Weekly Announcements
Thanksgiving Message
As we gather in gratitude, we remember the words of Psalm 100: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving.” We give thanks not only for the harvest upon our tables and for our many blessings, but also for the land, water, forests, and creatures that sustain us. Indigenous peoples have long understood the responsibility of caring for the land as a sacred trust, emphasizing respect, reciprocity, and stewardship for the generations. As Genesis reminds us, creation is God’s gift, entrusted to our care. May our thanksgiving be more than a mere thank-you, but lead beyond gratitude to responsibility, helping us live gently upon the earth, share its blessings generously, and honour the Creator in all we do.
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.
The Bells of St. Paul’s In Concert at Portland United Church on October 18th, 2026 @ 2 P.M.
Devotional Reflection October 2, 2026
Vulnerability is not my strong point. When I sit in front of the computer, I first ask God to direct my thoughts so that my writing speaks to you, my readers. So, this week, do I have a story to tell you!
Sixty-two years ago, my parents had a serious car accident. As an 11-year-old child, my responsibilities at home, tripled. For the next month, while my parents recuperated, meals for the family, babysitting, laundry and anything else that needed doing became the obligation of myself and my older siblings. It seemed unending. All the while, we still attended school and some older siblings went to their jobs. That was a stressful month. Close to the end of that time, there was one day I particularly remember. My younger brothers were acting out (more than little boys aways do!) and I was already on edge. This is how I remember it – I stood in a corner, yelling at the top of my lungs, and then collapsed to the floor, with uncontrollable tears. Once I regained my composure, I promised myself that would never happen again.
And until this past week, it has not! This was more than a moment of raising my voice at my kitchen staff (I wrote about that this past summer).
Total humanity hit me. My vulnerability showed through. My life situation was in shambles. A massive wave of anger and defensiveness had been building up. Fear, exhaustion, a feeling of being unappreciated, a sense of helplessness – all this and more – came flooding in. I messed up, I overreacted and I had to humble myself – all in the span of a few hours. Those crushing moments were scary. They were painful. And they were humbling.
From the moment all this happened, a new, internal battle surfaced. What if this overreaction erases every good spiritual lesson I have shared? Does this disqualify my spiritual leadership? Will those who were affected by this outburst no longer take my faith seriously?
As I write this reflection, still so fresh in my life, I realize another truth. I have set myself for failure if that is what I think about spiritual leadership.
The reality is that true spiritual leadership isn’t about being on a pedestal; it isn’t about being flawless. It is about modeling how a broken person asks for forgiveness and runs back to grace. That is where true spiritual healing takes place.
The crash of my own pedestal sounded very loud – where did the joy, love, peace, understanding and all the other ‘fruit of the spirit’ disappear in those moments?
And in that moment, I was forced to remember the truth I believe in – I must rely entirely on God’s Righteousness and not my reputation.
Facing my reflection, with honesty, comes naturally to me, but not easily. For it is in that moment when I am reminded that failure happens. But I must learn and respond to move forward. I must admit, in humility, that I messed up.
And most importantly, God isn’t shocked when we break or overreact. He knows our human limitations. He has already extended His grace to us.
You are loved. You are blessed.
Liz Church, Director of Pastoral Care
Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge