First Church Penetang
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
First Church Penetang
Community Support for our Caring Kitchen
Community Support for our Caring Kitchen
First Church Penetang
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR THANKS!
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR THANKS!

HEARTS LIFTED THROUGH MUSIC

What a beautiful and meaningful Cantata we shared during Advent. Through music, scripture, and reflection, we were invited to pause, listen, and be drawn more deeply into the story of faith and hope. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the choir, readers, Ross, Vicki, and all those who worked so faithfully behind the scenes. Your time, talent, and dedication came together in a powerful way, creating a worship experience that truly touched our congregation. It was a wonderful reminder of how God works through many willing hands and voices to inspire and uplift us all.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

First PC was thrilled to welcome 15 new members into our flock.  Some were familiar faces; some were recent to our congregation.  All were received with love and congratulations.  Marg Allan, Brad Melbourne, Carol Burton, Michael Pupeza, Dee Palazzo, James Dalzell, Cathy and Gordon Clark, Jacqui Witchell-Maly, Karen Guluche, Avela Robitaille, Nicolette and Martin Smith, Joanne Saunders, Allan Baldwin - all are now "official" members.  Welcome, all!

Community Support for our Caring Kitchen

This season has certainly shown the generosity of our wonderful community of Penetanguishene!

The Caring Kitchen has received cash gifts of $500 each from the Penetanguishene Lions Club and the Social Club at the Village of Bay Moorings. Other donations have also been coming in as well. We are so grateful!

Thanks to all who have offered many hours to see that this fledgling project is learning to fly.  Special thanks to our fellow volunteers from Covenant and All Saints churches. 


NEW YEARS PARTY MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Join us at First Presbyterian Church Penetanguishene Sunday School for alot of fun this coming New years!!!

We will have snacks, music to sing and dance to, a video story about new years resolutions, and crafts and activities. Friendly teachers and assistants too who are all background checked.

FREE

Starts at 1025 a.m. we start in the service for the first fifteen minutes then go and have fun making crafts and listening to stories and music.

After Sunday school and the service, we invite you downstairs to enjoy coffee, tea, juice, water and cookies and goodies.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR THANKS!

We’re happy to share that our Christmas Bazaar was a great success, raising $3,975! Thank you to everyone who donated crafts, baking, white elephant items, and handmade goods — and to all who came out to support and shop.  A special thank-you to those who helped with setup, cleanup, packing, and organizing. Your hard work and kindness made everything run smoothly. We are truly grateful for the generosity and teamwork of our congregation. 💛 Thank you for making this year’s Bazaar such a wonderful success!

SHARING GIFTS EVENT

HEARTFELT THANK YOU: We would like to extend our deepest thanks to Mary Sheriff, Deanna, Martin, and Jamie for helping to make our recent event such a wonderful success! Your time, effort, and joyful spirits made all the difference.  We are also so grateful for our amazing congregation members who shared their gifts with us on Sunday — through music, performance, knowledge, art and more. You truly bring our church family to life. A special word of appreciation as well to our Fellowship Team and Vision Team for their ongoing dedication, support, and care for our community.

🍲❤️ Help Us Spread the Word — Caring Kitchen Free Soup Lunch ❤️🍲

🍲❤️ Help Us Spread the Word — Caring Kitchen Free Soup Lunch ❤️🍲

Every Monday, the Caring Kitchen at First Presbyterian Church opens its doors for a free soup lunch — no cost, no registration, no requirements. Just a warm meal, friendly faces, and a welcoming space for anyone who needs it.

If you know someone who might benefit — a neighbour, a friend, a senior, someone new to the community, or anyone going through a tough time — please share this post or let them know. Sometimes a simple warm bowl of soup can make a world of difference. ❤️

📅 Every Monday
🕦 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 First Presbyterian Church
50 Robert St. E., Penetanguishene
(Use the lower Robert Street doors — look for the sandwich board!)

Everyone is welcome. Drop-ins encouraged.
Let’s care for our community, together. 🤝💛

COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR WOMEN’S GIFT BOXES

Rosewood Shelter is a home for women who need a safe place. The needs are great and the mission team has chosen a project to show our love and support for this local cause.

For the month of October, toiletry items will be collected and packed into small boxes that will be delivered to the shelter in November.

Small items that are suggested: Lip balm, Dental supplies, Deodorant, Nail clippers, files, Travel size shampoo, hand lotion, Kleenex packets andGreeting card (from First Presbyterian).   A pink box is in the foyer for donations.


Christmas Bazaar update

To Lorrie Ritchie and the ladies of the Stich and Chat group for the wonderful bazaar that they prepared for, set up and executed in their usual brilliant fashion. Their support for our church is vital not only for the money they raise but also for the fellowship they provide for our community of faith. The total amount raised was $3704.00! Thanks to everyone who contributed to this in any way.

2024 Annual Pig Roast

Thank you to all who came out and to everyone who helped out/plan the event.

It was a lovely turn out with many smile face and hungry bellies. It was wonderful to see your church family all together. Having a grand time altogether.

Big thanks to Ann Corbeau, Gerry Vrieswyk and their team (& everyone else) who planned, sold tickets, bought tickets, baked and cooked. Another thanks to all who helped out with setting up, cleaning up and organizing the silent auction The food was delicious and the opportunity to socialize with and invite new folk to church was exciting.

What did we raise in the end?

$4575.00 from 183 tickets sold plus donations of $100.00. The auction totals approximately $2500. So, roughly $7000 was raised from this event!

Thank you to Jean for taking all the pictures of the event.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY

At 1:15, every Wednesday afternoon, in the downstairs hall, a group of men and women gather together to sing hymns, study the Bible and pray.  We are all ages, and from different backgrounds, and with some Biblical knowledge - or none at all!  What we share is the desire to learn more about God and how He continues to act in our world.  We learn much from each other as we discuss the Scriptures and love both the learning and the fellowship the group provides.

This year we are using the book Life and Ministry of the Messiah by Rev Vander Laan.  Our minister Rev Barry Doner is leading the study.  Please consider joining us.  "No previous experience is necessary".  You will be warmly welcomed.  If you have any questions, contact Rev Doner or Donna Drapkin at 705-533-2339.

Welcome Rev. Barry Doner SERVICE OF INDUCTION

On Sunday, June 16, we welcome Rev. Barry Doner to First.

Father's Day morning service with Rev. Barry Doner. AT 3:00 pm First will have a service of induction for Rev. Barry Doner to welcome him to First. All are welcome to come.

Rev. Barry Doner grew up in the Christian faith and has been involved with the Presbyterian church in various capacities throughout his life. He attended Sunday School at First Presbyterian Church Collingwood and was actively involved in the Youth Group during high school, a time which Rev. Barry describes as the most formative years of his life of faith. Barry and his wife Heather were involved in Youth Ministry for over 20 years. Heather was the Christian Educator and Youth Director at St. Andrew’s in Guelph for 9 years, and then held the same position at St. Andrew’s Orillia for another 9 years.

Rev. Barry has been preaching for over 20 years at many churches across southern Ontario before pursuing full-time ministry in 2010. He graduated from Tyndale University with a Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE), and then graduated from Knox College in 2013 with a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). He was ordained at First Presbyterian Church Collingwood in May of 2013. He has been the Minister at Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian church for 14 years (3 as a Student Minister). Rev. Barry has a passion for preaching, and loves creativity in the worship service through drama/monologues, storytelling, and of course the Mystery Bag! His ministry style is collaborative and working with people to accomplish Christ’s work in the community. Rev. Barry always says, “I am not here to do ministry for you, but to do ministry with you.” Rev. Barry and his wife Heather were married at First Presbyterian Church in Collingwood in 1994. They have 3 children, Rachel, Alex, and Kendra, and a 6-year-old grand-daughter named Faith who brings them joy every day. Rev. Barry says, “Sometimes all it takes is a little faith!” Rev. Barry and his family look forward to the next part of their journey with First Presbyterian Penetanguishene.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

On Tues, May 14, the Presbytery of Barrie formally approved the call to Rev Barry Doner to be our new minister, effective Sun, June 16.  Our gratitude goes out to our Interim Moderator Rev Tom Mason; and to Peter Cheshire, chair of the Search Committee; and to the members of the committee who all worked so hard to find us such an outstanding pastor.  Thank you to everyone who went to Barrie to show our support for the call. 
 
Please keep Rev Barry and his family in your prayers as they prepare for this huge transition in their lives.  Please pray for First PC, that we will provide them with faithful support so that together we can do God’s will in this church and community.  Rev Barry’s Induction service will be Sun, June 16 at 3:00.  We hope for a good turnout from the congregation for this special day.

IMPORTANT NEWS

In November, 2023, we said a sad "Goodbye" to Rev William Min, his wife Tori and his four boys Abel, Aiden, Ewen and Ebenezer.  Rev Min has taken a position in Barrie.  We wish him well as he discerns God's call in his new work.  We miss him and his family very much.  

Since then, thanks to Rev Tom Mason, our accomplished Interim Moderator, we have had numerous and excellent pulpit supply preachers for our Sunday worship.  Congregational life has continued to flourish with regular meetings of the Wednesday afternoon Bible study and the Thurs morning "Stitch and Chat".  The choir continues to lead services under the gifted direction of accompanist Ross Compton and director Vicki Thompson.  Under the watchful eyes and hard work of the Board of Managers, our kitchen renovation has proceeded well and will finish up as soon as the last elements arrive.

The best news is that with the leadership of Rev Mason and chair Peter Cheshire, as well as a great deal of hard work by the Search Committee, we have called to be our new minister of word and sacrament, Rev Barry Doner from Wasaga Beach Community Presbyterian Church.  With Presbytery's approval, he will begin serving our congregation of First Presbyterian Church sometime later in June.  We feel so blessed with the way God has led us to this point in our church life.  We pray that His will is done in all things.  Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.