Friday Message and what's coming.

Friday Message

What's Coming!

March 22, 2019

Season: Lent

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Rev. Kathi's Message

I looked at the faces and read the stories of the people killed in New Zealand last Friday. I saw my own grandchildren in the face of a 3-year-old boy. I felt the anguish his family must be going through losing such joy from their lives. I thought about the children who no longer have a mother or a father, and the people who lost a brother, a sister, a best friend. It’s moments like this, when I see the human impact of hate, that my heart cries out “Why God? Why?”

Christians are explicitly called to love our neighbors, those who are like us and those who are not. Jesus’ example prioritizes the margins of society and reaching out to those who are deeply hurting. Christians are to not bear false witness against another, which should prompt us to stand against falsehoods being spread about a group of people.

This theological grounding is a major part of why I think we are called to create peace with our Muslim neighbours. But there’s something else that should be pulling white Christians into addressing Islamophobia: it’s our problem.

Anti-Muslim hate is deeply intertwined with white supremacy and racial bias. The work to dismantle the root causes of this hate falls heavily on Christian communities. Church should be involved because if Christians don’t take responsibility for un-fertilizing the ground that breeds hate and violence, then we will not see change. It’s on us to confess how some Christians have contributed to Islamophobia and transform our repentance into collective action.

White Protestants in the United States hold the most negative views about Islam and Muslims, according to a recent survey. Politicians know this and play on these negative feelings in order to win political support by scapegoating Muslims for all sorts of social ills. While running anti-Muslim campaigns may be a losing strategy since most of us believe that Muslims deserve the same rights and dignity as any other community, the rhetoric that politicians use has deep and lasting effects.

When mainstream media gives seven times more coverage to acts of violence committed by people self-identifying as Muslim compared to similar acts perpetrated by people of other backgrounds, we have a recipe for hate and violence against Muslims as a group. Those on the fringe of our society who harbor extreme anti-Muslim views are emboldened to proudly wave the flag of hate in the public square, and even to commit horrific acts of violence like the New Zealand tragedy or like the mosque shooting in Quebec two years ago.

White Christians must recognize our responsibility to be at the forefront of fighting anti-Muslim discrimination and violence. It’s our communities that hold the most alarming anti-Muslim views. Those of us who wield influence must use it at this critical time. If we want to roll back the tide of hate, we can start right now in our own communities. And may God be with us.

Rev. Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Sunday March 24th:

10:00 am: Lent 3 - Worship led by Rev. Kathi

Scripture: Isaiah 55: 1-9

Gospel: Luke 13: 1-9

Message: "Suffering, the Cross and the Promise of Love "

Monday March 25th:

6:30 pm: Congregational Growth Committee Meeting

Tuesday March 26th:

Noon: Worship Committee Meeting

6:30 pm: Lent Film Study - "The Way"

Wednesday March 27th:

2:00 pm: Circle of Friends

6:45 pm: Prayers and Communion service

Thursday March 28th:

7:00 pm: Chancel Choir

Friday March 29th:

8:30 am: Garage Sale Planning

Saturday March 30th:

Next Sunday March 31st: Lent 4 - Worship Service at 10 am,

Kids' Zone for young children available during worship.

JAZZ Vespers at 7 pm.

What's Coming!

LENT FILM STUDY – DINNER AND A MOVIE!

Thank you to everyone who has waited patiently for me to decide on our study for this season of Lent. I have heard that you really enjoyed the film study last year, so I am pleased to try it again.

We will be watching and discussing the 2010 film The Way, starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. This is a powerful and inspirational story about a father who travels to France after his son has an accident while walking the Camino de Santiago. He decides to finish the pilgrimage in his son’s place and his experience has a profound impact on him.

We will meet in the sanctuary over 3 Tuesday evenings to watch a part of the movie then discuss it over a potluck meal.

Here is what you need to know:

When: March 26th, April 2nd, April 9th at 6:30pm

Where: Erin Mills United Sanctuary

What to bring: some food to share, plate and cutlery (we will have access to the kitchen on the lower level to warm some food after 6pm)

Please let Rev. Kathi know if you are coming at kathi@emuc.ca

JAZZ VESPERS

On March 31 ^st at 7:00 pm Jazz Vespers will be held at EMUC featuring the music of the great jazz keyboardists. Christina Melanie, Music Director at Applewood UC and Len Feldman, EMUC’s Music Director will be playing music by Chick Corea, Joe Zawinul, Ray Charles, and others. Plan to attend! All are welcome!

EASTER VIGIL

The Easter Vigil is a longstanding tradition at Erin Mills United and begins Thursday, April 18 ^th at 9:00 pm and continues to Saturday, April 20 ^th at 3:00 pm. The Vigil schedule will be posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church on Sunday, March 17 ^th . Please sign up for one or more ‘one hour’ periods to spend time praying, reflecting, reading, meditating or just being quiet in God’s presence. You are also invited to sign up for an “overnight” vigil for either the Thursday or Friday night (starting at 11:00 pm to 7:00 am). This was a very positive experience in the past. Bring your sleeping bag and pillow for comfort. Any questions can be directed to Sylvia Arnold.

EASTER FLOWERS

The Worship Committee is taking orders for Easter flowers from Sunday, March 17 ^th to Palm Sunday, April 14 ^th . Prices for the flowers are indicated on the order envelopes located on the back table outside the conference room. The flowers will be used to decorate the church for Easter Sunday and anyone who wishes can take their flowers home after the service. Please note that we do not purchase lilies out of consideration for those who have scent allergies.

GIFTS OF VISION - A GIVING CATALOGUE FROM MISSION AND SERVICE.

Are you looking for an Easter gift giving idea? Have a look at the catalogue from our own Mission and Service. There are 21 Canadian, Indigenous Canadian and 9 World idea, large and small. Plus four back pages of past very popular ones. They cover many areas of need which could help change someone's life for the better.

Ruth Noble preached at EMUC recently. She is part of the M&S arm of the church who produce this catalogue annually. The United Church and their partners continue to work hard to sustain one of our core mandates - hope and healing for others. If you wish visit www.giftswithvision.ca to donate on line . There are many needs in this world. Your donation will make a difference.

'FUNDSCRIP' PROGRAM

FUNDSCRIP is 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 purchased through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church.

Order forms for gift cards are available the last Sunday of every month. The next order date is Sunday, March 31st. Speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.