March 4, 2025
Calvary Compass – March 4, 2025 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Thank you to all who attended the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday after our worship service. For those who were unable to attend the meeting either in-person or on Zoom, the congregation voted YES to entering into the 2 Year Collaboration Ministry Trial Plan with White Oaks, Wesley-Knox, Riverside and Calvary United Churches. It will begin May 1st, 2025 and there will be a review every 6 months in order to make any adjustments or changes that are necessary. Two members from each congregation will be involved with Rev. Kerry Stover, Rev. Rob Apgar-Taylor and Rev. Michelle Owen in this review process.
P.I.E. Day (Public, Intentional and Explicit) is officially March 14th. However, Calvary will be celebrating it on Sunday March 9th with a Minute for Affirming and serving at our Coffee Hour some delicious pies with your coffee, tea or juice.
Don't forget Jazz Vespers this Wednesday night at 7 pm.
This coming Saturday night (March 8th), we turn our clocks ahead one hour. (Spring ahead!)
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
March 9 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4wwujCjpOo
March 16 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbTuFxm-xIU
NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.
Recorded service for March 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwu3IsnNHs0
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
The World Day of Prayer will be held at Chalmer's Presbyterian Church - 342 Pond Mills Road - at 7 pm on Friday, March 7th. This year, the service was developed by Cook's Island and prepared and adapted for use in Canada by the Women's Church Council of Canada.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
The Outreach Committee will collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy throughout the entire year except for 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
Tax Receipts for January and February
On December 31, 2024, the federal government announced that they were extending the donation deadline for 2024 until the end of February 2025. This is due to the significant impact the postal strike had on charities nationwide. This change will allow people to claim their January and February
2025 donations on their 2024 tax return, if they choose to do so. Alternatively, they can claim these donations on their 2025 tax return as per usual. Therefore Kim has printed tax receipts for January and February donations and they are available for pick up at the back of the church this Sunday. When tax receipts are printed for 2025, they will cover the period March 1 to December 31.
EVENT AT FIRST ST. ANDREWS UNITED CHURCH
First St Andrews U.C. is hosting a FREE event called MINDFULLY MOVING EVENT Throughout Lent on Sunday, March 9th. The point is to participate in purposeful movement that is reflective and restorative. There will be two sessions, one starting at 4:00 pm and one starting at 5:00 pm. Each session will have a Pilate class and a Labyrinth walk. All classes will be 40 - 45 minutes in length.
Here's what you should know:
• If you want to join a Pilates class please bring 2 towels and dress in clothes you can move around in. These will be geared towards beginners an excellent way to try the classes. The instructor is a Pilates instructor from the Damian Warner gym and has lots of experience so she will be able to help you.
• All sessions are first come, first serve
• Childcare will be offered at this event. The children will not be allowed to run around through the church as we want quiet for our classes.
• There will be people to talk to you quietly after the Labyrinth if you need to talk to someone.
All are welcome whether you have children, don't have children, single or older. This event is for FSA and the wider community.
Any questions, please reach out to Christine at children@fsaunited.com
EVENT AT WESLEY-KNOX UNITED CHURCH
Wesley-Knox is hosting a film night on March 9th at 6 pm, showing "God and Country", a documentary by Rob Reiner which looks at the rise of Christian Nationalism from the Tent Revivals of the 40's and 50's through the Moral Majority of the 1980's to today.
It is an American perspective but does have reputable experts in the Church speaking.
Meetings this Week:
• CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
• Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7 pm
• Outreach Committee – Thursday – 1:30pm in Parlour
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study:
Scripture Readings: Romans 10: 8b - 13; Luke 4: 1-13:
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 91: 1 -2; 9 -10;
Living in the Most High's shelter,
camping in the Almighty's shade,
I say to the Lord, " You are my refuge, my stronghold!
You are my God --- the one I trust ! "
Because you made the Lord my refuge,
the Most High, your place of residence -
no evil will happen to you;
no disease will come to your dwelling place.
Prayer for the Week:
Holy and gracious God,
as we enter this first week of our Lenten journey, guide us on the path that leads to you.
Fill our hearts with gratitude, patience, strength and peace.
Help us to grow closer to you this Lent thorough the practice of prayer.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Prayer focus: For those who are waiting for a diagnosis.