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COMMUNIQUÉ
September 2016
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ERIN MILLS UNITED CHURCH
EMUC's Vision is to be a thriving Spirit-filled congregation; diverse, inclusive, and engaged with the community and creation.
The Mission of EMUC is to offer opportunities for all persons to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ.
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The hues of orange and red that appear throughout this edition of the Communiqué welcome us to the Season of Creation.
The United Church of Canada introduced
Creation Time in the Season of Pentecost
in 2010. It is not a church season per se, but a period in which congregations celebrate the fact that creation is an integral part of the whole Christian year.
As we embark on a Fall season filled with transitions and activities, we hope that you will join us on our journey.
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Final Words
This is the last 'lead' article I write in Communique as a minister of Erin Mills United Church. Along with other regular commitments and responsibilities that I've had among you as your minister, I'll miss the rhythm of communicating with you through the newsletter and the Friday Message.
If you had asked me to predict the multitude of ways in which I'd be expressing Christ's ministry among you I don't think I would have imagined how much I'd be communicating through the written word on social media platforms, in sermons and in other contexts. And yet in hindsight there were hints of this years ago. Early in ministry I was rarely satisfied with packaged and 'canned' resources for faith formation and Christian Education. I was always rewriting and adapting materials to make them more relevant and applicable to the congregations or the contexts where I was serving. I had the good fortune to be invited to write from time to time for a United Church of Canada Resource called 'Seeds and Sowers'; a grassroots Sunday School Curriculum where folk in local congregations wrote up programs that they had created for children and youth. From this experience I was invited to write articles for Exchange, another UCC publication focused on Adult Education. Eventually I became a member of the Exchange editorial board and even had the opportunity to edit an issue when the editor was on sabbatical.
Over the years I continued to contribute articles to this resource and also to Mandate, the UCC Mission Magazine. When I was called from my part-time ministry to the full-time ministry position with EMUC in 2005, I really began to hone my writing skills with each Sunday sermon, each weekly Friday message, and each monthly Communique.
I want to thank you for all the opportunities I've had, through the written word, to reflect on God's presence among us and the good news of Christ, 'the Word made flesh'. Although at times I find the process of writing to be an arduous discipline and often tinged with the anxiety that there will be 'nothing worth saying', I have discovered that it's not all in my hands or in my head! In short, writing has become one of the ways that I pray. As I ponder what to write, as I plead for inspiration, as I search for the right words to say, I discover that I am not alone, but rather in the presence of the Spirit. I can't begin to tell you how often I've experienced the Spirit's insight and inspiration and the gift of words to write.
Nevertheless, words have limitations. No words could ever sum up the grace of God that I've known throughout all my 38 years of diaconal ministry. No words could ever fully express my gratitude to you, the people of Erin Mills United Church, for the life we've shared together during the 28 years I've been in ministry with you. No words could tell you how much I've treasured the joys and sorrows, the challenges and the achievements, the fun and the friendships, the hopes and the dreams that we've experienced together. Like the EMUC tapestry, all of these experiences are woven together through the love of God into a beautiful and vibrant reflection of our life in Christ. And in that life together we have certainly given expression to God's enduring word of love.
And so, as inadequate as they may be, I say to you the words, thank you, I love you, God be with you and goodbye. And I close with the words that I have offered countless times as a blessing to conclude so many worship services.
Go now with the blessing of God who creates us in love
And Jesus Christ who roots us in love
And the Holy Spirit who bears the fruit of love
in each and everyone one of us
this day and forever more.
Amen.
Peace, Kathy Toivanen
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Every Wednesday evening at 6:45 a service of readings, reflection, prayer & communion. Sunday worship is at 10:00 am. A program for primary aged children is provided.
*Note: With Kathy Toivanen's retirement at the end of September, not all of the details for worship in October are available at this point. Please stay informed by checking the EMUC website and by reading the Friday Message.
Sunday September 18
Worship Service Marking Kathy Toivanen's Retirement
Sunday September 25
Kathy Toivanen's Final Sunday Worship with EMUC
Theme: 'My Cup Overflows'
Readings: Deuteronomy 8: 7-10, John 4: 7-14, 2 Corinthians 9: 6-12
Immediately following morning worship, there will be an outdoor dedication of the Spirit Garden on the church property.
Sunday October 2
World Wide Communion Sunday
Sunday October 9
Thanksgiving Sunday
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Nicole Sweetnam, Larry van Goozen, Sandra Witterick, Bonnie Turner, Lorraine Brignall and Sylvia Arnold who acted as sponsors for the youth who were confirmed in September.
Deb Siertsema and Ian Blackport for their leadership of the Youth Confirmation program.
All those who have visited Paul Nauss in ICU at the Oakville Hospital and for those who have supported Susan with their care and gifts of food.
Paul Marot, Ian Love and Fred Shepley for fixing the hand railing to the lower level
All those who have watered the outdoor plants and helped with grounds maintenance during the hot summer weather
Cindy Young for hosting a lunch for EMUC's AV team.
Larry van Goozen for his assistance with the worship service at Erin Mills Lodge.
Roni Beharry for officiating at the memorial service of Willie Conway.
Jim Watts and Barbara Jennings for their ongoing work to update the EMUC website.
Nancy Blackport and the vocalists who provided inspirational music during the summer Sundays.
Ian Love, David Hope and David Leeder for assisting Kathy Toivanen in some of the administrative aspects of winding up her work at EMUC.
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Congratulations to Isaac Kashino, Alex Love, Ashley Phillips, Vanessa Santamaria, Mailyn Takayesu, and Tianne Takayesu who reaffirmed their baptisms by professing their faith in a worship service of confirmation on Sunday, September 11
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Condolences to Monica Conway and her extended family grieving the death of Willie Conway on August 17
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A TRIBUTE TO KATHY
I would like to dedicate this space to celebrating and congratulating Kathy Toivanen, as she moves into an exciting transition in her life. In my many conversations with Kathy recently, I know her retirement comes with mixed emotions but I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the entire congregation, to wish her all the best as she embarks on this new adventure involving a more routine-free, relaxed pace of life.
For so many of us, our time at EMUC is synonymous with time spent with Kathy. When I began participating in the Children and Youth ministry back in the early 2000's, Kathy attended our meetings and was an integral part of creating an engaging, active program for our young people. I discovered, at those meetings, how much Kathy loved to laugh and was always willing to try something new and creative. She enthusiastically supported our ideas and always encouraged us to share our gifts.
I know many of you feel this way. Kathy has a way of helping you highlight your gifts and encourages you to share them in as many ways as you can.
We celebrate your gifts this month, Kathy, and thank you for the years of laughter, love, reflection and spirit you have brought to our congregation for over 25 years. We will miss you, Al, and Thomas and hope that the next chapter in your life is filled with joy and happiness.
As the Olde Irish Blessing reads, "... until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."
May you have a blessed, healthy retirement, Kathy, filled with the activities and the people you love the most.
Joanne Hines, Leadership Circle Chair
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I
NTERNSHIP YEAR FOR RONI BEHARRY
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BOOKS TO GIVE AWAY
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JOINT SEARCH COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER UPDATE
The Joint Search Committee (JSC) has been working hard all summer interviewing candidates and attending church services to see prospective candidates in action. Some candidates have been eliminated while several may be invited back for a second interview. The JSC is committed to finding just the right minister who fits the culture of EMUC and has the ability to carry out the mandate of the Joint Needs Assessment Committee and to move the church forward. We are not there yet, and we will not be able to present the congregation with a new minister by October 1. Therefore, the JSC has made a request to the Leadership Circle to find a supply minister for a minimum period of 3 months with an option to extend which will take us to the New Year and perhaps beyond.
The Leadership Circle is pleased to announce that they have signed a contract with Reverend Jackie Burnie for at least the next 3 months. She will work ¾ time or 30 hours a week with a focus on providing worship services in our normal format on Sundays and Wednesdays, ensuring pastoral needs are met, and attending required committee meetings. We have worked with Presbytery during this process and are now awaiting their formal approval which we have no reason to believe will be denied. You will be able to meet Jackie on Sunday, October 2.
Kathy Andres, Chair, JSC
Joanne Hines, Chair, LC
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EMUC STRIDERS
On the evening of Sept. 14, the hiking group took a walk from EMUC towards the South Common Church Campus through the connecting paths and returned by a different route. This was the final walk with Kathy Toivanen before she retires at the end of the month.
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KATHY TOIVANEN AND AL SEYMOUR TO HOST A RECEPTION
With deep appreciation and thanks for the many years with EMUC, Kathy and Al invite you to a reception at EMUC on
Wednesday, September 28 following the evening worship
service of prayers and communion. If you are able, you are invited to come for worship at 6:45 pm. This will be the last communion service where Kathy presides.
The reception will be a 'come and go' affair from 7:30 pm until 8:30 pm. Refreshments will include some of Kathy's home baking along with coffee/tea and fruit. All are welcome!
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WOMEN FOR WOMEN
Women for Women will be launching the 2016-17 season with an outing to Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in October. This will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, October 16, and is open to everyone interested.
Other Women for Women activities for November, December and into 2017 are in the initial planning phase. Keep an eye on the Friday Message, the EMUC website calendar and the Communique newsletter for further information.
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NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT
We have an opportunity for you.
The Nominating Committee continues to work to fill vacant leadership positions and committee memberships within the congregation. At this crucial stage in our congregational life, we have the following needs:
- Vice Chair of the Leadership Circle
- Secretary of the Leadership Circle (January 1,2017)
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Rentals Coordinator
- Garage Sale Coordinator
- Projectionist for Sunday Services
- Members for Membership and Pastoral Care Committee
- Member for the Nominating Committee
If you are interested in any of these positions or have other ways in which you would like to contribute, we would be delighted to speak with you. Strong lay involvement in the life of the church is essential if we wish to strive toward our mission.
The committee would like to thank Joanne Lebold Wood for her contribution as secretary of this committee over the last three years and wish her the best on her move. Kathy's wisdom and guidance will also be greatly missed as she retires.
Committee Members: Sandy Hayes, Dave Leeder, Paul Marot, and Kathy Toivanen
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FROM THE DEACON'S CUPBOARD
After being closed in July to give our loyal volunteers a rest, the Cupboard reopened at the beginning of August and served 136 guests. Our needs will continue to grow as our numbers increase. Arrivals from the Middle East are seeking our assistance in growing numbers. We appreciate EMUC contributions both of food and money. We are asking for gifts of canned meat and fish throughout September. Please remember us too as you harvest crops from your gardens. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always welcome.
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Communiqué Deadlines for 2016
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COPY DEADLINE
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PUBLICATION
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SEPTEMBER 30
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OCTOBER 16
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NOVEMBER 4
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NOVEMBER 20
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NOVEMBER 25
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DECEMBER 11
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Thanks to Janet Morrison, editor, and Jim Watts, layout, for their ongoing dedication to the publication of the Communiqué.
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