Rev. Kenneth M. Gehrels (1959–2021) was a minister in the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), serving at the time of his passing First CRC of Kemptville, Ontario where he had been since 2013. He was a chemical engineer before completing a Master of Divinity degree at Calvin Theological Seminary. Ordained in 1987, he served Collingwood CRC, followed by Calvin CRC in Ottawa. Along the way he earned a doctorate in worship studies from the Institute of Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida.
Last Updated: September 11, 2025
As people entered the church, they were given a leaf-shaped piece of paper and a pen. During the service they were asked to write a thanksgiving item on the leaf; during the offering they were invited to place their leaves on an artificial “tree” spiked with lots of nails for hanging the leaves.
This service was prepared as a pastoral response to a series of deaths, illnesses, and other traumatic events suffered by our congregation over a short period of time. The lights of the sanctuary were dimmed. A table was set up in front of the pulpit and draped with purple and black cloth. The pulpit Bible served as centerpiece, surrounded by approximately fifty (unlit) votive candles in clear glass containers. A cross was set up in a front corner of the sanctuary with a small table draped in purple in front of it. A Christ candle was lit on this table.
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