The Kerfoots

by Jill Veres

I attended All Saints with my family - my parents, Jim and Margaret Kerfoot and my four siblings, Carolyn, Duncan, Hamish and Quentin.

I am quite certain that we were unable to attend every service, but it would be unusual to miss a Sunday.

We sat in the second row on the right hand side of the church. There were days that we would more than double the congregation.

My father was a member of the vestry, and he frequently read the Epistle and Gospel. I loved his voice, but I especially loved the way he read with such feeling.

To this day I love church music. My mother would harmonize with Carolyn and me. My father also sang, but pretty much on one note. Somehow it worked!

Easter was a favorite time for me.

Father loved all the Alleluja hymns. and we sang with great gusto.

Mother usually had Carolyn and me dressed in matching outfits including hats and gloves. Of course "the wee boys" were also matched, usually in short pants and ties.

I remember Hamish snuggling up to Mother when she wore a fur coat.

It was a huge event when the Bishop visited (Calvert, I believe). He was a striking man, and commanded one's attention.

When I was 12 and Carolyn 15, we began attending a boarding school in Calgary, and from that time on I had little contact with Cochrane or All Saints.

We were, however, always at home over Christmas, and every year we all attended Christmas Eve service at All Saints.