News
Stay up to date with news and announcements in and around the church and community.
Lake of Bays United Churches’ Christmas Services
Please join us for the Christmas Season. It is a time of hope, peace, joy and love.
Christmas Music Show with Deb Misener Jones & Noah’s Larks, Dec 14, 2pm at Pioneer
Join us for an exciting Christmas Music Show with Deb Misener Jones and our Noah’s Larks on Sunday December 14 at 2:00pm in the Pioneer Memorial Hall.
Deb Misener Jones provides the finest in live music and family entertainment! Deb’s shows are a lively, fun, interactive “Family Friendly” musical experience for all ages, featuring Christmas Carols, Yodeling, Alpine Cowbells, Audience Participation, German Songs and Music!
Our own Noah’s Larks will also lead us in Christmas Carols.
Admission is free with a donation.
Light Refreshments provided.
Seasons of Life/After Care Presentation at Pioneer, Wed Nov 19 at 11:00
Join us for a Lunchtime Presentation on Wednesday November 19 at 11:00 in the Pioneer United Church Hall. 2370 Highway 60, Huntsville ON
Rev. Donna Bowman Woodall and Cheryl Kinghan will be presenting Seasons of Life / After Care. Learn how pre-planning can ease emotion and financial stress for your loved ones.
All are welcome for lunch and the presentation. Register today to save your seat. 705-789-8982
Book Discussion of “Tending Tomorrow” 2nd & 4th Wednesday by Zoom or at Pioneer, 11-12
Join us for Book Group Discussions, the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 11:00 to 12:00, both in person at Pioneer Memorial Church or by Zoom. (On Sept 24, we will meet at Stewart Memorial as there is a theatre production at Pioneer).
“Tending Tomorrow” Courageous Change for People and Planet by Leah Reesor-Keller.
In the face of environmental and social upheaval, TENDING TOMORROW lays out a path for Christians worried about our collective future and seeking courage and inspiration for the journey ahead. Drawing on metaphors from the natural world, author Leah Reesor-Keller offers foundational, transformative practices for leaders and communities to foster healthier cultures during a time of ecological devastation.
Tending Tomorrow book — Leah Reesor-Keller
Meg Jordan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Meg Jordan's Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 10, 2025 10:45 AM America/Toronto
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Tiller’s Folly Live Concert at Stewart United Church, Dwight - Fri. Nov 7, 7pm
Come to the Tiller’s Folly Live Concert of Celtic, Folk and Bluegrass Music on Friday, November 7, 7:00 at:
Stewart Memorial United Church, 1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight, Lake of Bays
Tickets are $40 and available at this link https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/tillers-folly-live-concert
(You can decide whether you support the Zeffy platform. To opt out use the dropdown and check “Other” and put in 0%)
Only 100 tickets available for this intimate concert.
$10 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Stewart Memorial Exterior Renovations campaign.
Cash concession available (by donation)
For over twenty-five years, Tiller’s Folly have been uniting the past with the present as modern-day storytellers of lore, singing the West’s pioneer history to life. From the outset, Tiller’s Folly aspired to create acoustic music that is thoughtful, progressive, yet timeless in nature. Music that is representative of their Pacific Coastal home. They set out to preserve a measure of the West’s colonial heritage in stories & songs.
Drawing influence from Scottish, Irish and Maritime Music traditions, Tiller’s Folly have continued to expand and refine their potent blend of Pacific Canadiana, and ‘beyond.’
“As one of the tightest, and unflinchingly focused, folk bands in the nation, Tiller’s Folly continues to produce music that is both distinctly Canadian and firmly rooted in the Celtic tradition. Stirring Up Ghosts confirms that Tiller’s Folly is a national treasure”
— Peter North / Edmonton Journal
Tiller's Folly website: https://tillersfolly.com
FOR YOUR INFORMATION - This trio are performing at Toronto's top music venue THE HUGH'S ROOM on Nov. 2 (this is a quality show!)
DOWN BY THE BAYS is a community cultural hub for performing arts in Lake of Bays. Dot The T Productions, Muskoka Players, Muskoka Stageworks and The Dorset Theatre Company share the stages at the Lake of Bays United Churches in Hillside (Pioneer Memorial Hall), Dwight (Stewart Memorial) and Dorset (Knox United).
We thank the Muskoka Community Foundation Grant from the Township of Lake of Bays for their support of the Down By The Bays community cultural hub.
Dwight Lions Remembrance Day Service Sat, Nov 8, 2pm
The Dwight Lions Remembrance Day Service is on Saturday November 8 at 2:00 pm at the Dwight Memorial Wall. This is on Dwight Bay Road next to Canada Post. Refreshments will be after the service at the Dwight Seniors Hall.
Fall Harvest Bazaar-Sat Oct 11 1-3 at Stewart Church
Join us at Stewart United Church’s Fall Harvest Bazaar on Saturday, October 11, 1:00-3:00.
1212 Dwight Beach Road in Dwight.
Pre-order your pumpkin pies by Sept 28 at StewartMemorialUC@gmail.com
Pick up the pies at the bazaar. You will find home baking, jams, preserves, crafts, books and puzzles.
SHE VISITS- Sept 24, 25, 26, 27- Theatre at Pioneer Memorial Hall
SHE'S BACK! With her new one-woman show called "SHE VISITS."
Down By The Bays is beyond excited to welcome award winning playwright & actor MAJA ARDAL back to our theatre space at Pioneer Memorial Hall.
Audiences will remember Maja from her recent outstanding performance at Pioneer with her award winning play 'YOU FANCY YOURSELF.'
And here she is again with her most recent play, SHE VISITS.
4 PERFORMANCES ONLY: Sept. 24 @ 2pm, Sept. 25 @ 7pm, Sept. 26 @ 7pm & Sept. 27 @ 2pm.
(You can decide whether you support the Zeffy platform. To opt out use the dropdown and check “Other” and put in 0%)
With Pioneer Memorial's new elevated tiered seating, there are only 40 seats available for each performance. Advanced on-line tickets are strongly encouraged. If any seats remain, $40 cash will be accepted at the door.
$10 from each ticket sale will be donated to Pioneer Memorial United Church.
Maja Ardal’s adaptation of Friedrich Dűrrenmatt’s masterpiece (Der Besuch Der Alten Dame)—“The Visit of the Old Lady”—is as relevant now as it was when he wrote it in 1956.
The Story. Claire Onassiopolus is fabulously wealthy. After 45 years Claire is returning home to Gardenia, her impoverished small town with a plan. Alfred Gill, one of the town’s most beloved citizens, is chosen to greet Claire and use his charm on her to see if she can help financially as much as possible. Claire and Alfred had a ‘history’ when they were teenagers so Alfred seems the smartest choice to ‘sweet-talk’ Claire. Various people remember her sense of justice, humanity etc. They soon find out about her keen sense of justice.
After Claire is settled in the town’s hotel, with her entourage of two beefy body-guards, two blind eunuch servants, her pet panther and a coffin, and the leaders of the town wine and dine her, Claire tells the folks what she will do for them. She will give the town $80 million and $20 million do be divided evenly among the townsfolk. On one condition, that they kill Alfred Gill. Pandemonium ensues. Disgust from the town’s folk that she should suggest such a despicable thing. Claire explains.
When she was 15-years-old Claire became pregnant by Alfred. He denied it. There was a bastardy case. Two teens were bribed by Alfred to say they slept with Claire. The result is that Claire was run out of town. She became a prostitute and rich, old Onassiopolus was one of her clients and he married her. When he died Claire inherited his wealth and then she plotted to get her revenge on the townsfolk of Gardenia and Alfred in particular. The people refuse her offer. Claire says she can wait. It’s one of the great lines of dramatic literature and how the town’s folk then react is one of the great character developments in a play.
DOORS OPEN 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO SHOW TIME.
THERE IS ONE INTERMISSION with refreshments provided by Pioneer Memorial United Church with a cash donation.
Pioneer Memorial United Church is located at 2370 Hwy #60 (at the foot of Tally-Ho Winter Park Road) Hillside, Lake of Bays
DOWN BY THE BAYS is a community cultural hub for performing arts in Lake of Bays. Dot The T Productions, Muskoka Players, Muskoka Stageworks and The Dorset Theatre Company share the stages at the Lake of Bays United Churches in Hillside (Pioneer Memorial Hall), Dwight (Stewart Memorial) and Dorset (Knox United).
We thank the Muskoka Community Foundation Grant from the Township of Lake of Bays for their support of the Down By The Bays community cultural hub.
Coffee House Live Music at Stewart United Church, Dwight - Fri. Oct 3, 7pm
EXPERIENCE AN EXCITING BEST OF MUSKOKA LIVE MUSIC EVENING
WITH SEAN COTTON, CHRISTINA HUTT AND MIKE PHILLIPS
Down By The Bays presents a Muskoka COFFEE HOUSE on Friday, October 3, 7:00 at:
Stewart Memorial United Church, 1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight, Lake of Bays
The link for on-line $30 tickets is: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/coffee-house-concert
(You can decide whether you support the Zeffy platform. To opt out use the dropdown and check “Other” and put in 0%)
Only 100 tickets available for this intimate concert.
$10 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Stewart Memorial Exterior Renovations campaign.
Cash concession available (by donation)
SEAN COTTON: A Georgetown , Ontario native and Toronto expat, Sean Cotton currently creates and performs in the Central Ontario regions of Muskoka and Almaguin Highlands. After retiring from a 20 year career on the road and in the studio as a guitar player and harmony vocalist with performing-songwriting duo The Undesirables, Sean has settled in the village of Burk's Falls, Ontario where he operates a recording studio producing artist, recording his own albums as well as working as a jingle composer for radio.
https://seancotton.ca
CHRISTINA HUTT: Christina can fill a room with her rich, resonant, out-of-this era voice and move you with her honest, charismatic delivery. Once described as a full-bodied glass of red wine, her sound is reminiscent of the soul-stirring vocals you would have heard flowing from a transistor radio in the late 50’s. You will understand why Hutt has been dubbed “the voice” in her hometown of Muskoka, Ontario. She welcomes you into the secrets of her heart with fierce passion and endearing spirit. Christina’s ease in a diversity of genres brings a captivating quality to her performances.
https://christinahutt.com
MIKE PHILLIPS: Phillips has travelled the country, from Vancouver to Toronto to Halifax and back, in pursuit of a musical dream that awoke in him as kid learning on his dad’s guitar, but only after he stopped taking accordion lessons. It was bass guitar that really turned up the heat up for Phillips and he played in garage punk bands doing original music only through to the mid ‘80s. It was then that he started playing guitar as his main instrument and began to perform in a series of three jug bands, first in Halifax, then Vancouver with the Hard Rock Miners, and finally landed back in Toronto with famed party band Jughead.
DOWN BY THE BAYS is a community cultural hub for performing arts in Lake of Bays. Dot The T Productions, Muskoka Players, Muskoka Stageworks and The Dorset Theatre Company share the stages at the Lake of Bays United Churches in Hillside (Pioneer Memorial Hall), Dwight (Stewart Memorial) and Dorset (Knox United).
We thank the Muskoka Community Foundation Grant from the Township of Lake of Bays for their support of the Down By The Bays community cultural hub.
Stewart Civic Weekend Bake Sale & Bazaar, Sat August 2, 10-1
Stewart Civic Weekend Bake Sale and Bazaar Aug 2, 10-1
Join us for the Stewart Civic Weekend Bake Sale and Bazaar on Saturday Aug 2 at 10:00 to 1:00
Stewart Memorial United Church
1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight ON
Bookkeeper Position Available
Bookkeeper position available at the Lake of Bays United Churches
Lake of Bays United Churches are looking for an independent contractor Bookkeeper. Let others, who are looking for a flexible bookkeeping position, know about this opportunity in the Lake of Bays community.
Stewart Canada Day Bake Sale & Bazaar, Sat June 28, 10-1
Join us for the Stewart Canada Day Weekend Bake Sale and Bazaar on Saturday June 28 at 10:00 to 1:00
Stewart Memorial United Church
1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight ON
Speakers Series at Pioneer Memorial Church
Join us for our Speaker Series at Pioneer Memorial Church, 2370 Highway 60 at Hillside. All are welcome!
Tuesday, May 6th at 11:30 to 1:00, Kristie Shaver from Food 4 Kids Muskoka. We will serve a light lunch of soup and sandwiches
Kristie Shaver is the Communications Manager for Food4Kids Muskoka as well as their Volunteer Coordinator and Marketing/Social Media Coordinator. Food4Kids Muskoka provides “Weekends Without Hunger” to 320 children weekly (and growing) among 22 schools from Severn Bridge to Huntsville and out to Muskoka Lakes. This program was designed to bridge the gap between the estimated 1000+ children who go without food on weekends, relying heavily on breakfast, lunch and snack programs at schools. food4kidsmuskoka.ca
Sunday, May 18 at 10:30-11:30 Mitch Case, Métis speaker. Lunch will be provided after the church service and a Beading Workshop will follow if you wish to join us.
A proud Metis citizen from the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis Community. Mitch is a community based historian, focusing on the history of Ontario Métis communities; especially those around the Great Lakes. A Councillor on the Provisional Council of the Metis Nation of Ontario, Mitch was elected on a platform of advancing Métis Self-Government, improving communication, advancing Métis culture, and most importantly advancing the historic claims of Métis community. As a Metis representative at local and regional levels, Mitch is passionate defender of the Métis right to self determination, jurisdiction over lands and resources and the cause of Métis Nationalism. Mitch volunteers in schools, colleges and universities across Ontario where he is invited to speak about Métis culture, history, traditions, rights and contemporary issues. mitchcase.ca
Tuesday, June 3, 10:00-11:30 Marielle and Dave of Helping Buddies Muskoka, We will serve coffee, tea and goodies.
Do you have a to-do list that is too much to tackle on your own? Helping Buddy will come to your house no matter how small the job. For more information about the program, contact: Dave & Marielle, Owners and Helping Buddies 705-349-3699, HelpingBuddy.ca
Easter Services at Lake of Bays Pastoral Charge
Easter Services
Lenten Study Weekly on Wednesdays- Zoom & in person at Pioneer 10 am
April 13 Palm Sunday begins HOLY WEEK 10:30 Communion at Pioneer with Rev. Meg Jordan, Streamed at Knox at 10:30 with Communion
April 18 Good Friday Pioneer Sanctuary 10:30 a.m.
April 20 EASTER SUNDAY All individual churches open for celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Easter Sunrise Fire @ Pioneer 7 a.m.
Pioneer Memorial 9 a.m. in Hillside,
Stewart Memorial 10:15 in Dwight
Knox United 11:30 in Dorset.
Lenten Study Zoom or at Pioneer- Wed’s at 10
Weekly Lenten Study, Wednesday in person at Pioneer or by Zoom
Lenten Study Weekly Wednesday Zoom & in person at Pioneer 10 am
Rev Meg will lead this in Pioneer Hall for those who do not have computers.
Meg Jordan is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Meg Jordan's Zoom Meeting
Time: Mar 19, 2025 10:00 AM America/Toronto
Every week on Wed, 110 occurrence(s)
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Stewart Summertime Bazaar-Sat Aug 3, 10-1
Stewart Memorial Summertime Bazaar
Saturday August 3, 2024
10:00 to 1:00
1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight ON
Camp Awesome-Bees For Peace, Aug 12-16, 9-3:30 at Pioneer Church
Kids and youth ages 5-13 are welcome to join our 5 day Camp Awesome-Bees For Peace from Monday August 12 to Friday August 16 from 9am to 3:30pm.
Bee Creative. Let the Bees by our teachers! Explore nature and community with lots of fun, music, games and activities.
Bee Kind. Curious about hidden life on Earth? Let’s learn about our pollinators, gardens and community. Come make new friendships through connecting and having fun!
Bee Loving. Strengthen your awareness of the amazing pollinator community that is crucial for life on Earth. Learn about how you and contribute!
Cost is $175 and partial and full scholarships are available. Cash, cheque or e-transfer to lobunitedchurches@gmail.com by May 24.
If early/later drop off/pickup is needed- 8:30-4:00, please contact Rev. Meg or Judy.
Call Rev. Meg 705-789-6680 or email jordanm@vianet.ca or Judy Bath 705-349-1110 or email jbath2@mac.com
To register: Click on this link
Things are Heating Up at Pioneer- Shirley Valentine- Feb 29, March 1 at 7:00 and March 2 and 3 at 2:00.
THINGS ARE HEATING-UP AT PIONEER MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH IN LAKE OF BAYS
Lake of Bays is home to several historical churches strategically scattered across the township. Three of these quaint churches are the cornerstone of their respective communities in Lake of Bays: Hillside, Dwight, and Dorset. Strong in character and charm, the churches are also desirable venues for local arts communities, and, as such, it is essential they be kept alive.
Two of the Lake of Bays United Churches, Pioneer Memorial at Hillside (132 years old) and Stewart Memorial in Dwight (founded in 1887) are ideally located along the Hwy 60 corridor. The third, Knox United in Dorset is 128 years old. All three share the spirited leadership of the Reverend Meg Jordan. Additionally, with her love and zest for theatre, a partnership with Dot The T Productions (a professional theatre production company in Lake of Bays) has been established.
It began when Dot the T Productions’ Artistic Director, Jan Jacklin, attended a Sunday service in December. In conversation with Scott Winchester, a member of Pioneer Memorial United Church’s congregation, she learned from Scott (who also volunteers with building maintenance) that the church’s furnaces were well past their shelf life and would soon need to be replaced. It was then that Jan offered Reverend Jordan a solution. It was agreed that the utilization of these cultural community hubs and the performing arts would be a natural fit. Additionally, showcasing these local landmarks with professional events would attract people to Lake of Bays. Both church and local businesses would benefit from this influx.
The arts are a substantial economic driver for Muskoka and the township of Lake of Bays is ready to make its mark. This year, the plan is to perform several shows, taking advantage of Pioneer Memorial’s spacious hall and enthusiastic church council. Their hall is an ideal space to house a staging area and seating for a maximum of 50 people. There is also a kitchen which will come in handy for intermission refreshments to be served, adding more welcome proceeds going directly to the church. With donations of 25% - 50% from ticket sales from the shows throughout the year, the initiative is positioned to garner enough funds for new furnaces.
First up at Pioneer Memorial (2370 Hwy 60, Hillside, Lake of Bays) is the award winning one-woman show written by Willy Russell, SHIRLEY VALENTINE. A heartwarming comedy about a middle-aged woman stuck in a bored marriage and wondering what ever happened to all her dreams. Limited engagement of 4 performances only. Two evening performances on February 29 and March 1 at 7pm and two matinees on March 2 and 3 at 2pm.
Dot The T Productions started its professional theatre company in 2017 presenting the iconic Canadian hit, “Billy Bishop Goes to War,” in which they toured Muskoka, Parry Sound, Peterborough, Midland and Toronto. Building on the production’s success, the company followed with; “The Ladies Foursome”, “On a First Name Basis”, “For The Love of a Good Man”, “Shakespeare: A Most Rare Vision”, “A Christmas Carol”, and Maja Ardal’s Dora Award winning one-woman show, “Fancy Yourself,” performed by the playwright herself. Building a reputation for exceptional theatre over the past 5 years has provided memorable experiences for Dot The T audiences, and now, at the same time, excited to support the heritage churches of Lake of Bays.
Join Us For Christmas Eve Services
Christmas Eve Services at Lake of Bays United Churches
We hope to see you on Christmas Eve which falls on the fourth Sunday of Advent this year.
There are three services on Sunday, December 24
A Combined service of Lessons and Carols at Stewart Memorial on Christmas Eve morning at 10:30 a.m. 1212 Dwight Beach Road, Dwight
Then traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight services in the evening:
Knox United Church 5 p.m. 1012 Harvey Avenue, Dorset
Pioneer Memorial Church 7 p.m. - 2370 Hwy 60 at Hillside
