Friday Message
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What's Coming!
February 12, 2021
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As part of our celebration of Black History Month, I was asked to find stories and examples of Black historical figures in Canada. Although most of us were not taught their stories, Black people have been present in the land we call Canada since long before Confederation. For the month of February, I will be using this space to highlight a few of them.
Olivier Le Jeune
We may never know the exact number of British ships that carried enslaved people from the continent of Africa to the New World. However, the earliest record of enslaved Black Africans in New France is the sale of a boy from either Madagascar or Guinea. In 1629, the child, believed to have been around six years old, was brought to New France aboard a British ship as the chattel slave of Sir David Kirke, a trader and privateer for England’s King Charles I. The boy was later sold to a French clerk named Olivier Le Baillif, and then transferred to Guillaume Couillard.
The boy worked on Couillard’s estate but was also sent to school where he was tutored in Catholic religious instruction by Jesuit Father Paul Le Jeune.
After months of tutoring, on May 14, 1633 the boy was baptized Olivier Le Jeune – the name “Olivier” after clerk Olivier Le Tardif, and “Le Jeune” after Jesuit Father Paul Le Jeune. Olivier Le Jeune was the first Black student recorded in Quebec.
It is believed by some that Le Jeune later lived as a free man until his death in 1654, when he would have been in his early thirties. As the first recorded Black slave and student in Quebec at the time, he was, as historian Marcel Trudel noted, “the only one of his kind in Canada.”
Rev Kathi
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Thank You
Thank you to my EMUC family for the beautiful floral arrangement, cards and messages, expressing condolences on the passing of my Dad, Peter Moote. Dad was so happy to be able to worship with us a few times in the past two months. I’ll never forget seeing his big smile on the screen on Christmas Eve. It is comforting to know that he is at peace and back together with Mom.
Rev Kathi
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UPDATE on WORSHIP SERVICES
The EMUC Sunday and Wednesday Prayer services will continue online using the Zoom platform until further notice. The possibility of returning to the building for worship will be reassessed each month at the Leadership Circle meeting.
Sunday February 14:
10:00 a.m.: Online Worship led by Rev. Kathi
Monday February 15:
7:00 p.m.: Bible Study this week is cancelled
Tuesday February 16:
6:45 p.m. Leadership Circle meeting via Zoom
Wednesday February 17:
7:00 p.m.: Service of the Ashes via Zoom
Thursday February 18:
7:00 p.m.: One Book Read via Zoom
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Service of the Ashes
Wednesday, February 17, we will be celebrating a Service of the Ashes on Zoom at 7pm. Please watch your email for details and the link to the service.
Lenten Study
Munn’s and St. Andrews United Churches are giving a Lenten study and are inviting interested EMUC congregants to join them. The study will take place via Zoom for the five Mondays in March (1,8,15,22,29) from 7 to 8 p.m. It’s ok to miss a day; come as you are able. The focus will be the book, Faith on the Move by Julie McGonegal , which is available through the United Church bookstore (online at UCRD). If you are interested, contact Tina at office@emuc.ca who will ensure you receive the ZOOM link. This is the first time these three churches have collaborated on a study group. Rev. Kate Young will lead the discussions.
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An announcement from the Affirming Ministry Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group
THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 AT 7 P.M.
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Are you looking for a new book to read during this time of lockdown? We suggest, “We Have Always Been Here – A Queer Muslim Memoir” by Samra Habib. This is the fascinating story of a young girl’s struggle against a tradition that sought to suppress her hopes and dreams simply because she was female. It’s the story of a young woman’s awakening to her true sexual identity. It’s the story of a woman’s search to find spaces where she could live out her Muslim faith in community with those who shared her sexual identity.
“We Have always Been Here” is the book the Affirming Congregations Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group have chosen for a One Book Read. “What is that?” you may ask. That’s when anyone who is interested reads the book and then joins us over Zoom to talk about the book. The discussion is being planned Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
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About Affirming Ministries
Q. What is the process for becoming an Affirming Ministry?
A. The process involves the following:
i. Contact an Affirming Ministry Coordinator (EMUC has done this)
ii. Establish an Affirming ministry working group (EMUC has done this)
iii. Write an Affirming Ministry Vision Statement, Equal Marriage Policy and an ongoing Action Plan. (To be completed)
iv. EMUC congregation votes on becoming an Affirming Ministry (recommended 75% positive minimum)
v. A planned celebration where EMUC would receive its Affirming Ministry Certificate and be added to the national list on the Affirm United website
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Introducing "New to Do"
The Membership and Pastoral Care and Communications committees are jointly launching “New to Do.”
“New to Do” will be placed in the Friday Message each week to share suggestions of a variety of entertainment to enhance your viewing, listening, reading, and doing enjoyment as we remain isolated from many of our normal activities. Anyone may make suggestions. Items on the list will not be previewed before listing, so please exercise your discretion when making suggestions to ensure they are appropriate. Submissions should be emailed to Sandy Hayes (sandyhayes88@gmail.com) by Tuesday each week, with “New to Do” as the subject. Please indicate 'time-sensitive' in the subject line if the event is occurring soon, e.g., a televised concert on (date). As space is limited, we regret we cannot guarantee all suggestions will be printed.
New to Do
100th Birthday Tribute to Hazel McCallion. Sunday, Feb 14, 7:30 p.m.
Facebook.com/missartscouncil OR YouTube: Mississauga Arts Council
Olive and Mabel - narrated by Andrew Cotter (dog stories)
Search "Andrew Cotter" or "Olive and Mabel" on YouTube.
(Book available: Olive, Mabel and Me)
13th - (Netflix, documentary)
Click on link then browse weekly activities or click on the February calendar.
Note: EMUC does not endorse any suggestions appearing in “New to Do.”
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Donations to EMUC
Some of you have asked how you can make donations to operations, mission and service, the benevolent fund, and the Deacon’s Cupboard. You can donate through Canada Helps by going to www.emuc.ca or by mailing a cheque to EMUC at 3010 The Collegeway, Mississauga, ON., L5L 4X9. Please mark the envelope "Attention Envelope Secretary".
Please note that Deacon's Cupboard would prefer to receive financial donations rather than actual food donations because the church remains closed so that managing food is difficult. The Cupboard is giving only vouchers to its guests. They are open only on Wednesdays and not on Monday evenings for the duration of the pandemic.
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.
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Office Hours:
Following the latest government order, Tina will be working from home and only going in to the church for essential work when needed.
Also she will be retrieving phone messages remotely only for her and Rev Kathi’s voicemail boxes. So if you are leaving a voice message please make sure you don’t leave it in the general EMUC phone voicemail box.
Tina can be reached Monday to Friday; 9:30am-4:00pm. For the quickest response please email office@emuc.ca, If calling to leave a message use (905)820-9466 ext. 23: messages will be picked up remotely.
If you need access to the church, contact the office and Tina is happy to schedule an appointment.
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Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca |
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