News
Stay up to date with news and announcements in and around the church and community.
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
Shakespeare: A Most Rare Vision - June 12-14, 2024 at Pioneer Church Hall
Muskoka Players present "SHAKESPEARE: A MOST RARE VISION"
Written and Performed by Lake of Bays resident, Bill Colgate and directed by his wife, Joan Bendon.
REVIEW:
"Bill Colgate's one-man romp through Shakespeare's works is delightful... Whether you are a serious Shakespeare fan or you haven't thought about the plays since high school, you'll love this show. "Andrew Wagner Chazalon, Editor/CEO of Dockside Magazine.
Tickets $25 (with $10 donated to Pioneer Memorial United Church Furnace Campaign)
Contact dotthet@yahoo.com to RESERVE your spot today. Let us know your name, the performance date, number of tickets and e-transfer $25 per ticket.
Wednesday June 12 at 2 pm, Thursday June 13 at 7 pm, Friday June 14 at 2 pm
Pioneer Memorial Church Hall, 2370 Highway 60 at Hillside, Lake of Bays
As seating is limited to 50 people/performance, reserving your spot is highly recommended.
If seats are still available, $25 Cash only will be accepted at the door. Doors open 30 minutes to show time. There is also a cash-only concession.
REMINDER, $10 from every ticket sold and all concession donations will contribute to the Pioneer Memorial Church's Furnace Replacement Campaign. NOTE: Over $4,000 has been raised so far!
DOWN BY THE BAYS is a community cultural hub for performing arts in Lake of Bays. Dot The T Productions, Muskoka Players, Muskoka Stageworks and The Dorset Theatre Company share the stages at the Lake of Bays United Churches in Hillside (Pioneer Memorial Hall), Dwight (Stewart Memorial) and Dorset (Knox United).
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Advertising spots are available for your business or organization in our PLAYBILL and on the SLIDESHOW on the big-screen TV that runs prior to the show. Only $25 and your logo/message will be proudly displayed to our audience showing your support for this new cultural hub in Lake of Bays.
Contact us asap to get the exposure you want! Or maybe you have some bigger ideas! Let’s talk
“Old Love” Theatre - June 8-18, 2024 at Pioneer Church Hall
Norm Foster's comedy "OLD LOVE" spans three decades, and half a dozen meetings between Bud (Andy Bartle), a salesman, and Molly (Jodie Auckland), his boss's wife. One of them is smitten from the very first meeting—the other, let's just say—less so. Written by Canada's pre-eminent comic playwright Norm Foster this clever and witty play celebrates the pursuit of love, the kind of love that makes you breathe just a little bit faster. Charmingly written, with just a few curse words for effect, Foster's use of one-liner's serve the script well and has the audience smiling, chuckling and laughing throughout the entire play. Dot The T is very excited to bring this production to Pioneer Memorial Hall for 8 performances.
Contact downbythebayslob@gmail.com to RESERVE your spot today. Let us know your name, the performance date, number of tickets and e-transfer $40 per ticket.
Wednesday May 8 at 2 pm, Thursday May 9 at 7 pm, Friday May 10 at 7pm and Saturday May 11 at 2 pm.
Wednesday May 15 at 2 pm, Thursday May 16 at 7 pm, Friday May 17 at 7pm and Saturday May 18 at 2 pm.
Pioneer Memorial Church Hall, 2370 Highway 60 at Hillside, Lake of Bays
As seating is limited to 50 people/performance, reserving your spot is highly recommended.
If seats are still available, $40 Cash only will be accepted at the door. Doors open 30 minutes to show time. There is also a cash-only concession.
REMINDER, $10 from every ticket sold and all concession donations will contribute to the Pioneer Memorial Church's Furnace Replacement Campaign. NOTE: Over $4,000 has been raised so far!
DOWN BY THE BAYS is a community cultural hub for performing arts in Lake of Bays. Dot The T Productions, Muskoka Players, Muskoka Stageworks and The Dorset Theatre Company share the stages at the Lake of Bays United Churches in Hillside (Pioneer Memorial Hall), Dwight (Stewart Memorial) and Dorset (Knox United).
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Advertising spots are available for your business or organization in our PLAYBILL and on the SLIDESHOW on the big-screen TV that runs prior to the show. Only $25 and your logo/message will be proudly displayed to our audience showing your support for this new cultural hub in Lake of Bays.
Contact us asap to get the exposure you want! Or maybe you have some bigger ideas! Let’s talk
Blooming Violet Theatre- April 10-13 at Pioneer Church Hall
Blooming Violet, written by Lake of Bays resident JS Jacklin, is a full-length stage play with 15 characters. Blooming Violet takes you back in time from 1916 to 1952 with a story about an ordinary British working-class woman during an extraordinary time in history.
Without the bells and whistles, and performed by 4 talented actors with no props, period costumes or sets, this heartwarming story comes to life, with a smattering of music and joviality throughout!
Contact dotthet@yahoo.com to RESERVE your spot today. Let Jan know your name, the performance date, number of tickets and e-transfer $20.
Wednesday April 10 at 2 pm, Thursday April 11 at 7 pm, Friday April 12 at 7pm and Saturday April 13 at 2 pm.
Pioneer Memorial Church Hall, 2370 Highway 60 at Hillside, Lake of Bays
As seating is limited to 50 people/performance, reserving your spot is highly recommended.
If seats are still available, $20 Cash only will be accepted at the door. Doors open 30 minutes to show time. There is also a cash-only concession.
REMINDER, $10 from every ticket sold and all concession donations will contribute to the Pioneer Memorial Church's Furnace Replacement Campaign. NOTE: Over $2,500 has been raised so far!
Come to SHIRLEY VALENTINE, Theatre-Feb 29, Mar 1 at 7pm, Mar 2, Mar 3 at 2 pm at Pioneer
Have you booked your tickets for SHIRLEY VALENTINE?
Performed at PIONEER MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH HALL
2370 Hwy 60, Hillside, Lake of Bays
Feb. 29 & March 1 at 7pm AND March 2 & 3 at 2pm
Tickets $40 These performances are a fundraiser for new furnaces at Pioneer Memorial Church ($10/ticket donated for this purpose)
Cash at the door OR reserve a spot with an e-transfer of $40 to dotthet@yahoo.com
Play runs 90 minutes plus one 15 minute intermission. Refreshments available.
The heroine in the actor’s tour-de-force is an ordinary middle-class English housewife. As she prepares chips and egg for dinner, she ruminates on her life and tells ‘the wall’ about her husband, her children, her past, and an invitation from a friend to join her on holiday in Greece to search for romance and adventure.
PLEASE NOTE: The content of this play is best suited for mature audiences. Some language may offend.
Entrance is from parking area around the back.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE, Theatre-Feb 29-Mar 3 at Pioneer
Pioneer Memorial United Church is thrilled to announce an exciting collaboration with Dot The T Productions, a professional theatre company in Lake of Bays, under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Jan Jacklin and Minister, Rev. Meg Jordan.
Together, we will strive to bring entertaining, thought-provoking theatre to the local community with our first production, an award-winning one-woman show, “SHIRLEY VALENTINE” on February 29 and March 1 at 7 pm and two matinees on March 2 and 3 at 2 pm. Cash at the door OR reserve a spot with an e-transfer of $40 to dotthet@yahoo.com
Our 132-year-old heritage church, Pioneer Memorial, is located at 2370 Highway 60, Hillside in Lake of Bays. Our hall will serve as a vibrant cultural hub as we host our inaugural show and pave the way for future theatre productions.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE, written by Willy Russell, is a heartwarming comedy about a middle-aged woman stuck in a boring marriage who wonders what ever happened to all her dreams from her youth.
Jan Jacklin expresses her enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to collaborate with Pioneer, a welcoming venue steeped in history and community support. This partnership allows us to bring engaging theatre productions to Lake of Bays and provide a unique experience for both residents and visitors.”
Jan first attended Pioneer one recent Sunday and recognized the potential for pop-up theatre in the spacious hall. When she learned that funds were needed to replace the church furnaces, Jacklin met with Rev. Jordan and church leaders and received an enthusiastic and positive response to her proposal.
Each performance will seat 50 people and 25-50% of each ticket sold (dependent on ticket prices) will be donated for the installation of new furnaces for our church.
This initiative aligns with Pioneer’s commitment to open our doors to the community, preserve the heritage of the church, and ensure its warmth and vitality for generations to come.
We invite you to celebrate this union of heritage and the arts. Be part of the excitement as our charming, historic church takes center stage, becoming a haven for cultural expression in the community.
Sacred Circle Dance at Pioneer-Jan 25, Feb 22, Mar 28, Apr 25, May 23, 6:30-8:00
Please join our Circle Dance as an enjoyable way to connect with one another and the Spirit through simple movement to music from around the world. Thursday, January 25, February 22, March 28, April 25, May 23 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. We meet on the 4th Thursday of the month.
Rev. Meg Jordan and Star will lead our Circle Dance group. We dance for our own relaxation, joy, growth, awareness and healing, for global peace and earth healing, knowing it makes a difference.
All ages, culture, gender, spiritual beliefs are welcome. Please come dressed in comfortable clothing and be prepared to move gently and joyfully and prayerfully.
Pioneer Church Hall, #2370 Hwy 60, at Hillside
Community Prayer Ministry by Zoom- the third Thursday of the month beginning Jan 18, 2024
We invite you to participate in a community program devoted to a ministry of healing prayer. It will be led by Cathy Ferren, a member of the community of faith who worships at Pioneer Memorial Church and Stewart Memorial and supported by myself as your minister representing all the faith communities in the Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge--Knox United, Stewart Memorial and Pioneer Memorial. We all need healing in so many ways that we connect with our world, and this time together will provide an opportunity to bring those personal needs into a gathering of diverse and caring individuals within an intentional praying community. Rev. Meg
We hope that you will join us for the Community Prayer Meeting, the third Thursday of the month, by Zoom beginning January 18, 2024 at 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Please pre-register at least one week before with Cathy Ferren cathyferrenrhn@gmail.com.
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.
Join Us For Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve Services at Lake of Bays United Churches
We hope to see you on Christmas Eve which falls on the fourth Sunday of Advent this year.
There are three services on Sunday, December 24
A Combined service of Lessons and Carols at Stewart Memorial on Christmas Eve morning at 10:30 a.m. 1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight
Then traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight services in the evening:
Knox United Church 5 p.m. 1012 Harvey Avenue, Dorset
Pioneer Memorial Church 7 p.m. - 2370 Hwy 60 at Hillside
OPP Scam Workshop at Pioneer-Sun. Dec 17, 12:30
Keeping Safe In The World Wide Web Lunch & Police Led Discussion
When: Sunday, December 17, 12:30 (after church which is at 11:30, lunch included)
This is a joint service with Knox United Church and the 9:00 service is cancelled. Stewart, in Dwight will have their 10:15 service as usual.
We are all vulnerable to scams and cyber attacks which can result in a loss of your time, money or even your identity. An OPP officer will speak to us about the steps we can take to keep us secure.
Come for lunch and a presentation to learn about simple solutions that protect us from on-line and telephone scams.
Pioneer Church Hall, #2370 Hwy 60, at Hillside
Sacred Circle Dance at Pioneer-Oct 19, Nov 23, Dec 21, 6:30-8:00
We are offering Sacred Circle Dance as an enjoyable way to connect with one another and the Spirit through simple movement to music from around the world. Thursday, October 19, Thursday, November 23, Thursday, December 21, 2023 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.
Rev. Meg Jordan and Star will lead our Circle Dance group. We dance for our own relaxation, joy, growth, awareness and healing, for global peace and earth healing, knowing it makes a difference.
All ages, culture, gender, spiritual beliefs are welcome. Please come dressed in comfortable clothing and be prepared to move gently and joyfully and prayerfully.
Pioneer Church Hall, #2370 Hwy 60, at Hillside
Intro to Sacred Circle Dance at Pioneer-Sept 14, 6:30
We are offering an introduction to Sacred Circle Dance as an enjoyable way to connect with one another and the Spirit through simple movement to music from around the world.
Our leader will be Martha Lamon a former resident of Hillside on Penn Lake and a co-leader with Rev. Meg of a Circle Dance group that gathered many years ago at Trinity United Church.
All are welcome. Please come dressed in comfortable clothing and be prepared to move gently and joyfully and prayerfully.
Pioneer Church Hall, #2370 Hwy 60, at Hillside
Thursday September 14, 6:30