Wesley-Knox Bulletin

The United Church of Canada E-ssentials

Minister's Musings

Dear Friends

In the crest of the United Church, we read the words “Ut Omnes Unum Sint,” which in Latin means “That All May Be One.”  This comes from the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus in John 17 and is actually the longest prayer we have from Jesus.  May they be one, Father, as you and I are one, so that the world will see them and believe.  It is in our oneness, despite our differences, that we witness to the unifying love of Jesus. It is a foundational belief of the United Church: Namely, that we can demonstrate our oneness with other Christians without needing to agree on every point of theology.  Unity doesn't need to mean uniformity, in other words. 

For this reason, we are a church committed to ecumenical and interfaith dialogues and actions.  We worship with Anglicans and Lutherans during Lent, for example.  We shared kids' camp last year with the Anglicans. 

Would we do things a bit differently? Of course! But that doesn't mean we aren't stronger together than we would be alone. It's practical for sure, but it's also theological. When we work with other churches or faith traditions, we are committing to the belief that our oneness comes from Christ, not from us. And that the things that unite us are so much more important (and more) than the things that would divide us. In a world presently so filled with divisions and who’s on what side of an issue, it's important that we model what unity amidst diversity can look like. It's a gift we can give to a fractured society. 

I'm saying this to say that this Sunday we will have a unique worship service together. The congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church will be joining (en masse) for worship! We have worshiped together before, most recently for Ash Wednesday last February. Unfortunately, we will still be in the downstairs fellowship hall as the sanctuary isn't quite ready yet, but it will still be a wonderful time together. (This was arranged before we even knew about the floor project.)

Their Pastor, (Pastor Wallace) is on vacation, and they asked if, rather than getting a pulpit supply, they couldn't come hang out with us. Sure, we’d love to play with the Lutherans! (They worshipped with White Oaks twice this year!)

So join us this Sunday for worship and meet some new friends.  The service will be slightly different, as I have incorporated some of their worship traditions to help them feel included. And when you arrive on Sunday, make sure to make them feel welcomed so that they know how glad we are to have them join us. 

See you Sunday!

Rev Rob +

New Beginnings

by Nancy Clarke

As a new member to Wesley Knox United Church and as someone who is relatively new in my faith journey, I have to confess when I was asked to join the Stewardship Committee I was not 100% sure what stewardship meant beyond donating financially to the church.

I soon learned that stewardship goes far beyond this. You have heard our committee and Reverend Rob talk of giving of time and talent.

As a newcomer I was looking to participate in Wesley Knox not as an obligation, but as a way to actively participate in church life as part of my journey and budding spiritual practice. It was serendipity that I was asked to join this committee. I guess God knew I was looking for an opening!

The United Church emphasizes that ongoing acts of generosity and giving - whether it be weeding the church gardens, participating in a committee or greeting people on Sunday mornings - transforms our lives, shifting from scarcity to abundance.

I am learning that our time, talents and resources are gifts from God to be joyfully shared as a way to nurture our faith in God and help build a loving, accepting community.

1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

London's Climate Action Newsletter

Youth Alert! 2026 Youth Summit for Mother Earth, an in-person, cross-cultural event, planned and hosted by Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth leaders from across Ontario will be held at Tawingo Outdoor Centre in Huntsville from September 11-13, 2026 for youth aged 14-20. The event is hosted in partnership with Ontario Nature and Indigenous advisors. View last year’s agenda. Apply Now

• A chartered bus will pick-up and drop-off youth in Toronto and Barrie.

Reminder from ReForest London: Water the Trees in your neighbourhood. Be a tree angel - adopting trees on your street benefits the whole community. (costs about 7 cents per tree

New Course: Earth’s Changing Climate- Confronting the Challenge offered online. Oct 13-Dec 1; 1pm-2:30ET, including a weekly Q&A. Presented by Dr. Martin Bush.

N’Amerind Friendship Centre is seeking donations of new or gently used children’s shoes as they honour Residential School Survivors (shoes will be donated to local non-profit organizations after Orange Shirt day on Sept 30).

Advocacy training: Demystifying Climate Finance, hosted by Climate Reality Hub From July 30 to August 20, 2026, dive into four dynamic sessions designed to demystify the global financial system. You’ll uncover the secrets of Climate Finance 101, learn how Multilateral Development Banks can drive a just transition, discover how National Institutions are funding (or blocking) progress, and master practical tools to lead your own finance campaigns

July 27-Aug 3, Backyard Bioblitz by Nature Conservancy Canada. Sign up to upload your photos of nature

Sat Aug 1, 9am Mid-summer Native Plant Sale hosted by Kevin Gauci, 750 Inverness Avenue

Wed Aug 12, 4-5pm Monthly Dose of Climate Hope with Bill McKibben.

In conversation with Sam Matey-Coste, of Climate Action Now, Bill will share what decades of climate activism have taught him about hope, power, and progress — and why the movement is both stronger and more urgent than ever before.

Sat Aug 29, 10am-4pm 2nd annual London Urban Farm Tour hosted by London Urban Farmers.

August 2nd - August 15th, 2026

Wesley-Knox Upcoming Events

August 22 - Logic and Games 5:30 pm

August 23 - Picnic on the Green 12:30 pm

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.

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!

Resources:



We are part of the United Church of Canada

Our Region falls within the

Antler-River Watershed, Region #7

Link located at the bottom of this email

Access daily devotionals here, provided by “The Upper Room”

https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals

Liturgical Calendar Resources

for worship planning:

Link located at the bottom of this email

Handbooks and Guidelines for Staff, Council, Committees, and Volunteers:

https://united-church.ca/handbooks-and-guidelines

Anyone wishing to place flowers in the sanctuary

for a special occasion or in memory of a loved one, is encouraged to do so.

It brightens our worship, and, by adding a message in the bulletin,

it connects us as a congregation.

If you wish to place flowers, please call or email Liz Dunlop.

She will give you the information you need and confirm the date, and make sure the office has the information for the bulletin. Thank you!

Liz Dunlop, Sanctuary Flower Coordinator

(519) 668-2507

E-mail:

ldunlop@rogers.com