EMUC   
  Friday Message & 
                Upcoming Events
 September 30, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
  About EMUC

Vision:
EMUC is a thriving Spirit-filled congregation: Diverse, inclusive,and engaged with the community and creation

Mission:
The mission of Erin Mills United Church is to offer opportunities for all persons to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ.


QUICK LINKS


Welcome to EMUC's weekly message.  The liturgical colour orange has now been added to EMUC's messages and newsletter.  In this season of 'Creation Time', orange represents the colour of harvest, the changing hues of the leaves and the shade that bridges the bright light of summer and the darkening days of winter. 

Kathy Toivanen's ministry ends today.  On Sunday we welcome a supply minister, Jackie Burnie, who will be working with our congregation for the next few months.  Come to church on Sunday to meet and greet Jackie.

There are lots of upcoming activities at EMUC.  View the calendar of events on the website at  www.emuc.ca.  The copy deadline for the October issue of the Communique newsletter is due today.  Send any information or articles to Janet Morrison  at  janet.morrison@sympatico.ca.

It's Time to Say Good Bye

The shelves are bare.  Twenty two boxes of books have gone to my home and five remaining boxes will be distributed to second hand book stores.  Thank you to those of you who browsed through my shelves and took a number of books as well. The filing cabinets have all been emptied, some files were shredded, others dumped in the recycling paper retriever and one box (yes, just one!) has gone home.
 
The 'last' of everything has taken place...the last meeting, the last worship service, the last celebration of communion and the last farewell event.  And so the end of my time with all of you at EMUC is finally here.  We've all had a year to prepare for this day and we've prepared well with special worship services and events, with heartfelt words of good bye and thanks, with laughter and song, with gifts and cards, with hugs and even a few tears.  Now, with the Spirit's abiding presence we are all ready to move on in new and different directions.
 
Yesterday Jackie Burnie, your new supply minister, spent time connecting with Len Feldman and Sylvia Arnold as she prepares to lead worship this Sunday as you celebrate World Wide Communion.  In a conversation with Peter Kiteley and Joanne Hines she became acquainted with the administrative side of the congregation.  And when she met with me, we spoke about some of the pastoral practices and needs in the congregation.  Jackie has a warm and engaging presence and I pray that you will welcome her with open arms and hearts. 
 
And so now to draw my final Friday message to a close, I offer again the words I spoke last Sunday.
 
As hard as it is for me to leave you and to seek out where Christ is calling me to go next on life's journey, I do not leave empty handed or empty hearted.  I leave with my cup overflowing with living water; I leave with the gifts of God that have been shared so generously during our time together.  I leave to discover anew where Christ is calling me to share a cup of water in his name.
 
And as I leave, I pray that you will continue to share God's gifts with one another and with so many others who will come your way.  I pray that together you will catch a glimpse of the vision that God has for you as you travel into a new future; that you will walk together, seeking the Spirit's inspiration as you work and pray for that day when all God's people will dwell in a land of flowing streams, where wells will not run dry, and where springs will overflow to bring life in all its abundance.
 
Thank you for the 28 years we've had together as a community of faith.  May you continue to live as thriving Spirit-filled people, offering opportunities for all people to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ. May your lives always overflow in thanksgiving to God. 
   
Peace, Kathy Toivanen.    
 
Welcome to Rev. Jackie Burnie


Rev. Jackie Burnie is starting her time with us on Oct 1st and will be preaching on Oct 2nd.  As a brief introduction, Jackie sent the following information.

"I live just down the road, in Burlington- with my two dogs and three cats. My partner lives and works in Nova Scotia. Our daughter, Theresa, is a paramedic with the Canadian Armed Forces, deployed in Edmonton. She is a competitive English rider and teacher- and so we also have three horses.

I have served the United Church as a Chaplain for the past six years with Wesley Urban Ministries, and the Wenleigh Long Term Care Facility in Mississauga.  My passions are worship, interfaith collaboration- and outreach, I was with St. Stephens on the Hill this past summer, and they got me re-oriented to congregational ministry. I am blessed to be with you in this time of mutual transition. let us continue to bring God's kingdom on earth. Peace." 

Come on Sunday to meet and welcome Jackie to EMUC.
This Week at EMUC

The September edition of the   C ommunique, along with other archived editions will be posted on the EMUC website   www.emuc.ca.   this week. 
September 30th is the copy deadline for the next issue of the newsletter.

Sunday at  10 am:  Worship - World Wide Communion Sunday - Jackie Burnie, EMUC's supply minister leads worship.

Wednesday at 6:45 pm:  Worship with prayers and communion.

Thursday at 10 am: Daytime Men's Group
                          7 pm:  Chancel Choir Practice

Sunday at 10 am:  Thanksgiving Sunday

Upcoming Events

Greening Sacred Spaces Interfaith Sustainability Bus Tour - Oct 1
Greening Sacred Spaces Halton Peel presents excited to tour various faith sites across Peel Region and learn about what these faith sites are doing to green their communities!
WHEN 

Saturday, October 1; 9:30 am - 3:30 pm
WHERE 
We have chartered a private bus to visit the following sites:
  • Solel Congregation (Synagogue)
  • Unitarian Congregation (Church)
  • The Grange (Heritage Mississauga)
  • Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple 
The interfaith sustainability bus tour will explore how different faith groups in Mississauga are working towards greener and healthier communities - from eco-spiritual practices and energy efficient buildings to green architecture and gardening initiatives.  
*Registration is required and it must be done on the Greening Sacred Spaces website. 
FEES
$15 includes lunch and transportation  
Please Contact Ramsha Ahmed at rahmed@faithcommongood.org for more details or to reserve a seat.


The Deacon's Cupboard
The Deacon's Cupboard is fully open for the fall.
The Cupboard needs soup (chicken noodle is a favourite), peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. It would be great if we have a good collection for Thanksgiving.
Volunteer drivers are required to help with the transportation of food from the Mississauga Food Bank to the cupboard.  
Involvement would normally be once every 4/5 weeks.   If interested, or to obtain more information, contact Mike Ogilvie 905-820-2387 or oglivia@sympatico.ca


Women for Women
Women for Women will begin the fall season with a visit to Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre (1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd E, Oakville) on Sunday, October 16 at 1 pm. The visit will provide an opportunity to view a juried art show, walk the labyrinth and enjoy conversation and refreshments. We will meet at the site at 1pm or car pools will leave EMUC at 12:45 after time for 'bring your own lunch' at EMUC.  Entrance to the Art Centre and tearoom is by donation and there is a $5 fee for those who want to walk the labyrinth. Advance registration is requested by Wed. October 13th. Sign up at EMUC or email cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca or crystal.mahbubani@gmail.com .   The invitation is open to women and men, friends and family of EMUC Women for Women.


Hiking Group
The next Sunday Hike will be held on Oct 23rd.  More info to follow.
 

Euchre and Dessert Evening
Saturday, November 5 EMUC will be hosting a Euchre and Dessert evening.  Cost is $10.00 per person.  Arrival time 6:30 p.m.  Play starts at 7 p.m.  
Contact  maryanna.williams10@gmail.com to  reserve seating. Singles welcomed.  Pay at the door.  



Refugee Sponsorship: Important Update September 16th 
We regret to inform you that our application to sponsor this family has been refused by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).  The reason given is that the recent history and travels of the father, Ali Shalhawy as described in the application are factually and demonstrably incorrect.
   
We have spoken to Amar Youzbashi of the United Church refugee support program (our SAH office). According to him this is not a unique occurrence. Apparently war refugees will frequently embellish their story for fear that the truth will not qualify them as refugees. He urged us to refile Ali's portion of the application and petition for a second review of this file. Amar has stated that if we are not going to continue to fight for this family, he will look for another sponsor for them. In his office's estimation, the family is qualified as refugees, doubly so as Palestinian, as they are stateless.  He is confident that we have a good case for review.
 
NorWest Constituent Group is currently studying this application, Ali's situation and this ruling in great detail. What we can say is that we are encouraged by Amar's words from the United Church SAH Office and we will be appealing this decision. We will keep you posted as to our progress and thank you so much for your generosity and Christian kindness.
 
For more information, please contact any member of our Refugee Sponsorship Task Group: Dianne Hope, Hermine Bingham, Muriel Hamdani, Catharine Watts, Debby Sturgeon and Lorraine Brignall.
 
AED At EMUC
AEDs (automated external defibrillators) are recommended by the Canadian Red Cross.  In the case of a sudden cardiac arrest, the general survival rate is 7%.  The Heart and Stroke Foundation states AED use within the first three minutes increases survival rates by up to 75%.  The Membership and Pastoral Care Committee along with the Health and Safety Committee have an AED installed at EMUC.  It is on the wall in the main foyer between the office and the centre front doors.  All EMUC folk and users of the church building are asked to become acquainted with the instructions for using the AED.  Please go to this link and watch the short video. Watching the video will increase your comfort level using the equipment and may help you to save someone's life.  


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Contact Us:

Peter Kiteley, Office Administrator
office@emuc.ca
Erin Mills United Church