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| October 2008 |
Westminster United Church |
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| Greetings! |
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GENESIS 1: 20-25
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
This Sunday morning do not miss the blessing of the animals. There will be an in memoriam candle for those who have lost beloved pets. You can put the names of your beloved pets in a basket that will be read in a special prayer. We had hoped for a petting zoo but we are unable to provide it this time do to our farmer being "out of town".
This Sunday evening at Westminster starting at 7:00 p.m. the Dufferin Peel Presbytery will be covenanting with you as a congregation and myself as Minister of Word Sacrament and Pastoral care to become officially your full-time minister. There will be a reception following the service provided by the U.C.W.
Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. our Diaconal Ministry student Mary Elizabeth Piercey is holding a study/prayer group. Her focus is on different spiritual practices and it proves to be very interesting. Please support her efforts by attending. She is a wonderful resource for us!
Mary Elizabeth Piercey is a student studying at The Center for Christian Studies in Winnipeg through distance education. In October she will go to Winnipeg for 3 weeks to continue her training and then return to continue her practical training. She will be with us until the end of April. The focus of her work is pastoral care. She is working 6 hours at Headwaters Hospital and 6 hours with us each week. She and her family are members at Erin United. She will be with us for worship from time to time but her main work is done throughout the week. Please welcome her to our community of faith.
Mark Your Calendars..... World Wide Communion Sunday
THANKSGIVING SUNDAY.... Sue Doman a world reknowned solist will be "singing the sermon" for us!
Sue and our Minster of Music Martin James have perfromed in concert over the years. As a gift to Martin, two of his friends have provided airfare for Sue to come and provide music for our Sunday service, a chance for them to work together again. Our thanks to these anonymous donors. Details about Sue can be found on our website. We want the church packed!!! Bring family, friends. The music will range in style and fit with our thanksgiving theme. Sue currently makes her home on Vancouver Island.... we are blessed to have her come. It will be a musical treat.
Reading poetry is one of my favourite things to do. The rhythm and images are very relaxing to me and I find it can be a moment of calm, inspiration or rejuvenation in the day. I am sharing with you a poem that is in an old poetry book of my maternal grandmother. It is fitting for the season
How the Leaves Came Down
by Susan Coolidge
"I'll tell you how the leaves came down,"
The great tree to his children said,
"You're getting sleepy, Yellow and Brown,
Yes, very sleepy, little Red.
It is quite time to go to bed."
"Ah!" begged each silly, pouting leaf,
"Let us a little longer stay;
Dear Father Tree, behold our grief;
Tis such a very pleasant day
We do not want to go away."
So, for just one more merry day
To the great tree the leaflets clung,
Frolicked and danced, and had their way,
Upon the autumn breezes swung,
Whispering all their sports among,--
"Perhaps the great tree will forget,
And let us stay until the spring,
If we all beg, and coax, and fret."
But the great tree did no such thing;
He smiled to hear their whispering.
"Come, children, all to bed," he cried;
And ere the leaves could urge their prayer,
He shook his head, and far and wide,
Fluttering and rustling everywhere,
Down sped the leaflets through the air.
I saw them; on the ground they lay,
Golden and red, a huddled swarm,
Waiting till one from far away,
White bedclothes heaped upon her arm,
Should come to wrap them safe and warm.
The great bare tree looked down and smiled,
"Good-night, dear little leaves," he said.
And from below each sleepy child
Replied, "Good-night," and murmured,
"It is so nice to go to bed!"
On October 5th, World wide Communion Sunday our order of service will feel and look just a bit different. We will begin with our announcements and greeting and then during the opening hymn the minster, lay reader of the day and christ candle bearer will process in marking the beginning of the formal worship service. At my covenanting service this sunday night I will be presented with many "tools" for the work of ministry. Two of these symbols will be a Bible that will be placed on the lecturn and a Christ Candle also known as the paschal candle. Processing these symbols in worship each sunday serves to remind us of the centrality of God's word in our lives and the light of Christ which we are called to bear to the world.
This Sunday there will be benevolent fund envelopes distributed for you to return next week or as soon as you can to help those who come to our church in need of food in an emergency.
Rev. Sandra |
| Notice to the Westminster United Church Congregation
24/09/2008 |
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Dear Congregation,
On Sunday, September 21st, the Congregation approved the following as our foundational statements:
Vision: "Westminster United Church: Seeking and Sharing the Love of God"
Mission:
"Following the teachings of Jesus, we promote spiritual wellness, respect creation and work for justice.
We gather to worship and work as a nurturing community, fostering a spirit of understanding and acceptance."
These statements are our unified public declaration of who we are and what we believe, and they will also be the foundation of our actions and decisions in the months and years to come. The Board will use them as a springboard in the development a Strategic Plan for the Church; a road map for the future of our congregation.
Shortly, these will be posted around the church building so that as members and visitors arrive, they will know what we stand for. They will give you the means to declare what your church stands for in the Orangeville community.
The Board will be meeting on October 18th for a one day "retreat" to develop our Strategic Plan for the next one, 5 and 10 years. These plans will be published so that all members of the congregation will know where we are headed and what the implications for each of us are. Please give us your prayerful support as we enter into this critical planning stage.
Sincerely,
Bob Borden,
Board Chair
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Blessing the Animals
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There may not be "bats in the belfry" but there will be "pets in the pews" at Westminster United Church September 28. Domestic animals and pets brought to the morning worship service will be blessed during the morning worship service at 10:30 a.m.
Rev. Sandra Abuja, Minister of the congregation, said the blessing of the animals is an old tradition in the Christian church, and was usually a blessing of domestic animals that helped families earn their livelihood: dairy and beef cattle, oxen, horses and the like. In more recent times, the tradition has shifted to include family pets.
While the animals inside the church should be well-behaved family pets (dogs on leashes, cats in carriers, etc), more rambunctious animals will be blessed outside.
Also taking part in the service will be Dr. Sostar a veterinarian from our community.
In many churches, the Blessing of the Animals is a treasured moment in the liturgical year. When people bring their pets to be blessed, the church has an opportunity to affirm the richness of our connection with creatures outside our own species. It is a worship setting which reminds us of the responsibilities that we have in caring for these animals, said Rev. Abuja.
It is clear that people who take part in these blessings do not think of their pets as property. These dogs and cats and bunnies are "animal companions" and other-than-human family members.
By tradition, the blessing of the animals usually happens on or about St. Francis of Assisi day (Oct. 4). Francis was regarded as a lover of all creation, a champion of justice, patron saint of animals and the environment.
For further information about this service and other seasonal activities, contact Westminster United Church at 519-941-0381 or visit the church website at www.westminsterorangeville.ca.
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| Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity |
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Avalon Retirement Centre has a new training program for those who wish to volunteer in the dining room helping residents with meals. The training will run for 3 to 4 hours on a flexible schedule. Contact Sheila MacDonald, Coordinator of Volunteers at 519-941-5161 or smacdonald@jarlette.com. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn how to assist those who are ill or infirm and may have difficulty eating.
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| Sunday School & Youth |
Parents are welcome to receive the new "Westminster's Youth" e-letter which will keep parents informed of special events and happenings, specific to the youth. If you would like to receive this e-letter, please email janet-jones@sympatico.ca or change your subscription options by clicking here: Update Profile/Email Address |
| Thanksgiving Opportunities |
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The Westminster Food Cupboard is in need of replentishing. On Thanksgiving Sunday, donations of the following items will be gratefully received. The following items have been found to be requested the most by families in need.
Spaghetti (various pastas) not grains, Pasta sauces, Peanut Butter, Jam, Cheese Whiz, Powdered milk, Juices, Juice boxes, Canned fruit, Canned vegetables, Canned stews, Canned pastas, Crackers, Soups, Canned tuna, Canned salmon, Canned ham, Canned turkey, Tuna helper, Kraft dinner, Bars of soap, Toothpaste, Detergents, Cereals (for kids), Sugar, Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Mayonnaise, Dry potatoes, Canned potatoes, Soup works (just add water), Diapers (not newborn size), Feminine products, Toilet paper, Dish soap, Laundry soap
Thank you for your support!
Donations to the Benevolent Fund are also greatly appreciated for helping those in need.
Artistic people needed to decorate the sanctuary. Please contact Donna Henderson at 519-942-0917 for more details. | |
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Sep 28th - 10:30 a.m. Blessing the Animals (kids can bring their stuffie!)
Sep 28th - 7:00 p.m. Covenanting service for Rev. Sandra
Oct 3rd - Roast Beef Dinner complete with homemade pies on Friday, October 3rd. Tickets: Adults $12.00; Children, 6 and over, $6.00 and Children, 5 and under, free. Two sittings: 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets on sale now!
Oct 5th - Worldwide Communion
Oct 12th - Happy Thanksgiving! *Food Drive
Oct 19th - Car Rally
Oct 24th - Walking Tour guided by County Archivist, Steve Brown
Oct 26th - Anniversary Sunday
You are welcome to participate in prayer circles! Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. in the church.
If you love to sing come and join the choir! Practice is held Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. We'd love to see you there! |
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