2023-03-18 Weekly E-News

EPPC Official Board is seeking a volunteer secretary.

Jan Haskin stepped down in December following numerous years as alternate for Margaret Martin and subsequently secretary for the year 2022. OB members and EPPC members thank Jan for her effective and timely recording and publishing of our OB minutes for those alternate years and the three OB meeting in 2022. Requirements for this position are to attend the three to four meetings per year, usually on a weekday evening from 7:00 to 8:00, at alternating churches, called by the Chair as requested. Draft Minutes are submitted to OB members for errors and amendments. Final Minutes are published to the webpage and distributed to OB members. EPPC is in a period of discernment regarding how we vision our future and what role an OB has to offer. For further information please contact me by email earljk@sympatico.ca.

Jim Earl

EPPC OB Chair 613-359-5164

Elgin Portland Pastoral Charge

We have recently received news that Cynthia Gantner, daughter of Jean and John Cucheron, passed away while on holidays in Cuba. With delays in getting Cynthia returned home, no funeral details have been settled at this time.

Please keep John and Jean as well as the other members of the family in your prayers.

As an outpouring of our love and care for them please take the time to send condolences to the following:

John & Jean Cucheron

102-3310 Jatoba Pvt.

Stittsville,Ontario  K2V 0E7

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Reverend Harry & Marion Seeley

We have received word from John Miller, Executor of Reverend Harry & Marion Seeley’s Estate, that 2 scholarship funds have been set up at Rideau High in Elgin. The fund is being administered by the Masons and anyone donating can get a tax receipt. Donations can be sent to:

Paul Thompson, 56 Stoneridge Lane, Godfrey, ON, K0H 1T0.

Cheques to be made out to “Simpson Masonic Lodge Scholarship Committee”

Reverend Harry Seeley Memorial Award ($500.)

Awarded to a deserving graduate who will be continuing his/her education at the post-secondary level in Theological Studies and/or in recognition of his/her involvement in Rideau athletics.

Marion Seeley Music Award ($500.)

Awarded to a deserving graduate who will be continuing his/her education at the post-secondary level in the Arts, with a preference of music education and/or in recognition of his/her involvement in Rideau’s music program and who shares Marion Seeley’s love for music.

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All Elgin and Portland United Church members are invited to enjoy a fish fry  meal on Saturday April 1, starting at 4:00 pm. Meal cost details to follow. This joint fellowship event to take place at the curling rink clubhouse  at 13 Maplecroft Lane in Chaffey’s Lock location courtesy of Roberta McKinney. The curling rink will be available to those who may wish to try their luck at throwing a few curling rocks.

If you would like to attend , please notify;  Will French at william.french@ucdsb.on.ca or Adrian Overdulve at aoverdulve@gmail.com

 

Elgin United Church

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

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.

Broadview Magazine Subscription – Elgin United Church:    It’s time to renew your Broadview subscription, or start a new one (we have two remaining FREE one-year subscriptions). The price remains $25 for the year for renewals  EUC members, please see Mark Bee.

Jesse Tree: There is an Asian proverb that says; “Always keep a bare branch in you heart, so a singing bird may come”.  Jesus put it another way when he said: “Love your neighbour as yourself”.     For several years now, we have been working with World Vision to love our neighbour, Zyra Joy, who lives in an area of the Philippines where many live in poverty, children are often malnourished, drop out of school early, and there is little hope for the future.              Our support has helped make Zyra Joy a lovely, confident Grade 9 student, who enjoys reading and writing and playing badminton and chess, and who is determined to finish school. And of course, she is a representative of what World Vision is doing in her community.    In her last letter, Zyra Joy expressed her thanks for all that she has received, but what she is most thankful for is the happiness and hope that her family now has. We have the chance to keep that hope alive with our donations to the Jesse Tree to support the ongoing work of world Vision for Zyra Joy and children like her.   As we move through Lent to Easter and the season of spring, our Jesse Tree represents our journey from sorrow to rejoicing, and from the bare branches of winter to the new life of spring. Each donation of $47 will provide a month’s support for Zyra Joy and her family and community, and we will mark that donation by placing a songbird and flower on our Jesse Tree. Let us create something beautiful for God this Lent as we fill our Jesse Tree with new life  and create hope in the lives of others.  Simply mark your envelope “Jesse Tree”  Thank you for your compassion and support.

Most of the dishes have found a new home. We have a few cups and saucers and glasses remaining that will be donated next week if no one claims them.

Elgin Council

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Portland United Church

Portland United Annual Congregation Meeting is after church on March 26th @10:20 A.M.  Please plan to attend.  A light snack (cheese, fruit, assorted muffins, tea, coffee and juice) will be served downstairs directly after the service with the meeting beginning at 10:20.  Keeping in mind that our pastoral supervisor Joanne Fletcher needs to attend both ACMs.

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,  July 22 with MarkOne  and August 19 with Mary’s Merry Minstrels concerts.

Join Multi-Instrumentalist Mark Mulrenin as he presents a performance of musical entertainment for the whole family. Listen to hits from the 50’s to the present and enjoy Mark’s stories and sense of  humor while playing guitar, ukulele, saxophones, flute and keyboard

Portland Council

Devotional Thought, March 18, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know the word ‘Lent’ means ‘spring’. Then what could be better than talking about this season which is upon us.

Spring – renewal, new life. And all such thoughts run through our heads. And brings a bubbling up within us. What can be more exciting than seeing the first new heads of flowers pushing up through the soil, or the acrid smell of decaying leaves as you enjoy those first walks outside, or the cleaning of your garden ready for new hope to transform the coldness of winter into fresh, new beginnings.

We are given so many chances to see the positive of life and yet sometimes we struggle with even getting out of bed. So let me help you (and myself) with an exercise in living.

• You woke up
• Now just lie there – taking in a breath, and then another
• Allow your thoughts to wander to that place of wonderment, you have been given another day
• Stay where you are and begin your prayer of thanks to God
• Be real – tell God the truth (don’t forget, He already knows!) so you can be honest with what you want to share. This is the time you get to be you.
• This is what my day is looking like, God. Now is the time to take your day and give it to the Lord. If your calendar is full, ask for strength and guidance. If your calendar is empty, ask for a door or window to open that you can be a blessing to another.
• It’s almost time! Ready? Can you feel it?  That bubbling over feeling – the new day is upon you. You can do! This is the day the Lord has made. Be glad and rejoice in it!

I pray God’s blessing on each of you,

 

Liz Church

Pastoral Care Director

Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge