BULLETINS • The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend them their girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to this tragedy.

• Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use the large double doors at the side entrance.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL MISHAPS A Sunday School teacher asked her class how they thought Noah might have spent his time on the ark.

“Do you suppose he did a lot of fishing? “How?” piped up a 6-year old, “With only 2 worms?!”

A little boy arrived home from Sunday School in tears.

“What’s the matter?” his mother asked. “Teacher asked all those who wanted to go to heaven to put up their hands,” “And did you put up your hand? Asked mother. “No.” he sobbed, “you told me I had to come straight home!”

The family was on the way home from church. “What did you learn at Sunday School today, Freddy?” asked his mother. “Some silly song about Jesus wanting me to be a sunbeam,” he answered. “Why is that silly?” asked his mother. “Because I want to be a bus driver.”

Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world.

There are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good morning, Lord.”

And there are those who wake up in the morning and say, “Good Lord, It’s morning.”

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5