Elgin United Church
With heavy hearts we share the news of the peaceful passing of our friend and neighbour, Earl McFadden, formerly of Elgin, in his 96th year on Friday April 29, 2022. The family will receive friends at Elgin United Church, 77 Main Street, Elgin on Saturday May 28, 2022 from 10 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Inurnment, Halladay Cemetery, Elgin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to Elgin United Church or the Charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. We extend our sincerest condolences to Linda and family and hold them in our prayers. Out of respect of the family, the wearing of masks would be appreciated The Elgin United Church Family
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Mark you calendars for Friday, May 13th and pick your supper at Elgin United Church between 4:30 pm & 6:00 pm while supplies last. Two pieces of New Zealand Cod, Fries and Coleslaw, $12. First come, first served, pre-orders recommended, contact 613-359-6085 or carbs308@kingston.net.
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The place to be Friday May 20th! Elgin United Church is hosting an Ontario Festival of Small Halls concert featuring GREAT LAKE SWIMMERS. With a blend of acoustic instruments and wistful vocals, Great Lake Swimmers are a critically acclaimed indie-folk group, renowned for their homespun folk and lush, intimate Americana in their live shows. They have been shortlisted for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and nominated twice for Canada’s Juno Awards, with the CBC calling them “a national treasure.”
Don’t be disappointed, book your tickets early, and enjoy an evening of “big music in a little place”.
Tickets: ontariosmallhalls.com
Venue Address: Elgin United Church
77 Main St, Elgin, ON
Parking: Street
Municipal Hall 47 Main Street
Municipal Parking Halladay St
Doors open: 7:00 pm
Performance: 7:30 pm
Light refreshments for purchase at intermission
Portland United Church
It was delightful to have Rev Shaun Seaman lead our service last week. He will be with us for the month of May. He saw a lot of familiar faces in the seats!
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The subscription for “These Days” has been renewed by the UCW. Five copies will be available quarterly for your reading enjoyment. It is a lending library so feel free to take a copy to someone you think might enjoy it and return it when they have read it so it can be passed on. You will find it on the table at the back of the Sanctuary.
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Council discussed returning to coffee and cookies after church but in light of the number of Covid cases in our midst it was decided to defer until the beginning of June.
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We are looking for at least one volunteer to review the content and structure of the EPPC website. If you are able to help review this important tool, please let Duncan know.
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Cathy Ryan has kindly offered to help organize Peggy Bond’s collection of stories and photos into albums and scrapbooks that will be available for everyone to see. If you can spare some time to help her, please contact Connie Cochran at portlandparadise55@gmail.com or 613-220-7914.
Portland United Church Council
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Attention all Youth of Four Rivers Cluster
On Thursday May 12th from 7:00pm – 8:30pm youth ages 10 and up are welcome to Landsdowne United Church for a Meditation and Music Night.
We will using a Labyrinth. Our friend Charlie Pritchard who made this Labyrinth ( see pic below) will be there to lead our meditation.
Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, you walk slowly while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer.
At the end of our evening we will make some music with handbells and boomwackers.
Carpooling is being organized from Inverary, Battersea and Newboro. Portland and Elgin.
Let us know if you need a ride Cathy’s Ryan’s number is 613-272-2026
Cathy Ryan
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Devotional Thought – May 7, 2022
This past week I had opportunity to visit one of my older sisters and two of my younger brothers. In the midst of much chaos, (there were at least 5 youngsters, 11 grown-ups), my siblings and I had time to reminisce and even discover new things about our family and our heritage. The few hours we spent together will remain with me for a long time.
Before long though, I am back home and into the core of my reality – work, planning, cleaning, special services, and all these such things. I’ve told you all before that my brain works overtime in some areas. But early this morning, as I drank my coffee and looked out over the water, I was conscious of the beautiful sounds of nature. I rushed to put out some oranges for the orioles, some suet for the other birds that are around, and just drank in the cacophony of sounds and suddenly realized how much I love life, am happy with my space in this corner of the world, and truly blessed to have an abundance of good friends, wonderful family, and a church community.
When it comes to living, what makes this life so worthwhile? When I was a child, my mother had a plaque hung on the wall in our living area – ‘Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last!’ So many times, as I read this, I wondered where my journey would take me. Like many of us, my dreams and desires focused on thoughts of finishing school, getting married, having a family, a good job and all those such things. Never could I have imagined the path I travelled or the amazement I feel as I reflect on this journey.
I too have a plaque on my wall. It is homemade, crafted with love – given to me many years ago. Whenever I walk past it, I smile! And this week-end is the reminder! As I reflect on this anagram, using the word MOTHER I giggle to myself. Sometimes, I have mirrored all those words. Other times, when my life has been scrambled, like the letters in a Scrabble game, I would be hard pressed to identify with the picture my son and his family crafted but I am overwhelmed with love for the gift of family and the privilege of being a mother. It is a part of my journey I cherish.
I said earlier, our journey takes many turns, side roads, potholes and even some smooth riding. As I have opportunity to share with you, my readers, I want to thank you, each one, for taking the time to journey with me. Every day is an excursion worth taking and I believe that God, in caring for me, has led me on this adventure. And it is breathtaking – people, their stories, being allowed to journey with so many of you – these are all the exhilarating parts of the journey that I could not have planned.
I come back to those words I quoted above ‘…., only what’s done for Christ will last!’ I have no idea where you and I will journey, but the assurance I have comes from a verse in Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’
So, my advice this week for each of you – Get on board. Take the leap. Let your journey begin. Enjoy the ride!
Peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge