Remembrance Sunday
November 6, 2022
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Elgin United Church
Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour when you retire Saturday night. Can’t have you showing up for church an hour early!
Please join us for Remembrance Day Worship, November 6th. We will be celebrating Communion as well with Rev. Kathleen Walton presiding at both Elgin and Portland United Church.
Remembrance Day is November 11th, please do your part in honouring those who valiantly defended our country and the world.
The Elgin & Area Heritage Society is hosting a ceremony at the Red Brick School at 2:00 pm for the unveiling of a permanent exhibit of memorabilia of two local WW I veterans, Martin Flynn and Arthur Cooper. All are welcome.
Mark November 23rd to November 30th on your calendars for Elgin United’s 3rd annual on-line auction of new items and services. Items are already coming in. Don’t miss out!
Our prayers are with Marion Cooper. Marion fell on the ice at curling on Monday evening and suffered a bleed and concussion. She is home on two weeks rest and is doing ok.
John Carley is home again, very tired but otherwise feeling pretty good. His surgery is on again, off again, so he is just standing by, waiting. We pray for a speedy resolution and his comfort.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
Place your orders for Tourtieres! $18.00 (same as last year) Call Connie at 613-220-7914 or MJ at 613-222-9070 to order before November 19. Limited supply!
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2:30 p.m. @ Elgin Cenotaph (Red Brick Schoolhouse)
Sunday, Nov. 6, 3:00 p.m. @ Portland Cenotaph (Refreshments to follow in the Legion)
Friday, November 11, 10:45 a.m. Remembrance Day Ceremony @ Portland Legion
A funeral service for Graham Mowat will be held on Friday, November 18, 2022 at Blair Funeral Home, 17 Gore Street W, Perth, ON – Visitation: 10:00 a.m., Service: 11:00 a.m., Interment in Auld Kirk Cemetery, Almonte.
There is a Portland United Church Council meeting on Tuesday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the Gathering Room.
Portland UCW meets at 1:30 pm on November 16th. All are welcome!
Kathleen Seward is home and improving each day.
The Rideau Sewers will meet at their usual time next Wed. Nov. 9th. This will be our last sewing get together for 2022.
Be sure to let Judy Pattinson know if you plan to attend Sewers luncheon at Cove on Dec. 14th.
We received a very generous donation from the Westport Lion’s Club. This is greatly appreciated as it goes towards buying fabric & other supplies needed to sew the lap quilts & pillowcases. Thank-you!
For information contact Jane Pickard or Joan Horsfall.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Thought – November 5, 2022
War has always been a difficult thing for me to understand. I was born shortly after the Second World War, still in the throes of all the devastation, poverty, grief; the still fresh memories of families bereft of grandparents, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.
Cold November 11th services, held at Cenotaphs all across Canada are burned into the memories of my generation. Wreath after wreath laid and displayed as young school children stood and heard the names of family members from our little town who had sacrificed their lives for our freedom. The Last Post, Silence, Reveille. The famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ being read. The Gun salutes. And the reverberating sound as the silence once again penetrated our minds – in remembrance of the cost of our freedom.
And still today, I am reminded of the cost of freedom, all over this world. The harsh realities, the pain and grief, the loss of all that is needed to live. My whole being cries out to those who are fighting against the injustices and atrocities being committed. Say these words: ANGUISH, TORMENT, GRIEF, MISERY, SORROW, DISTRESS, AGONY, DEATH, DESTRUCTION.
All these pictures and thoughts are burned into my memory. And then I recall a verse of Scripture that says: ‘It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me’ – Galatians 2:20. And this, my friends, is where I struggle most. If it is Christ who lives in me, then He also is alive in all people. So how can I justify killing, or war?
For as long as I have lived and been able to reason, I have struggled with the question: ’WHY WAR?’ And of course, mix in with that the knowledge that my freedom has cost many to lose their lives so that I live in freedom today. No wonder I struggle, and perhaps you struggle with me!
If I were a great theologian, I’m sure I would be able to adequately answer my own questions and struggles. But that is not so. I really can only say what I know to be truth: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe! This lawless world struggles with injustice, greed, hate. And as long as this world allows the power of darkness to rule their hearts, we will continue with this fight for freedom.
For the Love of God, continue to remember. Your freedom of this way of life was bought with a price – men and women gave their lives.
And from a spiritual warfare – the price has been paid. Accept your God-given freedom. God who gave His Only Son, who provides refuge in the midst of your storm, stands with you as you claim your freedom – Live! May Jesus Christ be praised!
Blessings, peace and love to each of you,
Liz Church -Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
