EAST REGION NEWS
Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada - Michelle Heumann, editor
New pastor for Fisherville
FISHERVILLE, Ont. - The members of Trinity Lutheran in Fisherville praise God for bringing a pastor to serve them after nearly three years. Rev. Andrew Cottrill was installed as Pastor at Trinity on September 12, and his first worship service was on September 19. Rev. Cottrill was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. In 2004, he professed the Christian faith and was baptized at Harbour Fellowship Baptist Church in St. Catharines. After high school, he studied at Capernwray
Pastors participating in the installation remove their masks briefly for a group photo. Back (l-r): Rev. Mark Koehler (Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Hamilton & Vacancy Pastor for Trinity Lutheran, Fisherville), Rev. David Zakel (Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burlington), Rev. Kurt Lantz (Niagara Circuit Counsellor), Rev. Peter Gatluak (Pilgrim Lutheran Church Sudanese Ministry, Hamilton), Rev. Robert Morley (Kitchener & Rotational Pastor at Trinity Lutheran, Fisherville). Front (l-r): Rev. Aaron Astley (Redeemer, Hamilton & Christ Our Saviour, Grimsby); Rev. Joe Das (Kitchener & Rotational Pastor at Trinity Lutheran, Fisherville), Rev. Kevin Walrath (Hamilton Circuit Counsellor), Rev. Andrew Cottrill (Trinity Lutheran, Fisherville); Rev. John Makey (Vacany Assistant Pastor), Rev. Michael Meleg (Faith Lutheran, Dunnville & St. Peter’s Lutheran, Port Colborne).
Hall Bible College in England where he worked in youth outreach with the Church of England and the Methodists. He went on to study at Brock University, where he received a B.A. in History. During his studies he was confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church (2009), and volunteered with student ministries (Newman Club). For graduate studies he went on to McMaster University, receiving a M.A. in History, and then to Concordia
Lutheran Theological Seminary where he earned his M. Div. He was received into Lutheran Church–Canada in 2011 by Rev. Kurt Lantz. He married Sarah Plunkett in 2013, and together they have two children, Audrey and Bruce. Their family also includes a dog and house cat. He received a first call to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where he served as pastor for four years before accepting the call to Trinity, Fisherville.
Wilderness Escape VBS at Bethel KITCHENER, Ont. - This summer a wonderful Vacation Bible School was held weekday evenings from August 16-20 at Bethel Lutheran in Kitchener. Twenty children participated each night, with six or seven volunteer helpers. A few parents stayed in the church parking lot and socialized the entire time—a muchneeded break for them! The theme was “Wilderness Escape,” with the kids going back in time to the story of Moses and the Israelites. Each evening started out with the theme song projected on the big screen: “God Will Guide Us.” The children learned several more songs each day corresponding to the Bible lesson. One favourite was “There is Power in the Blood” and the ending song, “Shalom,” which means “peace.” Each day the children visited different stations set up in our auditorium including the craft tables,
games, snack table, and Moses’ tent, where they listened to the day’s featured Bible story. Moses and Malachi (the “wilderness whiner”) relayed the story in a fun skit form. The five stories through the week were the Crossing of the Rea Sea, the Manna and Quail, the Amalakites, the Passover, and the Ten Commandments. Many visual elements were used to bring the stories to life. The kids especially enjoyed eating the manna (frosted flakes) and quail (marshmallow chicks), and painting the cardboard doorframe with red paint to represent the blood of lambs used during the Passover. The teaching reinforced that Jesus was the final sacrifice, the Lamb of God, who died for the sins of all. Everyone left the week knowing that God is still with us and will never leave or forsake us. Bettina Cook, Bethel Sunday School Superintendent THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN September/October 2021
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