From here.

Dear Friends
Greeting in the name of the risen Lord, Jesus Christ!

As most of you know, the Church of the Resurrection – Brandon celebrated its first Sunday service, this Palm Sunday. It was a glorious sunshiny day, and a wonderful start for this new ministry. We came together in the “canteen building” at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum at the Brandon Airport. For many, it was a culmination of months of planning, and with it came a real sense of the Lord’s Peace.

Bishop Malcolm Harding (one of two ANiC Bishops along with Bishop Don Harvey) serves as our interim rector, and led us in the service. Father Larry Winslow assisted Bishop Malcolm. A couple of youth were here and one of them Nicole, was our server. About 70 people were present at the service including about a dozen children. Many items to be used in services like chalices and linens were donated, and were blessed before the service began.

The liturgy used for this service is based on the Kenyan Rite, and was a lovely service that included plenty of responses by the congregation. Reg and Heather Hickmott with their son Justin, led the music which included several hymns and a number of choruses. A children’s talk was done by Lynn Levenick. The Sunday School was looked after by Ann Varcoe, Jackie Herbert, Grace Toews, and Lorraine Lenaghan, and had a Bible story and crafts time. With twelve or so children they were kept pretty busy. How wonderful to see so many children at this first service!

Bishop Malcolm gave the homily and asked the question (as did Pilate in Mark 15:12), what do we do with Jesus? The service included communion, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was tangible from beginning to end. The hour and a half (or two, I’m not even sure) flew by. It was over almost too soon. But there was the promise of a meal and fellowship time afterward, and just about everyone stayed.

There are too many people who helped and are very involved in the planning to mention them all, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Marylou, Bishop Malcolm’s wife. She has been a tireless planner and encourager, and is appreciated by all.

I must mention the wonderful support we received from the many visitors who chose to celebrate this first Sunday with us. People came from Kenora Ont, Dauphin, Boissevain, Hartney, Gladstone, Birtle, Foxwarren, and others that I’m sure I have missed. What an encouragement to worship with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ! I must also mention the wonderful letters and emails we have received from many people on this email list and elsewhere. The ways in which the Lord has supported us through to this day are many and sufficient.

The day finished up too soon, and by mid afternoon we were locking up the doors to the “canteen building”. And of course looking forward to Easter Sunday and beyond with excitement, as we continue to trust in Jesus to lead us.

Blessings
Phil