Elgin United Church
Elgin has a large quantity of good blue dishes for the asking; plates, side plates, cups & saucers, etc. Take one, take them all. Contact Clinton Halladay: 613-359-5607, clint.sharon@halladay.ca or text 613-217-0054.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, as we give paper hearts, flowers and candy, let us pause and remember the reason we have love to give, is that God gave everything. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Happy Birthday Gary Petro, February 16th. Enjoy your special day.
Elgin Council
Portland United Church
We are set for July 8 with County Road44 and August 19 with Mary’s Merry Minstrels concerts.
Breakfast on February 18th at Portland United Church has been Cancelled.
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February 21, 2023, Pancake Supper, Lombardy Agricultural Hall,
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free Will Donation.
All proceeds raise will be divided between The Lombardy Agricultural Society and the Smiths Falls site of the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation.
Liz Church son, Chris is back in the hospital and continues to recuperate and improve.
MJ and Bob LeBlanc son, Rick is recovering from surgery.
Please continue to pray for those two gentleman.
Portland Council
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Rural Ministry Town Hall Meetings
We are always looking for ways to increase our ministry into the community. The United Church is providing Town Hall Meetings and these are available to all. There is no cost involved, except for investment of time. They are held via ZOOM on the last Monday of each month. There will be energizing discussions of the joys and challenges of Rural Ministry. Current needs and how to meet them will most assuredly be one of the main topics. The dates are as follows:
EDGE’s Rural Ministry Town Halls start in January 2023 and run from 3:30-4:30pm Eastern. Register once to get the Zoom link to attend each of them:
- January 30
- February 27
- March 27
- April 24
- May 29
- June 26
- July 31
- August 28
- September 25
- October 30
- November 27
Rural Ministry Town Halls are free for anyone who would like to attend.
Email edge@united-church.ca for more information.
https://catalog.churchx.ca/product?catalog=EDGE2010
This would be a great time to rediscover your place in the building of God’s Church in your community.
Join us and be amazed.
Lori Houle
EDGE: A Network for Ministry Development / Réseau pour le développement des ministères
The United Church of Canada / L’Église Unie du Canada
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Free Online National Change Conference – Whole Hearted – February 24th, 2023
Join thousands of students all over Canada this February FOR A FREE ONLINE EXPERIENCE like not other! Change Conference inspires and empowers students to live for Jesus and make a difference in the world. Go to Changeconference.com to register.
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Devotional Thought, February 11, 2023
It all began in a rather normal way. There was nothing planned. The day broke forth as cold as we have experienced in a very long time. I was glad that I could hunker down and stay put. My second cup of coffee half gone, breakfast completed, computer opened, ready to work. Oh, I forgot to mention one thing – it is still only 4:30 in the morning!
My mind begins to wander and wonder of another time and place. Those early years of Jesus – as He wandered around the countryside. No place to actually call home, sleeping at a friend’s place, or under the stars; His cloak pulled tightly around Him for warmth, trying to get some shut-eye before the world around Him woke up, scurrying from place to place, daily routines taking over. I have a vivid picture of those early morning moments – the Saviour of the world talking to the Creator of our world and them being together, planning their day, sharing, smiling and just enjoying each other.
During those times in our lives, when the day is overwhelming and the cares of the world are hard to keep at bay, what is your daily routine? Bury your head in work, or worse yet, in the sand? Maybe you pull the covers over your head and refuse to leave your bedroom? Or maybe, just maybe, you hear these words come to you: “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!” Psalm 46:10
Such comfort in those simple words, and such profound truth. For our benefit, we know little about the future. The day’s events may surprise you; they may distress you and bring you to your knees. I have no idea what your week will be like but I can say with surety that if I take those precious moments to focus and call on The One who brings peace, comfort, love and understanding I will be OK. More than OK. I will be blessed. I will be comforted. I will be led to reach out to others and share with them the truths of my God, My Redeemer, my Friend.
Blessings and peace.
Liz Church
Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
