Friday Message
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What's Coming!
March 24, 2023
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“It’s not always the strongest trees that survive the storm. Sometimes it’s the trees that bend with the wind.”
A few months ago I moved my workspace at home to the second floor, where my desk looks out dozens of old tall evergreen trees - a mix of pine, spruce and cedar – some of them over 20 meters tall. Between their branches I can look south across the Dundas Valley. I love living with this view and in the company of these giants.
As the snow recedes this week, I have been clearing up many large branches that were brought down by stormy winter winds. The older trees are less “bendy” and they are more susceptible to wind damage.
There are some serious storms brewing in our world. They require our attention and our action. But I wonder what that looks like. What is the most helpful way to be responsive and supportive?
Be strong. Be brave. Stand up tall.
These are all helpful words at times. But if we look at the trees, we recognize that there are also times to say:
Be bendy. Go with the flow. Be led. Listen to your body.
Allowing ourselves to bend rather than standing strong is not easy. In a way, it requires courage, trust, belief that, in this moment, this is the better way. And yet, think about the effort and strength it takes to stand tall in a storm, literal or figurative. Perhaps there is another way…
We have almost completed our Lent journey and shortly we will move into the last week before Easter, some Christians call it Holy Week. It is a time of high emotions, of great beauty and great sadness. It is also a time of meeting expectations, of finding a path between the need to honour tradition and the reality of living in a changing world.
As I notice the bending of the trees in the wind, I am invited to find ways that will help me bend in this sacred season: to release a need for control, to listen for the Spirit, and move where she blows.
Blessings, Kathi
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Upcoming Week
To reduce the spread of all respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and the flu, if you experience any new symptom(s) of any respiratory virus please stay home. Refer to Public Health Ontario for detailed guidance by clicking on https://www.publichealthontario.ca/
Sunday March 26:
10:00 a.m.: Online and in-person Worship led by Rev. Kathi
7:00 p.m.: Vesper Service
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Monday March 27:
7:00 p.m.: Bible Study via Zoom
Wednesday March 29:
10:00 a.m.: Bible Study via Zoom
6:45 p.m.: Prayer Service via Zoom
Thursday March 30:
4:00 p.m.: Chancel Choir practice
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Upcoming Events & Announcements |
Easter Bread and Bake Sale - Calling all bakers!
Once again Loaves and Dishes is organizing the Easter Bread and Bake Sale to be held April 7 after the Good Friday service. Easter baking from the congregation is always welcomed. Anyone planning to make bread, please contact Sue Ogilvie (905-820-2387) or Barb Jennings (905-607-1626) with an estimate of the number of loaves you may bake. Baking may be dropped off at the church on April 6 during the day or evening.
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Flowers to decorate the Sanctuary for Easter
In the past we have decorated the sanctuary for Easter with flowers based on a specific donation towards a pot of tulips or daffodils, etc. To keep it simpler, this year, if you would like to contribute with a general donation towards the purchase of flowers, then you may do so by placing your donation in one of the dedicated envelopes located on the back communion table. You may put it in the offering basket, or give it to Tina in the office or to me (Sylvia Arnold) after church.
We will purchase flowers with whatever we receive ( e.g. larger plants such as hydrangeas and some smaller groupings of tulips, daffodils etc). If you wish to donate in memory of a loved one, then please indicate this on the envelope and the memorials will be listed in the bulletin on Easter Sunday. This donation will be added to your general givings.
A sincere thank you for helping to beautify our sanctuary for Easter morning.
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The Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil has long been a tradition at Erin Mills United. The vigil is where you can sign up for an hour and be in the sanctuary to pray, read, reflect or simply “be”. Prior to COVID, we had trouble filling all the time slots. Last year we had to cancel all the vigil except for Maundy Thursday evening. This year we didn’t want to cancel it outright without seeing if there is still interest.
Therefore a modified schedule runs from Maundy Thursday at 8 pm through to Good Friday at 5pm. The schedule is posted on the bulletin boards beside the office. …So we will see what happens and “go with the flow”. If you have any questions, please see Sylvia Arnold or call Tina in the church office (905) 820-9466.
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A Request From Inspire
Canadian Blood Services has asked EMUC if we could get together a small group of people to donate blood in March. They are in great need and I know that we have some dedicated members who could help out. If you are willing to join a small group of donors, we could all go together, donate blood and then go out for dinner, or go earlier and do lunch! They are open Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-7, Wednesday from 9-2, Thursday from 1-7 and Friday from 9-2. If you feel this is something that you would be interested in, please email Patti King at pattica50@gmail.com. Please let me know what day of the week is best for you and I will try to co-ordinate a group effort.
Thanking you in advance.
Patti King
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Circle of Friends
Save the date of Wednesday, April 12 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Circle of Friends will be meeting once again, on Zoom this time. More details to follow.
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EMUC Striders Outing
The Striders will be exploring the Waterfront of Downtown Oakville April 16, 2023. Consider joining them for a relaxing walk on a Sunday afternoon.
After Sunday Service, the group sits and eats their bag lunches in the Narthex. At 11:30 AM Carpooling is arranged, and they’ll be ready to set off for the destination. In Oakville, street parking will be used around Robinson St and Allan St close to the start of the trail for Dingle Park. At 12:15 PM the hike will start on the route shown on a map (to be provided.)
At least four parks will be visited including Dingle, Lakefront, Tannery, Water Works and Burnet before returning through the main drag. If time permits, a stop for coffee might be possible when approaching the point where the cars were left. Expect return to the Church parking lot by 2:30 PM.
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Earth Day Event
There will be an Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 22, hosted by Membership and Pastoral Care. Look for further info in future Friday Messages.
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Coming to Women for Women in April
Women and Heart Disease: What You Need to Know
Join us as Pam Pogue, former Nurse Practitioner in cardiac health leads us in a conversation about heart disease in women. Are you curious about what makes women’s heart disease different than men, unique symptoms, risk factors, and how to reduce your risk of developing heart disease? All of these questions will be covered by Pam in an informal and interactive way.
Mark your calendar and join us at the church on Friday April 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. for an evening of friendship and learning.
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March Fundscrip order will be delivered in time for Easter!!
Our important fundraising program continues this month. If you are hosting Easter dinner, be sure to order extra grocery cards and they’ll be here in time for you to do your shopping! There will be a gift card order placed on Sunday, March 26, so please have all orders emailed to Joanne Hines or delivered to Tina in the office by Friday, March 24. You can also place an order on Sunday, March 26, after the service. Order forms are pinned on the bulletin board at the back of the church.
If you need an order form or information about the program, please contact Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com. Orders may be paid by etransfer at emucdonation@outlook.com. Please indicate Fundscrip order in the message. Or cheques need to be made out to Erin Mills United Church and they can be left in the church mailbox or taken to Mike Ogilvie directly. Thank you for your support of this program.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**
The Erin Mills Town Centre Mall is still accepting used gift cards for recycling. There is also a box at the church that Maryanna Williams has been able to check. Please consider recycling your used Fundscrip cards by placing them in the box or taking them to the customer service desk at the Erin Mills Town Centre.
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Office hours:
Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tina works from home on Mondays.)
Tina takes a ½ hour lunch break sometime between 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca |
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