Elgin and Portland Announcements
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ron Pyne and Lauren Halladay. Sending them good vibes for their special day.
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Elgin Council is called to meet at the church at 7pm Monday, April 20th.
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The final performance in the Tipped Ship’s “Tipped Tunes Winter Music Series” takes place at 7:30 pm, Friday evening, April 24th, at
Elgin United Church, 77 Main St, Elgin, On.
Blended harmonies akin to Simon and Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers will resonate within Elgin United on Friday April 24th.
Summersets, the duo featuring Kalle Mattson and Andrew Sowska, deliver an evening of story, songs and melodies not to be missed.
Tickets can be purchased on line at:
summersets.ca,
thetippedship.ca,
The Tipped Ship store, 3 Main St., Elgin
or at the door, Elgin United Church 77 Main St., Elgin, ON
Admission is $25,
doors open at 7:00 pm.
Light refreshments available at intermission.
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.
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Neve Wells, a Realtor at Rideau Realty, is in the planning stages of hosting a community event on May 16th , the Saturday of the long weekend. At this event she is hoping to have a community mid-day BBQ and Raffle Baskets with all proceeds going to Portland Food bank. The slogan for this event is “Portland Helping Portland”. People are encouraged to have their own yard sales at their homes in Portland and spaces will also be available in Rideau Realty’s parking lot for others to set up tables. Owners will keep their profits from the yard sales (unless they wish to donate them to the food bank.) Having the yard sales and the BBQ will help create some traffic for the raffle sales. See Norma with any questions.
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Pentecost Sunday, May 24th, is fast approaching.
Most people are excited that we will once again be able to gather together with other United Churches
within this rural area.
Plans are in full swing to meet at the Lion’s Club in Elgin for this event. Our special guest will be our own Regional Executive Officer,
Eric Hebert-Daly.
Lunch will be provided in a similar style to last year.
Come hungry – food for the soul and food for the body will be available in abundance.
And for those who want to be part of the amazing
Cluster Choir
practises are being held each Wednesday night from now until Wednesday, May 20th, inclusive,
at 7:00 p.m. at Elgin United.
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Thank you so much for all who were able to contribute financially toward sending area Youth to Camp Iawah this summer. Camp is such a great opportunity for young people to experience the outdoors and the fact they will be learning about Jesus at the same time is amazing! If you would still like to donate please speak to Pauline French.
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Devotional Reflection April 17, 2026
I must continue this week with a reflection on God’s earth – a place created for us. This coming week will be celebrated as Earth Week. We will read much about the destruction of our planet. We will understand more about fossil fuels. We will hear whether we are passing or failing on our report card for clean energy. And we will be called upon to respond to government to ‘beef up’ their actions against everything that continues to destroy our planet because of greed.
All this while I sit gazing out my window. I might be delusional, I think!
Just last evening, I was driving through the countryside. My wipers were working overtime, trying to clear the windshield, as the torrential rain beat with incessant passion against the windows in my car. Suddenly, my eyes are drawn toward the western sky. There I see the start of a magnificent sunset. The sun has begun her waning, her disappearing act. But not before she takes a final, daily bow on the stage of nature. Breaking through the clouded sky are brilliant rays, spreading through the horizon, giving a display of wonder and beauty that a camera cannot capture.
And this morning, she has made her way around the world. On the eastern horizon, she is reminding us, to wake up, rise up, and give God the glory.
Now for some who are reading this reflection, you may not have seen this all happening. And each day it goes unnoticed by many, but still God provides it, waiting for you and I to speak to Him.
I have to tell you, when God gave me this dwelling where I now live, He gave me a piece of paradise.
Shortly after arriving home last evening, through the rainstorm, through the stunning sunset, God wasn’t finished.
My living room window faces the lake. And as I continued in my contemplation, I see the mist beginning to rise. Slowly at first, blanketing the water, moving in closer and closer to the edges of the lake.
My eyes are drawn to movement. Two fine looking mallard ducks are skimming into view. And within a moment, there are a pair of otters cavorting in the water, enjoying the warmer water and the even warmer temperatures of spring.
My eyes continue their observing. There are geese on the shoreline, countless birds in the trees that flank the water’s edge. Robins are pecking away, as they gorge themselves on the evening feast provided them.
My son is not missing this. He stands in the bullrushes, viewing the beauty, filming the nature movie displayed in front of him.
And I feel the tears running down my face. And an inner peace begins to radiate through me. And that unmistakable voice speaks:
“Liz, my dear child, rest assured that I see you. I am with you. I have provided this evening’s display as I reminder. Rest, my child. And I will see you in the morning.”
As I move from the window, my mind is flooded with thoughts of gratitude, love and praise.
Yes, this coming week we will hear much about the Earth. But if you are reading this reflection, are you prepared to stand up and give thanks to the Creator, for He has given this to you – your home away from Home!
You are blessed, you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
