Elgin Portland United Church
Join with Elgin United at 11 am on Sunday May 26th for worship and celebration of the 130th anniversary of our grand old building. The church building was dedicated on Mayb27th, 1894. Rev. Shaun Seaman is leading worship. Cupcakes and ice tea to follow. See you there.
The Lyndhurst Turkey Fair celebrates its 30th Anniversary on Saturday September 21st between 10 am and 4:30 pm. They are looking for volunteers for the day of the fair. Call Diane Joliffe at 519-389-7797 if you are interested. The fair lottery funds this year will be going to the Sweet’s Corners Elementary School Playground equipment Fundraiser
Bible Discussion Groups
Reason to read the Bible #2: The Bible explains the Gospel Hope to us. Learning and understanding the Gospel hope will fortify our faith and prepare us to share the Good News with others about Jesus Christ and His coming Kingdom. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Two meetings each week: Portland UC on Monday at 6:30; Elgin UC or Tuesday 10am at the Elgin Municipal Complex Community Room. Please join us. For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
Summertime is just around the corner, and that means summer fun for kids! Christian summer camps are one way for kids to be kids during the summer as they immerse themselves in an atmosphere of adventure and the teachings of Jesus. That said, going to summer camp brings about large costs for families. For example, one week at a local camp is approximately $800. People wishing to donate money towards sending kids to camp are invited to make a donation marked “Summer Camp” anytime in the coming weeks. All donations will go directly to families to help offset costs. Please reach out to Pauline French (613-331-6876) with any questions.
Murder by the Book, a theatrical performance presented by Rideau Lakes Public Libraries, staring our own Graham Lowe, May 30th through June 2nd, at the Delta Old Town Hall.
Check the calendar at rideaulakes.ca for details and tickets. Tickets are also available at Library Branches.
Young at Heart Breakfast Club
The next meeting of the YaHBC will be held on Thursday the 20th of June at 9 at the Junction restaurant.
More information to come the week before …………………Ted
Elgin United Church
Joanne McLean has relocated to Smith Falls hospital. Please keep both she and John in your prayers.
Volunteers urgently needed for Elgin Community Garden program. If you are able to give a few hours of your time to help feed your community with fresh and healthy food, please contact Geri Baker at 613-583-7509. Thank you! Pat
ANNUAL MEMORIAL SERVICE
HALLADAY BURIAL PLACE
Annual Memorial Service
Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ 2:00 P.M.
Elgin United Church
donations towards upkeep welcomed
Happy Anniversary to Jessica and Mike Gordanier, Saturday June 1st. Best wishes and have a super awesome day.
Portland United Church
Our condolences to Carolyn Bresee on the death of her husband Del on May 26th. Visitation is on Friday May 31st from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Scotland Funeral Home in Elgin. A service will be held on Saturday June 1st at 1:00 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church in Westport, Ontario.
Kathleen Seward
The family of Kathleen Seward announce the celebration of life for Kay will take place at the Harlem Road Cemetery on Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend.
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly on Thursdays to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
An advance planning event:
This is a notice of the second annual ecumenical worship service and potluck event held at Bethel United Church. Last year, we had a lovely time with about 45 people with 7 different churches represented. The sentiment “we should do this more often” was heard many times.
So, we are!
Bethel United Church would like to invite you to be part of this on July 7 beginning at 4:30 PM. We will have an informal worship service, that I hope all of you can participate in, and it will be followed by a ‘true’ potluck supper. Last year the tables were groaning with food!!! I’m considering using Matthew 18:30 “Where 2 or 3 are gathered….” and that we can specifically address rural and small church issues.
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Shine On, Shine On
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
May 25, 2024
In recent days I have taken to reading a book titled ‘Your God Is Too Small’. A title like that irritates me. My God is Not SMALL! But I got to thinking that I need to look at this concept and see how a leader of a church could write this. What lies behind his thoughts? What message is he trying to convey?
The book is fascinating, needing deep thinking, which will take time to digest. More than that, it fills me with questions that I must answer for my own life as a Christian. Let me explain.
I so enjoy singing hymns about being sheltered in the arms of a loving God, protected under the wing like a hen with her chicks. But then I read about the only mission Jesus ever had, to bring me and you and all humankind, into His Father’s Kingdom – life everlasting. And there was only one way to accomplish this – the Cross.
But before He left us, Jesus sent out the most unlikely, the fearful, the impetuous, the meek, the strong, the weak. And they were commissioned (appointed) to go out and spread the Good News. And it did not stop there. It continues today.
There is just so much about our God that we don’t perceive. We fail to understand that in giving us free will, He was allowing us to discover the best of this world, live in it and take care of it.
But some look at this reality and call God a disappointment, that He does not Zap those who would destroy others. We want to run and hide, be sheltered from all that is evil.
But then I have to ask myself, “Do I want to be a robot, programmed to only do and say what I am told to, never choosing for myself the perfect life?” No, I never want that.
God, for me is not a disappointment. And I still have so much to learn about Him. I have to study and understand what His words have said to me. I have to believe in His message to me and I have to act on that message to tell the world all about His love, His desire for each of us to live forever.
Take time this week and rediscover for yourself the meaning to loving God. God is big enough to show you how to walk through this life and He is big enough to command our highest admiration and respect.
Be blessed. Know that you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge