Elgin Portland United Church Council
CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS
We are so pleased to share with you the news that Connie has received ‘Senior of the Year Award’ from the Township. Congratulations, Connie – well-deserved!
On Friday, June 27, a Bursary was awarded to a student of Smith Falls Collegiate in Memory of Larry Cochran.
Please remember Joan Horsfall in your prayers.
Strawberry Social – Today, June 29th – Forfar Community Hall Dinner includes ham, scalloped potatoes, salad, corn, and roll with berries and ice cream for dessert. 2 seatings: 4 & 5 p.m. $20 per ticket. Ages 5-12 $10 Under 5: Free;
Come aboard! The Elgin and Area Heritage Society’s “The Historic Rideau Canel” a pictorial display of all locks in the Rideau Canal System, opens June 28th for a summer run every weekend from 10 am – 3 pm through Aug 31st at the Red Brick School, 3 Halladay St., Elgin, ON. More information on Facebook, the Elgin and Area Heritage Society, and our website eahs.ca.
Elgin Days 2025 is the weekend of July 12th. Items for the EUC bake sale can be brought on Saturday morning. Items for the raffle table can be brought to church on July 6th. Please be early.
As part of Elgin Days, there will be a family open mic/kitchen party at St Columbanus Church Hall, Sun, July 13 from 2-4 pm. Come share your musical, dance, poetry, or spectator talents. Free will offering. Light refreshments will be served.
County Road 44, Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 @ 7:30 p.m., Portland United Church. This is a Fundraiser for the Portland Foodbank. A free-will offering will be received.
Mary’s Merry Minstrels, Saturday, September 27th, 2025 @ 7:00 p.m., Portland United Church. This is a Fundraiser for the Portland Foodbank. A free-will offering will be received.
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.
Devotional Reflection
June 28, 2025
It does not happen often that I get to share such a special day with so many people. In fact, only those who know me really well, know what I’m talking about. June 28th probably means little as far as you know. But to me, it is an amazing day. No one could have prepared me for this day. The long-awaited event was about to happen. And I was alone, in a room, terrified that the worst outcome was a possibility. Up until that moment, I had felt buoyed up with excitement. In a split second, the atmosphere changed.
I was no longer alone – the room was crowded – concern written on the faces of all who were present. And then I hear those words: “We need to operate immediately. No time to waste. She is in danger – AND SO IS THE BABY!”
With phenomenal speed I was prepared for surgery and taken to the OR. And I have living proof that the outcome was not only miraculous, but incredibly life- changing! Today is the birthdate of my oldest child!
Now I know many reading this reflection today understand what I’m talking about. And many have amazing stories to tell. I wish I knew them all. But we will go with the fact that you know the incredulous feeling of looking into the face of a baby. And then to realize, you have been given a gift that will remain forever in your heart.
Only as I write these words am I caused to imagine, in a miniscule way, what my Creator must sense every moment of every day. As God scans the universe, another child is Reborn – another opportunity to live in the renewed hope of Eternal Life -the start of an incredible journey.
Words alone are inadequate to tell you my experience with this Creator. All I really know is that when I accepted Christ, when I understood the cost involved, when I began to see the unbelievable change that a life lived for Christ can be – only then was I able to understand what a remarkable gift I had been given to be allowed to be a parent, to share Jesus with her, to teach her in the ways of the Lord.
Now that story happened 51 years ago. And I still find it incredulous being a parent.
And my own Rebirth story happened many years before that. And I am still astounded by it as well. Never a day passes when I do not thank God for having accepted me as a child of the Most High God.
My prayer is that I remain faithful, continue in His will, and know with assurance that I live a remarkable life each day!
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
