in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
November 30, 2023
BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Many Christmas carols were sung and ample cookies devoured at the first of three Cookies and Carols participatory events at the Highland United Church in Eugenia on Wednesday, November 29.
It was the brainchild of Eugenia Re-United, a secular group of local volunteers who recently formed to bring more events and community engagement to the historic church in this small town on the Niagara Escarpment. Religious musical offerings like Hark the Herald Angels Sing and holiday classics like Deck the Halls were mixed with folk and pop hits like Gordon Lightfoot's Song for a Winter's Night and John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over). The combination of well-known and well-liked tunes were led by local musicians, bringing a jam session vibe to the church sanctuary with a little something for everyone to enjoy.
Afterwards, the approximately 30 attendees retired to the fellowship room for various free baked goodies provided by the guests and group members as well as coffee and cider supplied by United Church congregants in a coming-together of local resident and church communities.
Organizers were pleased with the turnout. "The most important thing was how it brought the community together," said Barb Henry, member of the Highland United Church board.
"We were thrilled by it all, people came and sang and ate cookies, but most important of all, they stayed for over an hour chatting and connecting with their neighbours," stated Jane Farrow, one of the Eugenia Re-United volunteers. "We want people to come together and use a these church spaces for events, rentals, parties. It all helps keep them viable and vibrant as a valuable community space."
Events like these are popping up across the country, as churches face a shifting landscape and uncertain future. According to the 2021 census, the number of Canadians affiliating with United, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Anglican churches collectively dropped by over 60% through the previous decade. The Pew Research Center also has reported that just 27% of millennials and 34% of Gen-Xers say they attend weekly religious services — stark indications of an overall trend toward a more secular vision of community for many Canadians.
Mainline churches are appropriately disturbed by this trend. As congregations shrink, not only do religious organizations grapple with how to pay for the maintenance of aging church structures, but they also struggle with how to continue their mission of encouraging connection and strengthening community.
In an StrongTowns.org article on the ways that shrinking churches can adapt, Rachel Quednau gives three possible solutions: consider moving to a smaller building; merge with other congregations; and/or turn the building into a revenue generator.
In Grey Highlands, following the sale of the St. John's United Church, the congregations in Flesherton and Eugenia merged to form the Highland United Church and operate services out of the smaller, yet equally notable building on Canrobert Street in Eugenia.
The move effectively checked off the first two ways that Quednau describes. It is hoped that the third way may be enabled with the emergence of groups like Eugenia re-United, who are equally committed to carrying on the traditions of connection and community, but with a more secular interest.
The next Cookies and Carols events will be held at 7 pm on Wednesdays, December 6 and 13 with different song set-lists and new batches of cookies promised. Once again, everyone is welcome to bring their enthusiasm, trained or untrained voices and while it is optional, their home-baked cookies too. The Highland United Church is located at 159 Canrobert Street in Eugenia. Entrance is free. Donations are greatly appreciated.
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