Friday Message

August 7, 2026

As you all know, I spend a lot of time on the bus! I have a pretty substantial commute from my home in west Toronto to the church and I spend most of that time reading. This week I’ve been reading a book called Glimmerings: Letters on Faith between a Poet and a Theologian. 

It is a series of letters between two faculty members of Yale Divinity School who began conversing about their faith during walks around campus. When one of them was diagnosed with cancer, their walks stopped for the duration of his treatment and convalescence. Their conversation was picked up over email, and the result was this book, a beautiful collections of letters between Miroslav Volf and Christian Wiman that truly wrestles with “the problems of faith today and the presence of divine love that persists through it all.”  

The letters contain questions, disagreements, acknowledgment of difference, and transformation of faith. What they agree about is that the search for God and what we believe about God can be a lonely affair and finding a person or community with whom to converse with is essential. This is a very practical, if at times discomforting, way of exploring spirituality. Consider this an invitation, or even a small nudge, to find your people! To be this person to someone else!! And to aim to be a place where the search for God is not lonely, but a part of what we experience as being community. 

Many blessings, 

Wendy

Upcoming Week



Sunday, August 9 - Worship service with Communion led by Dr. Wendy Cranston



https://zoom.us/j/792083172

Reference, Meeting ID: 792 083 172

Password: 000042

For those connecting to the worship service by phone (only local to some areas in Canada)

647 374 4685 (Toronto Area)

647 558 0588 (Toronto Area)

Meeting ID: 792 083 172

Monday, August 10

Tuesday, August 11

1:00 p.m. - InStitches (Narthex)

Wednesday, August 12

Thursday, August 13

10:30 a.m. - Summer Bible Study (Church lawn)

Friday, August 14

Saturday, August 15

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Tina, our Administrator, is away August 5-7th.

There will be access to the church on Wednesday and Thursday: our Minister Wendy is in the office both those days. As always, you should call in advance for guaranteed access to the church. The office phone, and email will be monitored while Tina is away, and we will respond to urgent or time sensitive messages. Tina will respond to nonurgent messages upon her return.

For Your Safety! 

Not sure if you noticed? The outside stairs leading directly to the Office Entrance have been temporarily chained off to encourage folks not to use these stairs at this time. There has been some degradation of concrete on some of the treads which makes them unsafe to use. The Office Entrance is still available for use; please approach it from another staircase. Thank you. 

 Bulletin Board Upgrade! 

Not sure if you have noticed? The bulletin boards in the Narthex have been re-organized and spruced up thanks to Cathy Kiteley, Tina, Stephanie and Karen. This is phase one of the project.

The photograph board of "What's Happening at EMUC" has remained in place. The bulletin board outside of the photocopier room now is divided into two categories - "Life at Church" and "Neighbourhood News"; EMUC Forms and Sign-Up Lists have moved to the bulletin board on the outside wall of the Conference room, and lastly an Affirming Ministry bulletin board has been created on the wall on your left when leaving the Conference room. 

Other bulletin boards outside the Narthex and down the stairs will be re-organized and decorated in Phase Two of this project this coming fall.

Egg Carton Collection

I am no longer collecting egg cartons for donation to the store Deb Siertsema manages in Elmira. Deacon's Cupboard also has sufficient egg cartons at the present moment. Egg cartons can be placed in your recycling box on your specific day of collection. Many thanks to all of you who have helped support the initiative to be environmentally conscious.  Remember every little bit will make a difference.  

Submitted by Mary Anna Williams 

Our new name tags are here!

The new nametag board can be found next to the sanctuary cloakroom. Both our old and new name tags are in alphabetical order on the board. Pins often go missing at home; we recommend leaving your pin at church.

If you haven’t paid for your new nametag, please see Mike, or feel free to pay in the office.

Submitted by Tina Driscoll

August Communiqué

The next issue of Communiqué is due to be published on Sunday, Aug., 30. The deadline for submission of articles and photos is Monday, Aug. 24. Please submit any items to cathy.scattergood@sympatico.ca by Aug. 24.

Intercultural Church Program Update

Wednesdays, October 14 – November 25, 2026 

6:00–7:30 p.m. ET 

Larry van Goozen has registered a group named "Erin Mills United Church".

Up to 8 more people can register as members of this group at no additional fee.

If you have additional questions, click on the link below for more information, or contact Larry van Goozen by email at lgoozen@gmail.com.

Detailed information about it may be found through this link: https://churchx.ca/local/shop/product.php?id=373.

Encountering God – A Summer Bible Study! 

Please join Wendy over three Thursdays in the summer – August 13, 20, 27 – for a Bible study that follows the liturgical readings for those weeks: Jacob wrestling with the angel, Jesus walking on water, and the burning bush. We’re planning on studying outside on a shady part of our lawn to encounter God in our stories and in the land that surrounds us. We’ll meet at 10:30 a.m. on the church lawn (and inside in case of rain)! 

No need to register, just come on out! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call the church or email Wendy at wcranston@emuc.ca.

Deacon's Cupboard

Thank you for the tremendous response to our request for food items. Your support has helped us stock our shelves each week. In August, we are asking EMUC to donate canola and vegetable oil (1L). 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

EMUC is the Rain Venue for the Summer at Riverwood Concert Series

Starting on July 8 and every Wednesday up to August 26, there is a concert in the McEwan Barn in the Riverwood conservation area.



Our church is the rain venue for this concert series. If it is a rainy day, our sanctuary will be offering a free concert. All are welcome. More details are on the Community bulletin board.

Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar!

• Sun., Sept. 27, 4:00 p.m. - Welcome Back Event; details to follow

Community Events

• Sun., Oct. 4, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Eden United Church - "Then Let Us Sing Together: A Hymn Sing"; see poster below

Scent-Free Environment

Erin Mills United Church is a scent-free space. Some people have allergies or chemical sensitivities. To ensure that everyone can worship comfortably, we ask that you help us maintain a scent-free environment. Please avoid wearing scented products when attending service or events. Thank you!

                                                                                           

Tina's Office Hours: 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.



Wendy's Office Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. If you want a meeting, conversation or pastoral visit, please email ahead to book a time. If you drop by and Wendy's door is open, come on in! (wcranston@emuc.ca)

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