To bless is to put a bit of yourself into something.  It is to make holy, to change something or someone because of your presence. - Wiederkehr

It is not only ordained clergy who have the power or ability to bless.  Each of us can offer blessings and be a blessing, too.  When we say "God Bless You", we offer to another the touch of God's goodness.  In scripture Jesus does not bestow or offer many blessings, but he becomes a blessing. Jesus' presence and goodness, engenders life, strength, healing, courage and most of all, vitality.

When we see others in our midst as blessings or recognize them as blessings, we can begin to learn from them even if they are different from ourselves. You may be at a place in your life where you can easily resonate with blessings, or you may be in a tough place where you wonder if you have ever blessed or been blessed. Wherever you are, I hope that you can pause today and believe in the possibility and power of blessings.

Just want to bring you up to date on a few things.

Rev. Sandra will be unavailable May 19-26. Funeral homes have contact list of other ministers.

Pastoral concerns will be handled by our visitation team.

Sunday May 23rd - Sue Scottinwood leads worship as we celebrate Pentecost

Friday May 28 to Sunday May 30 - Rev. Sandra attends Toronto Conference Meeting in Orillia

Sunday June 6 - Rev. Sandra guest speaker at Mayfield United Church for their 185th anniversary Worship will be led by Steve Brown and Wayne Gilpin in honor of the 85th anniversary of the United Church of Canada Sunday School closing

Sunday June 13 - Holy Communion and Baptism Rev. Sandra preaching

Sunday June 20 - Father's Day  - men leading the worship with Rev. Sandra

Sunday June 27 - Celebration of our Program year Rev. Sandra preaching Lay Worship Leader recognition for Janet Jones and Sue Scottinwood.

Congratulations to our chair of Worship and Sacrament, Laurie Heimbecker, along with her sister Karen Orme, who on May 18th received an award of excellence by the Dufferin Youth Festival of the Arts as educators, art advocates and mentors.   Laurie is a teacher at Princess Margaret Public School and has been "instrumental" in delivering a band program at that school.

Notice to the Congregation (April 25, 2010)

 These are exciting times for our church family:

·         We are growing; every Sunday we are blessed with new faces and families sitting amongst us.

·         Our financial campaigns are increasingly successful; look at what we've done with our furnace campaign!

·         We have so many outstanding community outreach programs and services to offer to members and friends.

     So, today I have some more good news to share with you; something that will make us even more inclusive.
     Last Monday, your Board decided that it was time to move forward on making our church building accessible to all who wish to be here. It's time to really open the doors of Westminster to everyone!

Over the past few months, the Board Executive, with Board approval, has been working on a number of issues that are part of this initiative. To mention a few:
     -we utilized the services of the U of T Engineering Department to provide us with a variety of scenarios to support greater accessibility.
     -we engaged the services of Dickinson and Hicks, a local architectural firm, to consult on this plan.
     -we received quotes from elevator manufacturers for the supply and installation of an elevator, and
     -we've engaged the services of a professional fund raiser.

Let me expand on the last point. As Chair of your Church Board, and a member of the congregation myself, I firmly believe that it is time to get this job done and to find some funding outside the membership of this congregation. So, after deliberation and debate by the Board, we have engaged the services of Deb Hopper, the Financial Development Officer of the United Church in Toronto. Deb's task will be to undertake a capital fund raising campaign that will raise $1 million over the next year...and none of it will come from your pockets. Her expertise and training has her focussed on charities, foundations, corporate and philanthropic sources. In fact, as of Monday, we already have an application into Trillium for a grant. She is firmly confident that this goal is reasonable and achievable! Just ask any Board member for their impression of our meeting.

     This capital project has been approved by the proper sources in Presbytery, thanks to Sue Scottinwood's help.
     So, what will this mean when it's all done:

·         An elevator to allow access to the sanctuary and the lower auditorium

·         Expanded and accessible washrooms, and

·         Improved sound and sight-lines in the sanctuary...to mention a few.

     This means that there will be easier access for members and visitors which will also create greater opportunities for rental opportunities to generate income for the church.
     So, on Monday the Board established a team to work with Deb and the architect to develop plans for your final approval. The team is comprised of :  Brian Bleasdale  our Chair-elect, Karen Farace of Christian Education, Laurie Heimbecker of Worship & Sacrament, Brian Heimbecker, Steve Brown, Carolyne Beaton of the UCW, Earl Williams of AVIT, Wayne Gilpin & Rev. Sandra, and others as deemed necessary by the group.
     This team will look at where the elevator goes, where the washrooms will be, what changes will happen in the sanctuary to improve sight and sound, what colour will we paint the walls and they will consult with those in our congregation who need and will use these services.
     When the team is at a point that they need input or consent from you, a meeting will be called and your decisions/recommendations will be sought. No major final decisions or commitments will happen without congregational approval. 
     These are exciting times. Please pray for Deb and her mission and for the team as they embark on making our church truly inclusive.

Sincerely,
Bob Borden,
Chair of the Board