May 23, 2023
Calvary Compass – May 23rd, 2023 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
Next Sunday we will be celebrating communion. There will be communion elements available to use or you can bring your own if you choose. Please remember that there will be a benevolent offering as well as our usual offering.
Kim Knowles is back from her vacation. The office will be open during regular hours if you have need to speak with Kim or Rev. Kerry.
Unfortunately, there is sad news to share with the Calvary community with the recent death of two of our members.
Shirley MacMillan passed away on May 18th in her 89th year.
Jean Knowles passed away on May 7th in her 95th year.
During this time of sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.
“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
May 28th - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eifaad9lrt4
Recorded service for May 21st - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub7uHcPErc8
THE VOTE AND PROTEST AGAINST BILL 60
London Health Coalition is a non-partisan and non-profit organization. It is part of the Ontario Health of Coalition, a network of over 400 grass root community organizations. Their goal is to advocate for public healthcare and keep the people of London/Ontario informed. Recently, they raised concerns about Bill 60. This bill was passed in the legislature on May 8th., as the Ford government has a majority. The main objective of Bill 60 is to allow "for profit" healthcare, which ultimately will denigrate/destroy Ontario's publicly funded healthcare system.
If you don't want our public hospitals and health services to be privatized to "for Profit" hospitals and clinics, VOTE NO in the citizen led referendum May 26 and May 27. On-line voting commenced Tuesday May 2, 2023. On Friday, May 26 and Saturday, May 27 in-person voting will take place at a variety of locations in London and across the province.
In London, here are a few locations to vote:
• Giant Tiger, 390 Springbank Drive
• Hyland Cinema, 240 Wharncliffe Rd. S
• Storm Stayed Brewery, 169 Wharncliffe Rd. S
• Turners Drug Store, 52 Grand Ave.
• Covent Garden Market, Saturday May 27: 8 am - 1 pm (only)
• MP Lindsay Mathyssen's Office, 1700 Dundas St.
If you would like more info about other polling stations and times that polling stations are open, please contact Bonnie McNichol at 519-681-6677 or bbmcnichol@gmail.com as times vary on the business' hours of operation.
Most locations will offer in-person voting both days.
The Coalition is respectfully requesting that individuals only vote once to maintain the integrity of the vote.
For more information, please pick up a brochure at the back of the sanctuary or go to PublicHospitalVote.ca
CALVARY GREEN - CALLING ALL MULCHERS
We need your help to spread mulch on Friday, May 26th, starting at 9 am.
A load of mulch (thanks to Tim Lindsay) will be ready and near the garden. Please bring rakes and a wheel barrow if you live close. The more hands the faster we go. Many thanks!!
PLEASE NOTE: The "Watering Schedule" is posted on the Green bulletin board (in hallway leading into the sanctuary.)
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY (Southdale location)
We will be collecting non-perishables for LCC from May 23rd to June 25th. Breakfast items, school snacks (nut free) eg. granola bars, applesauce, puddings, etc. and pasta sauce are currently needed. Thanks for your ongoing support!
BOTTLE DRIVE
The Scouting Group are doing a bottle drive on Saturday, May 27th from 8:30 am to 12 Noon. If you did not get a flyer in your mailbox, but would like to donate your wine bottles, liquor bottles, beer bottles or beer cans, please drop them off at the VALUMART parking lot on Wortley Road. There will be NO DROP OFF at Calvary. Calvary is hosting a memorial service on Saturday so the Scouters will NOT be at Calvary to pick up any donations.
CALVARY CATALYST
The deadline for submitting articles, poems, and photos to the Catalyst is June 6th. Please send your submissions to Bruce Jones at scouterbruce@rogers.com. Please remember when submitting photos that you need the signed permission of those appearing in the photo. Permission slips can be obtained by contacting Kim in the office.
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 new member by June 1st so that he will know how many people will be at the June 7th gathering of new prospective members. At this 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.
MOVIE AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE
The Affirming Committee are showing the movie "Beginners" starring Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor on Sunday, May 28th in the parlour. Please bring a bagged lunch. Coffee. tea, water and cookies will be offered.
Beginners is a 2010 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Mike Mills. It tells the story of a man reflecting on the life and death of his father while trying to forge a new romantic relationship with a woman dealing with father issues on her own. The film is based on the coming out of Mills' own father at the age of 75, five years before his death.
CHAMPION – PICKLEBALL
There will be further instruction of the rules of pickleball this week during CHAMPION. Kristen has asked the instructor to return for all of those interested in learning about pickleball.
FIVE FINGER PRAYERS
On Sunday, Rev. Kerry taught Emily and the congregation the Five Finger Prayer that he knew. However the late Rev. Beth Chapman taught us a simpler version especially geared for children. The following are the two versions. The first is the late Rev. Beth Chapman's and the second is Rev. Kerry's.
Version 1. Thumb to pinkie
Thank you / I love you / I'm sorry / Help me / Help me help others
Version 2. The thumb is the closest finger to you. Start praying expressing gratitude for those who are closest to you.
The next finger is the index finger. Pray and Express gratitude for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you.
The following finger is the tallest. It reminds us of our leaders and those in authority.
The fourth finger is the ring finger, the weakest finger. It reminds us to pray for those in need.
And finally, your pinkie reminds you to pray/be grateful for yourself.
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.
Meetings this Week:
• Outreach Committee - Tuesday - 7:00 pm via Zoom
• CHAMPION -Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
• Worship Committee – Wednesday – 7:30
• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
• Calvary Green Mulching session - Friday - 9:00 am
• Affirming Movie - Sunday- 11:40 am in the parlour
Bible Study:
Thursday - 11:00 -12 Noon
Scripture Readings: - Acts 2: 1 - 21
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 113: 1 - 4, adapted from NRSV translation
Praise God!
Praise, O servants of the Creator; praise the name of God.
Blessed be the name of God from this time on and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of God is to be praised.
God is high above all nations, and God's glory is above the heavens.
Prayer for the Week:
O Holy one,
open my ears to your promises;
open my heart to the needs of others.
Guide me this day in works of kindness,
justice, and mercy.
I ask this in the name of Jesus,
the light and life of the world. Amen.