|
|
|
October 2009
In-SPIRE-ation
Westminster United Church |
|
Greetings!
At the close of the last Westminster Board meeting Bob Borden offered the following prayer. It spoke deeply to the hearts of those assembled and so I wish to share it with all of you.
Almighty God, thank Thee for the job of this day.
May we find gladness in all its toil and difficulty,
its pleasure and success,
and even in its failure and sorrow.
We would look always away from ourselves,
and behold the glory and the need of the world
that we may have the will and the strength to bring
the gift of gladness to others;
that with them we stand to bear
the burden and heat of the day
and offer Thee the praise of work well done.
Amen.
Bishop Charles Lewis Slattery - early 20th century
Communication is key in a growing church. Taking responsibility for Christian mission requires dedication, discernment and discipleship. This will be the theme I address in the sermon on October 4th. I do not want to scare anyone off, but October is stewardship month. It is a time for each family to decide how much they are going to contribute to the church. When I think about contributing to the church, I think about the fact that my family can contribute OUR amount, along with others, in order to fulfill Christ's mission to which we have been called to in our baptism.
As your minister, I want to help you to reflect on the role that money plays in our every day lives. What we do with our money says something about what we value. Just for fun, take a look and see, over this next week the percentage of what was spent for the care of yourself and the care of others. What did you do to fulfill your calling as a disciple of Christ e.g. volunteer work, sharing the gospel through works of justice and kindness, contributing to an organization that promotes what you believe.
We are all aware of the financial restraints of our time and so the question becomes "How do we do ministry in economically hard times? Jesus said in scripture that we are to render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. What does that really mean? I think it has something to do with some of our money going to the government that maintains our infrastructure and social programs and always making some money available to do the works of the Spirit. While attending a financial planning workshop a few years ago run by a Mennonite group we had to create a household budget. It was interesting to see that the church was not included under "charitable givings" It had its own budget line as "spiritual work" and it had a place of prominence up in the area of the budget where the groceries and household expenses were. In other words the church, the spiritual community was not seen as something that just got "the left over money", it was a necessity. This was a real eye opener for me.
I'm a parent who has a child in rep. hockey and know the expense of that sport. Why is it that we complain of the price but anti-up for the fee but when it comes to the church we protest when we are asked to support it? Is it because we feel that there is nothing in it for us?? Are we not meeting needs? Where did our sense of mission go? Why are we not showing up to practice, enhancing our spiritual playing skills and playing for the team?
I believe that when one believes in the mission of an organization then time and money flow more freely. Since adopting our Mission Statement and slogan for our church, "Seeking and Sharing the Love of God", we are taking practical steps in promoting small group ministries that help us to live out our mission as outlined in our statement of faith in the United Church Creed. Everything we do at Westminster has to reflect the teachings of Christ as expressed in our Creed in order for us to stay focused and faithful.
A NEW CREED
We are not alone,
we live in God's world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God's presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
As with any organization we have expenses that are inevitable. For us this year our opportunity will be to inform others that we are in need of financial help to pay for the new furnace that is to be installed in late October. This unbudgeted expenditure of $65,000.00 is a necessity in order for our building to continue our mission. We are open to ideas for fundraising. Join us for a brainstorming session October 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the church. One of the initiatives is "buy a flame" for the furnace $100.00 each. Join with others, donate yourself, ask a neighbor. We need 650 flames!!!!! Tax receipt issued.
In addition
There are so many "good news" items to share with you in this e-letter. I thought that I would break it up in local, regional and national news!
On the local front, I continue to thank God for the blessings in the life of our community.
Continue to check out our website for new and exciting things.
Our first high school youth group meeting yielded 14 youth!!!
Christian Education Action Group hired Sonja Wolter. This part-time position is a budgeted item.
Preparations for Santa Claus parade float are underway.
First Westminster "Adopt a Road" clean up crew was out on Riddell Road Sept. 26
Roast beef dinner is tomorrow (can't be there as Bob and I have a wedding to attend in Owen Sound - save me a piece of pumpkin pie please!)
As your minister, I was called upon to bring comfort to the Bogner and Ferguson families in the tragic loss of Heidi and Hugh. We continue to pray for Courtney and Cooper.
Welcome to Sonja Wolter our new Christian Education Coordinator!
Westminster United joins with The Upper Grand District School Board to host Eva Olsson Holocaust survivor on October 6 at 12:15 p.m. All are welcome Free will donation.
Changes you need to know about...
Toronto Conference was once divided up into 9 geographical areas called presbyteries. As of the Annual meeting of Conference in May, the Conference was divided up into 4 presbyteries. Westminster is now part of Northern Waters Presbytery. The presbytery office is located at St. John's United Church in Alliston and Wayne Donnelly is our newsletter producer. Westminster's presbytery representatives are Jim Lindsay and Sue Scottinwood. The first full meeting of this new presbytery was held this past Tuesday and it was an exhilarating day. We met from 1-9 p.m. The meeting consisted of group building, worship, small group meetings and an excellent report from those who attended General Council. This new presbytery stretches way up to Meaford and Owen Sound, over to this side of Highway 27 and all the way down to Acton.
For us that were originally part of Dufferin Peel Presbytery, we still know some of the folk but we have the opportunity to meet new people engaged in ministry.
General Council the highest court of our church met in Kelowna, British Columbia with elected representatives ordained, diaconal and lay in late August. The Court elected Mardi Tindal as Moderator. Mardi was serving as the Program Director for Five Oaks Christian Training Centre at Paris, Ontario. If you wish to know more about the General Council please read the United Church Observer or go to the United Church website (http://www.united-church.ca/). Many topics were raised including the whole idea of regional churches... more to come on that.
Please take time to read the upcoming events and bring along a friend we have so much to offer in the name of Christ.
I will be away on study leave preparing for the Christmas season October 26-November 2nd.
"How blessed are they that know their need of God...the kingdom of heaven is theirs". Gospel of Matthew
Rev. Sandra |
|
|
Looking ahead...
Westminster's Biggest Winner continues through to Nov. 29th
Prayer circle is open to everyone - Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. in the Friendship Room
Fri. Oct. 2nd - Beef Dinner from 5-7 p.m.
Sun. Oct. 4th - Communion; Annual Congregational Meeting; Alzheimer's Coffee Break
Mon. Oct. 5th - Prayer Shawl meeting at 7 p.m.
Tues. Oct. 6th - Eva Olsson speaks at Westminster at 12:15 p.m. Freewill donation
Tues. Oct. 6th - Family Oriented Learn to Run Clinic begins (10 wk duration)
Thurs. Oct. 8th - Shop at M&M Meats for Westminster
Sun. Oct 11th - Thanksgiving Sunday (Food drive)
Wed. Oct. 14th - Baptism Class at 7:30 p.m.
Fri. Oct. 16th - Youth Gathering at 6:30 p.m. (potluck)
Sun. Oct. 18th - Baptism Sunday
Mon. Oct. 19th - Board meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Tues. Oct. 20th - UCM dinner meeting - Mr. Bauker (refugee family) will be speaking.
Program is open to men and women.
Wed. Oct. 21st - UCW meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Wed. Oct. 21st - Youth Bowling Night
Sat. Oct. 24th - Clothing Depot from 9-12 (help needed)
Sat. Oct. 24th - Lay Pastoral Training from 10-12 at Westminster
Sat. Oct. 24th - Youth Event "The Great Pumpkin Muster" in Rosemont from 1-9
Sun. Oct. 25th - Anniversary Sunday
Sun. Oct. 25th - Movie Night "Pilgrim's Progress" at Westminster
Mon. Oct. 26th - Religion in Life program starts for Cubs and Brownies
Fri. Oct. 30th - A Haunting Anniversary Dinner |
|
|
Beef Dinner from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2nd at Westminster United Church. Tickets available at church office or at Kids Can Do. Advanced sales $12, at the door $15; children 5-12 yrs $6; age 5 and under free. | |
| Westminster's "Outreach for Social Justice" group hosts Holocaust speaker Eva Olsson on Tuesday, October 6th from 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. The event is open to students and the general public. Freewill offering. "Increasingly, the focus of her message is bullying and the importance of not being a bystander to injustice. She uses her life experiences, primarily in the Holocaust, to illustrate the power of hate and the importance of standing up against forces of racism, bigotry and intolerance." | | |
|
LAY PASTORAL VISITING: Do you have a Lay Pastoral Visiting program in your church? Would you like to start or build on one? An introductory meeting to explore the possibilities of Lay Pastoral Visiting will be held at Westminster United Church on Saturday October 24th. We'll start with coffee at 10:00 am. And finish by noon. Rev. Dirk Evans will lead the discussion. All Orangeville and district churches are invited to send people. It would be helpful if you would call Joan Brailey at 519-940-3374 to let us know numbers attending or with further questions. | |
|
Mention Westminster United Church when you shop at M&M Meat Shops on Thursday, October 8th between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and earn the church 10% of the sales. Tell your friends to mention us too! | |
| Calling all Youth! Many exciting things are coming up... information can be found online here or by checking the Youth Room for a printed newsletter.
Parents: We have a monthly e-letter devoted to parents of children & youth. Not receiving it? Let the church office know! | |
| Our Food Cupboard is bare and needs your help! The following items are needed:
Spaghetti (not grains), Pasta sauces, Peanut Butter, Jam, Juices, Cheese Whiz, Powdered Milk, Juice Boxes, Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables, Canned Stews, Canned Pastas, Crackers, Soups, Canned Tuna, Tuna Helper, Canned Salmon, Canned Ham, Canned Turkey, Canned Meatballs, Kraft Dinner, Cereals (for kids), Sugar, Ketchup, Mustard, Relish, Mayonnaise, Dry Instant Potatoes, Canned Potatoes, Soups Works (just add water), Granola Bars, Bread Sticks, Toilet Paper, Dish Soap, Laundry Soap, Cleansers, Toothpaste, Bars of Soap, Diapers (not newborn size), Feminine Products
Donations graciously accepted for the Benevolent Fund as well. |
Support Ministry
Build Community
We are building a community in our church and outside our walls. As we declare that we "seek and share the love of God," consider the many ways Westminster United Church tries to do this beyond our worship service on Sunday morning:
the Food Cupboard and the Milk Program
the Benevolent Fund
the Clothing Depot
AA, Al-Anon and other midweek support groups
Counselling services
4th Orangeville Scouts, Guides, Cubs, Beavers and Sparks
Prayer Shawl ministry
Potlucks and Socials
Adult Library and Youth Library
Our actions often speak for us. As you plan your financial support for your church this year, please include support for our responsibility in building community in Westminster and in Orangeville.
Your Stewardship Action Group
| |
Adopt-A-Road update
Many thanks to the folks who came out on Saturday, September 26th as we cleaned up a stretch of Riddell Rd. 46 bags of garbage were accumulated, and after running out of bags twice, we decided to wait and do the rest on our next clean-up date. Our next clean-up date is Saturday, November 7th and we'll meet up around Riddell Rd. and Hwy 10. Please bring gloves! Thanks again as we reach out into our community in hopes to benefit the world. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
Hey ladies... Save the dates!
A group of fun-loving gals are wanted! The Ontario Tour of "Girls Night Out" is taking place on Friday, November 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Caledon. Call the church at 905-451-7182 for free tickets! Need a ride? Leave your name in the church office and we'll try to arrange carpooling. Come on out for some laughs and a free gift bag! For more information, please visit www.gnolive.ca
Christmas Craft and Social Night - Friday, December 4th at Westminster at 7:30 p.m. Tanya Frew will lead us in a potter craft. A cost will be incurred. Please extend an invitation to all your friends. Young women (14+) are also encouraged to come out. |
Now being offered on Tuesday Nights at Westminster United Church:
Family Oriented Learn to Run Clinic - $35.00 for 10 weeks
This Group Clinic is intended to give you some instruction in the exercise of running. This is a 10-week course is for those just starting out with running, no previous fitness experience required. The weekly classroom session will consist of a half-hour discussion on topics such as Running technique, Nutrition/Weight Loss and Injury prevention, followed by a group run. We will start out at a very slow pace, for a very short distance, and gradually build it up to a 5km distance, with the goal of completing a 5km race at the end of the clinic. I can't wait to share the health benefits of running with you, as well as the encouragement and enthusiasm that comes with a group fitness course. I am excited to be offering this clinic, and I look forward to meeting our running goals together.
Call Kate @ 519-940-4755 or email smoothrunning@rogers.com for further information. |
| |
| Lose up to 15% |
|
Westminster United Church presents... Westminster's Biggest Winner! Join us in a friendly weight loss competition. Registration begins Sunday, September 20th and last date to register is October 4th! There is a $20 fee to register and each week, as you weigh in before church, you'll contribute $2 if you've gained weight and pay nothing if you've lost weight. Cash prizes for the top three winners and various motivational prizes which have been donated from businesses in Orangeville along the way, in this battle of the bulge. Details, support and more information are online. (5% of registration fees will go towards our new heating system.) If you have questions about this initiative, please contact Janet Jones
Open registration expires: Sunday, October 4th at 10:30 a.m. | |
|
Contact Us!
Westminster United Church
247 Broadway, P.O. Box 34
Orangeville, Ontario L9W 2Z5
Phone: 519-941-0381
www.westminsterorangeville.ca
Click logo below to donate online
| |
|
