Upcoming Week



Sunday, January 18

10:00 a.m. - Online and in-person Worship led by Rev. Morar Murray-Hayes

Monday, January 19

Tuesday, January 20

Wednesday, January 21

Thursday, January 22

4:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Friday, January 23

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Securing the Sanctuary

The doors into the sanctuary were recently outfitted with a code and key lock system. We want to secure our sanctuary, protect our staff, and control who has access. In the next few weeks this system will go live, and once it does, you will not have access to the sanctuary without a Fob or a code. This system will be in place Mondays through Fridays, and we are exploring how to minimize the impact during Sunday service.

Details will be forthcoming in a future announcement; so no worries. Change can be good!

Submitted by Tina Driscoll

From the Leadership Circle

 At its meeting on January 13th, the LC:

• Approved the supply minister position be filled by Rev. Morar Murray-Hayes for at least 6 months. She will be working 25 hours per week.

• Discussed  ideas to implement  the “Growing EMUC Survey” results.  Some ideas can be implemented in a short time, while others are larger projects for the future. The work is ongoing. Plans will be reported to the congregations in the near future.

• Reviewed the December 2025 financial report and the 2026 draft budget. The LC approved taking the amended draft budget to the congregation at the upcoming Annual Meeting on March 1.

• Received the Nominating report for presentation at the Annual Meeting.

Submitted by Kathy Andres, LC Chair

Good News

I am pleased to report that donations to our annual Christmas Offering were well above budget. We received $13,776 compared to our target of $11,075. In addition, you donated $1,510 to the Christmas Outreach Project to support The Children’s Breakfast Clubs. Thank you for your support of both of these appeals. Best wishes for the New Year.

Finance Committee

January Fundscrip- Happy New Year!

Our important fundraising program continues in 2026! There will be a gift card order placed on Sunday, January 25, so please have all orders emailed to Joanne Hines by Friday, January 23 or after church on Sunday, January 25.

If you need an order form or information about the program, please contact Joanne Hines at twokids@rogers.com. Orders may be paid by e-transfer at donations@emuc.ca. Please indicate Fundscrip order in the message. Or cheques need to be made out to Erin Mills United Church and they can be taken to Mike Ogilvie directly. Thank you for your support of this program.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

The Erin Mills Town Centre Mall is still accepting used gift cards for recycling. There is also a box at the church that Mary Anna Williams has been able to check. Please consider recycling your used Fundscrip cards by placing them in the box or taking them to the customer service desk at the Erin Mills Town Centre.

Deacon's Cupboard Donation Suggestions

Thank you for the tremendous response to our request for food items. Your support has helped us stock our shelves each week. In January, we are asking EMUC to donate cereal. Of course, we will also accept other food items. Your support enables us to share God’s Bounty. 

Submitted by the EMUC Deacon's Cupboard Team

Communiqué

The next issue of Communiqué will be published on Sunday, Feb. 1. If you have any items regarding recent (e.g. Advent and Christmas) events that you would like to be considered for inclusion, please send them to cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca by January 25. It has been a busy few months here at EMUC, so including items will depend on space and the decision of the editors.

Michael Blair – Biographical Information

 Rev. Michael Blair serves the General Council of The United Church of Canada as the General Secretary, a role he began in November, 2020. He is the first person of African descent to serve in this role in the United Church.

In his time at the General Council Office, he has served in a number of capacities including as Executive Minister for Ethnic Ministry; and Executive Minister, Church in Mission. Before joining the General Council staff, Michael served as the Executive Director of the Toronto Christian Resource Center (CRC – 40 Oaks) in Regent Park, Toronto. 

Michael previously served as a congregational minister of a number of Baptist churches in Toronto and St. Catharines, Ontario; a staff member with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Toronto, and as a community chaplain with the Ontario Multifaith Council’s Reintegration Program.

Michael serves as the Moderator of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches. In 2021, Michael delivered the Gandier Lecture at Emmanuel College, on the theme of Becoming the Beloved Community. He also recently contributed the Afterword to For the Sake of the Common Good, a collection of essays in honour of Lois Wilson, one of his mentors. In 2023, he was granted a Doctor of Divinity (Honoris Causa) from the Vancouver School of Theology.

Born in Jamaica, Michael is a graduate of Ontario Bible College (Tyndale), University of Waterloo and Wycliffe College, Toronto School of Theology, University of Toronto. He is the father of two adult sons.

Michael enjoys photography in his spare time.

Submitted by Karen Colwell

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

• Sun., Feb. 8 - Guest Speaker Rev. Michael Blair (General Secretary of the UCC). Communion service. Click here for more information.
• Tues., Feb. 17 - Pancake Supper. Gather at 5:30 p.m. for dinner at 6:00 p.m. Details to follow.
• Sun., March 1 - Annual Congregational Meeting

Community Events

None at this time

PLEASE NOTE: Tina's Office Hours are as follows:

Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tina will be working from home on Mondays (all day). She takes a half hour lunch break sometime between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

For guaranteed access to the church, call or email, and arrange a time in advance. Email (office@emuc.ca) or call (905-820-9466 x23) in advance..

For Pastoral Care Emergencies call 905-820-9466 x22 or email pastoralcare@emuc.ca

Erin Mills United Church | 905-820-9466 | emuc.ca