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Signs of Spring: Flowers emerging from their winter slumber outside Glen Morris United Church (photo taken April 5, 2020)

Greetings 

My siblings in Christ, 

Peace be with you! Happy Easter! May this letter find you in good health and good spirits. I am so grateful that so many of you were able to come together online for worship this past Friday and Sunday. It is so spectacular to see so many willing to try something new and eager to offer support where and when possible. 

As we continue to do the challenging work of sorting out plans that have unravelled, new and old stresses, and grieving what has been lost - I hope you continue to find ways to center yourself in grace and compassion. We believe in a God who accompanies us in all our challenges, who loves us no matter how put together or undone we are, and knows our worth (that is not determined by the earthly ways we judge ourselves). I am honoured to continue to walk alongside each and every one of you during this time.

I feel I am managing the new reality of working from home quite well and remain grateful that I have a very disciplined partner to keep me inspired to greet the day enthusiastically (although I usually don’t join him on his 6:30 am bike rides). I am enjoying new hobbies, like learning how to play video games, and happy to be rewatching some well-loved TV shows such as The Good Place. Of course, the dancing continues as always.  

Staying Connected

Coffee Hour - Sunday April 15th at 10 am

Join us on zoom for a “bring your own coffee” community gathering time. This has been a wonderful way for all of us to keep in touch with one another and share important life updates. Simply click here on Sunday morning at 10 am to share the peace of Christ with one another and share how you’re doing.

NEW:You can also join by phone! Call 1-438-809-7799 and enter 88024485751# when prompted. 

Hymn Sing - Sunday April 15th at 10:30 am

We are going to try something new this week! Members of our wonderful choir will be sharing some of their favourite hymns and you are invited to sing along. Feel free to sing your heart out or simply soak in the good music. To join, click here on Sunday morning. You can also join by phone! Call 1-438-809-7799 and enter 88024485751# when prompted. You can also join by phone! Call 1-438-809-7799 and enter 88024485751# when prompted. 

Prayers of the People

Please know that you may send me your prayers and prayer requests by email or by phone call at any time. 

Offering 

One of the ways that we remain connected to our community is by offering our time, talent, and treasure. I want to thank the many people who are offering companionship and care during a time of increased isolation for many. Have you had a chance to join the Facebook group? If you are able, please continue to support the church financially during this time. Our building may be closed but the work of the church continues! 

Ability, Disability and Covid19 

I am grateful to share with you the voices of people with various disabilities who bring their own unique insights of how to understand the covid19 pandemic through the lens of disability. When I think about how Jesus’ ministry so often was with people who lived on the margins of society it inspires me to continue to seek out ways the Spirit is present and at work amongst marginalized communities such as those with disabilities. Click on the links below to read the full articles. 

COVID-19 has forced us to reimagine time. This isn’t bad. by Miriam Spies

A Letter to My Abled Friends By Isabel Abbott

Spiritual Practices 

Being With Fear: A Meditation Guide from Re.Pose Therapy

We are aware that there is a lot of fear and anxiety for many of you right now, even for those of you that don’t usually get triggered by health concerns. There is an energy of fear in the air that is affecting all of us on some level right now. We want to leave you with some thoughts to hopefully help you navigate this time.

  • Fear is a normal response when we feel threatened in some way. It is biological to feel fear in times like these. Our nervous system can kick into a sympathetic mode of fight, flight or possibly freeze when we feel there is a threat.
  • Every response to unpredictable events looks different in every person. How our brain is wired through our childhood experiences of unpredictable events determines how our nervous system responds. We cannot expect others to respond the way we are. There is no formula for this.This is a time when we need to respond with deep compassion. Compassion for ourselves no matter how we are experiencing this, and compassion for others in our sameness and difference.

Click here for a step-by-step meditation guide.

Musical meditation: We Rise Again

In case you missed the anthem from Easter Sunday, here is a choir of doctors from Toronto singing a well-loved Rankin Family classic.

Online worship

Many United Churches are offering their worship services not only on Sunday morning but can be viewed any day of the week through their websites or Facebook pages. Check out this interactive map to find churches across the country that are streaming their worship services. I would be delighted for you to be learning and worshipping with our fellow communities of faith.

May The Peace of Christ Be With You on This Day and Always

A Waldensian Blessing

O Lord, you have said to us, “Peace I leave with you.”

The peace that you give is not that of this world:

it is not the peace of order, when order oppresses the poor;

it is not the peace of silence, when silence suppresses pain;

it is not the peace of resignation, when resignation bows to injustice.

Your peace is love for all people, justice for all people, truth for all people— the truth that liberates.

Lord, this is the peace you promise:grant us your peace,and we will share it with the world.

 

Yours in Christ,

Michiko