Elgin Portland United Church Council
Happy Birthday to Ted Brett. May your special day be truly awesome Ted. Best wishes.
Elgin Council is called to meet via Zoom at 7pm, Tuesday, April 15th.
The Young at Heart Breakfast Club will meet next on Thursday the 17th of April at the Junction Restaurant at 9 am. If you are going and everyone is invited, let Clint or Ted know by noon on Wednesday the 16th so they reserve a spot for us……….Ted
The Bible Discussion Groups meet on Monday at 6:30 pm at Portland UC & Tuesday at 10:00 am in Elgin at the Guthrie House. All are welcome. Info: ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089/
Join us for the Easter Week Services:
April 17 – Maundy Thursday Joint Service – 7:00 pm. at Elgin (with communion)
April 18 – Good Friday Joint Service – 7:00 pm at Portland
April 20 – Easter Sunday
- Sunrise Service at Carl Leggett’s Farm – 6:30 am
- Continental Breakfast at Portland following Sunrise Service
- Portland Easter Service with Communion – 9:15 am
- Elgin Easter Service with Communion – 11:00 am
PUC Family in 2025
Over the last several months we have heard from many in our church family about their connection to this community of faith. Many came because of friends, neighbours and family already worshipping here. Others stayed for the music, the positive and uplifting atmosphere, the strong desire to help those less fortunate, the warm welcome or all of the above. We have heard from recent adherents to families that have been involved for several generations and contributed to the physical building as we know it today. It was especially informative to hear the history behind the beginnings of PUC.
We will hear stories until the end of April and possibly into May. For those who haven’t had their story read in church but would still like it included in the book that is in the works to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the UC of Canada, please email it a.s.a.p. to Jane and Duncan – jpick@kingston.net.
Thank-you to everyone.
Jane & Duncan
Devotional Reflection
April 12, 2025
A promise made thousands of years ago talks about the rainbow showing God’s love.
Have you ever given thought to just how amazing this really is and how far it expands in our own human race?
For instance, just take the rainbow of colours in humankind alone – white, black, red, yellow, brown and everything in between. And the incredible reality? For all, the sky is blue, blood bleeds red, the earth is brown, the night is dark.
Then of course, what a variety of shapes and patterns – tall and short, slim and plump, graceful and clumsy, stylish and unfashionable. And yet, for most, we have fingers to reach out, hearts that hurt, eyes that cry and ears to hear.
As fellow human beings we struggle finding ways to communicate. Your own language, no problem. But we are a culturally diverse people. How do we express ways to say love, peace, joy, hope to those who differ from us? How can we reach out?
And when it comes to belief systems there are struggles. Churches who carry the same name – Christian – are divided by polity and doctrine. We all want the perfect church, the perfect congregation. We do not want strife. It is hard to find unity.
Borders are erected that cut off families, that cause division, mistrust. I know this earth was made by God, and for reasons of greed, lands were divided, barriers established. Yet, we humans share commonality – a mother’s grief, a child’s laughter, the sounds of music.
The rainbow of humanity is constantly being attacked. The humility of people is lost, gone astray, as the constant bombardment of material gain and selfish ambition takes over.
As we move into Palm Sunday, we have another opportunity to sing “Hosanna”. And the One without sin, will walk that road, facing the unthinkable.
Will we continue to allow His sacrifice to be in vain? Or shall we encourage each other to take the rainbow of humanity and weave it closer together. And expand its colours to cover this world God has given us.
If I could pick a colour, it would be yellow. God’s Sonshine, God’s Light, living in me. And I want to find those colours that are afraid – those deep grey colours that are hiding, hoping to be unnoticed. I want to brush up against them and leave a trace of brightness, encourage them to reach out, come out from the shadows. And soon, their darkness reflects light, the light of God’s love.
What colour are you? Isn’t it time to remember we are all part of humanity, living to glorify God. With each brush stroke, you can make a difference as you share love with all humanity.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church,
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
