Category: Lutheran Church

Markerville Church Fundraiser

Above: Dana Tapley (left) and Jim Escott waiting for the crowd to find their seats on Sunday, May 25th.

At the recent church fundraiser, the audience was treated to a truly uplifting performance by VISIONS COUNTRY GOSPEL. Known for their soulful harmonies and heartfelt delivery, the group had intended to perform as a trio. Brian Snow was not available on this date, but Dana Tapley and Jim Escott took to the stage and delivered a powerful set that filled the historic Church with joyful energy and warmth. The duo captivated the crowd with their harmony and thoughtful song choices that celebrated faith, hope, and community.

The Country and Gospel Concert was a fundraising event, with proceeds going towards Church Steeple repairs. Dana and Jim’s chemistry and vocal blend turned the afternoon into a memorable occasion.

This was an enjoyable way to raise funds for repairs, but we still have a ways to go! Stephan G Stephansson Icelandic Society has also teamed up with Crowdfunding Alberta to create an online campaign to help us reach our goal. An added benefit is that the Alberta Government will match funds up to $5,000; which means your donations will be doubled through this limited-time offer! Crowdfunding for Church Steeple Repairs will run until we reach our goal, or will end on August 30th, 2025, whichever comes first.

SGSIS is grateful for the support we receive from the community and friends.

You can reach our Crowdfunding Alberta page from our website, or by following:
https://fnd.us/MarkervilleChurch/pay

Please enjoy these photos from Sunday’s concert with Visions Country Gospel!

Season Cleanup 2025

Above: Marie, Marlene (and d’Arcy behind the camera) are happy with the fruits of their labour at the Church.

Historic Markerville’s May 10th, 2025 cleanup went very smoothly, with only a few items left to check off the “to do” list. Some of the volunteers and other helpers this year spread the workload over a week or so, from raking leaves and gutter clearing to Cemetery cleanup, and even the big red Tent in front of the Creamery Stage was put up the day before! Still, there were cobwebs to sweep, gazebo and picnic tables to wash down, signs to put up, and some ongoing work on the little library to do.

All in all, we’re pretty much ready for PANCAKE BREAKFAST and OPENING DAY on May 17th, 2025.

d’Arcy G., Marie S. and Marlene P. took on the Lutheran Church, vacuuming and wiping everything down; making sure that it’s ready to go for the upcoming COUNTRY AND GOSPEL CONCERT FUNDRAISER on Sunday, May 25th!

Jyn-Ting Ying

Above: Artist Portrait by Jordon Hon provided by Jyn-Ting Ying

Jyn-Ting Ying is heading home to Edmonton tomorrow, and held a composition workshop at the historic Church in Markerville on August 2, 2024. This was rounding out a week spent in the Buttermaker’s House, part of the Artist Residency program, focusing on a first album release they have scheduled for the fall.

Inspiration for this music project has come from “Unearthings” by Wendy Chen, a poetry collection that’s “unafraid to confront the complexities of cultural, ancestral, and familial inheritance…[e]xploring her identity as an Asian American woman.” This is a personal topic dear to Jyn-Ting. They spent the week in our quiet hamlet working on one of the last songs for the album; even recording the sounds of the Buttermaker’s House, some of which will be incorporated into the music.

Jyn-Ting played some music live on piano that will be on the album, and also played partial recordings of the more complex pieces that have multiple instruments and vocals that couldn’t be performed during a one-person presentation.

The workshop portion of the presentation delved into examples of the role musical composition can play in affective experience; the important part it can play in conveying how an audience should feel.

This was an entertaining and thoughtful afternoon well spent!

About the Artist: Besides working on the album project, Jyn-Ting has also done sound and songs interpreting other people’s projects: movie soundtrack work, music for game apps, and a composition for a photography gallery display. They are also part of an improv group that will be performing at the Edmonton Fringe this summer.

Buttermaker’s House Artist Residency is supported by Red Deer County and Alberta Foundation for the Arts. An award is available to qualified applicants, sponsored by INLNA (Icelandic National League of North America).

https://www.historicmarkerville.com/buttermaker-house.html