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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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The traditional colors of the Christmas season are White or Gold, symbolizing joy in the birth of the Christ and in the light that he brings to the world.
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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Christmas Greetings from the Staff of EMUC
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GREETINGS FROM KATHY TOIVANEN
I write this Christmas greeting knowing that this will be the last Christmas that I spend with you as your minister. It doesn't seem real to me yet and I have difficulty looking ahead to this time next year. For more than 25 years, I've had the joy and the wonder of spending Christmas Eve with you as we've gathered at the manger to greet the Holy Child of Bethlehem. As I reflect back on all those Christmas Eves, the words 'the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight' from the carol 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' come to mind.
Over the years, as we've gathered together to worship on Christmas Eve, the longing and expectation has been palpable. Will God be born among us? Will God enter into our humanity and fill up the empty spaces? Will love meet us when we are gripped by pain or when tears of grief roll down our cheeks? Will peace descend on us as we wrestle with inner conflicts or family disputes or global warfare? Will joy surprise us in the midst of the humdrum and routine of daily living? Will hope banish the fears that shadow our days and cloud our future? Will this night change, touch and transform us? Will the nativity story come alive in us? Will we meet Christ face to face?
Over the years, I've been humbled and amazed by the unfolding miracle of Christmas Eve; for all the ways Christ comes among us and all the ways that love finds us -
- in the delight of a dancing angel in a pageant
- in the concentration of a child lighting candles on the Advent Wreath
- in the hush that falls after a soaring solo
- in the enthusiastic singing of 'Gloria in excelsis Deo'
- in the communion of old friends
- in the comforting hug offered to those bent with grief;
- in the timeless words of scripture
- in a modern interpretation of the nativity story;
- in the candles and carols;
- in the faces filled with delight
- in the cheerful and familiar greeting, 'Merry Christmas'.
I pray that as we once again approach this holy night that we will come with expectation and longing. And I pray that once again, a miracle will unfold as Christ is born among us in love and peace, joy and hope.
I thank you for the blessings of all the Christmases we have shared in the past and for the gift of worshipping with you for one more Christmas.
Peace, Kathy Toivanen
GREETINGS FROM PETER KITELEY
I extend my warmest wishes to all in our EMUC family. Our sanctuary was made to feel very special for our Curated Advent event; and with all the decorations up the whole sanctuary is a welcoming place. This true experience of the Christmas Spirit in our church is what I wish for all of you.
This Christmas is also very significant as it will be my last with Kathy as her co-staff person, prior to her retirement in the fall next year. Kathy has been there for me over the 10 years of my tenure, and she has kept the Spirit of Christmas thriving in our community. I wish to thank her and all the helpers for their dedication; Sylvia Arnold, Rhanna Vickery, Muriel Hamdani my liason person, the Finance Team, the Communications team and all who help with worship weekly. Merry Christmas to all of you, peace and good will as well.
Peter Kiteley, Office Administrator
GREETINGS FROM LEN FELDMAN
I would like to wish everyone at EMUC a very merry Christmas, and hope that you find as much joy in the musical side of celebrations as I do. One of the wonderful things about this season is that everyone can participate in making "a joyful noise". With music we can help to ease some of the many troubles of our times and look forward to a brighter future.
Len Feldman, Director of Music
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Every Wednesday evening at 6:45 a service of readings, reflection, prayer & communion. Sunday worship is at 10:00 a.m. with EMU Club for children.
December 13:
Advent 3
Theme: "Hope Interrupts"
Readings: Luke 1: 26-38
December 13 at 7 pm: Candlelight Carol Service
A service of readings, with all choirs participating as well as congregational singing. Reception with refreshments will follow the service.
December 20:
Advent 4
Theme: "Rejoice In Hope"
Readings: Luke 1: 39-55
December 24: Christmas Eve
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. A reception with light refreshments follows hosted by the Membership & Pastoral Care Committee.
Contact Kathy Toivanen kathy@emuc.ca or 905-820-9466 to inquire further.
6:30 pm Nativity Pageant
This year, the actors in the pageant will be folk of all ages. Come and hear again the timeless story of Jesus' birth. Sing familiar carols as we light the Christ Candle in the Advent Wreath.
10:00 pm Candlelight Christmas Communion
Join us by candlelight to sing carols to the Christ Child, to hear again the wonderful Christmas Gospel and its message to us today. The Chancel choir will offer inspirational anthems.
College & university students are particularly welcome.
Lighting the Christ Candle in all services
Sunday December 27
at 10 am
Come for an informal Christmas time worship with leadership by Debbie Siertsema.
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Congratulations to Leslie and Allin Brown on the birth of a son, Nicholas James.
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The church office will be closed from Tuesday, December 23
at noon and will be open again on Tuesday December 29, 30, 31 from 9 am to noon only.
Regular office hours resume on Tuesday, January 5,
2016
Kathy Toivanen will be away from the office from December 25 to
January 2
inclusive.
For pastoral emergencies during her holidays, please call the church office 905-820-9466, X 22.
Messages will be checked regularly.
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All who helped decorate the church for Advent and Christmas.
Linda Lee for her 'Unboxing Hope' decorations.
The Circle of Friends for helping with the boxes of hope.
The Leadership Circle for hosting the 'Souper Lunch'.
The team of Deb Siertsema, Karen Colwell, Sheryl Stinson, Al Seymour, Pat Beck, Carole Neely for their work to plan and host the unique 'Curated Advent Worship Event. Thanks as well to Sylvia Arnold, Cindy Young, Peter Kiteley, Ian Blackport, Cathy Scattergood, Paul Nauss, Tianne & Maiylin Takayesu, Ryan Sweetnam, Isaac Kashino, Ashley Phillips and Vanessa Santamaria for their help and support.
All those who contributed toward the Christmas 'Hamper' community outreach.
Ashley Kaur, Alex Love, Vanessa Santamaria, Alex Siles, Ryan Sweetnam, Mailyn Takayesu, Tianne Takayesu along with the support and direction of Bonnie Turner and Dianne Hope for writing and acting in the White Gift Drama.
The musical contributions of the Bell Choir, Chancel Choir, Impromptu and Off the Cuff musical group during the Advent Season - and thanks to their directors, Len Feldman and Nancy Blackport
The Loaves and Dishes bakers for preparing yummy tourtieres and turkey pot pies for sale.
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| From the Chair of the Leadership Circle |
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As I sat at choir practice tonight, I was surrounded by the word Hope. It is on several displays in the sanctuary and it is the time of year when we hope for so many things.
I have hopes for my family, my church, the greater community and the world. As we head into a new year of transition, my hope is that we support each other and find strength in our faith.
I have hope that people of this congregation will continue to offer their gifts in whatever ways they can.
I feel very blessed to be part of a community whose generosity provides so much hope for others. Filling hampers and providing gifts to families who have fallen on tough times is a wonderful way to share hope with those who may otherwise feel their situations are hopeless.
I have hope that through acceptance, understanding and love, people of all faiths can come to a respectful, peaceful existence with each other.
Celebrating the birth of Jesus is a glorious gift in our Christian faith. I hope you are able to take part in the many Advent services and events planned for this month.
On behalf of the Leadership Circle may you have a blessed Christmas filled with love and hope.
Joanne Hines, Chair of the Leadership Circle
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| Membership and Pastoral Care |
The Membership and Pastoral Care Committee will be sponsoring three events early in 2016:
- A panel discussion focusing on end-of-life care, facing death and planning for funerals and memorial services will take place at EMUC on Saturday, January 30, from 9:30 a.m. until noon. Cathy Kiteley, Advance Practice Nurse: Clinical Nurse Specialist at Trillium Health Partners, will speak about palliative care and caring for people at the end of life. Kathy Toivanen will reflect on the Christian perspective on death and dying and the key elements of a Christian funeral. John Wittingstall, Director, Turner & Porter, Neweduk-Erin Mills Chapel, will address issues of planning for a funeral or memorial service. Time will be allotted for questions following the panel presentation. Materials for end-of-life planning will also be available.
- Kathy Toivanen will lead a book study on Clara Hughes' recently released book focusing on her struggles with depression, Open Heart, Open Mind. Participants may choose either evening or morning sessions: Wednesday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30 pm on February 3 and 10 or Friday mornings, 9:30 to 11:30 am, on February 5 and 12. Registration fee: $25 which includes a hardcover copy of the book. Please register with Kathy Toivanen via email (kathy@emuc.ca ) by January 17 to enable adequate time for ordering books. If you wish to purchase your own book or borrow from the library, the registration is $5.
- As a follow-up of these two events, a mental health seminar is being planned for a Saturday morning before Easter. Please watch for further details in the Friday messages, Sunday announcements and the Communique.
All are welcome. Please encourage family, friends and neighbours to participate in any of these events.
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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 even on Wednesday, December 9
at 2:00 pm. Bring a friend or neighbour!
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Christmas Eve Intergenerational Nativity Pagaent
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Parts are now available for the pageant which will be featured at the 6:30 pm Christmas Eve service. This year, the pageant will include 'actors' of all ages. Others are needed to help with costumes and set up.
Contact Sylvia Arnold, Debby Sturgeon, Sheryl Stinson if you would like to participate
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Pick up your copy of this giving catalogue made available by the United Church of Canada and be part of doing something extra with United 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. You may view the online catalogue at http://www.giftswithvision.ca
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Special Christmas Envelopes will be mailed to EMUC participants and will be available at the church. As you celebrate the God's gifts in this season, you support Erin Mills United to share Christ's love by your Christmas offering. All offerings are tax deductible.
EMUC closes its books on December 31
, so please ensure that your offerings are contributed by year end.
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Refugee Sponsorship Update
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On September 11, 2015 our Moderator issued an appeal to our national Church to become actively involved in sponsoring Syrian refugees who wish to come to Canada. "We are called at this particular moment in time to witness in a concrete way to our Christian faith in response to the needs of millions of desperate people seeking refuge and compassion," she said. "Since the crisis in Syria began, the United Church has been actively contributing to humanitarian relief and sponsoring refugees. We are once again amplifying our appeal because the church wants to do all that it possibly can to help those in need of assistance and seeking refuge."
With this appeal in mind, we at Erin Mills United Church wish to carry out a private sponsorship of a refugee family in collaboration with Erindale United and Streetsville United. Our proposal to be recognized as part of a Constituent Group composed of Erindale United, Streetsville United and Erin Mills United has been accepted by our Leadership Circle at EMUC. The other two churches mentioned above expect to receive the go-ahead from their respective governing bodies within the next few weeks. If and when this occurs, we will formally create a Constituent Group made up of the three churches. Following this, we will begin the process of being formally recognized by the United Church of Canada as a Constituent Group.
Because the United Church of Canada (UCC) is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), it already has a contract with the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to carry out private sponsorship of refugees. In recognizing us as a Constituent Group, the UCC is acknowledging that we have the capacity, both financial and in terms of support, to sponsor a refugee family for the complete first year of their stay in Canada. Because ultimate liability rests with the United Church of Canada, they will assist us with the necessary steps in applying to be sponsors thereby seeking assurance that we have a well-crafted plan with sufficient capacity to carry out this endeavour.
We at EMUC feel very privileged to be part of this process. We will work diligently to ensure that we can meet the requirements of the United Church of Canada and those of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. We will ensure that we will be in position to welcome a refugee family in Canada and meet all their needs in the first year. It is a gift and a privilege to be part of this process.
The LC of EMUC has asked that a refugee task group be set up within EMUC. As opposed to the Constituent Group which would consist of three churches, this task group would work solely within EMUC. Its mandate would be communications and engagement with the congregation, fundraising, and reporting back to the LC. We anticipate that this task group will be in existence from now until the end of the first year of the refugee family's stay. The total cost of sponsoring a family of 6 is $40,000. We at EMUC feel that we can raise $15,000 toward the sponsorship while not affecting any of the normal church's fundraising activities. Some of the funds might come from fundraising activities while another portion of the funds might come from donations made from people outside EMUC. Raising these funds will be part of the mandate of the task group. At certain times in the process, we will call on others outside of the task group to participate in activities relating to the sponsored family, i.e., finding furniture, clothing.... We welcome anyone who would like to join the task group. Please consider this invitation.
Lorraine Brignall
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3010 The Collegeway
Mississauga, Ontario
L5L4X9
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