Elgin Portland United Church Council
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.
Halladay Burial Place Annual Memorial Service, Sunday, June 1, 2025. At 2:30 P. M. in Elgin United Church.
The Portland Hall is open, and take notice that Chit-chat moved as of Tuesday, May 20th, to the new hall on a new day, TUESDAYS from 10:30 to 12:00.
UCW Meeting on June 10th @ 1:30 p.m. Portland United Church.
Plans are underway for Elgin United Church to host the livestreaming of the E.O.O.R.C. 100th Anniversary Service on June 15th. Details for the livestream will follow closer to the event. There will not be a regular service in Elgin on either of those Sundays. June 1st – 100th Anniversary is being held at the Delta Fair Grounds (inside).
June 15th service at the EY Center in Ottawa. Anyone wanting to attend that service has to register by June 2nd. You can register individually or by the church, but only one. For information on registering, if you contact me at ted302@live .com I will send you the information. …Ted
Portland United Church will have a Baptism service for Lilyana Mustard and Ellsy Mustard (Cucheran Family) on June 15th @ 9:15, Rev. Sean Seaman.
Mark Lee VanLuven – After a short illness Mark passed Tuesday May 20, 2025 at Smiths Falls Hospital. Mark leaves to mourn his mother Loretta and brother Paul both of Portland. Friends will be received at the Lyons Funeral Home, Westport, Sunday, May 25, from 4-7 pm, where the funeral will be conducted Monday, May 26, at 11am. Interment to follow at Desert Lake Cemetery.
Eastern Ontario Outaouais Region UCW – 83rd Summer Event July 25, 26, 27, 2025 is being held at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. If you want more information, please see the bulletin board.
June 1, 2025 – 10: 30 am
This area of the Region will be celebrating
the 100th Anniversary with a United Service,
being held at the Delta Fair Grounds (inside).
Plans are well under way.
The Choir met this week and there were 45 in attendance for this.
Bonus: – Meal is being provided through the generosity of the 8 individual churches who are participating in this celebration.
Bonus, bonus: Musical Entertainment following the service is being provided by Wright & Lowe.
**********
June 15, 2025 – 11:00 am
The whole of our Region is invited to attend the mass celebration at the EY Centre on Ottawa. Please plan to attend this event with more than 1,500 fellow believers planning to be there.
You can participate in various ways such as joining the choir, ushering, first aid responders.
Further information can be found on the EOORC Website eoorc.anniversaryinformation@gmail.com
See you there!
Devotional Reflection
May 24, 2025
The weather this past week has surprised us. A few days before, my apartment was hot enough that I dragged out my air conditioner. For one day, I turned it on. Then this week of inclement weather appeared and all I want to do is cuddle up under my warm blanket with a hot cup of coffee.
And so, as I prepared to do this, I reached into my cupboard for my favorite cup. And a thought struck me. Why is this my favorite cup? What about all the others? And there are quite a few.
This cup, the one I prefer, is not particularly beautiful. Yes, it has roses on it and a gold trim around the edge. But, what really attracts me to it is the shape. And the thin rim. It makes sipping my coffee taste so much better! Many of my other cups have the same qualities but I still prefer this one.
There have been times in my life when sitting with a cup of coffee, from this cup, I reflect over my day. Whether it is morning or evening, thoughts fill my mind. And with each sip, I am able to let go of a frustration, or offer a prayer, or sing a song of praise.
As my hands surround this cup, warmth floods into my soul. And I am able to rejoice for a new day dawning, or a day ending.
The cup of life – that’s what I call it. And here are a few thoughts I would write to you.
What is in your Cup of Life? Are you able to drink it? Is there sorrow? Have you recently lost someone or some thing that was dear to you? Perhaps it was a friend, a family member, a pet. And you are having a difficult time moving forward. This cup of life is not what you expected. The disappointments have been many. You expected better.
This Cup of Life, for most of us, has held a mixture of ingredients – disappointment, family conflicts, personal failures. And of course, when we look at the world around us, this only grows in enormity as we see inequity, famines, wars and disasters.
And we come back to our Cup of Life. There is only one way for us to cope you know – you must hold it in your hand. Grasp it tightly. Recognize your need for more.
‘More what?’ you may ask. Along with all the hard times in life, there have been blessings. Can you hold this Cup and appreciate all the joys in your life. Your cup of blessings will overflow. Be careful though – you want to quench your thirst, satisfy your desire for that better Cup of Life – that comes through Christ. He alone can bring peace and joy.
I must add one more thought. And this may be a demanding gesture. It is not enough to hold this Cup of Life; you must drink it. Sorrows and joys, all the ups and downs; this is life. Not easy. Who wants this? But here is the truth for us. This will bring us peace! This will bring us joy! This will keep us faithful.
As you take your favorite cup from the cupboard this week, be prepared! You will trigger a thought as you start to drink. And you will immediately want to sit down, thank your Creator, and begin your day with the blessings that are there for you to enjoy – love, peace, friendship, giving to others.
And if it is at the close of day (and you are too old to drink coffee late at night), then drink from the Water of Life. And you will always be filled. For there is a never-ending source that flows for you.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church,
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
