The following was sent out by Wendy Hart:
UEL CHURCH PARADE AND SERVICE
Sunday April 28, 2019 at Broadway-First Baptist Church
790 Honeyman Avenue at Walnut Street
Hello UEL Manitoba Branch members! Don’t forget about the Church Parade next Sunday, followed by lunch at Rae and Jerry’s, 1405 Portage Avenue.
Broadway-First Baptist Church (BFBC) hosted our Branch in 2002 and is graciously welcoming us once again.
The church choir in their royal blue, white-collared gowns will be in the choir loft. The talented BFBC handbell choir led by Susan Stevenson will be performing a selection. And Welsh male soloist Viv Rees will be singing “I’ll Walk with God” from The Student Prince, which he has chosen especially for us. The pastor is Joe Welty.
The church features an impressive 1927 Casavant pipe organ, purchased as a War Memorial in 1949 from the historic old Tivoli Theatre, and a grand piano. Both are played by organist and music director Erwin Kitsch.
Several of our members and former members have history with BFBC, and you will find Branch connections with participants in the service:
Former Branch member Jon Hunt will be the service host and will welcome us on April 28th.
Two of the women in the handbell choir are daughters of Norm and Eileen Pound (and childhood friends of mine). Norm and Eileen were long time members of our Branch and of BFBC. Eileen is still a member, although no longer able to attend services.
My grandparents Harold and MayBelle West were members of BFBC since the mid 1930’s. My grandma was the UEL descendant in our family. My mother Virginia Hart grew up in the church, is a current member, and will be singing with the choir. I myself will be reading a Loyalist Prayer.
Of special note: Margaret Carter’s husband John also grew up here - his family’s church – until he met Margaret and she whisked him away!
Our anticipated presence has encouraged lively discussion among the church deacons, and they have made some compromises to accommodate us. They would like us to know how much they are looking forward to our attendance, so I do hope that we can repay their hospitality with an excellent turnout of our members!
Details: The service starts at 11:00am. We should probably meet there at 10:30am in the narthex (lobby). As with most old churches, there is no shortage of stairs. If the main outside staircase is too daunting, please use the smaller door to the left of the main entrance (see photo below) and there is also an elevator inside the smaller entrance. There is only street parking, but hopefully we will be arriving early enough to park nearby.
(Rumour has it that a member of the Order of Canada may be reading scripture)
I hope to see you there!
Wendy Hart
Some photos are below: