Summertime is green time.

I’m not just talking about the corn reaching for the summer blue sky,

or hostas in our gardens.

It is the season of the church year represented by the colour green.

It has the uninspiring name of being ‘Ordinary Time’ or ‘the Season After Pentecost’~

I prefer the Godly Play (a Sunday School approach) name of “The Great Green Time”.

As an artist, working with fiber & dyeing, I have deep respect for green.

My dyes are numerous, but my greens far outnumber all of the rest.

Avocado, Lime, Spring, Sour Apple, Forest, Bamboo ~ even their names evoke growth and life.

So much life!

I think of the writing in the Talmud (compilation of Jewish oral law and tradition) that every single blade of grass has an angel whispering over it, “Grow! Grow!”.

I think of the 23^rd Psalm.

Being led to lie down in green pastures is one of the ways that God cares for us.

Perhaps it has been a while since you have lain down in green pastures?

It’s good for the soul, all of the greenness.

It has been scientifically proven that nature is healing for us, it lowers our heart rate and our anxiety.

In this Great Green Time, stop to notice the greens around you.

If you can’t lie down, at least slow down.

How many different greens do you see?

How many and varied signs of life do they represent?

Give thanks to God for these signs of life,

and ask God the Gardener, to help you nurture the new things within you.

“Treat the earth well. It was not given to us by our parents,

it was loaned to us by our children.

So walk softly upon the earth

May its beauty surround you, its wisdom delight you, its music invite you.

Rejoice in creation

Listen to the pain of the voiceless

Water the barren earth

Plant seeds in the wasteland

And act as if our hope in the future is irresistible.”

Photo from Pixabay

The website is undergoing an update and a new look. Take a peek and see what's new! Coming events and other activities will continue to be posted on the website and can be found under the What's Happening tab, our weekly services, along with the bulletin and announcements can now be found under the Mount Forest United or Woodland tab then click on Worship. Other pages will be given a facelift as well so keep watching.

Visit our website at www.mountforestunitedchurch.com.

Don't forget to follow our new Facebook page, you can now find us at Mount Forest & Woodland United Churches. We will be using this social media as a space to communicate, post upcoming events, let you know what is happening in our churches as well as a tool to build our Community presence. 

Check it out, like the page, and get ready to follow along! If you would like something posted, contact Janice Benson at ebenson@wightman.ca or the church office at united@wightman.ca

LAST CALL! REGISTER NOW!

Woodland United Church will be Celebrating its 168th Anniversary on August 25th. All are invited to join them at 11:00 a.m. and celebrate this milestone.

Rev. Lori will be leading the service along with special music by The Musical Belles from Holstein. Lunch will be served after the service for those who wish to stay to visit and enjoy time together.

There will be no service at Mount Forest United on August 25th.

Would you like to place a brick in the Memory Garden pathway in memory of a friend or loved one? The last day to order is August 20^th. The 4" X 6" X 12" granite bricks cost $250.00, inscribed with the name and year of birth and death of your beloved family member or friend. These bricks will be incorporated into the walkways of the Memory Garden at the discretion of the Memorial Garden Committee. If you would like to order, please contact Juliann at the office at 519-323-1910, Ext. 1. or email united@wightman.ca.

If you’d like the Pastoral Care Team to pray for you or someone you know or are aware of any hospitalizations, sickness, or special occasions, contact one of the following members of the team.  Betty Seminowicz at 519-923-5416, or by Email: betvansemi@hotmail.com or Daphne Rappard at 519-323-2505, Email:drappard@wightman.ca.

We would also be happy to have one of our team members visit you in person or by phone. All requests are shared only with the Pastoral Care Team and are kept confidential. 

Check out what is happening at Western Ontario Waterways, click on the link below. Many resources are available on their website along with upcoming events and continuing education opportunities! You can also sign up for their newsletter. www.wowrcucc.ca