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.
taken at church functions posted to the Rural United web page please let your Clerk of Session know.
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Pastoral Care for August
Please contact Gabriella Cutler at 519-437-1138 with any concerns. Rev. Wanda will be on holidays for the month of August |
Hospital Visiting
Clergy are now allowed to visit. If you are in hospital and wish a visit, you have to ask your nurse to contact Gabriella or Rev. Wanda. |
Read Rev. Wanda's June Reflection.
At the January 27, 2021 meeting of the Official Board, it was decided that we would ask people of the congregation to write to government officials in support of the guaranteed basic income. Bill C-273 is a private member’s bill introduced by Julie Dzerowicz, a Liberal member from the Davenport constituency. The first reading of the bill was on Feb. 22, 2021 in the House of Commons. The bill has a long way to go to become law if that is to happen.
At the Official Board Meeting a motion was passed to donate $500.00 to each of the following food outreach programs:
Ridgetown Food Bank –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Blenheim Food Bank –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Outreach for Hunger –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Downtown Mission –
We donate 100 meals twice a year to this mission in Windsor which is an outreach mission of the United Church of Canada
CK Mobile Market –
This is a mobile food market that prepares 340-360 bags of food each week. Most of the food is purchased locally from farmers and wholesalers. The mobile market travels to 13 communities each week and offers these bags to anyone who needs one at a cost of roughly $15.
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.
Ridgetown Food Bank –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Blenheim Food Bank –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Outreach for Hunger –
Supported every other year by our Stuff-a-Bus Campaign that we have not been able to have.
Downtown Mission –
We donate 100 meals twice a year to this mission in Windsor which is an outreach mission of the United Church of Canada
CK Mobile Market –
This is a mobile food market that prepares 340-360 bags of food each week. Most of the food is purchased locally from farmers and wholesalers. The mobile market travels to 13 communities each week and offers these bags to anyone who needs one at a cost of roughly $15.
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.
The Official Board met on Wed., April 28 and decided on the following dates for our Annual Congregational Meetings:
Mon., June 28 – Turin at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Tues., June 29 – St. John’s at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Wed., June 30 – St. Paul’s at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Mon., June 28 – Turin at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Tues., June 29 – St. John’s at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
Wed., June 30 – St. Paul’s at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
The minutes of the Official Board meetings are posted below.
Social Justice Initiative - from Rev. WandaJustice:
At a time when it is difficult / not possible to carry out our outreach projects the Official Board decided that our pastoral charge will become involved in the efforts to support a guaranteed livable income for all people in Canada.
Poverty can happen very quickly and can happen to anyone under the right conditions. There are many people in our country struggling to make ends meet and not just because of the pandemic. There are many working at minimum wage jobs. For those people one emergency with financial implications can leave them without money for their basic needs.
There is a growing movement in Canada among our elected officials and church denominations calling for a guaranteed annual income, also referred to as a universal basic income. This would allow all people to live with dignity regardless of their work status.
At this time, we are asking you to pray for those who are living on the shaky ground of worrying about their finances every day and what event might put them into real financial difficulty. I have enclosed a template of a letter/email that can be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others. I have also enclosed a list of others that you could contact. Keep in mind that one letter carries little to no weight in the government, but many sent will begin to get their attention. It is also important to remember that social justice work is difficult because we are trying to change systemic injustice and injustices change very slowly.
For those of you wanting to read more, information can be found on the United Church website at https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/create-universal-basic-income-program.rThe template can be downloaded from there as well.
I am gladdened of heart that we have decided to confront this issue, work for a more just society and that we have heard the cries of a vulnerable sector of our society.
May we continue our journey of doing the work of Christ’s disciples.
At a time when it is difficult / not possible to carry out our outreach projects the Official Board decided that our pastoral charge will become involved in the efforts to support a guaranteed livable income for all people in Canada.
Poverty can happen very quickly and can happen to anyone under the right conditions. There are many people in our country struggling to make ends meet and not just because of the pandemic. There are many working at minimum wage jobs. For those people one emergency with financial implications can leave them without money for their basic needs.
There is a growing movement in Canada among our elected officials and church denominations calling for a guaranteed annual income, also referred to as a universal basic income. This would allow all people to live with dignity regardless of their work status.
At this time, we are asking you to pray for those who are living on the shaky ground of worrying about their finances every day and what event might put them into real financial difficulty. I have enclosed a template of a letter/email that can be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others. I have also enclosed a list of others that you could contact. Keep in mind that one letter carries little to no weight in the government, but many sent will begin to get their attention. It is also important to remember that social justice work is difficult because we are trying to change systemic injustice and injustices change very slowly.
For those of you wanting to read more, information can be found on the United Church website at https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/create-universal-basic-income-program.rThe template can be downloaded from there as well.
I am gladdened of heart that we have decided to confront this issue, work for a more just society and that we have heard the cries of a vulnerable sector of our society.
May we continue our journey of doing the work of Christ’s disciples.
On Sunday, January 17, the Pastoral Charge held the Covenanting Service
with our two new Congregational Designated Ministers.
Betty Stirling is assisting as Worship Leader and Gabriella Cutler is assisting with Pastoral Care.
with our two new Congregational Designated Ministers.
Betty Stirling is assisting as Worship Leader and Gabriella Cutler is assisting with Pastoral Care.
Note that Book Club is postponed until further notice.
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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. This year’s catalogue is filled with gifts that don’t need wrapping or tags, just your love. |
FundScrip form
for Turin U.C. and St. Paul's U.C. |
In order to maintain patient confidentiality and privacy,
there is no longer a Denominational List at CKHA available to clergy.
As a result of this change, Rev. Wanda will no longer
be visiting at the hospital unless she knows someone
from the Pastoral Charge is in hospital.
Please contact her if you wish a visit.
there is no longer a Denominational List at CKHA available to clergy.
As a result of this change, Rev. Wanda will no longer
be visiting at the hospital unless she knows someone
from the Pastoral Charge is in hospital.
Please contact her if you wish a visit.
The United Church of Canada has put out an appeal for the COVID-19 Global Response.
The Untied Church has already contributed $20,000 from their Emergency Response fund to assist in countries
where hunger, poverty and limited access to health care are normally high concerns but are more so with the virus.
If you wish to contribute here are the ways to do that:
a) through the United Church website (a secure site for donations) – www..united-church.ca/covid-19-global-response;
b) by phone – 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738;
c) by mail – The United Church of Canada, Philanthropy Unit – Emergency Response,
3250 Bloor St. W., Suite 200, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4;
or through your church treasurer with the cheque made out to your local church –
be sure to note on your cheque “Emergency Response – COVID-19.
The Untied Church has already contributed $20,000 from their Emergency Response fund to assist in countries
where hunger, poverty and limited access to health care are normally high concerns but are more so with the virus.
If you wish to contribute here are the ways to do that:
a) through the United Church website (a secure site for donations) – www..united-church.ca/covid-19-global-response;
b) by phone – 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738;
c) by mail – The United Church of Canada, Philanthropy Unit – Emergency Response,
3250 Bloor St. W., Suite 200, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4;
or through your church treasurer with the cheque made out to your local church –
be sure to note on your cheque “Emergency Response – COVID-19.
We have been planning a Facebook group for Antler River Watershed Regional Council
and now seems like the right moment to launch it.
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.
and now seems like the right moment to launch it.
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.
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.