Friday Message
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What's Coming!
January 22, 2021
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Wednesday the world watched as the USA managed its transfer of power -- it's hard to call it "peaceful" after the past few weeks, but it happened nonetheless. Here it was shown live on multiple television channels, and I imagine the same was true around the world. Many both in and outside the USA breathed a sigh of relief.
Most of us know that the person at the top of an organization does a lot to set the tone and direction. We also know that it takes only a surprisingly small number to derail that direction and to stall culture change. And we know that the most effective way to contain that drama is for others within the organization to stand up and insist on a better way, while the leader does their best to keep casting the vision.
While many are breathing easier, while we celebrate and relax a little bit -- and while those of us outside the US (and those within, I'm sure) will be grateful that one man on the other side of the 49th parallel is no longer taking up so much of our media attention (maybe now we will have the bandwidth for the important things that have been neglected while we were subjected to analysis of his every tweet?), we also all know the truth is that a change at the top is only a small part of the work.
Rest. Recharge. Celebrate. Dream. Breathe. This too is the work.
And then stand firm. Insist on accountability. Cast the vision. Be louder than the few who are trying to pretend they are many. Culture change takes all of us together, not simply sitting back and waiting for the ones at the top to do it. We who have been leaders in the church know that better than many, and here is our chance to be the national and global equivalent of 'people in the pew' choosing to move the whole in the right direction. We are well-equipped for this moment, friends! We are the ones we've been waiting for.
Blessings, Kathi
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UPDATE on WORSHIP SERVICES
The EMUC Sunday and Wednesday Prayer services will continue online using the Zoom platform until further notice. The possibility of returning to the building for worship will be reassessed each month at the Leadership Circle meeting.
Sunday January 24:
10:00 a.m.: Online Worship led by Rev. Kathi
Monday January 25:
7:00 p.m.: Bible Study via Zoom
Tuesday January 26:
3:00 p.m.: Leadership Circle & Congregational Growth Meeting via Zoom
Wednesday January 27:
6:45 p.m.: Prayer Service via Zoom
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Wednesday Evening Worship
If you would like to join in the Wednesday Evening Zoom Worship, please email Rev. Kathi at kathi@emuc.ca and she will email you the access code.
Women for Women
is holding a free 1 hour on-line Zoom event, open to everyone, on Wednesday, February 3 at 3:00 p.m. Diana McNeill will be doing a presentation on healthy bones entitled "Speaking of Bones", sponsored by Osteoporosis Canada. Please RSVP to cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca or leave a message at 905-828-5138 by January 29 and a Zoom link (computer or phone) will be sent to you by February 1.
Lenten Study
Munn’s and St. Andrews United Churches are giving a Lenten study and are inviting interested EMUC congregants to join them. The study will take place via Zoom for the five Mondays in March (1,8,15,22,29) from 7 to 8 p.m. It’s ok to miss a day; come as you are able. The focus will be the book, Faith on the Move by Julie McGonegal , which is available through the United Church bookstore (online at UCRD). If you are interested, contact Tina at office@emuc.ca who will ensure you receive the ZOOM link. This is the first time these three churches have collaborated on a study group. Rev. Kate Young will lead the discussions.
Fundscrip Fundraising Gift Card Program is back in January!!
Back by popular demand, we are happy to announce that anyone interested in purchasing Fundscrip cards in January will be able to do so by following the procedures listed below;
2. If you already have an order form, send an email to Joanne Hines with your order by Thursday, January 28.
3. Take the cheque for your order amount and drop it off in the church mailbox (Tina will be working from home during this stay at home order period) or take your cheque or cash directly to Mike Ogilvie by Friday, January 29.
4. Your order will be placed on Sunday January 31 and will hopefully arrive sometime on Thursday, February 4.
5. Arrange to pick up your order from the church office by appointment on Friday, February 5.
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An announcement from the Affirming Congregations Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group
THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 AT 7 P.M.
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Are you looking for a new book to read during this time of lockdown? We suggest, “We Have Always Been Here – A Queer Muslim Memoir” by Samra Habib. This is the fascinating story of a young girl’s struggle against a tradition that sought to suppress her hopes and dreams simply because she was female. It’s the story of a young woman’s awakening to her true sexual identity. It’s the story of a woman’s search to find spaces where she could live out her Muslim faith in community with those who shared her sexual identity.
“We Have always Been Here” is the book the Affirming Congregations Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group have chosen for a One Book Read. “What is that?” you may ask. That’s when anyone who is interested reads the book and then joins us over Zoom to talk about the book. The discussion is being planned Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
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Affirming Working Group - We Need to Hear from You
Over the last few weeks, an announcement about EMUC becoming an Affirming Ministry within the United Church of Canada has been circulated through the Friday message. We hope you have had a chance to read it. Perhaps you have even visited the Affirm United website and explored the Open Hearts document. As we mentioned, much of this work will require face to face discussions and in person workshops. When we are back together, this work will go ahead.
Thankfully, there are a few things we can invite you to help us with right now. Please consider thinking about and responding to the following questions. Your answers are so important to help our working group move forward in planning the education process around our Affirming mission.
1. Why should EMUC consider becoming an affirming congregation?
2. What are your concerns/questions around becoming an affirming congregation?
3. With consideration of the various learning styles that individuals have, which educational method do you find most beneficial? (i.e. reading material, movies, workshops, guest speakers, etc.)
We invite you to email anyone on our working group with your responses and any other feedback that may be helpful as we move forward in this process.
Thank you in advance for your participation,
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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.
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Office Hours:
Following the latest government order, Tina will be working from home and only going in to the church for essential work when needed.
Also she will be retrieving phone messages remotely only for her and Rev Kathi’s voicemail boxes. So if you are leaving a voice message please make sure you don’t leave it in the general EMUC phone voicemail box.
Tina can be reached Monday to Friday; 9:30am-4:00pm. For the quickest response please email office@emuc.ca, If calling to leave a message use (905)820-9466 ext. 23: messages will be picked up remotely.
If you need access to the church, contact the office and Tina is happy to schedule an appointment.
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Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca |
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