Communiqué
December 2020
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Advent
Angels, Hope & Joy!
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The magic trick of pulling a tablecloth out from under a place setting relies on three things: a straight down pull, an unhemmed cloth, and Newton’s first law of motion. Pulling down, not out, causes the unhemmed edge of the tablecloth to move speedily between the tabletop and the dishes. Inertia keeps the glasses, silverware, and plates sitting in their neat arrangement, even while the magician gathers up the cloth and takes a bow.
The past year has felt like one tablecloth yank after another—with very little magic. The hemmed edges of white supremacy, COVID-19, climate change, and more have snagged our plans and intentions. Surrounded by shattered pieces of our expectations, it is worth taking a moment before we decide to set our table again.
Our traditional Advent is part of the rubble of this year. Even now, we are shifting and sorting out how to create a season of anticipation that leans into hope and away from dread. In a season that specifically marks how all things are possible with God, so much feels impossible. We have our own inertia, held in place by grief. We wait for the tug of the cloth again to see what will come crashing down.
In an Advent that’s already different, let’s refuse to set the table of oppression and exclusion again. Let’s be alert to our language, our habits, our illustrations, and our traditions. Now is the time, when so much has to change anyway, to walk away from “how we’ve always done it” toward “here is how we do it now.” Change on top of change is tough, but it is how we stay alert, attuned to the nearness of Christ.
Opening ourselves to new ways of being, new ways to serve, new ways to set the table, the Spirit will guide us into an Advent that matters. The church that focuses on community well-being and missions of reconciliation and healing will barely be disturbed by a tablecloth yank. Alert for Christ and alive with love, “in those days, after that suffering” our advent will have begun.
Blessings, Kathi
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From the Chair of the Leadership Circle |
This is the Christmas newsletter and the last one of the year. Wow, has it been a difficult year! Yet we are blessed at EMUC with such wonderful support from the congregation and our staff and volunteer leadership. I would like to thank everyone for all your time, efforts, and financial contributions. Some are huge and others are small, but I know we all put in as much as we can and then some more.
This Sunday we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally this first Sunday represents Hope. We celebrated it with an on-line Zoom service, which we have become used to during the pandemic. And it was just this past week that more provincial restrictions were put in place as the second wave gets worse. However, there really is hope during this first week of Advent. Announcements about three very effective vaccines have been made. The province is putting in logistical plans for delivering vaccinations and even talking about timing of different tranches. We can be hopeful that we will soon look back and feel a sense of relief that the worst is over.
With such hope, I want to urge us all to hang on just a bit longer as we make it through the difficult few months ahead. Particularly as December is normally such a wonderful month with Christmas and all it brings in our lives.
As you celebrate in the tradition of gift giving with family and friends, please consider how a financial gift to EMUC helps celebrate God’s gifts to us and makes a difference in the life and work of this congregation. As in past years, if we are to meet our budget goals, increased donations are required in December. This year you can make a special Christmas offering in person at the church, by mail, or through Canada Helps by going to our website http://emuc.ca. Please clearly identify your donation as a Christmas Offering. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.
I wish you all a wonderful and, particularly this year, a spiritually uplifting Christmas that will carry us into new life next year.
Paul Marot
Chair, Leadership Circle
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Thanks to:
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All those who have read scripture at the services in November
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Tina Driscoll and Sylvia Arnold for preparing service material and delivery to those without technology required for Zoom services
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David Leeder for preparing Stewardship articles this year
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Lorraine Moore for arranging and delivering the Open Door pizza lunch
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Update on worship services and contact information
EMUC Sunday services will continue online using the Zoom platform until further notice.
Temporary Website and email addresses:
While the EMUC website and email systems are down because of the malware attack on our provider's server, temporary sites have been set up while the problem is being addressed. Watch for updates in the Friday Message.
Temporary church email: erinmillsunited@gmail.com
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**We Need to Hear from You**
From the Affirming Congregation Group
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.
- Why should EMUC consider becoming an affirming congregation?
- What are your concerns/questions around becoming an affirming congregation?
- 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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Open Door – November 2020
In previous years, EMUC has sponsored a dinner for the clients of the Open Door at Square One. This year a dinner was not possible due to COVID-19. The need however was still there, if not greater. In discussion with Lynne at the Open Door, a pizza lunch was suggested, delivered curb side. Lorraine Moore arranged with a small local pizza restaurant for 15 assorted pizzas. On November 10 these pizzas were picked up and delivered. It was great that in addition to supporting the Open Door, we also helped a local small business.
It is nice to know that EMUC is still answering the need in our community, even in the face of the pandemic.
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Celebrate the Christmas Season
with your EMUC Family via Zoom!
Advent 2020
“Angels, Hope & Joy”
Sunday Nov. 29 10 a.m. Advent 1: Angel visits Zechariah and Elizabeth
Blessing the donations to Deacon’s Cupboard
Sunday Dec. 6 10 a.m. Advent 2: Angel visits Mary
Communion
Sunday Dec. 13 10 a.m. Advent 3: Angel visits Joseph
Sunday Dec. 20 10 a.m. Advent 4: “O Zoom All Ye Faithful” Pageant
Monday Dec. 21 7 p.m. Longest Night - Hope and Healing Service
Christmas and into January 2021
Thursday Dec. 24 8 p.m. Christmas Eve & Communion Service
Sunday Dec. 27 10 a.m. Christmas Sunday
Sunday Jan. 3 10 a.m. First service of 2021 & Communion
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Calling All Knitters
Community Life is currently collecting hats, gloves, and scarves for adults and children, to give to guests of the Deacon’s Cupboard during the holiday season. If you have any items to donate, you can drop them in a special bin located just outside the EMUC office. If anyone has items to donate but is unable to travel to EMUC, you can contact Sandra Witterick at sandra.witterick@gmail.com or call Tina at the church office to make arrangements for pickup.
Many thanks to those who have already contributed items!
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Amnesty International Write for Rights 2020
Every year, leading up to International Human Rights Day on December 10, Amnesty International organizes Write for Rights Events. They identify people and communities at risk of human rights abuses world-wide and join them in solidarity to seek justice. This year the Interfaith Peace and Justice Committee is asking you to visit the write-a-thon website and participate individually.
Nassima Al-Sada was arrested in Saudi Arabia in July 2018 for campaigning for women to have the right to drive and carry out their daily lives without the permission of a male "guardian". She is allowed one weekly phone call with her family and no visits, even from her lawyer. Please write to the King of Saudi Arabia urging him to free Nassima and other activists immediately and unconditionally.
Thank you for supporting human rights. If you have any questions, please contact Debby Sturgeon (sturgs4@rogers.com )
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The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group and the Affirming Congregations Working Group invite you to join us in EMUC’s second One Book Read! That’s when anyone who is interested reads the selected text and participates in the follow-up discussion. Our selection this time is We Have Always Been Here – A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
The book starts with snapshots of the author’s early years as a member of a persecuted, minority Muslim sect in her birthplace of Pakistan, and a description of her unique challenges coming of age in an immigrant Canadian family (including an arranged marriage at age sixteen).
Samra yearned for a life different than the one expected by her parents and community and for the safety to be herself. “The men in her life wanted to police her, the women in her life had only shown her the example of pious obedience, and her body was a problem to be solved.
So begins an exploration of faith, art, love, and queer sexuality, a journey that takes her to the far reaches of the globe to uncover a truth that was within her all along. A triumphant memoir of forgiveness and family, both chosen and not, We Have Always Been Here is a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt out of place and a testament to the power of fearlessly inhabiting one’s truest self” (from the book jacket).
We Have Always Been Here was on the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize longlist and is the 2020 CBC Canada Reads winner. Books are available from the Mississauga Public Library (including the ebook option). They are also available through Chapters/Indigo and would surely make a lovely Christmas gift for the readers on your list!
Enjoy the read!
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ABOUT ERIN MILLS UNITED CHURCH
EMUC's Vision is to be a thriving Spirit-filled congregation;
diverse, inclusive, and engaged with the community
and creation.
The Mission of EMUC is to offer opportunities for all persons
to experience the love of God through Jesus Christ.
Editor: Janet Morrison Layout: Barbara Jennings
Proof-reader: Cindy Young
3010 The Collegeway
Mississauga, L5L4X9
905-820-9466
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