The Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge Joint Congregational Meeting to receive the Joint Profile Committee report and vote on the recommendation on was held Sunday August 22, 2021. The Joint Committee prepared a comprehensive, thoughtful report and are commended for their diligence and faith.
Thank you to all who attended and participated in this very important matter in the life of our Communities of Faith and the Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge.
The recommendation put forth by the Joint Profile Committee was passed by secret ballot. The report and recommendation will now go to Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC), Pastoral Relations for their review. We will await their response and guidance on next steps.
Blessings
Clinton Halladay
Chair, EUC Council
Elgin Community Check-in
It was on August 23rd, 2009 that the wheelchair ramp at Elgin United was officially opened. We give thanks for all of those who generously donated their time and money to ensure that our sanctuary and main floor are accessible to all who wish to worship and attend events at our church.
The next few weeks bring many occasions for celebration for some special members of our Elgin church family.
Happy Anniversary greetings to:
Ann and Adrian Overdulve- August 27th
Jim and Karen Earl- August 29th (their 40th anniversary!)
Greg and Cindy Carbino- August 30th
Harry and Charalee Smith- September 18th
Happy Birthday wishes to:
Marg Ross- August 28th
Leighton Coatsworth- August 29th
Marion Steacy- September 5th
Ella Price- September 10th
Pat Greenhorn- September 25th
We wish all of you much joy on your special day, and many blessings in the coming year.
Pat
Profile Forms Committee Review on Aug. 22 in the Elgin Lions Hall.
Thank you to everyone who attended the joint worship service and subsequent Profile Committee Review on Aug. 22 in the Elgin Lions Hall. We had 37 members of our congregation in attendance and that is our largest turnout since prior to the COVID lockdowns! Liz Church led a tremendous service, and we look forward to seeing her again in this Sunday, August 29 at Portland United Church.
The Profile Committee recommendation was accepted as submitted. Previously it had been approved by Rev. Arlyce Schiebout who suggested using the word “merge” rather than “amalgamate” and by Wayne Harris who noted that the wording may actually help EPPC attract a minister who sees that as a challenge. It was also approved by the PUC and EUC Councils and the Official Board. Tremendous work by the Profile Committee and their presentation on Sunday clearly showed how they had all worked as a team to create a recommendation that was focused on what is the best possible solution for the joint Elgin and Portland congregations compromising the Elgin Portland Pastoral Charge (EPPC). They met for 16 consecutive weeks over 4 months via ZOOM!
Here is the wording that was approved:
The OB engage a 75% part-time minister (30 hrs./week) who will assist in the merging of the two congregations in order to strengthen our financial and human resources. A second priority is the hiring of a music director.
Next step in the process is to obtain final approval of that recommendation from the Eastern Ontario and Outaouais Regional Council (EOORC) and the Official Board (OB) of EPPC. The OB will meet during the week of September 20 to review the results and hopefully review the feedback from EOORC. The next PUC Council meeting will be held on Thursday, October 7 to review feedback from EOORC and the OB.
During our Council meeting on August 24, the Council unanimously agreed to continue with Morgan Wright for musical accompaniment during our services at Portland United Church. Thanks to everyone for their input on that topic during a recent worship service.
As mentioned, Rev. Kathy Walton has agreed to lead our services on the first and third Sundays each month. The Council would like to get back to our pre-COVID schedule of communion once per month and suggested that I contact Rev. Kathy to determine her preference. Rev. Kathy requested the first Sunday in September and October for Communion. Rev. Kathy is checking with UCC for the appropriate protocols, so until we hear further on that, please plan to bring your own juice and crackers as we have done previously under COVID protocols.
The PUC Council also agreed to set up a small committee comprised of Liz Church, Larry Cochran and Will French to generate ideas for consideration to grow our congregation in Portland. That team will report back to the Council with their initial recommendations on October 7. If anyone has suggestions, please contact Liz, Larry, or Will directly or send an email to Annette in the church office.
Jan Haskin, Joan Kelly, and Katy Gibson have agreed to review and suggest updates to our Church Roll of members. As we found out when we distributed the documentation on the Profile Committee Review, some people on our list have moved to a new congregation.
Hansen Downer
Chair – PUC Council
Devotional Thought – August 28, 2021
This week I was reminded of the frailty of life and the unexpected curves that come our way. For a couple of months now I have been double vaccinated and give a little less thought to contracting COVID.
I work in the public sector on a daily basis. I take the necessary precautions of hand sanitizing, mask-wearing, social distancing. So, when I found myself feeling rather ill this week I thought I had a bug, a nasty stomach ache and all that goes with it. Since I‘m trying to lose a bit of weight I made the usual glib remarks of not being able to eat would certainly not hurt me.
But as the week progressed, my symptoms did not lessen. Then I had to do my daily screening questionnaire at work. The first few days I filled it in as normal – No, No, No, No, No. A concerned colleague at work asked if I had contacted the doctor. Again, the glib remark – No, it’s just a bug. I’m fine. But she persisted. What if? Maybe you have COVID? It was as if a light came on!
I have been in contact with more than a hundred people in the last week. I have gone to work, gone to church, got groceries and who knows what else! I quickly got rid of that glib attitude and went for a COVID test – it came back clear!! I really did have a nasty bug.
I’m telling you all this for a simple reason. Often the signs of spiritual sickness are evident but we refuse to accept that our relationship with the Lord is not as vibrant as it once was. Close friends ask if we are doing OK and we insist that we are doing fine! But are we taking all the necessary steps to protect ourselves against complacency, against losing that fervency for serving the Lord?
As I have said many times, do not lose heart. The God of love watches over you and will lead you in the path of joy and peace. God is Your Rock, call upon the name of Jesus and be filled afresh with Holy Spirit in your daily walk.
Peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church
Pastoral Care Coordinator
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Douglas Bond
A Celebration of Life for the late Douglas Bond will take place on September 18th, 2021, located at the family homestead at 2751 Hwy 15 in Portland, Ontario.
Please drop by for a visit between 1:00-and 5:00pm and share a favourite memory of this most memorable man.
Please bring a mask with you. Covid precautions will be in place.