October 9, 2020
Dear First United Folk,
Happy Thanksgiving! The wonderful bright autumn colours give us reason to pause and be grateful.
Included in our Friday letter are a couple of ways for us to show our gratefulness to our community. Look for Outreach's plan for a "Drop-by" Food Drive and the Stewardship/Finance Committee reminding us about our Fall Thank Offering and the worthy causes we support.
Many blessings, Lynne
" Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." - Melody Beattie
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Drop-by Food Drive October 31How spooked are you about no trick or treating this Halloween? Are you looking for something to do instead? Are you missing buying treats to hand out? Here is a chance to provide a different type of treat! Food for families in need! And, for a lucky few, on a first come, first served basis, a chance to wear a costume while you help gather donations at the church. We are looking for people, preferably families or those already in contact with each other, to be at the church on Saturday October 31 from 9 am until 2 pm to accept donations of non-perishable food. If you can come for an hour or two that day, please contact Cathie Stewart Savage, css2303@gmail.com or 519-589-2303 to volunteer. How we think it will work is people can drive into the parking lot with their donations either in their trunks or back seats. The volunteers will collect the donations and leave them in storage for a week to ensure they are safe. We are all struggling this year, and helping others can help us feel like we are supporting our community. Outreach Committee
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Renewal& Revitalization
The package of information including the videos from Credence & Co. is now available on our church website at www.firstunitedchurch.ca Follow the links through
Interim Ministries to Overview to Program Discernment & Revitalization.
Muriel
(on behalf of the renewal committee)
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A Message from Your Safe Start Team
Your Safe Start Team is actively working toward a time we can safely meet to worship. We are already able to have small groups and limited rentals and we hope to continue to progress even though the second wave of COVID-19 is upon us and many rules and regulations are becoming more strict.
While we are sure you have all heard this before, your Safe Start Team would like to remind you that the two most important things you can do to stay safe if you are in the community are to wash your hands often, wear a mask and keep your social distance!
If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions for the Safe Start Team, just click on the following safestartfirst@gmail.com to send us a message directly.
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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Worship in Coming Weeks
Sunday, October 11 - Thanksgiving
Sunday, October 18 - Special Service from our WOW(Western ON Waterways Region including Rev, Kellie McComb's ordination.
Services information will be available on our website at www.firstunitedchurch.ca when it is available.
Sunday, October 25 - Zoom Worship led by Betty Pries followed by Conversations that Matter.
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.
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Stewardship/Finance Update
Financial bulletin – Just a reminder that at the Annual Meeting we voted to designate our Thank offerings this year to Vera’s Place and Shalom Counselling Centre. Special envelopes will be coming with a copy of your statement of givings up to the end of September.
Vera’s Place – A dry house for women recovering from substance abuse. An independent organization from Emmanuel Church and in partnership with the House of Friendship. It is the first and only home of its kind in Waterloo Region and one of the first in Ontario.
Shalom Counselling Centre – provides counselling services for a broad range of concerns, to people from all walks of life, backgrounds and belief systems.
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18
Nancy Lennox
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Rev. Disher will be on vacation next week (October 12-18). In case of pastoral emergency or need please contact Rev. Bruce Sweet (519) 579-8383 [Home] or (519) 580-3899 [Cell].
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