Elgin and Portland Announcements
Don’t forget! Spring Forward Sunday, March 8th Set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night so you’re on time for worship Sunday morning.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mary Lynne Alderdice. May your special day be amazing.
—————–
Summer time is just around the corner, and that means summer fun for kids! Christian summer camps are one way for kids to be kids during the summer as they immerse themselves in an atmosphere of adventure and the teachings of Jesus. That said, going to summer camp brings about large costs for families. For example, one week at a local camp is approximately $850. People able to donate money towards sending kids to camp are invited to make a donation marked “Summer Camp” anytime in the coming weeks – either online or with Sunday offerings. All donations will go directly to families to help offset costs and are fully tax deductible. Last year, with the generous support of numerous donors and the generosity of the UCW, we supported 6 area children attending Camp IAWAH.
Please reach out to Pauline French (613-331-6876) with any questions.
—————–
“By now you would have noticed that the e-news is being sent out a day earlier. This will be the new schedule from now on and we may even try to send it out earlier than that. We hope this is of benefit to you.”
—————–
Bible Discussions Groups
Two meetings each week – Monday evenings at Portland UC (6:30-7:45PM) and Tuesday mornings in Elgin at the Guthrie House 10 Perth St.; (10:00AM-11:30AM). All are welcome to join in the friendly discussions and fellowship. For more information contact Jim Barton @ ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
—————–
Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual Congregational Meetings and the Official Board Annual General Meeting. These meetings are important to reflect on the happenings of our charge for the past year and how they transition to a new year. Thank you as well to all who stepped up and filled the various council and board positions. Your energy, dedication, talent and faith are sincerely appreciated.
And a HUGE thank you to Clint Halladay for your faithful service and leadership, as our Council Chair and as the incoming Official Board Chair!
—————–
Many thanks to Katy Gibson for her service as Council Chair for the past term at Portland United Church. Altogether, Katy has served as Chair of Council for nearly 20% of her adult life!
As I step into the role of Council Chair, I take great comfort in knowing that things continue to run very smoothly — and that Katy lives just around the corner.
Katy is also taking on other roles within the church and community, including the Chair position at Mill Bay Court. She’s certainly staying busy! On behalf of all who have benefited from your service, thank you. Will French – PUC Council Chair.
—————–
Get the ALTO facts! ALTO representatives have refused to meet because Rideau Lakes is pushing back against the Southern Route. So, an information session is being held at the Portland Hall, Sunday March 8th from 2pm to 4pm, without ALTO. Attend and learn for yourself.
—————–
The Young @ Heart Breakfast Club will meet again on Thursday March 19th at 9 am at the Junction restaurant.
All are welcome to join us. If you are coming let Clint or Ted know by noon Wednesday, the 18th so we can reserve a spot for us. Ted.
—————–
Advance Notice for the Easter Week Services:
April 2 – Maundy Thursday Joint Service – 7:00 pm. at Portland (with communion)
April 3 – Good Friday Joint Service – 7:00 pm at Elgin
April 5 – Easter Sunday
- Sunrise Service – place/ time TBA
- Continental Breakfast at Portland following Sunrise Service
- Portland Easter Service with Communion – 9:15 am
- Elgin Easter Service with Communion – 11:00 am
—————–
Devotional Reflection March 6, 2026
Have you ever played the game: “What’s in the bag?” Often, as a young person, our youth group played such a game. With your eyes blind-folded, you were required to reach into the bag and guess what you were touching. It was a scary moment as you cautiously stretched forth your hand, reaching into the unknown. Inside the bag are ‘goopy eyeballs’ that are peeled grapes, ‘slithery snakes’ that are spaghetti, ‘hairy spiders’ that are strawberry tops. And of course, we cannot forget the ‘real heart’, those large, peeled tomatoes! When you added to the experience, you would have gelatinous, cold spaghetti that felt like brains or cold Jell-O, before it fully sets, or when broken into chunks, it feels like “liver” or “congealed blood”. The list could go on, depending on the theme of the evening’s fun.
For me, life is a bit like that, even today. I look around me at the world. Person after person, man, woman, child and as I reach out, I am not sure what I will encounter. The outward appearance is known – an outer shell, like a brown bag. But what is hidden inside takes more courage to discover.
To reach out may cause a sense of fear, in case of rejection, or repulsion. Yet, reach out I must. There before me is the essence of who we are. And sometimes, in that moment of contact, there is the wounded soul, struggling, alone, frightened, needing a friend. Many times, it is the vibrancy of youth, discovering new pathways, and just needing a guiding thought. Often, it is the ‘shaky blossoms’ of a fading flower, needing a friend to lift the spoon to their lips, as the simple task of eating is too much effort.
There – I want to reach out, to see better what might be hidden. The ‘brown bag’ is waiting – for the touch of another human, someone who cares; someone who sees past the façade of rejection, into the vulnerable soul who is lonely, lost, withdrawn.
There – the one who hides within his/her outer covering – for protection, trying to avoid judgment; struggling to reach out; afraid to be rejected.
These, my dear friends are the ‘brown bags’ that are waiting to be opened, waiting to be received, wanting to be accepted. These are the people in your world, and my world. These are the people who need a helping hand, a loving smile, a gesture of kindness.
These are all those who are out there, waiting – waiting for you. Waiting to be loved.
And so, I reach out – not knowing what I will touch, but praying, that God’s love passes between us. And that the outer covering slowly drops away and the inside is recognized as the beauty created by God, loved by Him.
You are blessed. You are loved.
Liz Church,
Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge