Weekly Update - April 23, 2021
Friday, April 23
Happy Earth Day yesterday with an added fresh meaning to snow in April!
Let's live our gratitude and respect by taking care of the Earth every day.
By the way, what am I growing in a glass in my front window?
Some of the kids and youth at First know. They're growing the same plant while others have planted slips which they are encouraging to root and become new plants. Easter, spring- new beginnings, new life! This was the discussion at our last Zoom fun attended by kids, youth, Heather, Sarah, Rose Ann, Harry and myself. We all continue to try and find ways to connect with one another.
Check out Small Groups Coming Alive. New beginnings, new life!
Lynne
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WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY
10:30 am sharp- Church Service- live streaming to www.firstunitedchurch.ca, Facebook, YouTube
It will then be available in all three locations to watch at another time.
Let's get together after church this week on Zoom! This is a chance to have friendly "Coffee Time" with others in our church and check in with one another. The Zoom will start at 11:15 (or so). Many thanks to Muriel for hosting us!
Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89426100259
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WEEKLY WORDS FROM THE PART-TIME MINISTER OF WORSHIP AND PASTORAL CARE
Tuesday, April 27 at 7 PM (CLICK HERE) ~ April Birthdays Celebration! A special gathering for those with April Birthdays . . . a chance to tell one of your birthday stories. Do come on Zoom and share.
April Birthdays: April 1—Joan Wescott; April 2 —Jean Kirkham and Shirley Schweitzer; April 5—Shirley Cross; April 7—Jack McFadden; April 22—Gary Facey and Gloria Bishop. If I don't have yours listed, please let me know. Thanks! (rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com)
Wednesday, April 28 at 7 PM (CLICK HERE) ~ Praying with the Elements ~ Stone and the Element of Earth invite us to remember our rootedness and how we emerged from earth and will one day return there. This practice of remembering our death is a call to claim what is most precious in our lives. You may want to read the prayer about our own death (CLICK HERE) that was shared in the April 18 worship service. This is the end of this series.
The Making and Displaying of Peace Cranes has been postponed due to the COVID stay-at-home orders. It will be rescheduled when it is safe to proceed.
Blessings, the Rev. Rose Ann Vita (rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com / 647-763-0101)
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SMALL GROUPS COMING ALIVE
Book Study
One of our “Conversations That Matter” offerings this spring will be a book study led by Rev. Disher on Brian McLaren’s “Faith After Doubt”. We will read and reflect on one chapter or so at a time for five weeks. Zoom discussion and sharing sessions will take place on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 – 3:00 P.M. May 13, 20, 27, and June 3 and 10, OR Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. May 17, 24, 31 and June 7, and 14.
Please pre-register with Rev. Disher if you wish to participate at revharryd@gmail.com or by phone, (519)-860-9198. If you do not already have the book, Wordsworth Books on King St. in Waterloo has ordered some copies.
Harry
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BOARD MEETING UPDATE
The Board held their monthly meeting on Tuesday April 13th. While we touched on a number of issues, the major topics of discussion were governance and communications. Both of these issues were raised in the Credence report and will require ongoing work.
The COVID closures and lockdowns has especially affected how we can communicate with each other and the biggest changes are moving to online worship and the Friday Letter. Both of these require a lot of time from staff and volunteers.
Worship Decision:
With the current lockdown we will not be resuming in person worship at this time. This is being considered at each board meeting. We will have a few weeks notice ahead of our first time back together in our sanctuary.
Cathie Stewart Savage
Acting Board Chair
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BOOK CLUB
Saturday, May 1 at 9:00 am. Look for the Zoom link in the April 30th Friday Letter or find it on the church website. The book selection is This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.
Copies available at Words Worth Books. They offer their usual 20% discount for the First United Book Club.
Mary Joan Brooker and Eva Mezo
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FINAL NOON HOUR CONCERT AT FIRST
For our final concert, Bruce Skelton (violin) and Joanne Bender (piano) welcomed spring with the exquisite ‘Spring’ Violin Sonata by Beethoven, followed by Sarasate’s Malagueña, a very lively Spanish dance from Malaga on the Mediterranean Coast. If you missed it on Tuesday April 20th at noon, it can still be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16m26aIfHMQ.
Once again, thanks to Harold Arnett for producing an excellent video recording.
Let’s hope that in person Noon Hour Concerts will resume at some point in the next 12 months. Thanks for watching and supporting live music.
Sharon Gowland, Concert Co-ordinator
For additional FREE concerts, visit:
https://stmattskw.com/music-at-st-matthews-concert-series-2021/
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As April winds down….
This coming week will be the last service with the “tomb” as the backdrop. Thanks to Jay Brooker and those who worked on this to make it happen. Here is a couple of the “behind the scenes’ pictures.
Greg Case
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WORSHIP IN COMING WEEKS
Sunday April 25, 2021 – Rev. Harry Disher
Sunday May 2nd, 2021 - Rev. Rose Ann Vita
Rev. Disher will be on Study Leave from Monday April 26 through to Sunday May 2, 2021. If you have an emergent pastoral care need please contact Rev. Rose Ann Vita, (647)763-0101.
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).
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RAINBOW CAMP
Connecting the dots...
When First United celebrated becoming an Affirming Congregation we were fortunate to have Harry Stewart as our speaker. He introduced us to Rainbow Camp in northern Ontario, which has welcomed young people of all sexual identities since 2012. It is important to note that Rainbow Camp has become one of the ministries we support with our special Easter offering.
Just recently Harry Stewart and Chris Southin have been given a Governor General's award recognizing "great Canadians for exceptional deeds that bring honour to our country ". They received the honour for co-founding Rainbow Camp.
Many blessings to Harry, Chris and all involved with the camp!
Lynne
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STEWARDSHIP / FINANCE
Note: The deadline for Easter offerings is April 28. We are sponsoring SHOW, The Skylight Festival and Rainbow Camp this year and all are very grateful for our support.
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Together We Stand, but Apart
