Looking at images of bombed-out apartment blocks and plumes of black smoke rising across Ukraine, my thoughts turned to the land. While humans flee and seek shelter underground, the birches and oaks will go on standing in place, unfurling springtime leaves and hiding black grouse in their branches. Grasses will peep out their heads and earthworms will get to tunneling, some to be trampled by marching army boots and tanks.
Human wartime activities will belch out unthinkable amounts of polluting emissions, tipping the already-sliding climate scale further toward disaster. Bombs will destabilize industrial areas full of toxic waste, threatening air and water supplies. And still, the geese will return north and hiss over their fuzzy goslings. Saplings will reach for the sky and replace carbon dioxide with breathable oxygen. The Earth will go on living. And weeping.
“All creation all around us is eagerly waiting for the Creator’s sons and daughters to be revealed in the full beauty of who they have been created to be,” writes Paul (Romans 8:19). But for now, creation groans like a mother giving birth (verse 22). The contrast between what is meant to be, and what we see before us, is gut-wrenching.
But creation doesn’t just wait around, doing nothing. Creation, following God’s design, continues about her life-giving work, sprouting new growth even as humans scar the land and deal in death.
Despite all the ways we have neglected and terrorized the land, she still loves us and rises up to care for us. While we deal in war and extraction, Mother Earth goes on depositing seeds, enriching the air and waters, and incubating life.
Witnessing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we should have no illusions that we’re above such atrocities. As a nation, we too have stolen, plundered, and laid waste to lands where other people belong. None of us are immune to war making and brutality.
It’s unclear in the end whether we humans will remain. But the land will be here. Living. Breathing. Weeping.
Grace and peace, Kathi
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From the Chair of the Leadership Circle
Now that the worst of the pandemic is hopefully behind us, the Leadership Circle, (LC), has been able to devote more time on items other than Covid. I have outlined our major areas or focus below.
We are looking at developing a strategic direction for the LC that will allow us to evaluate projects and activities so that they are in line with our strategic path. We will have a morning retreat in June so that we can agree on the best way to guide the church.
The LC continues to monitor the church opening encouraging activities to resume in person, while at the same time protecting the safety of the participants. We always keep in mind that our church is a vulnerable community since the majority of our members are seniors.
The Inspire Team continues to support new projects. The latest, of course, is the memorial garden which is now definitely going ahead thanks to the generous contributions of the congregation.
Our previous LC Chair, Paul Marot, was able to get a grant from Microsoft that would allow the church to use Microsoft Office 365 and have 1 terabyte of storage. The LC is going ahead with converting all its members and church staff to this system which means that church information is stored in one very safe place.
The church picnic is coming up early in June and the LC has been discussing ways of safely opening this up to the outside community. While Covid may still hinder us from doing anything major this year, we will have some ideas that can be used in the future.
The LC Building and Property committee has been compiling a list of repair projects that will need to be done now and in the future. We are looking at cost and timing of repair projects so that they can be done at the appropriate time.
Last but not least, the LC is happy to report that while the church operations are still losing money, we are not losing as much as we budgeted. Our year to date loss is just under $12, 000 compared with the budget amount of $15,000. Easter givings at $3,865 were 10% better than budget. Our investment portfolio has declined along with the stock market. However at this point, our interest income has offset the loss.
Kathy Andres
Chair, Leadership Circle
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Thanks to:
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All the readers for the May services
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Sandy Hayes and Mary Anna Williams for organizing and overseeing the Book and Plant Sale
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All those who donated items and helped in the set up and organization before and during the book and plant sale
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Mike Ogilvie and Mary Anna Williams for distributing flyers about the sale
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All those who cleaned up and set up the church after the sale
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Inspire Team for overseeing the Inspire activities
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Mike Ogilvie and Barb Jennings for cleaning up the gardens
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Nancy Blackport for getting the Prayer Shawl Knitting group back together at the church in May and June
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Sylvia Arnold who oversaw the two Celebrations of Life, one for Dianne Hope and one for Andrew Love, and everyone who helped with these services
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Celebrating 30 Years in our Church Home - The Memorial Garden
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Above is the initial plan for the Memorial Garden. Fully developed plans are not available yet; however, this drawing gives you an idea of what is being considered. The estimated quotation for materials, labour, an taxes is as follows:
- $1195.00 Plant material; i.e., shrubs, bushes and perennial plants.
- $500.00 Triple mix, mulch & fabric.
- $650.00 Sod
- $1200.00 Armourstones (Decorative kind)
- $2675.00 labour and delivery
- $808.00 taxes
- Total $7,028.00
The Memorial Garden Fund was launched four weeks ago. Donations have been received steadily each week.
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Donations may be made in person using special envelopes available at the church, by mail, by e-transfer to emucdonation@outlook.com or through Canada Helps by going to our website www.emuc.ca . Please clearly identify that your donation is for the Memorial Garden with the name of the person or event being honoured. Donations are tax deductible.
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Book/Plant Sale - Foray into Fundraising
Our first post Covid venture since March, 2020 was an in-church fundraising. It was a resounding success! With the help of:
Impressive donations of excellent books and many perennials, including donations from the community who heard about this by way of a flyer in their mailbox, and from church members.
The hand (foot?) delivery of 1000 flyers to homes in our neighbourhood. Thank you, Mike Ogilvie and Mary Anna Williams, who did most of the delivering;
The many folks who showed up during the week before to organize and set-up the books to our usual standard of display excellence (Lorraine Newman, it's always lovely to be in your company!);
The dedicated, enthusiastic, cheerful team of book and plant sellers, who welcomed customers and sold goods;
A lovely, almost too-hot day which brought shoppers to us in a steady stream until closing;
And the many people who hung around afterwards to help clean-up and prepare the sanctuary for Sunday worship, including David Brignall, Joanne Hines and Mike Ogilvie, who showed up days later to move all the leftover books to the patio for pick-up...
The BOTTOM LINE: $1400+ A huge THANK YOU goes to everyone who supported this wonderful event.
Submitted by Mary Anna Williams and Sandy Hayes
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Poa pratensis Kentucky Blue Grass
When it comes to our lawn, everyone seems to view it very differently. We all have a neighbour who wishes to have a ‘golf course’ pristine looking lawn. They fret over it spring to fall. Personally, I feel the lawn care industry has done a superb job of making us feel guilty if we don’t have a lush, weed free lawn, at least at the front for everyone to see. If you aren’t over seeding, you are fertilizing and weed spraying and maybe even on your knees digging.
Poa pratensis is a species of grass we call Kentucky Blue Grass. It originated in Europe, northern Asia, and parts of Northern Africa. It is thought it arrived in North America in the 1600s. Today it is found around the globe except in Antarctica. If left to grow, it can reach 3 feet and sprouts blue flowers, hence the blue. It is thought the name came from people in central Kentucky claiming the grass was blue. Because of the horse culture in that state with lots of grass, the name Kentucky Blue Grass became part of the vernacular. Marketing gurus grabbed that idea and voila here we are this spring weeding, feeding, mowing our precious grass.
Today, in the USA more land and water are used to grow grass, approximately 163,000 sq. km., than growing corn and wheat together, or about the size of Italy. About 1/3 of the clean drinking water in the US is used on lawns (200 gallons per day per NASA). They also use 10 times more fertilizer and pesticides per acre on turf grass than corn and wheat fields. We know the chemicals in the fertilizer will percolate through the earth’s layers and end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans.
Fun facts. In the 1500s the word lawn did not exist. In many regions there was a grassy common area where livestock grazed. A field was dedicated to crops for human consumption. By the 18th century ornamental lawns emerged. It was a symbol of wealth when a landowner employed people to hand cut ‘the lawn’. During the slave period, they did the job.
I read in a booklet you should keep your grass 3” high. Rake in the spring two different ways to make the grass stand up so air circulates. Fertilize 3 times a year. Overseed the bald spots and aerate too. Water your lawn 5-6 cm or 2 ½” per week in the morning. Not midday, as water magnifies the sun rays and damages the grass. Not in the evening because of fungus. So, ask yourself when do you find the time to enjoy the summer?
Grass is lovely to walk on in the cool of the evening. Spending time
sitting and watching nature can be restorative. That is my idea of a lawn.
References. The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, Lawn and Garden Secrets by Home Depot featuring Mark Cullen, City of Mississauga reference on watering.
Submitted by Mary Anna Williams
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Women for Women - Movie Night
Women for Women will be holding a movie night at EMUC on Friday, June 10 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. We will be showing the 2012 movie "Quartet" starring Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly, and others. An uplifting story about "music, love & second chances". There is no charge for this evening. We hope to have prepared snacks available outside for a social time (donations gratefully accepted for the snacks). Currently, masks & proof of vaccination are required to watch the movie.
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The Picnic is Back! - Sunday June 12
EMUC folks are returning . . . we’re becoming inspired . . . the new garden is gaining momentum . . . the Easter Dance has happened . . . a Spring sale of plants and books has unfolded . . . the grass is cut, the flowers are planted, the bench and picnic tables are inviting and now . . . the PICNIC is returning!
When? Sunday June 12 immediately after Worship (~ 11:30 a.m., rain or shine)
Where? On our wonderful property, where we’ve gathered for 30 years! (on the lawn, near the Spirit Garden)
What’s happening? Brunch and a visit, to enjoy time together, outdoors. Won’t it be lovely to see each other again?
What do I bring? Bring yourself, your partner, spouse, children, grandchildren, friends, AND bring your brunch/lunch, a drink and a garden/folding chair. There are a few tables and benches, but if possible, bring your own chair or picnic blanket.
Anything else? Ice cream cones will be provided, a much-loved summer treat.
AND as part of the EMUC 30th Anniversary (in the building) Celebrations, there will be a Trivia Hunt activity on the property. And who knows, there may be a prize . . .
Some people have returned to worship at EMUC, others have begun worshipping at EMUC, and some continue to enjoy Zoom church on Sunday morning. All are welcome, AND now it’s time for a get-together!
So mark your calendar, right now, and if you need assistance to get to EMUC on June 12, please let us know.
We hope to see you there!
From Membership and Pastoral Care Committee
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Office Hours:
Tina’s office hours are Mondays to Fridays 9:30am - 4pm. She is in the office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and other times as needed. Please contact the office for an appointment (even on posted office days).
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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.
Newsletter Editor: Janet Morrison Layout: Barbara Jennings
Proof-reader: Cindy Young
3010 The Collegeway
Mississauga, L5L4X9
905-820-9466
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