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Index
THE
SACRAMENT OF COMMUNION
Our next Service
of Communion will be held on Sunday, June 13, at 10:30 a.m.. As the
celebration of the Lord’s Supper grounds us in what is essential
in our faith and binds us more closely to our Lord Jesus Christ, we
encourage all members of the congregation to make a special effort to
attend this service. We also welcome others to our table. Our practice
is to invite all who love Jesus, regardless of age, denomination, or
status of membership, to join in the meal that he has prepared .
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COMMUNION
OFFERING
If you have in your hands
a printed copy of this newsletter, you will also find that it contains a
Communion Offering envelope. If you are getting your newsletter on the net,
you will find Communion Offering envelopes included in your box of Sunday
offering envelopes or placed in the pews at church. You can use these envelopes
to make a special offering on June 13. Remembering at the Lord’s Table
how Christ gave himself for us, we respond in gratitude by making an offering
of ourselves for others.
This Communion Offering will be equally divided between four organizations
whose work is of particular interest to our congregation and which we have
been supporting for many years:
The Conference Bursary Fund
, which provides support to those studying
for the ministry;
Alpha House
, which provides safe transitional housing for women and
children at risk;
The Canadian Bible Society
, which distributes low-cost scriptures
in Canada and abroad;
Project Peacemakers
, which provides educational programs on issues
of peace and international relations. The Project Peacemeakers office is
located at Westminster Church.
We thank your for your generous April Communion Offering. $1,200 was given
for the Westminster Session Fund, enabling our ministers to respond to cases
of immediate need.
IN
MEMORIAM
Betty Halstead
Gordon Pattison
Gwen Thorsteinson
Helen White
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HOME
BEFORE DARK
This program began
about five years ago when it was pointed out that not everybody is away
all summer and they don't all golf. In fact, for some, the more leisurely
pace of the sommuer months affords them more time to be a part of a study
group. We start at 7 p.m. and are done by 8:30, hence the name "Home
Before Dark". This year, as in others, we have a series of videos
to stimulate our thinking and discusion. "Faces of Faith" will
introduce us to speakers who will share their faith stories and challenges
us to reflect on our own experiences of God. The first if Bernie Siegel,
a physician and author of the best-selling
Love, Medicine, and Miracles
.
He has encouraged thousands of patients and their families by gently prodding
them to view ther afflictions as opportunities for redirection and healing.
This series will run
3 Tuesdays in July : July 6, 13 and 27. (On July 20th there is a special
concert being held in the church which we hope all will attend.)
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SUMMER
SERVICES
Rose will be preaching
for five Sundays (June 27 - July 25) and has chosen as this summer's theme
"A Handful of Parables". Do you have a favourite? Come and let's
explore together these stories with their hidden and not-so-hidden meanings.
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SUMMER
NEWS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
Blue Jean Sunday
School
continues throughout the summer. There will be stories, games
and crafts for ages 3 - 12. Those over 12 are welcome to be Jr. Leaders
and we will need an adult for each Sunday. If you can participate, please
call Rose at 784-1330.
VACATION BIBLE
SCHOOL
will be held at St. Andrew's River Hights United Church, July
19 - 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We have more details adn application forms
at the church office.
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IN
MEMORY OF BETTY HALSTEAD
I am really going
to miss you, Betty.
You were my right hand since I came to Canada.
You helped me in so many ways, and you never
got tired of doing that.
You made my life
easier by helping me get to know
Winnipeg, shopping, lunches, laughing and caring
for me and my family.
I'm lucky you were
my friend,
Lela Saric
The
Refugee Committee
has unanimously decided to recommend to the Church Board the renaming
the
Refugee Fund
as Betty Halstead Refugee Fund.
As a member of
the Refugee Committee at the Westminster United Church, I have had the
privilege to meet and work with wonderful people. Their deep compassion
and conscious effort to help others in need has touched me very personally.
I have been thankful to have them in my life for the last seven years.
About seven years
ago, my wife Lily and I were searching for ways to sponsor my cousin,
Lela Saric, and her family, who had been stranded in the war-torn Yugoslavia.
We found the much needed help at the Westminster United Church. What seemed
like an impossible task for the two of us was suddenly blessed with a
lot of hope.
The hope came from
a few individuals whose enthusiasm and initiative had eventually led the
way to a successful undertaking of sponsorship for the Saric family.
Betty Halstead
was in the heart of our efforts. Hers were the most difficult tasks, and
she did them with great joy and enthusiasm. Betty was a true leader, with
always positive approach, giving encouragement when needed, taking initiative
when needed, breaking through cultural differences when needed.
Betty had laid
the foundations of the Refugee Fund when she appealed to the congregation
to help Lela Saric and her family. The success of this undertaking has
left me and other members of my family with gratitude in our hearts and
thankfulness to everyone who helped in the process.The Refugee Fund continues
to be of fundamental importance for the current and future work of the
Refugee Committee.
Betty continued
to be actively involved with the work of the Refugee Committee for as
long as she was able to. Her amazing spirit was a tremendous resource
for the rest of us and we will all miss her terribly.
Mladen Despic, the
Refugee Committee
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Calendar
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Sundays
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May 23 - Aug 29
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Service
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Blue Jean Sunday School
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Sunday
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May 30
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Service
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Adult Confirmation
& Farewell to Rose
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Sunday
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June 13
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Service
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Communion
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Sunday
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June 20
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Service
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Baptism
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June 15 - 20
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Rose away on study leave
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June 21 - July 2
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Robert away on study leave
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Tuesdays
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July 6, 13, 20, 27
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7 - 8:30 p.m.
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Home Before Dark (Bible
Study)
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Sunday
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August 8
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After Service
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Communion
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Wednesday
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Sept 8
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Noon
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Deadline
- Fall
Newsletter
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Sunday
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Sept 19
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Newsletters available for
pick-up
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Sunday
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October 3
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Service
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Communion
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Sunday
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Nov 7
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Service
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Remembrance Service
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After Service
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Communion
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8:00
p.m.
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Organ Series Concert
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Sunday
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Nov 14
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Service
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Anniversary Service
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Wednesday
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Nov 24
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Noon
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Deadline
- Christmas
Newsletter
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Sunday
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Dec 5
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Newsletters available for
pick-up
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Sunday
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Dec 12
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4:00 p.m.
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Blue Christmas Service
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Sunday
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Dec 19
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Service
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Communion
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Sunday
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Dec 24
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7:00 p.m.
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Family Christmas Service
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11:00 p.m.
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Choral Candlelight
Service
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A
VERY SPECIAL THANK-YOU ...
from the Westminster Congregation
... to Anne Moore
and Bruce Linney, retiring co-chairs of the Westminster Garage Sale. They
ably guided the many aspects of the sale from its inception in 1994 when
$3852 was raised to the current year where over $19,000 was raised. Their
invaluable expertise will be appreciated by those continuing in their
footsteps.
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A FEW
CLOSING WORDS FROM WESTMINSTER GARAGE SALE CO-CHAIR, ANNE MOORE
It was the 11th garage
sale and early on we were concerned that it might be the beginning of
the end. Things were slow coming in, and what came in seemed only average.
Not of the quality expected of the Westminster Garage Sale. After all,
we have a reputation to uphold. March was the turning point and there
was a collective sigh of relief. As things turned out, the final amount
raised was net $19,000--second highest total of our 11 sales.
Well done volunteers and those who donated such wonderful items. It is
not easy saying thank-you to everyone involved. Some of you were working
in November and were still there working on sale day. This crew is really
the mainstay of the sale, working every Tuesday, and often more, in less
than comfortable surroundings. "Bat Cave" is close to the truth
although real bats wouldn't be caught dead there.
Thank-you one and all. You did it again. Go and enjoy your summer.
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INTRODUCING
...
Two of our youth were
confirmed on May 9th. They had participated sine January in a program
that is held jointly with young people from St. Andrew’s River Heights
United. The leaders are Terry Hidichuk and Janet Walker from St. Andrew’s
and Rose Ferries from Westminster. Over the four month period, the class
engages in studying the Bible, learning about church history and the Sacraments
and many other subjects. They attend other styles of worship and take
part in volunteer work. At the end of this time they are invited to make
a mature, lifelong commitment to the church.
Stephanie Elizabeth Elder
and
Adrianna Marie Konstance Gorenc
bring not only what they learned during Confirmation classes but many
years of involvement in Westminster Church. Both have been part of the
Sunday School and Junior Choir; Stephanie currently works in the babyfold
and Adrianna has helped at Vacation Bible School and Blue Jean Sunday
School. They have taken part in drama productions and other special events
in the life of the church. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue
to grow in their Christian lives.
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WELCOME
TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Gladys and Rudy
Comeault
- Gladys is enjoying retirement volunteering in the Oncology
Department at Victoria Hospital, volunteering at Westminster. And now
that summer is nearly here she will get back to her gardening at the lake.
Rudy is also retired but enjoys a continued involvement in the field of
housing cooperatives as a consultant. he also spends volunteer time in
chruch-related matters of finance. His interests include computers and
programming. They are both in their third year of Disciple Bible study.
They enjoy worshipping and the fellowship at Westminster.
Ron and Elizabeth Russell
- Over their 37 years of marriage they
have lived in and attended United Churches in Lynn Lake, Flin Flon, Thompson
and Winnipeg. Ron recently retired after 41 years of work with both the
Hudson Bay and North West companies.Elizabeth has been a medical lab technologist
and for the past 17 years a medical clinic manager.They have a son Mark,
currently in Japan and two daughters, Leslie and Marnie, a son-in-law
and two grandchildren, all living in New Zealand.
Kathryn and Richard Bracken
- Kathryn was born in Worcester, Massachusetts,
grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was educated at U. of. Penn.
She has enjoyed her years in Winnipeg raising a family and volunteering
in schools and community boards.Richard, grandson of former Manitoba Premier
John Bracken was born in Winnipeg and educated at Princeton and Harvard.
He is currently Chairman of Royal Canadian Securities Limited, Chairman
of The City of Winnipeg Civic Pension Fund Investment Committee and Vice
Chair of The Business Council of Manitoba.Kathryn and Richard, married
31 years, have 4 sons. Taylor and David have a business in Phoenix, Arisona,Geoffrey
is in 4th Year Business at Texas A&M University and John is in 2nd
Year at Arizona State University.
Jack and Margaret Swann
- They are both retirees who enjoy reading
and golf. Their family includes a son, two daughters, two sons-in-law
and 3 grandchildren.
Jackie Derkson and Michael Naphin
- This couple is planning their
Westminster marriage in October. Jackie is a Lab Technologist. Her interests
include teaching Sparks, cross-stitching, curling, baseball and volunteering.
Michael is both a surveyor and a plasterer. He enjoys games, movies, sports,
science and astrology. Their family also includes daughter Isabella. (Both
Michael and Jackie admit they would rather be at home, raising Isabella
than be out working!)
Tammy Lee Hoogland and Robert Balon
- Tammy and Robert will be married
in Westminster this coming November. Tammy is currently a landscape designer.
She loves traveling, gardening, reading, drawing, playing the violin and
baseball. Robert is a Personal Banker at Royal Bank. He, too, enjoys travel
and reading.
Bradley Taylor-Pirogov
- Bradley works at W.A. Refrigeration where
he has much to do with ice, self-serve machines and is sales manager.
His interests include reading in sci-fi and fantasy genres, Bible Study,
role playing games and collecting movies. His family includes wife Lisa,
two daughters and a son.
Alice MacKenzie
- Alice is a retired banker and is currently self-employed
in the jewelry business.She is also a long-time member of
the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Board. She enjoys music, shopping, her
cottage and travel. Alice's family includes two sons, both married, and
three grandchildren.
Leslie Roberts
- Leslie's "day job" is many and varied:
a contract worker, Nurse, and Board member and Chair, a gardener and a
golfer. She also loves gardening, reading, music and travel.Her family
includes 3 siblings, 7 nieces and nephews, and a "surrogate) brother.
Marjory Helen Harvey
- Marjory is retired and spends her time volunteering,
maintaining a house and garden, knitting and reading. her family includes
a sister and brother-in-law and two nieces, both with two children each.
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A
FAREWELL TO ROSE
Rose will be formally
bid adieu from her work at Westminster on Sunday, May 30. Roy Halstead
apologizes for not having a "Farewell" to Rose in this issue
of the news letter. However, a proper accounting of this wonderful woman's
work in the congregation will appear this summer on the
Rose
Ferries sermon page
of our website and will then appear in print in
our fall newsletter.
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ADULT
EDUCATION FOR FALL
Another Year One of
Disciple is being offered this fall and will begin on Monday, September
13. Disciple is a 34 week program which will take you from Genesis to
Revelation. The group will be led by Lisa Caldwell who has been a Disciple
Leader fro the last two years. Please register by phoning the office as
soon as possible. We need to be sure we order enough workbooks for all
of you. Your registration fee of $40 covers the cost of your book.
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A
MESSAGE FROM THE WINNIPEG PRESBYTERY REFUGEE CONCERNS COMMITTEE
An Algerian refugee
claimant was to be deported in February, but asked a Quebec City United
Church for Sanctuary, which was granted. In March,Quebec City police entered
the church and arrested him and turned him over to US authorities at the
border. The concept of sanctuary has moral authority but is not enshrined
in law, and the United Church is concerned about the way this moral authority
was violated. The Winnipeg Presbytery Refugee Concerns Committee is passing
on a request from the United Church head office that those who feel able
to do so should write to their Member of Parliament about this.
An article “ A Sanctuary Violated” is printed in the April 2004
Observer.
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A
MESSAGE FROM WESTMINSTER HOUSING
Wayne Arnould is about
to conclude a three year term as chairman of Westminster Housing Society.
He will, however, remain on the executive as Past-Chairman.
It has been a busy three years. During his tenure as chairman the Society
has doubled the number of housing units under its ownership. The growth
of the organization brings with it added problems which must be solved:
there are more tenants to deal with, more records to keep, more meetings
to attend, more financial concerns to address.
Wayne has been involved in all aspects of the operations of the Society
besides chairing the regular board meetings. From dealing with a tenant’s
complaint about energy costs to negotiating security agreements with financial
institutions, Wayne has taken an active role. Fortunately he will continue
to devote his energies and skills to Westminster Housing Society in his
position as past-chair.
Journalist Tom Ford takes over as board chairman. Tom has been an active
member of the board and chair of its budget committee for several years.
The balance of the executive remains the same. Frank Le Clair is vice-chair,
Charles Huband is vice-chair development, Wilf Brock is treasurer and
Andrea Philp is secretary.
The Society is now completing the rehabilitation of a very large former
rooming house at 276 Furby Street. It will be transformed into a small
apartment building with 7 units. Drive by and take a look.
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WESTMINSTER
CONCERT ORGAN SERIES, 2004-2005 SEASON
THREE INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS
The Westminster Concert
Organ Series, at Westminster United Church presents exciting concerts
with the magnificent four manual Casavant Pipe Organ - superb sight lines
of the console, great acoustics.
Click
here for a description of the organ.
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SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 7, 2004 8 PM
CLIVE DRISKILL-SMITH
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL, OXFORD, ENGLAND
Clive Driskill-Smith is a recent winner of the Royal College of
Organists Artist of the Year. He won the Prize of the Audience
at the St. Albans International Organ Competition and the Concerto
Gold Medal at the 2002 Calgary International Organ Festival competition.
He is a graduate of Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford University,
and is currently sub-organist of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.
After graduation from Eton College, where he was a music scholar,
he spent a year as sub-organist at Winchester Cathedral. He
holds the FRCO diploma and was awarded the RCO’s Limpus Prize
and the Worshipful Company of Musicians Silver Medal.
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SUNDAY,
FEBRUARY 20, 2005 2:30 P.M.
PAUL JACOBS
JULLIARD SCHOOL, NEW YORK CITY
The Organist
and Choirmaster at Christ and St.Stephen's Church, New York City,
Paul Jacobs was appointed Chairman of the Organ Department at the
Juliard School of Music in 2004. He is noted for his mastery of
an enormous body of repetoire - having memorized the complete organ
works of Brahms, Franck and Durufle, much Messiaen, most of Bach
as well as a vast range of other organ literature. And he is working
on the complete organ works of Max Reger. He has studied with George
Rau, John Weaver and Thomas Murray and performed throughout North
and South America and in Western Europe.
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SUNDAY,
APRIL 17, 2005 8:00 P.M.
MARTIN SETCHELL
TOWN HALL ORGANIST, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND
Concert organist
Martin Setchell is Organ Curator of the Christchurch Town Hall,
where he performs on the acclaimed Rieger pipe organ. He studied
organ at Exeter University and Cathedral. His advanced studies followed
with various teachers including Pierre Cochereau, Marie-Claire Alain,
Piet Kee and Peter Hurford. An Associate Professor of Music at the
University of Canterbury, his solo organ concerts have taken him
to America, Austrailia, Italy, Germany, England, Poland, China and
Hong Kong.
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Please
click here for a printable version of the Westminster Concert Organ Series
2004-2005 season ticket order form.
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WEBSITE
Check
out the web site www.westminsterchurchwinnipeg.ca You will find information
about
what's happening at Westminster
,
the
Weekly Bulletin
and
Rose's
and
Robert's recent sermons
.
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