Civic Holiday
This weekend is a “long” weekend for many, with Monday being a Civic Holiday. Although it is not a Federally mandated holiday it important and unique. It has many names depending on the province or even the region where you live; however, the intent and the theme is consistent. It is a time set aside to honour and celebrate local heroes, culture and history. The national front is important; however, it is made from the fabric of our local communities and people and must be acknowledged and celebrated. Whether you take in an organized event, visit local landmarks, gather with friends and family, take a trip down memory lane, or relax and recharge, may your time be memorable and your journey safe. May it be so by the Grace of God.
Elgin Portland United Church
Bible Discussion Groups
Reason to read the Bible #12: The Bible has been shown to be historically accurate. Luke 2:1-4 “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David.” Two meetings each week: Portland UC on Monday at 6:30; Elgin public Community Hall, Tuesday 10am. Please join us. For info contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
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.
Elgin United Church
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
Y@HBC.……… The Young at Heart Breakfast Club will meet again on Thursday the 15th of August at the Junction restaurant. More information closer to the date………Ted
Portland United Church
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
jpick@kingston.net or dpick@kingston.net
Emily French
We send our blessings for safe travels, good health and God’s guidance with Emily French on her missionary journey for the next 10 months to Uganda. God bless you Emily.
Come and Join the Seniors at Mill Bay Court this morning. We are hosting a variety of items for sale with all proceeds going to the Portland Food Bank. If you would like to donate items for the sale or bake goods please have them in by August 2nd at Mill Bay Court. If it rains we will be having the sale inside. Annette Clarke 705-817-4678 and Christine Parker 613-272-9448.
Thank You
Doug & Evelyn Powell are inviting you to celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Drop in Thursday, August 8th, 1:30 – 4:30. Please bring yourself, your significant other, and lawn chairs for each.
Please no gifts or cards. If you want, you can donate to the fires in Jasper Alberta.
We are at our cottage at Otter Lake #8 O(Otter) 8 A Road, Get to Highway 15 between Smiths Falls and Portland and turn off (west) at Briton-Houghton Bay Road. Continue about 1 Km to Sugar Bush Hill Road Turn right (North) and continue on Sugar Bush Hill Road to the sign of names (about 1 Km) Bear left onto O8A Road and continue on O8A road for another Km. We are on the right at #8. RSVP at 403-999-1248 by phone or text.
Portland United Church Council
Devotional Reflection
July 27, 2024
Wednesday, this week, was a bit strange. Humidity zapped your strength, the rain poured down. Minutes later the sunshine was brilliant. And this pattern continued for most of the day.
These kinds of days are not always great when you are in the Marina Business. Sea trials are cancelled. Fewer customers are roaming around. And who buys a boat in the rain?
If you are heading out to your cottage, you want to wait until the skies clear. If you are a gardener, you wait to see if enough rain will fall so you won’t have to water. If you’re planning a picnic, you really want the rain to go away all together. Waiting, waiting, Waiting!
Life is full of waiting rooms – wait until you are older’; you’ll understand when you are a grown-up; yes, my son, you will be able to grow a beard. You wait to see if the new fit-bit is accurate; if the latest exercise program will have results; the diet you are on is working for you.
So many waiting rooms! What university will you attend, will you join the drama club, will you find the right partner, will you have children, will you find the perfect job?
Do you realize these waiting rooms are beckoning you to make a response! Will you be patient, or impatient? Will you run away before the full answer is established?
Waiting – are you passively waiting for something to happen? Are you passionately going at your goal, full steam ahead? Are you impatient, pulling away at the cocoon of life only to cause a butterfly that cannot soar? Or are you patient, waiting and watching as your life transforms into the magnificent living being you were meant to be.
Scripture is filled with these waiting rooms. Rooms without walls really. As we move through them, we begin to discern the importance of waiting – potential that has grown beyond what we could have imagined.
Old Testament prophets waited. Sarah waited. Naomi waited (although rather impatiently!) Mary waited. Paul waited.
The world waited. Watching silently, as Jesus was crucified. Except for the muffled tears surrounding the Cross. That day of waiting ended so dramatically. Move forward and we find Thomas waiting, needing to substantiate the Risen Lord.
And finally, it comes to us! And now the question changes to ‘What are you waiting for?’ Decisions are needing to be made. The time of Christ’s coming is closer than ever before.
There are fellow travellers on this Road of Life that could use some help. Or perhaps you are feeling the urge to drop out of the race, unprepared to wait any longer, not grasping the truth of Scripture that reminds us: But they who wait upon the Lord will get new strength. They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak.
These words from Isaiah give great encouragement to us. Hold on, wait upon the Lord, gain what you need for the journey and keep on trekking!
So, I pray with you my dear friends: O God, send down the rain. Drench us with Your love and sustain us as we move from this place to the next. Revive us again!
You are blessed. You are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge