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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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As we move into Advent, the beginning of the church year, the colour blue is the designated hue for the season. Blue represents hope and the joyful anticipation we have as we wait to celebrate Christ's birth on Christmas day. Each Sunday during Advent, we will light candles on a wreath - three blue and one pink (for joy!). On Christmas Eve we will light a central white candle to symbolize Christ's birth. You may wish to create your own Advent wreath for your home and create your own ritual of reading scripture (scripture readings are provided on the worship schedule) and offering a prayer.
In addition to email delivery, all editions of the newsletter are available on our church website: emuc.ca. Thank you for your interest in the Communiqué.
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Unboxing Hope
Soon we will be entering the season of Advent; the four week period before Christmas. Four weeks of waiting for that festive day when we celebrate the birth of Christ with gifts and feasts, carols and joyful worship. The Christian tradition of Advent waiting and preparing is very much at odds with the culture around us where everything is already going full tilt in the shopping malls, in festive events, in glitter and glitz and in Santa Claus parades.
As we enter a new Advent season, I think it helps to remember what Advent is and isn't. Advent isn't a season where we put our lives on hold and try to ignore all the other festivities going on around us. Advent is a season that helps to shape what we choose to be and to do in preparation for the festival of Christ's birth. It is a season that can guide us as we sift through our priorities and pinpoint our focus. It is a season that can hone our senses and open our hearts so that we are alert and ready to receive the Christ who comes among us in the babe in the manger.
Advent is a hopeful and hope-filled season. And there is much happening in our midst and in our world this year that has the potential to 'unbox' hope among us.
On November 29
political, environmental and religious leaders from around the world will gather in Paris to be part of the United Nations' Climate Conference. Three delegates from the United Church of Canada will be at that conference. You can support the delegates in prayer. For more information, go to http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/takeaction/151105
For over a month, a number of EMUC folk along with others from local United Churches have been learning more about sponsoring refugees. A proposal has now been created that, if approved by the Leadership Circle, will pave the way for EMUC to join a coalition of at least 3 other congregations in refugee sponsorship. Stay tuned for more information and for ways that you can be involved.
In this newsletter are other opportunities to be part of community and congregational activities and practises that open us to hope, and loosen the grip of apathy or cynicism, despair or fear in our lives and in the world. How will you unbox hope this year?
Peace, Kathy Toivanen
* This article was written prior to the tragic events that occurred in Paris on November 13, 2015. Like you, I was horrified by the attacks that resulted in the death and injury of so many. This is a time for all people of good faith to come together to strengthen the bonds of peace and to work together to create a global community that has no place for violence or conflict or war of any kind. At this point, it appears that the United Nations' Climate Conference will still go ahead as planned in Paris; however, with increased security. On Sunday November 22
, the theme of worship is "Prayers For Paris". Originally, I intended to focus only on the climate conference in Paris. In light of recent events, the focus will be broadened to address our grief, our fears and our anger following the Paris attacks. As I write this addendum on November 14
, the United Church of Canada has posted a prayer and I invite you to make this prayer for Paris part of your daily devotional practice in the days ahead.
Peace, Kathy Toivanen
God,
with hearts full of anger and lament
we bring to you our prayers for Paris.
We are angry that people around the world continue to experience the oppression of terror and the sin of violence.
And so we pray for:
the loved ones of the people killed in the near simultaneous terrorist attacks in Paris,
the people who are emotionally and physically wounded,
the people who are living with fresh fears;
the people in need of comfort; and
the emergency response crews, aid workers and civil servants who risk their own wellbeing for the sake of others.
We lament the gross betrayal of civil rights that allows for sports fans, music lovers, and restaurant patrons to be terrorized during a lively Friday evening in the city.
And we are heartbroken that fear and violence has broken into their lives.
May the anger felt across the world motivate us towards a non-violent peace, and may the tears cried testify to our solidarity with those suffering in Paris; they are not alone in their grief, horror and disbelief.
In this terrible time,
We humbly offer these prayers to you,
Amen.
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Worship Schedule
Every Wednesday evening at 6:45 a service of readings, reflection, prayer & communion. Sunday worship is at 10:00 am with EMU Club for children
Sunday November 22
Theme: "Prayers for Paris" - Global Climate Changes that Bring Health and Peace for all People and all Creation.
Readings: Jeremiah 33: 14-26; 1 Kings 17: 8-16
Stay after worship and enjoy a Bread and Soup, cheese and fruit lunch hosted by the Leadership Circle. An expression of thanks for participating in the annual stewardship program! After lunch all are invited to stay and help decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas season.
Worship for the Season of Advent: "Unboxing Hope"
During this festive season, many of us look forward to the custom of gift-giving. Boxes of all shapes often appear under the Christmas tree. What is under that shiny paper? What is inside the box? During EMUC's Advent worship services this year, we will 'unbox' the hope that we yearn for, glimpse and experience in God's gift of love. We'll ask questions - How can we release God's hope in a world where hope is often boxed in by fear and worry? What does God's hope look like today? How might we enter into this hope even and in spite of life's challenges and disappointments? In worship and singing, candlelighting, and decorating, prayer and reflection, celebration and action we will unbox and celebrate hope as we give thanks for God's wonderful and extravagant love born for all God's people and creation.
November 29:
Advent 1
Theme: "A Child Opens the Way of Hope"
Readings: Luke 1: 68-79
November 29
from 7 - 9 pm: "Curating Advent"
Plan to take part in this unique Advent worship experience. In the same way that special exhibits are 'curated' at an art gallery or a museum, this curated worship experience is one where the worshipper is able to wander through the worship space, stopping as they wish to participate in an interactive activity or to ponder a display or to watch a video clip. The atmosphere is designed to be meditative and unhurried. The doors open at 7 pm; however, there is no set 'start' time or ending time. Worshippers can come and go and stay as long as they wish. This is an opportunity for all ages and is open to the wider community and Halton Presbytery congregations.
December 6
Advent 2:
White Gift Sunday,
Communion
Theme: "Unboxing Hope"
Drama by Children and Youth
Readings: Micah 5: 2-5a
December 13:
Advent 3
Theme: "Hope Interrupts"
Readings: Luke 1: 26-38
Candlelight Carol Service at 7:00 pm. Special music from choirs and lots of carol singing. Reception following in lower hall.
December 20:
Advent 4
Theme: "Rejoice In Hope"
Readings: Luke 1: 39-55
Christmas Eve Worship Services
More information about these services will be available in the December Communique. For your information, the following services have been scheduled.
4:00 pm. A Service of Remembrance, Hope and Healing
This is a service offered particularly for those who look for an opportunity for a meditative worship service that acknowledges the variety of emotions that can be experienced in this season because of grief, sorrow, separation and personal circumstances. Candle lighting, communion, music, and prayers are part of this reflective service. Contact Kathy Toivanen kathy@emuc.ca or 905-820-9466 to inquire further.
6:30 pm. A Service that brings to life the birth of Christ with a nativity pageant. This year all ages are invited to take part in the pageant. Please look for notices in future announcements for rehearsal dates.
10:00 pm. Candlelight Christmas Communion. Join us by candlelight to sing carols to the Christ Child, to hear again the wonderful Christmas Gospel & its message to us today and to receive the gift of many musical offerings. College & university students are particularly welcome.
Lighting the Christ Candle in all services.
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God's blessing on Sharon, Paul and Kendra Baker on their move to Stoney Creek.
Condolences to Gene Green grieving the death of her sister
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All who tidied up the church property in anticipation of winter.
The Membership and Pastoral Care Committee for hosting a 'thank you' luncheon to celebrate and honour the many ways that EMUC folk actively offer their time and talent to support Christ's ministry in the congregation and wider community.
Derry Bunting taking part in a dialogue sermon and sharing his work experiences at Eva's Initiative. In the new year, Kathy will be 'interviewing' other EMUC folk as they share the ways that they express their faith in the context of their work.
The worship, music and interfaith justice and peace committees for taking part in and hosting the Peace Vespers.
Len Feldman and the guest musicians for their musical offerings at the Peace Vespers.
All those who have submitted their stewardship commitments for 2016. Your replies will help the Leadership Circle to create a budget for EMUC for next year.
Hermine Bingham, Lorraine Brignall, Dianne Hope, and Debby Sturgeon for their preliminary work in researching refugee sponsorship. A proposal will be presented to the Leadership Circle for approval.
The musicians and readers who created a meaningful worship experience as we enjoyed the music of the 60's.
Brian Takayesu and Larry van Goozen for their worship leadership at Erin Mills Lodge.
Hermine Bingham and Cindy Young for their presentations on preserving photos at the Women for Women group.
Paul Marot for hosting the annual men's retreat and Tim Hayes and Peter Hodgkinson for their planning and organization.
Brian Takayesu and Peter Kitely for the work they did to ensure that our computer system was upgraded for the recent DUIM event.
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| From the Chair of the Leadership Circle |
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With our Fall Stewardship program about to conclude, please accept my gratitude and thanks for the commitments of time, talent and resources you have made to EMUC. Representatives from many of our committees have been making short presentations over the last few weeks, highlighting the work they do. If you have not already done so, please consider speaking to one of those committee chairs to find out more about the work of a particular group.
It has been wonderful to hear about people's personal reasons for why they give. Consider your response if you were asked the question, "Why do you give?" With my students at school, we use the analogy of "filling someone's bucket". Students are asked to imagine that everyone travels around with an invisible bucket above their head and, as we move through the day, the actions and words of others can either fill up our bucket or take away from what is already there. Empty buckets can make us feel angry, lonely and insecure. Full buckets are associated with happiness, joy and gratitude. Students discover that actions of kindness and caring not only fill up the bucket of others but, in the process of giving and sharing, they feel their own buckets filling up. Your participation and commitment to EMUC fills up the buckets of many and I hope you also feel that your life and experiences at EMUC allow for your own bucket to feel full.
Joanne Hines, Leadership Chair
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| From the Worship Committee |
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If you wish to make an announcement during worship on a Sunday morning, please see the Worship Coordinator to record your name and subject of the announcement. Announcements should be no more than 1-2 minutes in length.
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Volunteer Luncheon: October 25
Over 60 people gathered for a celebration lunch on October 25
, hosted by the Member Development and Care committee. The theme of "many hands" recognized the many people who contribute to the life of EMUC. It was a chance to acknowledge the time and talent contributions, with several people involved for 20 years or more. Thanks to Terry Loffree, Pat Beck, Jo Ann Thompson, Nancy Sibald, and Sandy Hayes. We look forward to the next opportunity to recognize more of those who support the work of EMUC.
Heather Bunting: Chair, Member Development and Care
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Christmas Eve Intergenerational Nativity Pageant
Do you like to direct, write, organize, act, make costumes or otherwise help out? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you might be the person/people we need to help create the Intergenerational Pageant for EMUC's family Christmas Eve service at 6:30 pm. Script resources and assistance will be available. Help lead the team or be part of the team! Please talk to Kathy Toivanen or Sylvia Arnold if you are interested.
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"Loaves and Dishes" Make Christmas Food Preparation a Breeze
French Canadian Tourtiere meat pies, shepherd's pie and turkey pot pies are available again this year, cooked to perfection by EMUC's "Loaves and Dishes" group. Sign up now to place your orders. Information about other baked items and frozen homemade entrees will be posted each week. Contact the church office for information about ordering and delivery.
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Decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias during the Advent Christmas season is a long standing tradition here at Erin Mills. Once again the campaign is being organized by Erin Mills Youth Centre with all proceeds being donated to United Way Peel Region. Starting on Sunday, November 15, you will have the opportunity to order red, pink or white poinsettias in three different sizes for a reasonable price. Plants may be taken home or left in the church until after the services on Christmas Eve. If you wish, you may dedicate your plant in memory of a loved one. Order your plants by November 29 for delivery by December 6.
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Hanging of the Greens
On
Sunday, November 22
stay after worship for a hot soup lunch hosted by the Leadership Circle. Then join us at 1:30 pm to help decorate the church for Advent
and Christmas. This is an all-ages event.
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Celebrating Advent with Handel's Messiah
Take time in this busy season to reflect on the deep meaning of Christ's birth and God's gift of hope and love to the world. Plan to be part of this gathering where we will listen to and ponder the timeless message of this season through the music of Handel's Messiah. If you have the libretto of the Messiah, please bring it along. The reflection group will be offered at two separate times and days. Choose the time that suits your schedule. Registration is $10.
Wednesdays from 7:30 - 9:30 on November 25, December 2, 9
Fridays from 10 am - noon on November 27, December 11, 18.
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Music in the Advent Season
Carol singing will be part of all the Sunday worship services beginning on November 29.
EMUC's choirs and musical groups, along with the Bell Choir are already practising new festive music for the season! You can join them! Watch for announcements for practices.
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Lighting the Candles on the Advent Wreath each Sunday during Advent
Beginning on
Sunday, November 29
candles are lit each Sunday as we make our way to Christmas Eve. There are opportunities for all ages including younger children (non-readers) to participate in this annual ritual.
Contact Hermine Bingham if you would like to participate.
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EMUC Youth Confirmation Program
EMUC youth in grades 7 and up are invited to participate in a program that helps them to reflect on the Christian faith and what it means to be a member of the United Church of Canada. The program will be offered on Sunday afternoons with occasional field trips or activities to be scheduled as needed. Leadership is provided by Deb Siertsema, Ian Blackport and Kathy Toivanen.
The first session begins on Sunday November 29 at 4 pm and will include dinner and participation in the special Advent Worship that begins at 7 pm. The second meeting is on Sunday December 13 from 12:30 pm - 5 pm and includes lunch. You must register for this program by contacting Kathy Toivanen at kathy@emuc.ca
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White Gift Sunday Drama
Children and youth are invited to participate in this year's annual White Gift Drama which will be offered during Sunday worship on December 6. Traditionally, this drama has been called the "Jr. Youth" play; however younger children are invited to participate as well. Creating and practising for the drama continue each Sunday during worship until December 6. For more information please contact Bonnie Turner through the church office.
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Daytime Christmas Party
Each year, folks gather to enjoy a festive afternoon with Christmas baking, hot cider, carol singing, conversation, a friendly Christmas quiz competition all ending with a communion service. Plan to be part of this festive event on Wednesday, December 9
at 2:00 pm. Bring a friend or neighbour!
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White Gifts
On Sunday, December 6
gifts of food are received during worship for the various food banks and the Springfield breakfast program. Money gifts in white envelopes are offered for EMUC's outreach ministries in the local community as well as for the Mission & Service Fund of the United Church of Canada, which supports ministries and outreach projects in Canada and around the world. Gifts of clothing and toys as well as gift cards to support EMUC's Christmas outreach to the community will also be received on this Sunday.
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Christmas Hampers
Please consider sponsoring a family this year for Christmas! EMUC families can team up with other families to share the hamper responsibilities. In taking on a family, you would be making a commitment to provide donations of cash or grocery gift certificates to cover the cost of a Special Christmas Dinner. These can be dropped off at the Church office.
All of the family information that will be given to you is of a very personal nature and needs to be shared with only those who are helping to take care of the family involved.
You may clarify sizes or unclear information with the EMUC volunteers Irene or Peter regarding the family, and work out a mutually beneficial delivery time. We also encourage the use of gift certificates instead of perishable food as this makes storage and delivery easier and ensures there are no food handling and food safety issues. We are suggesting that the weekend of Friday, December 11, 2015 to Sunday, December 13, 2015 is an ideal time for delivery. If you unable to deliver the hamper, make arrangements through the office to have it delivered
Please contact us for any questions or concerns throughout the process, and thank you for partnering with us to make this a special Christmas for people in our own community in need!
Contact EMUC:
905-820-9466 ext. 23.
Irene Pajot, Christmas Hamper Coordinator
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Gifts with Vision
Pick up your copy of this giving catalogue made available by the United Church of Canada and be part of doing something extra with Untied Church partners in mission and ministry. You can choose gifts to support education programs, children and youth, gifts to address poverty and hunger, gifts for vital programs in Canada and around the world. Choose gifts that match your interest and ability to contribute financially. The catalogue includes gift tags.
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Out of the Cold Program
The Out of the Cold Program has started up once again. This program supports the work of the Open Door at Square One. As you are transitioning clothes & bedding over to warmer garments & sheets for winter, please consider donating unwanted items to this program. Bring your clean & in good-repair outerwear (jackets, boots, mittens, scarves, etc.) & bedding (blankets, sheets, etc.) to EMUC for pick up. Thank you for once again supporting this worthwhile initiative.
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nterfaith Justice and Peace
Once again the Interfaith Justice and Peace committee will be offering Zatoun products from Palestine for sale during the Advent season. Zatoun Olive oil will be available in 500 ml bottles. Za'atar spices and bars of pure olive oil soap can also be ordered. Please place your order by November 22.
Join the United Church campaign in working for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel.
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Open Door: EMUC is Hosting Dinner
Advance notice that EMUC will be hosting dinner at the Open Door at Square One on
Thursday, January 14, 2016
. Signup sheets will be available in December for both food contributions and people to deliver and serve. The Open Door guests always enjoy the delicious food that EMUC provides.
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| Communiqué Dates for 2015 |
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COPY DEADLINE
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PUBLICATION
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NOVEMBER 27
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DECEMBER 13
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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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3010 The Collegeway
Mississauga, Ontario
L5L4X9
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