February 4, 2025

Calvary Compass – February 4, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca  

 

Dear Friends of Calvary,

Thank you to those who stayed after the Worship Service for the question and answer session about the proposed Shared Ministry. For those who were unable to attend or would like to refresh their memory about the answers, a pdf file is attached to this Compass. Thank you to Nancy Hind for taking notes and developing the pdf. As mentioned, Calvary's Annual Meeting is Sunday, March 2nd after the worship service. At that meeting, the congregation will have an opportunity to vote and decide whether they want to be part of the 2-year project or not

There will be a Coffee Hour this coming Sunday after the Worship Service.  Heart shaped cookies that the children have decorated will be served. 

Today, Feb. 4th, is the last day to submit your Committee's Annual Report to Kim so she can collate the reports and get them into a booklet for the Annual Meeting.

 

Worship Services are all live-streamed: 

NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.

 

PROPOSED SHARED MINISTRY

Following the Service on Sunday, February 2nd, a Q & A session was held so that the congregation could ask questions about the proposed shared ministry. The proposal is for a two-year trial, from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2027.  This is NOT a capital amalgamation and no church buildings will be closed.  This is just for Shared Ministry, between Riverside, Wesley-Knox, White Oaks, and Calvary.  Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor (W-K), Rev. Michelle Owens (WO), and Rev. Kerry Stover (C) will each be one-quarter time at Riverside, resulting in each of the four congregations essentially paying for only a three-quarter-time minister.

See the attached document for information.

 

 LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY

The Outreach Committee will collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy throughout the entire year with the exception of July and August. At this point, the food is being distributed to the Limberlost Chaplaincy and the Allen Rush Complex - a housing complex in Pond Mills neighbourhood of Banbury Court. Breakfast items such as boxed cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter,  juice boxes and nut free school snacks (eg. granola bars and fruit cups) are some of the highest need items. As always, thanks for your continued support and generosity.

Bonnie and Karen

Co-chairs of Outreach

 

BROADVIEW RENEWALS DUE

If you wish to continue your subscription or get a new subscription for the Broadview magazine, please let Kim in the office know by February 28th. The cost is $30 and make cheques payable to Calvary United Church with Broadview written on the memo line.

Formerly known as the Observer, Broadview is a Canadian magazine focused on spirituality and the United Church of Canada news.

 

Something to Consider (from the desk of your Minister)

At last week’s Outreach meeting, I raised the topic of the $200 cheques that everyone, over the age of 18, is to receive from the Province of Ontario. Many of us already budget and in doing so the extra money is nice to receive and even help us with our bills or maybe the extras we don’t normally spend money on.  However, I am encouraging everyone to use the money received to support the various charities that are helping those that are on the street, those agencies that help with addictions, or continue to support Youth Opportunities Unlimited, or even consider our congregation that has a deficit.  A group of concerned citizens of Ontario started a webpage that lists ideas on how or where to donate the $200 you have or will receive in the coming weeks.  If interested in the various charities in Ontario please visit  https://200dollars.ca/

 

 Meetings this Week:

    * CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 -3:30 pm

    * Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7:00 pm

    * Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom

 

Bible Study:

Scripture Readings: Psalm 138;  1 Corinthians 15: 1 -11;

Psalm for the Week:

Psalm 138: 1 -5 ( from Common English Bible translation) 

            I give thanks to you with all my heart, Lord.

                I sing your praise before all other gods.

            I bow toward your holy temple

                and thank your name

                for your loyal love and faithfulness

                    because you have made your name and word

                    greater than everything else (b)

            On the day I cried out, you answered me.

                You encouraged me with inner strength.

 

 Prayer for the Week:

            O God,

            your name and word are exalted above everything.

            Your steadfast love and faithfulness have encouraged

            your beloved children to sing praises for generations.

            Continue to bless us as we sing praises and give thanks to

            you, this day and each day of our journey.  Amen.

Prayer focus for this week: Those suffering from debilitating illness.

Kim Knowles