TEHKUMMAH— The congregation of the Manitoulin Community Church is looking forward to the weekend with excitement as the church will be reopening after a two-year hiatus with a service set for next Sunday, July 5.
“We are very excited,” said Pastor Wendy Payne, who along with daughter Tamara will comprise the pastoral team. Tamara, explained Ms. Payne, is in her fourth year of bible college and will be returning to become the youth pastor at the church.
“The response (to news of the reopening) has been amazing,” said Ms. Payne, “everybody is excited.”
The church is a Pentecostal denomination, but the pastor said the church community was inviting anyone who is interested to come by for the service and take part in a barbecue following the 10:30 am Sunday morning service.
“Just bring a lawn chair, maybe a salad or a dessert,” she said. “The burgers and hot dogs are provided.”
Although the church is celebrating its re-opening, the church has a long history in Tehkummah, with the current building being established in 1981, but in different location it has been part of the community since sometime in the 1940s, noted Pastor Payne.
The reopening will be part of ‘We Love the Island Week’ hosted by the Manitoulin Community Church . On Tuesday July 7 there will be a free car wash at the Tehkummah Fire Hall from 10 am to 3pm. On Thursday July 9 there will be a free clothing giveaway for children and adults 10 am to 4pm, on Friday July 10 there will be a free pancake breakfast starting at 9 am to 11 am and on Saturday July 11, the church will be holding a ‘Princess Tea for all age ‘princesses’ from 10am-11:30 AM. “Please call to reserve your seat for you and your princess,” said Ms. Payne. Other than the car wash, all events are taking place at the Manitoulin Community Church at 506 Smeltzer Road in Tehkummah, off Highway 551 and just past the intersection of Highways 6 and 542. People are invited to call 705-859-3384 for more information.
