Friday December 10, 2021

 

 

 

Dear Advent Friends,

Possibilities and Opportunities - lots of interesting events to attend in-person or online and ways to be challenged and involved within the church and in the larger community around us!

I keep coming back to a verse from Psalm 97 that we read and discussed at Praying with Scripture this week,

                                "Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God's people, 

                                 Joy-seeds are planted in good heart-soil."

Something to wonder about .....

 

Lynne

 

 

COFFEE AND TEA BEING SERVED

Coffee and tea are being offered by First United at the corner of William Street and King Street from about 9:30 to 10:25 on Sunday mornings as an outreach project. Shirley Irish and Marilyn Gerriets are serving. The general public and the congregation are welcome.

Shirley and Marilyn

 

 

FIRST UNITED COVID RECOVERY 

Things are changing rapidly as we move along the recovery path. 

At First United we are slowly and carefully following the recommendations for returning to a full operation of our many ministries and programs. 

Worship is happening in the building, small groups are starting to meet in person, many of our renters are back and our staff is starting to feel a little less lonely! 

We continue to ask for verification of vaccine for attendance at our services. Please note that the verification we are asking for would include proof of exemption and cannot apply to those too young to be vaccinated. We continue to require wearing a mask inside the church building. 

Sunday mornings we continue to use only the double doors off Waterloo Square parking lot and the William Street Hilliard Hall doors. For weekdays, the weekday entrance from our parking lot is the one you should use. The doors will remain locked most of the time, so ring the bell for the office to let you in. 

 

Your Safe Start Team:

Cathie Stewart Savage (Chair); Ken Arnett; Jay Brooker; Sheena Curwood; Rev. Harry Disher; Joe Hipperson; Kathleen King Martin; Ron Taylor.

   

 

 

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

 

Sunday December 12th    -  First Sunday in Advent and Communion

To join the online service please   CLICK HERE

At 4:00 pm come celebrate HAPPY HOUR CHURCH and COMMUNION with Harry Disher  CLICK HERE

 

WORDS FROM THE PART-TIME MINISTER OF WORSHIP AND PASTORAL CARE

"Joan" the Baptist ~ Last Sunday Joan Westcott brought us a message that caught our attention -- the need for us to speak out on Gender-Based Violence within our own neighbourhood. She has provided us with local resources where you can add your voice in addition to the ones you'll find at the bottom of this link (CLICK HERE).

Local resources from Joan

 

The Message and the Messenger: Here is an interesting post from the United Church. (CLICK HERE)

Tuesday, December 14 at 2 PM ~ CARING COMMUNITY.  This informal group gathers to support one another by sharing stories and thoughts derived from life experiences. This month we'll be meeting on Zoom (CLICK HERE).

Tuesday, December 21 at 7 PM ~ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION ~ (Zoom - CLICK HERE) December Birthday People, let's get together to share one of our birthday stories. These gatherings have been fun, and many found it a wonderful way to get to know more about one another. If you have a birthday this month, please let me know. Thanks!

Worship

  • Sunday, December 19 at 10:30 ~ (CLICK HERE) "If Jesus Lived Inside Me"
  • Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service at 10 PM on Zoom (CLICK HERE) on Friday, December 24th. You may want to have some communion elements ("bread" and "wine") and a candle handy. You may also want to sign on at 9:30 PM for a social time before we begin worshipping together.

My Office Hours: I will be at church on Tuesday in December 14 & 21 and leading worship in-person on December 19. Please contact me if you would like to drop by or have me visit you. I will also be at the December 13th UCW Gathering at 1:30 PM on Zoom (CLICK HERE)

My Time Away and Pastoral Care Emergencies: I will be away from the church from December 27 until January 14. During this time, please contact the office (519-745-8487) or the Rev. Harry Disher (519-860-9198) for Pastoral Care Emergencies. And know that you are welcome to call or email at other times if you would like to talk with me.

Remember you are blessed to be a blessing!

The Rev. Rose Ann Vita

(647 763 0101 and rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com)

 

 

 

BIDDING AT FIRST

The bidding is over…..

and First’s 2021 online auction has brought in just over five thousand dollars for the church operating funds.  Thanks to all who donated items, all who shared information about the auction with friends and family and all who spent some time bidding on items. Particular thanks go to Deb and Bryan Hughes for offering time at their cottage and to Muriel Omand-Naylor who sourced 29 of the items donated by businesses in addition to providing four donations from her kitchen. 

We regret that there are a few people who did not get all of their choices as they were overbid at the last minutes of the auction. (But the last bidders are happy.) We gather that many of the homemade foods may already have been consumed.

Thanks to Muriel Omand-Naylor and Lynne Blake-Dickson for their assistance on pick-up day.

Joan Westcott

 

 

CHRISTMAS TURKEY TROT II ORDER - DEADLINE SUNDAY DEC 12, 8:PM (ONLY 2 MORE SLEEPS)

 

We have well over 100 people who know they will have a turkey dinner with all the trimmings from Deli Works to enjoy as of Saturday December18.

If placing your order is still on your to –do list, you have until this Sunday December 12 to call: Pauline at 519-884-8357 or Muriel at 519-746-2566.

We can handle up to 200 orders, so feel free to share with neighbours who might appreciate the treat and convenience as much as we do. Since the main meal can be frozen, you may consider ordering more than one dinner.

We are asking for all payments to be received before the pick-up time.

Thanks to everyone who has chosen to participate.

 

Muriel & Pauline

 

OUTREACH REPORT

HOLIDAY MEAL

This will be our 25th Annual (almost!) Holiday Meal. We missed last year due to the pandemic.

We are still under some restrictions, and we do not want to put anyone at undue risk, so we have modified the way we are doing this for 2021. We hope to get back to a full celebration for next year!

Our meal will be offered to the community from 12:00 to 1:30. It will be a takeout format and guests will walk through the hall and pick up a prepackaged meal to go.

We are asking the congregation to support us in a few different ways.

DONATIONS (to be at the church by Sunday December 19):

We would like donations of store-bought cookies for the desserts. (Unfortunately, we cannot handle larger desserts or home cooking at this time)

We are asking for individual juice boxes to go in the dinner bags.

We can always accept cash donations in lieu of food donations, with any donations above our costs going into the Honsberger Outreach Fund.

VOLUNTEER NEEDS

  • Monday Dec. 20 10:00 am 3-4 people – Packaging dessert boxes
  • Wednesday Dec. 22 10:00 am 5-6 people – Preparing hash brown casseroles
  • Friday Dec. 24 10:00 am 2-3 people – Packaging coleslaw and buns
  • Monday Dec. 27 11:30-1:30 12-14 people – Various opportunities including preparing dinner bags, passing them out and directing the guests through
  • Monday Dec. 27 12:15-until done 2-4 people – Cleanup including dishes and serving areas.

If you would like to volunteer, please email Cathie at css2303@gmail.com

Marilyn Gerriets, Dave Parrott, Eric and Kathy Saunders, Cathie Stewart Savage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCW GENERAL MEETING -  MONDAY, DECEMBER 13 AT 1:30

 

 All women are welcome to a special Christmas season gathering. We'll begin with a devotion and a discussion of the distribution of the UCW funds to support various ministries, followed by a simple game (have paper, pen/pencil, and a place for 15 responses). During Teatime ("bring" your own tea and cookies), we'll discover how we each learned about Santa Claus and end with a video of our handbell choir from the November 30th Noon Hour Concert. 

 

To join our meeting via Zoom  (CLICK HERE)

 

Edith Coyle - 519-744-9066 or

Marg Colmer-Shantz - 519-884-2525.

 

SMALL GROUPS

LET’S TALK ABOUT IT - Broadview magazine discussion

December 15 from 10 to 11 am.

In October we talked about the October/November issue so will be discussing the December issue at this next meeting. We are happy to welcome new participants. The Zoom information will be on the website.

Walt

 

 

WHO WANTS TO JOIN THE TRANSITION TEAM? - We have a busy year ahead and need some new members to join our team!  This is your opportunity to add your time and talent to this important, short-term initiative.

We would love your input!  For more information or to say “Yes – Count Me In!”, please contact Debora Smith at 519-588-3436 or deborasmith396@gmail.com

And Remember ...

 

In addition to valuing and considering our building and property as an asset

(Not an albatross), we will also consider:

  • People assets of talent and ability
  • Community connection assets
  • Financial assets
  • Spiritual assets

By freeing our imaginations, we will endeavor to create several visions for future engagements in ministry and mission that our congregation can undertake and feel a sense of God’s calling and Spirit active among us.

This is only the start!

 

PLEASE JOIN IN … YOUR VOICE, YOUR INPUT MATTERS

 

Thank you from your Transition Team,

Cathie, Greg, Shirley, Mary Joan, Harry, Debora, Carol

 

 PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE

 

The Praying with Scripture Group usually meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am via Zoom each week.  We have decided that the Tuesday morning group will continue to meet through December and on into 2022.  But the Thursday morning group will take a short break and begin again on Thursday January 6, 2022.

Maybe you'd like to try a taste  of being part of this group in 2022! We are happy to welcome new folks any time.

Want to hear more about it. I'd enjoy chatting with you.

 

Lynne Blake-Dickson

lynneblakedickson@gmail.com

(519-744-5012)

 

BOOK CLUB

 Next Book Club Selection - "Klara and the Sun" by Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro

Saturday January 8th, 2022 at 9:00 AM

Click here to find out how to join!

“The Sun always has ways to reach us.”
 
From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass in the street outside. She remains hopeful a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans.
 
In Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro looks at our rapidly changing modern world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator to explore a fundamental question: what does it mean to love?

Words Worth Books will have some copies in  (at a 20% discount). Please consider supporting our local Bookshop.

 

Greg Case

 

 

 

 

Sunday December 12

10:30 am – Advent III

Worship

4:00 pm – Happy Hour Church                 

Via Zoom

Sunday December 19

10:30 am – Advent IV

Worship

Friday December 24

6:30 pm – Christmas Eve

Worship in the Sanctuary and Online

10:00 PM – Christmas Eve

Worship and Communion via Zoom

Sunday December 26

10:30 am – Christmas I

Worship

Monday December 27

Noon – 1:30 pm – Community Holiday Meal

Sunday January 2, 2022

10:30 am – Christmas II

Worship

 

CHRISTMAS EVE AT FIRST

Join us either in person or online for our Christmas Eve Service at 6:30 PM. It will have something for everyone of all ages with Music, Stories and Scripture. More details will be available on our Website

For a more meditative service there will be a Christmas Eve Communion Service on Zoom at 10:00 PM. More information about the service can be found on https://www.firstunitedchurch.ca/events/christmas-eve-communion-worship-on-zoom/2021-12-24  

If you are participating in online worship for Happy Hour Church on December 12, and/or Christmas Eve service at 10:00 pm, we will be celebrating communion and you will need to have your own bread/gluten-free alternative and wine/juice prepared and ready wherever you are viewing worship from on those occasions.

You can always view the weekly service by going to the webpage each Sunday morning, or you can see previous live streams at firstunitedchurch.ca/live.

If you would be interested in leading a worship service or in participating in some way please let me know at gregjcase@gmail.com.

For Pastoral Care needs please email the church (office@firstunitedchurch.ca).  For our Minister of Pastoral Care call Rose Ann Vita 647-763-0101 (cell) or rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com (email).

Rev. Disher will be on vacation from December 13 through December 20.  In case of pastoral care need or emergency please contact Rev. Rose Ann Vita, 647-763-0101.

Interested in Membership? Or in knowing more about the United Church of Canada? Just contact Rev. Harry Disher (revharryd@gmail.com) or Rev. Rose Ann Vita (rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com). They will be happy to find a time to have a conversation with you.

 

WAYS TO DONATE TO FIRST UNITED

You can get your offering to the church office in several ways:

  • You can use PAR, or
  • E transfer to firstunitedchurch@rogers.com, or
  • Website donation to www.firstunitedchurch.ca, or
  • Send a cheque to First United Church, 16 William St. West, Waterloo ON N2L1J3, or
  • Drop a cheque into the mailbox located at the Entrance on William St. side.

 

**Just a reminder- credit card companies have a fee of around 3-5%. If you wish the church to get the full amount, then please add that % to your contribution. **

 

 

 

STEWARDSHIP/FINANCE

 

 

Month of November

November YTD

YTD Prior Year

General Fund Local

$18,866.56

$179,734.79

$175,794.54

Wage Subsidy Grants

0.00

9,815.18

29,464.67

Other Operations

12,837.06

85,126.61

64,747.67

Mission & Outreach

4,394.00

40,520.12

43,501.00

Total Income

$36,097.62

$315,196.70

$313,507.88

Salaries & Benefits

24,723.30

259,911.32

212,761.60

Other Expenses

6,791.21

93,253.26

83,858.90

Mission & Outreach

4,394.00

40,520.12

43,501.00

Total Expenses

$35,908.51

$393,684.70

           340,121.50

Excess Income/Expenses

$189.11

$(78,488.00)

$(26,612.62)

Capital Income

  4,291.20

162,434.26

51,153.22

Capital Expenses

13,059.01

160,318.65

58,800.48

Capital Excess Income/Expenses

$(8,767.81)

$2,115.61

$(7,647.26)

 

Reminder:  The Christmas envelope collection is dedicated to the World Development and Relief part of the Mission and Service Fund, which is used by the United Church for immediate support in times of crises and disasters around the world.

Thank You!

Nancy Lennox

 

 

FRIDAY LETTER

The Friday Letter will continue but will not be produced every Friday.  It will be produced every two weeks.  In the table below are the dates for the Friday Letter.  We are also including the dates when we would like to receive articles for these letters.

 

DATE OF THE LETTER

DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES TO BE SUBMITTED

Thursday December 23rd , 2021

Monday December 20th end of day

Friday January 7th, 2022

Tuesday January 4th end of day

Friday January 21st, 2022

Tuesday January 18th, end of day

 

 

 

 

CHURCH OFFERING ENVELOPES FOR 2022

 

In preparation for the coming year.  Please contact the office 519-745-8487 Ext201 or office@firstunitedchurch.ca as soon as possible if you would like 2022 Offering Envelopes.

 

Thank you

Sheena

 

WE MADE A LIST.  PLEASE CHECK IT TWICE!

 

Donations to First United that are to be included in your 2021 tax receipt must be received in the office on or before close of Business on December 29, 2021.

 

PREPARATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT

All groups and committees preparing information for the Annual Meeting on February 27, 2022, are reminded of the following timelines:  

 

Tuesday January 11, 2022   All written reports are to be sent electronically to the church office.  office@firstunitedchurch.ca

 

Please submit Financial reports to treasurer, Andy Yuan  lyxyuan@yahoo.com

 

 

  

CHURCH OFFICE CHRISTMAS HOURS

 

 

The Church Office will be CLOSED:

      Friday, Dec 24

      Monday, Dec. 27

     Tuesday, Dec 28

      Friday, December 31, 2021

     Monday, January 3, 2022

 

The Church Office will be OPEN:

Thursday, Dec 23    Regular Hours   

Wednesday, December 29     Regular Hours

Thursday, December 30    Regular Hours

Tuesday, January 4     Regular Hours

 

 

 

 COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS  

                                                                                                  

You’re invited to MT Space’s AGM

It is almost time to wrap up our year with our Annual General Meeting (AGM)! All are invited to attend as we reflect on the past year and look forward to 2022.

We'll have a special presentation from local artist and presenter Cara Loft and local flamenco guitarist Juneyt.

Additionally, MT Space is looking for Board Members! Should you be interested in joining our Board of Directors, please drop us a line at info@mtspace.ca.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

We can’t wait to see you all (virtually) once more before we head into a new year!

EVENT DETAILS

MT Space Annual General Meeting (Virtual)

Monday, December 20th at 6 pm

Register Now on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mt-space-annual-general-meeting-2021-tickets-222267426857

There is so much to be excited about as we look forward to 2022, so stay tuned and we will bring more your way soon.

 

Sincerely,

 

The MT Space Team

             

 

 

INVITATION FROM PARKMINISTER UNITED CHURCH – THE LONGEST NIGHT WORSHIP SERVICE

You are invited to Parkminster United's Longest Night service on Tuesday December 21st at 7 pm. It's for anyone who is grieving or lamenting for any reason at this time of year. Anyone who wants company, a reflective service, and some comfort is welcome.

You can attend either in-person or via Zoom/Facebook. If coming in-person you'll need to show proof of double vaccination status, identification and contact tracing info. 

 

Here's the link:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82460750406. 

Please do not put this link on social media.

Take care.

 

Joe and Heather

Ministers at Parkminster

275 Erb S. E., Waterloo

 

Together We Stand, but Apart