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.
Broadview Magazine Subscription – Elgin United Church: It’s time to renew your Broadview subscription, or start a new one (for yourself or as a gift). The price remains $25 for the year. EUC members, please see Mark Bee.
Monday, Feb 20th, is Family Day. Whether you have the day off or not, please take time to celebrate and appreciate the joys of family. Family First.
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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Liz Vandershuit’s 90th birthday celebration will be held at the Portland Legion on Monday February 20 from 2-4 p.m. Everyone welcome. No presents please.
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.
This month 8 lap quilts were delivered to the Perth and Smiths Falls hospitals for palliative care, cancer and dialysis patients. Thank-you to our dedicated sewers and to all who continue to contribute fabric, time and monies to this worthy cause. It is greatly appreciated. MORE information: Jane Pickard 613 272-2524
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 18, 2023
We have come through the season of Epiphany and we have spent the weeks since Christmas reflecting on the coming of Christ into the World. And in a few weeks, we will rejoice in the Easter Story and celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. But before that, we have the Transfiguration. If you attend church this Sunday, I will be sharing from God’s Word, that moment in our Christian History, when Jesus reveals who He truly is and the reason for His coming to earth.
Our hymnbook contains powerful words. And many of our songs make reference to Scripture. One such hymn is found in Voices United # 87. The refrain from this hymn says: “I am the Light of the world! You people come and follow me! If you follow and love, you’ll learn the mystery, of what you were meant to do and be!”
John 8:12 – “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; those who follow Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
My son, Chris, as most of you know, is an electrician. I will often listen as he tells me about a part of his day and some of the tasks he accomplishes. There are times I sit in awe and admiration as he explains what wire goes where and why it must connect in a certain way to make the power flow. He makes it sound simple.
Just this week, the discussion was on precision and the necessity to understand light placement in a room for maximum effect. Maximum effect! Being connected to the Source of Power. Belonging. That day, so long ago, Peter, James and John were shown real connectedness. God and Jesus conversing. Light so powerful they hid their faces, blinded by the Light.
As we enter this season of transformation, both throughout nature and within yourself, remember this: You are connected to the most powerful Light source. God is imprinted in your life. You belong.
Blessings and peace.
Liz Church
Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge