Friday Message

What's Coming!

September 18, 2020

Creation Time

I love a good checklist. That little adrenaline rush that comes with checking something off the list is intoxicating. Unfortunately, ministry doesn’t always yield to a check list. I can plan. It would probably be a bit reckless of me to not be strategic in planning out my actions.

I usually start on Thursday afternoon – the end of my work week. I make my list for the week ahead on a yellow lined note pad, making note of the important things to do. I also include the little mundane things: because it feels good to tick them off and because they are the easiest tasks to forget or put off. The page fills quickly and it is satisfying to see my plans take shape.

Although I think the Holy Spirit always appreciates good planning, that doesn’t mean the Holy Spirit won’t disrupt the plan. Sometimes the Spirit needs to. Sometimes someone’s soul depends on that disruption.

When I learn of someone who needs my pastoral attention, I add their name to my check list. It may seem sterile and uncaring to put this person in need of compassion and care in a time slot or on a check list. But, seeing that name is a constant reminder for me to hold them in prayer until I can be in touch with them directly.

Our faith calls us to act - to live out our beliefs. We don’t have to have all the answers before we act. It takes some courage to do the work God calls us to do. Sometimes we have to strategically plan that out. We need to put on our checklist the intersection where the things that bring us joy and the world’s needs meet. And then we need to go where God leads us and do those things. Often. Habitually. Methodically.

But sometimes we need to be aware that God might have a checklist too. And I think we are on it. A Psalmist once wrote that our names are written on the palm of God’s hand. A check list is another way of seeing the same thing. Checklists may not always seem authentic, but I guess that depends on whose checklist it is.

Kathi

P.S. Next week, I’ll bring you Part 2 of my thoughts about lists.

This Week at EMUC

UPDATE on WORSHIP SERVICES

At its September 15 meeting, the Leadership Circle decided that EMUC will continue to conduct Sunday services on the Zoom platform until the end of October. There are still many unknowns regarding the return to school, a second wave of the virus, and the flu season. We have seen an increase in the number of COVID19 cases recently. The safety of the congregation is the priority. The possibility of returning to the building for worship will be reassessed again at the October 20 Leadership Circle meeting.

Sunday September 20:

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

Monday September 21:

7:00 p.m.: Bible Study via Zoom

Wednesday September 23:

6:45 p.m.: Prayer Service via Zoom

What's Coming!

Virtual Concert on Saturday, September 19

You are invited to a Virtual Fundraiser Concert and Silent Auction in support of Refugee Families, 2:30 pm, Saturday, September 19. The concert will feature Emilio Zarris, a singer and entertainer, and, a surprise performer. This important fundraiser is in support of two Middle Eastern families who are in dire need of a safe harbour. The United Church of Canada has a 40-year history supporting refugees. The Community Action Team of Westminster United Church, Mississauga is dedicated to offer support. This concert proceeds will help these families to rebuild their lives here in Canada. You can watch this concert from anywhere in the world. Ticket purchasers will be sent a link before the date of the concert.

here.

For more information contact: Rev. Irene Ty, irene@bellnet.ca

To buy tickets, click here.

Office Hours: Please note updated hours.

Tina will be in the office on Mondays and Tuesdays from noon until 4:00 pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm.

She can be at the church on an “as needed” basis on other days, but this needs to be arranged in advance with an email or with a message left with the office.

Reopening Committee

The EMUC COVID-19 Reopening Committee has been meeting regularly throughout the summer. The number of active COVID-19 cases in Peel has dropped, allowing the region to reopen more. The numbers are better, but COVID-19 continues to be found in the Peel community. We are watching to see if the regional and provincial reopenings and the upcoming start of school have an impact on the spread of COVID-19.

Zoom worship services will continue through September, offering us worship with our church community in the safest way. We can see each other on Zoom without masks, without hand sanitizer...without the risks that meeting in person would present. Remember that however we meet for worship, we are together as a church and faith community.

Visitors are now welcome in the sanctuary! By appointment only! Please call Tina Driscoll to make an appointment and get the details on protocols for visiting. Tina is at the office Tuesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

EMUC is also making progress on opening to renters, with limited numbers allowed in, protocols for entry/exit, mask-wearing, and physical distancing. Measures will be implemented to ensure that the space is properly cleaned.

The Leadership Circle will be meeting on September 15 and will discuss the COVID-19 reopening situation. We will update you again as things evolve. Stay healthy and stay safe!

TAGS (Talking About God Stuff) – Another Way to Connect

Recently we launched EMUC’s TAGS community on Facebook. TAGS stands for “Talking About God Stuff”. This is a closed or private group on Facebook in which people can post or ‘discuss’ various topics each week. Only members of the group receive the posts and only members may post and participate in the discussion. The group is moderated by Rev. Kathi Phillips and administered on by Barb Jennings. Each week a question or topic for discussion will be posted by Rev. Kathi and received by the members. During the week you can add to the discussion by posting your thoughts, opinions or related stories. If you are familiar with our worship service, this is like the question Kathi poses during the service. The discussion posts will be monitored and answered each day.

Twenty-six people have joined TAGS to date. 'Conversations' have started slowly and will increase with time and numbers. Join the group and invite other friends to join as well. Get involved! Participate!

Fundscrip Fundraising Gift Card Program is back in September!!

We are happy to announce that anyone interested in purchasing Fundscrip cards in September will be able to do so by following the procedures listed below;

1. Email Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com to receive an order form.

2. If you already have an order form, send an email to Joanne Hines with your order by Thursday, September 24.

3. Take the cheque or cash for your order amount and drop it off with Tina in the church office (Tina’s office hours are Tuesdays, and Fridays, but call ahead to be sure) or take your cheque or cash directly to Mike Ogilvie by Friday September 25

4. Your order will be placed on Sunday, September 27 and will arrive at the church office sometime on Thursday, October 1.

5. Arrange to pick up your order from the church office anytime after Thursday, October 1.

Thank you for your support of this fundraising project and please contact Joanne Hines if you have any further questions.

Deacon’s Cupboard Food Drive - The Fundscrip Way!

During this exceptional time, the Deacon’s Cupboard has been unable to provide food directly to its guests. Instead, they are distributing grocery store gift cards to those in need. If you would like to help them continue with that mission, please consider purchasing a Fundscrip card at the end of September (orders will be placed on Sunday September 27) and have it donated to the Deacon’s cupboard. Your donation tax receipt will be issued by St. Peters Erindale Anglican Church.

Simply email Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com by September 24 and make an order for a grocery card. Preferred denominations for the Deacon’s cupboard would be $25 or $50 cards. Take your cheque for the order to Tina at the church or to Mike Ogilivie. When the cards arrive, your designated donated cards will be given directly to the volunteers at the Deacons cupboard.

Thank you for your consideration in helping with this important mission.

Mississauga Windrow Removal Program

Registrations for Mississauga's 2020 – 2021 Driveway Windrow Clearing Program are now being accepted until November 6^th.

You may recall the details of the program:

A windrow is the pile of snow left behind at the end of the driveway after plows clear the street. Crews will clear a three-metre (9.8 foot) space in the windrow, enough room for a car to move into and out of the driveway. The service does not include clearing of the driveway.
Windrow clearing begins up to 36 hours after the end of a snow storm and when road plowing is completed.
The program is available for up to 300 residents who are 65 years or older, or who have a physical disability.
The fee is $200, but free for residents who qualify.
The program runs throughout the winter season. Dates this year – November 30, 2020 until March 12, 2021.

This season, we can provide residents with several application methods:

As in the past, in-person at City community centres
New this year, via email and via mail
Complete details are available on the City’s web site – Mississauga.ca/windrow

If you have any questions regarding the windrow program please contact 311 or our office at 905-896-5700 or dipika.damerla@mississauga.ca

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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