Friday Message and what's coming

Friday Message

What's Coming!

March 13, 2020

Lent

Rev. Kathi's Message

The last couple of days, information about COVOD-19 is changing hour by hour. Even so, fear and confusion seem to be increasing.

We have all been told the best ways to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and most of it is common sense. Please listen to trusted sources of information. The Chief Medical Officers for the country, province and city are a constant presence on the media and they offer the most accurate advice.

Unless we have reason to change our plans, we will be gathering on Sunday for our regular worship service, but we will be taking a few extra precautions:

Greeters will not be shaking hands.
Bulletins should be picked up, not handed out.
Offering plates will be at the worship desk and you will be directed to drop your envelope or card there.
Try to leave space between yourself and others where possible.
We will pass the peace in one general greeting not individually and without touching.

As we have been saying the past few weeks, please use your best judgment about how you will participate in the Sunday service.

This means that some of our vulnerable church family members are not going to be able to come to Sunday service and may be isolated in their homes. Please check in on those who might be alone or struggling with isolation. If you know of anyone who is in quarantine or self-isolation and needs help with groceries or other errands, please contact the church and we will do our best to help them out. If you are willing to help with this care, please let Tina in the church office know (905)820-9466.

The United Church of Canada has put forth a statement on the webpage. (See the whole statement at www.united-church.ca/news/covid-19-united-church-statemen t )

The Church calls for our faith communities to respond to the pandemic with compassion, prevention and prayer:

As a church, we seek a compassionate response that acknowledges the personhood attached to each statistic. We know that the people affected include not only those infected by the COVID-19 virus but also their families, friends, co-workers, and community members. We mourn with people whose loved ones have died, who have lost their livelihood through the growing economic impact, who have lost community through self-isolation and limited travel, and, who have lost a sense of security through fear of contamination or racial discrimination.

We also offer our prayers of thanksgiving for the professionals who are providing leadership in the treatment and containment of the virus, and our prayers of concern for those who put at risk their personal health to serve and support others, especially those who are most vulnerable.

We hope the most vulnerable people in our society will be able to rely on us—communities of faith—to do all that we can to prevent the spread of both the virus and of the fears surrounding it We can ensure that our gathering places promote good preventive practices, and when necessary, we can provide alternative programming—like online worship or Bible study, or bagged lunches for meal programs—for those who are most at risk in large group gatherings or are isolated due to vulnerability.

Our faithful response of compassion and prevention needs to be surrounded and guided by our continual prayer for the well-being of all people. May we continue to collaborate and learn from health care professionals as we seek ways to honor and respect all people at all times.

It is more important than ever that we remain a calm, non-anxious presence in our community; a model of caring and Christ’s love for all.

Rev. Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Sunday March 15: Lent 3

10:00 a.m.: Worship led by Rev. Kathi Phillips

Time for all ages question: What was the most challenging conversation you have ever had?

Hebrew Scripture: Exodus 17: 1-7

Gospel Lesson: John 4: 5-30, 39-42

Message: Leaving It All Behind

Guest Musician: Heather Goward

Kidz Zone available

Monday March 16:

6:00 p.m.: Lenten Film Study and Dinner

Tuesday March 17:

6:45 p.m.: Leadership Circle Meeting

Wednesday March 18:

4:30 p.m.: Pastoral Care Meeting

6:45 p.m.: Prayer and Communion

8:00 p.m.: Rental Assist Team - None Required

Thursday March 19:

10:00 a.m.: Congregational Growth Committee

12:30 p.m.: Minister Lectionary Study Group

6:30 p.m.: Affirming Congregation Meeting

7:00 p.m.: Chancel Choir

Friday March 20:

Saturday March 21:

Next Sunday March 22: Lent 4 - Service at 10:00 a.m. led by Rev. Kathi Phillips, Kidz Zone available

What's Coming!

Lent and Easter 2020

Mar. 1 – Mar. 29

During Lent, services will feature Lenten themes and at each service we will light candles . Often, Lent is seen as a time of growing darkness and gloom. This year the scriptures promote growing and expanding light, newness and hope. We will be bringing in light to each of the 5 Sundays leading up to Palm Sunday.

Sunday Apr. 5, 10:00 a.m., Palm Sunday

Experience the joy of the Palm Parade and the passion of entering into Holy week.

Thursday Apr. 9, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Maundy Thursday

The church will be open from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm for anyone to drop in at their leisure and experience a self-guided “meditative style” service with Communion, remembering The Last Supper with Jesus.

Thursday Apr. 9, 9:00 p.m. - Saturday Apr. 11 3:00 p.m., Vigil

The Easter Vigil is a longstanding tradition at Erin Mills United. 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 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.. Bring your sleeping bag and pillow for comfort.

Friday Apr. 10, 9 a.m., Good Friday Service

A worship service with readings, reflections, and special music. A hot cross bun breakfast follows the service with breakfast for everyone

Sunday Apr. 12, 10:00 a.m., Easter Service

Worship and communion with the Easter Dance and special joyous music.

Becoming an Affirming Congregation

When the Congregational Growth committee asked for feedback from the congregation, there was overwhelming support for the project of becoming an Affirming Congregation. As a result of this feedback, the Leadership Circle has approved the exploration of EMUC becoming an Affirming Congregation. Affirming ministries within the United Church are those that publicly declare their commitment to inclusion and justice for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Although these Affirming ministries make explicit statements about these specific issues, they work in many different ways toward the healing and wholeness of creation by challenging bias and discrimination, working to end racism, promoting economic justice, increasing accessibility and caring for the planet.

The journey to becoming an Affirming Congregation is lengthy and involves many steps.

The education and discernment process will involve the whole congregation. At this point, we need to find interested individuals to work as a small committee. This group would need to read, prepare, plan and present workshops to the congregation as we move through this journey together.

If you would like to hear more about the process and how you might become part of the Affirming Committee, please join us at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19 at the church.

Please speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions.

Talk- Up EMUC

Do you need a change of pace, some up time, some down time? Come to one of our social event activities

Women’s groups, men’s groups
Yoga classes, hiking groups
Choir and special music groups
Bunch for lunch

You’re welcome to join in wherever you feel comfortable

Submitted by Congregational Growth Committee

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE - Tickets Now Available

The hottest ticket in town is finally available! Tickets for our upcoming “Midsummers Nightmare” fundraising dinner/show will be available beginning Sunday, March 8. There will be 2 evening shows on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26 at Eden United Church. Tickets are $35.00 each and include your 3 course dinner and the show. We are hoping to sell out each show so plan to get your tickets early and secure a table for your friends and family. All cheques are to be made out to Eden United Church Women. Please see or call Joanne Hines or Sandy Hayes to book your tickets.

BROADVIEW MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Tina has just received a renewal notice from Broadview Magazine. Our current subscriptions expire June 2020. If you are a subscriber, your subscription will automatically renew unless you contact Tina Driscoll in the office by March 31. Your yearly subscription rate remains at $25.00 for the year. Please make cheques payable to Erin Mills United Church, and Tina will make the payment on everyone’s behalf. If you are paying by cash you may do so in the office, or by putting your payment in an envelope marked Broadview, and sliding it under my office door after service. Likewise, if you are not a subscriber but would like to start, let Tina know and she can sign you up.

Regardless if you are renewing, terminating or adding a subscription, Tina asks that you contact the office at (905)820-9466, or a t office@emuc.ca. If yo u have any questions, please let her know and she will try to help in any way that she can!

EXPLORE GREEN LIVING EVENT

On Saturday, March 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., EMUC is hosting this event with interactive learning and presentations on this topic. For more information, click on Green Living Poster

Request from Tina:

The church is running low on hand sanitizer and stores are in short supply. ): If you see hand sanitizer when you are out and about, please pick some up, and the office will reimburse you from Petty Cash.

EASTER FLOWERS:

Once again, the Worship Committee is taking orders for Easter flowers. Prices for the flowers are indicated on the envelopes which are located on the back table outside the conference room. Orders will be taken from Sunday, March 8 to Palm Sunday, April 5. The flowers will be used to decorate the church for Easter Sunday morning 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.

EASTER VIGIL:

The Easter Vigil is a longstanding tradition at Erin Mills United. 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. Many people have found this to be a meaningful and spiritual experience. The Vigil will commence on Thursday, April 9 at 9:00 p.m. and continues to Saturday, April 11, at 3:00 p.m.

The last two years people were invited to sign up for an “overnight” vigil for either the Thursday or Friday night (starting at 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). Since this was a positive experience, you are once again invited to bring your sleeping bag and pillow for comfort.

Please sign up for time slots on the Vigil sheet located on the bulletin board outside the office door. Any questions can be directed to Sylvia Arnold.

HANDBAGS & HYGIENE - A DEACON'S CUPBOARD INITIATIVE

Every month, healthy women of childbearing age who are not pregnant, have a menstrual period. Feminine hygiene products are expensive, especially for women who already struggle to pay rent and put food on the table. Many women also come from a background where anything to do with their monthly cycle is taboo or even embarrassing.

In an effort to help our guests who may be challenged with these issues, we are collecting feminine hygiene products (pads and tampons) and non-see-through purses/handbags/cosmetic bags, so that we can discreetly distribute feminine hygiene products to those in need.

Please contact Cindy Young for more information. Donations of items can be placed in the Deacon’s Cupboard basket at Erin Mills United Church.

Please note donations are needed by March 31, 2020.

• Feminine hygiene products - pads and/or tampons

• New or gently used purses, handbags

• New or gently used large cosmetics bags

• Financial contributions to help us purchase supplies

Save the Date:

Striders' Hikes are being planned for April 19 and May 24.

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

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