Invitation to Worship at General Council

May 1, 2018

Dear United Church family,

Something special is happening at the 43rd General Council this year, and you and your congregation are invited! The opening worship service is being held on Sunday, July 22, starting at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

We are inviting visitors from across Canada to join us for worship, with a special invitation to the churches in and nearby Oshawa, Ontario. Please consider relocating your worship service that morning and join General Council commissioners, visitors, and international and ecumenical guests in Oshawa. Imagine how wonderful it would be to sing and pray with up to 2,000 people!

This General Council is being co-hosted by All Native Circle and Bay of Quinte Conferences. This unique collaboration will be reflected throughout the week and will be beautifully embodied in our opening celebrations. 

If you are unable to attend the opening worship in person, consider following along online with the livestream from GC43 on the United Church YouTube channel.

Let’s celebrate God’s presence together!

You are also invited to another new feature for GC43 called the Festival of Faith. All day Saturday, July 21, and Sunday, July 22, there will be events, concerts, displays, workshops, artisans, and fun as we celebrate the wonderful faith and diversity of our church. The mass opening worship service on Sunday morning is just one feature of the weekend.

The 43rd General Council is being held on the campus of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) located at 2000 Simcoe St. North, Oshawa, Ontario, from Saturday, July 21, through Friday, July 27.

We hope you will be able to join us in person or online for some or all of this exciting week. And we trust that you will be holding all of the commissioners in prayer throughout the week as we seek to discern and respond to God’s call to the church at this time.

May God continue to bless you and your faith community as you carry out the mission and ministry of Christ where you are among your neighbours.

Peace and grace to you,

Jordan Cantwell
Moderator/Modératrice
The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada

Minister's Message: Future Directions

SouthWest's annual meeting was not only a recognition of the work of 2017 but also an opportunity to speak openly about its future. The investment from the sale of Verdun United is being slowly depleted and if we make no change to current spending there will be no more monies in it by mid 2019. A short report called Future Directions 2018 recognized that last year our income was $90,000 short of our expenses.
I remember the conversations and deep emotions as Crawford Park and Verdun United faced the realities of their future and decided for amalgamation in 2007.
Our Mission Plan opened us to our wider community and incarnated a generous gospel in our words and deeds. We are not the same as we were 10 years ago. We are living a vibrant model of outreach and are evolving into something different as a community of faith. How do we fund our vision? What is God leading us to become? Where will we be next year?
Doing nothing is not an option and concrete ideas are on the table as of the April 8th congregational meeting: sharing ministry with another congregation, evaluating the value of our existing church and manse, looking at how the Mission could be incorporated like St Columba House or Montréal City Mission, and engaging our membership, adherents and those benefiting from our services in fundraising.
I am pondering these options and praying for guidance, wisdom and the energy needed to move forward into new ways of being church, living our mission and loving all those who journey with us and need our ministry.
Pray with me as SouthWest engages in conversations, fundraising and a process of decision making.
We are a resilient community and have a deep faith that the God of our ancestors is alive and in our midst.
One of my favourite hymns says:

All my hope is firmly grounded in our great and living Lord;
who whenever I most need him, never fails to keep his word.
God I must wholly trust, God the ever good and just.
                                                  (Words, Joachim Neander, 1680, VU 654)

We were never alone, we are never alone, thanks be to God!

Rev. David

Please request a copy of the Future Directions 2018 report or the full annual reports by calling at the office.

Meet 'n' Mix/ Méli-Mélo April 29

Once a month we gather in community to share a simple meal, a prayer, a game or activity, and lately: some drumming! We may not know exactly what we`re doing, but the drums are here, and kids and adults alike seem to be drawn to the "circle". 

This Sunday at Meli-Melo we will also be remembering the Battle of Ypres, fought in the First World War. The same afternoon, Rev. David will be at the Verdun Cenotaph (in front of borough hall) at 2:00pm as we partner with Legion #4 for the annual Ypres commemoration and parade. Rev. David  is the "Padre" for Legion #4.

Minister's Message: We Appreciate Our Volunteers!

I thank my God for you every time I think of you; and every time I pray for you all, I pray with joy because of the way in which you have helped me in the work of the gospel from the very first day until now. (Philippians 1: 3-5)

April 15th to 21st is National Volunteer Week in Canada.
We estimate that, each year, over 100 people volunteer in some capacity at SouthWest. We are grateful!

How do we even begin to say thanks for the hundreds (thousands?) of volunteer hours:
- Welcoming at the door, living hospitality
- Collecting and counting the offerings, keeping our accounts in order
- Preparing food for fellowship time and washing up afterwards
- Cooking, serving and cleaning up after meals on Welcome Wednesdays
- Creating cards for shut ins; visiting, phoning those unable to get out
- Setting up for community events, manning tables and being the cheerful face of SouthWest
- Helping organize weddings and baptisms
- Ordering produce
- Passing the broom, the mop, the sponge
-Shovelling snow and putting down salt
- Greeting a newcomer, sharing a smile, singing in the choir
- Praying for those in need, comforting the sick and holding the hand of the dying
- Sorting through donated clothes, books and other items
- Picking up and delivering food and other items
- Writing reports, filing
- Keeping the plants watered and the space tidy
- Giving a lift, being kind to the stranger
- Organizing Christmas joy for children
- Contributing your time and talents, showing God's love in word and in deed

May God bless the hands that do good to all.
that love as Jesus loved with care, generosity and joy.
Bless all hands, and in particular the hands of our volunteers!

Rev. David

Family-Friendly Music Sunday

This Sunday: April 22 at 10 am at the Church.

Music with a smile for everyone!

This is the first Sunday Challenge as well: We invite you
to invite someone you know, who doesn’t usually (or ever!)
come to a Sunday Celebration at the church.
You can tempt them with:

Wonderful hospitality
Great music
Delicious cakes and cookies

All in the warm and friendly atmosphere of SouthWest, 1445 rue Clémenceau, Verdun.

See you Sunday!

The Music Team

Minister's Message: Vision

How do you fund a vision of generous community?

In 2017, SouthWest adopted a vision: We provide a table where all are welcome, with food for body, mind and spirit. Nous procurons une table où chacun trouve de la nourriture pour le corps, l’âme et l’esprit; une table où tous sont les bienvenus.

It was the culmination of many years since SouthWest was renamed in 2007, as both a Community of faith and a generous presence to our neighbours.
Community, what a powerful feeling. That sense of belonging, living with brothers and sisters through the highs and lows, the pain and joys, through all the seasons of life. It is a powerful thing to be loved unconditionally and to know that you are not alone. My faith affirms that God is with us always, in the fabric of our lives and relationships. When I live this faith with others it seeks to accompany, walk alongside of, to serve.
After the resurrection of Jesus his disciples began expressing their belief that he was alive in their midst and continuing his vision of incarnated love in their witness and service to the needs of people around them. They were acknowledged because of their generous care and community involvement and many were won to their cause.
Hear this story from the book of Acts (2: 42-47, NIV).
Jesus' followers...”devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number...”
The commitment of the early disciples to have everything in common enabled them to meet the needs of their neighbours. It is a good thing in changing times to have a vision and to express it in action. It is a big commitment to live as Jesus did in community of faith and among our neighbourhoods.
SouthWest has the challenge of how to fund our vision of a table for all with food that nurtures the body mind and spirit. We are both a worshipping community (church) and a community service provider (mission). Both are about Community!!
As a community of faith that is engaged in the needs of our neighbours we need to enlarge our donor base and to find new sources of revenues to provision the tables of hospitality.
Let’s find the way of speaking about money and fundraising so that we can continue serving.
Let’s live in this journey together.
Let’s share what we have for a common good.
And in so doing be a place of belonging for all.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.
Rev. David

On Humboldt

Note from Nora*

April 10, 2018

Last Friday night, our hearts were still full of the joy of Easter’s glorious resurrection when news of the terrible bus crash near Tisdale, Saskatchewan took us back to the depths of Good Friday’s sorrow and confusion.

The Humboldt Broncos hockey team was on its way to a semi-final game when a transport truck collided with the team’s bus, leaving a wreckage of twisted metal and broken bodies. Life changed in an instant for the families, friends, and communities of the 15 who died, and for those who were injured. Everyone who survived the crash, including the driver of the transport truck, will remember the horror of that night forever.

Photo: The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

How does one make sense of such a thing? What does one say about something so senseless?

Krystal Sheremeta, President of Saskatchewan Conference, (and minister in Nipawin where Friday night’s game was to have taken place), offered beautiful words of comfort in the message she posted on Saturday. She wrote of God’s heart being the first to break, and said, (and this is just part of her powerful message):

“Today as our souls cry out in shock, grief, and heartache, as we are overwhelmed by the devastation again and again, we are assured that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. When no words will suffice, when our prayers are the tears and stunned silences, we know these too are holy. We weep with those who are grieving, and lift prayers of lament with all those whose souls cry out this day.”

One of the teenagers who died, Brody Hinz, was an active member at Westminster United in Humboldt. A huge sports fan, he was delighted when he was chosen to be the Broncos’ team statistician. His minister, Brenda Curtis, who now is preparing for his funeral, told me that the notes, cards, Facebook postings, emails, and texts, (more than she can personally respond to) that have arrived over the past few days, are “a literal outpouring of love from our United Church right across Canada… and are giving us strength here at Westminster United to keep going… to keep ‘being the church’ in our community and for our grieving families.”

Brenda was one of the clergy who led the vigil on Sunday night that was held in the Humboldt community arena, and broadcast to the nation on CBC. I am not sure whether she had turned to our New Creed when she was trying to figure out what to say, or if those words are just so deeply embedded that they came out when Brenda was searching for how to pray at such a time. She invited everyone present to reach out and take the hand of someone next to them, explaining, “In a few minutes, when we go our separate ways, I want you to recall the touch, warmth, blessing of that hand, to remind you that you are not alone, that we are not alone….”

And then she prayed to our holy and merciful God, “As we leave here, help us to know that in times of tragedy when we can see no way through the pain, help us to know we can put our trust and our faith in you. In life, in death, and in life beyond death, you are always with us tender God, encouraging us, loving us, and opening a path of healing for us all.”

On Good Friday, we grieved with the assurance that Easter would come. My prayers today are with all of those in Humboldt and with the families and communities of each of those who were killed or injured, praying that they will be held in God’s warm embrace during this time of deep pain, and that, in time, they will come to know joy once again. 

God is with us. Thanks be to God.
 
Nora

*Nora Sanders is the General Secretary, General Council of the United Church of Canada. To subscribe to the Note from Nora, or other UCC e-newsletters, go to http://www.united-church.ca/newsletters

Pastoral Care Team Training

Family Life Centre presents : Pastoral Care Team Training

Friday, April 20 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Saturday, April 21 from 8:30 AM to 4 :00 PM

at Cedar Park United Church
204 Lakeview Avenue, Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4C5

Refresher for pastoral care visitors, clergy, and anyone working in caring professions.
Training for those who might want to join a pastoral care team in their congregation.
This seminar will also be of interest to everyone who wishes to learn more about listening with the heart, honouring silence during conversations on difficult topics, and extending a compassionate hand to friends, family or acquaintances.

Learn more about listening, specifically to those in palliative care (and their families), those who are grieving or dealing with difficult diagnoses personally or with their loved ones (physical and mental health), those facing acute or chronic illness, and those who are housebound due to age or mobility.

The seminar includes presentations by experts, role-play (for those who feel comfortable), sharing of best practices on practical help, and small group discussions on connecting in meaningful ways in this fast-paced, largely technology-based world while maintaining safe boundaries.

$24 per person, includes materials, refreshments and lunch.

Open to all.

Pre-registration is essential by April 16.

Minister's Message: The Greening of the Earth

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome ran from the tomb, distressed and afraid. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.  - Mark 16: 1-8

One could say it is slow in coming each year, the interplay between the ending of winter and the arrival of spring. More sunshine, then cold, gardens starting to sprout then wind and snow. Back and forth like a tug of war.
The resurrection story in Mark's gospel is profoundly human. It is not the full blown Easter joy of the other Gospels but rather the slow greening of the spirit. It is a story of encounter with the emptiness of both tomb and spirit.
The women who go to the tomb find it empty, hear the angelic proclamation "he is not here, he is risen," then run away "distressed and terrified." And instead of sharing joy they say nothing to anyone because of their fear.
This is not the more regimented religious version that accommodates the need for certainty and explanation: the one that goes so quickly from death on the cross to resurrection joy and leaves one with whiplash.
There is progression in the greening of the spirit just like in the greening of the earth. There is room for fear, distress and disbelief. There is not always an immediate turn around, but the slow converting to the light of each place in our hearts, minds and spirit. Resurrection may be an immediate moment but letting the stone be rolled away from my heart takes time.

May I let Life touch my fears, questions and distress.
As the earth is renewed this springtime may I be slowly greened in my faith.
Let the greening begin in me o God!

- Rev. David

When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain,
your touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
love is come again, like wheat arising green.
                            (VU 186, John Crum, 1928, to the tune of Noël Nouvelet.)

Minister's Message: Easter Greetings 2018! Joyeuses Pâques 2018!

Sing praises to the Lord, O you God's saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:4-5)

I want to shout it and live its joy: the celebration of resurrection and the promise of new beginnings!

Easter parallels the end of winter and the transition of seasons. We can only appreciate its radical joy after the night of tears. We come to the empty tomb only after the pain and sadness of Good Friday for there is no resurrection without death. As the sun warms our faces and the frozen earth, we see hope realized in the snow drops and other spring flowers.

Death and resurrection, winter’s cold to springtime blooms: all are part of our lives and their seasons. We live in faith community the emotions of passion as the drama of Christ’s last days is relived in liturgy and worship. Out of suffering and death, the love of God raises Jesus to new life.

En cette fête de Pâques, fête du renouvellement de la nature et de nos esprits, nous sortons de l’hiver avec un profond besoin de crier: Alléluia!! Pendant le Carême, nous avons suivi les pas de Jésus dans le désert, un chemin de choix et de sacrifices difficiles à comprendre  pour nous en 2018. La vie vient après la souffrance, la joie après la longue nuit de pleurs, la résurrection après la croix. Oui, nous fêtons, mais toujours après avoir enduré de dures réalités.

Que Pâques remplisse vos cœurs et vos relations de la joie de la résurrection. Quand on vous dit : Christ est ressuscité, criez à pleins poumons : Alléluia!!

May the God of resurrection touch our lives with new life and renewal: Alléluia!

Rev. David Lefneski
SouthWest

Thine is the glory, risen conquering Son:
Endless is the victory thou o'er death has won.
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes where the body lay.

Craindrais-je encore? Il vit à jamais,
celui que j’adore, le prince de paix;
il est ma victoire, mon puissant soutien,
ma vie et ma gloire : non, je ne crains rien!              (VU 173)