Upcoming Dates to Remember
Mondays Centering Prayer Group 9:30am Thursdays Parents & Tots (at St. Andrews Presbyterian) 9:30-11am Oct 30-Nov 20 Pulpit Supply at Upper Sackville 9am Oct 30-Nov 20 Laura Hunter at SUC 11am Nov 6 Service of Remembrance with RC Legion at USUC 9am Rev. John Perkin Nov 8 SUC Executive Grounding Circle 1:30-3pm Nov 15 SUC Executive Business Meeting 2-3:30pm/1:30-3pm Nov 20 SUC Congregational Meeting 12pm Nov 27-Dec 18 Advent Worship with Rev. Jennifer 9am/11am
ANNOUNCEMENTS for November 6, 2016 25th Sunday after Pentecost
MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SRRC: Sackville Refugee Response Coalition (SRRC) is pleased to present “The Good Lie.” This movie will be shown TODAY at 7pm here at SUC. It will be followed by a brief discussion moderated by Margaret Tusz-King. “The Good Lie” tells the story of The Lost Boys of Sudan. In 1983, many young children who survived massacres of their villages during the Sudanese civil war walked for hundreds of kilometres to safety. Several years later, many of these Lost Boys (and girls) came to North America as refugees. “The Good Lie” is the true story of a small group of these children, and their adaptation to American culture. Starring Reese Witherspoon and a cast of Sudanese actors who themselves are former child soldiers and lost boys, this movie provides us with food for thought as we continue to prepare for the arrival our third family, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Refugees from the DRC have fled ongoing violence resulting from years of civil war and unrest.
CHRISTMAS CHEER 2016: The Christmas Cheer program, which provides Christmas help to Sackville families, is once again accepting monetary donations (care of RBC), as well as donations of new toys, books and clothing for children aged 12 and under. Donations of secondhand clothing for adults and children, and of secondhand bedding would also be welcomed. Donations may be dropped off at Sackville United during regular office hours (Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. to noon). Toy bags will be packed at St. Paul’s Anglican Church on Dec. 14th at 9 a.m., with a storm date of Dec. 15th. New volunteers are always welcome. For further information, please speak to Beth Briscoe or to Janet Geier.
JAZZ CONCERT AT TRINITY ST. STEPHEN’S: Described as “one of Canada’s most beloved and admired musicians,” and “a legend in the international jazz community,” the incomparable Oliver Jones and his trio are performing on Saturday, Nov 12 at 7:30pm at Trinity-St. Stephen’s in Amherst. This is Oliver’s last performance in Atlantic Canada prior to his planned retirement at the end of 2016.
Update from the SPC Search Committee: The search committee has let the SPC executive know that they are now in the process of conducting interviews. We thank them for their commitment and hard work, and for keeping our congregations informed.
CENTERING PRAYER: Centering prayer group meets every Monday; all are welcome to join for one half hour of prayer together.
Fall 2016 Worship and Pastoral Care: The Pastoral Charge Executive would like to announce that we have pulpit supply in place for the fall – though the Christmas season if necessary – provided by Rev. Jennifer Brown, from Peticodiac. Rev. Nigel Weaver is our supervisory minister appointed by presbytery. For any pastoral care needs for the rest of the year, please feel free to contact Rev Jean Ward – 902-694-4372 or a.jean.ward@gmail.com
FUNDRAISING CALENDAR FOR ANDERSON SETTLEMENT: Anderson Settlement people are selling a fundraising calendar with a photo of the church to raise funds for much needed work on the church. The calendars are $10 each. To order a calendar, please speak with Bernice McMaster. Youth Ministry: You may notice that the SPY group has not been present yet this Fall. In fact, the group will be taking a “pause” this year. We hold our youth and their families in our prayers, recognizing the full and busy lives they lead. In this coming year, we will stay open to new ways that our youth ministry may unfold.
Grannie’s Soup Volunteers Needed: The Annual “Grannie’s Soup” will be held during Midnight Madness – Dec 2, 4:30-7:00pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Hall. Anyone able to contribute something – soup, biscuits, dessert, butter, tea or coffee, napkins, sugar – or if you would like to work with us on the night of the event, please contact Heather Patterson at hpatters@mta.ca All money raised goes to helping Grandmothers and Orphans in sub-Saharan Africa.
HURRICANE MATTHEW APPEAL: To date, the United Church has raised over $92,800 for the Hurricane Matthew Emergency Appeal. Thank you! The need continues. Find out more and support the relief effort by visiting http://www.united-church.ca/hurricane-matthew
Some new opportunities have been posted on the Discernment Board. Check out the details on the Board or speak to the contact person:
Sign up to take part in a Christmas Play: all ages welcome (Fiona or Glenda)
Take a turn hosting the Wednesday morning (10 am) coffee break with members of the Open Sky Cooperative: volunteer hosts make the coffee and are present to those who come (Judith)
Make your own Advent Calendar: an idea offered by Ari
Offer an hour or so as a “welcome host” during the Mt. A International Student’s Food Bazaar on the evening of November 18th: welcome the community to our church building and support the students
NOTICE OF CONGREGATIONAL MEETING FOR SUC
Please note that the Executive is calling for a Congregational Meeting to be held on Sunday, November 20th following morning worship. The purpose of the meeting will be to receive the proposed budget for 2017, and to receive names for two positions to the executive that be effective at the end of the 2016 Annual Meeting: Chair-Elect, and Communicator-Elect. These positions are for a two-year term with a three-month mentoring period beginning immediately following this Congregational Meeting.
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The two-year terms for two positions on the executive will soon be open.
The Executive invites you to consider who might be just the right persons to be the next Chair (presently Marilyn Burrell) and the next Communicator (presently Brenda Allen) of the Executive of the Congregation. It could be YOU. Or it could be the person sitting beside you. Please give this your thoughtful attention, and when you think of someone, place the name in the box provided on the side table.
All members of the Executive of the Congregation attend the Executive Grounding Circle and Executive Business meetings. Each gathering aims to be no more than 90 minutes, and meets monthly, usually for 10 months/year. Here are brief descriptions of the upcoming vacancies:
Role of the position of Chair:
Call meetings & Prepare the agenda
Lead the Executive Governance meetings
Be aware of and attend to (with the Executive) requirements for congregational life
Support the church office in regard to facility use requests
Act as spokesperson for the congregation
Role of the Communicator (This position contains and expands the responsibilities of a Secretary)
Records and distributes minutes
Keeps records current and in order
Receives and brings Correspondence to the meeting
Liaises with and is supported by a core group within the Communications Ministry Area
STAND WITH STANDING ROCK
This week is an important one for the people of Standing Rock, and all who are in solidarity with them as they continue to assert their struggle to protect the land and the water from the impacts of the proposed Dakota Access pipeline. In doing so, they are also asserting their right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Now, at the request of local Episcopal clergy, clergy from across North America, including a delegation from our full-communion partner the United Church of Christ, and Canada’s National Indigenous Anglican Bishop, Mark MacDonald, are gathering at Standing Rock from Nov 2 to 4 “to stand witness to water protectors’ acts of compassion for God’s creation, and to the transformative power of God’s love to make a way out of no way.”
KAIROS offers us a prayer of hope and solidarity with these, and all people who word for justice, right relations, and stewardship of the earth:
Creator, You loved creation into being. Your goodness is present in the land and waters, in the creatures and peoples You created. You call us to be in right relation with all living things. Be present today, and every day, where people stand in peaceful defense of your creation. We recognize Your presence in Standing Rock, with Indigenous peoples who are protecting the waters. May we also be present in spirit and in truth. We recognize Your presence in our own country where Indigenous peoples also stand peaceably in defense of land and waters. May we be present in witness and solidarity. We recognize and repent for the violence that has marked relations with Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. We claim your challenge of truth and justice, and your promise of healing and reconciliation. In Your mercy, help us move forward in a good and just way. Amen
Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-16a (The Message)
Isaiah 40:1–5
Hymns:
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace, VU 684
Arise, Your Light is Come, VU 79
A Song Must Rise, MV 142
I Have Called You by Your Name, MV 161
Go Make a Difference, MV 209 Offertory Response: We Give Our Thanks, MV 187 (Engligh & French)
For More About What’s On Visit: http://www.sackvillepastoralcharge.com
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