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.
Rev. Wanda is, again, writing a weekly Reflection.
World Day of Prayer
The Churches of the former Orford Township used to take turns hosting the World Day of Prayer. At one time there were at least four of them but, for the past few years, there has only been Highgate Anglican Church and Turin United. It was to be Turin’s turn to host this event in 2021, but a one hour video has been prepared in the event we could not gather together this year.
A Media Release has been sent to the paper (see button below) which gives instructions on how to watch the video online. March 5th, at 2 p.m., is the designated time but the video can be viewed at your convenience.
Rev. Wanda will also include the information in our March announcements.
Vanuata is the country responsible for writing this service and there is additional information on the website regarding he history of this country. The video was produced by Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) and includes
participants from across Canada.
The Churches of the former Orford Township used to take turns hosting the World Day of Prayer. At one time there were at least four of them but, for the past few years, there has only been Highgate Anglican Church and Turin United. It was to be Turin’s turn to host this event in 2021, but a one hour video has been prepared in the event we could not gather together this year.
A Media Release has been sent to the paper (see button below) which gives instructions on how to watch the video online. March 5th, at 2 p.m., is the designated time but the video can be viewed at your convenience.
Rev. Wanda will also include the information in our March announcements.
Vanuata is the country responsible for writing this service and there is additional information on the website regarding he history of this country. The video was produced by Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) and includes
participants from across Canada.
The minutes of the Official Board meetings are posted below.
Annual Reports will be emailed to those with email and mailed to those without email.
Annual Congregational Meetings
There has been some confusion concerning Annual Congregational Meetings this year. Rev, Wanda had been told from reliable sources that we could forego having annual congregational meetings this year. In their place the governing body in each congregation could do that work.
At the Official Board meeting on January 27, it was decided that the Executive of each church would meet in March by Zoom and deal with any business that was critical to the operation of the church.
The next morning notice came out from the Region that resources and updates for congregational annual meetings could now be found on the website. We must still have our congregational annual meetings but we will delay ours until it is safer to be in community. The executive of each church will meet by Zoom on the dates listed below to pass the budget for 2021 and to look at any business that needs immediate attention. Those people serving in elected positions will continue in those positions
until we can have the congregational meetings an approve the slate of officers.
The annual reports will either be emailed to you or sent in the mail.
The Executive of each church consists of: congregational chair, clerk of session, chair of stewards, church treasurer, trustee rep., M&P rep. and U.C.W. rep. The clerk of session at each church will notify Rev. Wanda of who the reps will be so she can send out the Zoom link. The Executive meetings will be held on Zoom on the following dates:
St. Paul’s Executive Meeting – Monday, March 15, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
St. John’s Executive Meeting – Tuesday, March 16, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
Turin's Executive Meeting - Wednesday, March 17, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
Annual Congregational Meetings
There has been some confusion concerning Annual Congregational Meetings this year. Rev, Wanda had been told from reliable sources that we could forego having annual congregational meetings this year. In their place the governing body in each congregation could do that work.
At the Official Board meeting on January 27, it was decided that the Executive of each church would meet in March by Zoom and deal with any business that was critical to the operation of the church.
The next morning notice came out from the Region that resources and updates for congregational annual meetings could now be found on the website. We must still have our congregational annual meetings but we will delay ours until it is safer to be in community. The executive of each church will meet by Zoom on the dates listed below to pass the budget for 2021 and to look at any business that needs immediate attention. Those people serving in elected positions will continue in those positions
until we can have the congregational meetings an approve the slate of officers.
The annual reports will either be emailed to you or sent in the mail.
The Executive of each church consists of: congregational chair, clerk of session, chair of stewards, church treasurer, trustee rep., M&P rep. and U.C.W. rep. The clerk of session at each church will notify Rev. Wanda of who the reps will be so she can send out the Zoom link. The Executive meetings will be held on Zoom on the following dates:
St. Paul’s Executive Meeting – Monday, March 15, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
St. John’s Executive Meeting – Tuesday, March 16, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
Turin's Executive Meeting - Wednesday, March 17, 2021 on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
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.
The United Church and the stay-at-home order
January 14, 2021
January 14, 2021
Rev. Wanda will lead a Lenten Study using the book Entering the Passion of Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine.
This is the study started last year but not completed because of the lockdown.
It will follow the same format that was used for the Advent study - in-person on Wednesday and on Zoom on Thursday.
Please let Rev. Wanda know by January 31st if you wish to order the book ($20 - $25).
This is the study started last year but not completed because of the lockdown.
It will follow the same format that was used for the Advent study - in-person on Wednesday and on Zoom on Thursday.
Please let Rev. Wanda know by January 31st if you wish to order the book ($20 - $25).
|
Wednesday at St. John's at 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24 |
Thursday on Zoom at 1:00 p.m.
Feb. 18, 25, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 |
Highlights of ARW Regional Council Meeting
Regular Zoom Worship Services will be available most Sundays
from either St. Paul’s or Turin at 11:00 a.m. – whichever church Rev. Wanda is at.
When Rev. Wanda is not preaching on a Sunday there will be no Zoom service.
The bulletin and Zoom link will be sent at the end of the week for the Sunday service.
from either St. Paul’s or Turin at 11:00 a.m. – whichever church Rev. Wanda is at.
When Rev. Wanda is not preaching on a Sunday there will be no Zoom service.
The bulletin and Zoom link will be sent at the end of the week for the Sunday service.
Note that Book Club is postponed until further notice.
|
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.