Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge
The Joint Trustees of the Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge are inviting you to a picnic to help celebrate and recognize the contributions made by our Volunteers of the Community Clothing Coop. A poster is hanging in each Church with further details, but give consideration to attending on Sunday August 13th, 2023, as we plan to leave the Public Docks in Portland (between 4:00 and 4:30), and head out to Colonel By Island for a Hamburger and HotDog BBQ! We will eat, sing, and rejoice in the great ministry provided by the many volunteers of the Community Clothing Coop. There is no charge to attend, and all food will be provided; bring your water bottle and possibly a lawn chair (picnic tables are also available). See Adrian Overdulve or Will French to reserve your spot! In case it rains we will hold the event at the Portland United Church.
Elgin United Church
YAHBC
The YAHBC (Young at Heart Breakfast Club) met on the 20th at the Junction Restaurant. No one was elected and no minutes were kept, just a good breakfast and better conversation. If you would like to join us at our next or any meetings let Clint or Ted know and we will put you on the list. At the moment we are thinking Thursday the 24th of August at 9 am. at the Junction.
Barb Rowat continues to improve and is in good spirits. She enjoys visits and calls, so when you have a moment reach out to her at Providence Care. Please keep Barb, Jim and their children in your prayers though out their journey of recovery.
Mark your calendars for a busy October of concerts at EUC with Small Halls October 13th and Canadian Women in Song October 21st. More info will follow. Other October events are in the planning stages.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
The parents of Evan Seay have asked us to but Evan on the prayer list. He is a three-year-old with some health issues they are trying to diagnose at CHEO, and we just need all the help we can get.
Thanks
Old Tyme Country and Gospel Music by Mary’s Merry Minstrels, Saturday, August 19th at 7:00 pm. Portland United Church. A goodwill offering will be received.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Thought, August 5, 2023
Blistered Spirit
“It is with regret”… those words almost cause a sense of panic. They very seldom bring good news. Each of us have heard those words many times in our lives. A job interview, a bank loan, a broken relationship, a death. I do not have to continue. You get the picture.
I wish I was a wordsmith and could fill in the details of all this word ‘regret’ entails. Sorrow, contrition, repentance. When looked at from these perspectives, we can see the word contains so many meanings.
Let me back up for a moment. Earlier this week one of my sisters from Nova Scotia was calling me. It was later in the evening and I happened to be very busy at the moment she called, so I let it go to voicemail. The next morning, I was at work. And caller ID identified that one of my brothers from Nova Scotia was calling me. After the horrendous month I had experienced, I immediately thought the worst. And at that moment the tears began to flow. Before my brother had a chance to speak, I burst out the words:” What’s wrong!” My brother immediately says: “Sis, why does there have to something wrong for me to call you?” I explained my over-reaction and we laughed about it. He was really calling to check up on me.
You see, the number of personal experiences I faced left me vulnerable with sorrow, with a Blistered Spirit, struggling. For a few moments, the peace I talk about so often, seemed illusive. Praise God for friends, family and of course for a faith that sees God in the Valleys and on the Mountains.
But I also wanted to look at the rest of those words I mentioned in relation to ‘regret’. How many times do we react to something that has happened in our spiritual life and wish we could change it. My encouragement for you this week is that, as always, regret is not really that helpful. Unless, of course, you can move forward from that. I read this quote: ‘Never regret a day in your life. Good days bring you happiness and bad days give you experience.
Philippians 3 has encouraging verses for us, starting at verse 12 – “ I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.”
We will all have those moments when we desire a different outcome. Hold on to the promises given you through Christ. Look at regret as a gift from God. The path leads us to recognize the saving grace given to us through Christ. There will be healing. We are blessed.
May you shine as God’s Light in the world!
Liz Church
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
