Rural United Pastoral Charge News

If you do not wish to have photos of your family that are 
taken at church functions posted to the Rural United web page please let your Clerk of Session know.
It was wonderful to see a full church on Sunday, September 10, 2023,
to welcome Rev. Martin Mwale and his family.


On Sunday, July 23, an Ice cream social was held at
Turin U.C.
to thank 
Brenda Gardiner 
for her many years
of work as treasurer of Rural United Pastoral Charge. Paul Hogg made the presentation.
​Thanks, Brenda.

Brenda and Bill Gardiner
would like to thank everyone for the lovely afternoon planned for Brenda on July 23.  
It was an afternoon of visiting
and ice cream sundaes.  
Special thanks to
Paul and Mary Hogg
for hosting the event and scooping ice cream. 
There are many people on this pastoral charge who give
so much. 
 Maybe we need more
ice cream sundae afternoons
to celebrate one another.  
Brenda and Bill very much appreciate the recognition of
her contribution to the charge.
Highlights of the Spring Meeting of ARW Regional Council
held at Stoneridge Inn on May 12 and 13, 2023.
Barbara Robbins, Betty Stirling and Wendy Kempster attended as Lay Representatives.
Greetings,
I am the President of the Hope Council. We are a funding organization that is an incorporated ministry in the Antler River Watershed Region of the United Church of Canada.
Our purpose is to help congregations (particularly smaller congregations) who sense that God is calling them to develop new ministries within their congregation and or communities.
I have enclosed a pamphlet that further explains who we are and what we do.

On Thursday May 25 at 7 PM we will be holding our Annual Meeting. We are inviting your Minister or a member, designated by your governing body, to attend this meeting to learn more about us and to report back to your congregation. You will also have the opportunity to become a member of the organization (your attendance at the meeting does not commit you to becoming a member). At the meeting we will be explaining more about what it means to be a member of the Hope Council.
Please have your minister or congregational representative email me to register for the Zoom meeting on May 25 at 7 pm. The Zoom link will be sent out to everyone who has registered on Monday May 22.

View our 2021 animated report to the ARWRC fall meeting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbh0LstZ6FQ 

Important: If you are in the midst of developing a new ministry and need start up funds, there is still time to submit a grant application. THE APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THE LAST DAY OF MAY.

You will find the application form on our website. https://uchopecouncil.ca  
​Blessings,
Arthur Hiley
____________________
Rev. Dr. Arthur Hiley
President - HOPE Council 
(An Incorporated Ministry in the Antler River Watershed Region – The United Church of Canada)
7 Coachwood Cres
London, ON N6K 3C8
519-851-5445
Rural United Pastoral Charge decided that we have a chance to celebrate our good times along with the 40th Anniversary of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. By giving a donation to this worthy cause, at the time of a birthday, anniversary, graduation or just happy to be alive in our community, YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! You can help a family grow a crop, or eat a meal, or have a safe place to live. It is OUR chance to share our family’s celebrations and help others at the same time. **Bonus $25 becomes $100 as there is a 4x match. Donations are to be made out to the church and say Foodgrains Bank on the memo line.
At the January 2023 Official Board Meeting a motion was passed to make a donation
to each of the following food outreach programs:
   Ridgetown Salvation Army Food Bank, 
Blenheim Salvation Army Food Bank 
Outreach for Hunger 
Windsor Downtown Mission 
St. Paul's-Victoria Avenue Pantry Program
Our pastoral charge is donating to each of these, and we encourage you, if you are able, to consider making
​a personal contribution to help those less fortunate in our communities.
Rural United sends sympathy to the family of Louise Scott
who passed away on January 12, 2023
at the age of 93.
Making History: Installation of the 44th Moderator 
Hundreds tuned in and gathered on Sunday, August 7, 2022 to watch the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne installed as the 44th Moderator of The United Church of Canada. 
It was a unique and historic day filled with joy, song, and moving reflection. 
Moderator Lansdowne is the first Indigenous woman to lead The United Church of Canada. 
Read the full news story.
In case you missed it, you can watch the full service on our YouTube channel. 
Many new links have been put on the "Links" page
to e-newsletters put out by the United church.
                                                                               Ukraine
                   The invasion of Ukraine is costing precious lives and creating a humanitarian crisis as people flee to safety.
                           Over a million people, displaced from their homes, are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
             Many have lost friends, loved ones, and property; struggle to meet their basic needs; and face an uncertain future.
                                 United Church Mission & Service partners are responding to the rapidly unfolding crisis.
                                                                                   Please donate.
                                                    1. Ukrainian Appeal – on-line - visit our website
                                                    2. phone toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738; 
                                                    3. cheque to: The United Church of Canada,
                                                                          Philanthropy Unit – Emergency Response,
                                                                          3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 200,
                                                                          Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4; 
                                                or 4. a donation to your church indicating “Ukraine Appeal.”
Hospital Visiting
Clergy are now allowed to visit.
If you are in hospital and wish a visit,
you have to ask your nurse contact 
Gabriella.
The gifts with vision catalogue
is available on-line.
Are you looking for meaningful gifts to give?
Shopping here is a great way to make a difference
​and show someone that you care.
​​FundScrip form
 for Turin U.C. and 
​St. Paul's U.C.
 Facebook group for Antler River Watershed Regional Council
Check it out Antler River Watershed Regional Council.

This group is a place for members of the regional council to share ideas, to offer encouragement, to update one another with congregation events! Share your Good News! Let everyone know what your congregation is doing. Invite neighbours to plays, fundraisers, BBQs, bazaars and special worship services. Let everyone know what's working.
​“KLUCK” - Kent Leaders of United Church Kommunities 
This is a gathering of leaders - lay and clergy - that take a few hours to support one another,
to talk about what’s happening in the United Church and to share information.
They compare themselves to a bunch of hens and roosters in the barnyard sharing conversation,
so that everyone within Kent remains connected. 
See Faithful Footsteps for more information on police checks.