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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 ongoing events in the life of the congregation. We are still in the Easter Season as we continue to rejoice in all the signs of resurrection life in the world around us.
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Sidling Up to One Another
Anthony Appiah, professor of philosophy at the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University, is one of the people whom Krista Tippett quotes in her book, Becoming Wise, An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living. As I continue to make my way through Tippett's remarkable book, I've been highlighting many of the pages so that I can return again to the insights and inspirational thoughts she includes. I've already shared some of those insights in a previous Friday Message on hope, and more recently in a Sunday sermon on the glory of being alive.
Today I'd like to share with you some of the wisdom of Anthony Appiah, whom Tippett interviewed in 2013. In reading about him, I discovered an interesting connection between Appiah and the 1967 film 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'. Anthony's father, Joseph Emmanuel Appiah was a Ghanaian lawyer and politician and at various times a Member of Parliament, an Ambassador and a President of the Ghana Bar Association. His mother was the English novelist and children's writer, Peggy Appiah and daughter of a former British chancellor of the exchequer. Their marriage in 1953 was widely covered in the international press because it was one of the first inter-racial society weddings in Britain. It is said to have been one of the inspirations for the 1967 film about inter-racial marriage starring Katharine Houghton, Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.
Appiah has been studying how moral changes in human society happen over time - changes for example that led to the end of binding women's feet in China, or the cessation of dueling as a way for gentlemen to settle arguments, or the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. According to Appiah, change first begins to happen slowly in the human heart and only then do movements and leaders come along to abolish certain customs or transform previous structures and policies.
In an era where we often find discourse in the public arena and political spheres to be aggressive and confrontational if not downright 'bullying' in its tone, Appiah offers a welcome alternative when it comes to efforts to try and bring about important social change among polarities of opinion. Appiah talks about the importance of 'sidling up' to difference.
'The way to set moral change in motion, he says, is not to go for the jugular, or even for dialogue - straight to the things that divide you. Talk about sports. Talk about the weather. Talk about your children. Make a human connection. Change comes in part, as he describes it, by way of 'conversation in the old-fashioned sense' - simple association, habits of coexistence, seeking familiarity around mundane human qualities of who we are.'
- p 135 in Becoming Wise
I appreciate Appiah's approach in bringing people of differences together - whether that be differences in faith, in values, in race, in sexual orientation, in age - over something that is a common, even mundane human connection. It makes me think differently of the potential value of the casual conversation that you might initiate as you are waiting in line with another shopper at the check-out; or as you sit on a bench watching your children or grandchildren play soccer; or as you meet others who enjoy walking the same route in your local park.
The other evening as I chatted with a young couple, the young man mentioned how much he enjoyed playing hockey with a local men's league. He explained that his teammates came from a variety of backgrounds - some were bank managers, others were labourers, some were in their 20s and others were in their 40s. He said it gave him a chance to talk with a wide mix of men beyond the realm of his colleagues in his workplace and outside of his usual circle of friends. To me, this is a prime example of 'sidling up' to others as a way to build a human connection where eventually differences could be discussed without the kind of reactionary rhetoric that usually blocks dialogue, trust and understanding that can lead to important changes in society.
In a world where conflicts spill over into so many spheres, we need to find ways to see one another as human and recognize that we have at least a few things in common before we can begin build the foundations that can lead to important moral and societal changes.
The art of hospitality can help to create contexts where we can sidle up to each other; where we can begin to get to know one another over shared 'mundane' human connections. It could be over a meal, or at a recreational or cultural event, it could be in a community project or at the library, or in a conversation over a neighbour's fence.
It makes me wonder how we as a church and families and individuals can expand the scope of our hospitality and make a welcome space for people of diverse backgrounds to sidle up to each other.
What suggestions do you have? Email me at kathy@emuc.ca and I'll share them in a future Friday message.
Peace, Kathy Toivanen.
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This Week at EMUC
The April/May edition of the
C
ommunique Newsletter is now available on the website
Sunday at 10 am: Worship with communion for the Sixth Sunday of Easter. Programs for children
Sunday at 12:15 pm: Youth Confirmation Program
Wednesday at 6:45 Worship with prayers and communion
Wednesday at 7:30 pm: Garage Sale Set Up
Thursday at 10 am - 8 pm: Garage Sale Drop Off
Thursday at 7 pm: New Member Program
Friday at 10 am - 8 pm: Garage Sale Drop Off
Saturday at 8 am - noon: Garage Sale
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Upcoming Events
EMUC's Annual Garage Sale, May 7th
This is one of EMUC's most important fundraisers. You can help make this event a success by signing up to help prior to, during and after the sale. The event will be held from 8 am to noon on May 7
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with the drop off of donations beginning at 9 am on Thursday May 5
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. Please start saving your 'treasures' for this annual fundraising event including: Household Items, Books, Games, Toys, Artwork, Linens, Small Furniture, Sports Equipment, Costume Jewelry, Bake Table and lots of more.
Becoming a Member of Erin Mills United
For those who would like to explore what it means to be a member of Erin Mills United, two preparation sessions are planned - Thursday May 5 and 12 from 7 to 9 pm. Please register by calling the church office or by contacting Kathy Toivanen kathy@emuc.ca
Responding to the Ecuador Earthquake and African Drought
You can be part of the United Church of Canada's relief efforts in these two humanitarian crises by giving a financial contribution. For details on the Ecuador situation and how to respond go to http://www.united-church.ca/ecuador.
For details on the drought in many African nations and how to respond go to http://www.united-church.ca/africa-drought
Downton Dinner
EMUC's Women for Women group is hosting a special 'Downton' dinner and evening of fun as a celebration of Kathy Toivanen's time with EMUC women. The BBC series 'Downton Abbey' is one of Kathy's favourites. All EMUC women and friends are invited to attend and dress up if you wish in period costume of the 1900s- 1920s. EMUC 'butlers' and 'footmen' will greet guests and serve the meal. Advance registration is required and dinner is $20/person. Register with cynthia.young@rogers.com or lmacro@rogers.com.
Discussion and Reflection Group
Kathy Toivanen will be offering a final small group discussion and reflection series in June. Dates will be: Wednesday evenings June 1, 8, 15 from 7:30 - 9:30 or Friday mornings June 3, 10, 17 from 10 am to noon. Further details regarding the topic will be announced shortly. Watch for updates in Friday Message or in EMUC worship bulletins.
EMUC Gardens' Committee
A newly formed Garden's committee is seeking help to build two new gardens -one behind the new bench and the other the 'Spirit Garden' around the rock facing the Collegeway. In addition, the boxes at the front of the church and the garden around the church sign need intense maintenance. Two work days have been scheduled for 9:00 am for Tuesday May 10 and Thursday May 12.
If you can help on both or either day please contact Dave Leeder.
Refugee Sponsorship News - Important Update!
Erin Mills United has more than achieved its goal of $15,000 for refugee sponsorship with a new total of $17,542. The fundraising appeal is now concluded. Thank you to all who have donated their time, funds, encouragement and prayers.
Our application is still in the hands of the government; however, we are still proceeding with plans to locate and rent a three bedroom apartment, acquire furnishings and prepare ourselves for the family's arrival. The constituent group is attending meetings and writing letters to the government to ask them to honour their original promises regarding private refugee sponsorship. EMUC folk met with MP, Iqra Khalid on Friday to inquire as to the status of our application and to urge for more action in quickly settling refugees.
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. 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.
- If you have any questions, please specify them in the email or contact Lorraine Brignall.
Other members of EMUC's Refugee Sponsorship Task group are:
Hermine Bingham, Muriel Hamdani, Debby Sturgeon, Dianne Hope, Catharine Watts
Ian MacRae Memorial Bursary
Students planing to attend college or university this fall may apply now for the annual bursary awarded in memory of Ian MacRae. Application forms available at EMUC. This bursary is not restricted to EMUC students. Applications must be submitted by May 31st.
The Deacon's Cupboard
In the month of April, you are invited to bring dried beans, peas, lentils and other pulses .
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.
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Contact Us:
Peter Kiteley, Office Administrator
office@emuc.ca
Erin Mills United Church |
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