Wesley-Knox United Church

Join Us for Worship on Sundays at 11:00 am

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Email: wesleyknox@bellnet.ca

Website: Wesley-Knox Website

Office Hours:

Mon 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Tues 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Wed 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

Thu 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Fri 8:30 am —1:30 pm

Newsletter Submissions

Deadline Wednesday by 12 pm

Wesley-Knox Bulletin

Bulletin

United Church Church E-ssentials Newsletter

UCC Newsletter

Remember check your Smoke Alarm batteries

Minister's Musings

Dear Friends,

The news is filled with doom and gloom these days, and people react differently. Some people get so involved in the news that they get anxious; it becomes all we can think about because it's so central to our minds. I completely understand that. Others might withdraw totally from the news and tune the negativity out as much as possible because we just don’t want to worry over something that seems so out of our control. That sure is tempting, isn’t it? But are either of these really healthy and helpful in the long run? Not really. I'm not doing myself or my relationships any good if I’m losing sleep and straining relationships with others because I am so hyper-focused on injustice, however wrong it may be. And I can’t be effective in the fight if I am tuned out and uninformed about what's happening. Sticking my head in the sand might feel great for a while, until I get shot in the behind because I wasn't watching! Where is the happy medium?

The truth is, we need to be involved. We need to be informed. We can't speak intelligently or make a difference if we don’t know what’s going on. And while it may feel like there is nothing we can do, there really is. We can make calls to our leaders, and we can write emails. We can join protests and have educational events to help people better understand the world. We can pray!

But for me, it's also got to be about balance. I need to go to my happy place to refresh and escape. It relaxes me and gives my spirit a chance to centre again. That happy place might be a movie I like, a walk with the dog, a relaxing cup of coffee or tea on the back porch on a sunny day. Recently it's been time at the gym. I will admit that Christmas music may be on my radio more frequently than it would ever be in a normal March, but it makes me smile, and I’m not forcing anyone else to listen, so why not? It reminds me that there is good in the world. It reminds me that in a similar world with fear and foreboding, God chose to dwell and bring salvation.

What I am trying to say is this: Don’t withdraw, engage! But in that engagement, remember to check your own health. Find things that bring you peace, monitor the doomscrolling on social media, and be intentional about taking time to clear the anxiety and replenish your spirits. The Church’s voice is important in these times, maybe more so than ever in our lifetimes. So stand up and be heard. Write those emails and attend those educational events, and invite others to do the same. Pray daily for those who are oppressed, for leaders (even evil ones) so their hearts change, and for anyone who is affected. But listen to that favorite music, spend time meditating, take a long walk, maybe a long bath…whatever you need to restore balance in your spirit.

Remember, the battle for justice is long and arduous. As Jesus said:

I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!’ (John 16:33)

And so, be strong! Be courageous! Make your voice heard! And remember…God is the one who will conquer the world, not us. We can do our part, but the burden is not ours.

Rev Rob +

Karen Schuessler Singers - Strong & Free

Broadview Subscriptions

It's time to renew or sign up to start receiving Broadview magazine. The cost is just $30 for 6 issues.

Broadview is the ONLY publication in Canada dedicated to sharing progressive Christian perspectives and news. And - unlike most other magazines, it's also a charity. The articles cover a wide range of current topics in the broad areas of spirituality, justice and ethical living.

Current issues will be available at coffee time in the Social Hall after the service on Sunday. Browse through an issue or sign one out for a couple of weeks and consider subscribing.

For more information, see Diane Knoppert.

This Vancouver bookstore is more than a business —

it’s a platform for justice

Patricia Massy created Massy Books to reclaim history

and speak truth to power, no matter the cost

by Madeline Liao

Apr. 22, 2025

Patricia Massy, a Nêhiyaw-Métis woman, is the founder and owner of Massy Books, a bookstore in Vancouver’s Chinatown neighbourhood, and the co-founder of Indigenous Brilliance, a collective empowering Indigenous women, trans, queer, and two-spirit storytellers. Massy Books was British Columbia’s first registered living-wage bookstore and prioritizes Indigenous narratives and histories. As a supporter of the arts, Massy has spent the past eight years facilitating community events for underrepresented artists and writers. Her store has donated to various charities and initiatives, including providing legal fee support for Indigenous nations and raising over $70,000 for families in Gaza.

Motivation I’ve always been a big reader and come from a family of big readers. Around 2012, I went to an Indigenous Ceremony and had a vision to open up a bookstore. I wanted to surround myself with stories, healing and narratives. I wasn’t immersed in my culture growing up, and so I opened my shop with the intention of sharing the stories that were stolen from us. I wanted to open up a store to have a space for stories I didn’t typically see in other bookstores.

Advocacy I don’t shy away from being vocal on issues. We have a platform. We have a responsibility to speak out and participate in the things that matter. Whether it’s about land defence in Canada, Palestine, trans rights or the environment — we do everything we can. We’ve faced a lot of threats of violence and hostility for having that position. Being in those spaces is not unfamiliar to me. It’s not something that scares me.

Impact I’ve seen so many young authors present their work at the Indigenous Brilliance reading series — a project co-facilitated with Room magazine that supports underrepresented writers — and go on to publish books. The series has created a space and a platform for them to tell their stories, and other people see their brilliance.

***

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Madeline Liao was a Broadview intern.

This story first appeared in Broadview’s April/May 2025 issue with the title “Patricia Massy.”

Lenten Book Study

The Way of the Cross and a Crucified People: On the Ground in Palestine

Sunday evenings Feb 22, Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. This is a free study via Zoo. Further details https://bibleremixed.ca/palestine-lent-course

Fraud Prevention Month Information

The LPS Financial Crime Unit will be hosting a Fraud Prevention Month Information Session.

The session will take place at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 501 located at, 7097 Kilbourne Road, London, Ontario on Friday, March 13, 2026, from 1:30 pm – 3 pm. The public is invited to learn about common scams and fraud tactics. Registration is available on Eventbrite: Click here to register.

The Psychological Tactics Behind Fraud

https://stonelock.com/what-is-spoofing-and-how-to-avoid-an-attack/

Spoofing

How does a fraudster use spoofing as a tool?

Spoofing is used to mislead and convince you that you're communicating with people you know, or legitimate companies and organizations
Fraudsters can change the caller-ID that is displayed on your phone, the sender address in an email, and often mimic legitimate websites, etc.

What's in your toolbox?

Hang up and call the official phone number of the company or agency in question
If the call is claiming to be someone you know, hang up and make the outgoing call to the number you have in your contact list
For emails, hover your mouse over the sender's email address or hit "reply" to see if the email address appears differently

Urgency

How does a fraudster use urgency as a tool?

Fraudster's use urgency to pressure and trick you into sending money, personal information or clicking on malicious links
By using urgency, they are trying to give you less time to consider whether the request is suspicious

What's in your toolbox?

Time is on your side
You do not have to immediately send money, click a link or respond
Take five minutes to think about whether the call or message seems suspicious and use this time to try out the tools in your toolbox

Emotional manipulation

How does a fraudster use emotional manipulation as a tool?

Fraudster's play on your emotions to trick you into believing their story and sending them money
They will do this in romance, emergency, grandparent, charity scams, etc.

What's in your toolbox?

Be suspicious of interactions online where someone you just met professes love or friendship to you, tells you a sob story or makes you feel unsafe
Don't feel isolated
Reach out to your friends or family and talk about the encounter with them to get their opinion
Check out the CAFC's A-Z index to browse different scams to see if your situation is on there

Threats

How does a fraudster use threats as a tool?

A fraudster may threaten arrest, physical harm, financial harm, release of sensitive information or pictures, and make threats against family members if you don't send money
They may also scare you to remain silent about the transaction to further isolate you
Threats are often used alongside urgency and emotional manipulation and used in cases of extortion

What's in your toolbox?

Hang up if you are being threatened, asked for money or personal information or if you're just unsure about the credibility of the call
Notify the police if you get threatened

https://www.londonpolice.ca/news/posts/national-fraud-prevention-month/

London's Climate Action News Letter

2026 Residential Rain Garden Program:

This year, the London Environmental Network is supporting 8 homeowners in installing a rain garden on their property. Selected participants will receive:

$1000 reimbursement for eligible expenses
Invitation to a rain garden workshop with UTRCA
Ongoing support including on-site visits
Other tools & resources

Applications are open until March 23rd. Learn more and and apply here

Summer Students Jobs at the London Environmental Network (LEN)

Environmental Outreach Coordinator to lead the Antler River Rally program
Environmental Program Coordinator, Thriving Communities

London Clean and Green: 20-Minute Makeover, Friday, April 17, 2026

Climate Action: Could you organize a 20 min clean up at your business, school, or neighbourhood to pick up litter and help keep plastics out of the Thames River? Start by adding your project to the map. Gloves and garbage bags, as well as arranging pick up of what is collected, are available from the city upon request.

The Future is Rural: Reclaiming Food Sovereignty through Farming Clubs?

A podcast by Nate Hagens where he explores the concept of a ‘Farming Club’ with biologist and farmer Jason Bradford. Do you have a yearning to grow food, but don’t have access to land? Consider helping with the food forests in London. Start by joining London’s Food Forest facebook group.

Sat March 7, 10-3pm Seedy Saturday hosted by London Master Gardeners, Carling Heights Community Centre. $5 entry to exhibit hall and 3 expert speakers
Thurs March 12, 5-7pm Leanne Betasomasake Simpson, author of Theory of Water: Nishnaabe Maps to the Times Ahead will be speaking at Conron Hall, University College, Western. Register (free) (Listen to the interview with CBC Ideas here)
Fri March 13, 5pm Deadline to apply for Environmental Action Incubator grant through the London Environmental Network.

March 8 - March 21, 2026

Upcoming Events at Wesley-Knox

March 7 - KSS Concert Sanctuary 7:30 pm

March 8 - Men's Breakfast Angel's Diner 8:30 am

March 10 - Mid Week Service Chapel 12:15 pm

March 14 - Pie Day Potluck Social Hall 5:00 pm

March 14 - Palestine Land Exercise Parlour 1:00 pm

March 15 - Youth Group Parlour 6:00 pm

March 21 - Trivia and Chili Social Hall 5:30 pm

April 19 - Youth Initiative Guest Speaker: Salthaven 5:30 pm

Poiesis Quartet (Winner of 2025 Banff International String Quartet Competition)

Fri, March 13, 2026 at 7:30PM

Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street, London, ON

4-ticket pack: $140

Single tickets: $40

Student tickets: The Gordon Jeffery Music Foundation is pleased to be able to subsidize complimentary tickets for students with valid ID by emailing jefferyconcerts@gmail.com

Advance Ticket Sales

Online: Grand Theatre
By phone: 519-672-8800
In person: 471 Richmond Street, London, ON

Door Sales

Credit Card
Debit Card
Cash

This summer, Wesley-Knox is thrilled to announce that we will serve as the vibrant homebase for Stemotics Summer Camp, a wonderful opportunity for new community members and their children to join us in this

exciting Summer Camp adventure.