“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” —Frederick Buechner

I have lost count of the number of Friday Messages I have written as your minister. It feels like many of them have addressed the dire situation of the planet. Three weeks into 2025, and we are already reeling, if not personally, collectively.

It’s overwhelming, and it can feel like there isn’t hope to grab hold of anywhere around us. This quote by Frederick Buechner rings true: Things are terrible and beautiful, but can we simply walk through life and choose to let go of our fear? In these unsettled and unsettling times, what does it mean to be human?

Literally speaking, we are Homo sapiens who evolved over time to become what we are today, based on the way we think, act, and move in the world. On another level, we are beings called to practise sacred kinship with one another and all other beings, human and non-human alike, on this earth. That means we are created to embrace and celebrate diversity in this world.

Some of us practise our humanity through religion; others don’t.

Some of us are poor and oppressed, while others benefit from systems of oppression.

Some of us are disabled, or queer, or Jewish, or immigrants, or of African descent, or Indigenous to a particular land, or descendants of settlers.

Some of us believe the earth is alive, speaking to us, and some don’t.

However we choose to be in the world, we do not live our lives solely for ourselves. In 2025, we are being reminded of that, as governments challenge one another and we try to hold our leaders accountable for their actions and words. Can we embody both grief and hope as we step further into 2025? Can we find rest as human beings in the midst of chaos?

As humans, we are wired to stop and breathe, to pause, to pay attention to our own weariness. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t need Sabbath or hibernation. So, we enter into the collective chaos of a hurting world and furious governments with the reminder that rest is a requirement.

We live in a society that, as much as it has been built by dreams and visions, has also been built on genocide, abuse, and oppression. This will always be the reality. We get to be part of changing the future of that reality, and it doesn’t just take extra work to get there. It takes stopping to rest, too. It will take the full embrace of our humanity to get there.

Kathi

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Deacon's Cupboard Donation Suggestions

Thank you for the tremendous response to our request for food items. In February we are asking EMUC to donate pasta and pasta sauce. Of course we will also accept other food items. Your support enables us to share God’s Bounty.

Submitted by the EMUC Deacon's Cupboard Team

Invitation:

The Affirming Team at Erin Mills United Church invites you to join us as we welcome speakers from the Peel Police to share this important module and learn about the role we can all play in dismantling hate in our community.

Where: Erin Mills United Church

When:  Friday, January 24, 2025, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please feel free to call our church office at 905-820-9466 for more information. 

This event is free and all are welcome.

Sunday, January 26, is the second year anniversary celebration of becoming an Affirming Congregation. We will be having an Indigenous special guest, Elder Barry Gilbert from Eagle Spirits.

Tickets are also available after church or through the office at 905-820-9466.

Loaves & Dishes

This Sunday 3 types of soup are available for sale in the kitchen after the service or through the office during the week:

• Beef Barley
• Lentil Vegetable
• Squash

They are in 4 cup containers and cost $8 each.

First Fundscrip of 2025!!

Our important fundraising program continues this year. There will be a gift card order placed on Sunday, January 26 so please have all orders emailed to Joanne Hines or delivered to Tina in the office by Friday, January 24 or after church on Sunday, January 26.

 

If you need an order form or information about the program, please contact Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com. Orders may be paid by etransfer at emucdonation@outlook.com. Please indicate Fundscrip order in the message. Or cheques need to be made out to Erin Mills United Church and they can be taken to Mike Ogilvie directly. Thank you for your support of this program.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

The Erin Mills Town Centre Mall is still accepting used gift cards for recycling. There is also a box at the church that Mary Anna Williams has been able to check. Please consider recycling your used Fundscrip cards by placing them in the box or taking them to the customer service desk at the Erin Mills Town Centre.​

What’s your tagline?

We have done many community-oriented activities over the past number of years, and we have received questions about who we are. To answer these questions, we need to develop a “tagline”, i.e., a short compelling statement of who we are. A lot of churches have done this. And we will be asking your help to come up with our perfect tagline! Stay tuned.

Kathy Andres

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

• Fri. Jan 24, 6:30 p.m. - Countering Hate in our Community
• Sat. Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m. - Love Notes Jazz Soiree
• Sat. Apr. 5 and Sun. Apr 6 - Murder Mystery Fundraiser with Eden United Church

Community Events

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. 

Please email (office@emuc.ca) or call (905-820-9466 x23) in advance if you wish to access the church.

Tina is away January 23 and 24. Office relief is provided by Sylvia Arnold.

Access to the church will be by appointment only.

Please contact Rev. Kathi with Pastoral Care concerns.

Non-urgent requests will be dealt with by Tina upon her return on Jan. 27.

Rev. Kathi Office Hours (New hours):

Please call in advance for an appointment.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please check Kathi's availability before dropping by the church.

For Pastoral Care Emergencies call 905-820-9466 x22 or email

kathi@emuc.ca or pastoralcare@emuc.ca

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