MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Loraine is away until September. During this time, the following ministers will be on call for emergency pastoral care:
Rev. Earl Gould July 23-31. (204) 888-1543 (home)
Rev. Karen Lumley Aug. 1-25 (204) 250-5073 (cell)
Rev. Heather Robbins Aug.26-31 (204) 295-1542 (cell)
FUNDRAISING FOR ENHANCED AV SYSTEM
Westworth Council approved a fundraising campaign for the new AV system for our sanctuary. Our goal is to reach $80,000 and we are almost there before we even begin!
$30,000 Prairie to Pine Region matching grant
$30,000 Westworth Fund (approved by Council)
$8,800 Donations to date
If you have appreciated the online worship services, which are now being shown weekly by The Wellington retirement home, and our ability to bring people from across Canada and around the world to participate in funerals, weddings and workshops, please consider supporting this initiative. Without this enhanced system, we will be unable to continue live-streaming once we return to in-person worship.
UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
August 1-Sept 5
Westworth will join St. Andrew’s River Heights in their online services. Click on “What’s New” on their homepage to access their online worship services https://standrewsriverheights.com . The services will be available as of 10:30 am on Sundays. The September 5 service will be recorded at St. Andrew’s and will be a joint communion service with Loraine and Rita Swan co-officiating.
CHURCH SCHOOL
This week’s Bible story is The Parable of the Rich Man.
Stay connected with children’s weekly bible stories on our Westworth website and Facebook page.
The bible story is read by Julia, and The Lord’s Prayer is 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.
The Bible Story is available here: https://www.facebook.com/westworthuc/videos/782612022408114
– Maggie
FROM WESTWORTH OFFICE
Westworth is closed for the month of August. There will be no newsletter sent out.
– Tammy
Making a Difference at Home …..
1JUSTCITY
a.West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Emergency Pantry: West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Emergency Pantry: Because the need for emergency food continues, we will continue to accept cheques throughout the summer months to support the Pantry. Cheques can be issued to Westworth with “WBCM Pantry” on the memo line. Thank you!
b.West Broadway Community Ministry
A PLACE FOR EVERYONE
A message from Fatimata:
I’m a very passionate Business administration international student from Sene-gal. I’ve been part of 1JustCity for almost two years. My collaboration with 1 JustCity was very random and transformed my life.
I came to Winnipeg in September 2019, just before the pandemic, I needed to integrate into the community. I said to myself: What could be more interesting than to give your time to the community? You will be not only useful but also you will get to know them better. When the pandemic began, I felt the vulnerability in which we all lived, and I decided it was a good time to offer my help to this community, which is now mine. So, I started looking for the right place to do it. While doing my re-search, I came across 1 JustCity.
The first thing that touched me was seeing: “We love the underloved” on the website.
I got in contact with the Executive Director, Tessa B. She then, offered me a 2-month volunteer internship that I accepted without any hesitation. Icing on the cake, she suggested I go to their Drop-in at West Broadway because having explained to her that I needed to improve my English level. There, I met with Lynda Trono, that wonderful openminded person. The first thing that impressed me was the simplicity of this lady, her ability to connect, communicate and understand people, and her helpfulness… just extraordinary.
Before, I was very afraid not to find my place because being both black and Muslim. I never felt marginalized at any time, or judged, contrary I felt safe and free. Then they wanted to carry me more and opened the doors of their team last year and renewed their confidence this year. For me, 1JustCity intersects all my ideals and those of all people concerned about the smooth running of this community. It is a symbol of cultural diversity, religious acceptance and mutual support. I am proud to be part of this wonderful organization.
With love,
Fatimata
- The United Church is making funds available to support the work of Indigenous communities for the identification of unmarked graves:
The United Church of Canada is making funds available to support the work of Indigenous communities for the identification of unmarked graves, knowledge gathering, and ceremony to honour the children who did not return home from its 15 residential schools. This is an act of reparation and responds to of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
“The United Church of Canada was an active participant in a system that ripped Indigenous families apart by forcibly removing the children from their homes,” says the church’s Moderator, Richard Bott. “We have written to Indigenous leaders of the communities where 13 United Church-run residential schools were located, and in the case of the other two, communities whose children were taken there. We have let them know that we have made funds available so that the work of bringing home the children does not solely rest on their shoulders. We played a critical role in this and we as a church need to be more action focused in our commitment to reconciliation.” The Moderator also released a wider to the residential school survivors, their families, and communities.
A special meeting of the General Council Executive on July 20th, 2021 approved three million dollars to fund this work, which also includes archival research and providing communities access to documents. The United Church turned over all its existing records to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Commission) and continues to send records that come to light. The General Secretary, Rev. Michael Blair, notes, “Our history as settlers is a ‘we can fix this’ attitude. Clearly, we have been very wrong. We need to listen before we act, and support communities as they define their needs.”
Making a Difference in the World …..
What’s the value of a dead tree? A strange question, you may think, but given the significant increase in the cost of lumber since the Covid lockdown, it seems evident that a dead tree processed into lumber is deemed to be far more valuable than its living counterpart. Despite efforts by environmentalists, conservationists, and climate change experts, our old growth forests are under continual threat from the lumbering industry. A recent post on the Kairos website outlines the many issues connected to the destruction of old-growth forests. As well, it suggests actions that those concerned about this issue can take. https://www.kairoscanada.org/protect-the-last-remaining-old-growth-forests
This September, Unit 77 will be discussing the novel Barkskins by Annie Proulx. Two narratives predominate the novel: the European exploitation and destruction of virgin forests in North America, and the accompanying exploitation and destruction of Indigenous lives and cultures.
It is not an easy read. How can we change a destructive and exploitive narrative that continues to this day? Putting a value on the presence of living trees might counteract the impact of four centuries of valuing trees only as a resource to be extracted for profit.
This year, western Canadians have had a lot of time to think about heat domes and global warming. At the beginning of the current heat wave, Winnipeg architect Brent Bellamy conducted a demonstration of the effectiveness of a tree canopy in mitigating the impact of high air temperatures (Winnipeg Free Press, July 10, 2021 – https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/throwing-shade-on-streets-without-trees-574805882.html). He took temperature readings on 2 separate blocks of Edmonton St. – one of which had a full canopy of trees, and one where the trees had been cleared to widen the street. The difference in surface air temperatures between these 2 blocks was a stunning 15 degrees C. Urban trees, concluded Bellamy, are essential to keeping cities at safe temperatures. Trees also improve the quality of life, health outcomes, and property values. Surely there is a way to put a real value on the presence of living trees.
The June 2021 issue of Broadview reports that, yes, there is a way. The town of Gibsons, BC became one of the first municipalities in the world to place a formal book value on nature in its financial accounts. Gibsons is now a world leader in what has become known as nature-based solutions to the environmental challenges that all communities face. The article is a lengthy read, but well worth the time. https://broadview.org/gibsons-bc-beachcombers-nature-based-solutions/
Luke 12:34 says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Canadians have always said that our natural environment is our treasure. Perhaps its time to develop systematic approaches to valuing trees (and natural environments) that demonstrate that our hearts are fully committed to their continued presence in our lives.
- Cuban Emergency Relief Appeal
Westworth has had an on-going relationship with Luyano Presbyterian Church in Havana for over three decades, beginning with the vision of Rev. Dr. Eleanor Gieb. Over the years, many from Westworth have visited Luyano, including our youth groups, and we still connect with members and former members of the congregation on an on-going basis. More than $1000.00. has been sitting in our “Cuba Fund”, intended for future youth tours to Cuba. As there are no tours planned in the immediate future, and as Cuba is at a crisis point vis a vis food security, medical supplies and COVID – related needs, we are pleased to be able to support the United Church in its Cuban Emergency Appeal.
Most recently, the United Church sent funds to the Cuban Centre for Reflection and Dialogue, located at the seminary in Matanzas. The Centre has become a vaccination centre and a field hospital for children and their families. If you would like send donations, every penny will be used for emergency appeals. Administrations costs do not come from these donations.
You may donate online at https://united-church.ca/donate select “in celebration” and ’emergency response-Cuba’ in text field, call 1-800-268-3781 or send a cheque to The United Church of Canada 3250 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4 – make sure to notate CUBA on the donation.
If you would like to sign a petition asking the Canadian government to call on the United States to end their embargo of Cuba, please click on this link: (petition link here) ,
