Friday Message and what's coming

Friday Message

What's Coming!

January 24, 2020

Ordinary Time

Rev. Kathi's Message

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid.” —Frederick Buechner

A quick count tells me that this is the 100 ^th Friday Message I have written since I came to Erin Mills as your minister. I have no idea how many of them have addressed the dire situation of the planet - but it seems like a lot. Three weeks into 2020, and we are already reeling, if not personally, collectively.

It’s terrifying, and it can feel like there isn’t hope to grab hold of anywhere around us. This quote by Frederick Buechner rings true: Things are terrible and beautiful, but can we simply walk through life and choose to let go of our fear? In these unsettled and unsettling times, what does it mean to be human?

Literally speaking, we are Homo sapiens who evolved over time to become what we are today, based on the way we think, act, and move in the world. On another level, we are beings called to practice sacred kinship with one another and all other beings, human and non-human alike, on this earth. That means we are created to embrace and celebrate diversity in this world.

Some of us practice our humanity through religion; others don’t.

Some of us are poor and oppressed, while others benefit from systems of oppression.

Some of us are disabled, or queer, or Jewish, or immigrants, or of African descent, or Indigenous to a particular land, or descendants of settlers.

Some of us believe the earth is alive, speaking to us, and some don’t.

However we choose to be in the world, we do not live our lives solely for ourselves. In 2020, we are being reminded of that as governments challenge one another and we try to hold our leaders accountable to their actions and words. Can we embody both grief and hope as we step further into 2020? Can we find rest as human beings in the midst of chaos?

As humans, we are wired to stop and breathe, to pause, to pay attention to our own weariness. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t need Sabbath or hibernation. So, in 2020, we enter into the collective chaos of a hurting world and furious governments with the reminder that rest is a requirement.

We live in a society that, as much as it has been built by dreams and visions, it has also been built on genocide, abuse, and oppression. This will always be the reality. We get to be part of changing the future of that reality, and it doesn’t just take extra work to get there. It takes stopping to rest, too. It takes the full embrace of our humanity to get there.

Kathi

This Week at EMUC

Sunday January 26:

10:00 am: Worship led by Rev. Kathi

Time for all ages question: " What is it like to be called to follow Jesus? "

Epistle Lesson: Isaiah 9: 1-4

Gospel Lesson: Matthew 4: 12-23

Message: "Left Behind"

Kidz Zone available

After the service: Black History Month Planning Committee

Please gather for a meeting after worship so that we can finalize plans for the exciting program we have planned for the month of February. See you in the upstairs “classroom” (behind the organ).

Monday January 27:

Tuesday January 28:

Wednesday January 29:

6:45 pm: Prayer and Communion

8:00 pm: Rental Assist Team - Mary Anna Williams

Thursday January 30:

12:30 pm: Minister Lectionary Study Group

7:00 pm: Chancel Choir Practice

Friday January 31:

Saturday February 1:

Next Sunday February 2: Café Style Service at 10 am.; Kidz Zone available. Lunch and Table Talks follow the service.

Knowing Ourselves

On Sunday, February 2, 2020 there will be lunch and a Table Talk after the service. The question that will be asked is:

“Think of a friend, neighbour or a person who doesn’t go to church and has a need that the church can fill; e.g., a person seeking friendship or community, or someone wanting to volunteer, or someone eager to grow in faith. Considering our four strengths/core values, what would you tell that person about EMUC and what would you say to invite them to the EMUC?”

Think about it! Come and participate in this interesting conversation. The exercise will be completed by 1 p.m.

Chancel Choir

For more than 25 years the Chancel Choir has been sitting in the Loft for almost every service and enriching our worship with beautiful anthems. In this Epiphany season we are trying something new; for one Sunday each month (usually the third Sunday), the members of the choir will have the opportunity to sit with the congregation and join them in worship. We hope that this will give them the time to feel more integrated with the congregation, and to be able to appreciate the sermons more fully. My hope is that, knowing that membership in the Chancel Choir will require a little less commitment and stress, more of the congregation will be encouraged to try coming out to Thursday evening practices and singing with us. Please remember that no great knowledge of formal music theory is needed, just an interest in the joy of singing.

Opening up one Sunday a month also gives us the opportunity to have more special musical events such as guest musicians, small ensembles or soloists performing in our services. I look forward to more inspiring and uplifting music at E.M.U.C.

Len Feldman

What's Coming!

BEER and HYMNS

The United Churches of Mississauga have been trying to come up with ideas to bring the people of the various communities together for worship and for fun.

The next event is planned for an evening of Beer and Hymns on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Erin Mills Pump & Patio for 6:30 pm.

Located in: Sherwood Forrest Village

Address: 1900 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1P9

We would be in the upstairs area - not fully accessible, those attending will need to be able do stairs. The Erin Mills Pump & Patio will make the space available. There is no set fee for this event. They will make money on sales of food & drinks only. We are planning on being there for a couple of hours, so if you don't come until 7 or 7:30 you will still be able to participate.

COMFORT KITS

Once again this year we will be collecting small travel size toiletry items - shampoo, conditioner, soap, body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, creams, lotions, etc. Please bring your items to the church and deposit in the labelled box.

We will be collecting over the next several weeks for distribution at the Open Door at the end of February. Thank you.

OUTDOOR SKATING

Throughout the winter, everyone (men and women) interested in skating is invited to skate for fun and exercise. This group has been skating the last several winters visiting numerous outdoor skating paths e.g. the Kipling path, The Bentway, outdoor rinks in Mississauga. This year the group will skate in the morning on Monday and/or Thursday, weather permitting. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact Kathy Andres to have your name put on the communication list. The group usually meets around 10 am to car-pool to the chosen rink. All are welcome!

SOLEL CONGREGATION-“INVITE YOUR NEIGHBOUR SERVICE”

On Friday, February 21 at 8:00 p.m ., everyone is invited to attend a multi-faith service at Solel synagogue. The service will focus on the traditions and philosophy of Shabbat. Please see the sign up sheet at the back of the sanctuary, if you wish to attend. We need to RSVP by February 1 .

CLIMATE CHANGE. TAKING THE EARTH'S TEMPERATURE

University of Toronto Mississauga, and Central Library are offering this lecture on Tuesday , February 4, at the Central Library . Doors open at 6:45. Start time is 7 p.m. Free underground parking after 6 p.m. Register at University of Toronto Mississauga Alumni or Mississauga Central Library web pages.

Submitted by Mary Anna Williams

MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE - SAVE THE DATE

We are embarking on a second collaborative Murder Mystery fundraising evening with our friends at Eden United Church. Rehearsals have begun and we are hoping for two sell out shows. “A Midsummer’s Nightmare” will take place on April 25 and 26. More details will follow, but please save the date and plan to come out and support this night of fun and fellowship.

'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, January 26. Speak to Joanne Hines if you have any questions about the program.

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