Communiqué
2023 Issue 5



Ordinary Time
Mòrar's Musings: Curating Church

Several years ago, my husband was approached in his role as the Director of the Toronto School of Theology at U of T to join a rather interesting group. Under the leadership of Katherine Lochlan, then Curator of International Exhibits at the Art Gallery of Ontario, this small group was involved in the creation of the tremendously successful Mystical Landscapes exhibit. Lochlan had a spiritual awakening just before she was about to retire, which led to this exhibit which took her an additional five years to create. She relied on professors from the Toronto School of Theology to assist with the development of the theme, the choice of pieces from the great trove of the Impressionists, and the writing of many of the articles for the catalogue. Vicariously, I was able to peek into the world of curating and I was fascinated.

One task of a curator is to select paintings and then to travel to the galleries that own them and convert the directors to the idea of the exhibit so that they will loan the paintings for it. Steve Martin thought that he had ‘discovered’ Lawren Harris so when he was asked to curate an exhibit for the AGO, he was surprised that he would be travelling across Canada to meet and ‘convert’ many Harris owners.

As we continue to explore the often scary, sometimes exciting world of being church in challenging times, we all have the possibility of becoming ‘curators.’ In the church world, there are many diverse selections for how to be church. The history of Christian worship offers up many, many traditions, practices, and rituals from the present right back to the early church.

How we worship, who we welcome for baptism or burial, how we govern, how individuals move into activities and leadership, how we function as church on a daily basis, what we give our energy to and why, how we practise hospitality to one another and to our neighbours: all these are topics to be thought about, talked about. And in the process we will move towards selecting those practices and ways of being and doing church that most members are drawn to. Selections may be made that attract you; others maybe not so much. We may mostly go one way but occasionally go another to meet the needs of those who may be in the minority. One of the great freedoms in the United Church is that we are not bound to conform to set rules about how we worship, what words we say, etc. 

It was in the crucible of Katherine’s group of wise guides that selections were made. It will be in small group conversation, tempered by love and prayer, not individual’s wants, that will bring us to the best version of church that we can be. Look for discussion opportunities as they are offered in the coming months.

And once decisions get made, it is with humility and grace that we all have the possibility of converting others to their benefits, to helping others to see how positive results may be worth the sacrifice of always getting one’s way. Backed by her committee, Katharine Lochlan was so convincing in converting the director of the Musee d’Orsay that the exhibit travelled to a very secular Paris and, despite controversy that made Le Monde, was tremendously successful there.

So this process of choosing, selecting, curating actually will lead us to unexpected results.

At the opening party for Mystical Landscapes, held in our home, an innocent question led to the formation of a team to teach a course on spirituality and art, a course which Katherine Lochlan teaches in her retirement. Even for the experts, curating can lead one into new pathways and adventures.

Blessings,
Mòrar
Thanks
Thanks to:

  • All who read scripture at services in May
  • All who volunteered to host coffee on Sunday mornings
  • All who cleaned up the gardens (Tim Hayes, Peter Kiteley, Mary Anna Williams, Ian Love, Alec Love, Karen Colwell, Dan and Debbie Sturgeon, Gary Macro, David Brignall, Joe and Nora Douglas, Barb Jennings, Larry van Goozen, Mike and Sue Ogilvie) and a special thanks to David Leeder who organized the event
  • All who painted the Rainbow colours on garden wall (Joanne Hines, Theresa Morris, Sandy Hayes and Karen Colwell)
  • Tim Hayes for organizing and leading the Striders’ walk
  • Patti King and Janet Morrison who organized the blood donation event
  • The Inspire Team for continuing to communicate events and activities
  • Cathy Kiteley, Joanne Hines and the Affirming Group for organizing the Author Book Talk
Life at EMUC
Garden Clean-up Day

Saturday, May 6 was a beautiful, sunny day. A number of garden enthusiasts got together to clean up the EMUC gardens. It made such a difference! Thank you for giving your time and energy to improve the appearance of our church home. By working together, the job was well done!
Thanks to Karen Colwell for taking the photos.
Barb, David, Nora & Deb
David & Peter
Ian & Alec
David & Tim
Dan
Larry
Sue
Nora
Mike
A Proud Day for EMUC 

As part of the process to become an Affirming Congregation, we were asked to create a plan as we moved forward in our journey. The plan was presented to the congregation in October and one of the items on that plan was to paint the outside garden wall in Pride colours. This project ensures that our wider community understands that all are truly welcome and safe in our space. 

We take our commitment to be public about our intention to welcome and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ seriously, and with the help of some members of our Affirming team, the garden walls have been primed and painted! This team worked for an incredibly long day, and we are so proud of the results. Thank you to Karen Colwell, Sandy Hayes and Theresa Morris for their time and dedication to the creation of this Pride garden wall. Just in time for our celebration of Pride month in June!

Submitted by Joanne Hines
Meeting the Community’s Needs

In March, the Canadian Blood Services asked EMUC if we could get together a small group of people to donate blood. They were in great need of donors. Four people went as a group on May 15 to give blood. Thank you for your life-saving generosity!
Author's Book Talk

Yesterday, June 3, the Guest Author Book Talk took place at EMUC. Approximately 25 -30 people attended to hear readings and conversations about Dr. Charles Hayter's book, Cancer Confidential. Brian Cope hosted the conversation with Dr. Hayter. Thanks to Joanne Hines, Cathy Kiteley and the Affirming team for organizing this interesting event.

Brian Cope and Dr. Charles Hayter
Joanne Hines, Brian Cope & Dr. Charles Hayter
Joanne Hines, Brian Cope, Dr. Charles Hayter & Cathy Kiteley
Upcoming Events
Ontario Male Chorus Concert

Sunday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Erin Mills United Church – Please join us for an evening of music, followed by light refreshments. Freewill offering accepted. This chorus practices at Erin Mills United Church throughout the year and have had concerts here in past years. You won’t want to miss them!  
Broadview Renewal Time

Your Broadview magazine subscription ends Jul/Aug of this year. If you wish to continue your subscription for 2023/24, please confirm ‘yes’ or ‘no’ by June 9.The rate remains at $25 for the year (as part of a group subscription).
 
Tina will start the process of renewing our group subscription after the 9th. The church will pay on your behalf, and you can reimburse the office by cheque (payable to Erin Mills United Church), cash, or electronic fund transfer (to emucdonation@outlook.com , if you choose to renew.
 
If we have 5 subscriptions, we can offer two new people a free subscription; so if you know anyone, Tina will take the first two names she receives.
Circle of Friends on Zoom

At our Café Sunday discussions, our members on Zoom requested the return of Circle of Friends. This will be on Zoom so our friends can spend some time together just chatting and reconnecting separate from the short time before and after church services. Our meetings are set up for the second Wednesday of June, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Zoom link will be published in the Friday Message, prior to the Wednesday meeting date.

If you have any friends or neighbours who are housebound and would like to join us for some informal conversation and fellowship, please invite them to join us by sharing the Zoom link.

Looking forward to getting together on June 14 at 1:00 p.m.

Submitted by Patti King, your coordinator for this exciting return of Circle of Friends.
Ian MacRae Memorial Bursary
Applications are now being accepted for the Ian MacRae Memorial Bursary. This bursary was established in 2000 in memory of Ian MacRae, a member of Erin Mills United Church and active fund-raiser for the congregation’s youth ministry. It is awarded annually based on demonstrated need, academic achievement, potential, and proven merit, to assist a student with their first year of post-secondary studies. Preference will be given to candidates living in the Erin Mills catchment area. The application deadline is June 15, 2023. For further information please contact : Debby Sturgeon (sturgs4@rogers.com) or the church office (office@emuc.ca)
Movie Night

A Movie Night is planned for June 16. This is the last movie before summer. Come and enjoy some good family time.

A Wrinkle in Time

Doors open at 7 p.m.; movie starts at 7:30 p.m.
Free will donations will be gratefully accepted.

Share this information with family and friends!
We will be planning movies for the fall. Please let the movie team know of movies you would like to see. Speak to Cindy Young, Barb Jennings, Janet Morrison, or Larry van Goozen or leave a message through the office.
The BBB Sale is Only Weeks Away

Excitement is mounting as we move into the final few weeks in preparing for our boot/trunk/book/bake sale set for June 24. I remember the many years EMUC held a garage sale. Although a lot of work, it was incredible to watch our church transformed into a massive community event. People came from near and far with hope to find that special “nick-nack” or to just browse through the massive number of books finding their perfect reads for the summer. Our goal is to create the same vibe this year!

June 24 will look a little different, selling items from trunks of cars in the church parking lot. Inside the narthex, we will host our annual book sale and of course, what is a sale without a bake table with treats and goodies?

How can you help?

  • There is still space to rent a parking space to sell your bric-a-brac. If interested, please email Mike at donations@emuc.ca 
  • Book donations will be accepted June 19 11-1, June 20 4-6, June 21 4-7 (see BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS below for the types of books accepted) 
  • Donate baking or help sell. Package baking in sealed bags in quantities of six. Help is needed to sell baking and to serve coffee and refreshments. Contact Barb Jennings if you can help.

Most importantly, place a hold on your calendar for Saturday, June 24 and come out to support our BBB and our community.

The BBB Planning Team
BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!

Please refer to the following list of ‘will takes’ and ‘will not takes’ when sorting your books for us. All books must be in good (to great) condition and fairly current, please.

WILL TAKE: Mostly adult fiction, biographies/memoirs, self-help, recipes, parenting, how-to, sports, hobbies. 

WILL NOT TAKE:  Text books, business, science, politics, philosophy, history, technology, coffee table, magazines, encyclopedias, collections (i.e., Reader’s Digest).

Questions: Contact Sandy Hayes: 905-820-4437 or sandyhayes88@gmail.com.
PRIDE/AFFIRMING NEWS🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

As you may know, June is Pride month. This will be our first Pride month since becoming an Affirming congregation and we have a couple of events to share.

TORONTO PRIDE PARADE- The Toronto Pride Parade will take place on Sunday June 25 and we have been invited to walk with other Affirming United Church congregations. It will be an afternoon event and we will be carpooling to local transit in order to make our way downtown. All are welcome to join us and there will be more details on this event in the coming weeks.
Bunch for Lunch

Sunday, July 9, you are invited to join in a time of fellowship following service.
We will meet at 11:45 am at the Sunbeam Grill restaurant (2501 Hampshire Gate, Unit 3A, Oakville – South side of Dundas just west of Winston Churchill Blvd.) Separate cheques.

Please let us know you are coming so we can advise the restaurant of numbers.
You can sign up on the signup sheet posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church. Alternatively, let Tina in the office know, so she can add you to the list.

Larry van Goozen
ELECTRONIC RECYCLING EVENT COMING IN THE FALL
 
Do you need a summer project? Why not put all your old unwanted electronics items in one spot so you can donate to our recycling day in the fall. Look for our flyer at the end of the summer for details. Meanwhile, tell everyone you know about this event. Yes it is a fundraising activity for the church., but it also ensures these items don't end up in the land fill.  

Submitted by Mary Anna Williams