Last Fundscrip order of the Year!!
The end of November is the last chance to order personal shopping cards before Christmas.
Please see below for instructions and timelines for this month's order.
How can we help our Deacon’s Cupboard this Christmas?
There are 2 ways for you to participate in helping the Deacon’s cupboard;
1. Donate Fundscrip cards to the regular operation.
These will be grocery cards that guests can use to purchase food. Due to the pandemic, the Deacon’s Cupboard has been distributing grocery store cards because it is unable to provide food directly to its guests. For this program, cards in multiples of $25.00 are most helpful.
2. Donate to a special “Christmas project”.
This project will still assist guests at the Deacon’s cupboard. Special gift cards will be placed in a greeting card that will be handed out at Christmas.
These cards may be for Tim’s or Dollarama or any other Fundscrip cards you wish to donate. The denominations will be small amounts, just to provide something extra to the guests during this special time of year.
Orders for both personal use and donations will be placed on Sunday, November 29.
Simply email Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com by Thursday, November 26 and make an order or a donation.
Take your cheque to Tina, at the church or to Mike Ogilvie directly. When the cards arrive, designated donated cards will be sent directly to the Deacon’s Cupboard and personal cards can be picked up at the church office.
Affirming Working Group - We Need to Hear from You
Over the last few weeks, an announcement about EMUC becoming an Affirming Ministry within the United Church of Canada has been circulated through the Friday message. We hope you have had a chance to read it. Perhaps you have even visited the Affirm United website and explored the Open Hearts document. As we mentioned, much of this work will require face to face discussions and in person workshops. When we are back together, this work will go ahead.
Thankfully, there are a few things we can invite you to help us with right now. Please consider thinking about and responding to the following questions. Your answers are so important to help our working group move forward in planning the education process around our Affirming mission.
1. Why should EMUC consider becoming an affirming congregation?
2. What are your concerns/questions around becoming an affirming congregation?
3. With consideration of the various learning styles that individuals have, which educational method do you find most beneficial? (i.e. reading material, movies, workshops, guest speakers, etc.)
We invite you to email anyone on our working group with your responses and any other feedback that may be helpful as we move forward in this process.
Thank you in advance for your participation,
Karen Colwell (karencolwell.home2@.gmail.com)
Sandy Hayes (sandyhayes88@gmail.com)
Rebecca Hines (hines.becca.j@gmail.com)
Deb Sturgeon (sturgs4@rogers.com)
Amnesty International Write for Rights
Every year, leading up to International Human Rights Day on December 10, Amnesty International organizes Write for Rights Events. They identify people and communities at risk of human rights abuses worldwide and join them in solidarity to seek justice.
In 2019 the Interfaith Peace and Justice Committee organized an event and we wrote letters and signed petitions in solidarity with young people on the front-lines of human rights challenges. This year we are not organizing an in-person event, but are asking you to be pro-active and visit the Amnesty International Write-a-thon Website at www.writeathon.ca. On this site you will meet the ten individuals who have been identified for this year’s event; for example, you will meet Melike and Orzgur, Turkish university students who are being persecuted for celebrating LGBTQI+ rights; Jani Silva, a young Columbian woman risking her life to protect the environment; three young men, who cannot be identified because of their age, who are imprisoned in Malta for protesting torture. The list goes on. You will have the opportunity to write to government officials, send cards or letters to the individuals, sign online petitions, or support them on social media. The resource section offers sample letters and instructions on how to address the various officials.
Please take the time to visit www.writeathon.ca read through the cases, choose one that resonates with you, and write a letter.
If you have any questions, contact Debby Sturgeon (sturgs4@rogers.com).
Stewardship Minute
Giving of Talent
Stewardship programs often focus on financial givings, but the giving of talent and time is just as important for a healthy and vibrant congregation. EMUC has been blessed to have many people who have volunteered to help conduct the work of the church. The degree of involvement is obviously dependent on the individual’s available time. Whether you assume a leadership role, serve on a committee, help with a fundraising event, read the scripture on a Sunday morning or help in gardening, all are important roles to forward our mission.
The Nominating Committee would be pleased to hear from you. If you would like to become involved in any aspect of the work of EMUC please contact Sandy Hayes through the office at office@emuc.ca. Sandy will be pleased to discuss your interests and explore possible volunteer opportunities for you.
It is also important to thank all those who are currently giving of their time and talent. Without your involvement EMUC would not be able to strive to achieve its mission within the Erin Mills community.
Zatoun Olive Oil in Time of COVID
Zatoun is grateful for the many years that faith groups have sold Zatoun in their congregations and at fairs. COVID-19 and lockdowns have put a stop to that for now. Zatoun buyers can still enjoy their favourite fair trade olive oil via online order and shipped direct to home.
Now available in ½ case (6 bottles) for home delivery
order: www.zatoun.com contact: 1-866-294-9729 ~ info@zatoun.com
Zatoun makes a prized gift for any occasion. It will be remembered.
