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Rev. Kathi's Message:
It is Lent. I was listening to the news last week. They were interviewing a rabbi, one of the caregivers whose congregation was affected by the massacre in Florida. I remember that he told a story of a member of his congregation who called him, "I think my daughter was murdered!" He had been caring for this family all weekend.
The interviewer asked him his position on gun control. He seemed uncomfortable. He said, "I have congregation members with all kinds of positions on this issue, and I have to care for them all."
He's just like me, I thought. It's not always easy to sift out the prophetic and the pastoral, to afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. There is never a "one-size-fits-all" solution.
What gets me thinking is how the rabbi talks about our spiritual condition, about a moment of silence in schools that would honor our diversity but also acknowledge the presence of God.
I'm thinking about those people who send me articles about the moral decline in our culture. And while I disagree with them about the particular moral decline that they point to, it's hard to argue that there is not a spiritual problem here. I see the symptoms as well, but perhaps in some different places than they do. I don't think that we have kicked God out of school, and I don't think that this current generation is more self-centered and immoral than I was, or am. But we turn our backs on the poor, shut our doors to refugees, refuse to find solutions to gun violence. We love things more than we love people.
And when we meet our neighbor, the stranger, we say: he's not like me.
It is Lent. I listen to the news. I keep a moment of silence and try to think of the right words to say.
Lord, help us to see your face in our neighbor.
Rev Kathi
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This Week at EMUC
Sunday at 10:00 am:
Worship and Communion
Scripture
: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: John 2:13-22
Message: 'Law and Order'
Available after service:
Pick-up of Fundscript cards
Sales of turkey pies and
Shepherd's pies
Tuesday at 6:00 pm:
Lenten Movie (The Shack) and Dinner
Thursday at 7:00 pm:
Chancel Choir practice
Next Sunday: Service led by Rev. Kathi
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Upcoming Events:
WOMEN FOR WOMEN
The next gathering of Women for Women is March 2nd. We will gather at 7:00 pm in the Narthex for coffee and dessert. The cost for the evening is a $5.00 donation. All women and men of EMUC as well as friends and family are welcome.
Join us for a special presentation on Walking the Camino de Santiago by Gary Hines.
The Camino de Santiago...
known in English as The Way of Saint James among other names, is a network of pilgrims' ways serving pilgrimage to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many follow its routes as a form of spiritual path or retreat for their spiritual growth [Wikipedia].
Sign up on the bulletin board or contact Cathy Scattergood to register.
LENTEN FILM STUDY - DINNER AND A MOVIE (The Shack)
Come and join us over 3 Tuesday evenings as we watch a film together and share discussion over a meal.
We will gather in the sanctuary at
6 pm on Feb 27, March 6 and March 13
to watch part of the film The Shack, and then share dinner.
Susan Ogilvie has very kindly offered to prepare the meal at a cost of $7 per person.
Please let Rev Kathi know if you are planning to join us -
kathi@emuc.ca
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre - "Frownton Abbey"
Tickets Have Arrived!
Our much anticipated fundraising evening is approaching! The cast from Eden United and our own Erin Mills United are rehearsing for this highly entertaining dinner theatre show that will take place at Eden United Church on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m.. Come and enjoy a 4-course meal and a cash bar, while watching the mystery unfold. Tickets will go on sale on Sunday March 4 and we are expecting to sell out for both evenings, so get your tickets early. Tickets are priced at $30.00 each. Come with friends and family and you will be assigned a table together as a group. Just be sure to let us know who you'll be sitting with when you buy your tickets. **Please make all cheques out to Eden United Church Women** This is a joint fundraiser for each church and we will be sharing the revenue with Eden United, so we encourage you to come out and support the hard work of the volunteers who are putting it together. Enjoy the show!
Another Way to Support The Deacon's Cupboard
Are you getting a $25 card from Loblaws as part of the bread price fixing agreement? If so, why not donate it to the Deacon's Cupboard to help support the needy in our community. Mike Ogilvie would be pleased to take your card and make sure it gets to the Cupboard. You will receive an income tax receipt for your donation.
EASTER VIGIL
The Easter Vigil is a longstanding tradition at Erin Mills United. Please sign up for one or more 'one hour' periods to spend time praying, reflecting, reading, meditating or just being quiet in God's presence. The Vigil will commence on Thursday, March 29 at 9:00 pm and continue to Saturday, March 31 at 3:00 pm.
Last year people were invited to sign up for an "overnight" vigil for either the Thursday or Friday night (starting at 11:00 pm to 7:00 am). Since this was a positive experience last year, you are once again invited to bring your sleeping bag and pillow for comfort.
Please sign up for time slots on the Vigil sheet located on the bulletin board outside the office door. Any questions can be directed to Sylvia Arnold.
EASTER FLOWERS
The Worship Committee is taking orders for Easter Flowers up to Palm Sunday 9th. You may purchase flowers to decorate the worship space for Easter by completing the designated envelopes. Flowers may be donated in memory of a loved one and taken home after Easter Sunday. Contributions of $10 toward larger arrangements of hydrangeas and pansies are welcome. Tulips or daffodils are $10/each. Because of allergies, there will be no lily sales.
'FUNDSCRIP' PROGRAM
We are continuing with FUNDSCRIP, an innovative fundraising program that asks you to purchase gift cards in order to pay for regular items you buy every month. A percentage of the cards we purchase through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church. Order forms for gift cards will be available the last Sunday of every month. The next order date is this Sunday, Mar. 25, 2018. Please see the display board at the back of the church or speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.
EMUC GARAGE SALE -
Our major fundraiser!
Mark your calendars for Saturday May 5, 2018! If you are cleaning closets etc. consider donating items in good condition to the sale. More details to come.
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