Weekly Announcements
UCW meeting Tuesday September 8th at 1:30 pm. Everyone welcome.
Planning for apple pie making. Mark September 24th at 9:00 am to help us make pies! Don’t forget to place your orders!
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Elgin United Church Council is called to meet September 15th at 7 pm at Elgin United Church.
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Please keep Brenda Smith’s daughter Lori and their family in your prayers for her success and recovery from chemo treatments she is taking.
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Don’t forget to mark your events on our calendar by the sink in the Friendship Room(PUC) so we all know when the church is booked!
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As summer wraps up, PUC Council would once again like to thank all those who contributed towards sending 4 area youth to Camp IAWAH this summer. Parents and youth have expressed sincere appreciation and thanks for the opportunity to learn, grow and explore their faith with other Christian youth. Thank you for helping to make this happen!
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Lap Quilts. We meet 2nd Wednesday of each month from Sept. to June from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Our next meeting – September 9th.
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Pillowcases. We meet 3rd Wednesday of each month from Sept. to June from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Our next meeting – September 16th.
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MUSIC LOVERS take note:
“Handbells speak what cannot be expressed…”
Portland United Church which owns a 3-octave set of handbells & chimes is presently seeking a director for this community choir.
While a large selection of secular & religious music is available there is also a budget for acquiring new music.
For further information please contact Katy 613 929-9351 or Jane 613 272-2524; or email office@eppc-ucc.com
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Bible Discussion Groups
After a Summer hiatus, meetings resume the week of Sept 14th to explore the book of Revelation.
Everyone is welcome. For info contact Jim Barton 613-328-4089.
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Devotional Reflection September 4, 2026
You know you are getting old when….?
Can you think back to when you were younger and your grandparents came to visit?
Or perhaps some older people in the church were huddled in a corner and you ‘accidently’ overheard their conversation?
Think back to those moments. You laugh about it now. What were they talking about?
I can almost guarantee I know – their aches and pains? Their latest bout of gout? Another funeral to attend? A new medication to help with morning stiffness? The benefits of Absorbine Junior or A535?
O, wait a minute! Does this sound like your conversations now?
Kinda funny, isn’t it? Life repeating itself? This time, it’s you!
I recall those visits and my children secretly coming to me and saying: ‘Nanny is talking about her ingrown toenail…again!’ And I would gently remind them that Nanny just needs them to listen, one more time. She has no one else to tell her stories to.
I have talked often about seasons of life in my devotionals to you. And I wanted to write this one to those who are facing those situations, right now! Perhaps I am writing it to myself as well.
This week one of my sisters-in-law passed away. For the past few years, whenever we had opportunity to talk, it was often about the frailty of life – you know those conversations – “It seems like only yesterday that I could clean the house in a couple of hours – now I can barely get my dishes done!” I am sure you can relate to this conversation, or a similar one. But I heard a statement this week that reminded me of the blessings I have: “How fortunate to have something, or someone, that makes saying good-bye so hard!”
Life takes many twists and turns. We refer to this as part of our journey! But that doesn’t mean we should hide from the hurt or run from the pain. This is your opportunity to give thanks – to God for His blessings of family, friendships, sustenance, work, fun, and you can fill in your own blessings….
This will also be your opportunity to reach beyond yourself. There are many around you who could benefit from a few minutes of your time. You don’t have to say much – offer a cup of coffee, play a game of Euchre, sit and chat about the aches and pains of your day! These are precious “God” moments – when you have the occasion to use your gifts of hospitality, a listening ear, a gentle hug. These are moments which will lift your own spirit, as you share your life with another. I wonder what blessings you will receive? I can guarantee the list will grow.
Go back to that statement I made: : “How fortunate to have something, or someone, that makes saying good-bye so hard!” We have all had those people in our lives. And yes, changes are difficult. But I believe these are moments when we raise our hands and say ‘Thank You, God’.
You are loved. You are blessed.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Reach out and touch the heart of God’s people – we are all God’s children