Elgin Portland United Church
Get ready for Elgin Days Saturday July 13th. Bake table, raffle table, smoked meat sandwiches and live music on the Elgin United Church Lawn. Something for everyone throughout the village including the Firepersons’ famous chicken BBQ at the Lions Hall.
An Ecumenical Worship Service will be at Elgin United, 1 pm Sunday July 14th. All four communities of faith are participating. 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 #5: Our salvation is based knowing God. The word “know’ in the Bible is used relationally. Learning the Bible enables us to build a strong life-saving relationship with the Lord. John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” There are two meetings each week: Portland UC on Monday at 6:30; Elgin UC on Tuesday 10am meeting this week at the Elgin UC. 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.
Young at Heart Breakfast Club
The YaHBC will meet next Thursday the 20th of June at 9 am at the Junction restaurant. If you have not been yet you are welcome to join us. No dues to pay and we don’t talk shop just friendly conversation. If you are coming we ask that you let Clint or Ted know by whatever means you are comfortable with by noon Wednesday the 19th. so that the restaurant saves a place for us.Looking forward to seeing everyone……………..Ted
Rideau Sewers Lap Quilts
Our quilters have been very busy!! Since the beginning of the year, 26 beautiful lap quilts have been delivered to the Perth & Smiths Falls hospitals to the palliative care unit as well as to patients on dialysis or undergoing cancer treatments. A few quilts have also been given to individuals in our local communities.
Donations are always appreciated to help cover the cost of fabric. These can be made through the church office or by contacting myself. The sewers come from many communities- Perth, Westport, Rideau Ferry, Lyndhurst, Portland to name a few. We are happy to welcome new members – a great social time as we share sewing techniques & ideas to create quilts for those in need.
Jane Pickard
272-2524
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
Father’s Day is Sunday June 16th. A good father is one of the unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. Billy Graham
It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons. Friedrich Schiller
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Michelle Knapp, Sunday June 16th and to Candace Whitley, Saturday June 22nd. May you both have totally awesome, blessed days.
Portland United Church
We wish Yvonne Caldwell good health and happiness in her new home in Cobden. We will miss her smiling face. God bless Yvonne!
As always, you are invited to drop in weekly on Thursdays to Chit Chat, downstairs between 10:30 and 12:00 noon.
UCW Annual Spring Pie Sale
Preorder by June 14, 2024
Pickup schedule will be arranged later. Please have exact change.
Blueberry, Cherry, Strawberry/Rhubarb. Frozen, ready-to-bake. $20.00 each
To pre-order call Sheila @ 613-272-3531 or Connie @ 613-220-7914
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.
Shine On, Shine On
AS OF June 8th
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
June 15, 2024
Talking with my granddaughter in Halifax never gets old. Every day she relates experiences that are happening around her. For instance, today when she called, she shared information about two birthday parties she attended this past week-end.
If I have enough time to talk, she gives me great detail of her day – the ups and downs, the jubilant moments and the rough moments of her week-end.
Today she called to ask me for a remedy for her cold ( of course, she seems to have figured out the reason for the cold – jumping into a cool pool, and then into a hot tub, more times than she could count; or maybe the fact that she shared a hotel room with someone who had a cold – she’s not sure).
Each remedy I offered did not seem to be sufficient. She didn’t have lemons, or flat ginger ale, or Vicks Vapor Rub, all tried and true home remedies. In the end, she figured out that honey also works. So, she made herself a soothing warm drink of honey and hot water ( and her own little additive of decaf instant coffee!)
As we shared these moments together, I was reminded of the comfort she receives in just being able to talk with her Nana. Not big things, but the little happenings of a day. She knows she can call anytime and Nana will take the time to alleviate some of her stress.
This amazing relationship I have with Dahlia, reminds me of the relationship, we each have, with our Heavenly Parent.
There are times when it seems like I can talk non-stop with God. Every detail of my day I relate to Him. And as I lay my head down to sleep, I hear Him say: ‘OK, my little one, rest. I’m still here watching over you. Sleep, and we will talk in the morning.’
But sometimes, no matter what direction I am being given, I want to figure it out for myself. And I say: ‘OK, Father. I get You. But I’m going to try this first!’
I wonder how often we are given direction, but choose to ignore it? Or when it seems like a straight forward way, and we complicate it by the little detours we prefer to take? Or we cherry-pick the ones we think will be easier and fail to recognize the divergent paths we have chosen are going to cause us to struggle as we make our way back!
I love life. My heart swells with anticipation of what each day will hold. My prayer is that as you live your best life, you too will see the magnificence in what each day will bring.
Be blessed. Know that you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge