Elgin Portland United Church Council
Happy belated Anniversary to
- Maureen and Mark Bee,
- Jessica and Mike Gordanier and
- Karen and Ron Pyne.
Happy belated Birthday to
- Maureen Bee.
Happy Birthday to
- Mackayla Gordanier.
The Bible Discussion Groups will return in September. Have a great summer.
UCW Meeting on Tuesday, June 10th @ 1:30 p.m. – 24 Polk Cresent. Sheila has kindly offered to host us at her place. She will provide the snacks, so I will do the devotion. We have some important business to address.
Elgin United Church is hosting the livestreaming of the E.O.O.R.C. 100th Anniversary Service on June 15th. The service starts at 11 so anyone wanting to watch the entire service should be at the church by then.
Portland United Church will have a Baptism service for Lilyana Mustard and Ellsy Mustard (Cucheran Family) on June 15th @ 9:15, Rev. Sean Seaman.
The Young @ Heart Breakfast Club will meet again on the 19th of June at 9 am at the Junction Restaurant. All are welcome, and if you would like to join us, let Clint or Ted know by noon on the 18th so reservations can be made………..Ted
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. All are welcome.
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 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
June 7, 2025
I wonder how many opportunities you have encountered at the beach or seashore. I am picturing in my mind some of those excursions I have had and what I learned from them.
We have all heard the story of picking up a starfish, in the midst of hundreds of stranded ones and throwing it back into the water. And the moral of the story – it mattered to that one starfish.
My mind wanders back to those blissful moments of childhood when we were picking mussels from the ocean. In a secluded alcove of shoreline, with seaweed all around, you could see the shiny mussels clinging to the rocks, anchored to the seaweed bed. In an effort to reach them, you would have to sink your feet into the ocean floor, climb over rocks, and pull those slippery suckers from their anchored haven and then add them to your pail; all the time, thinking about the delicious treat you would enjoy once you got home, steamed them, slathered them in butter – mmmmmm! I can still taste them.
Not once do I remember thinking about how icky it felt, how slippery the rocks were, or whether I would fall into the water. I had one thought on my mind – getting the desired prize of a shellfish feast!
I remember stretching past my grasp, slipping a bit, gaining my balance. And reaching again! Not willing to give up. That just might be the perfect mussel! Not that I would know, because, in reality, they all looked similar.
So now I must ask –‘Isn’t that just a bit like life, even today?’
The prize, what I am striving for. Do I ever seek after those desires, even though they may be just out of reach, hidden among slippery and treacherous obstacles?
Many times, we want something that is out of our grasp; desirous, but not good for us; beautiful, but unsuitable.
I also believe we often see others, struggling to attain an object, a job, a car, another person. And even though they are sometimes aware of the danger, they plunge in, head first, believing the prize is worth it; only to find, disappointment, heartache, too many pitfalls.
Do you remember what it was like when your child was an infant, learning to walk. She would want to run before she could really stand. You would hold on to her little T-shirt. She would tug, and tug some more. Finally, you would let go. She would stumble and fall. Or maybe, she would catch her balance. And the race was on to grow up, be more adventuresome, explore the hazards. Learn the drawbacks.
Life for most is not always smooth. The stones are slippery, covered with snags and danger. Many is the person who falls into the hazardous abyss – unable to find a stepping stone, they sink. People standing around watch the struggle, trying hard not to be judgmental.
And then it happens – the One who saved the starfish, reaches out. And you survive. And realize again – life is tough, the battle is real, friends might help, or criticize. But the real Teacher can show you the way.
If this is you (or a friend) remember – the moss-covered rocks are beautiful, but treacherous. Choos wisely.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church,
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
There is no problem that God cannot solve!