A Wonderful Time Was Had By All At the Ecumenical Fun Night

 On Monday evening, June 1^st, 2015, St. Michael’s Millennium Hall resounded with the chatter and laughter of many happy ladies voices. When they had walked by the “Carmen Miranda” headdress on the mannequin at the entrance saluting “Shades of Cuba”, the theme of the evening was self-evident. Everyone felt blessed as The Reverend Louie Engnan, Rector of St. Michael’s, opened the program with greetings and a special prayer.

Many of the ladies carried maracas and other rhythm instruments to accompany their video presentations and dances. They were suitably attired in bright bandanas, sashes, headbands and hats. The wee baby who joined her Mom in the Cuban dance line from St. Bernadette’s R.C. Church was the star of the show.

The strains of “Guajira Guantanamera”, performed by the talented singer/guitarist from Colebrook United Church, filled the hall with everyone joining in the chorus. This song began as an ode to a haughty girl in 1932. It was later adapted to incorporate the words of the Cuban poet and freedom fighter, Jose Martis, to become Cuba’s most patriotic song.

Cuban folk legends regarding different stones with different meanings were most interestingly explained by a member of Cloverdale United Church and the performer from Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church shared her interesting, rather poetic ideas about Cuba.

The ladies from Bethany-Newton United shared a rousing video of a Cuban-like singer, and the group from St. Matthew’s performed with various rhythm instruments to Cuban-type music.

St. Michael’s ladies, with the help of two welcome volunteers, performed a skit written by actress and playwright Donna White, which added more fun and laughter to the evening.

In addition, copies of a fifty questions quiz about Cuba were placed on each table for the groups to puzzle over and answer during the evening. The most knowledgeable groups received bubble gum cigars for their efforts!

The Annual Ecumenical Fun Night has been celebrated on the first Monday in June for more than 30 years. It is always a very special and joyous evening of joining together in fun and unity. A few churches have come and gone since it first started, but the main group has celebrated this event and also worshiped together on the first Friday of March each year at the World Day of Prayer.

St. Michael’s was indeed blessed by all of the participants, together with the food which was brought by each group and shared by everyone in a communal meal. A special thank you is extended to Michael Kalmuk and the Sources Like Skills Resource Centre for the wonderful decorations and their invaluable help.

Written by Donna White & Val Hampton