By Melody Hughes.  On the weekend of June 9th and 10th parishioners and clergy past and present, community friends and guests gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Tisdale. The weekend began with a tea Saturday afternoon. Many attended and enjoyed visiting, sampling the delicious desserts, and reminiscing. The extensive displays and pictures of church life from the past 100 years brought back many memories and were the topics of conversations throughout the afternoon. As well as St. Matthew's, the displays included collections from churches that were once vibrant centers of worship in the surrounding area, but have now closed or been moved. We were fortunate to have displays from St. Peter's Ridgedale, St Laurence Leacross and Forester, St. John's Valparaiso, The Church of the Good Shepherd Eldersley, St. Mary's New Osgoode, St. Thomas Star City, Excelsior, Norwood and Fern Glen.

On Saturday evening, following the blessing given by the Rev. Wayne Sturgess, a delicious roast beef supper was served. Greetings and congratulations were brought from Mayor Rollie Zimmer, Pastor Bill Cantelon and Bishop Anthony Burton. Alan Caithcart, the evening’s chairperson, introduced the guest speaker, the Rev. Julia Craig. Julia was born and raised in Tisdale and we were very pleased that she and her mom Adeline Learn were able to attend the weekend.

The evening continued with a variety of great entertainment. Parish young people Rachel and Sarah Cay highland danced, Brooklyn Dagg recited a poem , Brittany Lam Ma and Whitney Dagg played several clarinet and trumpet selections. Guest David Steele (son of Gerry and Maude) sang In The Garden accompanied by his children, Desiree on piano and James on the violin. James and Desiree then entertained with several numbers. Hazel Lamb, who is celebrating 60th years in St. Matthew's choir, and Frank Nagel, a former choir member, sang a duet with choir members joining on the chorus. An extensive and interesting collection of silent auction items added to the excitement of the evening.

Sunday morning celebrations began at 10:00 with a hymn sing of favorites old and new, led by Father Wayne Sturgess and the choir. We were very pleased that so many previous choir members and the Rev. Harry Wilker joined us in the choir pews for the service. The 10:30 Holy Communion service led by Bishop Burton was very meaningful. His sermon took us back to the beginnings of St. Matthew's and surrounding parishes and how they have grown over the years.

Following the service we moved to the Golden Age Centre. The blessing was given by Evelyn McAdam and lunch was served. Delicious cakes depicting the new and old St. Matthew's churches made and decorated by Eileen Godson were cut and enjoyed with ice cream. Margaret and Bob Henderson pleased the crowd with some enjoyable musical selections. Several people returned to the church hall in the afternoon to visit and have another look at the displays.

St. Matthew's parish and chairpersons for the weekend, Bernice Lawrence and Melody Hughes, wish to thank everyone for attending and making the weekend so memorable.