Friday May 7, 2021

Dear First Folk, 

My walk on Wednesday morning started off on a dreary note. As I walked, bemoaning to myself that the sun was nowhere to be seen, I made the decision to imagine the sunshine cheering up my day. The picture above shows what happened next- a little sunshine and blue sky surrounded by heavy gray clouds!

We can't always depend on the sun, but we can take time to notice all the other ways that light shines into our lives. As well, we too are able to be light for others.

Lynne

WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, May 9 at 10:30 AM Worship: This week we are celebrating Mother's Day with special participation from the United Church Women and Family Day with sounds from our own Children and Youth. Our scripture comes from Isaiah 43:8b-18 where we will hear that God has inscribed us on the palms of God's hands so we will never be forgotten. It will also be a time for us to remember all the women of First United who have died since 2019. (You may want to invite their family members to come to worship.)

Register for Worship and Coffee Time by CLICKING HERE.

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

Slavery in Canada, Wednesday, May 12 at 6 PM: The McMichael Art Gallery has a virtual tour of the art of Denyse Thomasos which brings a deeper understanding of our history. (CLICK HERE)

Grief: I saw an interview with Elizabeth Warren who had recently run for president in the States. She lost her brother to COVID and wrote in her book, Persist, p. 89:

Now the news came in sharp bursts-- from an overworked nurse, to a frightened wife, to me

He's in trouble.
He won't make it through the night.
He's better.
He ate a little bit.
He's sitting up.
He's calmer.
He's going to pull through.
He's failing again.
His fever is worse.
He's gone.

Don Reed died alone. No wife. No sons. No grandchildren or brothers or sisters.

Persist!  Persistence is what we must embrace. We need to persist to get through this l-o-n-g pandemic. And sometimes we need one another to help us through. If you need a someone to be in touch with you on a regular basis, please contact me. Either myself, or someone from the Pastoral Care Team will be in touch.

Pray: Next week our Region is holding its annual meeting. Please keep this gathering in your prayers so that they may be guided by the Spirit's wisdom in their decision-making.

Interested in Membership? Or knowing more about the United Church? Just contact me or Rev. Harry Disher (revharryd@gmail.com) and we will find time to have a conversation together.

Blessings, the Rev. Rose Ann Vita

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

UCW GATHERING NEXT MONDAY - SHOW AND TELL BY ZOOM 
All women of First are invited to be part of our Monday, May 10 UCW gathering at 1:30 pm. Let’s get together and share!  Sorry, there won’t be tea and coffee unless you make it yourself. However we will be able to share smiles, support for one another and ‘a feast of treasurers’.   A little business, a little worship and lots of time to talk about our treasures.

To join the UCW meeting on Monday May 10 - CLICK HERE
Hope you can join us in community!
We are so blessed. 

Lynne

BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN FOR MARILLAC PLACE
This Sunday is Mother's Day, so it is time to support new mothers and their babies through Marillac Place. In the past, Irma Kadela would be smiling over a display table, but sadly she is no longer with us, and moreover we can’t gather in the hall. But we can still support a cause so dear to her via digital or mailed donations.

Marillac Place provides expectant and new mothers with shelter and the material and emotional support they require for their own and their babies' health. Moms are encouraged to continue their education and are taught the life skills they need to raise their children.

Please give to Marillac Place so that Moms and their babies have a better chance of a rich and stable life. You can click the link to arrange a single or monthly payment. Or mail a cheque directly to Marillac House.

Marillac Place, 109 Young St. Kitchener Ontario, N2H 4Z2
https://marillacplace.ca/donate

For more information, please see the Poster

Marilyn Gerriets on behalf of the Outreach Committee

BOOK CLUB
The Book Club will be meeting again on Saturday, June 26 at 9:00 am. The next book selection is Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore.

We know all about Christ's birth, and even more about Christ's death, but what do we really know about Jesus' formative years? Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal is resurrected in the 20th Century, by the angel Raziel and held captive in a New York City hotel room until he records a new gospel.

Words Worth Books will have some copies in by the end of next week (at a 20% discount). Please consider supporting our local Bookshop.

Greg Case

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 by Sunday May 9 at the latest via email: revharryd@gmail.com or by phone: (519) 860-9198. If you do not already have the book, Words Worth Books on King St. in Waterloo has ordered some copies.

Harry

Let’s Talk About It - Broadview Magazine Discussion Group
Starting again Wednesday, May 19 at 10:00 am on Zoom. We’ll be talking about articles in the March and April/May issues.

Please join us. Further information is available here on the church website or by contacting Walt at waltbrooker@gmail.com

Walt

Technology Support- Using Zoom
Some members of the congregation have requested assistance with technology, specifically in using Zoom. Short, interactive group sessions, with time to try things out, ask questions, jot down notes etc. will be offered online.

If you are interested, please send an E-Mail to john.lindsay67@rogers.com. Group dates and times will be communicated based on the number of responses received.

John

WORSHIP IN COMING WEEKS

Sunday May 16, 2021- Rev. Rose Ann Vita

Sunday May 23, 2021 – Rev. Harry Disher

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).

APPROVED BOARD MEETING MINUTES

March Minutes now posted here

STEWARDSHIP/FINANCE

We have added a column to our Financial bulletin so you have information that you can compare this year’s numbers with and give you a better picture as to where we stand.

Thank you for your generous support of our Easter Campaign. We have raised $2,248.78 to be divided between our three projects, Supportive Housing, Rainbow Camp and Skylight Festival.

Well Done!! Thank you!!

Nancy Lennox

 

Month of April

April YTD

YTD Prior Year

General Fund Local

$15,955.00

$54,192.76

$61,100.26

Wage Subsidy Grants

1,667.56

6,395.48

0.00

Other Operations

8,449.83

33,141.92

28,272.76

Mission & Outreach

5,427.12

15,195.12

15,538.00

Total Income

$31,499.51

$108,925.28

$104,911.02

Salaries & Benefits

25,738.64

92,423.69

91.595.43

Other Expenses

10,395.84

39,812.74

41,709.18

Mission & Outreach

5,427.12

15,195.12

15,538.00

Total Expenses

$41,561.60

$147,431.55

$148,842.61

Excess Income/Expenses

$(10,062.09)

$(38,506.27)

$(43,931.59)

Capital Income

47,470.50

150,793.02

34,763.22

Capital Expenses

38,365.02

146,879.35

16,616.48

Capital Excess Income/Expenses

$9,105.48

$3,913.67

$18,146.74

Mother's Day M&S Gift! This year think about giving a gift to the United Church's Mission and Service Fund which helps families in need at home and abroad, supporting things like prenatal and parenting classes, respite care, medical clinics, safe shelter, education for children, and the United Church Women's Zambia Project. With your donation, (CLICK HERE) you will receive an E-Card that you might send to your mother or a woman you want to honour. Please remember to credit First United Church, Waterloo, for your donation. Blessings!

Together We Stand, but Apart

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