For 35 years, members of eight Sutton-area churches have met for ecumenical worship services up to four times a year. In the fall, part of the group, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, closed its doors, prompting us to make a more concerted effort to work together as our churches struggle to remain open. All of our churches cope with low attendance, increasing financial strain and aging congregations.

The world and the community are hurting. The number of individuals served at the Georgina Food Pantry has increased by 90 per cent since 2022. Rents and property taxes have skyrocketed. More people are living rough or in substandard housing every day. Recently, there has been an increase in violent crimes. Sutton needs God’s healing presence.

The Rev. Kristy Hunter, minister of the United Church, and myself, the deacon of the Parish of Georgina, met this past summer to discuss how we could further support one another’s ministries. We discovered that our congregations are deeply rooted in prayer, including long-running prayer chains.

Following the success of a joint prayer vigil in October 2023, at the outbreak of war in the Holy Land, we decided to offer monthly community prayer vigils on a variety of themes, beginning with food and housing insecurity, in October 2024. In addition to meeting to pray, participants collected mitts, hats and food to be distributed through community agencies.

The second prayer vigil, focusing on peace, was held in November. Toys were collected for the community’s local Christmas drive. The third prayer vigil, planned for Dec. 16, would focus on children and their rights.

The Community Candlelight Prayer Vigils are held the third Monday of the month on the greenspace of St. James, Sutton and are presented by Sutton’s local United churches (Knox United, Virginia United) and Anglican churches (St. James, St. George’s). Everyone is welcome.

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Following the service, the parish welcomed former park chaplains, former incumbents, guests and parishioners to a barbecue on the waterfront in the provincial park, just a short walk from St. George’s. The church is built on property adjacent to the park, which is located on the south shore of Lake Simcoe.

In 1957, Sibbald Point Provincial Park opened to the public, bringing crowds of visitors to St. George’s every weekend. To accommodate the growing summer congregation, the church instituted a 9:30 a.m. Sunday service the following summer; in August 1959, they became “Campers’ Services”. Young parishioners distributed flyers in the park, announcing the services and indicating that comfortable clothing was welcomed, and ladies were not required to wear hats. The average attendance was 80 persons, the largest service attracted 185 people. The last official “Campers’ Service” occurred in July 1979. A Sunday Morning Prayer service in summer continued until 1990.

In 1978, the Rev. Charles Edwards and Dr. Betty Graham inaugurated the church’s summer chaplaincy program to the park and surrounding area. Since then, 38 people have served as chaplains. They have been lodged in trailers (at campsites in the park and now in the church’s parking lot), the park’s lodge and parishioners’ homes. In the early days, the chaplain’s responsibilities were focused on programming within the park and at the church, as well as assisting with Sunday services. Programming included family softball games and other sports, campfire sing-alongs, nature walks and crafts. The 10-week contract expanded to include ministry within the Town of Sutton, including Vacation Bible School, worship services at River Glen Haven Nursing Home, and home visits to shut-ins.

Today’s chaplaincy is a ministry of presence focused primarily at St. George’s, where thousands of visitors drop by to view the church and cemetery. People come from all walks of life and from throughout the world. It is not unusual for St. George’s to have more than 6,000 visitors during the summer months. The chaplain is available to answer questions, listen to people and pray with them if desired. The chaplain may conduct weekday morning prayer and mid week compline services which are open to both the public and parishioners.

Recent chaplains were involved in weekly Bible studies, Tuesday evening ecumenical community dinners, monthly nursing home services, and two services each Sunday. Many of our chaplains have continued to develop their ministry, leading to ordination.

The Parish of Georgina has been assisted considerably by grants from the Diocese of Toronto, without which this ministry could not continue. We are truly grateful.

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