Communiqué
June 2019


Ordinary
Time 
A Birthday Celebration
On June 10 th , The United Church of Canada will be 94 years old! The Church was inaugurated on June 10 th , 1925 in Toronto, Ontario, when the Methodist Church, Canada, the Congregational Union of Canada, and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian Church of Canada entered into a union. Also joining was the small General Council of Union Churches, centred largely in Western Canada. It was the first union of churches in the world to cross historical denominational lines and received international acclaim. Each of the founding churches had a long history in Canada prior to 1925. The movement for church union began with the desire to coordinate ministry in the vast Canadian northwest and for collaboration in overseas missions. Congregations in Indigenous communities from each of the original denominations were an important factor in the effort toward church union. 

Since its formation, the United Church has been in the forefront of social change. We are known to be inclusive and liberal: there are no restrictions of gender, sexual orientation or marital status for a person considering entering the ministry; interfaith marriages are recognized; communion is offered to all Christian adults and children, regardless of denomination or age.

We are a church of human people and we haven’t always made perfect decisions. At church union the church inherited responsibility for twelve native residential schools that were designed to assimilate first nations children into Canadian culture. By the 1940s, thinking had begun to change about the underlying assumptions, and in 1949, the church began to close the schools in its care, closing the last in 1969. It took several more decades before we acknowledged our responsibility in the legacy of abuse that took place in these schools, and official apologies were given in 1986 and in 1998.

Some of the causes the church has supported over the years include: help for the unemployed during the Great Depression; the rights of interned Japanese Canadians in the Second World War; universal health care in the 1950s; emergency aid to American draft dodgers; anti-apartheid boycott of South Africa, full membership regardless of sexual orientation; and peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.

We have a lot to celebrate and still a lot left to accomplish. I hope that you feel proud to be a part of our amazing church. Happy birthday!
 
Rev. Kathi
From the Chair of the Leadership Circle
I have spent a lot of time indoors recently as a consequence of having eye surgery.  I’ve had to put my usual activities on hold – no yoga, gym workouts or brisk walks outside; no gardening. Reading and watching TV while lying only on one side, or with the affected eye covered have also been part of my life for the last four weeks. I’ve sometimes had to maneuver with the help of someone else.  As one friend mused, its amazing how injury to one small body part can impact not only the rest of the body but also one’s life style. 


This observation brought home to me the biblical wisdom that each part of the body is important and has a role to play. As a body, Erin Mills United is made up of many people both staff and congregants. Peter Kiteley was our Office Administrator and Building Coordinator for the last 14 years and is now retired! Peter played a huge role in the life of our church. He worked closely with ministry staff, prepared materials for regular and special services, worked on our finances, supported our various groups and programs and in addition, ensured our building is safe and comfortable for ourselves and our tenants. I take this moment to publicly thank Peter for his years of dedicated service to EMUC, so often going over and above any job description. One person positively impacting the whole of life at EMUC!  Best wishes in your retirement Peter!


Don’t be surprised however, if on occasion, you notice Peter busy at work in the office. While the search for the right person to fill the Office Administrator position continues, Peter and Sylvia Arnold will share the role for the month of June. The office will be open from 9:30 - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday until further notice. We hope to soon fill the vacant position.


After June 9, our annual Picnic Sunday, most of our groups and committees will take a well-deserved break for the summer. But we will still continue to gather for worship on Sunday mornings, and, as mentioned in the paragraph above, the church office will be open during the week.


Know that each and every one of its members and adherents is an important part of the body of Erin Mills United Church. We all have a role to play in extending God’s love both within and without the doors of the church.  So, lets take time to rest and recharge during the hot summer days ahead.  As we are freed from committee work and meetings maybe we can also make time to reflect on how we can use our assets to encourage others to join us as we seek to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. 


Have a safe and happy summer everyone!


Dianne Hope
Chair, Leadership Circle
Thanks!
Thanks to:

  • Cathy Scattergood, Debby Sturgeon, Barb Jennings, Cathy Kiteley and all the ladies who helped plan and present the Women for Women season end retreat
  • Patti King and Spencer Ekels for helping to clear the leftover garage sale books
  • Cathy Kiteley, Patti King, Hilton Jeffers, Barb Jennings and all who participated in the Asset Mapping sessions
ANNUAL EMUC PICNIC: This Sunday!! (June 9)
Grab your sun hat and plan to stay after worship on Sunday for lunch at our annual picnic. Hosted by the Membership and Pastoral Care Committee, sandwiches and lemonade will be supplied. Please bring a salad or appetizer to share, if possible. BYOLC: (lawn chair). It's a perfect time to be together before summer travels.
Life at EMUC


ONTARIO MALE CHORUS AND 'BOYS IN B' CONCERT
What great music! On Sunday, May 26 th , the Ontario Male Chorus and Boys in B performed a wonderful concert at EMUC. The music was varied. A special tribute, ‘For the Beauty of the Earth’ was sung for Greg Phillips, who was a long-standing member of the chorus. Both choirs delighted the audience with numerous songs, separately and as a combined choir. Refreshments were provided by the choir after the concert. The evening was delightful! Plan to attend next year’s concert!
Ontario Male Chorus and Boys in B


TRANSITIONS

On Sunday, June 2 nd, six people joined EMUC: Lynda Appleby, Lorraine Moore, Sarah Philips, Caren Sexton, Audrey Thomson, and David Thomson


ASSET MAPPING UPDATE

The fifth and final Asset Mapping session was held on May 22 nd . There were nine participants. In total 40 people participated in the Asset Mapping exercises. Thanks to all who participated. The feedback was that the sessions were creative, empowering, constructive and fun.

The facilitators, Cathy Kiteley, Patti King, and Barb Jennings are now busy compiling the input from all the sessions. A qualitative analysis will be completed and a summary report provided to the Congregational Growth Committee in early June. Thank you to Hilton Jeffers for his help developing the sessions and facilitating some of the early sessions.

The Congregational Growth committee will decide the next steps forward. Asset Mapping was just the first activity in data gathering. There will be some Table Talks and a half day of visioning in the future. All the data will contribute to the future ’brand’ of EMUC on which we can ‘market’ our church and attract new people to the congregation. Plan to participate!
EMUC Striders Hiked the Credit River on June 2nd
Women for Women Retreat
Women for Women held its annual retreat on Saturday May 25 th . A total of 21 women attended.
 
The theme was ‘Living Colours’ and we thought about the colours in our lives during the past, the present, and the future. Activities which were planned for outdoors in the morning were quickly revised because of the heavy rain. 
 
The day started with a continental breakfast organized by Patti King and Barb Jennings. Cathy Scattergood opened the retreat by having the group discuss/sing songs with colours in them. Cathy Kiteley led the group in a ‘mindfulness’ exercise to help keep one focussed on the present. Games of our past, i.e. jacks, pick-up-sticks, colouring, hula-hoop, paddle ball, were enjoyed. Flowers were planted in teacups symbolic of the future.






A delicious lunch was prepared by Sue Ogilvie.

During the afternoon a painting session was led by Khaula Mazhar. Everyone painted a canvas entitled ‘Starry Night’. Each painting was unique as shown below.
The entire day was enjoyed by all. Thank you to the organizers: Cathy Scattergood, Cathy Kiteley, Patti King, Deb Sturgeon, Barb Jennings, and all who helped throughout the day. Women for Women will meet again in the fall.
PETER'S RETIREMENT CELEBRATIONS
On May 26 th, Peter's 14 years of service to EMUC were recognized after worship with a cake and some gifts. Mora Cairns read a poem she had written and a gift was received from the congregation.
A celebratory dinner was held on Peter's last day in his position, May 31st. One hundred and two people gathered to celebrate with Peter and Cathy. A delicious dinner was prepared by Loaves and Dishes. Tributes and gifts were given to Peter. The décor had a cottage theme. We wish Peter all the best for a well-deserved retirement enjoying his family and the things he likes to do.
Upcoming Events
JUNE OFFICE HOURS  
This week we have been celebrating Peter Kiteley’s well-deserved retirement as the Church’s Office Administrator and Building Co-ordinator. But, when someone is as integral to the community as Peter is, it is not an easy thing just to let them leave. While the search team continues to interview for our new Office and Building Administrator, you may notice some changes around EMUC. Starting on June 3, there will be new office hours and some familiar people covering the office.
The office will be open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
  • June 3           Peter Kiteley
  • June 4-7       Sylvia Arnold
  • June 10       Peter
  • June 11-13  Sylvia
  • June 14       Peter
  • June 17       Peter
  • June18-20   Sylvia
  • June 21       Peter
  • June 24-27  Peter 
"FUNDSCRIP" PROGRAM 
A percentage of the gift cards we purchase through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church. This means that just by paying for your groceries and gas with gift cards, you can generate funds for our church on a monthly basis. You don’t have to change where you shop, what you buy and it doesn’t cost you anything extra.

Order forms for gift cards will be available the last Sunday of every month. The next order date is June 30 th . Simply fill out the order form for the gift cards you would like to buy.