Men and Friends' Group

The Men and their Friends of Glebe-St. James get together regularly for fellowship and community building. The gatherings are scheduled, when convenient, for the same third Wednesday evening of the month as the meetings of Council or the Steering Committee. There is usually a potluck dinner, which is shared around the table in the Art Room, and increasingly this is being followed by a presentation and discussion on a topic of general interest.

Here's a snapshot of what a year in the life of the Men's and Friend's group can look like. In 2019, there was a gathering of some kind every month except for the three summer month: 
  • In February, Rev. Teresa spoke to the group, with slides, on the incarceration of Indigenous women. 
  • The March gathering was saddened by news of the passing, earlier that day, of Tom Tanner who had been a regular participant in the group’s gatherings. 
  • In May, Jane Dawson, Minister supporting Communities of Faith, Clusters and Networks with the Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC), brought the group up-to-date with the changing structure of the United Church of Canada. 
  • In October, responding to an offer from Tom Sherwood, the group hosted a presentation and discussion led by Tom on religion and politics in the US and Canada. This event, which took place in the Sanctuary was advertised beyond the congregation as well as within and attracted a good audience and lively participation. 
  • In November, the group shared the usual potluck meal on a Friday evening so they could eat and then help set up the stalls for the next day’s Glebe-St. James Bazaar. 
  • The final gathering for the year was on December 31st when the Men and Friends supported the Glebe-St. James New Year’s Eve party by their participation and contributions of potluck finger foods.
Planning the Men and Friends’ activities, which are open to all, is entrusted to a small informal group including David Lee and Ross Snyder. Throughout 2019, continuity and communications were provided by Jim Richardson who looks forward to the return of Dudleigh Coyle as the ‘adult-in-charge’ of the group in 2020. Participants in the Men and Friends’ dinners very much missed the presence of Dudleigh Coyle during part of 2019. However, as the photo above duly attests, a place at the table was still set for him, which happily he now fills.  

Head to "What's Happening" to find the next meeting date and topic!