Peacefully at his residence on Wednesday September 9, 2026. Bernie Kelly of Portland, in his 90th year.
Beloved husband of Joan (Hutchison) Kelly.
Loving father of Guy (Kendra) Kelly of Elgin. Predeceased by his first wife Donna and son, Kip Kelly.
Dear step-father of Steve (Darlene) Hutchison of Athens, Jeff (Aileen) Hutchison of Toronto and Sue (Andy) Daye of Portland.
Cherished grandpa of Jesse (Sara) Kelly and Brooke Kelly (Cory Lavery) and step-grandfather of Colton, Cierra, Michael, Justine, Ellie, Colin and great-grandfather of Juniper, Caleb, Harper and Sonny. Predeceased by sister; Bebe Kelly.
A Private Family Service will be held at a later date.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations made to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children would be appreciated.
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Weekly Announcements
The UCW will be making apple pies on September 24th.
If you would like to help out we’d love to have you. Let Connie know at 613-220-7914.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Pat Greenhorn. May your special day be filled with joyous celebration.
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The Young@Heart Breakfast Club meets next on Thursday the 24th of September at 9 am at the Junction Restaurant.
All are welcome and if you are coming let Clint or Ted know by noon Wednesday the 23rd.
Hope to see you there……….Ted
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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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Bible Discussion Groups
Two meetings each week. Monday evenings at Portland UC (6:30-7:45PM) and Tuesday mornings at the Elgin 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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Devotional Reflection September 18/26
Early this month, I received a call that my brother and sister-in-law were coming for a visit. I was thrilled. It has been a couple of years since their last visit. This time together is never quite long enough. We never run out of stories to share, games to play, adventures we have experienced since the last visit.
Over the next couple of weeks, I mentally plan what the visit will be – trips to antique stores, thrift stores, board games (which my brother always wins), and just family time of sharing, laughter, tears and deep conversations on how we will change the world, as we sit around the table contemplating life!
The day finally arrived. It is later in the evening when they got here. I have arranged for them to stay at a cottage at the Marina so that they get a spectacular glamping experience in my part of the world!
My sister-in-l
aw and I immediately jump into conversation and my brother does what he always does – jokes about the unloading of the truck with the suitcases, ice coolers, extra bags filled with who knows what. His comment usually is: “It’s okay, girls. Just sit there, and catch up. I’ll make the ten trips to the truck and back.” We laugh, and do exactly that!
Finally, the tea is made and before we know it, a few hours have come and gone – and we only scratched the surface of what is shaping up to be a relaxing, fun visit.
The next morning my phone rings and I hear my brother’s voice. ‘Come over to the cottage, sister.’ I reply affirmatively and add: ‘Make sure the tea is ready!’
As I make my way over to the cabin, that feeling of eagerness slowly turns to melancholy. Something in my brother’s tone when I talked to him alerts me to a change of plans and I begin to realize that our visit may be cut short.
My mind begins to focus on our conversations from the night before. As I open the door, I notice – the packed suitcases, the scurry of activity as they prepare to make the long trip back to Cape Breton, sooner than they were expecting.
My heart feels the sting – the long-awaited family visit is about to be disrupted. The need to travel home sooner has become a harsh reality. The departure is happening before we were ready, leaving behind heavy hearts full of “what-ifs.”
We are left feeling disappointed, frustrated, and even a little cheated when our precious time is cut short. Our time for deep connection has collided with human fragility.
We hug, we shed tears, we hug again.
As the truck, and my family leave, I begin to focus on the short time we had together.
Those few hours became not so much quantity of time but SANCTITY OF TIME. The joy of the moments we shared, the laughter, the hugs. Every minute we spent together was a gift. Those cherished hours were filled with meaningful connection.
My sadness begins to turn to joy. Instead of mourning the days we lost, I start to thank God for the moments we were given. I pray for their safe journey and entrust my family into His hands.
It may be that you, my readers, see yourself in a similar situation of disappointment, or loss. Take a moment and look at the gift – of time, of shared moments, of connection. Foster an attitude of gratitude. Know that God understands and will fill those spaces in your heart with His presence and love.
You are loved. You are blessed.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
Long or short, may time spent together be sacred.