2022-09-24 Weekly E-News


Elgin United Church

Sunday Sept 18th was  super exciting with the return of a choir at Elgin United after a 2 yr plus hiatus. How wonderful it was to hear our beautiful sanctuary once again filled with the praise only a choir can offer.  Do you love to sing and have fun? Be part of Elgin United’s choir.  No experience necessary. Practice on Thursday evenings at 7:00.

EUCs “BUILDING OUR FUTURE, UNITED” campaign is underway. 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 today, 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 Lakes 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.

Tickets for our Elgin United’s Ontario Small Halls concert 7:30 pm October 14th are now on sale at https://ontariosmallhalls.com/   . This a two set performance featuring Irish Mythen and Willie Stratton. Light refreshments are available for purchase at intermission.

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, from 10 am – 4 pm. Over 19 tables and counting plus bake table. Have a smoked meat sandwich for lunch. See you there.

Elgin United hosts a concert on October 22nd featuring the Shawn McCullough Band with Wright & Lowe. Don’t’ miss it.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who may be experiencing troubles. You are not alone.

Elgin United Church Council

Portland United Church

It was decided at the Council meeting on September 20th to offer full communion on Sunday October 2nd for World Communion.  Servers will be masked and use tongs to hand out the bread.  If you are uncomfortable taking communion this way, you are welcome to bring your own.

Girl Guides has begun the use of the church basement on Monday evenings and Coffee Chit Chat will be held weekly beginning Thursday, October 6 from 10:30 to noon.  Other community groups have been inquiring about meeting space as well, so a rental rate has been established with Annette as prime contact through the church office and Connie as backup with consultation with Annette.

Please keep Kathleen Seward in your prayers for a full recovery from her surgery.

Portland United Church is looking for a replacement Music Director/Pianist.  If you have any contacts or suggestions please pass it along to Duncan, Katy, Joan, or Norma.

The UCW will be making Apple Pies next week.  Please place your order.

Betty and Arie Hoogenboom will host the September 27th  luncheon for the Flex Fund.  Be sure to mark it on your calendar for 12:00 noon!

End of Sumer BBQ

Burgers, salad, dessert.  A vegetarian choice and GF choices available.  Take-out also available.  Pay as you are able.

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 October luncheon.  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. 

Coffee and Chit Chat will be held weekly at Portland United Church starting October 6th at 10:30 to Noon.

The Quilting Sewing group will meet the second Wednesday of each month in the church basement.  Please see Jane Pickard or Joan Horsfall for more information.

The Pillowcase Sewing group will meet the third Wednesday of each month in the church basement.  Please see Joan Kelly for more information.

This Sunday we welcome Rev. Shaun Seaman to the pulpit for Portland United Church and Elgin United Church.

Portland United Church Council

 

Devotional Thought – September 24, 2022

 

Have you ever wondered if you are in the right place? Doing the right work? Choosing the right friends? Living in the right community? If you have these questions, are the answers evident to you?

When I first moved to Portland, Ontario, I was, in a way, running – trying to find solutions, but refusing to recognize the cause of my agony. I didn’t want my life to feel like it was in shambles. I wanted to be the master of my life. I refused to talk with people who could help me, including my self-inflicted resistance to seeking out the Lord. I kept saying: “He gave me wisdom. I need to use it. I will figure it out.”

And then I remembered a story about the person who was sitting on his roof after a deluge of water lifted his house from its foundation and it floated down the flooded street in his town. Do you remember that story? He prayed for help. A man in a rowboat came. The man on the roof said he was waiting for God to rescue him. The water continued to rise. A lager boat come by. Still, he refused. Even a helicopter came. The refusal came again with the words: ‘I’m waiting for God to rescue me’. The man drowned. On his arrival in Heaven, he questioned God as to why God did not save him? And God replied: ‘I sent you 3 people to rescue you. What were you waiting for?”

Many of the thoughts I share with you are borne out of my own experiences. And as God directs me, I believe many of you have similar events in your life when you are caused to cry, laugh, writhe in agony, and even descend into the depths of hopelessness and despair. Be assured, you are not alone. Look around you and see what rescue ‘vehicle’ has been sent for you. It may not be the one you were expecting but it will be the one you need.

In closing, this thought comes to me: Even if it is curled up in a ball, in your bed, trying to make sense of this world, “Wherever you are, God knows. God holds you safe and gives you peace, even when there is pain”.

Blessings, peace and love to each of you,

Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director

Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge

 

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.