Elgin Portland United Church Council
The Young @Heart Breakfast Club will meet next on Thursday the 17th of August at the Junction Restaurant at 9 am. If you would like to join us, and all are welcome, let Clint or Ted know by noon the 16th……….Ted
The Elgin Tertiary septic system is installed at Elgin United. Thank you to Thompson’s Plumbing for navigating all the twists and turns and expertly managing the process. Neither the learning centre nor the tenants were shut down for the install. Fair to say we are “relieved” to have this “behind” us!
- “It’s a great day to be confident”
- …Ryan Halladay
County Road 44, Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 @ 7:30 p.m., Portland United Church. This is a Fundraiser for the Portland Foodbank. A free-will offering will be received. Refreshments will be served.
Mary’s Merry Minstrels, Saturday, September 27th, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m., Portland United Church. This is a Fundraiser for the Portland Foodbank. A free-will offering will be received. Refreshments will be served.
Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region UCW – 83rd Summer Event July 25, 26, 27, 2025, is being held at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. If you want more information, please see the bulletin board.
PUC: Your 100th Anniversary Books are in. Please see Duncan or Annette. $10.00 per book.
Devotional Reflection
July 26, 2025
The ‘Somebodies’ of life. Who are they, what are they, what do they mean to you? The questions could continue but I would like you to take the time and reflect on this.
When I was about 9 or 10 years old, I had a special friend, Stewart Weatherbee. He lived with his grandmother. I was allowed to go to his house after school and his grandmother would make us a treat. Stewart loved cats and so did I. One day when I arrived at his home he showed me a secret. His cat had 4 kittens. And I took one home with me – a beautiful orange and white one. That, of course, leads to another whole story that I won’t share today.
Stewart was one of my ‘somebodies’! And the cat was one as well!
And then there is a special ‘somebody’ who brought joy and then despair into my life. A hatchling, who fell from its nest. For a few days I devoted all my time to caring for it. But alas, it didn’t survive. As I buried it in the backyard , I cried. I would miss this tiny creature who came into my life and then left my life – a special ‘somebody’.
By now, your own mind has probably thought of a few specific ‘somebodies’. People or things that brought you joy, still impact your life, even today.
Why is it that some encounters have an effect on your life and others melt into the grey matter of your brain, never to be thought about again?
I must continue; for the end of the story cannot be reached until I too have moved on to my New Place. And even then, the eternal story will continue and blossom.
As you ponder all the ‘somebodies’ in your life, you are most likely astonished. People and things that impacted your life, who made you who you are today.
Perhaps you’ve forgotten until this very moment. Amazed, your mind wanders to that time you walked through a forested path and saw an ant hill. Or stopping beside a brook, and the tiny fish moving through the weeds.
Maybe it was a starry night, as you lay beside a campfire, gazing into the expansive heavens, and you prayed your prayer of gratitude for your life, as it was then.
And now we are 50 or 60 or even 70 years beyond that time. Yet, those ‘somebodies’ come dancing through your thoughts. And you welcome them, and you recognize the miracle of your life.
Occasionally, we lose sight of all the blessing in our life. We forget who helped to shape us. We rely on ourselves.
In all of these meandering thoughts, I delight in saying these thoughts have brought comfort. They have allowed me to capture once again the beauty of life, even in life and death.
As you take the time and rediscover your special ‘somebodies’ may you be aware of the most evident – my God, your God! Providing us with experiences of lasting joy. And should you be tempted to share with another, they too will be uplifted and made aware that life is beautiful.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
