Mòrar's Musings

February 13, 2026

After, we did Bible Study in Bruce’s office. This painting, which has always haunted me, hung next to my chair.

When Bruce was at St. Stephen’s on-the-Hill, he became friends with the artist, William Kurelek. Titled The Family of Man, it now hangs in Emmanuel College.

In this painting, Jesus is walking on the water toward a ship of the world with a brick wall separating the haves at the front end from the have-nots in the rear. In the foreground is Bruce McLeod with his hands upraised, the prophet reporting what the haves do not realize: they are not aware that the whole ship is burning and sinking.

Bruce's memorial service happened just after I preached on the people in the boat in the lower corner of The Misereor, but the fact that this painting was featured in Bruce’s service, at his request, seemed providential. 

(photographed from Bruce’s recent online Celebration of Life)

“The world is not empty and purposeless. There’s something going on here,” he told Broadview in an interview published in June last year. (https://broadview.org/bruce-mcleod/). “And it is not a neutral presence! It’s a presence that got the whole thing rolling, out of love, and delighted in what was made. That presence is still here, and it knows our names, and sometimes wakes us in the night and says, ‘Why aren’t you up and doing?’

Bruce’s Celebration of Life is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9ozX_nL1KY The service itself starts about 30 minutes in.

Blessings,

Mòrar

Upcoming Week



Sunday, February 15

10:00 a.m. - Online and in-person Worship led by Rev. Mòrar

Monday, February 16

Family Day - Office is closed

Tuesday, February 17

5:30 p.m. - Gather for Pancake Supper; dinner at 6:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. - Service of Ashes led by Brian Takayesu

Wednesday, February 18

Ash Wednesday

Thursday, February 19

4:00 p.m. - Chancel Choir Practice

Friday, February 20

Saturday, February 21

Upcoming Events & Announcements

God willing, the Sanctuary has heat!

Last Friday, the HVAC was repaired and we had heat.

A special announcement was sent out to share the good news.

Those of you at service this past Sunday know that as

the service went on, the temperature dropped. One of the dampers

broke during service (a new issue), and this prevented heat

from entering the sanctuary. We have had yet another repairperson in,

and, yes, the sanctuary is warm again!

I like to think these “acts of God” are simply to test our resilience, and

I am proud to say we have all passed the test! Thank you all for your

patience.

Tina Driscoll

Sanctuary Security System - Update

The security system on the doors into the sanctuary is now active. We have programmed the doors to be unlocked during worship; you shouldn’t notice anything different on Sunday mornings.

These doors are locked during the week. If you are in for a meeting, or visiting the office, you will need to see Tina for a “fob”, or prop the door open if you are exiting the sanctuary and need to return.



If you have any questions, please reach out to the office.

Submitted by Tina Driscoll

Community Ash Wednesday Services 

EMUC has our Service of Ashes following the Pancake Supper on Tues., February 17. If you would like to attend a service on Ash Wednesday, the following area churches hold services on that day:  

• Eden United Church, 3051 Battleford Rd, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
• St Stephen’s on-the-Hill, 998 Indian Rd, February 18 from 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. receiving ashes to start the day and at 7:00 p.m. “Ashes & Wine” service
• Christ First United, Anglicans and Presbyterians are at Clarkson Road Presbyterian church, 1228 Clarkson Rd North at 7:00 p.m.

Help us Shine a Light

Rev. Mòrar is looking for a few spotlights on a stand to help highlight the Misereor: the tapestry that is the focal point of our February worship.

If you have a spotlight we could borrow, please contact the office.

World Day of Prayer

Erindale UC is hosting the World Day of Prayer service on Saturday, March 7. They are looking for participants from other area United churches. If you are interested in helping, please contact Tina in the office.

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

Keep in Touch!

Membership and Pastoral Care, together with Tina Driscoll, have the responsibility of keeping the congregational list up-to-date. If your contact information has changed in the last few years, kindly advise Tina either via telephone (905 820 9466) or email (office@emuc.ca).

We are particularly interested in updating our landline/cell and email records. Often we find people are discontinuing landlines and not providing us with cell phone numbers or are changing their email addresses without notifying the church. Thank you for your cooperation.

Submitted by Sandy Hayes

United Church Women (UCW) Information

Attention all EMUC women:  A representative from the Horseshoe Falls Region UCW (United Church Women) has recently been in contact with EMUC to offer EMUC women individual UCW memberships. For a $3 fee you would receive the Horseshoe Falls Region newsletter, a communication from the national church and be notified of events like the fall and spring General Council meetings, etc. 

If you are interested or have questions, please contact Sandy Hayes at

905-820-4437. 

Bunch for Lunch

On Sunday, February 22, you are invited to join in a time of fellowship following service.

We will meet at 11:45 a.m. at the Sunbeam Grill restaurant (2501 Hampshire Gate, Unit 3A, Oakville – South side of Dundas just west of Winston Churchill Blvd.) Separate cheques.

Please let us know you are coming so we can advise the restaurant of numbers. You can sign up on the signup sheet posted on the bulletin board at the back of the church. Alternatively, let Tina in the office know, so she can add you to the list.



Larry van Goozen

Lgoozen@gmail.com

United Church Lenten Series

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

• Tues., Feb. 17 - Pancake Supper. Gather at 5:30 p.m. for dinner at 6:00 p.m. See above flyer for more information.
• Sun., Feb. 22 - Bunch for Lunch following service
• Sun., March 1 - Annual Congregational Meeting

Community Events

• Sun., Feb. 15, 10:00 a.m. - St. Thomas à Becket Black History Month special service. Click here for flyer.
• Sat., March 7, 2:00 p.m. - Erindale UC, World Day of Prayer service.

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.

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