Celtic Musician Stewart Burrows to lead worship this Sunday

Stewart Burrows is a singer-songwriter from Quebec who writes and performs his own brand of Celtic-Canadian folk music in English and French.  He has performed at festivals and venues across North America and Europe, and is currently a regular on the Montreal Celtic music scene.

You can add lay ministry to Stewart’s list of accomplishments; he is much in demand for pulpit supply in the Rockburn-Huntingdon-Southern Quebec region.

 This Sunday, February 3rd, Stewart will lead worship at Southwest United at 10AM. All are welcome. Bring a friend!

 Stewart Burrows est musicien-chansonnier Québécois ainsi que compositeur et performeur de son style personnel de musique celto-canadienne en français et en anglais.  Ses voyages musicaux l’ont mené à travers l’Amérique du Nord et en Europe. 

Breakfast Club News

The information that went out in the Friday newsletter was not quite correct. Riverview students will be moving in to VES for an unspecified period of time, but only the Kindergarten to Grade 4 children. Grades 5 and 6 will be housed at Beurling Academy.

Bingo!

It has been a long wait, but Bingo will be back at church on Saturday, February 2nd. Barring any more surprise roadwork or terrible weather, it will be held on the first Saturday of every month through the winter and spring. If you have anything lying around the house that you think could make a good bingo prize, please bring it along. $5 entry. Doors open at 12:00. Light refreshments available. 1445 Clemenceau street in Crawford Park.

Mini-Market January 30

UPDATE: Here is the price list for this Wednesday’s Mini-market. Voici la liste pour cette semaine.

Yes, there will be a Mini-market next Wednesday. Exceptionally, the price list is not available yet, but it will be uploaded to this space early next week. Our prices are more than competitive, so plan to come by the Mission between 10:30 and 3:30 on January 30th. Community lunch as always served at 12:30.

Minister's Message: Between Jesus' Birth and Baptism

People sometimes look at babies with fondness as they remember their own children's early years. They may say: enjoy them while you have them for they grow up quickly.

When I think of how the Sunday lectionary reading races quickly from Jesus' birth to baptism following Ephiphany it feels like the post-birth years are not important, that the only focus is on Jesus the adult. It seems disrespectful of the hard work of Mary and Joseph, the growing spiritual awareness that leads Jesus to affirm later in his life vocation and call, and the great numbers of people who cared for him in his formative years.

The years of care, love, protection, the exposure to another culture, religion and language are all foundation blocks on which Jesus' ministry will be based.

I invite you to read some of the post-manger stories from Jesus’ early years. They are not chronological and are differing episodes of his early years that each gospel writer wanted their readers to hear. You sense the influence of so many on his life, the 'village' that raised him:

• the wise ones find Jesus on Mary's lap in their rented house, in his 'terrible two' phase, Joseph supports his family as a carpenter. (Mathew 2:1-12)

• he is circumcised a week after his birth and given the name Jesus. (Luke 2:21)

• Jesus is presented in a ceremony of purification in the Temple where an offering was made. Two elderly people, Simeon the priest and Anna the prophetess spoke incredible words about him in their prayers and blessings. Mary was told he would be a sign of God for others but bring her much sorrow. (Luke 2:22-38)

• the holy family escapes the tyrant Herod and flees into Egypt for Jesus' formative years in a different culture, language and religion. (Matthew 2;13-14)

• after God speaks in a dream Joseph brings his family to Nazareth. (Matthew 2:19-23)

• when Mary and Joseph return to Nazareth Luke writes that : 'the child grew and became strong, was full of wisdom, and God's blessings were upon him.' (Luke 2:39-49)

• Jesus went to Jerusalem at Passover where he had his Bar Mitzvah at 12 years, becoming a man and reading the Torah in public. He engaged the Jewish teachers with questions and listened to them. Mary and Joseph were astonished at this. When they returned home Mary treasured all these things in her heart. 'Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, gaining favour with God and with men.' (Luke 2: 41-52)

As I read these growing up stories:

I pray for all families, parents and children.
I pray that we can together be the village that raises them well.
I pray we listen to Jesus' early years and appreciate the many who influenced his life and later ministry.
I pray that we continue to follow this one we call Light of the world, Mary's Child, Saviour.

Rev. David

To bring hope to every task you do, to dance at a baby’s new birth,
To make music in an old person’s heart, and sing to the colours of the earth!|
'I am the light of the world, you people come and follow me.'
If you follow and love you'll learn the mystery of what you were meant to do and be.
(Jim Strathdee, 1967)

Verdun Vigil planned for 2nd anniversary of Quebec Mosque shooting

On January 29th, it will be two years since six men were gunned down in their place of worship in Ste-Foy, Quebec. Many events are planned across Canada to commemorate the tragedy. Here in Verdun, a vigil is planned, just as it was following the shooting, in front of Verdun metro station (right next to Verdun borough hall), on Tuesday, January 29 at 5:30PM. This day is being named a day of Action Against Islamophobia and Racism. You are invited to bring your own candle in a show of solidarity among communities.

This week (Jan. 25-31) has been named the first annual Muslim Awareness Week in the Montreal area, with a number of interfaith events planned. the goal is simple: Getting to know each other/ Apprendre à se connaître.

Here’s just one event:
“Montreal City Mission & St. James United Church are organizing a public talk with Montreal youth leaders for Muslim Awareness Week. The panelists come from diverse backgrounds and are involved in concrete projects that respond to needs in our community. They will share how they replace the mind set of exclusion with one that embraces the 'other' as friend.”
Sonali Kamick from the CBC Radio show 'All in the Weekend', will be their mistress of ceremonies.

Find out more here:

Job Offer: Agent(e) de milieu TCFV

Sandra Bustamante, who has held the position of Agente de milieu with the Table de concertation famille de Verdun for the last year and a half, is moving on to a position with the Centre Social d’Aide aux Immigrants. Sandra has been a frequent presence at the Mission, whether at Welcome Wednesday, Meli-Melo or the Halte allaitement on Fridays, all in the interest of getting to know our families and their needs. We will miss her but wish her all the best in her new position. We look forward to working with whoever takes over as agent(e) de milieu. Could it be you?

Sandra Bustamante quitte son poste d’agente de milieu à la Table de concertation familiale de Verdun (TCFV) pour occuper un poste au Centre social d’aide aux immigrants. Sandra a été fréquemment présente à la Mission, que ce soit au repas communautaire Mercredi M’attend, au Méli-Mélo ou à la Halte allaitement de vendredi, dans le but de mieux connaître nos familles et leurs besoins. Elle nous manquera, mais nous lui souhaitons le meilleur dans ses nouvelles fonctions.
Nous sommes impatients de travailler avec la personne qui prendra la relève en tant qu’agent intermédiaire. Sera-ce vous? 

La Table de concertation Famille de Verdun (TCFV) est un regroupement de partenaires issus des milieux communautaires, institutionnels, municipal, scolaires et des services de garde de Verdun. Ces partenaires se sont mobilisés autour de la mise en place d’actions préventives visant le bon développement global des toutpetits et le soutien aux familles vulnérables dont les enfants ont moins de 5 ans.

PROFIL DU POSTE : Sous la supervision de la coordonnatrice, la personne agente de milieu aura les responsabilités suivantes :
➢ Connaître et travailler en collaboration avec les ressources de Verdun ;
➢ Identifier et investir les lieux de fréquentation des familles ;
➢ Rejoindre les familles isolées et/ou vulnérables sur le territoire ;
➢ Déterminer avec elles leurs besoins et les soutenir dans leurs démarches pour y répondre ;
➢ Orienter et référer ces familles vers des ressources et, si nécessaire, les accompagner ;
➢ Accueillir ces familles lors d’activités et les soutenir dans leur intégration ;
➢ Participer aux réunions et comités lorsque demandé ;
➢ Représenter la TCFV lorsque mandaté ; ➢ Réaliser toutes autres tâches connexes à la fonction.

EXIGENCES :
➢ Domaine d’étude et d’expérience en lien avec l’emploi ;
➢ Expérience en intervention familiale et animation de groupe ;
➢ Grande capacité d’écoute, beaucoup d’entregent et de respect ;
➢ Sensibilité aux problématiques sociales ;
➢ Capacité à intervenir en contexte multiculturel ;
➢ Bilinguisme obligatoire ;
➢ Autonomie et aptitude au travail d’équipe ;
➢ Connaissance de la suite Microsoft Office et d’Internet ;
➢ Permis de conduire et voiture : un atout
➢ Connaissance du milieu communautaire de Verdun : un atout.

CONDITIONS : Contrat débutant dès que possible et renouvelable annuellement
Horaire variable de 28h par semaine comprenant des soirs et fins de semaine.
Salaire de 20 $ à 23 $ de l’heure selon expérience et compétence.

Veuillez faire parvenir votre lettre de motivation ainsi que votre curriculum vitae au plus tard le 3 février, à l’attention du comité de sélection, par courriel : coordination.tcfv@gmail.com . Entrevues dès que possible.

Veuillez noter que seules les personnes retenues pour les entrevues seront contactées.

Mini-Market January 23, 2019

Here are the items that will be available from next week’s market at the Mission. Call ahead if you want to be sure to get your items. The market is from 10:30 to 3:30 on Wednesday. Consider joining us for community lunch at 12:30 the same day. Suggested donation of $5.

Voici les produits qui seront disponibles à notre marché la semaine prochaine. Pour être sur d’avoir les items que vous voulez, appelez à l’avance. Vous pouvez passer entre 10H30 et 15H30 pour faire vos achats. On vous invite également à partager notre repas communautaire à 12H30. Don suggéré de 5$.

Regional Council 13 becomes Nakonha:ka

So many changes have occurred in the structure of the United Church of Canada in recent years, it can be hard to keep track! The churches in the Montreal area used to be part of Montreal Presbytery, until that merged with Quebec-Sherbrooke Presbytery to become Consistoire du Quebec Presbytery. QP merged (more or less) with Consistoire Laurentien to become Regional Council 13, which included the majority of Quebec communities of faith, the exceptions being Gatineau, which went with Regional Council 12 (Eastern Ontario Outaouais ), and Gaspe, which stayed with parts of the Maritimes in Region 14. Regional Council 13 also gained many First Nations communities which were formally a part of All Native Circle.
The new Regional Councils replaced all of the Presbyteries and Conferences that we used to be part of. Now the church regions are geographical, with no cultural or linguistic exceptions. The number 13 was only ever a temporary designation until the members could vote on a new name for the regional council. This happened in November 2018, when representatives of the constituent communities chose the name Conseil régional Nakonha:ka Regional Council. The name is Mohawk and translates as “in the Eastern” or “People of the East”.
Rosemary Lambie is Executive Minister for Regions 11, 12 and 13.
Regional Council Pastoral Relations Minister for Nakonha:ka is Sabrina Di Stefano.
Communications and Administration Assistant for Nakonha:ka is Judy Coffin. 
Archives Manager for Nakonha:ka ise Beverly Anderson-Levine.
Brian Ruse is in charge of Financial Administration for the region.
Our Regional Council also has a full-time Minister supporting Youth and Young Adults (YAYA):  Shanna Bernier 

For more on the structure of the United Church of Canada, visit the UCC website by clicking below:

Minister's Message: Light in Difficult Places

Jan. 18, 2019

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows, but now the light is shining on them. 
(Isaiah 9:2)

What a hope and light-filled message.

We hear it’s resonance as of the lighting of the Christ candle Christmas Eve and carry forward that light for our lives, relationships and into the world all year round.

In a specific context, the Assyrian Empire carved out of swaths of Israel’s territory and assimilated whole tribes around 733 BCE. To a fear-filled and conquered people the prophet Isaiah shouts: Light, Liberation, Joy.

In verse 6 of the same chapter he promises: A child is born to us!

The presence of God in the vulnerability of a baby is the bedrock of Christian faith. God shines through this One who is dependent on the love of a first time young mother and the protection and care of an adopted or foster dad. This story occurs within a specific historic context: that of the murderous tyrant King Herod, the oppression of the Roman Empire and the escape to Egypt by the holy family.

Some were unwell over the holidays or in hospitals and rehab, sick and vulnerable. Isaiah says that is when the light can be at it’s most powerful, in the down times, the darkness, the places of disconnect and of weakness. I am looking for signs of light in these difficult places.

We, as communities of faith, are facing questions about our future in 2019. We will dare talk about these challenges at both Emmanuel and SouthWest this year. We live in contant change: that of our realities of ministry, stretched resources and in our specific context of decline in Quebec as ‘organized religion’. We are vulnerable, yet believe that light shines in and through us. We are determined to trust God in uncertainty, one day at a time, and be light to our neighbours and communities.

This Epiphany hymn sustains me and invites me to hope and light:

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and the shepherds have found their way home, the work of Christmas has begun.

‘I am the light of the world’
You people come and follow me!
If you follow and love you’ll learn the mystery
of what you were meant to do and be. (Jim Strathdee, VU 87)

Let’s trust God, protect the vulnerable in our midst, and be light to all with a generous and protective love in 2019.

Rev. David