First-Time Bell Ringers!

The EMUC Bell Ringers offered a number of musical pieces alone and with the Chancel Choir to celebrate Easter. This was the first time the bells had been played!

The bells were a gift from the congregation of Westminster United in Weston. The bells were originally gifted by congregants, friends and family in memory of Doris Ferguson, who had been a member of the congregation. Doris was David Hope's aunt. Nancy Ferguson, also David's aunt, was the director of the bell choir for many years. When the church decided to close, they wanted their set of bells and chimes to go to a good home. Nancy Ferguson asked David if EMUC might be interested. EMUC received this gift with enthusiasm and gratitude!

Throughout the Lenten season, regular rehearsals, under the direction of Len Feldman were held on Sundays after worship. On Easter Sunday three different musical pieces were offered by the Bell Ringers.   We were also blessed to have Nancy Ferguson and Louise Hope (David's mother) worshipping at EMUC that day and to witness the enjoyment and enthusiasm for the bells.

It is also of interest that Eloise and Gordon Montgomery, parents of Ann Boston, a Chancel Choir member, were also congregants of Westminster in Weston and remember hearing the bells played there! It is wonderful to know that with the gift of the bells, we continue to be woven together with loved ones both past and present!

Offering Counters 

Sunday April 27th was the kick-off for the EMUC Striders to start training for a Group Walk on Sunday June 8th.   Each Sunday there will be a scheduled walk to build up stamina and distance. All distances will contribute to your results for the group walk. This is a fundraiser for the church. You may contribute by either taking part as a 'strider' or by sponsoring a strider.

Many of the EMUC Hikers and others participated in the first walk. Join in!

You are invited to participate by walking now and recording your kms. Pledge forms are available at EMUC. The various levels of sponsorship goals are:

Tracker: 10km/week for 50 km - $50

Strong Strider: 20 km/week for 100 km - $100

Trailblazer: 30 km/week for 150 km - $150

The Strider Walk to conclude the campaign is Sunday June 8th with a 4.5 km community walk beginning at 8:15 am. Following the walk, participants will be invited to take part in an informal worship service at EMUC at 10 am. Following worship, enjoy a BBQ lunch at a reasonable cost. For more information and to help with this campaign contact Tim Hayes at 905-820-4437. 

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Once again there will be opportunities for women to gather throughout the spring and summer for golfing and dining. For more information contact Barbara Jennings or Kathy Andres.

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The Observer Magazine is an award-winning publication of the United Church of Canada. You can order a subscription by submitting $20 to EMUC. Special envelopes are available through the church office. The Observer provides current commentary on Canadian and international events that impact people of faith and the United Church of Canada. Inspiring articles on local congregations help to connect us nationally.

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Working with Halton Presbytery, Roni Beharry will be organizing an interfaith camp experience in Churchill Meadows for youth ages 14-18. The success of the camp needs the support of EMUC folk who can be part of preplanning and helping during the camp. To offer your help or to inquire further, contact Roni Beharry at cmyoutreach@gmail.com. 

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Visit to Masumeen Islamic Centre

On April 12, Roni Beharry, Marlene Cuthbert, and Deb Sturgeon accepted an invitation to attend a celebration at the Masumeen Islamic Centre to honour Lady Fatima, the daughter of the Holy Prophet, on the anniversary of her birth. 

We were warmly welcomed by the large group of women and girls of all ages.  After observing their time of prayer, we joined them for the afternoon program in the format of a talk-show "Chat and Chai".  The talk-show included two young women who presented their original poems inspired by their faith and life experiences; an original skit depicting three young women discussing their lives and problems with a former teacher; women from their public speaking group, Sister Speak, giving impromptu speeches on how Lady Fatima inspires their lives. The center piece of Chat and Chai was the presentation of Lady Fatima's life and accomplishments which unfolded chronologically through the interviewer's carefully chosen questions.  Audience participation was encouraged and girls as young as nine or ten were articulate in expressing their opinions and asking questions.  The topics of discussion were current and relevant to all faiths. The afternoon concluded with refreshments and time to socialize.

The afternoon was a reminder of how much we have in common with our friends at Masumeen. As Christians and Muslims we share a common heritage. Mary, the mother of Jesus and Moses' mother are two of the women they are encouraged to look to for inspiration. As women, they are supportive of one another and empower their sisters, daughters and granddaughters  to speak out and be independent. 

All in all, it was an inspiring afternoon and I would encourage others to take advantage of future opportunities like this.

Deborah Sturgeon

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 Erin Mills Youth Centre Update

The Carassauga Charity and Community Challenge on May 23, 24, and 25 offers an innovative way to raise awareness and funds for the Erin Mills Youth Centre. Your participation in this challenge will help EMYC to strengthen programming which includes: Springfield Gardens breakfast/lunch program serving up to 40 children every school day; a variety of after-school and leadership development programs for children and youth.  

There are two ways to participate: 1. register as a participant to complete the five challenges. 2. sponsor someone who is already competing. Either way, your support for EMYC is much appreciated.  For further information visit the website at www.carassauga.com/cc-challenge or contact Debby Sturgeon (905 820 0834) .

EMYC is seeking help with the Springfield Gardens Breakfast Club at 3570 Colonial Dr.  Volunteers who can help prepare lunches, serve breakfast and clean up from 6:30 am to 8:30 am on Mondays or Fridays either weekly or every two weeks are needed now until the end of the school year.  For more information contact Michelle Passee at michelle@erinmillsyouthcentre.com or 905-820-3577.  

Volunteers are also need to help pick up and sort donations from the foodbank every Wednesday morning.  For more information contact Janet Tait janett@erinmillsyouthcentre.com or 905-820-3577.

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Support for Omar Khadr

Below is a heartwarming email from some B.C. students, asking for a speaker on Omar Khadr for their school of 1500.  They are practicing social justice at a young age!  

To whom it may concern, 

        Our names are Milica and Ana and we are writing to you concerning Omar Khadr's case.  We are Social Justice students at Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby, B.C. and our interest in the case began after attending a lecture by Dennis Edney at Simon Fraser University in December.  We would like to extend an invitation to Mr. Edney, or another representative of Omar's, to come speak at our school-of more than 1500 students-and share Omar's story.       

 As Mr. Edney mentioned in his speech, we are the upcoming generation who has the capability to make a difference in the years to come regarding this case.  With this in mind, we believe that educating our peers about Omar's case will inspire them enough to take action and positively aid the Free Omar Khadr campaign.  In addition to having a speaker come to the school, we are planning on raising awareness about Omar's case as well as organizing a fundraiser at our school to go towards funding Mr. Edney in his pro-bono work.

 We look forward to hearing from you, Ana Ristic and Milica Vancic, Grade 11 Students - Moscrop Secondary School.

For links to more information on Omar Khadr go to:    

www.freeomarakhadr.com

On Facebook follow: Free Omar Khadr Now

"Some cases enshrine the defining moments of their time. Omar Khadr's is one. Future generations will rightly judge our shocking dereliction of responsibility in this matter [and] our collective Canadian failure to extend justice and humanity." - Constance Backhouse, Distinguished University Professor of Law, University of Ottawa.    

Marlene Cuthbert

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