2024-12-29 Weekly E-News


Elgin Portland United Church Council

Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year.  May God’s grace bring you peace and comfort throughout 2025. Blessings.

Sylvia French – Our condolences and prayers are sent to the French family. On Monday, December 16th, Sylvia left this earth, surrounded by her family. She now abides with her Lord. She was a friend to countless people and her gifts were at work here in the Portland United Church for many years. God’s blessing on Will, Pauline, and the extended family. Know you are loved.  The obituary can be found on Scotland Funeral Home website.

Sunday the 29th. Joint service at Portland 10 a.m.

Sunday the 5th of January 2025 back to normal two services and times with Norma Wrightly in the pulpit.

Annette will be off Monday and Tuesday of the New Years week the 30th and 31st but will work the Thursday and Friday of that week the 2nd and 3rd. …………Ted

Annual General Meetings are scheduled (PUC/EUC/OB) for Sunday, February 16th, 2025.  OB will be in Elgin.  General reports are due by January 20th, and financial reports are due by January 27th, for the Annual Report to be done. Please forward your reports to office@eppc-ucc.com.

Bible Discussion Groups will resume after the holidays on January 6th and 7th. Info: Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.

CHIT-CHAT.   Starting back on the January 2nd.

Happy anniversary to Rev. Takouhi & Gary. May they enjoy their special occasion.

Advance notice JAN 25, 2025 – our Canadian Women in Song troupe plays at the Joshua Bates Centre, Athens. Get your tickets early. joshuabatescentre.com

 

Devotional Reflection

December 28, 2024

Where in the world has 2024 gone? It seems like each year time passes more quickly.

Popular rituals, like New Years’ Resolutions are finding their way back into our day – thinking to 2025 and visualizing your expectations and hopes for this next year.

Website after website have published how to make 2025 the best year of your life. And there is no doubt that many of their ideas are achievable. I read through more than 100 ideas and decided this is the year to make those long-forgotten resolutions a reality. I’m going to share some with you. Most I customized to fit our spiritual growth. Many you will have worked on yourself and some may be new to you but you can see the benefit of trying, so here goes.

  1. Be a positive influence – seek out ways to encourage another. Recognize their strength and boost their confidence
  2. Practice gratitude every day – you will feel enriched
  3. Surround yourself with positive influences – this will enhance your own well-being
  4. Take a break from social media – once a week you can be more present with those around you
  5. Increase your daily devotional time – God loves to hear from you
  6. Read a book that will give inspiration and guidance
  7. Make a prayer list and pray for those on it
  8. Let go of judgment and practise empathy
  9. Start a church tradition – organize a spiritual retreat with your congregation – a day of prayer and praise (and food, of course)
  10. Add to this list as you are inspired and share your joy with all you meet

As you are aware, this list is far from complete and you are certainly encouraged to build on it. If it works, share the success. If you are faltering, find that gratitude time and seek out a positive influence who will inspire you to continue.

This can be the year that you will become everything you’ve have ever dreamed. So, dream big, make your resolutions work for you.

God has big things in store for us. Take Him up on His promises.

You are loved. You are blessed.

 

Liz Church,

Director of Pastoral Care     

Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge