Sometimes we follow the lectionary, and sometimes we don’t, but the summer selections in Year C (the year we’re in) are wonderful, because they teach us the nature of the kingdom of God that Jesus spent his ministry trying to get people of his time (and eventually ours and all the time intervening) fired up about. He’s so good at using family stories to make a point, and our text this week is an example of this.

It begins with two brothers in conflict and a request from one of them to Jesus to “tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” Jesus, of course, engages in no such thing, but he does tell a story -- about a rich man who had an abundant harvest and couldn’t figure out what to do with it.

The basis of Jesus’ words is how he feels about greed, which seems pertinent this week. The Pope has been visiting in Canada all week, making various appearances to offer words of apology and reconciliation. Would any of this have been necessary if his forebears in the faith and in the monarchies and governments through the centuries had not been motivated by greed? August 1 is also Emancipation Day, the day that is marked throughout North America as a celebration of the end of slavery. Slavery – another horrific thing that humans have enacted because of greed. Where does greed come from? Is it inevitable? Have there been cultures in human history that have not had greed as part of their make-up?

To prepare, read Luke 12:13-21 and ponder the following:

1.     Do you think Jesus offers good advice here? Why or why not?

2.     Do you feel like you have “enough?”

Image: “Grain Fields,” Edwin Evans, 1844-1923, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.

We’re expecting about 25 kids to attend Vacation Bible School August 2 to August 5. Pray for a great week for all involved! 

Photo Pixaby.com

To Scott Vandepas for faithfully cutting the grass at Mount Forest United throughout the summer. 

The Community Campout was a wonderful success! About 30 people – between the ages of 2 and 92 – attended on Friday evening for a BBQ, duck races and Vespers worship service. Only a few brave souls camped out, but many folks returned Saturday morning for a wonderful breakfast, more duck races and a closing worship. It was a beautiful time of fellowship and community and huge thanks go out to the Harper family, especially Nancy for organizing and Jim and Theresa Harper for welcoming all of us to the Harper homestead, the farm where Bob and Florence Harper raised their family for many years. 

The Membership and Fellowship Committee have been working on arranging a new Photo Directory for our churches. We want all of you to participate to make it as complete as possible. These photo sittings are for Mount Forest and Woodland.

The first set of sittings for August is filled! The next sitting dates are scheduled for November 2, 3, 4 & 5th at the church starting at 2:30 pm till 8:20 pm, (half-hour appointments)

We will be booking appointments at church on Sunday's and we will be making phone calls as well. Please contact Mary Ruth Job at 519.509.3491 or by email jobnet1@wightman.ca

One or two people required to ensure that there are appropriate flowers in the sanctuary each week. Please contact Bruce Chapman at brucechapman[at]wightman.ca or Rev. Sheryl at rev[at]wightman.ca by August 5. 

Congratulations Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, also known as Kwisa’lakw. Rev. Dr. Lansdowne is the church’s 44th Moderator. She will be its spiritual leader for the next three years. As part of her vision, Landsdowne wishes “to build new connections and rebuild old ones. To work towards social change that sees a world cared for, and human dignity honoured. To walk together every day in repentance and reconciliation. To march and fight and change unjust systems together. To pray together. To sing together. To discern together.” For more information: https://united-church.ca/news/rev-dr-carmen-lansdowne-elected-44th-moderator

Pictured below are the sewing kits all packed and ready to ship by the Mount Forest Lion's Club. The other pictures are the sewing kits being presented to young women, check out their smiles! The Saidiana Women project is still actively engaged in the community and the training in sewing has a new class of 2022! 

For a long time now, western industrialized economies have been based on the idea of consumption, that is, that the more products, whether raw or processed, that are consumed, the better. Growth is the key, ever-more production, with little regard to waste or especially sustainability.

It actually makes one shake one’s head as to how we got to such a place where such warped thinking is taken as the status quo! There has to be an end point. Resources on the planet are finite! We can’t just keep using them all up like there’s no tomorrow!

This is where the circular economy comes in. That it is a ‘new’ idea is silly. Indigenous people in North America and everywhere have lived via a circular economy for millennia. It’s why their cultures have been able to maintain themselves and why western cultures are looking at collapse, a completely unsustainable future.

How does a circular economy work? The principles are simple. Rather than a ‘take, make, waste’ approach that currently guides our economic system, the circular economy works as ‘make, use, reuse, remake, recycle.’

Not long ago, I bought a ‘new’ leash for my dog. In fact, it was made from climbing rope that had passed its prime as climbing rope, but could still be repurposed as something else. These dog leashes were made by an eleven year old. No wonder Jesus said that to inherit the kingdom of God we must become like children! Dog leashes are one thing, but what if governments the world over not only encouraged that products be created with a circular economy in mind but mandated it! European countries are at the fore in this. The Netherlands, for example, has mandated that by 2030, 50% of all materials used must be able to be recycled. By 2050, the country desires to have a 100% waste-free economy!

The circular economy requires a different way of thinking, especially if you are involved in manufacturing, but it is a way of thinking whose time has come. 

By Rev. Sheryl

Image: Wikicommons. Used with permission. 

The green team has installed a bike rack at the church, feel free to pedal your way to church!

Prisoner of Tehran: Mount Forest dance theatre performance “inspires one to take a stance against social injustice”

International performing troupe Motus O dance theatre in conjunction with Mount Forest United Church will present a unique performance of Prisoner of Tehran at Mount Forest United Church on Saturday September 10 at 7:30 p.m.

This production is a synthesis of dance, theatre and storytelling based on a memoir by Marina Nemat, who, after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, was arrested at the age of sixteen for protesting government policies and spent more than two years in Evin Prison. Isolated, tortured and under a constant threat of execution, Nemat was eventually released and immigrated to Canada.

Nemat’s memoir of her life in Iran, Prisoner of Tehran, was published in Canada by Penguin Canada in 2007, has been published in 28 other countries and is an international bestseller. In 2007 Marina received the inaugural Human Dignity Award from the European Parliament, and in 2008, she received the prestigious Grinzane Prize in Italy. Marina is a respected speaker, writer and activist on the topics of torture and human rights.

Jack Langenhuizen, co-artistic director of Motus O, believes that this moving adaptation of Prisoner of Tehran should be seen in every town in Canada, “as it is incredibly relevant to the current pulse of our times – acceptance of one another, hope in the midst of despair, triumph in the midst of adversity.” In fact, the performance “inspires one to take a stance against social injustice and persecution, but doesn’t invite anger but rather forgiveness. One truly leaves the show inspired to do good.”

Mount Forest United Church is honoured to be partnering with Motus O, a renowned international performing troupe that has recently made their home near Mount Forest, to bring this production to the area. Motus O’s works range from balletic to opera, to high-energy street performances. Lithe, innovative and physically risky, they have been commissioned by such groups as the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Pan Am games and have received awards as Touring Artist of the Year from several provinces. Prisoner of Tehran is just one of the many socially relevant and visually unique performances that Motus O have created over a long and varied career.

The role of Marina Nemat will be played by Motus O choreographer and co-artistic director Cynthia Croker. Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at Mount Forest Main street businesses M & M Food Market and Walsh’s IDA, or at the door. They can also be reserved by calling 519-323-2105. The performance is recommended for audience members aged 14 and up.

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For more information:

Motus O dance theatre: www.motuso.com/; jacklangenhuizen@motuso.com

Marina Nemat: www.marinanemat.com/

Mount Forest United Church:  www.mountforestunitedchurch.com; Janice Benson, ebenson@wightman.ca

Are you missing the good ol’ days when an insert of featured announcements was part of the order of service each week? The announcements are returning! As of August 21, you will find announcements in the order of service once again. If you have an announcement that you would like to include in the bulletin, please get it to Juliann in the office at united@wightman.ca by Monday prior to the Sunday you would like it in.  

All services at 11:00, unless indicated otherwise.

July 31 – Luke 12:13-21. What to do with an abundance of goods… Exploration of greed, the doctrine of discovery, etc.

August 14 – outdoor service at Murphy Park, weather permitting. (If cancelled, an e-mail notice will go out and the cancellation will be posted on the Mount Forest United Facebook page. Bring a lawnchair, a bottle of water and dress for the weather. Feel free also to bring a picnic for your family for after the service!

August 21 – Karon Falk, worship leader.

August 28 – Woodland Anniversary! Guest speaker Greta deLonghi, chaplain, St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener. 11:00 A.M.

Sept. 4 – Patty Sinnamon, worship leader. (Rev. Sheryl will be away attending her son’s wedding!)

Sept. 11 – ‘Welcome Back Sunday’, including Blessing of the Backpacks! Also, a Q and A with cast members from Prisoner of Tehran. Community lunch following worship!

Photo by Andre Furtado 

This week's Community of Faith to remember in prayer is:

Thamesview United Church

Website: www.thamesviewuc.ca

As a church, we are called to pray for each other and for our mission in the world.