May the peace of Christ be with you!

Whether or not we have had a chance to meet, I want to say thank you so much for reading this newsletter.  I hope that you are having a wonderful week! 

Coffee Hour and Worship Service- Sunday August 30

Coffee Hour starts at 10 am

Worship at 10:30 am

Thanks to the new possibilities of Zoom, we are continuing to draw our circle wide during worship this August. We are excited to be joined by Knox United Church throughout the entire month and I encourage you to extend this spirit of hospitality even further and feel free to invite a friend or two to join us for worship. The more the merrier! 

It’s been a wonderful journey to explore, innovate, and experience online worship with all of you. This Sunday will be our last online worship service for the foreseeable future and I’m looking forward to taking a moment to celebrate and re-affirm our faith as we prepare for what comes next. 

Worship for August will be held online through zoom using this link, and can be joined by phone: +1 647 558 0588, enter 84186611070# when prompted. 

Supporting the Church

Donate: Although we have not been meeting in the church building for quite some time, these past few months have been a time of innovation and have challenged us to rethink the ways that we “do church”. As we continue to explore our options for online worship and adapt to the needs for in-person worship during covdi19 your support is needed now as much as always. Please click here for more information on how you can support the church financially. A very special thank you to all of those who are finding new and creative ways to bless the church with their time, talent, and treasure. Your support is what makes it possible for us to continue thriving as a church, even in the midst of these challenging times.

Volunteer: We are currently looking for volunteers who can support church re-opening such as tech support and ushering. If you are interested in offering leadership during worship, please be in touch with Michiko about reading scripture or any other idea you have in mind! 

Connect with the Minister 

I am looking forward to more in-person socially distanced visits. Please be in touch if you would be interested in having me visit your front yard or porch in the next little while. Of course, a phone call or meeting by zoom is always an option if that feels best for you. Simply hit “Reply” to this email to get in touch!

The ongoing challenges of Covid19

Did you know CBC has been running a series called Pandemic Diaries? I appreciate the way the series shares peoples vulnerable reflections about how covid19 has impacted them. When life brings us challenges without easy answers, it can be really helpful to know we are not alone in facing them. Check out a recent reflection on attending online funerals here.  

Parenting During the Pandemic

This video gives us a chance to learn a bit more about Glen Morris’ very own Meghan Gilholm and her experience of parenting during a pandemic. You can watch the video here. 

Last week I preached about Emergent Strategy. I hope you enjoy the following quotation from Albert Camus that captures the spirit of resiliency. 

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.

In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.

In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.

I realized, through it all, that…

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

 

Yours in Christ, 

Michiko