Elgin United Church
Happy Birthday to Marg Ross, Tuesday August 29th, and Leighton Coatsworth, also Tuesday, August 29th. Best wishes to these two marvelous individuals.
Happy Anniversary to Cindy and Greg Carbino, Wednesday, August 30th. Special wishes to a great couple.
Mary Lynne Alderdice broke her leg on Wednesday and is in Smiths Falls Hospital awaiting surgery scheduled for Friday, August 25th. Please hold her in your prayers for a complete and speedy recovery.
Barb Rowat is progressing well and making many new friends at Providence Care. We pray for Barb’s continued improvement.
June Smith’s pacemaker implant was delayed and was tentatively rescheduled for the evening of Wednesday, August 23rd. As of this writing I had not been able to confirm. We’ll update ASAP. Please remember June in your prayers.
Ten YaHers gathered for food, fun and conversation last Thursday morning at the Junction Restaurant. Watch for September’s date and make a point of joining in. See ya there.
Elgin and Area Heritage Society presents Music in the Park featuring the Beverley Trio. 2 – 4 pm at Heritage Park, Sunday August 27th. Bring your own chair.
Tuesday, September 5th there is a EUC Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
What a delightful concert put on by Mary’s Merry Minstrels! Many songs we had not heard for decades and so many people enjoying the sing-a-long. Can’t wait for the next one! If you were there, thank you for attending and if you weren’t, you missed a fun evening.
Wednesday, August 30th there is a PUC Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
You would be welcome to attend the UCW meeting on Tuesday, September 12 at 1:30. We will soon be making apple pies again!
Chit Chat is open on Thursday mornings from 10:00 until noon downstairs. Come and enjoy a coffee or tea and visit with your neighbours.
Again this fall, Rev. Doug is offering another series of self reflection on our relationship with Christ. Anyone wanting to join the Bible Study is welcome but participants are asked to commit to the entire series, as possible. Along with scripture, we will be using the literature of Author John Ortberg’s Study Guide: God Is Closer Than You Think/If God is always with us, why is he so difficult to find? to help facilitate discussions. Email Will French or call Annette Clarke in the Church Office with questions, to indicate an interest in participating or to sponsor purchasing resources for attendees to use. We will meet in the upstairs Friendship Room of Portland United Church on Mondays beginning September 18, 25; Oct 2, 16 and 23 from 6:30-8:00p.m.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Thought, August 26, 2023
I noticed it about three weeks ago. It was just a small area. It didn’t really call me to panic. But this week, it has grown bigger. And I know it will continue for the next few months. The Autumn colours! That’s what I’m talking about!
For many, you have probably been aware of the same phenomena. The sure sign that Summer is leaving for another year and Fall is on the way. But there is so much more to it than just the changing colours or the remnants of summer. It is an end for various things and a new beginning for other events – School start-up, harvest, Thanksgiving – the list is long. The coming and going, beginnings and endings, the circle of life.
Each of us face a challenge daily to examine our lives. What changes have we noticed? Do you get that niggling feeling there is something more you can do? Have you forgotten to do kindness, or see joy in another person’s blessings? Psalm 139: 23-24 from The Message says it this way:
Investigate my life, O God; find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
No doubt some of the changes we experience are not to our liking. They scare us, they challenge us, they totally exhaust us. We struggle to keep up. Hold on, my friends. Your joy is close. Life does indeed throw many curveballs and the effort to keep fighting can wear us down. Just remember, you are not alone! God walks with you. Friends and family walk with you. We are blessed.
May you shine as God’s Light in the world!
Liz Church
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
