Friday Message and what's coming

Friday Message

What's Coming!

September 13, 2019

Creation Time

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Rev. Kathi's Message

I enjoyed researching the Lord’s Prayer for the sermon series last month. The point of the series was to help us think about what it is we are really saying when we speak or sing those familiar words. And some thoughts have been sticking with me even though the series is finished.

Forgive us our trespasses JUST AS we forgive those who trespass against us.

Since millions of us say these words every Sunday in churches of every denomination, it would be fair to wonder what the impact of this prayer has been on Christians. Are we more forgiving? Do we know more about forgiveness?

How about you? How long have you been praying this prayer? How many times do you think you have prayed it in your lifetime? Most importantly, what difference has it made?

It was C.S. Lewis, in one of his more candid moments, who dared to observe:

Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea, until they have something to forgive.

As we start the federal election campaign, I need to admit that current politics test my capacity to forgive. I find it nearly impossible to forgive the politicians who refuse to act on the climate crisis. I struggle to forgive people's refusal to own their racism and do something about it (myself included). I struggle to forgive men who still use their social power to oppress women, even when they know better. I struggle to forgive people who lack compassion for the poor, refugees, the under-educated, the unhoused, and the mentally ill.

Jesus didn't suggest that we learn to forgive. He commanded it. He knew that forgiveness is the only pathway to true freedom. Critically, forgiveness doesn't mean allowing harm to come or continue. It simply means making the distinction between judging the action and judging the person.

I know that over the coming weeks, as a nation, we need to work on this. And I know that includes me.

Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Sunday September 15th:

10:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Kathi

Time for all ages question:

"When have you felt lost, but been found ? "

Epistle Lesson: 1 Timothy 1: 12-17

Gospel Lesson: Luke 15: 1-10

Message: "Tony, Tony Turn Around"

Following service: Bunch for Lunch at Symposium Cafe

Monday September 16th:

Tuesday September 17th:

6:00 pm: Leadership Circle

8:00 pm: David Brignal (Rental Assist Team)

Wednesday September 18th:

6:45 pm: Prayers and Communion

Thursday September 19th:

5:00 pm: Congregational Growth and Development

7:00 pm: Chancel Choir

Friday September 20th:

6:30 pm: EMUC Bridge Club

Saturday September 21st:

Next Sunday September 22nd: Service at 10 am. Rev. Kathi leads worship.

What's Coming!

TRANSITIONS

Condolences are sent to Lynda Appleby who is mourning the death of her husband , Trevor Appleby . Trevor passed away on September 12 ^th . The funeral will be held at EMUC on Monday September 16 ^th at 1:30 pm. Our thoughts and prayers are sent to Lynda and extended family.

CLIMATE CHANGE

My Caribbean region is suffering the dire consequences of climate change! Unlike the large economies of the world, who are responsible for most of climate change, our small islands do not have the vast resources needed for rebuilding. My heart is breaking for my Caribbean sisters and brothers and the grandmothers, grandfathers and children of the Bahamas. Not only have people lost homes and businesses, many are enduring the agony of not being able to locate loved ones.

None of us living in the region or of the diaspora is at ease during the hurricane season because we do not know if/when our island will be hit with a storm such as Dorian or Irma (which in 2017 devastated Barbuda, the sister island of Antigua, and Tortola where many of my relatives reside).

Climate Change is real! World, we gotta do better! We have to take better care of the planet that has been entrusted to us.

Submitted by Dianne Hope

(Please note that if you would like to help with the United Church's relief and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the cheques should be made out to the United Church of Canada.)

BUNCH FOR LUNCH

Interested in a time of fellowship following service? Please join us Sun. Sept. 15 ^th at Symposium Restaurant:

3055 Dundas St. West (same plaza as Starsky’s). Contact Larry van Goozen ( lgoozen@gmail.com ) if you wish to attend. This will enable us to reserve space at the restaurant. There will be separate cheques.

BRIDGE CLUB

The EMUC Bridge Club gets together enmasse 2 times per year; once in September and the second time in June. During the rest of the season, pairs meet monthly either as hosts or guests. Our September meeting is set for the Lower Hall on Sept. 20 ^th at 6:30 pm.

Persons new to the game are invited to learn and join the fun!

THE DEACON’S CUPBOARD IS RUNNING ONCE AGAIN

The Deacon’s Cupboard will be collecting winter coats this fall. They will be given to their clients that are in need of warm outer wear next winter. There is a special need for children's outerwear. I am sharing this information hoping over the summer you might ask neighbours and family if they have coats to donate. We will be collecting them in October. Please check all donations to be sure they are clean and in good repair. This notice gives you time to wash or dry clean them. Thanks, in advance for sharing the warmth and caring we have at Erin Mills United Church with those in our area that need warmth this coming winter.

MY YEAR OF LIVING SPIRITUALLY

An award-winning writer for Broadview magazine (formerly the United Church Observer ) has a new memoir out this fall that explores her experimental year of sampling more than 20 spiritual practices and also documents her journey away from fundamentalism to becoming "spiritual-but-not-religious."

My Year of Living Spiritually—From Woo-Woo to Wonderful: One Woman's Secular Quest for a More Soulful Life, will be published in October by Douglas & McIntyre. Anne Bokma, a longtime Broadview feature writer, wrote the magazine's "Spiritual But Secular" column for four years, which led to a yearlong blog called "My Year of Living Spiritually," now turned into a book.

'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 September 29. Speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.