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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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We use the colour green to represent the Season of Pentecost, l
asting until the "new year" begins again in Advent.
This will be the last edition of the Communiqué until late August and so, from all of us who bring the Communiqué your way, our best wishes for a wonderful summer!
Thank you for your interest in the Communique.
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Ordinary Time
'Ordinary Time' is one of the names given to the longest season of the church year. It follows Pentecost Sunday, and because Easter was so early this year, we have 27 weeks of 'Ordinary Time'! We could interpret this to mean that for 27 weeks we will have a rather bland and uneventful time. After all, it is a season without any major festivals. There are no special decorations in churches, no carols to be sung, no particular rituals or religious practices unique to this time of year.
Yet, in many ways, this season of the church year reflects our daily life. To be sure there are a variety of special occasions and unique highlights that come our way throughout our lifetime, but generally, we live most of our lives in 'ordinary time'. To live faithfully in 'Ordinary Time', we are invited to cherish the blessings and treasures of living as we go about our 'daily round'. We are called to seek the sacred in the mundane, to find the holy hidden in plain sight, to see God's glory in what is simple and humble.
The Celtic Christian tradition offers us unique insights and practical guidance for living prayerfully aware of God's presence in the daily round. Whereas some religious practices may lead us to believe that God is only found in special places or in 'other worldly' experiences, Celtic Christianity leads us to rediscover that God is with us in the humble and simple and in the routines and rituals of everyday life. No moment of our day is so small or insignificant that it cannot be an occasion to encounter God.
Reading through collections of ancient Celtic prayers, you will find prayers and blessings to accompany getting up with the sun and going to bed in the dark, kindling the fire in the morning and covering it at night, preparing food and washing up, planting seeds and harvesting grain. For the Celts, God was physically present - alongside, behind, before, above, below. God was companion, guest, fellow traveller, friend, fellow worker. 'Everything that they touched, every tool that they handled, was done with respect and reverence; every activity performed with a sense of the presence of God, indeed done in partnership with God. So life was lived at two levels. Each successive task performed seriously, carefully, with attention, and simultaneously becoming the occasion for finding the presence of God, and in particular the three members of the Trinity, since much of the work was routine and it could, therefore, be done rhythmically in the name of Father [Creator], Son [Christ] and Holy Spirit.' (excerpt from
The Celtic Way of Prayer
by Esther De Waal)
What if we recovered the Celtic practice of prayer in our daily round? How might we awaken to a renewed reverence for life? How might we rediscover God's partnership with us and in so doing, find deeper meaning in the ordinary moments of our days?
Sadly, it's often when the 'ordinary' is taken from us that we realize how precious it is. Imagine being a refugee torn from your home, your village and your community. Imagine being an evacuee from Fort McMurray. Imagine their longing to return to 'ordinary times' - to the preparation of meals in their own home, to tending their own gardens, to sleeping in their own beds, to walking in their own neighbourhoods, to greeting friends in local park or school yard, to going to their places of work, to waking up to a familiar landscape.
As spring gives way to summer, many of us are able to slow the hurried pace that often marks our days. May we receive this gift of 'ordinary time' as a gift where we can pause and savour the moment and as an occasion to uncover the sacred and holy in daily routines. As you go throughout your day, here are some Celtic prayers and blessings to accompany you.
Holy One, we pause to listen
for the beat of your Presence in all things
pulsing in the light of distant galaxies
sounding in the depths of our soul
vibrating in each vein of earth's body.
One Sound as vast as the universe
one universe filled with Presence
one Life within every life. (adapted from a prayer by J. Philip Newell)
God,
Whatever we build,
Give us a glimpse of glory.
Whatever we make,
Give us a sense of wonder.
Wherever we travel,
Give us a sense of reverence.
Whoever we meet,
Give us a sense of awe.
Whatever we do,
Give us a sense of achievement.
Whatever our situation,
Give us knowledge of you. (by David Adam)
O God as I arise today, increase
My zest for living
My vision of glory
My hearing of your call
My grasp on reality
My response to your love
My sensitivity to others
My gentleness to creation
My taste for wonder
My love for you. (by David Adam)
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 with care and programs for EMU Club for children up to Grade 5 until June 5.
From July 6-August 3 the 6:45 Wednesday evening service of readings, prayers and communion will not be held due to Kathy Toivanen's vacation
WORSHIP FOR THE SEASON AFTER PENTECOST
"A SPIRIT TO ROOT US AND SET US FREE"
May 29
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Theme: TBA Roni Beharry Leads Worship
Readings: TBA
June 5 Third Sunday after Pentecost
Communion
Theme: "Life in the Letting Go"
Readings: 1 Kings 17: 8-16, Matthew 16: 24-26
June 12 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Picnic Sunday
Theme: " Neighbourly Spirit"
Readings: Acts 2: 43-47, Acts 4: 32-35
June 19 Fifth Sunday fter Pentecost
National Aboriginal Sunday
Theme: 30
th
Anniversary of the United Church's Apology to First Nations Peoples: "From Paralysis to Healing"
Readings: Jeremiah 31: 31-37, Luke 5: 17-26
June 26 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Theme: "When the Spirit is Silent"
Readings: 1 Kings 19: 1-4, 5-7, 8-15a
July 3 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Communion
Theme: "A Nomadic Spirit"
Readings: Luke 9: 51-62
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The sponsors of the confirmation youth for taking time to meet with the youth and attend a confirmation session.
Joanne Lebold for coordinating another successful garage sale. She took several vacation days from work to manage this! Over $4,500 was raised. Thank you to all who donated items for the sale, all who set up, received and sorted garage sale items, all who sold during the sale, all who cleaned up and took left over items to other agencies and community depots. This was truly a community effort!
Also the Nominating Committee wishes to thank Joanne for her time and incredible organizational talents, which she has generously donated to this committee since its inception in January, 2015. She has kept us on track and well organized and she will be missed very much as she leaves EMUC and completes her transition to 'northern' life.
All those who helped to organize, decorate, host, serve, cook, and clean up the Downton Abbey Dinner, particularly the planning team of Laura Macro, Cindy Young and Pat Beck.
The newsletter team of Janet Morrison and Jim Watts who take a summer 'breather' after this newsletter is published.
The gardening group who have been trimming hedges, weeding and refurbishing the flower beds and working on the Spirit Garden.
The Finance Committee for their ongoing work to prepare regular updates, oversee financial operations and to Debby Sturgeon who is the new offering counter coordinator.
Patti King for single-handedly disposing of ALL the unsold books from the EMUC Garage Sale. She loaded her vehicle to overflowing three times and drove them to the Central Branch of the Mississauga Library for donation, where she then unloaded them. Way to go, Patti, and THANK YOU again.
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On April 24, EMUC celebrated the baptism of Nicolas James, son of Leslie and Allin Brown.
Condolences to Joanna Gagne grieving the death of her mother.
EMUC grieved the death of Paul McKay on May 3, 2016.
Paul was Music Minister at EMUC from 1993-2004. Paul was involved in church music since 1950 when he began his training at St. Michael's Cathedral Choir School in Toronto. Paul studied piano, organ and vocal music, receiving his A.R.C.T (organ) and his Bachelor of Music Degree. Paul taught music for the Etobicoke Board of Education for 32 years, retiring in 1997.
Our condolences to Paul's spouse Sandy and the McKay family.
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JOURNEYING TOGETHER
We often hear the phrase "life is a journey". When I asked my Grade 5 class to record words or phrases that came to mind when I said the word "journey", I had a chart full of words that included exciting, adventure, scary, unknown and trip. There are journeys we take privately, those we take with others, journeys that are forced upon us and those we willingly choose to take. Despite our best planning, life's journeys are often filled with surprises and unpredictable events. My husband, Gary, is about to set off on a month long journey to walk the El Camino trail in Spain. He hopes to walk 30-35 km a day and complete the 800 km of the trail in the month of June. He has read, prepared and packed for this solo adventure but still realizes that the journey will be filled with unknowns. I suppose that is some of the appeal of a trip like this for the people that choose to do it.
We, as a church community, continue to journey together as we celebrate the ministry of Kathy and prepare for a transition in our church life. The opportunity to experience this together brings me comfort and hope. Although all of us may describe our journey differently, as a whole we understand that working together and supporting each other will significantly increase the chances that this transition will be a success. Unexpected events are inevitable but if we all share the common intention to work through this transition with optimism, trust and faith, I feel our collective journey will be a positive one.
A quote I read once said, "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." Let us embrace this journey and support Kathy and each other through it.
Enjoy a blessed, happy summer, wherever your journeys take you.
Joanne Hines, Leadership Circle Chair
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Kathy Toivanen will be on vacation from July 4 - August 8. For urgent pastoral care concerns during Kathy's vacation, please contact the church office. Other area United Church ministers will be offering coverage.
During the summer months the office hours will change.
On June 30 the office will open at 8:30 am and close at 1:00 pm.
The office will be closed on Canada Day, July 1, for the holiday.
Effective July 4 - September 2, the office hours are as follows.
Monday: 1 pm - 4:30 pm.
Tuesday: Thursday 9 am - 4:30 pm.
Friday: 9 am - 1 pm.
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REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP UPDATE
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REPORT ON PROPERTY AND BUILDING
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WOMEN FOR WOMEN
On Friday May 13
, Women for Women held a "Downton Dinner" to celebrate Kathy Toivanen's pending retirement and her long-serving ministry with EMUC women. About 48 women dressed in period costume of the 1900s-1920s were greeted by footmen and butlers. A delicious meal including seasonal hors d'oeuvres, vichyssoise, salmon mousse salad, pork wellington with apple-raisin sauce, roast potatoes and a vegetable medley was served by the butlers. Trifle, limoncello tiramisu, profiteroles, assorted cheeses and fruit were an awesome end to the meal. Toasts and words of thanks to Kathy were made. Kathy and Al were presented with a lovely gift from the women of the congregation. It was a joyous, fun evening for all!
Barbara Jennings
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DISCUSSION OF UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA REMITS
The Leadership Circle will hold a special meeting for the entire EMUC congregation on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:30 pm. At that time there will be presentations made on two of the remits - the Three-Council Model and Funding a New Model. Discussion and feedback will be encouraged to help inform the Leadership Circle as it prepares to vote on these remits in June. To prepare for this discussion, you are asked to read the remits ahead of time. A special webpage on the UCC site is dedicated to informing you about the remits and the process:
http://gc42.ca/remits
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"GROUNDED"
What helps to root us in faith in times of transition and change?
What does it mean to be "at home with God"?
How might our roots give us the courage and freedom to soar with the Spirit?
If these questions intrigue you, you are invited to join a small discussion and reflection group with leadership by Kathy Toivanen. This will be the final small group that Kathy will lead prior to her retirement. 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. Registration is $5. Please register by signing up at EMUC or by contacting Kathy at
kathy@emuc.ca
Resources for the discussion include: 'Grounded: Finding God in the World' by Diana Butler Bass and 'Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into the Mystery and Art of Living' by Krista Tippett; along with video clips and other online resources.
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SUNDAY STRIDER JUNE HIKE AND BBQ
On Sunday, June 5, it's back to nature as our EMUC Striders will be exploring Hilton Falls Conservation Area on the Niagara Escarpment. Following the hike all are invited to a BBQ at the home of Al Seymour and Kathy Toivanen. A sign-up sheet will be posted to gather names and lists of appetizers, salads and drinks. Details on timing, when to drop off items, and carpooling will follow in the Sunday bulletins.
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The annual church picnic is Sunday, June 12
immediately following the 10 am worship service. Hot dogs, sausages, vegetarian dogs, chips and pop will be on sale. Please bring a dessert to share.
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A SPECIAL EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Plan to attend a special evening vesper service on Sunday, June 12 at 7 pm. The Membership and Pastoral Care committee is hosting this special service as a gift of support and comfort, healing and hope to the congregation in response to those who have lately been bereaved, those who have been living with illness, medical treatment and surgery. There will be opportunities to light candles and offer prayers for loved ones. Special music will be provided by Len Feldman on piano and Carmen Lasceski on violin. A reception will follow. There will be a free-will offering. Please invite friends and neighbours to this reflective and contemplative service.
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BRIDGE GROUP
In Erin Mills United we have been playing bridge for 23 years. In September we will begin our year's play. Over the season we play an average of nine games, plus an opening party in September and a closing party in June. If you are interested in joining us in the fall, please contact Mora Cairns at 905-820-5715.
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DEACON'S CUPBOARD
During the month of June and throughout the summer you are invited to donate children's snacks to the cupboard. EMUC encourages food donations to the Cupboard especially on Communion Sundays. You can also make a financial contribution by addressing a cheque to Erin Mills United Church with the note: Deacon's Cupboard. The Cupboard has a few volunteer opportunities at present: Drivers to help with transporting food from the Mississauga Foodbank to the Cupboard, approximately once every four or five weeks. Contact Mike Ogilvie at 905-820-2387 or
oglivia@sympatico.ca
The cupboard is also looking for 'back-up' nurses or doctors to help out when a nurse isn't able to be present on their designated week. Contact Belinda Morrow at 905-828-2095.
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COPY DEADLINE
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PUBLICATION
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AUGUST 19
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AUGUST 28
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SEPTEMBER 9
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SEPTEMBER 18
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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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