Elgin United Church
As 2021 draws to a close and 2022 begins, we find ourselves in familiar territory. Given the escalating COVID related case counts, Elgin United will NOT be holding in-person services on January 2nd. Elgin Council is meeting via ZOOM January 4th and will be determining our best course of action to balance in-person services and your safety and well-being. Although we hope for the best, we fully expect we will be unable to assemble January 9th as well. We will let you know plans as soon as possible following our meeting. In the meantime, please tune in to one or more of the many on-line services available and stay well.
Blessings and health and happiness for the new year
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
As mentioned last week, church services at Portland United Church on January 2 are cancelled due to ongoing COVID concerns. ULGC West (our region) has spiked to 86 active cases which is over 5 times the 15 active cases that cause a shutdown of in person services at Portland United Church.
There may be an in person service on January 9, but at this point that appears to be optimistic at best. A final decision will be made on Thursday, January 6.
Hansen Downer
Chair PUC Council
EUC News- January 2, 2022
As Henry Van Dyke wrote nearly a century ago:
“There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas… Are you willing to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness? … If so, then you can keep Christmas. And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?”
In these days when we assuredly have our complaints about the current state of the world, let us look for opportunities to sow seeds of happiness. One of the ways we do that at Elgin United is through World Vision and our support of Zyra Joy, our sponsored child in the Philippines. The excerpt below from a recent letter from Zyra Joy shows what a difference our sponsorship and the World Vision programmes have made in the physical and mental health of her family.
“I am thankful that me and my family are healthy. Covid 19 bring fear to my family, but because we follow directly the health protocols we learned, we stayed healthy and safe. I am proud of my family because even though we are poor we love each other dearly. My parents are doing their best to provide our needs and we children also doing our best in our studies so our parents will be happy. My goal this year is to learn to sing/dance/act.”
Thanks to your ongoing donations and generosity, we will continue to sow seeds of happiness in the life of Zyra Joy, her family, and her community.
Pat
Devotional Thought – New Year’s Day, 2022
Am I really writing these words: “HAPPY NEW YEAR”! Where has 2021 gone! From a place deep within me, I must thank God for the privilege afforded me to share with you.
Words of wisdom come from many different and unexpected places. A quote I read this week was from Brad Paisley (anyone know this country artist?) – “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” Now, each of us has expressed this same thought in many different ways, but the reminder comes and we are given hope as we enter this next year – I have another chance!
I wonder how you look at that word – CHANCE? And I think about my ‘book’ as I live this year. I’d like to share some thoughts on this:
1) LUCK – Meaning fortune. Is this something we can count on? Do we let our lives be ruled by fate? Is this our destiny, to rely on luck?
2) RISK – Will this year bring opportunities our way that allow us to attempt new things as we grow in God’s grace and wisdom?
3) GAMBLE – Not a word I use very often. But we have all used the expression, nothing ventured, nothing gained. There is a lot at stake as we continue into this next year, still under the pall of a pandemic, still without a minister.
4) ACCIDENTAL – What unplanned adventures are in store for us? What unintended paths to growth can we get excited about? What community outreach will be the spark we need to send us running toward a new future?
5) POSSIBILITY – This is the meaning of ‘chance’ I get excited about. Where is God leading us? Throughout this upcoming year you will be reminded about growing our church. What are the untapped possibilities? What opportunities will present themselves? Are we open to occasions of growth, reflection, and sharing?
As you prepare for this new year, and you take the time to walk through each room in your life, you will see work that needs to be done, cracks that need to filled and patched. But I would challenge you to stop looking for the imperfections, the failings, the weaknesses or shortcomings. Look instead for the potential. God has equipped His church with everything it needs. You are a vital part.
I am excited for what is in store for us as a church – a church that is alive and well in the community. This is the beginning of anything we want. I want God to be our Leader, the Captain of the Ship. And I believe that as we gather our dreams, sketch out our plans, and work at building His Kingdom, we will have countless blessings, immense growth and abundance of love.
May Jesus Christ be praised! Have a blessed year!
Liz Church
Pastoral Care Coordinator
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge