Administration

Elgin United Church As I write this it is a beautiful morning, the sun is shinning and my Cardinals are singing gleefully. Sunday July 18th was Elgin United’s first in-person Sunday worship in a long time and in spite of the COVID restrictions, a good number of congregants enjoyed a refreshing and thoughtful service lead by Rev. Kathleen Walton. Sunday was also the first time we used our new monitor for the accompanying PowerPoint, having retired our “tired” projector. Many positive compliments were received, although we still have some minor tweaking to do. Given how well the service and seeing …

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BRYDEN : SHIRLEY J. Peacefully at Broadview Nursing Centre, Smiths Falls on Monday July 12, 2021. Shirley Bond of Portland, in her 87th year. Beloved wife of the late Eldie Bryden. Dear mother of Kim (Paul) Gomes of Athens. Predeceased by son, Kirk Bryden. Dear sister of Morton (Beulah) Bond of London. Predeceased by brothers, Gordon and Howard Bond. Nana of Stuart (Justine ) and Ryan (Jess) Gomes and great grandma of Aubree and Oliver Gomes. Also survived by sisters-in-law; Marilyn and Helen Bond as well as several nieces and nephews. Cremation has taken place. A Private Family Graveside Service …

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Portland EPPC News Portland United Church  will be open for an in-person service on Sunday, July 11 at 9:15 AM.  Rev. Kathy Walton will lead the service.  Standard COVID protocols will apply – masks and social distancing are required, singing will not be allowed, and you will be asked to sanitize your hands prior to entering the church.  Our capacity is 30-35 people depending on the mix of families and individuals.  The church will be open for services on a weekly basis on every subsequent week.  It appears that Elgin will open on July 18 and if that happens, Rev. …

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Portland United Church Under the latest Government regulations effective June 30, we can now hold church services at 25% of capacity.  Our capacity including the choir stalls is 150, so we can accommodate 37 under those guidelines.  We will stick with our previous guidance of 30-35 depending on the mix of families and individuals. Most PUC Council members have agreed to re-open on Sunday, July 11 at 9:15 AM with our normal COVID Protocols in place, including social distancing, masks, and no singing. That will be confirmed at a Portland United Church Council meeting on July 7.   Rev. Kathy Walton …

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BETTY HELEN BOND  (September 2, 1930 – June 23, 2021) Even as this E News goes out, most of you will be aware that Betty has passed away and without a doubt, she will be missed by many. Heartfelt sympathies are extended to family and friends. Betty had always been actively involved with her church family. In her earlier years she was the organist at her Church in Forfar. When she began attending the Portland United Church, she was an enthusiastic member of the choir where she sang Alto and blessed everyone with her beautiful voice.  She was also the …

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O.B.  AGM, Regular meeting and final approval of the Profile report. Just a short reminder that the above meeting is Sunday the 27th at 1:30 in the afternoon. A short part of the meeting will be reflecting of the past but most of the meeting will be looking forward to where we are going and what we are doing from here. On the 25th in the morning you will get everything you need for the O.B. meetings including zoom coordinates, the agenda, and reports needed and the final profile report. Ted Treasurer Elgin/Portland Pastoral Charge Portland United Church In the …

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EUC AGM Information Well, vaccinations are increasing, and infections are decreasing, and we live in hope of a return to relative normalcy soon. However, unfortunately we are not there yet, which means the Elgin United Church Annual General (Congregational) Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th at 7 pm will still take place via Zoom.  We fully understand this is not ideal, yet we realize the importance of the annual meeting, and this is the only reasonable, legal and safe manner in which it can be held.  I will email the invitation, information on how to connect, the agenda and other …

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It is with sadness that Maureen McVey Cairns reports that Andy Theriault (the husband of Eleanor Theriault who was a long-time member of Portland United Church) passed away on Saturday evening. Andy was a “larger than life” soul, and those who knew him have many memories to bring smiles to faces. Our sympathies go out to Maureen (his daughter) and Andy’s extended family. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Scotland Funeral Homes – a brief clip from their website is below: Peacefully at his residence on Saturday May 29, 2021. Andy Theriault of Portland, in his 86th year. Beloved husband …

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Annual Congregational Meeting – Please plan to attend This week and next week all members of the congregation who have access to email will receive an email with the information required to log into the Annual Congregational Meeting on June 6 at 1 PM.   Those who do not have access to email will have the information hand delivered.  You will be able to access the Annual Congregational Meeting via smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac OR BY TELEPHONE.  Please join us for the annual update. After many years of incredible service as our treasurer, Duncan Pickard has resigned from the PUC …

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All members of Portland United Church: This past year has been a very difficult year for everyone around the world due to the COVID pandemic.  While it appears that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we need to remain vigilant with all the necessary precautions until  most of our population have received second doses of their vaccine.  In that light, we will be holding this year’s Annual Congregational Meeting via Zoom which you can also access via your telephone.   Information for accessing the meeting are in the attachment “ACM Overview” and the agenda is in the …

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