ReachOut with Music

A mutual program of the Music & Worship and Mission & Outreach Committees, this promising venture takes music to children otherwise unlikely to ever enjoy its charms. Françoise Morin-Lyons, a violinist with the renowned I Musici and a member of our congregation, has taken the successful initiative she introduced at the nearby Kanawake native community to Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre in Little Burgundy, an historic partner of The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul. Introduced to the Centre's Moms 'n' Tots program last spring, Françoise has been charming youngsters from 4 to 12 on Saturday morning. We plan are to reach out to older children, and eventually to seniors and other communities in and around Montreal. If all proceeds as planned, funds raised from our concerts will provide for instruments as youngsters learn to love the beauty of music. 

On Sunday, November 27, we introduced what promises to be a new tradition with a dramatic reading of Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol". An enthusiastic audience was welcomed by top-hatted ushers, well-known personalities in period costume and music to welcome the Advent season. Proceeds from a free will offering will support a ReachOut with Music music and arts day camp for under privileged children next summer.

The talented readers were Jeanette Kelly (seated in front) and from left to right Wayne Riddell, Rev. Dr. James Armour, Rev. Jeff Veenstra and MC Keith Randall