MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year in the Christian Church. We wait expectantly for the coming of the Prince of Peace—both the Christ Child and the universal Christ who will usher in the fullness of God’s reign of peace and justice. In this time of new beginnings, we have received a new vision and mission statement of the United Church of Canada, approved October 23, 2021:
Called by God, as disciples of Jesus, The United Church of Canada seeks to be a bold, connected, evolving church of diverse, courageous, hope-filled communities united in deep spirituality, inspiring worship, and daring justice.
As Westworth, and as individuals, we are all called by God to a life of purpose and meaning. We are given spiritual gifts, abilities and talents to give beauty and life to others.
As disciples of Jesus, we have guidance and inner strength to live out this calling.
In these challenging times, when life continues to be upended, living out this calling requires boldness to risk mistakes, risk failure, risk love.
It requires connection with other faith communities, social justice organizations, and social organizations as well as with family and friends. While it takes more creative effort to stay connected, it is essential to our own mental health.
It also requires ingenuity and adaptation to evolve to the ever-changing reality in which we live.
As we seek to live out this calling, we celebrate our own diversity and seek to broaden it. The more diverse our communities are, the more we will reflect our neighbourhoods and city, the greater chance we will have at flourishing.
We draw on the Spirit’s courage to live out this calling with humility, grace and humour.
We remain open to being surprised by joy and hope.
And how do we do all of this?
Through deep spirituality as we each find and develop the forms of prayer, meditation and spiritual practices that best fit our personality and needs.
Through inspiring worship as we finally begin to unite our voices in song and feel a connection with the corporate body of Christ.
Through daring justice as we continue to offer ourselves as the public face of Christ who dares to challenge injustice and live love in a divisive world.
Now that’s a vision and mission statement to live into!
Loraine
Upcoming Christmas Services – from the Safe Reopening Committee
Our committee joins in wishing you all hope and joy in Advent and for the Christmas season. There are a few changes for Advent services, for Christmas Eve services, and for the Sunday between Christmas and New Years which falls on Boxing Day.
For the safety of all attending services, we will continue to maintain a 2-metre distance between households. This means that our capacity will remain limited, but we want make sure that you all have an opportunity to attend the services that provide so much meaning for us all.
As much as we have enjoyed our Choir and Soloists, we will have an opportunity to sing as a congregation over the next weeks! For reasons of safety, we will all be given surgical masks to wear and assistance with fitting them as we enter the sanctuary. (Surgical masks offer a better level of protection than cloth masks, provided they are fitted correctly. They are for single use.) If you are in the habit of wearing an N95 or an approved KN95 mask, please continue to do so but wear a new one on Sunday morning. A new one will be required for each service you attend where congregational singing is taking place.
For the next two Sundays, we will join in singing the last hymn. For the 7 PM Christmas Eve Service, we will be listening to our wonderful choir. For the 9 PM Christmas Eve service we will be able to sing throughout the service led by our choral scholar soloists. We will be fogging in between services. There will also be a pre-recorded intergenerational Christmas Eve service with a Christmas pageant performed by some of our youth and adults. It will be available for viewing as of 4:00 pm on Dec. 24.
We are anticipating that some congregational singing will be part of the Boxing Day service. Planning is still underway. Here is what to expect for the upcoming weeks:
For this Sunday Dec 12:
We have already have had a chance to preregister, but unless we have reached capacity, we will also be welcoming people at the door.
We will be asked to wear the provided surgical mask, and we will be singing the final hymn. (Loraine will announce that those who feel uncomfortable with singing may wish to leave the sanctuary just before the last hymn.)
For Sunday, Dec 19:
As is the regular pattern, the pre-registration form will be sent on Tuesday, Dec 14 and will close Thursday, Dec 16. Walk-up registration will be possible as long as we have not reached capacity. We will be given new masks, and join in singing the last hymn.
For Christmas Eve:
Things will be a little different!
You will receive two pre-registration forms for Christmas Eve. One is for the 7PM service which will include the choir singing but with no congregational singing. The second registration is for the 9 PM service. At this service our soloists will lead in congregational singing throughout the service. Surgical masks will be provided. Pre-registration forms will be sent on Monday Dec 13 to be completed by Sunday Dec 19. If capacity has not been reached after the deadline, a reminder email will be sent closer to Christmas Eve. If there still is space, a posted sign will welcome passersby to our service provided they meet our vaccination criteria. A pre-recorded intergenerational Christmas Eve with pageant will also be available for viewing at 4:00 pm.
For Sunday, Dec.26
Pre-registration will be required. St Andrews River Heights will be joining us for an informal service of carols. Masks will be distributed.
Christmas Service Registration Timeline at a Glance:
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING
Rev. Lt. Lesley F stationed in England, received her Christmas package of goodies (5 kg worth!) and is so grateful for the thoughtfulness of Westworth. She has shared Shirley Watts’ handmade chocolates (in the shape of a maple leaf) with her Detachment, but she says that they are not getting her jujubes!
THANKS FOR PRAYER SHAWLS
Daryl B offers gratitude for prayer shawls for her daughter and family. Emma and Kyley’s two-year old son, Jack, was diagnosed with COVID two days after the birth of their daughter, Wren. Kyley and Jack went into isolation while Emma and Wren stayed with Daryl and Allan. Below you see a joyful reunion of Emma, Wren and Jack after 10 days of separation. They sit with two of the prayer shawls we gave them.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
This week is the first week of Advent, our bible story is ‘Mary Visits Elizabeth’. Luke 1:39-58
Zoom Sunday school now runs from 10.15am-10.30am. Sunday school in the church is from 10.45am-11.45am. in the little Lamb’s Room (Room 3). Our topic of conversation this week is, `What good news would you like to hear?`
Westworth Youth and congregants are really enjoying rehearsing to present a virtual nativity play for you on Xmas Eve titled, “THE GOOD NEWS GOES VIRAL`.
Stay connected through our Face Book page.
– Maggie
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89946987441?pwd=MnQrd0FHaHFHWDhMWHU0L1RMMDY1Zz09
Meeting ID: 899 4698 7441
Passcode: 323063
+1 204 272 7920 Canada
Bible Story: Mary Visits Elizabeth
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.
Bible Story is Available Here:
https://www.facebook.com/westworthuc/videos/pcb.4987050171326951/374885921060350
Curriculum is Available Here:
http://westworth.ca/category/online-sunday-school/
OUTREACH
- West Broadway Community Ministry (1JustCity):
a. Suppers at West Broadway: Thank you so much to all of you who have donated to the West Broadway supper program! We ask that you continue to support this vital ministry by continuing your generous donations for these suppers. Please write cheques to Westworth United Church, clearly marking “WBCM” in the memo line. Thank you!
b. West Broadway Community Ministry (WBCM) Emergency Pantry: Thank you for your continued support for the folks in the West Broadway area. The need is great and we ask that you continue your support of the Pantry program. Thank you! Cheques to Westworth with “WBCM Pantry” on the memo line are always gratefully received.
- Socks and Mitts: So many West Broadway guests are in dire need of warm winter socks and mitts. Several pair of socks and mitts were delivered to West Broadway this week and we thank all who generously supported. There is one more week for you to help. Your donations will be gratefully received at the home of Jan M. Please place the socks and mitts in the box on the front step at Jan’s home: . Donations will be received until Monday December 13. Thank you for your support!
- TURKEYS FOR ROSSBROOK HOUSE 2021: Attention Wonderful Westworth Turkey Cookers, if you have not already done so and plan to cook a turkey for our annual Rossbrook House Turkey campaign, it is not too late. Please e-mail or phone Allan M Pick up date is Wednesday, December 22nd. I have noticed that there are very few turkeys in the stores and I personally have not seen any special pricing. If you become aware of a good supply or special pricing, please let me know and I will forward that information to anyone encountering supply problems.
A quick refresher: We provide turkeys for Rossbrook House for use at the youth drop-in program over the Christmas break. We are asking for cooked, sliced and frozen turkey in a well-sealed foil pan suitable for re-heating and frozen gravy in a container which you do not expect to get back. If you have any questions, please feel free to call. Thank you in advance for your support.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR WORLD
The Endowment Fund for Indigenous Post-Secondary Education
Waase-Aabin, the Ojibwe word for “the first light of day,” is a symbol of a bright new beginning and hope for Indigenous leaders of tomorrow. The Waase-Aabin program awards annual scholarships for post-secondary education to Indigenous students ages 18 to 29 who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence. This program was developed by Indigenous Ministries and Justice and funded by an endowment established by donors from Peterborough, ON.
Celebrate the birth of the Christ Child and make a difference in the world through Gifts with Vision–with no excessive packaging and no exchanges. Select gifts online now or anytime and help save and transform lives without even leaving home. This year, we’re providing our widest choice of gifts ever on giftswithvision.ca!
MINI RUMMAGE
Thank you for your support at the last mini-sale. Another one is coming up!
Please note – these small events are intended for “Westworthians” and are not being advertised to the public. (You can shop FOR your friends, but please don’t invite folks who would not normally be in the church on a Sunday morning.) This way, we will be sure of modest (comfortable) numbers and will have necessary contact information.
December 12th
Selected items include:
– Books and puzzles (new stock since last sale included)
– Jewelry
– Christmas decor and some gift items
Displays will be spaced out; prices will be $1 or $2 per item; PLEASE BRING COINS so you will have exact change. as want to minimize contact points.
Andrea
WESTWORTH CONGREGATION
Deither Pwas gracious to share his nativity scene that he puts up every Christmas. Deither knows that it was built by at least 1934 but it could be even older than that. Incredible. Thank you, Deither!
