Elgin United Church
A belated Happy Birthday Marion Steacy. Congratulations and best wishes..
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who may be experiencing troubles. You are not alone.
Do you love to sing and have fun? Join Elgin United’s choir. Practice starts Thursday Sept 15th, 7 pm at the church. No experience necessary.
EUCs “BUILDING OUR FUTURE, UNITED” campaign has launched. Follow our FB page, Elgin United Church, for information and updates. You can support us by sending a cheque directly to our Treasurer Joanne McLean at: 209 County Road 8, Elgin, Ontario K0G 1E0. Cheques should be payable to Elgin United Church, and specify “Building Our Future United” on the memo line. The bank address for e-transfers is Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge, and the e-mail address is ted302@live.com. Again, please specify “Building Our Future United “ in the note area. You can also contribute via our website by clicking on the DONATE button and selecting “Building Our Future United “.Income tax receipts will be issued for any donation of $20 or more. All correspondence and commitments are strictly confidential.
Elgin United’s Beef BBQ is September 24th from 4:30-6:00 pm, serving from the Elgin Community Hall. As part of our “Community Committed, Community Strong” initiative, we are partnering with the Swans of Rideau Lake to bring you this delightful take-out meal. Serving BBQ beef, baked potato, carrots & peas and 2 kinds of pie. Adults $20, ten & under $10.
Watch the Ontario Small Halls website https://ontariosmallhalls.com/ for the launch of ticket sales to the Festival of Small Halls October 14th concert at Elgin United.
Mark October 15th on your calendar and plan to attend Elgin United’s fall Crafters and Vendors market being held at 300 Hartsgravel Rd, Elgin ON. More details will follow.
Elgin United hosts a concert on October 22nd featuring the Shawn McCullough Band with Wright & Lowe. Don’t’ miss it.
Thank you to Adrian Overdulve and Sandra Smith for looking after the sound and PowerPoint while Clint is in Nova Scotia. We are so fortunate to have dedicated and willing volunteers who ensure services run smoothly. Thank you.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
We are grateful that Morgan will be with us at PUC for this week. Morgan & Michelle thank you so much for everything you have offered to our church. However we are looking for a replacement. If you have any contacts or suggestions for a Music Director/Pianist, please pass it along to Duncan, Katy, Joan, or Norma.
Will French and the tech crew are almost ready to start live-streaming the Sunday services. We look forward to learning how to tune in on those Sundays when attendance is not possible.
The UCW will reconvene September 20th at 1:30 p.m. in the church basement. New recruits are most welcome! It’s time to plan for apple pies!
Our dedication to raising funds for the Flex Fund at Country Roads Health Center is very much appreciated and goes a long way to helping members of our community. We do not have a volunteer for the September or October lunches. If you are interested in contributing your talents to one of these luncheons, please contact Connie Cochran at 613-220-7914 or by email at portlandparadise55@gmail.com
A printed copy of the E News will be available in the Friendship Room.
The Portland Pealers will resume practices after each Sunday service.
Official Board meeting on September 13th at 7 P.M. at Portland United Church.
Girl Guides meetings will start on September 19th at 6:30 P.M. Meetings will be held weekly.
Coffee and Chit Chat will be held weekly at Portland United Church starting October 6th at 10:30 to Noon.
Painting of external trim and louvers have been completed.
This Sunday we welcome Rev. Shaun Seaman to the pulpit for Portland United Church and Elgin United Church.
Portland United Church Council
Study group invitation
Larry’s brother and Husband #4 (Rev. Doug Powell) invite you on an evening adventure for four Wednesdays
We will examine the FOUR pillars of meaning and happiness. They include 1. Belonging. 2 Purpose 3. Transcendence. 4. Story telling, keeping in mind the teachings of Jesus
Beginning September 14th and then 21, 28 and October 5 you are invited to join us at Portland United church at 6:30 pm until 8:00 pm.
Warning: There might be homework, food, singing, laughter, tears and even rules for the road.
All are welcome but we do highly recommend that you join us for all four weeks as this is not a drop-in group, this time. (You can drop out after the first session if it is not what you expected.)
For more information feel free to contact Doug at 403 938 4550 (cell phone).
Alpha Announcement
An 11-week study on building relationships, and growing your church
We are excited to announce that on September 15th at 7:00 p.m. our church will be hosting an ALPHA training session. This will be an introductory session to all who would like to attend, both Elgin and Portland. As we explore through video and discussion groups we will be encouraged in our spiritual walk, grow our faith and confidence in talking about Jesus and nurture relationships with each other and those in our community.
CONNECTION, CONTENT, CONVERSATION: Whether over a meal or a cup of tea, all sessions start with a time to connect, relax and build friendships. We will explore the big issues of life and faith and unpack the basics of Christian belief. The discussion time is an opportunity for people to respond to the talk, hear from others, and contribute their own perspective in an honest, friendly, and open environment.
ALPHA Sessions include such topics as:
Is there more to life than this?
Who is Jesus?
Why did Jesus die?
How can I have faith?
Why and how do I pray?
Why and how should I read the Bible?
How does God guide us?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
Why and how should I tell others?
Does God heal today?
I am excited that we will share in this time of fellowship, growth and friendship.
PLAN TO ATTEND THE INFORMATION SESSION
SEPTEMEBER, 15, 2022 – 7:00 P.M.
PORTLAND UNITED CHURCH
Liz Church – Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Devotional Thought – September 10, 2022
Expectations – what a word to start this past week with. Children going back to school, teachers in their classrooms, parents with the teachers. This was all put into perspective for me as I talked with my granddaughter. As we conversed about her first day back at school, I could tell she was not impressed. She wanted nothing to change from last year. That was not to be. She wanted the same friends, the same classroom, the same teacher. She loved school. Same teacher, check; same classroom, check; same classmates, not so! When she called, I could tell her disappointment.
I called her the next day. What a different sound I could hear in her voice – she had met a new friend on the bus, a best friend! She didn’t know his name but she was thrilled. And he was in her class, as well. Her year was going to be great – she had a new best friend!
It’s amazing how much we like to plan our lives and expect things to go exactly as planned. And when it doesn’t, we become discouraged and even disappointed. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if everything went according to plan? So, I guess the real question is ‘What are your expectations?’ Are you setting yourself up for failure? Or is it your attitude? Dahlia, my granddaughter, without realizing it, had set herself up for disappointment. But, she quickly changed her expectation, and her attitude became one of happiness and ‘all will be wonderful’. Her expectation at first depended on the wrong people or the wrong situation. As her attitude changed, she was able to embrace the situation and change with it.
I have to ask the question: ‘What do you, or I, expect from God?’ It will make all the difference to your life, to my life, when I can answer this question, when you can answer this question.
The word ‘expectation’ lends itself to thinking about waiting, hope and anticipation. In this world of instant gratification, we have lost the art of waiting patiently.
Psalm 5:3 “Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” NLT.
The Psalmist, David, understood that God hears. Do we believe this? God hears. God answers. Wait patiently. Take time to praise Him. May your expectation be to make time for God before your day begins. Let Him be Your Guide.
Blessings, peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge