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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.
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Welcome to EMUC's weekly message along with information about oingoing events in the life of the congregation. We are now in the season of Lent. Lent is a time to look inward and to reflect on our readiness to follow Jesus in his journey towards Jerusalem and the cross. The forty days of Lent correspond to the forty-day temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the forty-year journey of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt to a new community in the 'Promised Land'. Lent is symbolized by the color Purple; a colour that reflects the season's sombre mood of self-examination and personal simplicity.
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Growing up, I believed that eventually, humanity would be able to understand everything and to solve every mystery in life. Even as this belief was fueled by rapid advances in science and technology; it was also fueled by theological and biblical studies. With tools from archeology and anthropology, many biblical stories were put through rigorous analysis. Could Noah's ark have actually been created and if so could remnants of the boat be found on Mount Ararat? Was there any evidence of such a massive flood? Was there a way to prove the resurrection? What if the Easter story was simply a hoax? Could it be possible that Jesus' disciples simply manufactured the story so that they could be leaders of a new religion?
When I was studying theology to prepare for ministry in the United Church of Canada, there was a great deal of excitement stirred up by a movement to find the 'historical' Jesus. Using a particular set of criteria, a group of biblical scholars sifted through the gospel accounts in an attempt to isolate the words and actions that were authentically those of an historical Jesus from those of a Jesus that was a creation of the writers of the early church. One of our New Testament professors was a great fan of this movement and so one Christmas, we cheekily gave him a copy of the New Testament. And when he opened it up, he found that only a few pages remained - those that he professed could be attributed to the 'historical Jesus'.
In some ways I believe that the focus of that kind of biblical analysis and study was a response to literalistic interpretations of the Bible. Indeed science has reshaped our world view and to insist that the creation story in Genesis is a factual and scientific account of how the universe actually came into being in a mere six days is foolishness. And so I spent time in my early years of ministry trying to educate people away from literalistic interpretations of the Bible. Some of that effort was helpful and liberating for people who felt that they were forced to choose between science and religion. But some of that effort squashed or diminished the sense of wonder and awe and mystery that is indeed a gift and blessing in our relationship with the Divine.
Walter Bruggemann, one of my favourite biblical scholars has this to say about mystery:
One of the things that has always been helpful in my life, because I do believe in God, is in response to when people will say, "Tell me about God." And immediately I think, God is a mystery. And so if I value mystery in life, then God becomes very important to me. It helps me in some ways toward a path of humility, peacefulness, rather than imperialness, and to understand that I do not and will not ever understand or command this place.
Rediscovering the importance of mystery as a person of faith has been very important to me. It helps me to be 'human'; to live with a greater degree of humbleness as I realize that life cannot be fully defined, evaluated or assessed according to some kind of equation. It helps me to be in relationship with others, particularly those who may be of different religious or cultural backgrounds. For rather than feeling that I have to quickly define the other according to a given set of standards or experiences, I am more prepared to live with the ambiguity and the unknowing. I am more able to enter into a conversation without fully knowing where the conversation will go or how the relationship might develop. I am more open to the guidance of the Spirit, who blows where it will.
And living with mystery reminds me again and again that ultimately, I'm not in charge; I'm not asked to be the 'saviour' of the world. And for me that is a great relief, as I'm sure it is for many of us who feel as if we have to fix every problem on our doorstep. Knowing this doesn't mean that I no longer care; but, it does mean that I can offer the best of my gifts, releasing them to God, and trusting that God will weave my offerings with that of others in the divine work of mending the world.
In the mystery of living and relating, loving and believing, I find great comfort in the words of Trappist Monk, Thomas Merton.
"My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Peace, Kathy Toivanen
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This Week at EMUC
The March/Easter edition of the
C
ommunique Newsletter is now available on the website
Sunday at 10 am: Day light saving time begins. 'Spring' your clocks forward one hour.
Worship with Baptism
Sunday at 12:15 pm: Sunday Hike
Wednesday at 6:45 pm: Communion and Prayers
Wednesday at 7:30 pm: Lenten Group "Engaging Difference - Seeing Christ in One Another" Session 4
Thursday at 10 am: Daytime Men's coffee group
Friday at 10 am: Lenten Group "Engaging Difference - Seeing Christ in One Another" Session 4
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Upcoming Events
Refugee Sponsorship News - Important Update!
The North West Constituent Group of EMUC, Erindate and Streetsville United has submitted to the United Church of Canada (UCC) the application to sponsor a family of 7 Syrian refugees. The UCC has now forwarded the application to the Canadian government for processing. According to our UCC refugee advisor, we could receive our family
as early as the end of February
!! This is exciting news; but it now means that much work must be done quickly to get ready to receive this family. Currently, the priority is to find accommodation for the family.
In order to help furnish their accommodation, the following process has been created:
- An e-mail account has been set up refugeefurnituredrive@gmail.com
- Anyone wishing to donate furniture, small appliances or electronics, please send a picture of your donation to the above e-mail address. Please send a brief description and dimensions if possible. In particular, we are looking for 2 sets of bunk beds. Because there is no place to store furniture in advance, donors are asked to hold on to items until a time when we can physically accept the goods.
- Charitable donation receipts will not be available for used furniture, appliances, electronics.
- The volunteers from our constituent group will do their best to match the donations with the needs of the incoming family.
- If you have any questions, please specify them in the e-mail or contact Lorraine Brignall.
Other members of EMUC's Refugee Sponsorship Task group are:
Hermine Bingham, Muriel Hamdani, Debby Sturgeon, Dianne Hope, Catharine Watts
The Deacon's Cupboard
In the month of March, you are invited to bring evaporated milk or boxed milk, original, organic, almond soy or rice..
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
The cupboard is also looking for a doctor or nurse to help out at as a back- up when a nurse isn't able to be present on their designated week. Contact Belinda Morrow at 905-828-2095.
E
MUC Striders are hiking on Sunday March 13 th.
We will carpool from EMUC at 12:15. Depending on the conditions of the day, we will either head out to the trails at Bell Gairdner - Holcim Estate at the foot of Winston Churchill OR Hilton Falls Conservation, NW of Milton. All are invited. Bring a bag lunch to eat after worship and come dressed for the weather conditions. Contact Tim Hayes for more information.
Easter Flowers
The Worship Committee is taking orders for Easter Flowers up to Palm Sunday March 29th. You may purchase flowers to decorate the worship space for Easter by completing the designated envelopes available at EMUC. 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 at $10/each. Because of allergies, there will be no lily sales.
Opportunities to Participate in Holy Week
On Palm Sunday, we enter into the dramatic events of Jesus' last week in Jerusalem. EMUC has a worship tradition remembering those dramatic events through symbols and reflections that draw us into this pivotal week in the life of Jesus. This Sunday (March 13
th
) sign up sheets and the resources for participating in Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services will be available. You are invited to sign up and enter into this sacred story.
Holy Week and Easter Worship Services
Sunday March 20
th at 10 am
Wednesday March 23rd at 6:45 pm
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Worship with prayers and communion
Thursday March 24th at 7 pm
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Maundy Thursday worship with communion and dramatic readings as we remember the events of the Last Supper
Friday March 25th 9am:
Good Friday worship with readings, reflections and symbols along with special music. Breakfast follows for everyone.
Saturday March 26th at 10 pm:
First Easter Fire worship with communion. An ancient dramatic worship service to celebrate the resurrection.
Sunday March 27th at 10 am:
Easter Sunday Worship with the Easter Dance and special festive music.
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Contact Us:
Peter Kiteley, Office Administrator
office@emuc.ca
Erin Mills United Church |
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