Elgin United Church
Sunday, Feb 26th is the first Sunday of Lent. We welcome you to worship and partake of Communion fellowship with us.
Last chance for free dishes. They have to go by the end of this week. Contact Clinton Halladay, 613-359-5607.
Mary Carbino’s birthday is Sunday Feb 26th. Happy Birthday Mary.
Georgina and Jim Campbell celebrate their wedding anniversary Monday, Feb 27th. Happy Anniversary Georgina & Jim.
Elgin Council
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Portland United Church
Belated birthday wishes to Liz Church who celebrated a milestone on February 21st.
Our sincere condolences go out to Reverend Brenda Timpson for the loss of her husband, Reverend David Glenn Timpson, who passed February 18 after a battle with ALS. Prayers to his family and friends.
This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent and we celebrate Communion.
Rick Lachapelle, Bob and MJ’s son has had to have another surgery February 23rd. Please keep him in your prayers.
We are set for July 8 with County Road44 and August 19 with Mary’s Merry Minstrels concerts.
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
Portland United Church is enjoying streaming Sunday Services live on their YouTube Channel. Whether you are unable to attend in person, want to watch a Sunday service again mid-week or know someone who might want to check us out, simply click on the following address https://www.youtube.com/@portlandunitedchurch4900 to be taken directly to the Portland United Church YouTube Channel.
Most Sundays are reaching double digit viewings and during the Christmas season we were as high as 35 for some services. Even if you’re watching alone at home, know that you’re really not alone as others are also watching-and all of us are wrapped in the togetherness of Jesus’ arms.
Please consider hitting the ‘Subscribe’ button (once you’ve navigated to the YouTube channel) as shown below. Note, only people with a Gmail account can easily subscribe by clicking this button. Clicking on the ‘Profile Picture’ (an example is shown below on the far left) for Portland United Church will provide you with other options such as viewing past recordings. Reach out to the EPPC office with any questions: office@eppc-ucc.com; 613-272-2002.
Thanks, Media Team at Portland United Church
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Devotional Thought, February 25, 2023
It becomes more difficult each year to find focus on the essential issues of our lives. This year, a few weeks following Christmas, I was once again back in a Dollar Store. I expected to see Valentine themes in the décor. But here is what I found instead: Aisles filled with red supplies (of course), and green items (Saint Patrick’s Day) and aisles already filled to capacity and running over with baskets, and bunnies and everything of the so-called Easter theme.
It is really difficult to follow simplified living when we are inundated with all non-Christian objects and the world continues to reject the ways of God, or see them as non-essential.
As we approach this Easter season I would like to bring to remembrance the true significance of this most critical essence of our living, dying, and rebirth.
During Lent, for many churches, it is tradition to enact the Stations of the Cross. And as they take this walk, figuratively, or in person, it brings to remembrance that Christ’s life was painful. Those final hours, as He carried His cross through the streets of onlookers, who only days earlier called Him King, I deliberate on how He walked, stumbled, crawled. The anguish and sorrow of betrayal, loss, pain, grief, torture, heartache. I can barely write these words without sobbing; knowing that Jesus was innocent and yet stood in my place. His purpose for living was to carry this Cross, all the way, no backing down, so that I could live. I, who had the choice to live a good life; I, who knew consequences of my wrongdoing; I, who was sinful and deserved no better than I got. And this Man, my Lord, took my place.
There will never be a time, that I can repay my Lord. But I can do this: I can walk this ‘Via Dolorosa’, this Sorrowful Way. And as I take this journey, I can stop at each place and give thanks, pray and promise my God in Heaven, that I will tell others about the price that was paid for me, and for them, so that we can live.
And, when I walk through the aisles of the stores this Easter Season, I can take the chance that others want to know the real reason for this celebration. I can pray for them as I see them filling their carts with chocolates, and bunnies and baskets. I can say the simple life-giving, words of Hope: Jesus Lives! I can take the chance they will sneer, or reject me. And maybe, just maybe, one will want to know the truth – Jesus Lives!
I believe, and pray, in the midst of their celebration, those two words will come to their remembrance. I can plant the seed. That is what I promised to do – shine my light so that others will see Jesus in me.
And this Lenten season will take on new perspective for you. As you pray and reflect remember these words:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.” ~ Philippians 2:4
Blessings and peace.
Liz Church
Pastoral Care Director
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
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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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A CAMP OF THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA
On the Ottawa River, 10 kilometers west of Deep River
SUMER STAFF WORK PERIOD – JUNE 27 to AUGUST 20, 2023
HEAD COOK – Mature, self-motivated individual. Must be able to prepare food in an efficient, timely manner following a set menu
for 75 – 100 persons, 3 meals per day. Preference will be given to persons with two or more year’s experience. Salary range: $725 – $950 per week (room and board included).
FLOATER – Lifeguard / Kitchen Assistant. Successful candidate will be required to act as floater between all jobs at Camp as needs arise. Applicants must have his/her NLS and Watercraft qualifications (successful applicant must be prepared to obtain a Pleasure Craft Operators Card). Successful applicant must be prepared to work in a team environment. Minimum age 17 required. Salary range: $550 – $650 per week (room and board included).
MALE COUNSELLORS – Successful applicants will work in one week intervals for five to seven weeks throughout the summer. Applicants must be enthusiastic and responsible team players who will provide fun and leadership for campers. Counsellors will live in cabins with campers and lead campers in the daily activities of summer camp. Age 16 required. Applicants must be available to attend a group interview on either April 1, 2023 or April 29, 2023. Salary: $525 – $575 per week (room and board included).
To apply for any position, visit our website at www.camplau-ren.com
under “Job Postings” to complete an on-line application.
Further information on all positions is available from
Steve McCulloch, Executive Director, at ExecutiveDirector@camplau-ren.rocks
We thank all applicants. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
