Westworth United Church

Congregational Email

Nov. 5, 2020

Dear Congregants,

These are heavy days filled with fear and anxiety that is spilling over into social divides. We are seeing this within our province as COVID numbers rise amidst strong disagreements over restrictions and health care funding for PPE and medical staff. We are seeing this in the U.S. over the interminably slow election results. We are seeing this within families as COVID restrictions are preventing families to be with loved ones who are dying in the hospitals and personal care homes. Mental health is being taxed and depression looms large. Our fuses are shorter and weariness is setting in.

How can we keep going? One of the ways that helps me is keep the bigger picture of perspective in mind. It may take me to even more difficult situations, but it also reminds me that even then, many people were able to find the light and pass it on.

This coming Sunday is our Remembrance Day service which takes us back in memory to even tougher times when the world wars and the Spanish flu pandemic killed so many. Our online service has been recorded in part in the Brookside Cemetery amidst the sea of granite-grey tombstones in the Field of Honour. Ray M.’s trumpet soars over the tombstones to call us to remember and pass on the torch from falling hands.

The following day is the anniversary of Kristallnacht on Nov. 9, 1938, when the destruction of over 1,400 synagogues began. Today, houses of worship of various faiths are still under attack around the world. We are being asked by the Jewish community to keep our lights on overnight on Nov. 9 in our churches, synagogues, temples and mosques, as well as institutions and homes. Westworth will be keeping the lights on its sanctuary. These night lights will shine together across our city, country and world. Together we will unite the world against antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, racism, intolerance, and hatred with lights that dispel the darkness of hate.

We are missing one another and the support that our church community provides. But I take heart from some within our community who are creatively finding ways to keep our community together through unique fundraisers, calls, emails and cards.

Included in these gifts of remembering will be a box of Canadian goodies that our church will send to Rev. Lt. Lesley F., who is serving her third year as CAF chaplain in northern Europe, stationed in Britain. She is now in another strict lockdown and family will not be able to join her for Christmas this year. Please contact the church office by Nov. 23 if you would like to make a small contribution to the box. She is particularly fond of ju jubes and Bridge mix, which she can’t buy there!

Richard Rohr, in his daily emailed meditations, has been including the following prayer at the end of each of his daily emailed meditations (Meditations@cac.org ). May we find God’s light bringing us through.

O Great Love, thank you for living and loving in us and through us. May all that we do flow from our deep connection with you and all beings. Help us become a community that vulnerably shares each other’s burdens and the weight of glory. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our world. Knowing you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God, amen.

 

New Members Service

We have two people who have been waiting to join our church for some time. We have decided to go ahead and have a virtual new member’s service, where we will introduce these new members to you via Zoom and will have a profession of faith opportunity for everyone. If there is anyone else who would like become a member of Westworth, please let Loraine know by this Sunday.

 

CE Sunday School News

This week’s Sunday school lesson on The Red Sea-the story of Moses parting the Red Sea, has been sent by e-mail, it includes all the age groups from N/K to G5/6, with the activity sheets.

If 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 from 10.15am-10.40am to chat with you. Then join Loraine for the Remembrance Day service with trumpet, following Zoom Sunday school.

This week’s bible story and The Lord’s Prayer read by your Sunday school teachers are on the Westworth Face Book page for you to view. Phio W. will be reading ‘In Flanders Fields’ on behalf of the Sunday school, there is also a link on our website under the CE drop-down menu.

Please note the Zoom link will be sent out in a separate e-mail later in the week with a Remembrance Day activity for the children.

Maggie

 

Christmas Baking Fund Raiser

Baking will be sold in packages of one dozen.  Orders will be taken from November 1st – November 15^th and filled as soon as possible after the order is received.

Order form is attached. Please place your order by calling Cathy M. at 204-488-3681 or emailing her at millcat@mymts.net.

 

Updates to Westworth Safe Reopening Plan

November 5, 2020

As you all know, the government of Manitoba has made many changes in their response to COVID 19 over the last few weeks.  The Safe Reopening Committee has been making careful note of these directives, and would like you to aware of some changes to our plan that have taken place. Much of the document Because There is Hope Here: A Safe Reopening Plan for Westworth United Church found under Documents on our website is still valid.  However, with the safety and well being of the congregation and our staff in mind, the following temporary adjustments have been made to the guidelines for Westworth.  We will continue to follow these guidelines while Winnipeg and area are under Code Red or Code Orange directives.   When the Winnipeg area returns to more acceptable levels of risk, or what is labelled Code Yellow,  you will receive further information from us with plans for our congregation.

Following is a quick guide to activities at Westworth:

• The church building will be kept locked. Entrance to the church can be arranged through the Office Administrator. Please call or email before coming as staff are being encouraged to work from home if possible. When entering, please remember to follow the guidelines already in place including registering with contact information, hand sanitizing, keeping 2-meter distancing when meeting, and wearing a mask.
• We recommend that people limit their conversations to brief interactions with others of 15 minutes or less which is a current recommendation.  Please avoid meeting in office spaces for these are quite small and do not allow for adequate distancing.
• Worship services will continue to be offered online only.  The Worship Committee has plans underway for special online services for Advent and over the Christmas season.
• When at all possible, use online options or phone calls to conduct church business.    Messages left for staff will be returned as soon as possible.  We wish to keep staff as safe as possible when they are in the building, and encourage them to work from home whenever possible. The church’s Zoom account is available for meetings and other virtual gatherings.  Call the Office Administrator for more information.
• Small groups may continue to meet in the church (following the current government directive limiting numbers to 5, or whatever is the most current government direction).  Groups must follow the instructions as printed in the Safe Reopening document.  To register your group and/or for more information, please call the Office Administrator.
• Weekly appointments for use of the library can be made.

The Safe Reopening Committee is thinking of all of our congregation as we face these difficult times.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office or Eunice P., Committee Chair.

Yours sincerely,

Westworth Safe Reopening Committee

November 5, 2020

 

Finance News

Stewardship Campaign is part way there…

Thanks to those who have been able to send in their annual stewardship pledge. Your support is greatly appreciated.

We would like to encourage those who have not yet had an opportunity to complete their pledge to do so soon. The work on the annual budget starts in November and is based on the pledges received. Please drop off or mail to Westworth.

We encourage you to give what you can, and we understand for some it may be difficult at this time to make a commitment.

If you are currently considering what your gift might be, you may be interested in the following tax credit information. All donations to registered charities in Manitoba are eligible to receive a tax credit. The amount of the tax credit savings shown is approximate and individual circumstances will vary.

Annual Gift	If made monthly through PAR	Approximate tax savings	Net cost after tax savings
$300	$25	129	171
$500	$41.66	215	285
$1000	$83.33	430	570
$1500	125	645	855
$2500	$208.33	1075	1425
$3000	$250	1290	1710
$4000	$333.33	1720	2280
$5000	$416.66	2279	2721

Thank You Thank You Thank You…

Thanks to the hard working team of UCW volunteers for the wonderful jams and jellies cooked up and sold over the past month. The batches of jams and jelly are now sold out. Over $1,858 was raised. Those of us with a sweet tooth are thankful for your creativity. “Scones by Shirley” also are being sold to help out Westworth.  Thank you, Shirley W. Funds from both of these UCW initiatives are being donated to the operating budget of Westworth.

These types of fundraising initiatives can help with the operations at Westworth or be directed to a specific project which Westworth supports. This is especially helpful during COVID with rental income eliminated.  If you wish to undertake a fundraiser amongst the members and promote it as a Westworth fundraiser, please complete a “Fundraising Notification” which is available from the office or online at http://westworth.ca/about-us/mdocuments-library/ . Applications are reviewed and approved by the Finance Committee.

Ron B.  ron@rbailey.ca    204-955-7191

Westworth: Anti-Racist as part of our Affirming Identity?

The Affirming Committee is offering a follow-up discussion to the Interfaith Responses to Racism series. Please mark your calendars for Monday, November 30 at 7:00pm. This discussion via Zoom is intended for all members of the congregation. Bring your ideas about how to become a more welcoming congregation to all people, including Black people, Indigenous people and people of colour, inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations. If you’ve attended the interfaith sessions, we hope you’ll come and share what you’ve learned.

“We’re all in this together”… A challenge from the Community Care Team

Our Westworth Bazaar and Luncheon was originally planned for November 7, 2020. The days leading up to this event are a flurry of busy activity. The event day provides a wonderful backdrop for meeting up with people we haven’t seen for awhile. We work, we laugh, we eat, we share stories and we are nurtured by each other’s company. This year we are all grieving the absence of this well loved event.

So… the Community Care Team is putting out a challenge:

In lieu of the time you might have spent volunteering or shopping at our Bazaar this week, please contact a Westworth member (or members) that you haven’t spoken to in awhile. It can be by phone, email, text or Canada Post; whatever your preference. An unexpected “hello” can make all the difference in someone’s day.

 

 OUTREACH

1. West Broadway Community Ministry:
2. Lunches: COVID – 19 numbers have skyrocketed, yet all guests at West Broadway continue to be served a nourishing lunch Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through the window on Broadway. Your Outreach Team asks that the congregation continue generous support for the lunch program that Westworth will continue to offer on a monthly basis. 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”.

 

1. West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Emergency Pantry: As the building remains closed, weekly donations of food, toiletries and feminine hygiene products cannot be placed in the WB Buckets, please consider making a donation to the purchasing of food and supplies for the pantry. Cheques to Westworth with “WBCM Pantry” on the memo line are gratefully received!

 

2.Racism – Reject and Respond: A 2-day Professional Development training initiative will be held 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.

 

3. Caring for our Environment: Just a gentle reminder that, when disposing of reusable masks, it is important to snip the elastics before disposing in the garbage. Thanks!

 

4. Turkeys for Rossbrook House: It is that time of year again when good folks from Westworth prepare turkeys for use at Rossbrook House. Hot turkey sandwiches are provided at the drop-in during the Christmas break. Clearly things are a little different this year. At their request we will reduce the number of turkeys to fifteen. Please do not be disappointed. Be one of the first to call or e-mail and contribute your turkey. Allan M. will provide a weekly count so that you will know when we are approaching our goal. What is required?
5. Cook, slice and freeze your turkey in a well-sealed foil pan suitable for re-heating. 2. Prepare and freeze gravy in a container which you do not expect to get back. 3. Allan and Dan will arrange pick-up on Monday December 21 afternoon and evening. They will call you on Sunday to confirm pick-up. To take advantage of this wonderful opportunity call Allan McKay at 204-269-5292 or e-mail at admckay@shaw.ca

 

5. Place mat Fund-Raiser for 1JustCity: The Trinity Sew and Sew Quilters are selling beautiful placemats on – line via the Trinity United Church website from November 7, to November 28. All proceeds of this sale will go to 1Just City.  All place mats have been photographed and numbered and the pictures are on the Trinity United Church web site.
6. Go to Trinity United Church website  https://trinityunitedwinnipeg.com/
7. Under the “Adult Activities” tab, scroll down to “Quilting Group”

3.View the wonderful array of place mats that have been made this year, and make your choices.

4. Phone (204) 269-0631 and either:
5. a) talk to the person answering to give your name and phone number, and the numbers of your selections; or
6. b) leave the information in a clear message on the machine—remember to speak clearly and slowly when you leave your message (your name, phone number and the numbers of your selections).
7. Come to the church (933 Summerside Ave, Winnipeg) on Tuesday November 10, 17, 24, December 1, or Thursday November 12, 19, 26 from 10:00 am to noon. (If you need alternate arrangements for delivery, please phone the church.)

6.Pay for your selections — by cheque payable to Trinity Sew and Sews, and collect the place mats.

7.Enjoy your place mats, or wrap them up as a gift for someone your care about so they can enjoy them and think of you each time they use them!  

Thank you for supporting our Christmas fund-raiser!

 

6. New Gifts with Vision Catalogue Has Launched!

A new year of giving through Gifts with Vision has begun! There are lots of great new gifts for our partners in Canada and across the world, along with some of your favourite projects from previous catalogues. The world has changed so much since this time last year, and some of the new gifts reflect that, showing how our partners are responding to the pandemic. Your gifts bring help to those who need it most. Shop the Gifts with Vision catalogue and help save and transform lives!