SouthWest has Benefited from Government Programs during Covid-19

Douglas Hastie, who is the member of our Board of Stewards responsible for Payroll and Government, asked that we share the following information:

SouthWest United has benefited from two of the federal government programmes that were instituted to help businesses weather the coronavirus pandemic. The church has already received a substantial amount from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) Programme. This programme started on March 15 and is currently set to end on December 19. The programme reimburses SouthWest a percentage of our total monthly salary cost. The church will hope to continue to benefit from the CEWS programme until its expiration.
The second programme that SouthWest has benefited from is the Temporary Emergency Wage Subsidy (TEWS). This programme started on March 18 and ended on June 19. The church received a much smaller amount as the reimbursement was based on the federal income tax deducted from the salaries of our church employees, and lasted for a much shorter time period.

We are grateful for this government support during these months when we have not been able to carry out normal activities, but we have continued to pay our employees, and they have continued to work!

Music Notes: Behind the Scenes

An era is coming to an end; no more services on Wednesday afternoons! For sure, you all dutifully revved up your computers on Sunday mornings at ten to watch the online version, but starting this Sunday, services will happen live at the church at the regular time. It’s the beginning of the New/Old!

Anyway, the end of an era deserves some attention, so I thought I’d give you a glimpse behind the curtain, so to speak, and illuminate these intimate gatherings.

Every Wednesday for the past many weeks (I’d have to open up a calendar to figure out just how many) the SouthWest recording crew has assembled at the church to put together the service. We imagine you all sitting in your comfortable pews, but the church is always empty. Beryl is there of course, as am I, and most Wednesdays, Katherine rolls up on her bike with Percy in his seat behind her. Koji sets up the elaborate recording equipment (a tablet fixed to a stand he made specially for the purpose), and Amy is usually still in the office downstairs. Really, the atmosphere is very much more than pleasant.

Percy charms us all! He first dedicated himself to a detailed reorganization of all printed matter in the church, chiefly hymn books. So, if you heard the odd thump, it was invariably produced by the connection between a couple of books in freefall. He has taken crayons to draw, snacks to eat, but really, his most favourite activity of all has been to help Amy downstairs. They stuff the newsletter envelopes so they’re ready to be delivered, and Percy takes great pride in his contribution. So, if you’ve noticed a distinct absence of background sound in recent weeks, it’s because he’s having a great time with Amy in the basement!

You all know Koji, and appreciate his style, elegance, perfection, and humility. He’s simply an all-round, super nice person. He gives the sign to start, and stands calmly throughout.

What words to describe Katherine? Stylish and elegant work pretty darn well with her too. Easy-going, dependable, enthusiastic, and most of all…she sings beautifully! Katherine works from home and spends afternoons taking care of Percy. They + Sam live close by in Verdun, thus the bike. I have really, really appreciated her ability and her presence.

You definitely all know Amy! She has come up the stairs to sing as well, and once with Katherine too. Quite a treat. We were talking about kids one day, and Amy and I were recalling the days that Theo would come to the church for piano lessons. Just about every lesson started with a couple of timed races – from the stairs up to the choir and organ space to the back of the church. Now, of course, he’s a strapping six feet tall! The message to Katherine? Time goes by so quickly!

It really does.

We’re looking ahead to a return that at first will seem quite daunting to many of you. It’s been such a long time, and those old familiar routines feel like last winter’s slippers. Now they do, but once you bridge that divide between last March and this September, so much of that time-warped awkwardness will merely evaporate.

If you concentrate on the essential experience of a church service at SouthWest, you’ll be just fine, and everything will be as you remember and so wonderfully familiar. By that, I mean sitting in that familiar space, hearing the familiar creaks of the roof, looking at the sun play its way through the stained-glass windows at the front. There will be a message, and there will be music. You’ll feel the connections with those who are there, and heightened connections with those you will miss so terribly. Community.

The trick is not to dwell on the peculiarities of the experience…the face masks, the distance between people, and the sore lack of coffee and cakes afterwards. With a little luck, the weather will accommodate and we can move outside after the service, knock elbows and commune with the sky.   

The thing is, the small Wednesday service group started to gain some normalcy simply because we’d done it so often. The same will happen with our New/Old services, I’m sure. And, in a few weeks, it will seem commonplace to see Vernon and Doug with masks on, and wonder if they’re scowling or smiling!

Thank you Wednesday crew,

and Hello Sunday!

Sarah

Bible Crossword 3

This crossword, again created by Rev. Mary Taylor of St. Paul United in Westville, NS, is all about Women in the Bible. I’m embarrassed to say I only knew four of them off the top of my head, but luckily we are told where to go in the bible to find the answers! Enjoy. -Amy

A Reminder for the Re-opening of the Church September 13, 2020

For many of you, there is concern about returning to regular worship.  You, of course, must do what you what you feel is best for you and your home situation. 

However, for those who do wish to return, we must be mindful that each and every one of us is responsible not only for our own safety, but for the safety of all those who will be worshipping with us.  Please also bear in mind that the Verdun-LaSalle Baptist congregation has been using the church for the past month and have been diligent about cleaning it before use every Sunday.  We too, must respect their efforts and ensure that we allow sufficient time to clean again before their arrival.

Just a reminder of what to expect next Sunday:

·         Please do not arrive more than 15 minutes before worship begins
·         The only entry and exit point will be the front door.  Entry and exit by the side door will not be an option
·         Please arrive with your mask
·         If you have a fever, cough or any other symptom or suspect you might have been in contact with a person with Covid 19, please do not come
·         You will be asked to sanitize your hands immediately upon entry
·         You will be asked to sign a register for tracking purposes in the event of an outbreak
·         Please respect the social distancing measure of six feet when in the pews.  However, members of the same family may sit together
·         There will be no hymnbooks and a bulletin will be provided, which we ask that you dispose of after the service (you may take it home)
·         For the time being, there will not be a choir but, if possible, a soloist or musician is permitted (along with Sarah of course)
·         Access to the washrooms will be by the staircase at the back of the sanctuary only
·         Please do not use the first row of seats as the Minister and readers are required to stay well back from the congregation
·         If you are reading that week, please bring your own Bible
·         The Minister, reader and soloist must all use different microphones
·         There will be no coffee hour after worship and it is recommended that you leave the church in a timely fashion, via the front door only.

The question has been raised as to the taking up of the offering.  An offering basket will be placed just inside the sanctuary entrance so that you may leave your offering in the basket.  Thank you.

New Testament 101: 1 Timothy

Timothy travelled and worked with Paul (Romans 16:21, 1 Cor. 16:10, Philippians 2: 19).

Because of their shared faith, Timothy was like a son to Paul (1:2).  Timothy became one of Paul’s most faithful co-workers and Paul mentions Timothy in five of his letters.

Although this letter is addressed to Timothy personally, it actually addresses many of the concerns Paul had with the life of the entire church.

Guidelines are given for choosing church officials (3: 1-7), officers (3: 8-13) and leaders (5:17-20).

Christians are to pray for everyone and remember:

There is only one God,
and Christ Jesus is the only one
                            who can bring us to God.                    (2:5)

A Quick Look at This Letter

1.    Greetings (1: 1-2)

2.    Instructions for church life ((1: 3-3, 13)

3.    The Mystery of our Religion (3: 14-4: 5)

4.    Paul’s Advice to Timothy (4:6-6, 21)

Beryl

Orange Shirt Day 2020

[This is from the United Church of Canada website]

Honour children who attended residential schools.

On September 30, people all across Canada will wear orange shirts to remember and honour Indigenous children who attended Residential Schools. Indigenous Ministries and Justice at The United Church of Canada asks you to participate in Orange Shirt Day!

Why orange? Because of Phyllis Jack Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, who went to St. Joseph Mission Residential School. On her first day of school, Phyllis wore an orange shirt that her grandmother had given her. It was immediately taken away, and that marked the beginning of Phyllis’s long separation from her family and community, a separation caused by actions of the church and the federal government.

Orange Shirt Day is a time for us all to remember those events, their ongoing impact, and just as importantly, the continuing strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples. Former Healing Programs Coordinator Honarine Scott has written a powerful reflection on this.

What can you do?

1. Mark Orange Shirt Day in your community of faith on September 27

Whether your community of faith is meeting in person or online, please ask people to wear orange for a community picture, whether that’s a safely distanced group photo, a Zoom call screen shot, or a collage. Share your photos on Facebook and Twitter (include the hashtags #OrangeShirtDay, #EveryChildMatters, and #UCCan), or send them to Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton at SStratton@united-church.ca  for use on our social media pages.

A Prayer for Orange Shirt Day*

Today we wear orange
to remember and honour all the Indigenous children who went to Residential Schools.

Today we wear orange and we pray
for the Residential School and intergenerational survivors who are still struggling.

Today we wear orange and we are thankful
for those who speak the truth, and who work to shine a light on injustice.

Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of truth and reconciliation.

Help us, God, to remember and act on this every day.

Amen.

*This prayer was inspired by Honarine Scott’s Orange Shirt Day blog.

2. Wear an orange shirt on Wednesday, September 30

Whether you’re at work, at school, or at home, get out that orange shirt! Make sure you take a picture to share on Facebook and Twitter (include the hashtags #OrangeShirtDay, #EveryChildMatters, and #UCCan), and challenge your friends and family to do the same. You can also send your pictures to Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton at  SStratton@united-church.ca  for use on our social media pages.

SouthWest Service for September 6th, 2020

We're not live yet, folks. Tune in to this Sunday's pre-recorded service by following the link below (it will be available Sunday morning). There will be communion, so you should have a piece of bread, cracker, or muffin on hand, as well as something to drink. Order of communion is below so you can follow along.

Holy Communion

The Lord be with you, and also with you

Lift up your hearts, we lift them up to the Lord

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God, it is right to give God thanks and praise

Holy are you God for your mercy is endless.  You have filled all creation with light and life and your glory stretches throughout the heavens.

And we say together

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest

Your Spirit calls us now, where we are, to gather all people into our celebration and in remembrance of Jesus life we say together Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again

Send O God your Holy Spirit upon us and what we do here that we and these gifts, touched by your Spirit, may be signs of life and love to one another and to the world

And we say together -Through Christ, with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all Glory is yours God most holy – now and forever

At this table, bread is broken and wine is poured as we remember not only the promise but also the price Jesus paid for who he was, for what he did and said and for the world’s brokenness.  We taste the mystery of God’s great love for us and are renewed in faith and hope.

Blessing the Elements

The bread of our being loved and the wine of our joy stand as reminders that miracles in faith and risk continue to happen.  In thanksgiving and remembrance, we ask you to bless this bread and this wine so that, in sharing them together, we shall be your people. 

Sharing the Elements

The bread of life we eat together

The cup of love we drink as one

Prayer after Communion

For the bread we have eaten, for the cup we have shared, for the life we have received, we thank you God. Grant that we may grow in love and understanding and that our lives may be lived in faith.  Amen

Bible Crossword 2

How did you do on the crossword we ran here a few weeks ago? Try your hand at this one, on the theme of Food in the Bible! All the credit for putting them together goes to Rev. Mary Taylor of St. Paul United in Westville, NS.

Order of Service for September 6, 2020

New Testament 101: Second Thessalonians

In this letter to the believers in Thessalonica, Paul begins by thanking God that their faith and love keep growing all the time (1: 3).  They were going through a lot of troubles but Paul insists that this is God’s way of testing their faith, not a way of punishing them (1: 4, 5).

Someone in Thessalonica claimed to have a letter from Paul saying that the Lord had already returned (2: 2).  But Paul warns the church not to be fooled.  The Lord will not return until after the “wicked one” has appeared (2: 3).

Paul also warns against laziness (3: 6-10) and he tells the church to guard against any followers who refuse to obey what he has written in this letter.

The letter closes with a prayer:

I pray that the Lord, who gives peace, will always bless you with peace.
May the Lord be with all of you   (3: 16)

A Quick Look at This Letter
1.    Greetings (1: 1,2)
2.    The Lord’s Return Will Bring Justice (1: 3-12)
3.    The Lord Has Not Returned Yet (2: 1-12)
4.    Be Faithful (2: 13-17)
5.    Pray and Work (3: 1-15)
6.    A Final Prayer (3: 16-18)

Beryl