 |
|
Rev. Kathi's Message:
As the seasons turn, the world around us changes, and the world within changes as well. Some of us may find our interior season matches that of the world around us-maybe we are lucky enough to have autumn outside and a winding down and preparation for rest inside. I suspect it's more common for us who have winter and Christmas in the same season to find that autumn outdoors is complemented by something rather opposite of rest in our interior lives.
Fall was so long and languid this year and then suddenly this week it is winter. The Christmas decorations are up in the shops, the Christmas Market in the Distillery District opened a week ago, and I have had to go unpack boxes - packed last June when I was sure we would have been settled into our new home by now - to find my heavy coat. While in Mississauga leaves are still falling, and we've only had the lightest of snow in Stouffville, it still feels like winter.
Inside, I'm still feeling the wonder of our new ministry together, which feels more like spring, with all its hope and possibility and newness. This season's interior/exterior mis-match is different than others I've experienced, and I'm trying to lean into both and let them show me the beauty that can come from a simultaneous spring/autumn.
I pray that you will find rest in autumnal days, before the Christmas rush gets a hold of you. And if you are in the midst of some seasonal dissonance, may it reveal to you yet another aspect of God's character and grace along the way.
Peace,
Rev. Kathi
|
To celebrate this year's stewardship program the Leadership Circle invites you to join us for lunch after the worship service this Sunday. Members of the Leadership Circle are personally providing and serving the food to thank-you for your support.
If you have not returned your commitment form, please do so as soon as possible, as we have stressed before, the results of this program will help guide our budget preparation for 2018.
|
|
This Week at EMUC
Sunday at 10:00 am:
Worship led by Rev. Kathi Phillips
Advent 1 - Lighting the Candle of Hope
Scripture: Responsive Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Sermon: 'If the World Were to End'
After the service: Stewardship Luncheon
'Hanging of the Greens' - Decorating the church for Christmas
If you would like to do so, bring an ornament to decorate our tree. The ornament may be either left for future decorating or taken home after Christmas.
Monday:
Deadline for our Christmas issue of the newsletter. Please send your copy into the office (
office@emuc.ca)
by noon.
Thursday at
7:00 pm: Chancel Choir
Next Sunday at 10:00 am: Worship
|
Upcoming Events:
Next Meeting: Tonight,
Friday, November 24th Bake it - Take It
Christmas Readiness !! Dinner at 6; $10 RSVP to
Cathy Scattergood by Nov. 20th.
More info posted on bulletin board.
SALVATION ARMY CHRISTMAS CONCERT
The Annual Salvation Army Christmas concert is taking place at the Living Arts Centre on
Sunday, November 26 at 4:30 or 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $2.00 each to cover the service charge. If you are interested in attending, please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board or see Laura Macro for tickets. While the Women for Women group orders & distributes the tickets, the tickets are available to anyone who would like to attend.
For many years, EMUC and friends have been generous sponsors of our Christmas program. To allow for more consistent giving across families and to address the dietary and cultural needs of those we are helping; rather than having a gift tag tree, special offering envelopes are available for individuals, families or even EMUC committees to make a donation towards the purchase of gifts for the children of our sponsored families. You could also chose to sponsor a family through your donation, with monies used to provide food vouchers for a special Christmas meal. Envelopes are available throughout November and will be collected on or before White Gift Sunday (Dec. 10th). Our youth, both within EMUC and our local community groups, will be assisting this year with the shopping of items and the packing and wrapping of the gifts. Delivery or pick up of gifts and food vouchers will be made in the usual manner around December 10th Please consider making a contribution this year to help make this holiday special for families in need, in our wider community. Remember to use the envelopes provided so your donation can be recorded through the church for your income tax purposes. For more information, contact Sandra Witterick at
sandra.witterick@gmail.com
.
POINSETTIA SALES
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 26, 2017 and plants will be available for pick-up at EMUC by December 4.
Prices are as follows:
6" (red) $10
8" (red, pink, or white) $20
10" (red, pink, or white) $25
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.
'FUNDSCRIP' PROGRAM
We are continuing with FUNDSCRIP, an innovative fundraising program that asks you to purchase gift cards in order to pay for regular items you buy every month. A percentage of the cards we purchase through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church. Order forms for gift cards will be available the last Sunday of every month. The October cards can be picked up this Sunday.
The next order date is Sunday, November 26. Please see the display board at the back of the church or speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.
THE OUT OF THE COLD PROGRAM
The Out of the Cold program is starting up again. Donations of gently used, clean winter outerwear as well as blankets would be appreciated. Please bring your donations to EMUC & leave them in the coat room. They are brought to the Open Door at Square One for distribution to their guests. Thank you.
DEACON'S CUPBOARD
The Cupboard continues to receive more and more guests each week. Please help by donating food and personal care items (the box is at the back beside the elevator) or making a financial contribution to Erin Mills United - Deacon's Cupboard. Please remember that we have no overhead. Every worker at the Cupboard is a volunteer. Currently there is a need for pure apple and orange juice in large boxes or juice boxes, peanut butter, and fava beans.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
