October 30, 2020

Hi, First Folk! 
 
Your pile is stacking up! When you read your weekly letter, you'll find invitations galore!
 
To name a few - donating non-perishable food for the Food Bank, dreaming, listening, praying and imagining First's future, joining  our church service and coffee time, checking out Bruce Sweet's website,  gathering by Zoom with other women from First, attending an important Congregational meeting by Zoom this Wed. evening... and the invites and action go on - building gratefulness, peace and love in ourselves, our church and our community!
 
Lynne
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Drop By Food Drive October 31
 
When? - Saturday October 31 – 9am – 2pm
Where? - First's parking lot
What is happening?- Folks drop off non-perishable food
What is needed? - Volunteers to collect donations from cars
                          Contact Cathie Stewart Savage css. 2303@gmail.com or 519-589-2303
 
Outreach Committee
 
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Important Information -  Congregational Meeting - Next Wednesday November 4 at 7:00pm 
 
Dear First United Church members and adherents,
 
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but even in this time of COVID-19 the church property needs to be maintained especially in cold weather.
 
Due to the significant deterioration of First's steam boiler discovered during the summer servicing, the church board has had to make an emergency decision to replace it with a new steam boiler.
 
As acting chair of the board and congregational chair, I hereby call a congregational meeting to take place next Wednesday November 4 at 7:00pm by Zoom for the purpose of explanation of the board's decision and discussion of possible financial arrangements.
 
There will be a ratification vote to approve the actions of the board.
Rick Heemskerk 
 
 
The link to the congregational meeting
 
First United Waterloo is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Congregational Meeting
Time: Nov 4, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87070193949?pwd=NGpvNThBN1lZaU50ekV1Tk85MFFJdz09

Meeting ID: 870 7019 3949
Passcode: 516374
One tap mobile
+16473744685,,87070193949#,,,,,,0#,,516374# Canada
+16475580588,,87070193949#,,,,,,0#,,516374# Canada

Dial by your location
        +1 647 374 4685 Canada
        +1 647 558 0588 Canada
        +1 778 907 2071 Canada
        +1 204 272 7920 Canada
        +1 438 809 7799 Canada
        +1 587 328 1099 Canada
Meeting ID: 870 7019 3949
Passcode: 516374
  
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Invitation

to Dream, Listen, Pray & Imagine

 
Dear First United Church,
You are invited to dream, listen, pray and imagine regarding one key question:
  • How do you hear God calling First United today?
Because that question is big, it can be easier to break it down into smaller questions:
  • What is one thing First United could add to its life now?
  • What is one thing First United could let go of?
  • What is one thing First United could add to its life down the road?
  • What could First United do to deepen its relationship with God and one another?
As you dream, listen, pray and imagine, think big & small, blue-sky & concretely, in-the-box & out-of-the-box. Talk with one another. Pray for one minute, two minutes or 20 minutes regarding these questions. Listen. Dream. Imagine.
 
Isaiah 43:19: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” NRSV

Betty Pries, Credence & Co
 
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The Safe Start Team is fully prepared for the return to in-person worship once the Board sets a date to return. The Board will provide an update following its November 10th meeting.
 
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please let us know through our E-mail safestartfirst@gmail.com. Thanks to those who have already provided their thoughts and valuable feedback.
 
Cathie Stewart Savage (Chair), Ken Arnett, Jay Brooker, Sheena Curwood, Rev. Harry Disher, Joe Hipperson, Kathleen King Martin, John Lindsay, Ron Taylor.
 
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Social Justice Lectionary - Home 
 
Each week I post links to online articles that discuss the Gospel passage (Revised Common Lectionary) from the perspective of social justice. Please feel free to check it out.
 
Too, if you are interested, I also send out a weekly email called "Wednesday Wisdom".
Here I include what I feel are insightful quotations as well as meaningful poetry. If you 
wish to receive this mailing please let me know at brucesweet4@gmail.com.
 
Also, if you wish to speak with me in my capacity as part-time, temporary Minister of
Pastoral Care you can email or call at 519-579-8483 or 519-580-3899.
More to follow.
 
Bruce Sweet
 
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Worship in Coming Weeks
 
Sunday, November 1 at 10:30 am – All Saints’ Sunday
Sunday, November 8 at 10:30 am – Remembrance Sunday
The ways you can join:
You can go to firstunitedchurch.ca for the service, First United Facebook page, or First United Youtube Channel.
 
If you would be interested in leading a worship service or in participating in some way please let me know at gregjcase@gmail.com.
 
 
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/89426100259
+1 647 374 4685 Canada
+1 647 558 0588 Canada
Meeting ID: 894 2610 0259
 

For Pastoral Care needs please call the church office (519-745-8487) or email at office@firstunitedchurch.ca.  For our Minister of Pastoral Care, Bruce Sweet call 519-579-8483 (home) or 519-580-3899 (cell) or email at brucesweet4@gmail.com.
 
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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. Cheques 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.
 
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UCW Report
 
Greetings UCW members: Hope all is well with you and your loved ones!
Our Executive met via Zoom last Thursday – so pleasant to “see” each other and to share some thoughts and ideas.
 
Nancy presented our financial statement – our bank balance is good but funds will need to be dispersed before the end of the year. Nancy also asked that anyone wishing to update their givings (no meetings since February due to COVID) to please send them to the church office in early November so she can finalize our year-ending report.
Although we are not able to meet at the church building, the financial needs to support our mission service are greater than ever.
 
We are suggesting that it might be exciting and inspiring to meet via Zoom where we can discuss plans for the coming months. Marg Colmer-Shantz will host the event in early November at a date to be determined shortly. Please watch for details
 
ALL WOMEN OF FIRST UNITED ARE INVITED TO JOIN US !!!
 
Looking forward to sharing time with you.
 
Edith Coyle
UCW President
 
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Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread Devotional is a daily routine for Christians.  If you are interested in receiving a current copy, please contact the office at 519-745-8487 Ext 201 or by email office@firstunitedchurch.ca.    I have copies of Sept-Nov 2020 and Dec to Feb 2020-21(small print) and Oct-Dec 2020 (large print).

 
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Claxton Fruit Cake
 
The K-W Civitan Club has disbanded. Paula Roberts a member, sold the famous Claxton Fruit Cake as a fundraiser for them.  Paula will NOT be doing that this year.  T.S.C. (Tractor Supply Company) will carry them.  They have it in already! The website is tractorsupply.com. 
 
Many thanks to everyone who has supported this fundraiser in the past. 
Paula Roberts
 
 
Together We Stand, but Apart