Weekly Announcements
The UCW apple pies are freshly made and ready for pickup! Thank you so much to all the wonderful volunteers who came out to help peel, roll, and assemble.
Bible Discussion Groups
Meetings have resumed on Monday evenings in Portland and Tuesday mornings in Elgin. Everyone is welcome. Contact Jim Barton for info. Jim Barton @ ccjimbarton@gmail.com or 613-328-4089.
Orange Shirt Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation are September 30th. A day of sombre reflection to honour the survivors, families and communities affected by the Residential School System and to remember the children who never returned home. Let us commit to moving forward with learning, mutual respect and peace.
All candidates meeting of mayoral and Ward 3 municipal candidates at the Lions Hall, October 2nd, 7-9 pm. Doors open at 6:30.
Rob Lutes, Canadian blues and folk singer, songwriter, performs at Elgin United, Saturday Oct 3rd , doors open at 7pm, concert 7:30pm. This is the first in the fall concert series hosted by Elgin United Church and organized by the Tipped Ship, Trish Bolechowski. Admission $30.
——
Please keep Brenda Smith’s daughter Lori and their family in your prayers for her success and recovery from chemo treatments she is taking.
Devotional Reflection September 25/26
All around us, Fall is in the air. The cool mornings ry sweaters from storage. The black streaks in the sky tell us that our fine feathered friends are leaving us until next Spring. We might even think of it as the closing act before the long, cold winter sets in.emind us that we must ferret out our coz
But the most evident sign we all notice is the change in the colour of the leaves. We are mesmerized that in just a few weeks our whole perspective changes. The beauty of nature once again lifts our spirits as the bright red, orange, and yellow leaves crunch under our feet, decorate our Thanksgiving tables and cause our mood to be uplifted at the beauty surrounding us. We admire the glorious Palette of colour created for us by our Creator. The transformation is breathtaking, no matter how many seasons we have lived through.
I want to encourage you to remember a little secret that you may have forgotten. Those vibrant oranges, reds and yellows have always been there, hidden all summer long by the dominant green chlorophyll. But as the summer fades, the leaf’s true nature is revealed.
As I continue in my pondering, it comes to me that we are a bit like this with our spiritual lives. We sometimes look at the changes we need to make in our lives as disruptive, unwanted. But perhaps we should look at allowing God to reveal the truest, deepest colours hidden within us!
This devotional today may speak to you as it has me. I take one of each coloured leaf and study it. How does this colour reflect in my life?
Of course, for most of us, red signifies love. We know the truth of God’s love. As I stare at my red leaf I pray for the passion and determination to radiate the colour of red through me, allowing God’s love to fill me and then pour out to others.
As I gently hold the yellow leaf, tears begin to run down my cheek. For me, this colour displays God’s faithfulnness, even when I have strayed. It reminds me of His glory. It signifies that His wisdom and grace continues to grow in me as I continue to be deeply rooted in Him.
My orange leaf brings another set of emotions as I remember how my mouth waters as I bite into the juicy fruit of an orange. And then I look beyond this leaf to the bountiful harvest and God’s provision for us. Practising gratitude brings warmth and balance to our lives.
As the season progresses, other colours will come through. The bright colours of Autumn change to the browns and bronzes. And we lift 
our hands in praise to a God who provides what we need. These colours represent for us being grounded in the Lord. They show stability, endurance, even when the world around us is shifting.
We all know that, within these many hued- leaves, lies a kaleidoscope of colours. And somewhere, in the mix, you find yourself and your relationship with our Lord. God works in each of us, revealing the colours of our soul.
I am reminded of the children’s song “I see your true colours shining through”. The song continues to say don’t be afraid; your true colours are beautiful!
You are loved. You are blessed.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge
