Wesley-Knox United Church

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Wesley-Knox Bulletin

Bulletin

The United Church of Canada E-ssentials

UCC Newsletter

Minister's Musings

Dear Friends,

This week begins the month of June, which, you know, is referred to as Pride month.

I enjoyed Pride when I was younger, but then I stopped being as excited as Pride in the church meant literally FIVE different pride celebrations in my area. While others enjoyed June, I spent every Saturday and even some Sundays setting up a church booth to share the church's message with those attending Pride.

While it was meaningful for many, I was just thankful to see the month leave. Too much Pride (in the heat of summer) can be exhausting!

Recently, I have been rediscovering my joy for Pride month. Maybe joy isn't the right word, perhaps it's more that I am rediscovering how important Pride is in today’s world.

The queer community is on edge again, as laws are reenacted in the US that marginalize the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We are even seeing these sentiments moving north into more conservative areas of Canada.

While I have seen Pride as a chance to celebrate my own life and the relationships I have, I am seeing Pride more and more as an important way to heal some of the wounds that religious bigotry and misunderstanding have caused queer people for generations. While not everyone at Pride wants a church home, or will even trust a church ever again, it's important that they see us present, if only to hear us say that we get it: We were wrong and we have caused great harm. There are Christians, like us, who are honestly trying to do better moving forward. That message, I believe, is the beginning of the healing process for them, and for us.

Happy Pride!

Rev Rob +

Gilholm Stoneworks will be doing some restoration work on the masonry buttresses on Teresa Street and in the parking lot.

Work in the parking lot will start about June 5 or 8 and there will be scaffolding and a construction area setup

about where the bicycle rack is currently.

There will be sufficient space to access the parking lot and no parking spaces will be affected (except for bicycles).

The work is expected to take about two weeks.

The Southwest London United Churches: Riverside, Calvary, Wesley-Knox and White Oaks, have surpassed our first anniversary of the Shared Ministry Initiative and the Coordinating Committee would like for you to reflect upon the last year. Thank you to everyone for your willingness to move forward in this new model of ministry. As we prepare for the next year, it would be helpful to hear from you.

Please take the time to complete this brief survey by June 30, 2026.

Thank you in advance! With your help, we will continue to learn, grow and improve

Shared Ministry Surveys

A Stewardship Thought

What do we really own?

‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ --Job:1:21

There’s the joke about the nosy neighbor attending a rich woman’s funeral. Peering into the coffin with a friend, he asked, “How much money did she leave?” The friend smiled and replied, “All of it, of course!”

As Job laments, we come into the world naked and leave the same way. We may be dressed in our best clothing on our way out, but we take it to the grave, not the afterlife.

The joke and Job reveal a basic concept of stewardship: We don’t really own anything. We may take possession of it for a period of time, but we eventually leave it for others.

Yet we spend so much of our energy and life accumulating more and more – as if we were going to have it forever, as we were going to live forever. The danger is that absorbed with accumulating wealth, we shortchange the most valuable treasures – loving the Lord our God with all our being and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

That’s why the Bible consistently warns us about wealth. Jesus repeatedly points out the pitfalls. Money and possessions can turn us inward, stunting our growth and preventing us from being the people God created us to be.

Generosity is the preventative cure for this malady. The Bible counsels that tithing is a good benchmark for faithful giving (although on several occasions Jesus told his disciples to give away ALL their possessions).

Giving any amount substantial enough to be sacrificial, is a declaration that you are free from the power that money might have over you. Because however much money you can accumulate in life, you will be like the rich woman in the joke: You will leave it all.

stewardship@wesleyknox.com

June is Indigenous History Month

Walking the Circle together: The Medicine Wheel, Indigenous Wisdom and our Shared responsibility

June is Indigenous History Month, a time to honour the histories, cultures, teachings, resilience and ongoing contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island. It is also a time for reflection. Reflection on truth, relationship, responsibility and the ways we choose to walk alongside one another moving forward.

At KAIROS, Indigenous History Month is not only about looking back at history. It is about recognizing that Indigenous Peoples are still here, still leading, still protecting the land, still carrying sacred teachings and still envisioning futures rooted in justice, balance and collective care.

As we continue growing as an organization, we are deepening our commitment to Indigenous rights, Indigenous leadership and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. We are amplifying relationships with Indigenous communities and learning from teachings that remind us that we are not separate from one another, from the land or from Creation itself. There is oneness in everything.

One of the sacred teachings that reflects this understanding is the Medicine Wheel.

While teachings and interpretations differ among Nations, communities and Knowledge Keepers, the Medicine Wheel is widely understood as a sacred framework representing balance, connection, cycles and wholeness. It reminds us that all things are interconnected, Our spiritual, emotional, physical and mental selves, the people around us, the natural world, the ancestors who came before us and the generations yet to come.

The Medicine Wheel teaches us that healing is not linear and that life moves in cycles: seasons, stages of life, directions, ceremonies, teachings and relationships. Each direction carries meaning, gifts, responsibilities and teachings that help guide us toward living in balance.

The wheel also reflects the understanding that no part is more important than another. Every direction, every being and every role within Creation matters. The circle itself is sacred because it has no beginning and no end. It reminds us of continuity, unity and the ongoing relationship we hold with all living things.

Embedded within many teachings connected to the Medicine Wheel are the Grandfather Teachings: Love, Respect, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility and Truth. These teachings are not simply concepts, they are ways of living. They guide how we treat one another, how we carry ourselves in community and how we move through the world with integrity and accountability.

In many Indigenous teachings, animals also carry medicines, lessons and spiritual significance. Throughout this month, we will be exploring different parts of the Medicine Wheel alongside animal teachings connected to each direction. Through these reflections, we hope to create space for learning, connection and deeper understanding.

Indigenous History Month should not be reduced to celebration alone. It must also hold space for truth. The truths of colonization, residential schools, land theft, environmental destruction and the ongoing violence Indigenous communities continue to face today. But alongside these truths lives resistance, resurgence, ceremony, language revitalization, joy, kinship and deep-rooted wisdom.

The Medicine Wheel reminds us that healing happens through relationship, relationship to self, to Spirit, to community, to the land and to one another.

As we enter June, we also recognize Pride Month and honour the sacredness of 2Spirit peoples within Indigenous communities. While the term “2Spirit” was gifted in 1990, the roles and identities it represents have existed within many Indigenous Nations since time immemorial. Across Turtle Island, many Indigenous communities recognized people who carried both masculine and feminine spirits as sacred and gifted members of the community, often holding important cultural, spiritual, ceremonial and leadership roles. Colonization attempted to erase these identities and teachings through violence and imposed gender binaries but Indigenous 2Spirit people continue to reclaim and carry forward these sacred roles with strength, resilience and pride. As we reflect on the Medicine Wheel and the understanding that all beings carry unique gifts and purposes within Creation, we also honour the sacred place of 2Spirit relatives and the important teachings they continue to carry for our communities.

As we begin this month together, may we approach these teachings with humility, openness and respect. May we listen deeply, may we honour the Nations and Knowledge Keepers who carry these teachings and may we remember that reconciliation is not a destination, but a continuous practice of right relationship.

All Our Relations.

Brandi Bilodeau

Painting by: Connor Sarazin

-https://kairoscanada.org/walking-the-circle-together-the-medicine-wheel-indigenous-wisdom-and-our-shared-responsibility?fbclid=IwY2xjawSL1eRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBNR0FWb3lnN0pMcmdsWWJWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkfNJVC4gar97dsC0WfsifOwpujsHHT--8zrzJmvRL-7JZhi2AdF4XFjDqN5_aem_NJWJx0Llm9s7ZFEMRV9PUw

June is Pride Month

Dundas Place Pride: June 7, Dundas Place

Celebrate Pride Month in the heart of downtown with a one-day street festival at Dundas Place. The London Police raised the Pride flag outside their headquarters on Sunday — now it’s time to take that spirit to the streets.

If you want to continue celebrating, Queer Intersections, an organization working to create safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, is hosting a Sewcial Crafting Club on June 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Library. They are also hosting a Read The Rainbow book club on June 23 from 7 to 8 p.m.

We are excited to share that we will be participating in the

Period Equity Project

- Fill the Truck campaign run by the Fairy Godparents - London Area.

The Period Equity Project (PEP) is Fairy Godparents' volunteer-run initiative providing free menstrual products to anyone who needs them in London, Ontario. PEP began as a grassroots effort after a community poll revealed that many London residents lacked reliable access to menstrual products. Over time, it has grown into a citywide program focused on dignity, choice, and accessibility.

In February 2026, PEP partnered with the London Public Library to make free menstrual products available in washrooms at every branch - including men's, women's, and family spaces - ensuring access for anyone who needs it, privately and without having to ask. We want people to have dignity and independence; these products should already be free.

Their annual flagship event, Fill the Truck, is the centrepiece of their collection efforts. Now in its 4th year, the event mobilizes 500+ community members to donate period products and essential goods.

We will have a donation bin in the SANCTUARY starting May 31 until June 26th for you to place your donations.

Thank you in advance for helping to do your part to maintain equitable and inclusive access to people across London!

Shared Ministries Campout

Friday, June 19 through Sunday, June 21

at Camp Bimini

You are invited to join us at beautiful Camp Bimini for the newly renamed Shared Ministries Campout. Come enjoy a relaxed, welcoming weekend for all ages. Food and accommodations are included - campers can choose cabins or bring a tent.

Events will be crafts, swimming, hiking, campfires, a talent show, and lots of time to make new friends, relax, read your favorite book and be completely lazy! There is no hard schedule of activities so come be as busy or relaxed as you wish!

Sunday morning we will have a worship service in the outdoor chapel, and all are welcome! Join us for days only or for overnight.

We are also looking for anyone from any of the churches who would like to help plan the weekend, so it's truly a Shared Ministries weekend for us all.

Cost

$100 (full weekend)

$70 (1 night)

$30 (day use)

**Children 12 and under are half price**

Includes all meals, overnight accommodation, programs and activities.

Registration

Registration and payment is due by June 12, 2026. Registration can be completed online at www.wesleyknox.com/shared-ministry-campout or by submitting a paper registration form to a member of the planning team or the Wesley-Knox church office.

Join our Planning Team! We would love to have you join us to help plan this amazing camp weekend.

Contact Mallory Brennan for more information at mllrybrn@gmail.com or 226-234-1767

London's Climate Action Newsletter

June is Bike Month! Big Bike Giveaway Registration Opens June 1st

Register to get a free bicycle instructions here
Have a bike to donate? Drop off at any Enviro Depot

Summer Seminar series on biodiversity knowledge and strengthening your tree ID skills!

Hosted by ReForest London. Available for $15 each or $30 for all three sessions.

Myco Mania – Fungi as Fertilizer and Fortification on June 13, 2-3pm
Insufferable Invasives – Invasive Tree ID and Impacts on Us on June 20, 10-11am
Tree ID for Newbies – Identify trees of London on June 27^th from 10-11am

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Did you know? The Enviro Depots sell woodchips, compost, soil/compost mix for $6.50 per 30-litre bag (not available at the W12A EnviroDepot). Or you can get free wood chips at the St. Julien Street yard (self serve).

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Sat June 13 Butterfly Festival, 17 Meadowlily Rd S. Learn to catch and release butterflies. Hosted by TTLT. Drop-in anytime from 11am-2pm. Note: see event link for apparel recommendations

Sat June 13 Art/Ecology Retreat: “Margins and Mosaics: Wetland” with naturalist, Larry Cornelis and artist, Mary Abma.

Wed June 18, 6:30 - 7:30 Treevening (Trees in the Evening) at Reservoir Park Community Garden. We’ll take a tour, look at some of the native trees and their non-native look-alikes, and highlight ways you can tell them apart. Register

Blue_Cream_Green_Modern_Pax_Peace_Dove_Holiday_Christmas_Poster.jpg_p1.jpg

Pastoral Care

Prayers for our church families enduring grief, loss, or loneliness.

If you or a loved one is dealing with a difficult time, such as illness,hospitalization, loneliness, or any of life’s challenges, our Pastoral Care team is available for support.

Please call the Church office and you will be contacted

by a member of our team: Rev Dr. Rob, Margo Bettger-Hahn, Linda Olson, Sandra Fox, Helen Humphreys, Liz Dunlop, and Paul Stewart

On evenings and weekends, you may reach us through Facebook Messenger (you do not need a Facebook account to message.)

You are not alone!

June 7th - June 20th, 2026

Wesley-Knox Upcoming Events

Jun 06 - Gathering on the Green: Wesley-Knox will have a table

Jun 07 - Coffee & Cake celebration for Rev. Tom hosted by Reaching Out Committee

Jun 16 - Shout Sister Final Concert

Jun 19 - Camp Bimini Shared Ministries Camp

Jun 20 - London Spiritualist Church Summer Solstice Psychic Tea

Jun 28 - Coffee Hour - UCW Strawberries and Ice Cream

Everyone is invited to join the KAIROS local and regional volunteer leadership in an opportunity to speak with KAIROS Indigenous Rights staff.

Murray Pruden, Director of Indigenous Programs and Brandi Bilodeau, Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator, will provide updates on the current Indigenous Rights programs, including the KAIROS Blanket Exercise program. Their presentations will be followed by an opportunity for Questions and Answers.

Thursday, June 11 for one hour at:

The Shire to Stratford: A Youth Overnight Quest

Attend a unique overnight experience in Stratford inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, featuring a live theatre performance at the renowned Avon Theatre alongside a variety of engaging and memorable activities. Registration is open for youth (grade 7 and up) and their youth leaders. Dig deeper into our event details and share with youth. Limited tickets are available, so don't wait!

The theatre ticket is generously covered by a grant from the Western Ontario Waterways Region of the United Church of Canada.

Affirmunited.com

Model Youth Justice 2026

Youth (ages 15 – 30 years) passionate about peace and social justice are invited to register for Model Youth Justice, August 7-9, 2026 at Hidden Acres Retreat Centre, New Hamburg, Ontario. All faiths and worldviews are welcome. There will be unique experiential justice activities along with some more traditional camp activities like rock climbing, swimming, games, campfire, and more. Check out the Model Youth Justice calendar post for more information.

Region 7 Prayer Cycle

Antler River Watershed

UCC Liturgical Calendar

United Church of Canada

WKUC Donation Page