From the future Pastor...
December, 1960

Dear Friends,
     It is a most pleasant task for me, to take time out from my studies at this Christmas Season and write you a letter. Although I have been "short of pen" during the past year, you can be sure that I have lifted up your name to our Father in Heaven many times, asking His guidance and blessing over you and your loved ones.

     Looking back over the past twelve months brings to mind many things that I would like to share with you, but can only do so briefly. Upon graduation from Sir George Williams University in the Spring, I traveled to British Columbia where I worked under the Presbyterian Home Missions Board. My work, which took me to several areas of B.C. included Children's Camps, Daily Vacation Bible Schools, and Extension Work. Here in our most Westerly Province I was privileged not only to see beautiful scenery, but also to visit the kind of people one enjoys meeting.

     In September I returned to Montreal and commenced with ten other colleagues the first year of a three year course in Theology at Presbyterian College. Time has spent itself quickly and now I find myself at the end of the first term. I have thoroughly enjoyed taking a closer look at God's Word and being prepared in general, for the Master's Service.

     As part of my training I have been working with College Students at Paul Smiths College, in New York State. The college consists of 500 students, most of whom are enrolled in Forestry. Here, I am able to visit with the students in their rooms and present to them the claims of Christ upon their lives. This work involving me from Friday to Monday is most challenging and interesting. Between this and my studies, I find little extra time to spare.

     I will be spending most of my Christmas Holidays here in Montreal, being entertained by various text books. However, I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my fiancee and her family in Ottawa.

     In closing I would like to share this thought with you. From the window of my room, I can see a huge Cross on the top of Mount Royal, situated a few blocks from Presbyterian College. However the Cross is only visible when I bow before God on bended knees at my bedside. Only as I have communion with Him does the miracle of the virgin Birth and the cross become real to me; and within my heart I feel the power of the risen Christ. Only as you and I keep our hearts and lives in tune with the risen Lord are we rightly able to participate in the wondrous celebration of His birth.

O Holy child of Bethlehem!
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our Sin, and enter in:
Be born in us today.

Merry Christmas,

Sincerely,


Floyd McPhee