Elgin Portland United Church Council
EOORC
Letter of Invitation
This autumn, EOORC is an gathering to discuss our future as the United Church of Canada.
This is a full-day events, participants will be given the opportunity to hear about the state of the church today, where we would be in ten years if the trajectory were to continue, and how we might work collaboratively to impact and shape that future.
The events will take place:
Saturday, October 4th 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.– Trinity United Church, Smiths Falls
We encourage members of your decision-making body (Church Council or Board) to attend. Chairs and Presidents of congregations and pastoral charges, as well as key decision-makers in your community of faith are key players in the future of the church. This is why we are asking you to take this time out of your schedules to come and reflect together how we move forward.
You are also welcome to bring your own lunch if you have special dietary needs or simply prefer to bring your own. EOORC is not covering mileage for these events.
You can learn more about the events and register at https://eoorc.ca/holding-a-vision-for-the-future/.
Announcements
Free Art Classes in the Portland Village – 6-12 yrs. Monday 4:30-6:30 at the Portland Restaurant & Pizzeria.
Visual Art Teacher – Darlene, call to book your spot 905-801-5060.
The Young @ Heart Breakfast Club meets again on Thursday the 16th of October at 9 am at the Junction Restaurant. All are welcome. Let Clint or Ted know by noon Wednesday the 15th by what ever means you are comfortable with if you are coming.
See you there…Ted
“THREE! A Musical Adventure “ an event by the Tipped Ship – Trish Bolechowsky, and hosted at Elgin United Church, 7:30 PM October 4th. Thomas Bethune (Pontoon Tom) is an opera-trained tenor known around Broadway and Sand Lake. Anne Lewis is a Rideau Lake musical treasure who shares her singer-song writer music from her perch at the grand piano. Campbell Woods is a true folk singer who sings and writes soft songs about hard luck. Tickets are $25, available at the Tipped Ship, online at https://thetippedship.ca/events/6220964/732444814/three-a-musical-adventure or at the door.
Bible Discussion Groups
Two meetings each week. Monday evening at Portland UC at 6:30-7:45 and Tuesday mornings at Guthrie House in Elgin (10 Perth St.) at 10;00-11:30. All are welcome to join in the friendly discussions and fellowship. For more information contact Jim Barton at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
Devotional Reflection
October 4, 2025
A little task I do once a week at the restaurant is cleaning the coffee machine. It is a pretty easy, almost fail-proof job. Anyone can do it.
At least that is what I thought! Pour vinegar into the water trough; let it run through; rinse a few times; and voila! All the sediment from the minerals is cleared out and you are ready to go.
Hang on there! Something else needs attention. While I complete another task, I run water through the machine. As it is finishing, I come back. The machine is ready. And the morning coffee has started to drip. I’m ready. Milk in cup, pour coffee into cup. UGH! The milk sours. Of course, old milk. I throw it out. Get new milk. Pour in coffee. Not again!! Curdled coffee! I talk a whiff! Nasty! And the acrid smell of vinegar is overpowering. I have forgotten that you need more than 1 container of water to run through the machine to rid the pot of vinegar. Over and over the cleansing water runs through until all the impurities have been irradicated.
Isn’t that a bit like we are with our spiritual life? I know how to cleanse the vessel (Me)! I come to the Lord and say “Wash me and cleanse me”.
But what is happening behind the scenes? I take some of the sinful residue and get rid of it. But I hang on to some. I ignore that I ask Him to take all my sin away! No one can see inside me – so I hang on to a small corner, thinking that it won’t hurt.
Moments in my life turn sour – just a tiny incident, not that anyone notices. Before long, another incident and another. The vessel (Me) has many stubborn areas that need more soaking.
By the miracle of grace, Christ begins the process of cleansing. He comes as the Purifying Water and begins – the progression takes time. He is looking in every crack of 
the vessel, seeping right in there, to get all the hidden areas clean. Over and over, He pours healing, cleansing water and I am made clean.
The process is perfect. But alas, we are not. Before long we may need to come again to be cleansed. In fact, it is daily. Our prayers will always contain the words: “Forgive the secret sins I cannot see”.
The cleansing, healing water is there for us. Don’t skip corners. Be cleansed and refreshed as you go about each day.
And you will remain a clean vessel, ready for the Lord, for the task you are given.
You are blessed and loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Wash me and cleanse me,
take all my sin away