Elgin Portland United Church
Bible Discussion Groups
Reason to read the Bible #8: The Bible helps us to learn from the Lord, so we can trust in the eternal hope. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. “There are two meetings each week: Portland UC on Monday at 6:30; Elgin UC on Tuesday 10 a.m. at the UC church. Please join us. For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
Family Fun Day at Heritage Park, Elgin, beside the Red Brick School, Sunday, July 7th at 2 pm. Featuring children’s entertainer Gary Raspberry. Lots to do, and snacks and drinks provided. In case of rain, the event will be at the Municipal Complex. A FREE fun day presented through a partnership of the Rideau Lakes Public Library and the Elgin & Area Community Enhancement Committee.
The Elgin and Area Heritage Society display: Clifford Pennock: A New Lens on South Crosby, is open at the Red Brick School on weekends from 10 am-3 pm June 29th through Sept 1st. Not to be missed.
ELGIN DAYS is almost here. July 13 & 14 will be the highlight of the summer. Elgin United will feature a bake table, raffle table, smoked meat sandwiches, and live music on the lawn, on Saturday, July 13.
Join us for praise and worship at the Four Pillars Ecumenical Worship Service and Communion at Elgin United Church on Sunday, July 14 at 1 PM. Worship will be led by Elgin United Church, Bethel Tabernacle, St. Luke’s (Leeds) Anglican and St. Columbanus R.C. Parishes. There will NOT be an 11 am service at Elgin United.
YaHBC will meet in July on the 18th at 9 am at the Junction restaurant. More information to follow the week before the breakfast………….Ted
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
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.
County Road 44 Bluegrass Band is returning to Portland United Church on July 19,2024 at 7:30 pm. Please keep the date and join us for a great evening of music.
The Loonie Sports Club will be hosting a fundraising Fish Fry on 20 July. The fundraiser is in support of the Elgin United Church in completing repairs to the area used by the Early Learning Center. Adrian Overdulve can provide more details for those interested.
The Fish Fry will be on the 20th of July 4:00 PM with serving starting at 4:30 PM. Fish, Fries, and Coleslaw will be served. The price per plate is $18.00, cash at the door. Please try to bring the correct change. Please bring your own refreshments. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to garthhoegi@gmail.com no later than 15 July. As we need to source and prepare the fish we can not add anyone after that date.
Elgin United Church
Joanne McLean is still in 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
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cindy Carbino. May you enjoy a wonderful day.
Portland United Church
The UCW will be having their summer lunch for members and friends on Wednesday July 10 at 1:00 at The Hawks Nest at Lombardy Golf Club on Hwy 15. All are welcome and we can car pool from the church. Please confirm your attendance with Connie by phone 613-220-7914 or email portlandparadise55@gmail.com by July 6.
THE PORTLAND UNITED CHURCH FAMILY IN 2025
Let’s hear from every PUC family as we look towards celebrating the 100th anniversary of UCC.
Why did you decide to call PUC ‘home’? When did you 1st come to PUC? How long has it been your church -does the connection go back a generation or more in your family? Were you baptized, confirmed or married at PUC? If not, where, when, how did you begin your affiliation with UCC in other areas of the country?
Please take a few moments to write your personal and/or your family’s story in order for us to include it in a book and hear it one day in church. By signing the sheet on the bulletin board, we will know how often to schedule each family’s story over the coming months. If you are close to or know of a family that in recent past is no longer with us, please feel free to share their story also.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Details/questions – contact Jane or Duncan
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 30th
As 4.2 mwh is the final reading for April, May, and June.
To receive your book and complete your sponsorship of the solar panels, please check the bulletin board to see how much you owe or call Annette at the office on Wednesday or Thursday. Payment can be made in person at the office or during Sunday morning at church. Payment can be either cash, cheque, or e-transfer at donateportlandunitedchurch@kingston.net. The books are available in person at the office when payment has been made.
Thank You
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
July 6, 2024
Housecleaning! A blessing given us as a reminder of how fortunate we really are! But I have a confession to make (as I usually do!).
As I prepared for the visit of my grandchildren, this blessing weighed heavy on my mind. It had been a while since spending any serious time tidying my place. In fact, as I tackled this task, I was beginning to wonder if I could accomplish my mission – to get my second bedroom ready for my granddaughter.
This room had become the catch-all for a whole lot items that did not get back to the place where they were supposed to be. Clean laundry was scattered on the bed (instead of in the closet); books were randomly placed on top of dressers (rather than on a book shelf); winter blankets and winter clothing all sitting on chairs waiting for their winter storage.
As this room doubles as an office, papers were stacking up, waiting to be filed; and of course, this is also my sewing room. So, it was nothing to find a container of threads sitting on the floor rather than in its appropriate space on a shelf!
I am sharing this devotional with you; and as the words pour out on to the page, I begin to realize how chaotic a life can be, how out of control; how the real essential tasks can be pushed aside for other responsibilities that take priority or are more prone to give us enjoyment.
I began the task of organizing and tidying. I realized that as I cleaned, the way seemed clearer and my thoughts calmed. I would accomplish this endeavour. And I would take a valuable spiritual lesson from it.
How many times have I failed to prioritize my spiritual life! Have I rushed from the house without calling upon my Guide as to where I would walk this day? Have I failed to make time for reading God’s Word in order to know where my journey should be going? Did I take the leading of Holy Spirit and toss it aside for another time, when I was feeling less pressured by the projects I wanted to accomplish?
Just so mixed up, right? And as each item in my room got put back in its rightful place, my mind began to clear and I was able to focus.
The grandchildren arrived, unaware of my musings, proceeded to do what grandchildren do – empty their suitcases on the bed, and the floor, because they are looking for this precious object they packed to show Nana how it works.
I have to tell you – this blessing of housecleaning brings joy and tears. The joy that I have a place to call home and the tears that millions in the world do not have this luxury; the joy that I can share this blessing with others and the tears that it takes me so long to learn these lessons in life!
Consider this the next times you have a ‘task’ to accomplish – turn on the music and enjoy journey as you dance through the next few hours of sheer exultation, and count the blessings that keep coming your way!
You are blessed. You are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge