Communiqué
February 2021






Lent



Hope Sustains Us
When Palm Sunday arrived in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic had only just begun, Erin Mills United was entirely shut down. There was no way to bless and distribute palm branches to our faith community.

So, we improvised. The palms were delivered to my house so they could be seen during worship. Some of you used what was at hand and waved evergreen branches during the service.

Nearly a year later, as we step into the Lenten season, we continue to adapt to the new way things are. On Ash Wednesday, we used oil, water, flour, or nothing at all instead of making the sign of the cross on our foreheads with ashes.

We have learned not to expect that we will all be doing the same thing together. Some of us are looking for new ways to engage and some are very burned out. One thing I have noticed is that what we do is not just a ritual anymore.

Lent is intended to be a solemn period of reflection, and prayer, but this year that reflection is different. Though vaccinations are on the rise, as of the day I write this, the virus has killed nearly 22,000 people in Canada and forced many more into isolation. For many Christians, Lent in 2021 has also taken on a new significance beyond the requirements of social distancing.

We deal with lament during this period of time, but now we know what it means to have to deal with lament. It’s what happens when we can’t come into relationship with each other.

So much of the foundation of church life has been connected to being in person, so what happens when we cannot sing or pray together? What happens when we can’t gather?

What happens is a mixture of adaptation and innovation as churches do their best to modify worship to comply with public health guidelines.

Some of our neighbouring churches have been quite creative. One invited their people to a drive-through and their minister – gloved, masked, and wearing a face shield- marked the sign of the cross on foreheads through the open car windows.

Several congregations are distributing Lent-in-the-bag or Lent-in-the-box packages that contain materials for households to engage with Lenten practices throughout the entire season.

I heard that some churches even held pancake suppers over Zoom. Where families cooked their own pancakes but ate them while chatting with their church friends online. Games and activities helped keep the energy light.

After the last 12 months, Lent has taken on a much deeper meaning. The anniversary of the pandemic has a particular resonance as it coincides with Lent because we can see that wilderness time, that darkness, in a whole new way. I think we understand what to lament means much more, and we now understand the hope for resurrection even more. That hope sustains us, particularly as the pandemic wears on.

While we all miss being in person and our traditional celebrations for things like Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, we know that we will get to do them again. Because the world keeps turning, and we will gather again, and our traditions hold, they wait for us.

Blessings, Kathi
From the Chair of the Leadership Circle
We are into our new calendar year and I’m sure we are all champing at the bit to get out to do things and make this year so much better than last year. That goes for EMUC too! I’ve spent some time in the USA this winter with American folk, and with the change in administration and vaccinations getting well under way, I can sense people are looking past COVID-19 now. So, my message is still to hang in there a bit longer but get ready and be prepared for the turnaround as we emerge from the pandemic.

At our upcoming congregational meeting, the LC would like to bring you the findings and suggestions of the Congregational Growth Committee. As you know, this committee was formed and has been working since 2018. They have continued to work over the past year, albeit in a more restricted fashion. They have an exciting recommendation on the way forward for EMUC to grow. We have a plan to do something and your input is important. The plan is parallel to something Stittsville United Church outside of Ottawa started, and they made a video about their efforts. 

Now if the next Golden Girls or The Red Green Show season was coming out, I could say click here to watch the trailer. But it is just me, your EMUC Leadership Circle Chair trying to get you to watch this video. Of course, highlights of the video will be shown at the meeting as background to the discussion. However, the real benefit for the church is your thoughts and feedback. Please watch it prior to the meeting, give it some thought and come to the meeting inspired. 

To watch the Stittsville UC video, click Stittsville UC's SPARK Program

See you all on March 7.

Paul Marot,
Chair, LC
Transitions
On February 24 at 8:43am, Danielle and Blake Madill welcomed their new baby boy: Otto Levi, a brother to Ada. Congratulations to the entire family and to grandparent, Susanne Lee Young.

Thanks!
Thanks to:

  • All those who have read scripture at the services in February
  • Len Feldman for providing special music every Sunday
  • David Leeder for his long tenure on the Leadership Circle in various positions
  • Trish Campbell for serving as the Member-at-large on the Leadership Circle for the past two years
  • Debbie Sturgeon for serving as Vice-Chair, Leadership Circle for the past three years
  • Janet Morrison for serving as EMUC’s representative at Presbytery, currently Horseshoe Falls Region, for the past several years
  • Tina Driscoll for preparing the Annual Report
  • David Leeder and the Finance Committee for preparing the 2020 Financial Report and 2021 Budget
  • The Affirming Ministry Working Group and the Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group for organizing and leading the One Book Read event.
  • Cathy Scattergood for organizing the Women for Women online presentation, ‘Speaking of Bones’ given by Diana McNeill from Osteoporosis Canada
  • Sandy Hayes for organizing the “New to Do” column in the Friday Message
  • Nancy Blackport for typing the scriptures for each Sunday from the Inclusive Bible. 
Life at EMUC
Update on worship services and contact information

EMUC Sunday services will continue online using the Zoom platform until further notice.
We Have Always Been Here - One Book Read Event

On Thursday, Feb. 18, the Affirming Ministry working group and the Interfaith, Justice and Peace-Building committee co-hosted a book study to discuss the memoir We Have Always Been Here, by Samra Habib. We had 23 folks from the congregation and interested guests join our Zoom event. The evening involved rich discussion in both large and small groups. Our small group discussion leaders prompted conversations with interesting questions and all attendees had an opportunity to share reflections, questions and opinions. Many readers shared their favourite quotes from the book. A clip from an interview with Samra was shared, and participants ended the evening with a culminating question to reflect on and respond to at a later date. It was an interesting and thought-provoking evening, and we were left with this important quote from Samra’s CBC interview: “It is important to have diverse voices to build empathy and to connect to each other."
Women for Women

Women for Women is back!! On February 3 we held our first Zoom event — “Speaking of Bones” with Diana McNeill. Diana spoke to 42 people about bone structure, fracture risks, osteoporosis and how to help maintain bone health through nutrition (focusing on calcium, vitamin D and protein) and exercise (strength training, posture, balance and weight bearing). A question-and-answer period followed. Diana recommended checking out the website www.osteoporosis.ca for more information. Women for Women is planning to have a couple more Zoom events in the near future. Watch for further details. Contact Cathy Scattergood ( cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca ) with any suggestions or questions.
Erin Mills United Church: Inspired by Our Essential Workers at Credit Valley Hospital

It is always a great feeling to reach out to help and support others during hard times! It is especially rewarding when EMUC is able to do this for our local community.

Cathy Kiteley and Cindy Young, in their roles as members of the Congregational Growth Committee, were inspired to offer EMUC’s appreciation and support to the essential workers at Credit Valley Hospital for their tireless effort and dedication during COVID-19.
 
Cathy and Cindy created wallet-sized appreciation cards for all employees who work on in-patient clinical units, the emergency department, infection control centre, and the COVID testing site, as well as the senior hospital administration team. Staff on the units were invited to take a card to keep on hand for encouragement to get them through a rough shift. 

The wallet-sized cards along with a thank-you note that described our intent were packaged and delivered to each unit at Credit Valley Hospital on Valentine’s Day — which seemed very appropriate!
The appreciation card
Getting ready to deliver
Cathy Kiteley delivering to CVH
SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!

Most of us had kindergarten teachers, and if we did, it's highly likely one of their mantras to their little charges was "Share, share, share!" Keeping that spirit alive, the Communications and Membership and Pastoral Care committees are encouraging you to share your favourite entertainment discoveries during this past year of isolation: books, movies, documentaries, series, concerts, interviews, how-to ideas, etc. New to Do, a new column in the Friday Message, has begun posting your ideas and the response has been very positive.  

A couple of reminders: Since the items are not being reviewed before listing, kindly exercise good judgment to ensure our list remains appropriate. EMUC does not endorse any of the content.

To submit: Email sandyhayes88@gmail.com and use as the subject line: New to Do. Please indicate there if your suggestion is time sensitive (e.g., an upcoming television or radio broadcast). If you prefer calling Sandy: 905-820-4437.

Please keep your ideas coming so we all can enhance our enjoyment during these long lockdown days.  
Upcoming Events
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.
Annual Congregational Meeting

On Sunday March 7, 2021, EMUC will hold its annual meeting over Zoom following the Sunday service. This meeting is important to vote on new members for the Leadership Circle and to approve the 2021 budget.

Links to the 2020 Annual Report, 2020 Financial Statements, 2021 Draft Budget were included in the last Friday Message. These documents, in addition to the minutes of the 2020 Congregational Meeting and possibly some background information from the congregational growth committee, are also being sent in a separate email today for your review.

If there are people who do not receive the emails, they may contact Tina at office@emuc.ca to receive the documents in hard copy.

 Plan to attend this important meeting!
Holy Week Service Schedule

Services to be held via Zoom.

March 28  10:00 AM Palm Sunday – with virtual palm parade

April 1    Maundy Thursday – self guided meditation and Communion.
A bulletin will be sent in advance via email for people to follow. 

April 2    9:00 AM – Good Friday Service 

April 4    10:00 AM Easter Sunday – Communion