SNL 2014 Page 1 - East Plains United Church

Spring Newsletter 2014
The Good Word with Rev. Alison Nicholson
On Sunday, March 16th, I mentioned that The
United Church of Canada is undergoing a
Comprehensive Review of our structures and what
it means to be a church of today.
global partners, chairs of national committees, the
Executive of the General Council, senior staff of
Conferences and the General Council Office, and
others.
What is the Comprehensive Review – I have
outlined some of the objectives and tasks of the
review group and invite you to engage in the report
and findings on The United Church Website.
The report which we are now exploring and
engaging with is called Fishing on the Other Side,
a
discussion
paper
developed
by
the
Comprehensive Review Task Group that sets out
a vision and preliminary structural concepts for
the church.
The United Church of Canada is in the midst of
challenging times: changing forms of church,
changing contexts for ministry, changing human
and financial resources, and changing generations
of members and leaders. The 41st General Council,
which met in Ottawa in August 2012, directed that
the Comprehensive Review Task Group be
established
to
examine
the
vision
and
circumstances of the church and recommend
alternate models of program, governance, and staff
structures that will enable the church to sustain its
faithful leadership in God’s world.
The Comprehensive Review Task Group believes
God is calling The United Church of Canada to the
threshold of something new. Since 2013, the task
group invited the church in a broad conversation
about how best to nurture a range of vital faith
communities to embrace God’s mission in the
world.
Throughout 2013, the hopes, dreams, and insights
of people across the church were heard through
facilitated conversations with pastoral charges and
other faith communities. In addition to these
conversations the task group engaged with
conferences, presbyteries, youth forums, aboriginal
circles, the United Church Women,
The task group is seeking the wisdom of
presbyteries, districts, and equivalent bodies on
key areas in which they have expertise,
experience,
and
responsibilities,
including
property, oversight of pastoral charges and
ministers, and regional connections. Halton
Presbytery had a chance to discuss this
document on March 20, 2014.
The task group welcomes this input and invites
groups that wish to explore the discussion paper
to provide responses by May 15, 2014. The task
group will consider these responses separately
from the wisdom it gathers from presbyteries,
districts, and equivalent bodies.
For more information on the Comprehensive
Review The United Church of Canada website:
http://www.united-church.ca/
communications/news/general/140204
Shalom
Rev. Alison
If you need help, support or a referral, please feel free
to use these new cards or contact Rev. Alison via
telephone or email. It is important that all information
be sent directly to our minister as she is our first point
of contact.
Message from Anita
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. By
this all men will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
There is an abundance of pastoral care taking place at
East Plains, often by people who do not know they are
doing it. If you offer a warm hug, a cup of coffee or a
ride to church then you are doing pastoral care. If you
have ever knit a prayer shawl, called a friend who
wasn't at church or dropped off a casserole, then you
are doing pastoral care. My motto is that you don't
have to be a pastor to do pastoral care. It takes a
community to care for one another and if everyone just
cares for one person then no one will be alone.
Blessings, Anita
It is hard to believe that by the
time
this
newsletter
is
published, my internship at
East Plains will be more than
half way finished. For those of
whom
I
have
not
met
personally, please allow me to
introduce myself.
Christian Education
My name is Anita Walker and I am a candidate for
Ordination with Halton Presbytery. As a part of my
training for ministry I need to complete two
internships before I am Ordained in May of 2015.
This is the first internship which will last until July
2014. During my time here I am working with Rev.
Alison with a focus on pastoral care. She is a
wonderful supervisor who provides guidance and an
opportunity to reflect on how God is working in this
place. She has pushed me outside my comfort zone
and allowed me the freedom to develop my own
ministry. I have been out in the community visiting in
hospitals, long term care facilities and homes of
many congregants. I feel incredibly blessed to have
the opportunity to offer care and support to those
who are experiencing pain, loss or suffering. Thank
you to all those who have welcomed me with open
arms. I have especially enjoyed leading worship at
Hampton Terrace on the second Friday of each
month.
Celebrating Dan Jefferson's 75th Birthday
and in honour of his and Judy's Sunday
School teaching for over 25 years
Interesting programs are provided in our Kid
Konnections each week for children age 3 to Grade 8.
Nursery Care is provided for infants to the age of 3.
A very successful Valentine’s Bake Sale and Hot
Lunch was held raising over $900.00.
This money is used to support our Mission Projects.
Funding for our student Tonny Kasosi to attend school
in Uganda. Coins for the Breakfast Program in
Uganda. Pubelito, for Health, Education and Well
Being of Children in Nicaragua and Honduras,
Mosquito Nets to Banish Malaria.
As our community here in Aldershot ages, the need
for pastoral care and visitation of our shut ins will
continue to grow. Our pastoral care team led by
Morgan Perigo and Mary Willard along with the
entire team are working hard to meet the ever
growing needs. In March, Rev. Alison and I led the
team in a training session to ensure that our visitors
have all the tools they need when they are out in the
community. We have put in place new information
cards and have a new fast track yellow card which
can now be found in the pews.
Take time to visit our Library which has many
interesting books for all ages.
Pat Vollick, Past Chair
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would like to join this special group, please let one of
our Pastoral Care Team know (Gayle Burnison,
Morgan Perigo or Mary Willard).
Fellowship &
Pastoral Care
Prayer Shawls - Join our bi-weekly knitting group in
the Library at 2 p.m. Check the bulletin or with Mary
Willard (905) 632-8127.
FELLOWSHIP
Mary Willard and Morgan Perigo, Co-Chairs
Concert - Based on the rush for tickets, the need
for extra chairs, the applause of the crowd, the
"March
into
Spring"
Concert
featuring
the
Sophisticated Swing was a huge success.
The
audience appreciated the 20 talented musicians and
songs from the Big Band Era. Many people donated
time and effort into the enjoyable evening. The
Fellowship Planning Team (Mary Willard, Morgan
Perigo and Gayle Burnison) was augmented by Kent
Burnison, Jim McMaster and Warren McCrea.
Others donated time and talents before & on the
evening --- i.e., decorating, flowers, ticket selling, and
baking …Local businesses also participated with
more people anxious to help “next time”. The end
result was NOT ONLY "rave reviews” and offers to
share in planning for the next concert, BUT a large
amount for our church. ($3,100).
Finance
Congregation Approves 2014 Budget
Approval was given at the recent Annual
Congregational Meeting for an Operating Budget with
a deficit of $45,000. This size of a deficit is not
something new but certainly is a concern to your
Finance Committee. It is manageable if we all dig a
little deeper and do our part to ensure that East Plains
continues to be a viable part of our community.
Already the recent fundraising and proposed special
projects have surpassed expectations and are a good
start to help reduce this anticipated cash shortfall in
2014.
Two other components of the 2014 budget are
expected to break even with expenses balanced to
revenues; Wider Work Fund at $46,710 and Capital
Fund at $28,000.
'The longer I live the more I am convinced that the
one thing worth living and dying for is the privilege of
making someone more happy and more useful. No
man who ever does anything to lift his fellows ever
makes a sacrifice.' O Booker T. Washington
Another positive note is that we have just received
confirmation from the Enabling Accessibility Fund that
we were successful with our 2012 application for
funding to repair the outside stoop and sidewalk along
the Dovercourt parking lot. The broken and uneven
sidewalk has been a safety concern of the Building
and Property Committee but without suitable funding
was felt to be too expensive for our limited means.
The grant will pay 75% of the estimated $17,000 cost.
Work will begin this spring.
Welcoming Teams - As the numbers of the
members are being depleted through illness and
travel, others are stepping in willingly to do double
duty, often at the last moment. Your support is
greatly appreciated. At this time we will maintain the
teams as they are.
PASTORAL CARE
Visits - Rev. Alison Nicholson and our intern, Anita
Walker, are visiting families with immediate needs. If
you require such a visit, please contact them through
the church office or use the NEW yellow FAST
TRACK TO THE MINISTER card in the church pews.
Our team of visitors has received additional training
with the hope of being better prepared when they visit
the families in their districts.
Now is the time for those on PAR to review their
automatic monthly donations. A simple call to the
office will make the changes you request.
Alam and Rasul CMAs continue to audit the church’s
financial records at no charge. We encourage anyone
looking for accounting or tax assistance to consider
this accounting firm just across the road from the
church.
John Quinn, Chair
Good Eggs - Many members of our church family
would appreciate a phone call periodically. We need
a few more good eggs to meet this need. If you
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All men of the congregation and their male friends
are invited to attend our breakfast meetings that are
held on the 2nd Saturday of each month (unless
otherwise noted). For the low cost of $5 you will
receive a delicious breakfast followed by a
presentation from an entertaining and informative
speaker. Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. and the
event is over by 10:30 a.m.
G
D
E
L
E
C
N
CA
Annuals
LE
SA
SPR
IN
Men's Breakfast Club
FLOWER
East Plains will again be running a flower (annuals)
sale in May using the same format as last year.
Clients are asked to order ahead of time and pick
up their orders on Friday May 16 (5:00-8:00 p.m.)
and Saturday May 17 (8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) at the
church. Bedding plants, baskets and planters will be
available. Contact Jim at (905) 632-0268 or email
jrmcmaster@bell.net
Please join us on:
April 12th to hear Scott Pearson, a historian with a
special interest in local railway history. His
presentation will focus on Waterdown's landscape
before and after 1910, the railway's design,
construction, stations, structures and the people who
ran it.
Ladies' Workshop
May 10th speaker is Jane Mulkewich, who will bring
together the storylines from several fugitive slave
narratives dealing with the life of an African
American slave, Sophia Pooley, who was stolen from
her parents at age seven, and purchased by Joseph
Brant when she was twelve.
Every Wednesday morning (starting at 9:30 a.m.)
the members of the Ladies' Workshop meet to
create articles for sale at the Arts and Craft Sale in
the fall.
Be sure to check the display case (outside the
minister's office) when shopping for a handmade gift.
Custom hand-quilting is also available.
June 14th speaker(s) will inform us about the War
Amp(utees) Assistive Devices division.
For Men's Breakfast,
Warren McCrea
Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy fun and
fellowship with the ladies. The coffee pot is always
on.
For the Ladies' workshop,
Inse Panabaker
FYI
Quilters
are not
Greedy.
They are just
Materialistic!
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KEEP CALM
AND
CARRY
YARN
Ministry & Personnel
Support Group
The Annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale will be
held November 1, 2014. Our excellent results from
last year’s sale will be difficult to equal. This year’s
theme is “Santa’s Workshop”.
Please contact Carol or Patti Martin at (905)
637-0250 or cpmart@sympatico.ca if you are interested
in helping with this event.
As always, working with the Support Group offers
an opportunity to use your talents. We are in need of
someone to help maintain the kitchen facilities. The
flower committee can always make use of extra
people. There is room in the golf group for more
ladies and of course we count on the support of the
entire congregation to purchase Fundscrip cards and
our delicious meat pies. Pat Vollick who coordinates
receptions would welcome extra hands.
Happy Retirement, Kevin
After 9 years, Kevin Symington has retired as our
church custodian.
We will certainly miss his
smiling face, cheerful voice, and diligent care of the
building.
Marathon Bridge participants look forward to their
annual closing luncheon.
May the road rise up to meet you,
may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
In June the Support Group will assist with the
Presbytery Dinner, additional help will be required.
Come join us.
New members are always needed and welcomed
to the Support Group.
“Many hands make light work,” so come along
and share your talents!
Worship & Sacraments
Carol Martin (Acting Chair)
Palm Sunday, April 13 –
HOLY COMMUNION at East Plains
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7 p.m.
with Rev. Joyce Pearce at West Plains
Good Friday Morning 11 a.m.
– (with West Plains) - at East Plains
Another area that is under the umbrella of the
Support Group is the purchase of FundScrip cards
for your shopping and gifting convenience. This is an
easy way to contribute to our church coffers...so... if
you haven’t participated yet - see Gayle Burnison for
more information at (905) 632-3525.
Good Friday evening (7:30 p.m.): A GOOD FRIDAY
DRAMA with guest, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson,
Moderator of the United Church of Canada with a
Question and Answer discussion following the
drama. At ForestView Church-Without-Walls,
3175 Dundas St., Oakville.
Rev. Harold Wells, Chair
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Wider Work
Many exciting events are coming up! The
participation of the Congregation is always needed
and appreciated.
Wesley Case for Kids Walk – Pledge sheets supporting walkers raise significant money to help children and youth in summer programs. (Hamilton has
one of the highest child poverty rates in Canada).
This is a fun event to participate at Bay Front Park,
supported with food, drinks, entertainment, people
with kids and dogs, etc. That’s Sunday June 1,
afternoon.
The Food Drive – For non-perishable items –
Sunday April 13 (Palm Sunday), and Easter Sunday
(the 20th). We encourage people to drop food items
(also shampoo, soap, etc.) – anytime! – into the
grocery basket at the back of the church. It goes to
Burlington Partnership West Family Support Network.
Also, monetary donations (made out to East Plains
United Church, and clearly marked for Partnership
West Food Bank) will be receipted by the church.
Dollars are very helpful, since the food bank buys in
bulk. Our representative, Al Wright, reports that there
has been a 128% increase in client numbers (263 in
February, including the new satellite food bank at
St.Christopher’s Anglican Church on Guelph Line.)
Most of this increase involved young, single men and
older single women. Over 30% of the total number of
people needing help are children.
Financial
donations were $840 less than the previous year.
There was a $4,400 operating deficit at the end of
February.
Golf for Wesley – fundraiser on Monday Sept. 8 at
Century Pine Golf Club. Call (905) 528-5629.
Sunday Dinner at Wesley – Sunday Sept. 21,
afternoon, 195 Ferguson St. North, Hamilton. We
prepare food for 200-250 people. We will need
volunteers to bring cookies and squares, prepare
food, and serve at the event.
Advocacy – We frequently ‘advocate’ regarding
situations of injustice. At present we have been
advocating to the government concerning Canadian
Mining Accountability in global south mining sites.
Close to 75% of the world’s mining companies are
registered in Canada. Many companies operate with
lax regulations, leading to gross environmental and
human rights abuses. A letter to your M.P., and other
political leaders, can be found at the back of the
church (no stamp required).
Climate Change Reading Group – meets Saturday,
May 3, at 7 p.m. (social gathering), 7:30 p.m. open
discussion. The book is ‘Fevered: Why a Hotter
Planet Will Hurt our Health and How We can Save
Ourselves’ by Linda Marsa.
ALL are welcome
(whether or not you have read the book).
Aboriginal Commemorative Event – This is
planned for June, 2015, to honour aboriginal people
buried in unmarked graves in East Plains Cemetery.
The Metis Women’s Circle have a verbal confirmation
that they have been granted a Trillium grant to
educate the community about the history of aboriginal
people in our area and their role in agriculture.
Meetings are ongoing.
Want to join our committee? We usually meet the
third Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. (but not in
the summer). You are welcome to join us.
Guest Speaker at East Plains – Sunday May 4:
Andrea Buttars, Wesley Urban Ministries staff will be
our guest. Wesley has an exciting new expansion.
John Durfey, a Wesley Board member reports:
“Wesley is the largest United Church-affiliated inner
city mission in Canada.” Come and hear about the
many programs, such as Ontario Early Years for
parents and young children, transitional housing for
teenage street youth, a drop-in centre for the
homeless, and a reception and settlement centre for
refugees. Many of the new programs are located at a
renovated, five-storey building at 52 Catherine St.
North that Wesley has rented.
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Wider Work
Building & Property
(Continues)
Volunteers are needed for the 2014 Lawn Care
program which involves mowing the grass
(boulevard + Back 40), planting spring flowers, as
well as weeding and pruning the flower beds,
including the Memorial Garden. Please consult the
lawn care schedule on our church website (go to
Ministries / Building & Property / Lawn Schedule)
and give Jim a call, (905) 632-0268, to fill any of the
empty slots.
Perennial Plant Sale – This is our major Wider
Work fund raiser of the year. Friday May 9, 2-7
p.m., and Saturday May 10, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
(That’s Mother’s Day weekend.) Our proceeds go to
many charitable and social justice groups. Thanks
to Gayle and Kent Burnison for their vital
collaboration on the sale. We include non-invasive
small shrubs, grasses, vines and ground-covers as
well. If you like to pot pants, do join us at Callie’s for
potting parties with lively conversation. If you dig
your own, label each plant and either deliver them to
773 Forest Glen, or to the church May 9, 10-11 a.m.
Let us thin your perennials, and those of your
neighbours, friends and families. We will dig from
unfrozen ground to May 1st. We love referrals,
and cover Oakville to Copetown.
Call Callie Archer, (905) 634-5858, our head digger.
Gail Lorimer, Chair
The Service Company that maintains our elevator
advised that some parts for our 20 year old elevator
are becoming difficult to find. Also, the service calls
are happening more often. As a result, we will be
hiring an elevator consulting company to seek advice
and help with any grants that may be available.
Some reasons
to divide the perennials in your garden
Keep them healthy.
Many perennials grow quickly and
form large clumps. If you don't divide
them every three to four years, these
clumps can die out in the middle,
leaving a bare hole. Overcrowded
perennials are also more susceptible
to attack from fungal diseases and
insect infestations.
Keep them looking good.
Overcrowded perennials often have
fewer and/or smaller flowers than their
well-spaced and divided counterparts.
If your perennials are drastically in
need of division, they may even
appear stunted.
Make more plants.
Dividing perennials provides you with
more plants of the same variety -perfect for donating to the EPUC
Perennial Sale!
A Spring Clean-up/barbecue and an Electronic-waste
collection is planned for this spring. Keep an eye on
the Church Bulletin for dates and times.
If you are having a problem hearing parts of the
service there are hearing assist headsets available.
They are set out at the Gathering Place. Pick one up
and give it a test drive.
The Sunday service is now being recorded in an
MP3 format. Until we can add it to our website they
will be distributed via the file sharing service at
dropbox.com. Drop by the sound room with your
email address and you can receive any Sermons you
wish.
There is an active Monday morning coffee group that
welcomes all. If you wish you can get involved in
small tasks after coffee that help keep ahead of our
Church repairs. Larger repairs are done on work
bees scheduled on Saturday mornings. Once again,
watch the Bulletin for dates.
Bill Lorimer, Chair
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Need a ride to church?
If you are not coming to Sunday worship services
because you need a ride, we will try to arrange one
for you.
Just call the church office at (905)
634-5562. If you could help out as a volunteer
driver (a commitment of about 8 or 9 times per year)
please call Ron Reed at (905) 637-3017.
Important Dates to Remember:
Badminton: Want some exercise along with good
fun and fellowship? Come to badminton in Peart
Hall and find it. Games are held on Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9 to 10 a.m.
as well as Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
For more information call the church office at (905)
634-5562.
Upcoming Special Events: (See weekly bulletin for
any changes/missing dates and times.)
April 13 - Palm Sunday & Holy Communion 10 a.m.
April 17 - Maundy Thursday at West Plains 7 p.m.
Campbell Soup Labels: The collection of Campbell
Soup labels is being organized by Inse Panabaker.
There will be a container in the Gathering Place
where you can deposit your label collection.
April 18 - Good Friday Service 11 a.m.
April 18 - Good Friday Evening 7:30 p.m.
Drama at ForestView-Church-Without-Walls,
Oakville
Used Stamps: Vera Clow is organizing this
program for the Canadian Bible Society in Hamilton
to help in their work. Please trim the stamps to
leave a 0.25-inch border, and please remember that
they cannot use ‘Flag’ or‘Queen’ stamps. There will
be a container in the Gathering Place where you
can deposit your used stamps.
April 20 - Easter Morning Breakfast 8:45 a.m
April 20 - Easter Sunday Service 10 a.m.
May 9 - Perennial Sale 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
May 10 - Perennial Sale 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
May 16 - Annuals flower sale 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
May 16 - Annuals flower sale 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
If you haven't seen our newly formatted
church website, please take a look.
www.eastplainsunitedchurch.com
Feedback is always appreciated.
June. 8 - Congregational Picnic 10 a.m. LaSalle
Park, Site 1
Personal Copy For:
NAME: ________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________________________________
VISITOR: ______________________________________________________________________________________
EAST PLAINS UNITED CHURCH
375 Plains Rd. East
Burlington, Ontario
L7T 2C7
Phone: (905) 634-5562
Fax: (905) 634-5563 (call first)
Email: office@eastplainsunitedchurch.com
Website: www.eastplainsunitedchurch.com
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