Elgin and Portland Announcements
PETER JAMES DOIG
June 13, 1952 to April 21, 2026
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Peter, peacefully at home on April 21, 2026. Eldest son of the late Paul and Joyce. Beloved husband of Lorna and loving father of Karla (Darryl), Stephanie, and Sandra (Nathan). Very proud Grandpa of Madeleine, Dylan, Logan, and Evie. Dear brother of Rick (Wendy) and uncle of Josh (Nicole) and Ben.
A private inurnment will be held. A celebration of Peter’s life will be announced at a later date. If desired, donations in Peter’s name can be made to the Portland Food Bank or the Ottawa Mission, two of Peter’s favorite charities.
——-
John Brian Wright
April 22, 1946 – April 24, 2026
Suddenly on Friday April 24, 2026. John Wright of Elgin, in his 81st year. Beloved husband of Elizabeth (Irwin) Wright. Loving father of Kevin (Beverley) of Pickering, Morgan of Elgin and Andrew (Amanda) of Lansdowne.
A Memorial Service will be held in Elgin United Church on Saturday May 9 at 11 a.m. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations made to the Elgin or Portland Food Banks would be appreciated.
——-
Cleaner Wanted for Portland United Church
After giving us several years of exceptional cleaning service, Annette is retiring for health reasons. Thank you so much Annette for your dedicated service.
We need to hire a replacement cleaner for 3-4 hours a week starting immediately. If you are interested or know of anyone who is, please contact Connie Cochran at 613-220-7914 by phone or text.
——-
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 at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089
——-
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.
——-
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 at 10 a.m. 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
practices are being held each Wednesday night from now until Wednesday, May 20th, inclusive,
at 7:00 p.m. at Elgin United.
——-
Devotional Reflection May 1, 2026
This week I have been focusing on Scripture taken from John 15 and John 16.
Over and over the words ‘apart from me you can do nothing’ have reverberated. I began to think of all the situations I faced in the past couple of days. Then I branched out in my thinking to the week, months and years.
How many times did I ‘white-knuckle’ my way through these situations? How many times did I try to ‘swim’ on my own? ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’.
I remember just wanting to hide out in my apartment; refusing to answer texts from friends; not wanting to talk with anyone. ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’.
And that brings me to a rather sobering question: What does “nothing” actually look like in my spiritual life? In your spiritual life?
I remember feeling exhausted. Perplexed. The emptiness that resonated through me was like being physically cut off. And then the words: ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’.
Most of you know me well enough to know these moments of self-reliance are quickly followed by the ‘kick in the pants’ reflex. I know the answer – I must simply be connected! Standing on my own two feet only gets me so far.
God, in His abundant love and understanding, has waited patiently for me to work through the confusion of a situation. The ‘Christ of the human road’ speaks through the tears, the suffering, the anger, the guilt.
And then, an idea starts to germinate. I was never alone. Those moments of reflection were nothing more than a chance for my “Gardener” – God, to prune away, clip and trim, so that I become more and more like Him – more patience, more humility, more peace, more wisdom.
Every day, as I wake, I am faced with the possibility that today will be a day where more pruning is necessary. God is able to see far more than I.
I trust Him.
He is caring for me with ultimate love.
The season of pruning is necessary. Sometimes it hurts. Most times, we resist.
But the ultimate goal is to be the most striking Christian I can be – the one that can be seen as a true image of Christ.
As I stand each day, facing a world of humans who are hurting, suffering, lost, I must take hold of the fact that God has grafted me into Him. And with that strength, He has called me to reach out and enfold those who are broken, those who need to be rooted again, those who would grow in love if they could find nourishment. I am called to pick them up and carry them to the “Vine”, so they too may be grafted into His love.
I have been tasked with the planting of the seeds. The germination and growth and watering I must leave to the Lord.
In this season of Spring, you will be aware as you look around, how much work there is to be done in your garden, in your orchard. You will recognize the pruning process is necessary for remarkable growth.
As you continue in this process, take a look at your spiritual life and recognize the hand of God, reshaping you, refreshing you, and renewing you.
And all this summed up in a few words: ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’!
You are blessed, you are loved.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge