Friday Message
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What's Coming!
January 29, 2021
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This week it seems as if I have hit a new wall...while the noisiest of the global political dramas have quietened, the pandemic has accelerated in many places. Even for those of us who live in nations with competent enough leadership to have managed it successfully, the news still takes up mental energy, as does the reality that until it's under control everywhere, the global mobility to which we had become accustomed will not be possible. Meanwhile vaccines are being delivered, injected, or held up depending on a mind-boggling array of factors around global trade, healthcare access, poorer nations and individuals compared to wealthier, diplomatic nightmares, and more. And the death toll mounts -- friends, neighbours, family members who can't breathe from the virus and then from the grief. And that's on top of everything else.
We are tired.
The messages that came out yesterday from Let’s Talk Day say that there is no shame in admitting our weariness, nor in letting the tears fall.
This week as I have struggled on several different issues, I have been thinking a lot about the old hymn "It is well with my soul." I'm sure I've written about it before, but it's on my mind again...that the author had lost his whole family in two separate tragedies, and as he traveled over the spot where his daughters' ship had gone down in a storm, he wrote: "when peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll...whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul." It feels impossible sometimes, but it is also true, because even in the midst of grief, even when we are bone-deep tired, even when we are celebrating a small win or a spark of hope, God holds us close.
So take care of yourselves, friends. Eat something that is not beige. Drink something that does not have caffeine or alcohol. Wear your blue-light blocking glasses. Relax your shoulders and drop your tongue away from the roof of your mouth. Wave your arms over your head and twist side to side in your chair. Take 90 seconds and listen to music that moves you. And be well, inside and out. The good news is for all of us: Christ came that we may have life and have it abundantly.
Peace, Kathi
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UPDATE on WORSHIP SERVICES
The EMUC Sunday and Wednesday Prayer services will continue online using the Zoom platform until further notice. The possibility of returning to the building for worship will be reassessed each month at the Leadership Circle meeting.
Sunday January 31:
10:00 a.m.: Online Worship led by Rev. Kathi
Monday February 1:
7:00 p.m.: Bible Study via Zoom
Wednesday February 3:
3:00 p.m.: Women for Women meeting via Zoom
6:45 p.m.: Prayer Service via Zoom
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Wednesday Evening Worship
If you would like to join in the Wednesday Evening Zoom Worship, please email Rev. Kathi at kathi@emuc.ca and she will email you the access code.
Women for Women
is holding a free 1 hour on-line Zoom event, open to everyone, on Wednesday, February 3 at 3:00 p.m. Diana McNeill will be doing a presentation on healthy bones entitled "Speaking of Bones", sponsored by Osteoporosis Canada. Please RSVP to cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca or leave a message at 905-828-5138 by January 29 and a Zoom link (computer or phone) will be sent to you by February 1.
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.
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An announcement from the Affirming Congregations Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group
THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18 AT 7 P.M.
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Are you looking for a new book to read during this time of lockdown? We suggest, “We Have Always Been Here – A Queer Muslim Memoir” by Samra Habib. This is the fascinating story of a young girl’s struggle against a tradition that sought to suppress her hopes and dreams simply because she was female. It’s the story of a young woman’s awakening to her true sexual identity. It’s the story of a woman’s search to find spaces where she could live out her Muslim faith in community with those who shared her sexual identity.
“We Have always Been Here” is the book the Affirming Congregations Working Group and The Interfaith, Justice and Peace Group have chosen for a One Book Read. “What is that?” you may ask. That’s when anyone who is interested reads the book and then joins us over Zoom to talk about the book. The discussion is being planned Thursday, Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.
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Donations to EMUC
Some of you have asked how you can make donations to operations, mission and service, the benevolent fund, and the Deacon’s Cupboard. You can donate through Canada Helps by going to www.emuc.ca or by mailing a cheque to EMUC at 3010 The Collegeway, Mississauga, ON., L5L 4X9. Please mark the envelope "Attention Envelope Secretary".
Please note that Deacon's Cupboard would prefer to receive financial donations rather than actual food donations because the church remains closed so that managing food is difficult. The Cupboard is giving only vouchers to its guests. They are open only on Wednesdays and not on Monday evenings for the duration of the pandemic.
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support.
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Office Hours:
Following the latest government order, Tina will be working from home and only going in to the church for essential work when needed.
Also she will be retrieving phone messages remotely only for her and Rev Kathi’s voicemail boxes. So if you are leaving a voice message please make sure you don’t leave it in the general EMUC phone voicemail box.
Tina can be reached Monday to Friday; 9:30am-4:00pm. For the quickest response please email office@emuc.ca, If calling to leave a message use (905)820-9466 ext. 23: messages will be picked up remotely.
If you need access to the church, contact the office and Tina is happy to schedule an appointment.
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Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca |
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