Mount Forest United Church Messenger
May 2022
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It will be hard to follow last Sunday’s ‘Everything’ (Holy Humour/Earth/Camping) Sunday. It truly was everything – we laughed, we cried. In fact, part of Holy Humour Sunday is about escaping the high emotions of Holy Week, but we had lots of them anyways, and some really beautiful music by Derek, the choir and the Praise Band. It was also a special surprise that the Rev. Gavin Williams, his wife Charity and their five children were in attendance! Gavin, a candidate for ministry supported by Mount Forest-Woodland, was ordained last fall.
This Sunday, we celebrate Rural Life Sunday. It’s an opportunity to draw attention to the fact that many of the livelihoods in this area are dependent upon crops that grow, ripen and can be harvested as well as animals that grow and produce food for us or are sent to market. Many people also have gardens whose produce they depend upon. So let’s bless all that. You are welcome to bring in things that you rely upon to help you to grow things – seeds, soil, gardening implements, seedlings, gardening gloves, etc. If you bring it, we’ll bless it…
To prepare, read John 21:1-19 and ponder the following:
1. What does “abundance” mean to you?
2. What are the most pressing issues in your mind regarding fishing, farming and forestry?
Image: Guiseppe Russo, pexels.com. Used with permission.
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The sympathy of the congregation is extended to Dorothy Brown and Flora and Mike Burke and their families in the passing of Sheila Martin. Sheila is Dorothy’s daughter and Flora’s sister. A celebration of Sheila’s life will be held at the church on Saturday April 30 at 4:00 p.m., with visitation held one hour prior. Sheila’s obituary may be found by clicking the link below. |
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The UCW ladies had lots of fun and laughter at their meeting last month making Easter bonnets!
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The Green Team would like to thank office manager Annette Connolly for preparing a cost comparison of various options for paper sources for the paper that Mount Forest United uses to prepare bulletins, etc. Whereas the office has been using a ‘Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification’ paper produced in Indonesia, on the recommendation of the Green team, the office will be switching to a 100% recycled post-consumer material stock made in Canada. This paper is a little more expensive, but funds from the Green Team will be used to offset the extra cost for the first year. It feels important to keep as many trees in the ground as possible!
Below are some pictures of our Earth Day nature walk!
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As you may be aware, there will be construction on Queen Street in front of the church this spring and summer! The road will be closed likely as of May 10 until August 30. Once the construction plan is finalized, this week or next, local residents will be notified of potential disruptions. Thank goodness for the Fergus St. entrance to the church parking lot! |
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Human Trafficking Presentation |
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Jessie and the Japanese Maple - Sarah Benson |
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Sarah Benson lived across the street from Jessie Ross, who passed away just over a year ago. Sarah created this tribute to Jessie as a project for Toastmasters, and we are honoured that Sarah has offered permission to publish it here.
Jessie and the Japanese Maple – by Sarah Benson
How can a person be like a tree? More specifically, do you know why my late neighbour Jessie is like a Japanese maple tree? She has been on my mind since her passing, and I wanted to get out some of my memories of her onto paper or rather onto the computer before my questionable memory fades. Not a eulogy as such, but a tribute to a great lady and a long life well lived. So the question is - how is my late friend Jessie like a Japanese maple tree? She is like one in more ways than you would think.
So it's true she passed April 2nd – Good Friday. Her birthday was not far off or far before. I do not know the exact date of her birthday, but I know it was around that time, because I gifted her some early birthday pj’s as a present. I am happy she got to wear the pj's before her passing. We had many visits together in her living room and on her porches in the years previous. From her living room you could see her well-sewn, white sheer curtains, as well as her front porch and its railing. Also from the living room, you could view a Japanese maple tree beyond her porch railing located in her front garden. It was more noticeable in the fall because of its changing red leaves. Her tree was maybe 7 to 10 feet tall, well established. My background picture is of a Japanese maple tree like the one in her front garden. I knew it was a Japanese maple because I garden at a place that planted one very similar, so that type of plant was on my mind. I spotted Jessie's Japanese maple, and we even discussed it in conversation a couple times.
For the gardeners out there, this tip is for you. Do you know that “Adding a Japanese maple tree to your landscape creates an elegant and vibrantly coloured focal point”? This is true to the tree and also to Jessie as person. She was often seen in brightly coloured clothes, especially at church, brightly coloured just like the Japanese maple. Our mutual friend Joyce called her Lady J, a name like royalty, because she had style and elegance just like royalty or like the elegance of the Japanese maple tree.
What is the lifespan of the Japanese maple? They, the trees “typically grow just one to two feet per year (which is why it might be wise to buy the largest one you can afford). That said, under the right conditions, they can live to be over one hundred years old.” And it is in this way too that Jessie was similar to a Japanese maple. She had a long life, living 99 years, very close to the lifespan of the Japanese maple. I am glad I got to know her, although I only knew her in her later years. On her birthday the year before, she passed all of the neighbours gathered on the street and they sang her “Happy Birthday.” That little sing song was organized by another neighbour named Anne, and I know Jessie really appreciated it.
Did you know the flowers on the Japanese maple are called Samaria, Samarie, Sammara and Semara? Samara is a female given name. It is of Arabic and Hebrew origin, and its meaning is guardian or protected by God. Samara is also a city in Russia. This is fitting, as I hope Jessie is protected now after her death by God. We can only hope.
Essentially carefree once established, the Japanese maple offers year-round interest with its ever-changing beauty. Jessie, like the Japanese maple offered year- round interest and a beautiful personality. I talked to her not just in the winter when shovelling her sidewalk, but also visited her in the spring, summer and fall. She brought year-round interest to my life, always with good stories like those about her son's cat Pepper or about playing cards with her friends. She had a beautiful personality.
Well, what did Jessie and I do on our visits besides gab? Well, we always had coffee, mine with milk and sugar, hers with a bit of Bailey's liquor. Sometimes we had butter tarts or other snacks, but not all the time. However, every time we visited we drank coffee. Did you know “Coffee grounds are recommended for your Japanese maple tree; it's rich in nutrients, and you can find them in your local grocery store.” She was often heard saying upon finishing her cup of coffee, “that was good to the last drop.” She liked instant coffee, just like me.
Finally, did you know “Japanese maple trees have been considered a symbol of grace personified by many Asian cultures for hundreds of years. Associated with peace and serenity of the world's elements, Japanese maple trees represent balance and practicality and are called "kito" in the Japanese language, which means "calm," "rest" or "at peace."” Now we hope after her passing that she is at rest or at peace just as the Japanese maple symbolizes.
Miss you Jessie, and hope you do not mind me writing about you.
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Much gratitude goes to Lene MacLean for not only keeping the dire situation in Ukraine at top of mind during each Sunday’s worship service, but for also being highly entertaining! Each week, Lene offers a different way to raise funds to support Ukraine. These funds are being channelled via Lions International to be used for grassroots support in Ukrainian communities. We have also paired with the Multicultural Association of Perth-Huron to gather supplies to support Ukrainian refugees who are coming to the area. Dr. Geza Wordofa, president and founder of MAPH, is collecting donations, especially medicine, underwear, socks, a walker, a wheelchair and new clothes for adults. These items may be dropped off at church house between 9 and noon Monday to Friday. Many thanks also to Barb Waite, who delivered a trunkful of supplies to MAPH’s location in Listowel last week! |
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This is a lively time of worship, prayer, and connection led by Rev. Sheryl and other leaders within the group. This is a come-when-you-can gathering! If you would like to be put on the e-mail list to receive the weekly Zoom link, please contact Janice Benson at ebenson[at]wightman.ca
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If you’d like the Pastoral Care Team to pray for you or someone you know, or if you know of any hospitalizations, sickness, or special occasions, please contact one of the following members of the team:
Betty Seminowicz at 519-923-5416
or
Daphne Rappard at 519-323-2505
All requests are shared only with the Pastoral Care Team and are kept confidential.
Pexels photo - Tara Winstead
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The next Leadership team meeting is on May 10, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. |
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May 1 – Rural Life Sunday. John 21:1-19. This Sunday is also known as Rogation Sunday. It is a time when we bless the upcoming growing season. Bring in things you will use to grow things this summer – seeds, soil, tools, gardening gloves or hat, tractor (a small replica might work best) – and we’ll bless them!
May 8 – Christian Family Sunday (Mother’s Day). A blessing of the newly renovated Sunday School and nursery rooms will take place immediately following worship.
May 15 – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Baptism of Huon McFarlane, son of Jessica and Andrew McFarlane
May 22 – Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 29 – Seventh Sunday of Easter
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Monday and Friday office hours are 9-2
The office will be closed on Wednesday, May 4th
Tuesday and Thursday office hours are 9-12.
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Prayer Circle for Region 8 |
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This week's Community of Faith to remember in prayer is:
Dundalk United Church
As a church, we are called to pray for each other and for our mission
in the world.
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Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council |
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Check out what is happening at Western Ontario Waterways, click on the link below. |
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The Messenger is now back to a monthly schedule, coming out on or around the first Monday of the month. In order to make sure your submission gets included please email Juliann, at united@wightman.ca before noon on
May 30, 2022.
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