January 28, 2025
Calvary Compass – January 28, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
It is hard to believe that January is almost over. Hopefully the bitter cold will not return.
Next Sunday, Rev. Kerry and Bill Butt will be available to answer any of your questions about the proposed plan to work with Riverside, Wesley-Knox and White Oaks in the Shared Ministry - Rev. Michelle Owens, Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor and Rev. Kerry Stover. Before our Annual Meeting on March 2nd, there will be a printed document to outline the plans. Each congregation involved will have an opportunity at their Annual Meetings to vote whether they agree or disagree with the proposed plan. Calvary is the last Annual Meeting of the four churches to take place.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
February 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1p12vbPnUk
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for January 26 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A38fO2bMY3I
HOMELESSNESS
Several service agencies in London have declared an Urgent State of Emergency Appeal to address the devastating impact of the extreme cold on over 320 people in our community who have no shelter.
An open letter was issued to London City Council calling for immediate action to open warming centres and establish emergency shelters to save lives. Please read the full letter at Open-Letter-January-2025-London-City-Council.png (1006×1338)
Also, Ark Aid is proposing a big campaign to raise funds to provide more shelter beds and services for the long term.
If you are able to help:
• Donate Now - Contribute directly through CanadaHelps or visit arkaidmission.ca to be a Life Partner
• Share the Letter - Help amplify the call for action by sharing the public letter with your networks or follow their social media
• Advocate for Action - Write to your city councillor and demand immediate emergency measures
If you have questions or want to reach out to Ark Aid, call Paula Simpson - Director of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives - paula@arkaidmission.ca or call 519-667-0322 - Ext. 102
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
Major Changes for the London Community Chaplaincy - Southdale location
Some of you may know that the City of London has been constructing a multi-level low rise building at the corner of Southdale & Millbank Dr. to replace some of the townhouses there. The second phase will begin later 2025. As a result, the current location of the Southdale Chaplaincy program (part of the London Community Chaplaincy) is scheduled for demolition sometime in the next few months. Therefore, the staff of LCC, including Chaplain Pam Cullen, have been tirelessly working to find places to accommodate these programs. It wasn't until recently that they were able to finalize their plans. Moving forward (at least for the near future) they will be offering their programs at space in Laurier Secondary School & St. Stephen's Memorial Anglican Church on Southdale near Wellington. Because Southdale location stored non-perishables collected at Calvary which were divided between the two sites, Limberlost and Southdale, a new plan for these food items is needed. Tentatively, the non-perishables collected at Calvary will be divided between the Limberlost site of LCC & the Allen Rush Complex - a housing complex in Pond Mills neighbourhood of Banbury Court.
On behalf of the Outreach Committee, I'd like to thank Calvary for their continued generosity supporting the ongoing collection of non-perishables. We appreciate your patience as plans change and unfold for the London Community Chaplaincy.
Bonnie McNichol - co-chair of Outreach
According to Bonnie, the residents of the Southdale Chaplaincy have moved all over London to other locations.
As a correction from last week's notice - many of the units in the new structures will be at Market Price Rent, but several will be at a reduced rent according to the rules allowed in the by laws for apartment structures to accommodate those of a lower income.
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.
ADVENT PROJECT – Joan’s Place
On Friday, January 24, Bonnie and Karen delivered the donations received for Joan’s Place which was part of Calvary’s 2024 Advent Project. Calvary raised $3,040! Well done! The presentation took place at the YOU Café.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Please write up your annual reports and send them to Kim by Tuesday, February 4th so that she can collate them and prepare the booklet containing the various reports before the Annual Meeting. Please note that submissions should use the Arial font and 12 pt. size. Do not format with page numbers, headers or footers.
AFFIRMING
The Grand Theatre has an upcoming play that may be worth viewing.
The Secret to Good Tea
by Rosanna Deerchild
Directed by Renee Morriseau
February 18 to March 8, 2025
Spriet Stage
Gwynn is a local radio host. Her mother, Maggie, has a story.
Maggie has spent a lifetime building a wall between herself and her memories - as well as between herself and her inquisitive, journalist daughter. Now with a healing gathering for residential school survivors approaching, Gwynn wants Maggie to stop evading her truth, and be part of the change.
With a pot of hot tea as the only thing between them, Maggie and Gwynn work to dismantle her wall, uncovering Maggie's story in a journey of laughter, revelation, understanding, and the bond of a mother and daughter.
The Secret to Good Tea is a vibrant, intimate, and cheeky family portrait based on playwright Rosanna Deerchild ( CBC Unreserved) and her mother. Fresh from the world premiere in its home province of Manitoba, Deerchild's powerful first play is set to make its Ontario debut at the Grand Theatre, in partnership with the National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre. Renee Morriseau, who directed the play's world premiere, returns to Deerchild's work once again and will direct The Secret to Good Tea on the Grand Theatre's Spriet Stage.
CALVARY GREEN
DID YOU KNOW???
Our Wortley Village in Old South is the best example in London of " A COMPLETE COMMUNITY."
- a community is considered complete if the most commonly used services and activities are reachable within 10 - 15 minute walk, or a short bike ride. It is easy to live in without a car.
It prioritizes space efficient travel by walking, bicycling or public transit and creates a more livable, walkable urban neighbourhood. An interesting fact.
CHILI COOK OFF AND MOVIE NIGHT AT KILWORTH UNITED CHURCH
Kilworth United Church is holding a Chili Dinner on Friday February7th at 5:00 pm
• Meat and Vegetarian Chili
• Mac and Cheese for Kids
• Cost is by donation
Movie is: The Jackie Robinson Story - starts at 6:30 pm
The donation funds will go to support Karen's Place in London (Transitional Housing for Older Women).
No Tickets needed but RSVP to joshua.macdougall@gmail.com is appreciated.
Meetings this Week:
• CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
• Outreach Committee – Thursday at 1:30 in the Parlour
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00am - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study:
Scripture Readings: Psalm 71: 1 - 6; 1 Corinthians 13: 1 - 13;
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 71: 1 - 5 from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition translation
In you, O Lord, I take my refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline your ear to me and save me,
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress {a} to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of the unjust and cruel,
For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Prayer for the Week:
We trust you, God, for help in times of trouble and in times of rejoicing.
When we are overwhelmed by the suffering of the world and
unclear about how best to respond, grant us strength to face the challenge,
grant us wisdom to know the way forward, and grant us hope that we
will continue to be lifted by light and love on our journey. Amen.
Prayer focus for this week: Let us pray for those that feel unwanted or unloved.