Elgin Portland United Church
We keep all who are ill, troubled, or undergoing difficult times in our prayers that they are comforted by God’s Grace.
Bible Discussions Groups
Monday 6:30 p.m. at Portland UC. Elgin UC meeting this week (March 5) will be held at the home of Anne and Jim Barton, 27 Cedar Creek Lane, Elgin (off of 2651 Opinicon Road, km west of Chaffey’s Lock) at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Liz Church 1-902-441-5357 has kindly offered to provide transport for anyone needing it from Elgin leaving Gordanier’s Grocery at 9:30 am. If you need a ride, please let Jim know so we’ll know how many people to expect. This week’s discussion will be from 1 Corinthians chapters 11-16 & 2 Corinthians chapters 1-2. Everyone is welcome. For info contact Jim Barton 613-328-4089 or ccjimbarton@gmail.com.
Galatians 4:9 “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God,…”
YAHBC
The next meeting of the Young at Heart Breakfast Club will be Thursday the 21st of March at 9 am at the Junction restaurant.
More information closer to the date. Ted
Elgin United Church
Broadview Magazine – Elgin United Church
This is the month for EUC members to renew their Broadview subscriptions. To offset rising costs and lower operating grants, the annual group subscription rate is being raised, for the first time in seven years, to $30. I believe that’s still a great price for a year of Broadview reading!
Current EUC subscribers, please see Mark Bee to pay your subscription fee. You can also e-transfer the $30 to mark.bee@rideau.net if you prefer.
If you’re not a subscriber, we’d be pleased to add you to the list! Broadview is a magazine for people of faith and conscience, focused on national and international issues of spirituality, justice and ethical living as well as United Church of Canada news and perspectives. Formerly the United Church Observer, the magazine was rebranded as Broadview in April 2019. Having had various names in its history, the magazine is now in its 194th year. It was awarded the 2022 Best Interest Magazine from the National Magazine Awards and has been frequently awarded First Place for General Excellence from the Canadian Church Press.
Mark Bee
Karen Earl is recovering at home from knee replacement surgery. Please hold Karen and Jim in your prayers.
Joanne McLean continues to improve and gain strength on her recovery journey from heart surgery. Please hold Joanne and John is your prayers.
Barb Rowat is progressing positively and is getting around well with a walker. She expects to be discharged in the near future, and some modifications are being made at home to accommodate her.
June Smith is settling in and enjoying the social interaction at Van Horne Manor in Smiths Falls.
Bradley Edwards – Please keep Bradley and his family in your prayers.
EUC Council meeting 7 pm, March 5th.
Elgin United Church Council
Portland United Church
Prayer List:
Kathleen Seward has some serious health issues she is dealing with and sure needs our prayers.
Cheryl Stoddard is now residing at Hilltop Manor in Merrickville. Please remember Cliff and Cheryl in your prayers.
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
March 12th UCW Meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Several religious books have been donated to the Portland United Church library. Please check them out and borrow them as you wish.
Portland United Church is hosting a Turkey Dinner on March 22nd from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Adults $18.00, Children under 12 $10.00
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
March 2, 2024
Today I’m picturing a field of wild turkeys. Not just the one or two, but several dozen, maybe even a hundred.
Even with the opening statement you are probably curious as to where this devotional is heading. Well, I have to tell you, it may come as a surprise, but I won’t know until it is written!
Every day, as I drive around the countryside, there is revealed to me new experiences of sheer wonder. It started out as the sighting of 5 wild turkeys, I could pick them out among the frozen stocks of left-over corn. As I slowed down, many of those black blobs began moving. That’s when I realized they were living creatures, seeking out a meal. More turkeys than I could count, congregated together, foraging for a meal.
As usual, I begin to formulate how this relates to my life. And this is my finding.
There it is again, that black spot I mentioned before. This time it is not a tick (or a turkey). It is that little moment in my life when I thought it was OK to do my own thing; no one was watching, who would even notice. Nothing tangible, just a fleeting thought – see that person over there, if I act like I didn’t see them, or they are not there, or that they are a stranger, or that someone else can help them, it will be better. I’m really busy and don’t have time for that. Black spot #1. I’ll get over it.
My phone rings. I have Call Display. Not going to answer that. I’ll be on the phone for an hour, I don’t have time for that. Black spot #2.
I am running in to town. I should ask my neighbour if I can pick up some groceries for them. No, not today. I’m short on time and I have to make it a quick trip. That will interfere with my already tight schedule. Black spot #3.
Before long, I can see what has happened. My day has been spotted with all kinds of black dots. They now take on a life of their own. I am plagued with black dots.
Many times, in life, God has placed opportunities in our path, and we simply ignore them, just as those turkeys seldom enter our thoughts.
I am reminded of the verses of Scripture we know so well, found in Hebrews 13:1-3. Perhaps you missed your opportunity to walk with an angel. Perhaps you could have been the answer to another’s prayer of comfort. Your moment of sharing with another may have been the last straw they were holding to; that helped them through their day of distress.
The next time you pass by a field and see those black dots, remember to pray and ask God how you can be the vessel of service for Him and help to feed His flock.
Be blessed and refreshed.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
