Elgin and Portland Announcements
The 2025 Annual Congregational Meetings are scheduled for March 1st.
PUC: following worship service
EUC: following worship service
EPPC: following EUCs ACM
Don’t forget! Spring Forward Sunday, March 8th Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night so you’re on time for worship Sunday morning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marion Cooper
Summer time is just around the corner, and that means summer fun for kids! Christian summer camps are one way for kids to be kids during the summer as they immerse themselves in an atmosphere of adventure and the teachings of Jesus. That said, going to summer camp brings about large costs for families. For example, one week at a local camp is approximately $850. People able to donate money towards sending kids to camp are invited to make a donation marked “Summer Camp” anytime in the coming weeks – either online or with Sunday offerings. All donations will go directly to families to help offset costs and are fully tax deductible. Last year, with the generous support of numerous donors and the generosity of the UCW, we supported 6 area children attending Camp IAWAH.
Please reach out to Pauline French (613-331-6876) with any questions.
”By now you would have noticed that the e-news is being sent out a day earlier. This will be the new schedule from now on and we may even try to send it out earlier than that. We hope this is of benefit to you.”
Bible Discussions Groups
Two meetings each week – Monday evenings at Portland UC (6:30-7:45PM) and Tuesday mornings in Elgin at the Guthrie House 10 Perth St.; (10:00AM-11:30AM). All are welcome to join in the friendly discussions and fellowship. For more information contact Jim Barton @ ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
This will be a chance to gather online and learn together. For further information and registration please go on the UCC website:
https://eoorc.ca/event/winter-educational-event/
Advance Notice for the Easter Week Services:
April 2 – Maundy Thursday Joint Service – 7:00 pm. at Portland (with communion)
April 3 – Good Friday Joint Service – 7:00 pm at Elgin
April 5 – Easter Sunday
- Sunrise Service – place/ time TBA
- Continental Breakfast at Portland following Sunrise Service
- Portland Easter Service with Communion – 9:15 am
- Elgin Easter Service with Communion – 11:00 am
Devotional Reflection February 27, 2026
‘Life is fitting parts that do not fit!’ This is the quote I read this morning that leads me to the following.
Many years ago, I was a hospital chaplain in a maternity/ children’s hospital. I witnessed so many miracles during those years – and also, many grievous moments.
This week, as I was leafing through the pages of my Bible I came across a picture of a 14-month-old baby girl. I had met her when she was born. And when I received this picture from her parents, the memories of those first days of her life came flooding back to me, just as they did this week, some 30 years later.
You see, this baby was born with a heart on the wrong side of her chest. The complications were enormous, and life-threatening! And her prognosis was tenuous, at best.
With each visit, her parents listened to what the next procedure would be, the fragility of their child being taken into account, the expected outcome discussed.
This is the reminder my opening quote brought to me – “Life is fitting parts that do not fit!” The child of those times, through the miracle of medicine and parents with a strong faith in God, is now an adult with her own family.
Have you ever found yourself with what seems like parts in your life that do not fit? Have you been fortunate enough to have those who stand beside you, to see you through the impossible?
Scripture has a plethora of sound teaching that talks about our ‘heart’ – the life-blood of our spiritual living. It may even be that you are walking through your journey, but struggling on most days. It happens to most. Just when you are most vulnerable, the battle seems insurmountable.
Your ’heart’ feels like it is in the wrong place. Perhaps, your spiritual journey is causing you anguish, fear or worry. Parts of you are working hard against you. Your mind is like a free-for-all. And you cannot seem to control it. It happens.
‘Life is fitting parts that do not fit.’ Each one of us is equipped to walk in the ways of the Lord. But for some, your heart is not in the right place. The struggle is real.
The Lenten season is the perfect time to talk about renewal, cleansing, spiritual growth, having your life in the right place. Allow me to share with you a few verses that can help you.
Psalm 51:10 (ESV): “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV): “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you
Hebrews 10:22 (NIV): “…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, …”
In all these verses and many more, it tells us that even though we struggle, God can put our lives together to fit just right. God’s grace has provided the cure-all – Jesus Christ.
So, when life throws that ill-fitting part at us, trust God. And you too will grow into the best-fitting life there is.
You are blessed. You are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge