2023-03-04 Weekly E-News

Elgin United Church

We welcome Rev. Kathleen Walton who leads us in worship this Sunday.

Happy Birthday to Marion Cooper, Sunday. Enjoy your day.

Elgin United ‘s Annual Congregational Meeting is after church March 26^th  @12:30 P.M. Plan to attend.

Call for nominations and volunteers for Elgin United Council. Consider getting involved in the administration of our church. Contact Clinton Halladay, 613-359-5607, text 613-217-0054, email clint.sharon@halladay.ca by March 19th.

Elgin Council

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Portland United Church

Portland United Annual Congregation Meeting is after church on March 26th @10:20 A.M.  Plan to attend.

Be sure to drop in downstairs at Portland United Church for the weekly Chit Chat on Thursday mornings between 10:30 and 12:00 and visit with your neighbours.

We are set for July 8 with County Road44 and August 19 with Mary’s Merry Minstrels concerts.

This is to advise you that the United Church is no longer producing their publication “These Days” effective immediatly.

Portland Council

Devotional Thought, March 4, 2023

Last week, a member of the Portland congregation gave me a study book as well as a devotional book. Thank you. As I was scanning through these, I came across a particular story about Elijah that resonated with me.

You know the one I’m referring to from 1 Kings 19: 11-13. God’s Voice. Elijah, a strong prophet and one who spoke out loudly when commanded by God to do so, was hiding out in a cave, frightened for his life. Elijah, who had just called upon God to rain down fire on a soaked sacrifice and God heard him and did it.

It was soon after that we find Elijah, our strong, invincible prophet in this predicament. But what I find fascinating is that a windstorm swept through, so powerful that part of the mountain crumbled, but Elijah heard nothing. The same is said about an earthquake as well as a fire that blazed through. Not in any of these circumstances did Elijah seemed moved or even to hear them.

Then, a soft whisper. The New Living Translation actually uses the words ‘a gentle whisper’. This Elijah responds to.

As I contemplate this event, I think back to raising my children. Do you remember those times when you yelled down the basement stairs that it was time for supper, or you called upstairs to say it was time to be leaving for church – no response! But the whisper to a sibling, or to their father, about a surprize birthday party? They hear that! Or a secret visit? Or a plan for a new kitten? This they hear! Amazing, right? Ears attuned to another sound?

When I was in Grade 7, I had the opportunity to attend a production by the Halifax Symphony. They were playing in Sydney, Cape Breton and our school went on a day trip. We travelled 14 miles from New Waterford to Sydney and even now as I write to you, I can hear the majestic sounds of the tympani, the deliberate notes of the oboe as they softly beat out and play the sounds of the waves whooshing toward the coast and the crescendo as bass, sax, cello and bassoon bring the crashing waves against the Hebridean rocky shoreline. The lilting notes of the viola, violin, French horn, piccolo as the water splashes down on the rocks like gentle falling rain, only to be washed out to the ocean again.

That piece of music, to this day, moves me to tears – even as it did when I was 12 years old. I had never heard it again, I didn’t know the title of it, but when I closed my eyes, I heard it, thundering through me. Each symphonic melody, from various instruments coming together to bring this tumultuous and yet calming reassurance to my soul. I know it sounds strange that this music spoke so deeply to me. In fact, after 58 years, the memory is vivid. So vivid in fact that in remembering it was about the Hebrides I was able to look it up. Written by Mendelsshon in the early 1830’s, I can now enjoy it once again, courtesy of YouTube.

All of this is to say that the interpretation, that day 58 years ago, and as I listen today, has changed. Perhaps what I heard that day was the very voice of God as He gave to me a gift through the Halifax Symphony. My own interpretation, and the instruments themselves may have changed over the years. The sound may be subtly but notably different.

And I believe the same is said for the voice of God. Whether in the whirlwind, in the thunder, in the quietness of the garden, beside a hospital bed, at the graveside of a loved one, in the birth of spring, in the fields of white snow, the tricking waterfalls, in all these things we hear the voice of God – just the way you need to. He speaks to you, He calls you, He whispers your name, and you feel again the encompassing love of God.

May you be blessed this day, as God speaks to you.

Liz Church

Pastoral Care Director,

Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge

 

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:

• 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.