Mòrar’s Musings

Friday, January 30: Backing into Controversy

Lent begins early this year, and it is, in addition, Black History month. How do we bring those two seasons of the Christian year together creatively? One way is through art. Art that speaks to the soul can sometimes be controversial. At the Lester Randall Preaching Fellowship and subsequently at the Lutheran Seminary at Laurier, I taught a seminar called ‘Backing into Controversy: Art and Word in Preaching.’ Art offers us another way to connect the meaning of scripture to the living of today.

I’ve chosen a piece of art as a frame for our experience of some of the upcoming weeks, which I hope will provoke thought, questions and conversation as we listen with ears tuned to the world and our communities and tuned to the burdens of our own lives. 

But the Middle Ages was a time of interest in the mystical, and the veil symbolized the separation of the people from God, a separation that is breached only by Christ’s death on the cross. It reminded people of the veil of the Hebrew Scriptures, which divided the Holy of Holies (the presence of God) from the rest of the temple.

We read in the story of the crucifixion that the veil of the temple was torn in two at the moment of Christ’s death.

It was also seen as separating the material and spiritual worlds and hiding from view a vision of heaven and the risen Christ.

There is also reference to the veil that hid Moses’ face from seeing the glory of God.

The removal of the veil at Easter signified that one day the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection will become clear.

Join us on Zoom to "back into controversy," seeing God’s Word of hope shining through a piece of art called Misereor.

If you are able to attend on Sunday or through the week, you will see our Misereor, which is called The Hunger Cloth on Zoom.

Blessings,

Mòrar

Upcoming Week



Sunday, February 1

10:00 a.m. - Online ONLY Worship led by Rev. Mòrar Murray-Hayes

Note: there is no Communion this week. Please see Special Announcement below.

Monday, February 2

Groundhog Day - Early Spring?

Tuesday, February 3

Wednesday, February 4

Thursday, February 5

4:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Friday, February 6

Upcoming Events & Announcements

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Sunday, February 1: Service by Zoom only

One of the compressors in our HVAC system needs to be replaced and we are still waiting for the part. Our system is having to work very hard, and the sanctuary temperature is below 16 degrees.

Given the anticipated cold weekend temperatures and the HVAC issues, a decision has been made to cancel “in person” worship and to move our service to online only.

You can visit our website www.emuc.ca and click on Join Zoom Meeting

or use the Zoom link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/792083172

Meeting ID: 792 083 172     Passcode: 000042

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

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 February, we are asking EMUC to donate canned fruit. 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

Spring Market Place!

I'm excited to invite you to be part of a planning team for this year's Spring Market! We're looking for enthusiastic helpers to organize the event by sending out vendor invitations, managing logistics, communications, advertising, and making sure everything runs smoothly on event day.

Thanks to the hard work from past years, much of the planning is already in place. If you're interested or have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly or call the office—I'd love to hear from you.

Warm regards,

Cathy Kiteley

ckiteley@aol.com 905 828-0862

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

A great date for Valentine's Day!

We are excited to announce that St. Stephen's On-the-Hill's "Amour - through the years" Concert will be presented on Valentine's Day - Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. - featuring choir member CHRISTINA YUN (soprano) and music director SUNJU KOH (piano), along with CHANJOO AHN (piano).

CONCERT TICKETS are available at the door, as well as any business day leading up to the event by contacting our church office OR after church on Sundays. Seats are first come - first seated. If you have attended any of Christina's concerts in the past, you will know there is a full house every time.

There are special door prizes and refreshments will be served.

PLEASE SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Thank you!

St. Stephen's On-the-Hill

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

• Wed., Feb. 4, 6:30 p.m. - Sheridan Mall Food Court, Community 16 Girl Guides is holding an indoor campfire. If you find joy in singing, join us. All are welcome. See Heather Nutbeem for further information.
• Sat., Feb. 14, 2:00 p.m. - St. Stephen's On-the-Hill, "Amour Through the Years" vocal and piano performances. Click here for ticket information.

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.

Rev. Mòrar plans to be in the office on Tuesdays with exceptions as needed. Please arrange in advance to meet with her by emailing office@emuc.ca and indicating "Message for the Minister" in the subject line. New information.

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

For Pastoral Care Emergencies call 905-820-9466 x23 or email pastoralcare@emuc.ca

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