Elgin-Portland United Church
We wish all fathers and father figures a super Father’s Day this Sunday. “Being a great father is like shaving. No matter how good you shaved today, you have to do it again tomorrow.” —Reed Markham
On Canada Day weekend some people you might know- Margaret Martin, Roberta McKinney, Wendy Lowe and Shaun Seaman plus 15 others will be exhibiting their art as part of the Rideau Lakes Studio Tour. It’s a great opportunity to see the artists in their studios. It’s a great way to explore this beautiful area. For more information check out rideaulakesstudiotour.ca
Elgin United Church
By the time you read this, many of you will be celebrating an enjoyable and successful fish this morning. Bass season opened, summer must be here!
Congratulations to all who are celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or other special occasions this week. May they be awesome!
We keep all in our prayers who are experiencing illness or troubles. May they feel the warmth and strength of God’s love.
Drop by the Red Brick School, 3 Halladay St, in Elgin at 2 pm, Saturday June 24th and join in a display ceremony and 20th anniversary celebration of the Elgin and Area Heritage Society.
Piano recital. At 12:30, Sunday June 25th at Elgin United. Zoe Zudinski will present a half hour piano recital. Zoe is a Grade 10 piano student who practices weekly at Elgin United. We look forward to Zoe’s presentation, all are welcome and light refreshments will be served.
Celebration of Life for Elsa and Ab Emmons (parents of Wanda Seward) will be held on July 22, 2023. Details to follow.
Elgin Council
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Portland United Church
Initiates
Go Green Project
As current stewards of this land, PUC is of the belief that it is important to show leadership and take action to preserve our local environment for generations to come.
The Go Green Project includes
Converting to LED lighting and Weather proofing our building to capitalize on the energy we already consume. The impact is to lower our electric consumption by 15%.
Substituting a Low Temperature, energy efficient, Heat Pump in the Gathering room for the current Propane heater. This will lower our carbon production by an estimated 22%.
Introducing Solar Panels to our roof reducing our draw from the electric grid by up to 90%. This will also lower our overall cost and put us in a position to completely eliminate our carbon usage in future years.
The project is well underway and will pray fully be completed by early fall of this year.
Panel Placement
The investment of $55,000 is supported by
The Portland United Church Congregation and community fundraising
The Eastern Ontario Outaouais Regional Church Extension Fund
The National United Church of Canada Faithful Footprint Program
Portland United Church is still needs $5,000 to complete our fundraising activities. Your support is appreciated.
Portland United Church looks forward to sharing our experience as we embark on this bold adventure to help protect our collective future.
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Cherry and Blueberry pies are in the freezer ready to go! We hope to be picking strawberries around the middle of the month and then the strawberry-rhubarb pies will be ready too. Don’t forget to place your order. Sheila @ 613-272-3531 or Connie @ 613-220-7914.
The Forfar Strawberry Social will be held on Sunday, July 2, 2023 at the Forfar Community Center. 2 sittings, 4:00 and 5:00 pm. Call Tammy or Doris Day t 613-272-2474 for advance tickets (recommended). Adults $20.00, Children 5-12 $10.00. Includes ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, coleslaw, roll and beverage with strawberries and ice cream for dessert. Take-out available.
County Road 44 – Bluegrass Band – Portland United Church Saturday July 8th @ 7 pm. A goodwill offering will be received.
MarkOne – Portland United Church July 22nd @ 7:00 pm. A goodwill offering will be received.
Portland Council
Devotional Thought, June 17, 2023
I am spending time this week with my family in Mississauga. My granddaughter has a busy week. She is an inspiration to me! She is performing at her dance recital (Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance), and she is graduating from Junior High! The achievements she has made this year are incredible. I say this not just because of her accomplishments. But because her family life has been in turmoil. And her persistence to work through this is remarkable. Through all the ups and downs, she has continued to find enjoyment in her life. And the really amazing part of this is that she is 13 years old! Her education has been through the Christian School System. And while she may not be totally aware of this strong foundation, I believe it has given her strength beyond her years.
And I begin to focus on my spiritual life and other Christians around me. As I watch her, my mind goes to the verse of Scripture in 2 Timothy 2:15, from The Message – ‘Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple…’ I can see the parallel. If we don’t spend time with our Creator, we will miss so many of the signs given us for a satisfying spiritual life. The need to be open to God’s will, and study His Word; the realization that God’s promises are true; taking God at His Word believing that in all things we can rely on these promises. That is the life we have. Wow! We are amazingly blessed.
Do if this week has been tough for you, if you have felt like you were alone, if you are disappointed – whatever your situation – take heart, call upon God. He hears you and knows you. He is waiting to hear from you.
May you shine as God’s Light in the world!
Liz Church
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Camp Awesome is a full-day faith-based day camp summer program, July 17-21 at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, that is active, engaging and fun for children. We combine vacation bible school teachings, including stories, songs and crafts, with interactive games and theme day fun. Healthy snacks provided!
Camp Awesome has a program for every age group:
CA Camper – Ages 4 * – 12CA Crew – Ages 12 – 13
Youth Leadership – 13+
Cost per child is $150 for the week at Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls, with a free (return) bus from Perth (pick up at St. Paul’s United, Perth at 8:15am, returning at 4:25pm).
Financial assistance is available for families.
Children of any faith, or none, are welcome!
Healthy snacks provided!
* Campers must be at least 4 years of age at time of camp and completed a year of school. (JK or equivalent)
www.camp-awesome.ca
