News

Stay up to date with news and announcements in and around the church and community.

2024-10-04 2024-10-04

Knox Bake Sale-Sat Oct 12, 10-12:30

Knox United Church Thanksgiving Bake Sale

Saturday October 12, 2024

10:00-12:30 (or until sold out)

Pies available baked or frozen $20, Butter Tarts $12 for 6. Cash Only Please

At Knox United Church- 1012 Harvey Ave, Dorset ON

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Knox Community Room Movie Night

Join us for a Movie Night Thursdays at 6:30 in the Knox Community Room:

July 4 - Kung Fu Panda 1

July 18 - Despicable Me 1

August 1 - The Incredibles

August 15 - Ratatouille

Everyone is welcome. No charge to attend.

Contact: Vina Parker 705-766-1810

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Knox Community Room Art Group

Fun and relaxation using the art medium of your choice: acrylic, water colour or…..

Bring your own materials. Materials for beginners will be provided free for the first session.

Join us on July 4, 11, 18, 29 and August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10:00 to 12:00 in the Knox Community Room.

Coffee/tea will be provided. Bring your own mug.

Everyone is welcome. No charge to attend.

Contact: Diana Scott 705-766-1254

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Knox Announces: United Church of Canada Foundation Seeds of Hope Grant

Seeds of Hope Grant Awarded

Knox United, a part of the Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge in Dorset, ON, is pleased to announce that we have received a $10,000.00 grant from the United Church Foundation. This wonderful grant was awarded to support our popular Knox UCW Food Rescue Program. The Kitchen, food prep areas and bathroom needed substantial renovations to enable us continue our support of the community and those experiencing food insecurity. Work began in late December and was recently completed with our kitchen operations resuming May 28th in the newly upgraded facilities.

This grant is made possible through the Seeds of Hope granting program administered by the United Church Foundation. We feel these seeds, having been properly planted, will provide hope for our community for years to come.

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Knox United Church New Horizons for Seniors Program Funding Announcement

New Horizons for Seniors Program Funding Announcement

In May 2024, Knox United Church, a part of the three-point Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge in Dorset, Ontario, received most welcome news of a $25,000.00 New Horizons for Seniors Program funding from the Government of Canada. This funding was awarded to assist the Knox UCW Food Rescue Program with much needed repairs and upgrades to better serve its mission of support to those experiencing food insecurity and food scarcity in the greater Dorset community area.

For several years the very successful Knox UCW Food Rescue Program has operated from the outdated and insufficient kitchen and food prep area of the old Church hall. Structural and practical repairs and upgrades were desperately needed. The work undertaken and supported in part by this grant accomplished this and more. The foundation was repaired, structural framing replaced, plumbing and electrical upgraded, underfloor heating and insulation added, sub floor replaced, new flooring throughout, and sink and counters added to complete the renovation. An added benefit was that when framing was exposed, the bathroom was made completely accessible with wide door and safety rails. In all, the work proceeded as planned and according to expectation and specifications.

There were many positives realized along the way that contributed to the success of the project. Perhaps most importantly were the number of Seniors who pitched in and supported both practically and financially. As the last church operating in Dorset, both town and area senior residents rallied and the venture took on a distinct community owned profile. This was most encouraging and we believe it will translate into further community participation and involvement of Seniors.

As a result of the structure and discipline of our Senior project team, the planning and budgeting, fund-raising, construction phases, material orders and deliveries functions were all managed to the expectation, thereby eliminating surprises. Our project was completed by May 20th 2024, on schedule and on budget.

In terms of outcomes, in the short term we were able to put our renovated kitchen, food prep area and community hall immediately back into service as soon as the contractor, tools and materials were cleared away. Our first scheduled day for pie baking on May 28th, brought 17 Senior volunteers together to our new facility and we produced 54 pies. (see photos) Prior to renovations the ageing floor would not have held up such a crowd of happy and productive volunteers.

Long term outcomes anticipated includes an increased number of volunteer participants. With this we will realize an increase in the number of food items prepared and offered to the general public in need. We further anticipate increased use of the renovated space as we open the Community room to other user groups such as yoga for seniors, art classes, book club etc. Along the way it is our belief that the Knox congregation, UCW and Food Rescue Program will all gain widespread popularity and support.

During the life cycle of the project, from the initial planning phase right up through the completion of the work, we noted that it engaged Seniors and inspired them to sign up and suit up to assist. In many cases, people who had not darkened the door of the church were now actively participating in the work and taking pride and ownership of what was being accomplished. A new wind was blowing and Seniors were energized in new and exciting ways. So far, we have exceeded our program goals and expectations.

Surely, we have a good story to tell and it has a happy ending. Shortly after we received confirmation of this funding, we sent out the good news to all volunteers and supporters, being sure to tell them of the partial funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. This story will soon be posted on the Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge site and Facebook page. In addition, we invited all donors, supporters and general public to an open house community event on Sunday, June 30th, which was widely attended.

We are very grateful and thank the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program administrators for this vote of confidence and support.

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Camp Awesome-Bees For Peace, Aug 12-16, 9-3:30 at Pioneer Church

Kids and youth ages 5-13 are welcome to join our 5 day Camp Awesome-Bees For Peace from Monday August 12 to Friday August 16 from 9am to 3:30pm.

Bee Creative. Let the Bees by our teachers! Explore nature and community with lots of fun, music, games and activities.

Bee Kind. Curious about hidden life on Earth? Let’s learn about our pollinators, gardens and community. Come make new friendships through connecting and having fun!

Bee Loving. Strengthen your awareness of the amazing pollinator community that is crucial for life on Earth. Learn about how you and contribute!

Cost is $175 and partial and full scholarships are available. Cash, cheque or e-transfer to lobunitedchurches@gmail.com by May 24.

If early/later drop off/pickup is needed- 8:30-4:00, please contact Rev. Meg or Judy.

Call Rev. Meg 705-789-6680 or email jordanm@vianet.ca or Judy Bath 705-349-1110 or email jbath2@mac.com

To register: Click on this link

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Knox Community Room Events

We at Knox United Church in Dorset are proud to promote our newly renovated community room. The success of our Revitalization Project enhances and increases the capacity of Knox United Church for community programs. This will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of our church members and the community at large. Our grand opening is on Sunday, June 30 at 10:30 with guest speaker Lorna Bywater sharing a message of Faith and Healing. We will celebrate the Knox revitalization and renovations with an Open House after the service. Finger food snacks and a cake will be provided by members of the Charge.

Mark your calendar with the Art Group and Movie Night events.

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Dorset Theatre Meeting on Feb 13 & 27 at 6:30 at Pizza on Earth during Knox Renovations.

Dorset Theatre

The 10 of us meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 every couple of weeks.

With the renovations to Knox United and schedules, our next two meetings are on February 13th and 27th.

We will be meeting at 'Pizza On Earth' and new members are more than welcome. It is free and fun!

Any questions, contact philridley21@gmail.com

A Dorset Theatre presentation for Remembrance Day.

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Things are Heating Up at Pioneer- Shirley Valentine- Feb 29, March 1 at 7:00 and March 2 and 3 at 2:00.

THINGS ARE HEATING-UP AT PIONEER MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH IN LAKE OF BAYS

Lake of Bays is home to several historical churches strategically scattered across the township. Three of these quaint churches are the cornerstone of their respective communities in Lake of Bays: Hillside, Dwight, and Dorset. Strong in character and charm, the churches are also desirable venues for local arts communities, and, as such, it is essential they be kept alive.

Two of the Lake of Bays United Churches, Pioneer Memorial at Hillside (132 years old) and Stewart Memorial in Dwight (founded in 1887) are ideally located along the Hwy 60 corridor. The third, Knox United in Dorset is 128 years old. All three share the spirited leadership of the Reverend Meg Jordan. Additionally, with her love and zest for theatre, a partnership with Dot The T Productions (a professional theatre production company in Lake of Bays) has been established.

It began when Dot the T Productions’ Artistic Director, Jan Jacklin, attended a Sunday service in December. In conversation with Scott Winchester, a member of Pioneer Memorial United Church’s congregation, she learned from Scott (who also volunteers with building maintenance) that the church’s furnaces were well past their shelf life and would soon need to be replaced. It was then that Jan offered Reverend Jordan a solution. It was agreed that the utilization of these cultural community hubs and the performing arts would be a natural fit. Additionally, showcasing these local landmarks with professional events would attract people to Lake of Bays. Both church and local businesses would benefit from this influx.

The arts are a substantial economic driver for Muskoka and the township of Lake of Bays is ready to make its mark. This year, the plan is to perform several shows, taking advantage of Pioneer Memorial’s spacious hall and enthusiastic church council. Their hall is an ideal space to house a staging area and seating for a maximum of 50 people. There is also a kitchen which will come in handy for intermission refreshments to be served, adding more welcome proceeds going directly to the church. With donations of 25% - 50% from ticket sales from the shows throughout the year, the initiative is positioned to garner enough funds for new furnaces.

First up at Pioneer Memorial (2370 Hwy 60, Hillside, Lake of Bays) is the award winning one-woman show written by Willy Russell, SHIRLEY VALENTINE. A heartwarming comedy about a middle-aged woman stuck in a bored marriage and wondering what ever happened to all her dreams. Limited engagement of 4 performances only. Two evening performances on February 29 and March 1 at 7pm and two matinees on March 2 and 3 at 2pm.

Dot The T Productions started its professional theatre company in 2017 presenting the iconic Canadian hit, “Billy Bishop Goes to War,” in which they toured Muskoka, Parry Sound, Peterborough, Midland and Toronto. Building on the production’s success, the company followed with; “The Ladies Foursome”, “On a First Name Basis”, “For The Love of a Good Man”, “Shakespeare: A Most Rare Vision”, “A Christmas Carol”, and Maja Ardal’s Dora Award winning one-woman show, “Fancy Yourself,” performed by the playwright herself. Building a reputation for exceptional theatre over the past 5 years has provided memorable experiences for Dot The T audiences, and now, at the same time, excited to support the heritage churches of Lake of Bays.