Seth DuChene
Editor
For Grace United Church’s 175th anniversary, the band’s getting back together.
Later this month, members of the Grace Youth Singers will reunite for the church’s anniversary service. One of those former members, Diane Remington, says that nearly 20 former members of the group have said they’ll take part in an alumni performance.
“We’ll start with a practice of some songs,” she says. “Those (songs) aren’t totally narrowed down exactly yet, but we’ll start with some of the songs that we sang back then.”
That practice session will happen on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. at the church hall.
The group was an offshoot of Grace’s popular youth group in the early to mid-1970s. The Grace Youth Singers travelled as far away as Newfoundland to perform.
The anniversary service is one component of Grace’s 175th anniversary celebrations. To kick off the year, they produced a calendar featuring members of the congregation. The church also commissioned a series of commemorative pewter ornaments depicting the church. The ornaments were produced by Muskoka Pewter in Bracebridge.
The ornaments can be picked up for $20, or for $15 each if more than one ornament is purchased.
“They’re really nice keepsakes, but they would also make a nice gift. People can put them on a Christmas tree or hang them in a window. They’re already gift-boxed and ready to go,” said Remington.
Rev. Elaine Kellogg, minister for the Deseronto-Napanee Pastoral Charge (which includes Grace United Church), says it’s been a special year.
“It’s kind of exciting for me to celebrate this anniversary, to think about what a huge impact this church has had on the lives of many people, and on Napanee as a town.”
The anniversary service and performance by the Youth Singers alumni will take place on Oct. 29 at 10:30. Any former members of the group are invited to take part and, if possible, to bring their musical instruments along as well.
Those looking to participate can call the church at 613-354-4373 or e-mail graceuc@mycando.ca.