Congregational Email
Oct. 8, 2020
Dear Congregants,
This will be a strange Thanksgiving weekend, when family gatherings have been limited and our increasing fear matches the rise in COVID-19 numbers. This week, I have been in touch with friends and congregants who are going through additional physical challenges—a persistent infection that has required numerous hospital stays, a terminal diagnosis and cancer treatments. Amazingly, each one of these people has demonstrated an attitude of gratitude, reminding me of the need to be thankful in spite of the world’s news and the small sacrifices I am asked to make. Perspective works wonders.
And so, let us count our blessings this weekend, even as we celebrate thanksgiving in a smaller, quieter manner. We still have so much for which we can be grateful. God’s beauty is all around us and within us! Annabel Fitzsimmons writes, “If you are able to find gratitude in the simple things, like being able to take a breath, you’re able to be present. It’s kind of self-perpetuating: gratitude begets gratitude.”
I am grateful to be part of a congregation that forges ahead, ready to try new ways of being together. One of those is an upcoming interfaith series on anti-racism. We have 15 registrants from Westworth and there is still room for more, although the invitation has now gone out to other communities, so register soon while there are still spaces left.
Loraine
CE Sunday school News
This week’s Sunday school lesson on Abram’s Call has been sent by e-mail. It includes all the age groups from N/K to G5/6, with the activity sheets.
The craft for the next few weeks will be delivered to your homes, this week the younger children have stars to decorate , while the older ones will make origami stars.
If by accident we missed you or you need a printed copy of the curriculum, please let me know at churchschool@westworth.ca
The Sunday school teachers will be on Zoom this Sunday morning from 10.15am-10.40am to talk about the lesson, then join Loraine for the on-line service at 10.45am for ‘Time with the Children’ at the beginning of the service.
Maggie
Canadian Foodgrains Bank donations to end global hunger
As our special Thanksgiving Offering please forward any donations, with cheques made out to Westworth United Church, prior to Oct. 12. Thank you for your support.
Interfaith Responses to Racism, Mondays, 7:00 pm via Zoom, Oct. 19-Nov. 23, 2020
Oct. 19 Abrahamic Faith Responses to Racism
Shahina Siddiqui, Islamic Social Services Association
Rabbi Kliel Rose, Etz Chayim Synagogue
Rev. Dr. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, Westworth United Church
Oct. 26 Systemic Racism in Manitoba and Canada
Louise Simbandumwe, SEED Winnipeg
Nov 2 Intersection of Racism & Islamophobia
Shahina Siddiqui, Islamic Social Services Association
Nov 9 Intersection of Racism & Antisemitism
Rabbi Kliel Rose, Etz Chayim Synagogue
Nov 16 Intersection of Racism & Colonization
Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, University of Manitoba
Nov 23 White Privilege
Dr. Marion McKay, University of Manitoba, retired
Registration is limited. Email by October 15
To register, please email krboschmann@gmail.com with “registration” in subject line. Priority will be given to those who can attend all sessions.
To accompany this study series, please consider reading the book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin Diangelo.
Sponsored by Westworth United Church
Etz Chayim Synagogue
Islamic Social Services Association
Islamic History Month Canada
HOME BAKING – YES, WE SAID HOME BAKING! Need a gift or a Saturday morning treat? Got a favourite jam, jelly, chutney or other preserve you always buy from the Home Baking Table at the Bazaar? We made them even if there isn’t a Bazaar! Your favourites are available. There are limited quantities for all items. We will do our best to fill your requests – first come, first served. An order form will be available by email this week and in your Stewardship package. Payment is by cheque, made out to Westworth United Church, or cash (exact change, please). Feel free to pass this information along if you have a friend or neighbour who enjoys a special jam each year. You can order on their behalf and deliver directly to them (with our thanks). Let’s have a little fun and raise a little money for the work of our congregation! ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 27 AND PICK UP CAN BE ARRANGED FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 30, SATURDAY, OCT. 31 OR SUNDAY, NOV. 1. The jams and jelly taste very good with a scone. Jam and Scones order form is attached to congregational email.
SCONES BY SHIRLEY! Are also available by special order. Shirley Watts makes wonderful scones and she is offering to bake them for you. They are available in an 8” round for $6.00, prepaid, and you are able to order a few at a time. They taste very good with a little jam! Please call Shirley at (204)489-7695 to place an order.
UCW News
There are 2 UCW Units at Westworth United Church and all women are welcome to attend.
Unit 94 meets on the third Tuesday evening of each month from September to May. In past years the evening usually included a short meeting, a devotion prepared by one of the members, a guest speaker and time for fellowship around a light snack. This year, with Covid limitations, they began the year with a masked, physically distanced meeting in the Parlour. Future plans include Zoom meetings to discuss preselected Podcasts. The October 20 discussion will be focused on “Tapestry@25: life advice from Rabbi Harold Kushner” https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/tapestry-25-life-advice-from-rabbi-harold-kushner-1.5488838 Contacts for Unit 94 are Gladys C. g_dcadieux@mymts.net or Nancy D-W nldwhite@shaw.ca
Unit 77 meets on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month from September to May to discuss a preselected book. The members are currently meeting by Zoom. This year’s books include: Educated, Tara Westover, The Library Book Susan Orlean, White Fragility Robin DiAngelo, Five Wives Joan Thomas, The Dutch House Ann Patchett, After Light Catherine Hunter and Provisionally Yours Antanas Sileika. The contact for Unit 77 is Dorcas Windsor rwindsor@mymts.net
Women’s Spirituality Group Women’s Spirituality will be discussing (via Zoom) the CBC Tapestry podcast that first aired 25 years ago and again in June of this year. The host interviewed Randall Sullivan, author of The Miracle Detective: An Investigation of Holy Visions. It’s 50 minutes, 44 seconds and we’re asking people to listen to the podcast prior to the meeting. The link to the podcast follows. It’s a journey of religious apparitions & miracle investigations – quite fascinating!
If congregants would like to participate (but don’t usually attend Women’s Spirituality), please have them email me as I’ll be sending out the invitation with the zoom link this weekend and I’ll need their email address. The Zoom meeting will start at 7 on Tuesday, October 13th. We’d appreciate it if people could log on a few minutes before 7.
For more information call Kathy at 204 489-6617. wilsonka@mymts.net
Christmas Cheer Board knitting is due Nov. 9. Please call to arrange drop off of your knitting.
Finance News
Just a reminder that committees are being asked to have their budget request into Finance by the end of October so that we have more time to consider the budget.
Please submit it to Jenny J. at churchaccountant@westworth.ca . Thanks
Ron B. Chair, Finance and Stewardship.
2020 PLEDGES AND DONATIONS from January to Sept. 30 received from identifiable givers
2020 Pledged | Received | |
M&S | $ 44,441 | $ 30,711 |
Westworth Operations | $ 268,821 | $ 200,880 |
Total | $ 313,262 | $ 231,591 |
Total of all donations from Jan.-Sept. 30, including open plate, for the past 3 years. 2018 $209,416 2019 $220,723 2020 $231,591
outreach
- West Broadway Community Ministry:
- Lunches: Presently all coffee and lunches are delivered via a “drive-through” window located at the Broadway entrance. Plans are in the works to offer a limited number of guests to eat lunch inside the building with all pandemic cautions in place. Westworth will continue to supply “meatball subs “lunches on a monthly basis. Because the Westworth building is currently closed, the Outreach Team asks that the congregation contribute funds in lieu of food to support this vital ministry. The cost of each months lunch is approximately $250. and so your donation to assist with the lunch program is gratefully received! Cheques may be sent to the Westworth office with the memo line indicating “WBCM lunches”.
- West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Emergency Pantry: Your generous donations of pork and beans, tuna, KD, peanut butter and other protein – rich food was a blessing! As our building is once again closed, please consider making a donation to the purchasing of food for the pantry. Cheques to Westworth with “WBCM Pantry” on the memo line are gratefully received!
- Canadian Foodgrains Bank Virtual “Singin’ in the Grain” Friday, October 16th, 8:00 pm: Canadian Foodgrains Bank continues its work worldwide, as food security around the world is threatened more profoundly during these uncertain times. You are invited to attend a virtual fundraising concert that will feature the fine music of the Quonset Brothers from Winkler, sister-brother duo Kristel Peters and Korey Peters from Steinbach, and Steve Bell from Winnipeg. Donations will support food security programs of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. More details online at www.foodgrainsbank.ca/singinPlease share this invitation and join the virtual concert on Oct. 16thevening.
- Racism: Reject and Respond: A 2-day Professional Development training initiative will be held October 29-30 and November 5-6. Presenters include Shahina Saddiqui and Niigan Sinclair. Registration fee is $ 400.00. For more information call Sarah at 204-944-1560, or go to issacanada.com.