Friday Message and what's coming.

Friday Message

What's Coming!

October 12, 2018

Season: Creation

Rev. Kathi's Message

Have you, like I have, been feeling discouraged lately? Outraged? Some of both?

Do you feel incapable of challenging and changing deeply entrenched power structures? I have found myself feeling quite powerless and I need to shake that off.

Let’s not give into those feelings. We do have the power to change the world. Look at how it’s changing already.

One of the truest lessons of our greatest stories — including the Gospels — is that just because your power doesn’t work this time, that doesn’t mean it’s not still there and capable of changing the world the next time.

Many of us who lived through the 1960’s were deeply touched and inspired by how one woman’s brave decision changed everything. Many times, Rosa Parks had obeyed the driver’s directive to move to the back of the bus, feeling powerless against the system of white supremacy. But one time — this time — she said no.

Shaking inside with fear, she stood up to the powerful white man driving the bus. He won that round — she was arrested. Her powerful “no” didn’t change the world that day, or the next. But over days and years, it challenged her society and changed it in ways she never imagined.

One person, backed up by the strength of a movement, made a difference, and will again. That’s not just our history, but the story of our faith.

One telling of Jesus’ story begins with a fearful young woman deciding all by herself whether the story would even happen. She lived in a male-dominated society. Men made all the important decisions. Women were treated more as property than persons in significant ways.

And God’s messenger chooses not to visit a man, but this young woman whose courageous decision would embody God’s love and justice more fully in the world. The powerful would be knocked from their thrones, the lowly would be exalted, and the hungry would be fed.

Let it be, she says. Let us do the same.

And along the road, remember that we are never alone. Many people are committed to the proposition that we are all God’s children and must be treated that way in all respects.

And never forget that God is working with us too, which means that we shall overcome ... some day.

God is always on the side of the oppressed, never on the side of the oppressor. God supports those trying to get at the truth, never with those who are trying to ignore the truth to keep their system of privilege in place.

Look at how far God has brought us already. The times, they are changing. God is making all things new. The moral arc is bending, slowly and inevitably.

The angry voices and the disgusting mockery by those in power are an unmistakable sign that they sense their time of privilege is waning. Their world is changing — they recognize it, they feel threatened by it.

And there’s no going back. They can slow the change, but they can’t stop it.

So, push on. Don’t despair. Don’t let one day’s events distract from the bigger picture. Change never happens quickly or easily.

You have the power to change the world. Keep using it. It's working already.

Peace,

Rev. Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Sunday October 14th

10:00 am: Worship and EMU Club

Responsive Reading : Psalm 36

Gospel: Mark 10:17-31

Message: 'What Do You Lack?'

After the service: THE KAIROS BLANKET EXERCISE including lunch

Monday October 15th

7:00 pm: Congregational Growth Committee

Tuesday October 16th

6:00 pm: Leadership Circle Dinner and Meeting

Wednesday October 17th

6:45 pm: Prayers and Communion

Thursday October 18th

7:00 pm: Chancel Choir

Friday October 19th

6:00 pm: Women for Women

Next Sunday October 21th: Worship and Baptism, EMU Club

Refugee Sponsorship Fundraising Appeal

In the fall of 2015, Erin Mills United, Erindale United, and Streetsville United churches formed the Northwest Mississauga Constituent Group to become refugee sponsors with the United Church of Canada as our Sponsorship Agreement holder. At that time, we accepted the responsibility of fully supporting the sponsored refugee(s) for one year following their arrival in Canada. In order to meet that commitment, a fundraising appeal was launched in early 2016. The Northwest Mississauga Constituent Group, with support from Eden United Church raised $63,078.82. E.M.U.C’s contribution was $17, 842.81. The original budget and fundraising target was based on 2015 prices, which have increased in the intervening time. Since the arrival of Tarek and the Nadaff family, we have had expenditures of $35,115.02, which means that unless we are able raise a further $40,000, we will be unable to meet our commitment. As a result we are holding a direct appeal for donations. The target for EMUC is $10,000.

Your generous support is much appreciated.

What's Coming!

THE INTERFAITH JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP IS HOSTING THE KAIROS BLANKET EXERCISE

The Interfaith Justice and Peace group invites you to join us on Sunday, October 14th for lunch followed by the KAIROS Blanket Exercise workshop facilitated by a representative from KAIROS. This workshop will begin at 12:15 and including a time for questions and answers should conclude at 2:30. Please see the poster and sign-up sheet at the back of the church for more information and to indicate your intention to attend.

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive event that will walk us “through the history of relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples in Canada. As we learn what went wrong we discover how to move forward together.”

STRIDERS HIKING GROUP

The next hike is planned for October 21st to Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls, Dundas Ontario. From the escarpment brow, noted for its panoramas, to the forested depths of the gorge below, the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area exhibits the physical features which have made the Niagara Escarpment one of Ontario's most spectacular geological formations.This significant natural area contains two beautiful waterfalls: Webster and Tew Falls. Both offer spectacular vistas of the gorge. More details on car pooling, timing will be available as these dates approach.

A sign up sheet has been posted in the Narthex to better prepare

transportation/parking/refreshments

Women for Women

Women for Women starts our year with a gathering on Friday, October 19th at EMUC starting at 6 pm. We will have dinner & a workshop on "Mindful Yoga" with Daphne Bennett. Email invitations will go out soon with more details. Cost is still $10. Future events will be listed on the invitation as well as outlined on Oct. 19. See Cathy Scattergood for more information. Hope to see you there!

OPEN DOOR DINNER

As part of the Open Door Program, EMUC will be hosting a dinner at Square One on Thursday, October 25th. There will be a sign-up sheet posted at the back of the church or you may call Lorraine Moore, 905-821-1741 for more information.

How to help: Prepare a casserole (e.g. Shepherd’s pie, Mac N’Cheese, Turkey/ Pot Pie, vegetarian dish); slice up some fresh veggies (e.g. carrots, celery, peppers, cucumber) or toss a salad (e.g. green, cole slaw, Caesar, Greek). Bake some cookies or squares. If any one wishes to be creative, some Halloween themed cookies would be great for the kids. If cooking isn’t your forte, we need drinks, buns, paper plates, napkins, cutlery. If you are unable to cook, but want to help, we will need 4 people in addition to me to help at Square One. We will meet at the church at 4:30 that day.

CALLING ALL EUCHRE PLAYERS!

Fall has arrived so it is time for an evening of good cards and desserts. This is an invitation to our Fall Euchre and Dessert Evening.

Where: Erin Mills United Church in the Lower Hall.

When: Saturday, Oct. 27th, 2018. Arrive to sign in at 6:30 p.m. Play starts at 7 p.m. sharp.

Cost: $10.00 per person.

Why: To enjoy great cards, win prizes and, of course, yummy desserts.

Who: Whether you have a partner or are a single player, all are welcome.

What to do: Email Mary Anna Williams to reserve a seat, include the number of attendees. You may pay at the door.

[email protected] 905-820-5305.

DON’T MISS THIS EVENT. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU.

BUNCH FOR LUNCH

The next Bunch for Lunch is scheduled for November 4th, 2018 after the service at 11:45 am . We will meet at the Symposium Restaurant,

3055 Dundas St W, Mississauga (north side of Dundas just west of Winston Churchill; plaza with Mandarin). Separate bills. All are welcome.

' FUNDSCRIP' PROGRAM

FUNDSCRIP is an innovative fundraising program that asks you to purchase gift cards in order to pay for regular items you buy every month. A percentage of the cards purchased through FUNDSCRIP is donated back to our church.

Order forms for gift cards are available the last Sunday of every month. The next order date is Sunday, October 28, 2018. Speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.