"In the bulb there is a flower,

In the seed an apple tree;

In cocoons a hidden promise:

Butterflies will soon be free.

In the dead and cold of winter there's a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season.

Something God alone can see."

Voices United 703

Things I want to share this month....

     The season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days.  It is a period where Christians all over the world enter an intentional time of self- searching , a nurturing of the spiritual seeds that have been planted in our souls by God; a giving up of destructive  patterns, awaiting revelation of what we can be and do as children of God.  Lent is a time of honesty with yourself and those around you; a time of self reflection and a willingness to move toward wholeness.   I pray that you are taking the time to do this valuable spiritual work.  The Lenten Study group continues to meet on Wednesday mornings and evenings in the friendship room.   "There's No A.T.M. In The Wilderness".   Even if you do not have a book, join us.

     In the next few weeks, you will be receiving our annual Easter appeal letter that will outline some of our hopes and dreams for accessibility and more useable space in our church building.  The Easter offering has traditionally been an act of stewardship based on the concept that we return our thanks to God for God's grace in our lives.  Our "offering" is showing gratitude and support of Christ's ministry on earth.  As Steve Brown, on behalf of stewardship outlined for you in worship on February 28th, we are appealing to all contributors and new givers to increase their givings by $10.00 per week to pay off the loan for our new furnace and wipe out the $60,000.00 accumulated debt.   I know for some, this is impossible to do, but every bit will help.  Without dealing with these matters, it is more of a challenge to move on to the projects that would expand our programming at the church.   I am so grateful to the many volunteers who give of their time.  If you see clear to help us weekly or by donating to our furnace fund challenge, it would be much appreciated.  This month, we have expenses that come out on an annual basis so our chequing account is in the red.   We do not want to incur undo interest, so if you can help...please do give consistently to the operating fund.   Pre-authorized payments are one way to be consistent. I have made a commitment as your minister to do all that I can to build up the membership and to be clear about our financial picture.

     Thank you to those who organized and participated in the Pancake Supper. Thank you to those who helped and supported Westminster's participation in the Orangeville Ministerial Lenten Lunch.

      Thank you to those who evaluated Janet Jones sermon last week as part of her Lay Worship Leader training.   Janet will soon make an application to further her studies in ministry. 

OUR FURNACE CHALLENGE HAS AN EASTER DEADLINE!!

All donations to the Westminster United Furnace Fund will be matched by an anonymous donor to a maximum of $5000.  That means if we raise $5000 it will be doubled to $10,000.   BUT we have to do it by Easter Sunday.  We have FOUR WEEKS to double our money.  Can you help us do it?  $10 becomes $20; $20 becomes $40; $100 becomes $200; $500 becomes $1,000.  Remember: Many hands make light work! - Your Stewardship Action Group.

     Rev. Sandra away...       I will be away (mostly in the sugar bush with my family, weather permitting) March 12 - 19.  The funeral homes have numbers of other clergy available in the case of a death in the congregation.  In my absence, Sunday March 14th our pulpit supply with be Anita Rowland. Anita is enrolled in the Lay Worship Leader program at Five Oaks Christian Training Centre. She is a member of the Knox United Church in Caledon and is currently pursuing her application for Diaconal Ministry. Please give her a warm Westminster welcome!

March 21 - Rev. Sandra preaching

Holy Week at Westminster

Rev. Sandra