Peace be with you! 

 

Coffee Hour and Worship Service- Sunday June 28

Coffee Hour starts at 10 am and Worship at 10:30 am

Come as you are and when you are able! All are most welcome to join (pets included)! Sunday morning is your chance to connect with each other and share in worship. This is our last week of our theme Unraveled: Seeking God When Our Plans Fall Apart. May we find God, like a Holy Knitter, stitching us back together and weaving us into the intricate web of life.

Simply click here on Sunday morning. You can also join by phone! Call 1-438-809-7799 and enter 87622543532#

This week is Pride Sunday! The parades may have been cancelled this year, but the spirit of Pride is alive and well. Join us this Sunday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Rainbow attire and virtual backgrounds most welcome!

We will be singing a new hymn this Sunday. Check out this youtube video so you can be ready to sing along on Sunday morning! 

Please continue to keep the church in your prayers!

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. Please click here https://www.glenmorrisunited.ca/pages/donate for more information on how you can support the church financially.

The Future of Worshipping During the Pandemic

Although there is news this week that churches may begin in-person gathering, the Reopening Committee of Glen Morris United has decided to remain closed until September 1, 2020. At that time, we will reassess the possibilities for in-person worship.

Summer Worship Plans

We will be sharing worship services with Knox United Church this summer. Rev. Gail Fricker from Knox United will be presiding throughout the month of July and Michiko will be leading worship in August. For pastoral care emergencies, please be in touch with Rev. Gail by phone (519-793-1954) or email (gfricker@rogers.com). Currently, worship services are being shared online through: https://knoxayr.wordpress.com/on-line-worship-services/. Knox United also hosts a zoom coffee hour every week from 12 to 12:30, following Sunday morning worship. Further details about July worship will be shared as soon as they are available.

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.

Engage: Celebrating Pride and LGBTQ+ Justice

A friend of mine recently came out to her congregation as a transgender woman. Here is the video of the sermon she preached about the importance of living out our truths.

To learn more about the work of Two Spirit and LGBTQ+ justice in The United Church of Canada, you can check out http://affirmunited.ause.ca/. If you learn from storytelling, you’ll also want to take a look at Iridesce: The Living Apology project which features stories of United Church members reflecting on how the church’s 1988 decision to support the full inclusion of lesbian and gay people in The United Church has impacted them.

As I prepare to take some time for myself this July for restoration and rejuvenation, I leave you with some Christian reminders:

In the time of a global pandemic

Nothing changes       

I am still a beloved child of God       

I am still called to seek justice, walk humbly, and love tenderly

 

In the time of a global pandemic

Everything changes

God’s creation continues to reveal itself

Each unfolding challenge becomes a new opportunity to choose love

In the time of a global pandemic

Nothing changes

We share what we have, knowing that ultimately everything is a blessing from God       

We worship God by loving our neighbour

In the time of a global pandemic

Everything changes

We repent the ways we have created a world where so many are vulnerable and vow to work for the in-breaking of God’s kin-dom here and now.       

A new world of deepened solidarity emerges, and we affirm our ability to keep ourselves safe.

May you be blessed with good health, good weather, and safety until we meet again!

Yours in Christ, Michiko