Logo clear bkgrd   Friday Message
              & Upcoming Events

            November 27, 2015


  

The EMUC website www.emuc.ca  has current information about ongoing events and special worship and seasonal activities for the Advent/Christmas season.  The electronic edition of the November Communique is on line at the website and paper copies are made available at the church.  
 
This Sunday we enter into the Season of Advent; a period of four weeks of preparation for the festival of Christ's birth.  This is the beginning of the church year, and 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.


An Advent Gift

 A daily paper lands on my doorstep each morning.  And each morning over breakfast, I try to scan the local, national and global news.  Each day this week, the newspaper weighed more than the day before - packed with extra inserts and advertising promoting 'Black Friday'.  What began as a muttered grumble earlier in the week, grew to a shout of frustration today as I threw the equivalent of one entire newspaper of advertising inserts in the recycling bin.  I am angry that as Christians enter one of the holy seasons of the church year that 'shopping til you drop' and gluttonous consumption are the prevailing messages of our society. 

In the USA this shopping orgy ironically coincides with their celebration of Thanksgiving.  And now retailers are encouraging Americans to spend the entire Thanksgiving long weekend, from Thursday to Sunday -  shopping. Last year's 'Black Friday weekend' in the USA garnered $50.9 billion worth of retail purchases by 247 million shoppers. Here in Canada about 1.2 million Canadians were expected to book off sick from work today so that they could shop.  According to one survey, shoppers plan on spending, on average, $332 per person.
 
As an alternative to this overconsumption and idolatry of more and more material possessions, I invite you to enter the Advent season in a more thoughtful and life-giving way.  This week I want to highlight an opportunity to be part of a unique worship event at EMUC on Sunday night from 7 to 9 pm. 
For the past month, a small dedicated group of folk has been at work to plan for the evening.  And here's what you can expect when you arrive at EMUC on Sunday evening. 
 
The worship space will be gently lit and soft music will be playing.   You'll notice immediately that there are changes to the space.  Around the room various small centres will be set up.  At each centre there will be posted suggestions or directions for ways that you can choose to engage and participate.  You will be invited to move about among the centres at your own pace and rhythm.  You do not have to visit all the centres, nor follow them in any particular order.  There is no 'official start time' - you can arrive and depart any time between 7 and 9 pm. Drop in for as long as you wish and pause at any centre for as long as you wish.  

The intent is to create an unhurried and loosely structured atmosphere where you have the time and space you need to meditate and reflect, to pray and to ponder the meaning of the Advent Season.  Think of this as an opportunity to prepare room in your life for the birth of the Christ child - an opportunity to turn off the multitude of thoughts and all the 'to do lists' that crowd in and pressure us in this season.  An opportunity to clear some space to listen instead for God's message of hope, peace and love. 
 
For those of us who might feel bewildered and a bit lost when it comes to being contemplative, this special evening will be your guide as you engage in a variety of spiritual practices.  Some practices will engage your sense of taste or touch.  Some will be active and involve movement such as walking a labyrinth or using your hands to weave on a loom.  Some practices will use the arts to inspire; others will include meditative readings. All you need do is come with an openness to the Spirit's leading and inspiration.  

This is EMUC's Advent gift to you and to the wider community.  The event is designed for all ages and because it is self-directed, it provides a 'non-threatening' worship experience for those who are uncertain about 'organized religion.' So bring your friends and neighbours.  There is no cost; however, an offering basket will be available for any who wish to make a free-will offering.
 
Advent Prayer
God of all time and space,
thank you for giving us this time to prepare:
Time to still the buzzing in our heads.
Time to stop the frantic rushing and running.
Time to pause to wonder at the mystery of your love.
Time to pause to ponder the signs 
of your presence among us.
Time to pause to pray for a world in need of hope.
Time to pause to receive your gifts of grace.
Time to pause to offer our lives to Christ's way of peace.
God of all time and space,
thank you for giving us this time to prepare.  Amen.
   
Peace, Kathy Toivanen.
 
 
This Week at EMUC
 
The November (Advent) edition of the Communique Newsletter is available.  Copy for the December (Christmas) issue is due today. Please send your electronic copy to office@emuc.ca

Sunday at 10 am:  Worship for the First Sunday of Advent with lighting of the Advent Wreath, carol singing, and special music.  Program for children and drama practice for youth.
After worship:  Bell Choir and Choir practices
Sunday at 4 pm:  Youth Confirmation program begins
Sunday 7-9 pm:  Interactive Advent Worship

Wednesday at 6:45 pm:  Prayers and Communion 

Thursday at 10 am:  Daytime Men's Group
Thursday at 7 pm:  Greening Sacred Spaces future planning meeting

  Visit www.emuc.ca for  the current and past editions of Communique and a calendar of current events. 

Upcoming Events
 
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.   The first session begins on Sunday November 29th 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 13th from 12:30 pm - 5 pm and includes lunch. You must register for this program by contacting Kathy Toivanen at kathy@emuc.ca

Special Advent Worship Experience
Begin advent this year in a new way by taking part in a new worship experience.  Come to EMUC for an interactive worship installation on Sunday November 29th at any time between 7pm and 9pm.  You will be welcomed to the worship space and from that point forward you are invited to move through various stations which we hope will touch your spirit with the good news of Advent. 

Pray for Paris:  United Nations' Climate Conference.  
Three delegates from the United Church of Canada will be at this important conference that begins on Sunday.  You can support all the delegates in prayer.  A petition encouraging Canada's action is available to be signed at EMUC. For more information, go to http://www.united-church.ca/getinvolved/takeaction/151105

Christmas 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.

Christmas Poinsettias
Erin Mills Youth Centre is once again selling poinsettias to raise funds for United Way of Peel Region.  Plants may be ordered using the envelopes on the table in the narthex until November 29, 2015 and plants will be available for pick-up at EMUC by December 6th. Prices are as follows: 6"  (red) $10; 8"  (red, pink, or white) $20; 10" (red, pink, or white) $20. You may dedicate a poinsettia in memory of a loved one and donate it to decorate the sanctuary during the Advent and Christmas season. All poinsettias may be taken home following the Christmas Eve services.  For further information please contact Debby Sturgeon.

Extending Christmas to the Wider Community
Please consider sponsoring a family this year for Christmas! Individuals or households can team up to share the Christmas support. Sponsorship of a family includes cash or grocery gift certificates to cover the cost of a Special Christmas Dinner. By not donating food or perishable items we are making delivery easier and eliminating food safety issues. Drop off your gift card/cash to the church office so that your contribution can be recorded for your income tax purposes.
The Christmas tag tree provides another way to offer support. Take a tag from the tree and return the wrapped gift or gift card to EMUC by Sunday December 6th. For those who are able to deliver the Christmas support gifts/cards, the weekend of Friday December 11, 2015 to Sunday December 13, 2015 is an ideal time. If you unable to make the delivery, make arrangements through the church office to have it delivered. Thank you for partnering to make this Christmas special for the wider community. For more information and guidance, contact Irene Pajot or Peter Kiteley 905-820-9466 ext. 23. 

Daytime Christmas Party
On Wednesday December 9th from 2 to 4 pm you are invited to gather at EMUC for the annual Christmas party.  Hot cider, Christmas goodies, good conversation, a Christmas quiz, carol singing and communion will be part of the afternoon program.  Bring a friend or a neighbour. Hosted by EMUC staff and the Membership and Pastoral Care Committee

Amnesty International 'Write for Rights' Event
December 10, the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is International Human Rights Day. Each year, concerned people in countries around the world write letters calling for the protection and promotion of human rights. The Interfaith, Peace and Justice Committee invites you to drop in at any time between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday December 10 to write a letter, sign a petition and enjoy some light refreshments to mark International Human Rights Day. 

Deacon's Cupboard
Located at St. Peter's Anglican Church at the corner of Dundas and Mississauga Rd., and supported by area churches, including EMUC, the Deacon's Cupboard is open every Wednesday from 9:30 am - 1 pm to provide hospitality and food to those in need.  You can support the Cupboard by contributing nonperishable food or through financial contributions.  Food and cheques for the Cupboard are collected at EMUC.  During December you are encouraged to donate vegetable oil.

Refugee Sponsorship
EMUC in partnership with Erindale, Streetsville and Eden United Churches has drafted a proposal for refugee sponsorship. This proposal was approved by EMUC's Leadership Circle. Approval is being sought from the other congregatinal governing bodies. When this is achieved, the three churches will work under the guidance of the United Church of Canada to prepare the necessary documentation to be eligible for refugee sponsorship. Information and ways to help will be shared in the New Year so that you can participate in this important work. To learn more about what is involved in refugee sponsorship go to this link at the website of the United Church of Canada.
http://www.united-church.ca/humanrights/refugees/faq

In This Issue
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.
Contact Us
Peter Kiteley Erin Mills United Church
Erin Mills United Church

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