Friday Message

What's Coming!

May 8, 2020

Easter

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be sad about this when there are so many bigger things happening in the world right now."

This statement is one that I'm hearing over and over again. It's a statement that I've even said myself countless times in the seven weeks we've been in isolation.

"I'm sorry...I know I shouldn't feel bad..."

Ugh. These words.

Emotions aren't an either/or scenario. We are allowed to feel more than one thing at one time and those things can even feel conflicting in the moment...but it doesn't make them any less valid. We are creatures capable of enormous depth and allowing various feelings to co-exist within our being is part of what makes us human.

When we bury our own pain in the name of a greater pain, we are burying a part of our own human experience that is very honest and present.

The reality is that there is a lot to grieve right now. And all of these things cancelled or postponed mean different things to different people but losing them is allowed to be painful. Even if we are losing them to something bigger than ourselves. You don't need to apologize for your disappointment.

These aren't superficial things.

These are important things. These are beautiful things. These are life things.

Feeling sad about your personal loss doesn't mean you don't care about the collective loss.

They can co-exist. The same way all of us co-exist.

Friends, my prayer for all of us today is that we allow space for all of it to be real...to be present...to be experienced.

I pray that we give ourselves permission to feel the full range of emotions without apology, guilt or shame.

And I pray that, in the not so distant future, all that was lost...will be found once again...even more beautiful than ever.

Kathi

This Week at EMUC

As directed by Federal and Provincial health authorities with regard to COVID-19, EMUC is completely closed until further notice.

Sunday May 10:

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

What's Coming!

You are invited to join the Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group

in a

One Book Read

* THE RIGHT TO BE COLD . ..... One woman ’ s story of protecting her culture, the Arctic and the whole planet

By: Sheila Watt-Cloutier

This is the story of a remarkable Inuit woman, a well-known environmental and human rights advocate, who has spent more than 25 years showing the impact climate change has on human rights, particularly in the Arctic. She has shared her knowledge in many venues around the world. In her book you will read about the devastating effect of climate change in the Arctic, environmentally and within Inuit culture. This book hits close to home - Canada - but affects the world. Ms. Watt-Cloutier has travelled the world to tell her story and is the recipient of many awards including being nominated for a Nobel prize. In her book she states, “ Another way to fight for the protection of our planet is to recognize that the well-being of our environment is in itself a fundamental human right. For Inuit, as for all of us, this is what I call THE RIGHT TO BE COLD ” , (p. xviii). This book deserves our attention, reflection, discussion and collective action.

To Participate:

Email dadihope@gmail.com

Read the book between now and the end of May.

Join in the Zoom discussion in June, on a date to be announced.

The book is available from Amazon, Indigo and in electronic format through the Mississauga library system .

The IFJP Group offers this activity to help us learn more about our Indigenous peoples in accordance with one of the recommendations of the “ Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action”, 2015.

Here are links to two short articles featuring Inuit leaders MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq and Sheila Watt-Cloutier. These articles are from “Broadview” magazine (once called “The United Church Observer”)

https://broadview.org/mumilaaq-qaqqaq/

https://broadview.org/sheila-watt-cloutier/

Becoming an Affirming Congregation- Let’s continue the conversation!

As some of you may remember, EMUC was embarking on the journey to become 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 as well as to work in different ways toward the healing and wholeness of creation by challenging bias and discrimination, work to end racism, promote economic justice, increase accessibility and care for the planet. Our introduction meeting was to take place during the week that the shutdown took place. As a result, we are trying to figure out a way to continue this initiative through a virtual format.

Interested individuals are being invited to read the Open Hearts: Resources for Affirming Ministries in The United Church of Canada ( www.ause.ca ) You will find the document in the Resources section of the Affirming United website.

On Tuesday, May 26 we will be inviting people who are interested in discussing the document and brainstorming some ideas for moving forward to a Zoom meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Please email Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com if you would like to be included in the Zoom meeting invitation.

Donations to EMUC

Some of you have asked how you can make donations to operations, mission and service, the benevolent fund, and the Deacon’s Cupboard. You can donate through Canada Helps by going to www.emuc.ca or by mailing a cheque to EMUC at 3010 The Collegeway, Mississauga, ON., L5L 4X9. Please mark the envelope "Attention Envelope Secretary".

Please note that Deacon's Cupboard would prefer to receive financial donations rather than actual food donations because the church remains closed so that managing food is difficult. The Cupboard is giving only vouchers to its guests. They are open only on Wednesdays and not on Monday evenings for the duration of the pandemic.

Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.

EMUC Finance Committee

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