October 17, 2023
Calvary Compass – October 17, 2023 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
I know we have all struggled with how to respond to the events in Israel and Gaza this past week as we feel dismayed by the horror we are witnessing through various media sources.
Friends that are Jewish and Muslim are being encouraged to light an extra candle each Friday night, the start of those two religions Sabbath, and include a prayer for peace and unity. We are being invited to do the same or to at least to light one candle and pray for peace to show solidarity within all three Abrahamic faiths and to be people whose foundation is prayer.
This Friday evening, I will be lighting a candle in my home and saying a prayer for peace and wanted to suggest this idea for you as well. Please feel free to invite your family, friends, and neighbours to participate or not.
I have included a prayer from St. Francis Xavier University's - Jesuit Resources, written by Reverend Said, that you may want to pray after you light a candle in your home.
God of Mercy and compassion,
of grace and reconciliation,
pour your power upon all of your children in the Middle East;
Jews, Muslims and Christians,
Palestinians and Israelis.
Let hatred be turned into love, fear to trust, despair to hope,
oppression to freedom, occupation to liberation,
that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,
and peace and justice could be experienced by all.
Silent prayer (for 20 seconds)
Amen.
May peace abide, Rev. Kerry
+ + + + +
Everyone is busy preparing for our Fall Bazaar. The kitchen smells of the freshly-made tourtieres and will soon have great smells from other goodies. The stage is slowly filling up with boxes of books. Once the okay comes, you can bring your second-hand items.
If you are willing to help with either the set-up on Friday, November 3rd or the bazaar on Saturday, November 4th, please contact Pam Harrison (twoharrisons@rogers.com) or Kristen Goodman (krisgoodman at live.ca) or Marg LaRocque (mglarocque@rogers.com).
If you have baked goods, please contact Liz Macdonald (davidmac373@rogers.com or Brenda Radforth (radforth@hotmail.com)
If you have preserves, please contact Mary Kannakko (mkannakko@rogers.com)
If you have craft items, please contact Pam Harrison (twoharrisons@rogers.com)
Bob Leigh if you are willing to help with the books (bobkatleigh2@gmail.com)
Ruthanne McLagan will be preaching this Sunday while Rev. Kerry is away.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
October 22 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVbrJ8yawqI
October 29 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIZZN6iVjAU
Recorded service for October 15 - October 15 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYWYBaR4b4w
INTERFAITH TREE PLANTING
Join us for the Interfaith Tree Planting on Sunday, October 22 at 2:30 pm.
SECRET GARDEN
Our new flagstone steps lead us into the ‘secret garden’…. more shade plants and hostas are planned. Take a few minutes and visit our ever expanding Calvary Garden around the green… The colours are continually changing!
2023 Advent Project - Canadian Foodgrains Bank
1. Donation envelopes are available in the church sanctuary and can be put into the offering plates OR dropped off or mailed to the church office:
Calvary United. Church,
290 Ridout St S. London N6C 3Z1
2. Make cheque payable to “Canadian Foodgrains Bank”
3. Write “Caradoc Growing Project” in the Memo line in the bottom, left hand corner of the cheque
4. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Cheques must NOT be made out to the church as there is no way to process them
5. E-transferring a donation is also possible. E-transfer to caradocgrowingproject@gmail.com It is imperative that your full address and postal code be included in the message box in order to receive a tax receipt. Please also indicate donation is from Calvary United Church
6. Donations should be submitted by Nov. 12, 2023
Tax receipts will be issued by CFGB, not by Calvary U.C.
Thank you for your support.
SHARING EXTRA 2024 CALENDARS
If you receive any 2024 calendars which you don't need, please place in the drop-off boxes at the back of the sanctuary or in the foyer off of the parking lot. Calendars will be offered to those who attend the Community Breakfast or others.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY WALK-A-THON
Linda Baker will be participating in the annual London Community Chaplaincy Walk-A-Thon on Sunday, October 29 in support of the Chaplaincy's Food Bank and its various activities for the families residing in the complex. If you would like to sponsor Linda, please see her after church service or she may be contacted at bakerlinda@rogers.com or by telephone at (519) 686-3403. If you would like to forward a cheque, please make payable to "London Community Chaplaincy". Thank you!
AFFIRMING
We hope to have the congregational vote in March. A " Minimum of 75 %" of the congregation must agree to Calvary becoming an Affirming Church when the vote is taken. If you have questions about affirming, but want to make it anonymous, there will be a box at the back of the sanctuary with paper and a pen and also one in the foyer off of the parking lot. The answers to your questions or comments will be printed in the Compass. No names will be mentioned. The Committee strongly suggests that if you have any questions or comments, please ask them whether in person or through the boxes. It is important to be informed before you vote.
The Committee members are Ruthanne McLagan, Kathie Leigh, Jilly Lucas, Kathleen Meatherall, Bill Butt and Mary Kannakko.
NON-PERSISHABLES FOR LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY (SOUTHDALE)
We will be collecting non-perishables for LCC in October and November. Breakfast items in particular are needed. If you are able, please bring items to the church until Sunday November 26th.
HALLOWEEN AT FIRST ST. ANDREWS
On Sunday, October 29th, First St. Andrews United Church is hosting a series of Halloween events to fundraise for their Afghan Refugee Fund. They are sponsoring an Afghan Family. Check out the poster for the various events for both children and adults.
HALLOWEEN IN THE VILLAGE
The Old South Community Association is sponsoring Halloween in the Village with a number of events taking in place including a dance on October 27 and Haunted House on October 28, both at Calvary. More details will follow.
Meetings this week:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30pm
* Church Council - Wednesday - 7:00 pm via Zoom
* Bible Study - Thursday 11:00 am - 12 Noon via Zoom
Bible Study:
Thursday - 11:00 am - 12 Noon
Scripture Reading: Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1 - 10
Psalm for the Week:
Psalm 87: 8 -11 ( new International Version translation)
I will listen to what God the Lord says;
he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants--
but let them not turn to folly.
Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,
that hi glory may dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
Prayer for the Week:
O God of comfort and mercy,
we are crushed down by the weigh of despair.
In mind, body and spirit, we are sadder than we have ever been.
By your gracious and loving power draw nearer to us, restore
our hope and help us live.
Teach us as disciples of your Son, to love the world with compassion
and peace. May your name be known throughout the earth, through
Jesus the Christ, our friend, teacher and Saviour. Amen.
