Friday Message and what's coming

Friday Message

What's Coming!

November 3, 2023

Ordinary Time

“The distinction between the past, present,

and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” – Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein raised the possibility that time is just an illusion and physicists have been pursuing that theory since. As a fan of science fiction, I am fascinated with the concept that time is not a straight line like a temporal arrow in flight. In fiction it can be a ribbon that folds back on itself, a series of parallel tracks, a mirror that reflects or even a piece of fabric that can be torn or develop holes.

Deepak Chopra has said that, in reality, time is not a fixed experience that follows the ticking of the clock. It is a fluid, changeable experience. We know that our bodies measure time in multiple ways depending upon the biological function in various cells and according to different biological rhythms. Time drags slowly by some days and flies past on others. Getting lost in a favourite activity or experiencing trauma can stop time entirely. Our chronological age can vary dramatically from our biological or psychological age. We can change our experience of time through our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Life flows with the timeless rhythms of the universe.

For me the last months of the year are the fastest to slip by. At Erin Mills UC, worship planning has been done: this week is the start of our annual Stewardship Campaign, and also Communion and Remembrance Sunday; on Nov 12 Brian Takayesu will be leading worship; I know that many of you are excited to have Deb Siertsema back at the church on Nov 19. I’ll be home from sabbatical on Nov 26 when we close out our stewardship month with a soup lunch and haul out the Christmas decorations. Then we are into Advent and all the waiting and watching and preparing. Sometimes it feels like the Christmas train is barreling down the tracks!

I find it hard to believe that I have been your minister for over six years. Somedays it is like I have just arrived and other days I feel like I have known you forever. I know that even if all of our time is an illusion, God’s time is not and there is something very comforting in that.

Blessings, Kathi

Upcoming Week

To reduce the spread of all respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and the flu, if you experience any new symptom(s) of any respiratory virus please stay home. Refer to Public Health Ontario for detailed guidance by clicking on https://www.publichealthontario.ca/

Sunday Nov 5: Daylight Saving Time ends, clocks move back

10:00 a.m.: Online & in-person Worship & Communion led by Rev. Kathi

Monday Nov 6:

7:00 p.m.: Bible Study via Zoom Cancelled

Wednesday Nov 8:

10:00 a.m.: Bible Study via Zoom Cancelled

1:00 p.m.: Circle of Friends via Zoom

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85179342826

Passcode: 107205

6:45 p.m.: Prayer service via Zoom Cancelled

Thursday Nov 9:

12:00 p.m.: Loaves and Dishes

4:00 p.m.: Chancel Choir Practice

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Open Door

There is a great need for winter outerwear, including coats, jackets, hats, mitts, and boots for adults and children. Please ensure that they are clean and in good repair. You may drop them at the church during office hours. The end of November will be the cut-off date. If you have questions, please call Lorraine at 905-821-1741.

Lunch - Open Door

EMUC will be providing lunch for approximately 50 patrons of the Open Door on Thursday, November 23. As in the past we will provide pizzas. They have requested that we provide some salads, fruit, and a sweet of some kind (cookie, square, loaf). I am looking for 5 or 6 people to make a salad, 3 or 4 people to provide fruit (cut up apples, pears, oranges) and 3 or 4 people to bake. I will also need help that day with delivery and serving. If you can help, please call Lorraine at 905-821-1741. Thank you.

The EMUC Little Book House is in need of children’s books

for the Kids Korner. If you have any books that you would

like to donate, please drop them off at the Book House

or leave them in the church office. Thank you.

International Human Rights Day

For several years the Interfaith Peace and Justice Committee has hosted Amnesty International Write for Rights events to mark International Human Rights Day on December 10. We write letters to government officials and others in positions of authority, in support of and in solidarity with groups and individuals who are being unjustly persecuted. Some are environmental activists; some are critical of an autocratic regime; and still others are in danger because of their sexuality or gender identity. There are also petitions to sign and opportunities to send cards or letters of support to individuals we are advocating for. More information is available on the Amnesty International website.

This year we are looking for your support. If you have any questions or are interested in helping organize this year’s Write for Rights event at EMUC, please contact Debby Sturgeon ( sturgs4@roger.com )

EMUC Striders and the Radial Chedoke Trail

On Sunday, November 5, the hikers will make the gentle climb to new heights at the top of the escarpment.

Carpooling will depart the EMUC lot at 11:45 a.m.

We’ll park in the Chedoke Municipal Golf Club parking lot and be ready to set off on the walk at 12:45 p.m.

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

Sunday, November 5 - Daylight Saving Time ends
Sunday, November 5 - EMUC Striders at Chedoke after church
Thursday, November 23 - Open Door Luncheon
Sunday November 26 - Stewardship lunch followed by the Hanging of the Greens

Community Events at EMUC

On Monday, November 6, at 6 p.m., there will be a community information session about Fire Station 123 at EMUC. The community is invited to attend to hear about the plans for the new Fire Station being built in 2024 on the adjacent property to the church.

Office hours:

Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tina works from home on Mondays.)

Tina takes a ½ hour lunch break sometime between 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Tina Driscoll, our Administrator, is on holidays today, November 3: the office will be closed today. For Pastoral Care Emergencies, please contact Rev. Kathi directly at 905-820-9466x22 or email her at kathi@emuc.ca . The office extension, 23, will be monitored: non urgent queries will be responded to upon Tina’s return on Monday.

Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca