Weekly Update - August 21, 2020
Friday, August 21st
Greetings to our First United Community,
In her sermon on Sunday, August 16, Cathie Stewart Savage talked about the famine of human connections we are experiencing with Covid-19. Her hope for us is that our emptiness will be filled in ways that bring a new sense of how God is moving in our lives even when we cannot see the way forward.
On Wednesday this week, a survey about Returning to In Person Worship was emailed to the congregation. Our responses (due August 26) will help the church decide how we can provide the community and the connections that we long for at First United in the best possible ways. Are we better to be together apart or to meet in person with all the restrictions that will be in place?
https://docs.google.com/forms/
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Mary Joan
IRMA KADELA (July 18, 1930 to July 30, 2020)
“After obtaining her bachelor of arts in 1950, Irma completed a one-year library science degree at the University of Toronto and embarked on what would become a remarkable career as a librarian, storyteller, puppeteer and promoter of Canadian children’s authors.”
LIFETIMES: Waterloo Region Record, Tuesday, August 18, 2020.
Irma was engaged in her community, from membership in book clubs, to co-founder of Black Walnut Ballet, to supporting businesses in her beloved Belmont Village. Irma was an active member of First United Church for over 50 years and a dedicated volunteer at Out of the Cold and Fridays at First. We will miss her.
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). Thanks to Muriel for hosting us.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Meeting ID: 894 2610 0259
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Meeting ID: 894 2610 0259
Worship Leadership for the coming weeks
The ways you can join:
You can go to firstunitedchurch.ca for the service, First United Facebook page, or First United Youtube Channel
August 23 – Led by First United Church – Kathleen King-Martin
August 30 – Led by First United Church – Special Guest
September 6 - Eva Mezo with Kathleen King-Martin
If you would be interested in leading a worship service or in participating in some way please let me know at gregjcase@gmail.com.
Pastoral Care during the summer
Aug 16-30 Rev. Jenn Hind-Urquhart,
Emmanuel United Church,
519-635-2184 pastorjenn11@gmail.com
Stewardship/Finance Update:
There are concerns about our financial situation with all the upheaval that we have been going through. We are here to let you know that we are where we normally are at this time of the year. Summer is never a good place for us financially and this year is no exception.
However, we were expecting to be in a lot bigger hole than we are. Compared to last year at this time there is only a $3,000 difference. Both revenue and expenses decreased over $30,000 from last year. We are proud to say we have managed to keep all our staff working (with help from the Government’s wage subsidy plan). We are up-to-date on our assessment payments to the United Church of Canada as well as our Mission & Service payments and our loan payments to the Extension Council for our mold abatement problem (resiliency fund).
Our total income in July was actually $1500 higher than it was July 2019. Due to grants we applied for and received, we were able to get approximately $25,000 of repair work done on the boiler system which we really needed to complete.
There is no question that we will have some challenges ahead, as a change in ministry always signals, but with your continued support and concern I feel God’s call is with us and will see us through.
Nancy Lennox & Andy Yuan
To get your offering to the office you can use PAR, e transfer to firstunitedchurch@rogers.com, website donation www.firstunitedchurch.ca or send a cheque. Checks can be dropped off at the church mailbox which is located at the Entrance on the William Street side of the building.
Also you may send your cheque to
First United Church
16 William St. West
Waterloo ON
N2L 1J3
Reminder, credit card companies have a fee of around 3-5%. If you wish First to get the full amount, then please add that percentage to your contribution.