EMUC   
  Friday Message & 
                Upcoming Events
 Oct. 21, 2016
IN THIS ISSUE
Friday Message
Upcoming Events
  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.


QUICK LINKS


Welcome to EMUC's weekly message.   W e are in 'The Season After Pentecost' or 'Ordinary Time' which is represented by the colour 'green' and lasts until the beginning of Advent. 

There are lots of upcoming activities at EMUC.  View the calendar of events on the website at  www.emuc.ca . 

The copy deadline for the November Communique newsletter is  Nov. 4th.  This issue will contain the planned Advent activities. Send any information or articles for the newsletter to Janet Morrison  at  janet.morrison@sympatico.ca.


How do we come to Church? 

A good question, one posed by Jesus in this Sunday's Gospel. Unusually set in a temple worship setting, Jesus challenges old thinking on how people come to the temple for worship. Likewise he asks us how we come to church. 

Well, I am not a morning person, which is somewhat of an occupational hazard. On Sunday I am rushing out the door, wondering if I have everything, trying to keep the dogs inside the house.   Then, it is off to Starbucks, a sheer necessity when you are allergic to mornings. 

But the drive from Burlington provides centering time, with no excuse since it is the quietest morning of the week.
 
'Centering' is a word I have (happily) heard a lot since I arrived at Erin Mills. I say happily because it is after all in God that we "live and move and have our being." Centering is an ancient way of prayer that helps us know and live that reality.
 
The Gospel this week contrasts two very different people in Jesus' time. The Pharisee was deeply centered in humble prayer and inner change; the tax collector was centered in pride and image building.
 
For the so called religious people of Jesus' time, this contrast seemed out of order.  For them the tax collector was the enemy; yet for our Lord, he was the example of the true servant.
 
This is what is wonderful about the parables of Jesus- they turn the status-quo upside down. 

As we come to church, how do we get truly centered in humility and openness to the Spirit?

One way is through the Gathering Prayer.  I already deeply appreciate this quiet time you offer, so that people can become rooted in their hearts and therefore comfortable in their pews. 
 
God strengthen us as we seek to be His hands and feet in this world. 

In Faith, Jackie
This Week at EMUC

The October edition of the   C ommunique along with other archived editions are available on the website  www.emuc.ca.   Paper copies are available at the church.

Sunday October 23 at  10 am:    Jackie Burnie
             
Sermon :    "Seasons of the Heart" 

             Scripture Reading:  Joel 2: 23-32
             Gospel Reading: : Luke 18: 9-14 
      
 After Worship:  Music Committee meeting
  
Tuesday at 7:30 pm: Membership and Pastoral Care

Wednesday at 2:00 pm: Circle of Friends
                             6:45 pm:  Prayers and communion 

Thursday at  11:30 am: Worship Committee
                          7:00 pm:  Chancel Choir practice

Sunday October  30  at 10 am: Worship & EMU Club
After Worship: Hiking with the Striders

Upcoming Events


Hiking Group
Please note that the next Sunday Hike has been changed from Oct 23rd to Oct 30th.  We will visit
Marie Curtis Park - SE corner of Mississauga.   Bring your bagged lunch to enjoy in the Narthex after the Church service.  At 12:15 we'll car pool to the park and begin the walk at 12:45 for 1-1/2 hours.   


Christmas Hampers - Extending Christmas to the Wider Community
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Advent is fast approaching. With this festive season comes our annual Christmas Hampers program. For approximately 20 years, Irene Pajot has been coordinating our hampers and she is retiring after this year. We need someone to fill this role in order to continue the program in 2017. If you are interested in taking on this coordinating position next year, please contact the church office. If you like, we would be happy to include you in this year's activities, to find out how things work and what is involved in the role. You can learn first hand from our 20 year expert, Irene, as she completes her final year of volunteering.
We are also in need of volunteers to help with various tasks, many of which are easy and not very time consuming.  Anyone able to assist, please contact the church office or add your name to the sign-up list which will be at the back of the church in November. For more information, contact Sandra Witterick, Community Life Chairperson at sandra.witterick@gmail.com.


Greening Sacred Spaces
GSS has numerous events planned and all are welcome:
Mon. Oct.24 at 5:30 pm "Feast for the Common Good" at Christ Church, Mississauga
Sat. Oct 29 at 7:00 pm Screening of "This Changes Everything", an Avi Lewis Film, at East Plains UC, Burlington
For more information or to register for these events,


Euchre and Dessert Evening
Saturday, November 5
EMUC will be hosting a Euchre and Dessert evening.
Cost is $10.00 per person. Arrival time 6:30 p.m. Play starts at 7 p.m.
Contact maryanna.williams10@gmail.com to reserve seating. Singles welcomed. Pay at the door.

 
The Deacon's Cupboard
The Cupboard needs soup (chicken noodle is a favourite), peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. 
Volunteer drivers are required to help with the transportation of food from the Mississauga Food Bank to the cupboard.  
Involvement would normally be once every 4/5 weeks.   If interested, or to obtain more information, contact Mike Ogilvie 905-820-2387 or 

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Contact Us:

Peter Kiteley, Office Administrator
office@emuc.ca
Erin Mills United Church