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

Musical Salon this Sunday

We are hoping to make this a recurring event, providing a venue for anyone interested in performing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, so come check it out, whether you like to listen or perform (or both!)  Doors open at 7:45PM. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Liz Lacroix

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.

Celebrating Creative Kids in our Community

The Suspicious Fish gang would like to invite you to their upcoming Book launch and public reading of the latest Suspicious Fish Anthology on April 14th at The Church of the Epiphany.

Founded in 2007, The Suspicious Fish Creative Literacy and Arts program is a registered non-profit organization, which currently operates out of Verdun Elementary School. The program is built on a foundation of encouragement, where the students are given the opportunity to express themselves through creative writing mediums such as the writing and developing of short stories, script writing and film production. While objectively guiding the growth of the students’ abilities in writing and exploring their creative talents, the program focuses on skills that go beyond the scope of a classroom.

The program provides a safe space for the students to write about topics personal to him or her, meanwhile fostering a setting where each student’s process of discovering their voice can become unique and personal. Each student gains a sense for their own narrative as they deal with the multitude of challenges that come with growing up in an inner city environment.

As inner city schools have looked to engage their students from a socio-emotional perspective over the last few years, Suspicious Fish continues to play a key role in creating a platform for progress in that. In addition to focusing on socio-emotional development and literacy skills, the program also aims to strengthen community by encouraging the approach that stories have an impact when it comes to sharing the wide range of backgrounds and experiences that our members bring to the program. Through this, we also believe that stories do have an impact when it comes to influencing the policies that directly impact community. The program currently targets elementary school students and averages roughly 40-45 students in the class each year. As the program continues to grow, we plan to integrate community members of all ages and backgrounds.

The Church is at 4322 Wellington street. The event begins at 1 p.m. and will feature readings of the children's stories and community activities run by students from McGill's Urban Design course. 

Mini-Market April 11

Every second Wednesday you can buy fresh produce at the Mission at very competitive prices. The fruit and vegetables are delivered that morning and the market is on from 10:30AM to 3:30PM. Most items are sold by weight so you can buy as little or as much as you need. Join us next Wednesday, the 11th of April. Click on the button below to see what will be on offer this week.

Community Notes

Easter activities were well attended, with over 175 people supporting, Good Friday, Sun Rise New Fire, Resurrection Breakfast and Easter Sunday Services.

Thank-you to all who help coordinate with music and voice,  food, transportation, set-up, clean-up, Easter eggs on the front lawn, donations and your gentle presence!

Resurrection Breakfast on Easter Sunday

SHOUT OUT!
We are planning a SouthWest Spring Fling on Saturday May 12 at the Mission, volunteers needed and welcomed! We would like to “sell tables” for artisans to sell their wares! Foodie tables welcomed as well!

Would you like to sponsor a table for someone or perhaps support the Spring Fling Snack Bar.

All proceeds to support Breakfast club, SW Children special events, our food projects and supporting community in economically challenging times.

Spring Cleaning for the SW Spring Fling?  We are looking for kitchen items and household items, appliances, tools, sports items, intact toys, games and puzzles – if you have any big items, please contact Darlene or Sheila.  

A BOOST PLEASE
There is a gentleman living alone on a fixed income in our community. He is undergoing oral cancer treatments and is in need of BOOST (with protein preferred), if you have some to spare or have coupons for BOOST – contact Darlene.

COMMUNITY SHELVES
SouthWest has been supporting several newly arrived families into the area with food and clothes, plus with March being a long month and many children home over Spring Break, several emergency baskets were put together, thus, the SouthWest community shelves are in need of canned items, pastas, cereals and dry goods. All donations are welcomed! Drop them off at the church, or Mission or if you have a few bags of groceries, contact Darlene for pick-up.

Mini-market is seeking recyclable grocery bags. If you have any to donate, please drop off at the Mission. Large Planters are also needed. If you have any to give, please drop off at the Mission, or call the office.

Nota bene: When we get donations we need to store them, so if you have a few large plastic storage  bins to offer please let the office know and arrangements can be made to pick them up.

- Darlene

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.)

5 à 7 for the English-speaking community

Rev. David is President of the Anglo Family Council (AFC), and this meet-and-greet on April 12th is a great way to get the word out about SouthWest as well as to learn about other English and bilingual organizations and services in the area. Refreshments will be provided by our SouthWest Kitchen Coordinator.

Invitation

Please join the Anglo Family Council as we host a community 5 à 7 on Thursday, April 12th 2018 at the SouthWest Mission, 631 rue Melrose, Verdun.

The AFC envisions a healthy English speaking community, that is fully integrated into Quebec Society. As a public organization, we rely on local partnerships to improve community vitality, while sharing and disseminating information, ensuring the English speaking community can adequately access social health services.

On April 12th we look forward to meeting and reconnecting with valuable organizations and individuals in Verdun. Working and communicating together will ensure the best quality of services offered to local residents. Please bring along any information, pamphlets or brochures from your organization to share, as we will have an information table.

Please RSVP to jillianr@ccs-montreal to confirm your attendance. We look forward to seeing you then!

SouthWest Bingo April 7

That eagerly awaited first-Saturday-of-the-month is nearly here! Get ready for Bingo, April 7 at the church! Cost at the door is $5, which gets you your first bingo card and a ticket for the (cash) door prize. Additional bingo cards can be bought for 50 cents. Doors open at 12:00, play begins at 1PM and refreshments are available (donations gratefully accepted). Please note that this is in the basement of the church, at 1445 rue Clemenceau in Crawford Park. Good luck!