April 25, 2023
Calvary Compass – April 25, 2023 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Rev. Kerry is off on Study Leave and a well-deserved rest this week. Rev. Michelle Owens from White Oaks United Church will be available for Emergency Pastoral Care. Please call Kim in the church office and she will contact Rev. Owens for you. Ruthanne McLagan will be conducting our worship service on April 30th.
Kiwanis Music Festival is in the sanctuary this week and features older youth and some adult vocal competitions. All are welcome to come and hear these participants. The admission cost is $3.
The deadline for applying for the Bursary or Scholarship Program is this Sunday, April 30th. (https://www.calvaryuc.ca/bursary-program)
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
April 30 - https://youtube.com/live/fztnfCs0JGg
Recorded service for April 23 - https://youtube.com/live/r5v9l1d1zE8
Life Spin Lenten Project
On Friday, April 21st, five van loads of clothing, toys, kitchen items and much more were delivered to Life Spin. This was in addition to the two van loads delivered previously. Thank you to the Calvary community for their generous donations and to the volunteers who loaded the vans.
Antler River Watershed Regional Council
Friday, May 12th and Saturday, May 13th - Mary Margaret Farrow, Nancy Hind and Marg. LaRocque, Calvary's representatives for the Antler River Watershed Regional Council and Rev. Kerry will be attending the regional council meeting at Stoneridge Inn. The representatives of each congregation and their respective clergy persons will hear reports and proposals for the work of the United Church of Canada in our region and from the General Council office. Two keynote speakers will be presenting; one on Eco-Theology and the other on Renewing the Church. Please keep Calvary's representatives and Rev. Kerry in your prayers as they attend these important meetings for our region of the United Church of Canada.
Sanctuary Renovation Dedication
Sunday, May 14th - Dedication of the sanctuary renovations that were completed during the pandemic. We will dedicate (re-dedicate) the sanctuary space to the glory of God.
MASKING
On Wednesday, April 19th, Calvary's Church Council decided that the wearing of masks in the church was optional. Everyone can make their own decision on whether they wish to wear a mask or not. If at some point the Middlesex-London Health Unit requests that everyone start to wear masks in public areas, we will re-instate the policy and have masks available.
UNDIE SUNDAY
The deadline date for dropping off undies at the church is May 21st. They will be delivered directly to Mission Services of London that following week. May I remind you that you can purchase Giant Tiger cards and other merchants through our Fundscrip program (and the church receives some money). You can do your own purchases or pass cards along to me for a larger group purchase and possible discount. If you wish to give money or cheque, they can be given directly to me (Kristen Goodman) or by etransfer: krisgoodman@live.ca Thank you to those who responded already. There will be baskets at the back of the church starting April 30th. People shouldn't have to wear someone else's underwear. Providing some dignity is a wonderful gift to give.
Saturday, June 3rd, Gathering on the Green
Volunteers needed for various shifts to engage with those that are seeking community of faith questions about Christianity in this time. If you are available please contact Rev. Kerry at kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca to help set up, tear down or staffing Calvary's booth, rain or shine. We had a great time last year and we look forward to another joyous day on the green.
Sunday, June 18th, Baptism and Reception of New Members!
If you or someone you know would like to become a member of Calvary please contact Rev. Kerry at kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca
It will be a joyous day of celebrating with the sacrament of baptism and welcoming new members. Adherents can also decide to become members at this time if they wish. Rev. Kerry will need to know of your interest in baptism or becoming a member by June 1st so that he can schedule a gathering time with prospective new members prior to June 18th. At that information gathering, Rev. Kerry will share information about the United Church of Canada and what it means to be a member of Calvary's dynamic congregation.
Sunday, July 23rd, London Pride Parade at 1 pm. Calvary along with many of London's United Churches will join together again this year to walk or ride in London's Pride Parade.
ARVA MILLS
A Calvary group tour of Arva Mills (a 204-year-old continuing operating mill) can be arranged this Spring. ... date to be determined. Lyse Geldard will be organizing it. Contact Lyse at 519-670-0508 if interested.
SAVE THE DATE
The cleanup for Calvary's Pollinator Garden will be held Friday, May 5th beginning at 9 am with a rain date, if needed, of Saturday, May 6th. We hope to have many of you willing to give Calvary Green a hand with the necessary raking and trimming back of perennial plants. No garden experience required. Please bring rakes and clippers if you have them.
REMINDER - Westminster Ponds
Native Plant sale
Final few weeks.. sale ends May 13th at 11:59 pm.... Pick up is May 27th.
Select beautiful, low maintenance plants (sold in individual soft fiber liner plugs.. not in plastic pots) and help support our local non-profit environmental groups. Native plants provide food and habitats to local pollinators, insects, birds and other wildlife.
https://westministerpondscentre.ca
SUMMER YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT EMPLOYMENT
First St. Andrews, Metropolitan and Siloam United Churches are seeking a summer youth director (ages 19-30) and summer youth coordinators (ages 15-30) for summer employment. The summer staff will be working alongside Marilyn Arthur, Shared Youth and Young Adult Minister to lead day camps, and plan and lead activities for youth and young adults throughout the summer. They will plan and implement events for all ages to gather along with other opportunities that arise. Please email Marilyn Arthur at sharedyouthandyaministry@gmail.com with questions and job descriptions.
Meetings this Week:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Bible Study - Thursday -11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study
Thursday - 11:00 -12 Noon
Scripture Readings: - Psalm 23; John 10: 1-10; Ruthanne McLagan will be leading.
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 134: 1-3 (from the Revised Standard Version Updated Version)
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord.
May the Lord, maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Prayer for the Week:
God of love and comfort,
you multiply your words to be shared with many people.
Help us to build each other up through your inspiring words
and to be disciples who include and encourage those you are
marginalized, oppressed and displaced by the wrongful ways of others.
As followers of the One who is light and love, we pray. Amen.