Paul McHoull
Special to Niagara Now/The Lake Report
The first gathering known as Gateau & Grace took place on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 4, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church with about 60 people attending.
There were different cakes to choose from, including one that was gluten-free.
Originally the organizers planned for refreshments to be consumed outside on the lawn, starting at 7, with music to follow inside the church.
However, COVID protocols forbid eating outdoors while standing. So each person took their piece of cake inside the air-conditioned sanctuary, found a seat (marked according to social distance, of course) and ate it there.
Masks were worn inside the sanctuary except when the cake was being eaten. Still it is hard to believe that this was safer than allowing everyone to eat outside on the lawn.
Each week James van den Brink plans to play an organ solo composed during the pandemic. This first week it was “Elegy,” composed in 2021 by Paul Fey. Flute and piccolo player Cynthia Vermeer also performed.
Rev. Dr. Clyde Ervine is the minister pro tem and will be at St. Andrew's while the church looks for a new minister to replace Rev. Virginia Head who has retired.
His message on “Grace” was based on Rembrandt's painting depicting the return of the prodigal son. A copy of the painting was on the back of the program.
While this week he was focusing on the prodigal, in other weeks he will talk about the other figures in the painting.
Free will donations can be made as people leave the sanctuary
To view the performance, people can go to the website standrewsniagara.com and click on the Facebook link.