Elgin and Portland Announcements
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.
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The final performance in the Tipped Ship’s “Tipped Tunes Winter Music Series” takes place at 7:30 pm, Friday evening, April 24th, at
Elgin United Church, 77 Main St, Elgin, On.
Blended harmonies akin to Simon and Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers will resonate within Elgin United on Friday April 24th.
Summersets, the duo featuring Kalle Mattson and Andrew Sowska, deliver an evening of story, songs and melodies not to be missed.
Tickets can be purchased on line at:
summersets.ca,
thetippedship.ca,
The Tipped Ship store, 3 Main St., Elgin
or at the door, Elgin United Church 77 Main St., Elgin, ON
Admission is $25,
doors open at 7:00 pm.
Light refreshments available at intermission.
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Neve Wells, a Realtor at Rideau Realty, is in the planning stages of hosting a community event on May 16th , the Saturday of the long weekend. At this event she is hoping to have a community mid-day BBQ and Raffle Baskets with all proceeds going to Portland Food bank. The slogan for this event is “Portland Helping Portland”. People are encouraged to have their own yard sales at their homes in Portland and spaces will also be available in Rideau Realty’s parking lot for others to set up tables. Owners will keep their profits from the yard sales (unless they wish to donate them to the food bank.) Having the yard sales and the BBQ will help create some traffic for the raffle sales. See Norma with any questions.
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Pentecost Sunday, May 24th, is fast approaching.
Most people are excited that we will once again be able to gather together with other United Churches
within this rural area.
Plans are in full swing to meet at the Lion’s Club in Elgin for this event at 10. Our special guest will be our own Regional Executive Officer,
Eric Hebert-Daly.
Lunch will be provided in a similar style to last year.
Come hungry – food for the soul and food for the body will be available in abundance.
And for those who want to be part of the amazing
Cluster Choir
practises are being held each Wednesday night from now until Wednesday, May 20th, inclusive,
at 7:00 p.m. at Elgin United.
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Devotional Reflection April 24, 2026
It’s happening all around us. The long-awaited Spring days are bursting forth and everyone and everything around us 
seems to radiate new life.
No matter where I turned today, as I walked down the streets, people were smiling, greetings were abundant, and as the sun bounced off their faces, my heart was filled with gratitude and praise.
I began to think about this coming Sunday. I am reflecting on an unchanging God bringing complete changes into the lives of those who receive Him as their Saviour.
That made me want to discover for myself whether Christ is still being preached and if people are still finding their way to this unchanging God.
Statistics were staggering, at least to me. I believed the number would be fairly small. So, I thought I would just relate to you a yearly number. But I can’t do that! I was shocked by what I was reading.
According to current global trends and mission reports – wait for it!
Because it is complicated.
Some people will leave another faith and join the Christian faith. Some will be brand new to the Christian faith. And some will fall away from faith altogether. With these statistics you will be surprised. Here goes:
While roughly 170,000 new converts are reported daily, about 91,000 people may defect or leave the faith, resulting in a net gain of approximately 79,000 per day (over 550,000 per week).
Imagine, if you can, almost 80,000 A DAY!
I continued with my search. In China alone, it is estimated that within the next 4 years, the Christian population could reach 250 million.
And Africa already has over 734 million, growing by 2.65% yearly.
And my last statistic is this: Approximately 3,500 new churches are opened every week worldwide to support this influx of new believers.
Sometimes, we get discouraged. Here in our own country, we are struggling with church attendance. Many churches have no full-time minister. Our young people are grappling with their faith.
Today, my dear friends, when I tell you: ‘you are not alone’, believe it!
God produces in us the desire to be clothed in righteousness. Love is that perfect, all-purpose garment. We see it nature, as the earth takes on new growth, providing for all the nourishment required for life.
This love lives in us, as we live together in harmony and love. Wearing this perfect garment of ‘LOVE’, we are bound together, creating a world with acceptance, gentleness and kindness.
And as you clothe yourself, the world sees God. You are the colours in the world.
You blossom forth with goodness as you spread the love of God.
You are the garden after the rain: bright and beautiful for all the world to see!
You are blessed, you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge