Friday Message and what's coming

Friday Message

What's Coming!

January 10, 2020

Ordinary Time

Rev. Kathi's Message

20/20 signifies perfect vision and so many have called for 2020 to be a year of clear vision and fresh starts, but as new years go, this one has not had the most auspicious beginning. One would understandably be overwhelmed by the news of fires in Australia, threats of war in Iran and the destruction of the Ukraine airplane with a loss of 167 lives.

It could be ironic that this year of clear vision started with air thick with smoke and pollutants, and visibility that is ultra low.

On the other hand, clear vision might mean seeing things that we have refused to see for too long, a last loud warning. After all, 2020 was climate D-Day for a long time, the deadline when all the corrections would be in place. Now it’s here.

One of the core values we will be hearing about this week, from our Congregational Growth Committee, is Living Spiritually. It is about finding a way to bring spirituality to our everyday choices and practices. Choosing to live spiritually means choosing to live in hope, to find in the crises and disasters a reason to keep going.

Anything can become a spiritual practice once you are willing to approach it that way - once you let it bring you to your knees and show you what is real, including who you really are, who other people are and how near God can be when you have lost your way.” Barbara Brown Taylor

That doesn’t mean we take a unrealistically rosy view of things. 20/20 vision means seeing things as they are without the blinders. It is working to find solutions to the threats of climate change, war and the need for retaliation, to corruption and hate.

Really waking up, and not just dreaming to ourselves that things will be okay has become urgent - beyond urgent, in fact. The world is in danger, and we need to act immediately to survive.

Kathi

Knowing Ourselves

Most of you are aware that over the last year and a half, the congregation, led by the Congregational Growth Committee, has completed several exercises to determine who we are as Erin Mills United Church. Lots of ideas have come from the congregation and the committee has collated, reviewed and summarized the information. During January the committee is sharing what you told us about EMUC. Four core values have been identified and are being presented.

On Sunday, January 12 we will hear about two values: Living Spiritually and Openness to All , and what these values entail.

This is important work. It will enable all of us to talk about EMUC to others in a similar way. We can be proud of who we are as a church, what our strengths enable us to do, and we can invite others to be part of our faith-based family.

Going forward, the committee needs additional help from you. On Sunday, February 2, 2020 there will be another Table Talk after the service. The question that will be asked is:

“Think of a friend, neighbour or a person who doesn’t go to church and has a need that the church can fill; e.g., a person seeking friendship or community, or someone wanting to volunteer, or someone eager to grow in faith. Considering our four strengths/core values, what would you tell that person about EMUC and what would you say to invite them to the EMUC?”

Think about it!

Save the date and plan to be there for interesting conversation!

This Week at EMUC

Sunday January 12:

10:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Kathi

Hebrew Scripture: Isaiah 42: 1-9

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 3: 13-17

Message: " A Family Name "

Kidz Zone available

After worship: Black History Month planning meeting

Monday January 13:

Tuesday January 14:

Noon: Worship Committee

Wednesday January 15:

6:45 pm: Prayer and Communion

7:00 pm: Finance Meeting

8:00 pm: Rental Assist Team - Dan and Deb Sturgeon

Thursday January 16:

12:30 pm: Minister Lectionary Study Group

7:00 pm: Chancel Choir Practice

Friday January 17:

Saturday January 18:

Next Sunday January 19: Service at 10 am.; Kidz Zone available

What's Coming!

WOMEN FOR WOMEN MOVIE NIGHT

Come & chill out” after the busy Christmas season. We will meet on Friday, January 10 at EMUC for a movie & munchies evening. Gather in the Narthex at 6:45 p.m. for your munchies. The movie will start at 7:15 in the Sanctuary . We will be watching "Still Alice", the 2014 movie, based on the book by Lisa Genova, about a Harvard professor who develops early-onset Alzheimer's disease. A donation of $5 is suggested to cover snacks. Please sign up on the list on the bulletin board or contact Cathy Scattergood.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PLANNING MEETING

It's time! Please join us after worship this Sunday , if you'd like to take part in planning the Black History Month Service and any other activities for the month of February. All are welcome - join us as we remember the journeys and celebrate the gifts of persons of the African diaspora!

BEER and HYMNS

The United Churches of Mississauga have been trying to come up with ideas to bring the people of the various communities together for worship and for fun.

The next event is planned for an evening of Beer and Hymns on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Erin Mills Pump & Patio for 6:30 pm.

Located in: Sherwood Forrest Village

Address: 1900 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1P9

We would be in the upstairs area - not fully accessible, those attending will need to be able do stairs. The Erin Mills Pump & Patio will make the space available. There is no set fee for this event. They will make money on sales of food & drinks only. We are planning on being there for a couple of hours, so if you don't come until 7 or 7:30 you will still be able to participate.

We may choose to pass a hat around to pay any musicians a stipend.

The musicians are still to be formally lined up, but would be students or recent graduates of the Humber College Jazz program.

We are not looking for a firm commitment yet, but if you could let me (Kathi) know if you would be interested , we can decide if the room will accommodate us.

COMFORT KITS

Once again this year we will be collecting small travel size toiletry items - shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, creams, lotions, etc. Please bring your items to the church and deposit in the labelled box.

We will be collecting over the next several weeks for distribution at the Open Door at the end of February. Thank you.

OUTDOOR SKATING

Throughout the winter, everyone (men and women) interested in skating is invited to skate for fun and exercise. This group has been skating the last several winters visiting numerous outdoor skating paths e.g. the Kipling path, The Bentway, outdoor rinks in Mississauga. This year the group will skate in the morning on Monday and/or Thursday, weather permitting. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Kathy Andres to have your name put on the communication list. The group usually meets around 10 am to car-pool to the chosen rink. All are welcome!

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE - SAVE THE DATE

We are embarking on a second collaborative Murder Mystery fundraising evening with our friends at Eden United Church. Rehearsals have begun and we are hoping for two sell out shows.

“A Midsummer’s Nightmare” will take place on April 25 and 26. More details will follow, but please save the date and plan to come out and support this night of fun and fellowship.

'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, January 26. Speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.

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