WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS
We wish Clinton Halladay a very happy birthday on June 13th. We hope your day is relaxing and filled with joy, and that you are blessed in the coming year.
Happy Birthday to Krista Gill and Michelle Knapp. May you enjoy your special day more than you can imagine. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
——
A shout out to the Rideau Players, whose cast includes our own Michelle Knapp and Graham Lowe, for selecting Elgin United as the venue for two performances of Sceptres & Speed Trains. The play, penned by Deltonian, Tao Carr, is a well written critique, with comedic overtones, of the Alto HSR saga. Proceeds of the two performances were shared equally with the Elgin Foodbank, St. Lukes leeds Anglican Church, and Elgin United Church. Thank you.
——
OB Meeting in Portland, on June 16 at 7:00 p.m.
PUC Council Meeting on June 17th at 7 p.m.
——
The Young @ Heart Breakfast Club meets this month on Thursday the 25th of June , note now the 4th Thursday, at the Junction Restaurant at 9 am. If you are coming and as usual all are welcome, let Clint or Ted know by noon Wednesday the 24th by any means you are comfortable with…………..Ted
——
UCW Fruit Pie Orders Now Open!
The UCW Ladies will soon be baking their famous fruit pies. We are officially accepting orders now.
Pie Options & Details:
Flavours:
Strawberry-Rhubarb, Cherry, or Blueberry
Price: $20.00 each
Condition: Frozen and ready-to-bake
Note: The exact pickup date depends on the strawberry harvest.
How to Order:
Please contact one of us to place your order:
MJ: 613-222-9070 – Connie: 613-220-7914
——
The Portland Food Bank is actively looking to increase its volunteer work force at this time. We are looking for people to assist with the weekly grocery shopping, and someone interested in learning the administration behind the scenes operational processes for our food bank. Our hope is to have a team of 6 shoppers (we currently have 3) so no one needs to shop every week. Please see Anita Cox or Norma Cummings if you would like to get involved with this worthwhile endeavour. ALSO, there are 2 items remaining from the May 16th garage sale, a pink bicycle suitable for 9-13 year old and large dog carrier. Make an offer and proceeds will go to Portland Food Bank.
——
Bible Discussions Groups
We are taking a break for the summer. This will be our closing session until September.
Monday, 6:30pm Portland United Church
Tuesday, 10:00am Guthrie House, Elgin
For more information contact Jim at ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089
——
Devotional Reflection June 12, 2026
Waking up in the middle of the night, having to get out of bed, brings a sense of uncertainty for some.
You stretch out your hands as you grope your way out of the bedroom; reaching out, not quite sure what’s in front of you. I stretch forth my hand not knowing what I shall touch. And a thought occurs to me – reaching into the unknown with outstretched hands is the ultimate act of faith. You rely heavily on what you remember from the night before. In my case, should I have to get out of bed in the night, I would immediately try to remember if I kicked off my shoes and left them lying in the middle of the floor. My feet would move slowly, tiny steps, not wanting to trip.
One of the first thoughts for me is a simple need to overcome the fear – of tripping and perhaps falling. The vulnerability of those moments leaves you with scary feelings, your body tense. And then your eyes adjust to the darkness and you step a little more quickly, no longer afraid because you can see what lies in front of you.
As I write, I begin to formulate the thought that faith requires deep trust. And should we translate this into spiritual thinking, we would become aware that in reaching out, you put your trust in God.
Have you ever followed this train of spiritual thought? Your hand, groping into the darkness, not knowing what lies ahead? Not knowing what will meet us the dark.
We are reminded of the story of Peter, walking out to meet Jesus, in the storm. No fear, his faith strong. Until he looks away. For a moment, he doubts his decision. As he begins to sink, Christ reaches out and catches him. And that again lends itself to the reality of who we are.
How many times have you started out on your journey, everything is great. But then you falter, unsure where to turn, feeling lost. Yet, God has promised to be there with us. His loving touch reaches us.
And the beautiful experience you have, you want to share with others. In the realization of this stronger faith, you may be compelled to reach out to another, to give a word of encouragement to a friend, who may be stumbling in the dark.
You may be the catalyst for another who has been afraid to move, or trust in God. As you stretch out your hand to another, the connection brings you both into a closer relationship with Christ.
Making this connection with God changes each of us. This contact that I talk about requires you to move toward another and ultimately to move closer to God. This closeness allows us to hone into our spiritual living as we seek direction from the Holy One.
We may not know what we will find, who will meet us there, whom you will lead to safety in Christ. But I guarantee that Christ is already there, reaching out.
This week may bring challenges to you, or to another. What will you do to help them, as they journey? Be the hug, the listening ear, the smile, that will carry another through this week.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge