Congregational Email
Dec. 11, 2020
Dear Congregants,
These have been quite the challenging last few days. Although it was not a surprise, it was still difficult to hear Dr. Roussin’s words that families should not gather together for Christmas. Households need to remain separate. Single people should only meet with one other person. Wow. But we can do it. The end is in sight—still far in the distance, but finally coming into focus. We just need to gather our resolve and hang in there, supporting one another creatively and passionately.
We have already inspired others with a message of sacrificial love. Westworth has consistently given a strong message of going over and beyond government restrictions and we have received quite a bit of media attention because of this. This past couple of weeks, we have received many emails, phone calls and letters—mostly from strangers—who have thanked Westworth for its strong message of sacrificial love. This coming Sunday, I will be reading some of these during the sermon. They remind us that the public is largely grateful for us encouraging compliance with government restrictions.
We will be pre-recording our Christmas Eve service and the Dec. 27th service. The Christmas Eve service will be an intergenerational service featuring Fritz, the church mouse, and will conclude with communion, so have your bread and juice ready. It will be filled with carols and candles that I pray will lighten each of your living rooms. It will be available for viewing as of 4:00 pm on Dec. 24. The Dec. 27th service will be an informal service of carols and their stories. Join us in a carol sing-along from the comfort of your home. It will be available for viewing as of 10:45 am.
We apologize again for the sound suddenly being cut in last Sunday’s service. We are still trying figure out what happened and appreciate your patience once again. Technology is both a blessing and a curse! If you find disruptions in future services, please know that we eventually fix the problem, even with re-recording if necessary, so that the service can be posted as soon as possible on the website. To date, it has been available for viewing by Sunday evening.
May each of you find God’s creative strength and courage to prepare for a Christmas much quieter and simpler than normal. May the simplicity take us deeply into the peaceful joy of God incarnate.
Advent Blessings!
Loraine
Condolences
Our prayers are with Gladys & Denis C. and their daughter Danielle C. and their family as they mourn the passing of Denis’ brother Jean Paul.
Annual Report Deadline Please have your reports sent to office@westworth.ca by Jan. 10. Thanks for submitting your report so early so Heather can complete as much as possible before her retirement.
Sunday School and C.E News
This week’s Sunday school lesson – Mary Visits Elizabeth 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. Our conversation this week will be ‘If you could have someone special visit you-who would it be?’ . Then join Loraine for the online service following Zoom Sunday school.
This week’s bible story is read by Julia and The Lord’s Prayer read by Danielle, your Sunday school teachers are on the Westworth Face Book page for you to view, there is also a link in the CE drop down menu on our web site.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Zoom Advent Cafe , and to Julia for demonstrating the craft. It was lovely to see so many of our Westworth kids.
Listen to ‘Hope is a Star’- a Sunday school favourite on our Westworth Face book page sung by Emily C., and a second version played by instrumentalist Kelsey N.
Maggie
The Women’s Spirituality Group will meet, by Zoom, this Saturday, December 12th at 10:00. Heather Robbins will be leading us in an Advent reflection. Also, there will be time to share “how we will be celebrating Christmas this year” as well as reflecting on our favourite traditions/ memories from the past. For more information contact Kathy W. (204 489-6617) or wilsonka@mymts.net
OUTREACH
- West Broadway Community Ministry:
- Lunches and Pantry: Thank you to all of you who have given so generously to the Lunch and the Pantry programs at WBCM. Please remember that donations continue to be needed – particularly to the Pantry. Please make your cheque payable to Westworth Unite Church with WB Lunch or WB Pantry in the memo line.
- COOKIES? COOKIES!!: If you have decided not to bake this year – because nobody will be at your house for Christmas —- or if you have baked, because what else does one do at this time of year – or – you want to bake but don’t know what to do with it — we have an answer for you! West Broadway is planning on a special “12 Days of Christmas” adventure to make the days just a little brighter in the neighbourhood. The Outreach Team invites you to share in the spirit by offering home baked goodies for the celebration. All you have to do is wrap any baking you would like to share and leave it on the doorstep at 153 Overwater Cove on Sunday, December 20. The Wiwchars will gather the boxes and will deliver to West Broadway. Question? Just connect with Ruth by email rwiwchar@mymts.net,or phone 204-889-2892. Thanks for considering this!
- Turkeys for Rossbrook House: Wow! Thank you thank you to all of you who will be cooking a turkey and making gravy for Rossbrook House! We have reached capacity and are so grateful for your generosity. You will receive a call in December to to confirm pick-up. Questions? Please connect with Allan M. at 204-269-5292 or e-mail at admckay@shaw.ca
- 1JustCity “Just a Warm Sleep” 2020: This winter, with your help, Just a Warm Sleep will be a haven for those in need. The need is perhaps the greatest our city has ever faced. Thankfully, your gift todaywill have twice the impact. Every dollar donated todaya donor will match, up to $10,000. That’s one whole month of 30 people resting safely, with some added bonuses this year.
We’ve expanded our hours as so many of our guests have even fewer options to stay warm. We’ll now offer 12 hours of safety and warmth overnight (instead of 10), open from 8pm to 8am. We’ll also offer a meal at intake thanks to our partnerships with TransCanada Brewery and Fionn’s MacCools.
You’ve heard us say that the numbers of women have drastically increased, so this year we’re adding a second security guard from our partner Bear Paw Security, so we’ll always have a female and male guard to care for all our guests’ needs.
The space will get a COVID-19 deep clean three times a day.
Quick Facts:
For 30 people to be safe and warm this winter, STARTING EARLY on December 24th, we need you to make a donation of:
$150 to cover everything we don’t have funding for: smiling team members, PPE, TP, rent.
$300 to cover dinner, so everyone gets to go to bed full of nutritious food.
$450 to cover it all.
- Light a Candle for Love!: During the season of Advent the Outreach Team invites you to place a lit candle in your front window each evening to offer your support for essential workers. These include our care givers in hospital and in care facilities, educators and support staff, those working with marginalized people and folks working in grocery stores. Let’s shine lots of light during this blessed season!
- New Gifts with Vision Catalogue Has Launched! Have you ordered you gifts yet?
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!
