News – Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge

Portland United Church, By the Numbers January –June 2020

Portland United Church, By the Numbers January –June 2020 With physical services being suspended for 19 (3 snow days) of the 26 Sundays in the first half of 2020 it would be easy to assume our church is suffering financially and, if you looked at Junes offerings to the General Fund as being down 36%, compared to last year, as being a harbinger of things to come you may be right . However the news is much brighter than this. General Fund Giving’s are up $666 compared to Last Year and only down compared to budget because of the postponement …

God’s Covenant NEVER Fails… July 7, 2020

Dear Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge, July 7, 2020 marked the Seventh Anniversary of our Covenant. I still remember hearing, as if it was yesterday, the horrific news of Lac Magentic’s rail accident on July 6, 2013. On that day, we could have never imagined that we would face a pandemic in the 7th year of our partnership. I keep reminding myself, we may feel that we do not know what the future holds, but we know deep down in our hearts who holds the future… Yes, things seem so chaotic in the world and many political leaders are not helping, however …

News from Elgin United Church

Congratulations to Elgin United Church Member, Alex Price, on the occasion of her graduation from Rideau District High School and winning the OSSTF Award of Merit. Well done and congratulations Alex. Congratulations to O’Dessa Dixon on the occasion of her graduation from Rideau District High School and recipient of the Elgin United Church Award. Well done and congratulations O’Dessa. Wishing each of these exceptional students the best in the future endeavours.

EPPC – Official Board Letter – Continued Church Building Closures

June 17, 2020 Dear EPPC Friends and Family, The Official Board of the Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge met on Tuesday evening, June 16, and the primary discussion surrounded the closure of churches to services for the foreseeable future. The recommendations from the Ontario Government and Local Health Unit were reviewed, and the recommendation from our own area, the E.O.O.R.C. was considered seriously. Primary in our concerns is the general fragility of our congregations, and the care we want to take to ensure that everyone stays safe. We have all been living through an unprecedented time over these past few months as …

Coffee & Chat with Rev. T. – SUMMER BREAK!

Dearly Beloved, Coffee & Chat with Rev. T. will be on a Summer break… Have a Blessed and Relaxing Time with Your Loved Ones…

e-News – June 14, 2020

Order your pies today! Call Sheila at 613-272-3531 or Connie at 613-272-6747. Blueberry, cherry, raisin and strawberry-rhubarb. Frozen and ready-to-bake. Order before June 22nd- Pickup Tuesday, June 30 between 12:00 and 2:00.

eNews – June 6, 2020

“A Word from PUC Council Chair” : With the State of Emergency extended until the end of June and as the Pandemic continues the Council has decided to hold the Annual General Meeting via Zoom on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 7:00 pm. With the passing of our beloved Doug Bond, we now are looking for a Chair person and volunteers to be on the Property Committee, as well, we are looking for a Memorial Committee Chair. Look forward to hearing from you, Rev Takouhi will send out a meeting invite for the Zoom meeting. Gratefully, Katy Gibson Chair, PUC Council …

eNews – May 30, 2020 – from the desk of Rev. Takouhi Demirdjian-Petro

Dear Elgin-Portland Family & Friends, Today, May 28, 2020, marks the 9th Anniversary of my ordination into the Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care within the United Church of Canada, which made me the very first Armenian woman ordained by our denomination. What a blessing it is to have this anniversary sneak up on us amid this pandemic. Memories are a double-edged sword – they make us cry when we think of our loved ones who have died, and Lord knows we have lost a few these days; but they also help us remember the good times and celebrate love. This …

eNews 2020-05-23

Psst… Good News! We are excited to share with you that the Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge virtual worship services will be on Cogeco TV (Smiths Falls, Perth and Brockville) Sunday mornings at 8:00 a.m. Pass the word and share the Joy! How are we doing? This a question I get asked quite a bit when I am in contact with someone from either church whether by email, text, phone or on the rare occasion in person. The quick answer is thanks to all of you, we are doing reasonably well and holding our own. Donations have come in via the …

The passing of a gentle giant

Dearly Beloved, I write to you with an aching heart that our beloved Doug Bond passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020. There are no arrangements for a celebration of life at this time, due to COVID-19. However, I urge you to keep the Bond daughters in your prayers, as they bid goodbye to their beloved father, 13 days shy of their mother’s anniversary of death. https://scotlandfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/4213316/Bond-Doug/index.php May Peace abound throughout the Bond family and the entire community… Peace be with you, Rev. Takouhi