Elgin Build a Mountain of Food will take place on Saturday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. So many are struggling to put food on the table this year, and this annual event is essential for collecting supplies for the Christmas hampers and filling the shelves at the Foodbank. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!! If you can help out for a shift, please contact Sue Crump at church@bethelelgin.com
Elgin United Church congregational meeting is called for immediately after church November 30th to address replacement of the tile flooring.
Why was the shopper crying uncontrollably? They missed the Elgin United Church online auction. Don’t you do the same.
Get a head start on your Christmas shopping or just pamper yourself (you’re worth it!). The EUC online auction started on Facebook November 26th and runs to December 3rd. Items will be posted on Elgin United Church Facebook page. Check in and bid often.
Pickup will be Saturday December 6th. Details of pick up will be given to the successful bidders. Proceeds are being shared with the Elgin Food Bank. Donations of NEW items will be received until Sunday November 22nd.
Bible Discussion Groups
Monday evening at Portland UC at 6:30 – 7:45 and Tuesday mornings at Guthrie House in Elgin (10 Perth St.) at 10:00-11:30. All are welcome to join in the friendly discussions and fellowship. For more information, contact Jim Barton at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-329-4089.
Reminder to the UCW Members of our lunch on Dec 9th at Michael’s Table in Perth. Please confirm attendance to Connie by Dec. 6. We will carpool from the church at 12:30 for lunch at 1:00 (earlier if inclement weather).
Saturday, December 6 – Portland Build a Mountain 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at Portland LCBO and RBC. Our village of Portland and surrounding area has been amazing over the years, in answering the needs of our community. Your continued support will put food on the tables of so many, who might otherwise go without. Thank you in advance. See you then.
Free Art Classes in the Portland Village – 6-12 yrs. Monday 4:30-6:15 at the Portland Restaurant & Pizzeria. Visual Art Teacher – Darlene, call to book your spot 905-801-5060.
Christmas in the Village
1:30 pm Sunday, December 7, 2025
Portland Community Hall
Need a poster and to get the word out ASAP! Mary Hines needs one to put in the local paper.
Hall – Booked
Santa – booked. To arrive at 2:00 pm
Wagon – Len McFadden – booked to arrive at 1:00 (confirm time 2 days before)
Song leader for Christmas Carols – to be determined
Need PA system
Chair for Santa – Chris Good – needs to be picked up in the morning. Have Santa’s bag.
Set up tables & Decorations
Decorate tree Monday, Dec. 1 @ 1:00 pm
- Set up tables and cookie decorating stations at tables – Dec. 7 at 12:00 pm
- Have candies but need bags to put them in (Chris) and volunteers to bag them. Suggest Monday Dec. 1 @ 1:00 pm when we are there
- Need tablecloths purchased
- Have hot chocolate but need cups
Cookie decorations and icing – Chris will purchase
Make gingerbread cookies – Sandy Preston will make them, and we will reimburse her for supplies.
The items in bold print are the things we need volunteers for.
The only expenses we have ever had were for candy, tablecloths, some decorations, ingredients, decorations and icing for cookies. All other items have been donated, including the wagon and Santa’s time.
Devotional Reflection
November 29, 2025
It came upon a midnight clear – WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? It happened – just like that! At least that is what it feels like! How did it happen without my knowing?
CHRISTMAS SEASON IS IN
FULL SWING!!!
Wasn’t it just yesterday we made plans for the thanksgiving family dinner? And the conversation was sprinkled with the plans for Christmas?
It happened – just like I’m telling you! You know it! How can that be! And if you are like me, your plan was to be totally ready for Christmas by the end of the summer. No rushing around; buying ahead to avoid the impulse buying; buying after Christmas to get the best deals, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera! At least that is what I have been telling myself for years!
It just never seems to work that way for most of us. The reason I know this is because conversations these days are full of such comments – the plans I had are nonexistent!
Life gets in the way.
Apparently, this is very common. Think back to that first Christmas. The hustle and bustle to have a baby, and then the governor throws a monkey wrench into the plans – travel to your hometown and register your name for the census! And like all good citizens, Joseph and Mary load up the donkey and head off!
And the rest is history! Best laid plans thrown aside! But were they really the best plans? Think about it. Whose set of plans were they working from? Did you guess the answer? A plan that was set for them from the beginning of time – God’s Plan! They just forgot whose plan!
A ’go with the flow’ plan is really the best plan for most of us. Come tomorrow, it may have to be changed.
There are so many spiritual lessons to draw from these words – preparation is necessary but make sure you work with THE CONSULTANT! God was quite clear about this. He even gave us the words – Jeremiah 29: 11. “For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for your well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.”
Now what could be better than that! This Christmas Season, in your busyness and preparations, take time to confer with the Head Consultant.
Your life will seem less chaotic – filled with hope!
In my life, this 1st week of Advent centers on HOPE. The Hope of the world came to us and brought with Him the plan for Eternal Life. It is there for each of us!
You are blessed and loved!
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge