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      FRIDAY MESSAGE  &  Upcoming Events

                         July 13, 2018

 
Season:  Ordinary Time                             emuc.ca


                   Rev. Kathi's Message:
Kathi is on vacation. Her message will resume on August 10th.


The United Church of Canada will be re-organizing our governing structures at the end of this year. Moving forward we will no longer be receiving our regular oversight visits from Halton Presbytery.
The Presbytery thought it would be helpful for the incoming Regional Council if they could have an updated profile of each faith community in the region.

Our Leadership Circle has been working on answers to six questions the Presbytery has asked about us and they would welcome your input. For the coming weeks, while Kathi is on vacation, we will feature one of the questions  each Friday and give you an opportunity to provide input.

The Leadership Circle would like your input.  Please review the question and answer below and provide any feedback you may have to Barb Jennings, Chair of Communications by responding to this email or sending a separate email to Barb directly at  [email protected]


Question #2    
What are the most life-giving relationships among the people in your congregation?


While we have many life-giving relationships among our congregants, those identified as the most life-giving include the following:
  • The Connections Formed Through Our Church Life
The relationship with our new minister has been most life-giving for us a congregation here at EMUC
"I feel our Minister has made a connection with us as a congregation and certainly with me personally." -  Comment from a member of our congregation
 
Members of our congregation have found the connections made with others, new or old, to be some of the most life-giving relationships at EMUC
    • people who are in the same life stage or have similar interests has been life-giving for many of our congregants
    • friendships have developed and maintained over the years through worshiping together
    • relationships have formed through taking on leadership roles in EMUC and is considered life-giving for many of our members
    • for others, a sense of belonging that is felt by participating in our small activity-specific groups such as Striders, Book Clubs, Lunch Bunch, Women for Women, Loaves and Dishes is life-giving
    • EMUC provides many opportunities for life-giving relationships to form and other connections to strengthen among the people in our congregation. 
  • Strong Supportive Networks 
The most life-giving relationships are evident in our supportive network of congregants and through our minister and support staff at EMUC
    • the compassion of our minister toward everyone is life-giving to many, and especially evident in our minister visitations when congregants are in hospital
    • some of the most life-giving relationships at EMUC include support and celebration among congregants during the good times, be it weddings, baptisms, or youth confirmations
    • other life-giving relationships include support provided to others in those challenging times, be it illness, bereavement, or mental or physical health issues
    • the caring, support and prayers offered to others in times of need is considered to be most life-giving at EMUC
    • our prayer chain offers special prayers to those in need and has been identified by many as a most life-giving relationship at EMUC
    • supportive networks are also developed through participating in shared group situations such as the Circle of Friends at EMUC:
"Our Circle of Friends group is an opportunity for ladies to get out twice a month for laughter, conversation and food. This is so important when older people have health issues or are living alone and are lonely." -   Comment from a member of our congregation
 
The encouragement and support of one another and the caring relationships developed between and among our church congregants, minister and staff, are some of the most life-giving relationships at EMUC. These connections remind us that we are all part of a large family at EMUC and under God.
 
  • Activities and Programs
"With so many opportunities to get involved, an individual can start out slow, volunteer or participate in a cause close to them.  What follows is you meet caring, interesting people and the next thing you know new relationships are formed, each learning from the other." -  Comment from a member of our congregation
    • the mere range of activities is considered life-giving at EMUC
    • community programs we support through our congregation include: Out of the Cold, Open Door, Deacon's Cupboard, Refugee Sponsorship as well as our annual Christmas Hamper Program
    • we have many special interest activities such as our book clubs, euchre nights, Circle of Friends, Women for Women, Bridge Club, Bogeys to Birdies (ladies' golf group) or our Men's Groups; these activities have provided many opportunities for life-giving relationships
    • our Wednesday evening communion and prayer services are considered life-giving for some of our congregants
    • the Choirs - be it the Sunday Choir, Impromptu or Off the Cuff, the relationship between music and our congregants is strong at EMUC and brings a great deal of joy to those in attendance
    • special dinners are held throughout the year which are considered life-giving by many; e.g., Pancake supper, Strawberry Social
    • the friendliness and welcome expressed by many on a Sunday morning, during our Sharing of the Peace, coffee hour following service or through our "open table" communion, are all believed to be life-giving
    • our Welcome Program at EMUC: a program for welcoming new people who come through our church doors is considered exceptional and most life-giving for our visitors and newcomers
Whether through the Welcome Program or general conversations by congregation members with newcomers who walk through our doors, our congregation considers these activities to be life-giving for both its members and visitors.
 
We welcome your input and feedback! Thank you!
 


                This Week at EMUC


Sunday July 15th       
                     10:00 am:
 Worship - led by Barb Finlay
                                       Scripture:  Responsive reading Psalm 85
                                       Gospel:  Mark 6: 14-29
                                        Message: 'The Power of Fear'

Wednesday 6:45 pm:   Prayer and Communion service is cancelled for                                             July and will  resume August 8th.                                 
                 
                  
Next Sunday July 22:   Worship will be led by Barb Finlay


Rev. Kathi is on holidays until August 7th.  
For any pastoral concerns, please contact Peter/Sylvia in the office 905-820-9466 ext 23

Summer Office Hours: Monday 1- 4 pm; Tuesday Wednesday, Thursday 9-12 noon & 1- 4 pm; Friday 9 -1pm

        
             
         
  
                                                                
Upcoming Events:


Thank You !!!

A huge thank you to our EMUC family who responded with generosity to the appeal for assistance for Joseph Matumaini and family. Through your donations an apartment has been secured for Joseph, his wife and daughter, beginning August 1st.

Joseph's family members arrive on July 24th and while his wife is able to share his current accommodation, it is not appropriate for his teen-aged daughter. If you are able to host this young lady (who is French speaking) until the family can move into their new home (if only for a part of the time needed) please speak to Deb Sturgeon or Sandra Witterick.

This is the last week of this benevolent campaign!



REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP UPDATE
Tarek is settling in well and getting to know the city.  He has been introduced to Nidal with whom we were working when we first started the sponsorship process. Nidal's educational background is similar to Tarek's and he has volunteered to assist him in getting his credentials assessed and exploring the possibilities of employment in the field of translation. Tarek will be moving into a one bedroom apartment in Sheridan Homelands in July.
 
We welcomed the Nadaff family to Canada a week ago. They have moved into the two bedroom apartment on Jaguar Valley. During the summer, volunteers may be needed from time to time to help drive them to appointments.
 

BUY A CHAIR CAMPAIGN
Recently 100 chairs were purchased for the Lower Hall to replace those that were in a bad state of repair.  We have had inquiries from individuals  wanting to donate funds to help cover the cost of the chairs.   The cost of each chair was $65.00.  If you wish to make a donation, you are invited to place it on the offering plate, clearly designated for the chairs.   
 
 
'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 next order date is this Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.  There will be no FUNDSCRIP order in July.  Please see the display board at the back of the church or speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.

WHAT TO DO WITH USED GIFT CARDS?
Erin Mills Town Centre has a box beside the Guest Service desk where you can deposit your depleted, used gift cards. You may also place then in a small box on the Visitors table beside the photocopier room for those who would prefer to leave their old cards at church.  Mary Anna Williams will ensure they are dropped off at the Town Centre.   The program is run by Terracycle.ca.  If you have any questions please speak to Mary Anna.