Weekly Announcements
Work and Witness of the Church
Sunday, March 8, 2020
Today at Cummer Avenue:
Activities for Children to do during the service: Colouring sheets and craft materials are available at the back. Please ask an usher.
Opportunities to Grow in Faith and Community
Reading Group: Thursday, March 5, 12:30 pm. A member of the group will introduce three books that she had a large part in writing.
Lenten Study: Thursday evenings, March 5 to April 2, 6:15 - 7:15 pm. The sessions will be held on-line via Zoom.
Flower Arranging: Saturday, March 21, 9:30 am – 11:30 am. Join us for another great workshop! Refreshments provided. Feel revitalized and refreshed, working with beautiful fresh flowers, and learn some basic skills in flower arranging! New this year: a colourful power point show is included. Cost $25, covers your flowers and all materials (subsidy available). Max. 15 participants. Please see sign-up sheet at the back of the church. For more information, please speak with Heather or Karen.
Broadview Discussion Group: Tuesday, March 17, 7:15 pm. Our March meeting will discuss the March issue. The cover page article ‘New Traditions’ addresses International Women’s Day, March 8 with an article on gender inequality with particular reference to Africa. The group will decide which other articles they would like to discuss. So many varied articles reflecting Broadview’s mandate to focus on ‘Spirituality, Justice and Ethical issues’ as well as the section on ‘United Church in Focus’. All are welcome! Questions? Call Janice Coles.
From Change to Resiliency…an Art Therapy Workshop: Saturday, March 28, 9:00 to 12:00 noon. We will look at living through the many changes and transitions that come into our lives…some of our choosing and some not. We’ll look at how these changes affect us, and will learn about being resilient in the midst of change. All of us go through changes: children moving away, loss of someone dear to our heart, moving from a family home into a residence, change in quality of personal health and sometimes even the loss of dreams and hope. We are very fortunate to have Sharlene Friedman, who is a Registered Psychotherapist, and a Registered Canadian Art Therapist, lead us through this time of exploration and learning – sharing her many gifts and skills with us. Please mark the date now and join us! Add your name to the sign-up sheet at the back of the church. See Karen or Heather, with questions.
Affirming Team: Sunday, March 15, after worship. We’ll gather in the Friendship Room after fellowship time to receive the presentation from the Implementation Team.
Broadview Magazine: The Cummer Avenue Congregation provides an every-household subscription for Broadview Magazine. If you wish to receive this award-winning magazine, please confirm your name and mailing address with Janice Coles , no later than Sunday, March 22. If you wish to assist in the cost of providing Broadview, you may make an additional donation as part of your offering, using your regular envelope. Simply write “Broadview” and the amount in the “other” category. CAUC pays $25 for each subscription.
John Dominic Crossan - Human Evolution and Christian Faith …The Meaning and Challenge of Resurrection: Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4. Come experience a weekend of listening, learning, and conversation with renowned biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan, as he leads us through a new understanding of Jesus’ experience of Holy Week and Resurrection, and the wisdom of Eastern Christianity. Based in part on his 2018 book, Resurrecting Easter: How the West Lost and the East Kept the Original Easter Vision, and 2006 book, The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus's Final Week in Jerusalem, Crossan will share his reflections, analysis, and research to help inform evolving perspectives on this central but complicated piece of the Christian story. For more information or to purchase a ticket visit: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/westdale-united-church/events/john-dominic-crossan-human-evolution-and-christian-faith-the-meaning-and-challenge-of-resurrection There is some interest in attending the later 2 workshops on Saturday. Please speak to Heather if you are interested in forming a group to travel together.
Living the Seasons at Home: The Lent/Easter booklet contains weekly readings and activities for March through the end of May. Copies are available in the Narthex.
Audio-Visual Help: We are looking for a few people to assist with showing the PowerPoint and/or setting up the microphones and recorder on Sunday morning. If you are able to help, please speak with Heather or Irene.
Sunday Morning Parking: We encourage those who are able to park next door at the daycare, or on the street and leave the spots near the sidewalk for those with mobility issues (both those attending our service and for those arriving for the WEUC service before you leave)
Opportunities to Reach Out to Others and Work for Social Justice
In Support of Wet’suwet’en: The National Indigenous Elders Council and Moderator Richard Bott have written a joint letter in support of Wet’suwet’en. The United Church of Canada is committed to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which holds that Indigenous Peoples have the right to free, prior, and informed consent before any development occurs on their territory. Our prayerful and active support for all involved in finding the way forward is our ultimate intent. For more information about how you can encourage the Canadian government to embody the UNDRIP in their relationships with Indigenous Peoples visit: www.united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/wetsuweten-and-right-free-prior-and-informed-consent?mc_cid=cabf2a6e24&mc_eid=eaf0d99e57
Opportunities in the Wider Community / General Announcements
Vic Chorus Spring Concert: Sunday, March 22 4:30 pm. An afternoon of choral music, with special guests Brian Barlow Jazz Ensemble, featuring "A Little Jazz Mass" by Bob Chilcott, with the TST choir from Emmanuel College. Directed by Taylor Sullivan. Free admission. Location: Victoria College Chapel, U of T (steps from the Museum Subway stop).
Chocolate Fundraiser! Sunday, March 29, after worship. Homemade chocolate treats (just in time for Easter!) will be sold in the Friendship Room. Debit available! All proceeds in support of the WEUC Benevolent fund.
Lenten Practice
Lent is the 40-day period beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding on the Saturday before Easter. Sundays are not counted in the 40 days of Lent, as they are considered “little Easters.” In the early church, Lent was a time of final preparation for people seeking to be baptized. Today, Christians use this period as a time for personal and collective transformation through activities such as self-examination, fasting, Bible study and contemplative prayer. The intent is to free yourself from the distractions and focus on your relationship with God. Each week we’re offering a different suggestion for a practice to try for the upcoming week.*
Daily Worship:
Worship, like stewardship, is about our response to God; who God is and what God does. Psalm 95 starts with our response: “Let us shout with joy to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into God’s presence with thanksgiving; let us joyously shout to God with songs of praise.” (Psalm 95:1-2) Sounds like worship! Which is our response to, “For you are a great God, high sovereign above all gods. In your hand are the depths of the earth; to you belong the mountains. The sea is yours, for you made it; your hands also formed the dry land.” (Psalm 95:3-5).
This week use some of your time every day to worship. Worship at home with your family. Worship in an arena with friends. Worship wherever is convenient. Just worship, regularly and often. To start, offer a prayer and a bit of silence to enter into God’s presence and into worship. Maybe sing or listen to a worship song. Then, read a scripture passage or inspiring story. Read them prayerfully. Listen to what God, through the Holy Spirit, is saying to you through them. Consider what will be your response. If you are worshipping as a family or a group, talk about it. What did you hear God saying? How will you respond to the invitation? Pray for your family and friends; and pray for your church.
*These suggestions are based on the resource “Called to Be the Church • Loving Our Neighbours • Worship for Five Sundays in Lent” written by Moderator Richard Bott.
Upcoming Worship: (Services begin at 9:00 am)
March 15: Lent 3: Living Water
March 22: Lent 4: The Bible: led by Karen Shea and Heather Miller, with Celtic Trio
March 29: Lent 5: Unbound and Set Free