St. Mark's United Church - AWAKE TO AUTUMN - Weekly Update Oct 31, 2020

St. Mark's United Church
            Weekly Update
             Oct 31, 2020

          AWAKE TO AUTUMN
             a poem by Joan Robertson
   cover photo: The tree that inspired Joan's poem

The glory of God is ablaze!

             There she is..

    October's supercilious spectacle.

    Presenting: The Red Sugar Maple

        Our backyard "show off"

Branches bedecked in leafy,layers of lace

         Swing in rhythms waves

         Flamingo feather fans

          Flap in teasing winds

          Scarlet tutu's dance

       Flashes of lush, lime green

       Strike cool contrast notes

      Oh October, how I love thee!

            Shining brightest

            As the dying do

            Before letting go

        Lives and leaves twirling

            In unending cycle

       Of transparent transition.

Awake to Autumn.

          Praise be the gift and glory of God!

 Join Us for Worship this week on YouTube
  Unfortunately, it looks like we will not be gathering for
    worship in the sanctuary until later in November.

   Please, join us for worship on our YouTube Channel
                      until we can hold
        "Watch Party Services" in the sanctuary.

                   Please join us for worship!

This week we will be celebrating communion. When Jesus shared
the last supper with his friends he did not run out and get special
food to share. What they shared were the common elements of a
 special, but common Passover Meal. The juice and the bread we
use in communion are used because they are common in our part
 of the world. However, around the world it is not uncommon to
see communion elements that look different than ours. Rice, flat
bread, bannick and other juices are used instead. So if you would
        like to prepare elements for you and your family...
 please feel free to us juice, water, coffee or tea with bread, toast,
                          cracker or cookies.
                        Whatever you choose,
       please, do come and share in Jesus' feast tomorrow.

                    Link to our YouTube Channel

                          Visit our website

Please remember to turn your
                               clocks back one hour tonight!

               The Church office will be open from:
         9:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays

                      Peg will be in the office:
                10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays
               10:00 a.m.-12 p.m. on Wednesdays
              10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Thursdays
 (if you would like to book a time outside these hours please call
                    Peg to make arrangements)

                Gift giving made simple.....
Only two months left until Christmas....Are you starting to make
your lists and check them? ....Are you wondering what to get for
those on your list that have everything?
Several years ago The United Church of Canada developed the
Gifts with Vision program in response to member requests to be
able to give gifts to relatives, friends, and loved ones that are in
direct support of the church's Mission & Service partners.
The United Church of Canada has some interesting gift ideas that
you might want to consider for your loved ones this Christmas.
Click on the link below to access the Gifts with Vision Website,

                           Gifts with Vision

Caring Corner
Please continue sending your love, support and prayers for:

The Lee Family: Dan, Ruth's son, continues to be cared for by the staff at
Emmanuel House. Please hold the Lee family in your prayers during this
difficult time.

                         Upcoming Events
Tuesday November 3rd
Team Time: 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room

Wednesday November 4th
Bible Study: 10:00 a.m. (please see
Study: "Forgotten and Neglected Women of the Old Testament"
                For more information on these two studies
                   please read the announcement below

Friday, November 13th
Jr. Youth Group: 5:30-7:30 in the Friendship Hall
Please remember your masks and to social distance

Friday, November 27th
Jr. Youth Group: 5:30-7:30 in the Friendship Hall
Please remember your masks and to social distance

Sunday, November 29th
10:30 a.m. "Watch Party" Service in the sanctuary
Please call the church office to reserve your seat for the service. We must
restrict our sanctuary capacity to 50 individuals. During this time we will
be watching the YouTube service as it appears to those at home. Our hope
is to provide a worship experience for those without the technology at
home. If you know of a neighbour or friend who has been unable to watch
the services on-line please let them know that they can come to the church
and watch it with others.

*********************************************************************
                        Junior Youth Group
                             (grade 5-8)

We are fortunate to have a fair number of youth who enjoy our Friday
Night gatherings. In order to follow United Church policy, there must be
2 adults present with the youth at all times to ensure everyone's
safety. The program for the evening is planned for and resourced by Rev.
Peg. If you are able to volunteer and be present, even one night a

year, please let me know : minister@stmarksunitedchurch.ca . A
volunteer is needed for each of the events in November.

*********************************************************************
           Two Studies Led by Rev. Paul Fayter
       People are welcome to participate in one or both discussions:

1) Bible Study: focused on the weekly texts from the Revised Common
Lectionary. from 10 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
2) Series on the "Forgotten and Neglected Women of the Hebrew
Bible/Old Testament" from 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

The proposed dates for the Wednesday morning sessions are:
  NOV 4, NOV 11 [with a silent pause at 11 a.m.],
NOV 25, DEC 2 , DEC 9, DEC16

Anyone wishing to participate are asked to send an email to Paul Fayter:
paulfayter@gmail.com to receive commentary on the weekly lectionary,
and the notes on OT Women.

 All programming and the use of indoor space depends on Provincial and
            Regional Health regulations and Board decisions.
                  Thank you for your understanding.

         Things Going On in the Community
 St. James Anglican Church has begun their Winter Boot and Coat Drive.
       Please drop off your lightly used coats and boots at St. James.

Photos of the Week
Please continue to send your
pictures to the Newsletter. People
are enjoying receiving photo
memories of their church family.

      Please email them to:
minister@stmarksunitedchurch.ca

         To the Right .....
A mysterious but beautifully
berried bush on my walk through
Gage Park this week.
Anyone know what it is? I'd love to
know!

Our "Getting to know you" article is back...
watch out...you might be next!

                                               Meet Linda
                                               Wilke!
                                               (article written by
                                               Barb Williams who is
                                               our guest reporter
                                               while Ruth Lee is
                                               taking care of her son
                                               and family)

Yesterday Linda and I met for coffee. What a delightful experience
to chat, (socially distanced) and learn about one of St. Mark’s
newest members.
Linda was born in Hamilton in 1954 - the year after her parents
immigrated from Germany with her 2 older sisters.

She left Hamilton in 1973 and moved to Toronto and moved to
Vancouver (sight unseen) in 1980.
She came out as a lesbian in 1981 - a life changing event. She met
her future spouse in the late 80’s.
They unofficially married in 2000, and legally in 2003. Their
daughter Cameron was born in 1999. She is currently at Queens
studying nursing. Linda retired in 2018 and moved back to
Hamilton, to be closer to family. Her mom and sister Mary live
here.

Linda’s work life was one of economics. She held many finance
related positions and shares true enthusiasm for her Non-Profit
Financial Counselling vocation in Nova Scotia. Her passion is
obvious for helping others to gain happiness through their own
personal budgeting successes. She continues to loyally support
those who need her help.

Her faith journey began about 15 years ago. She had been an
atheist most of her life. Church was not part of her childhood. She
enjoyed faith conversations with Reverend Peg at Barton Stone
and hence moved to St. Mark’s when Peg did.
 She enjoys church, specifically at St Mark’s, and says that
someday soon she hopes to attend in person! When she moved
back to Hamilton, she was only interested in attending an
Affirming congregation. That brought her to Barton Stone-Mount
Hope on the mountain. For her, the minister is an important piece
of church experience and she has not been disappointed.

 Linda enjoys contemporary music and follows the music of her
former Organist…now Minister…. Rick Gunn. She particularly
likes the music from More Voices. She has also enjoyed getting to
know some of the St Mark’s folks. As well, she looks forward to St
Mark’s becoming an Affirming congregation over the next period
of time. I asked her what she wanted St. Mark’s folk to know about
her. Her reply was that she may not be super outgoing but when
she is your friend, she is a deep, caring and loyal one.

Linda and her sister Maryon, are at present helping their Mother
Elsie begin her new life at Highgate in Ancaster. Linda spoke of
her Mom having written the story of her life and particularly of her
journey from Germany in the “forties”. I hope I get to read
it. Linda’s bubbling zest for life continues to flow even through
some tough stretches.
Welcome to St. Mark’s Linda!

Some harder news to report...
As of September 30th, our actual income is $103, 000 as compared to the
budgeted amount of $132,000. This has put us behind about $29,000 in
total income.
Spending on church programmes, salaries and property maintenance is
$155,000. This leaves us with a deficit of $52,000 at this time.
If you are able we are asking that you bring your givings up to date.
In order to avoid handling currency and cheques as much as possible,
please consider etransfers (email is office@stmarksunitedchurch.ca)
or contact Jennifer to set up PAR givings.

Thank you
The Finance Committee

   This weekly update of news, views and upcoming events is
brought to you by Rev. Peg, Ruth Lee and Dorothy Bartalos and
Jennifer Hampson. We would be glad to hear your comments. If
you want us to include an item, please be in touch by 12 noon on
 the Wednesday prior to the week you would like your piece to
  appear. Email your submissions to (bartal@sympatico.ca or
     905-627-7977) or (office@stmarksunitedchurch.ca) .
 To have something put up on our website, contact Webmaster
            Phil Wood at philwood173@gmail.com.

                              Contact us
                           905-627-9251
                  minister@stmarksunitedchurch.ca
                    Rev. Peg's Cell: 905-577-3348
                  www.stmarksunitedchurch.ca