Rejoicein theLord always; again I w ill say, R ejoice! - THE VOICE -2018CHAPTER3 TRIN ITY U NITE D CH URCH , E LMIRA - Trinity United Church Elmira
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9/14/2018
T RINITY
U NITE D
C H URCH , T H E VOICE – 2018 C H AP TE R 3
E LMIRA
R ejoice in th e L ord alw ays;
again I w ill say, R ejoice!
Ph ilippian s 4:4
| Tr in it y Un it ed Ch u r ch , E lm ir a
The Voice 2018 Chapter 3
Index
Child & Youth Coordinator…………………….… Page 11,12
Community Can Dine………………………………. Page 15
Euchre………………………………………….………… Page 15
Finance & Property……………………….……….. Page 21
GPS………………………………………………………… Page 14
Leadership Council………………………………….. Page 5
Minister…………………………………………………. Page 3
Ministry & Personnel……………………………… Page 8
Music………………………………………………………… Page 12
Pastoral Care Team…………………………………. Page 9
Presbytery………………………………………………. Page 17, 18
Sisters United…………………………………………. Page 9
Trinity Development Committee……………. Page 4
UCW……………………………………………………….. Page 16
Worship & Faith………………………………………. Page 10
2
Trinity on the Move
This summer my husband, John, and I started to hike the Bruce Trail. It’s a
900km journey that follows the Niagara Escarpment from Queenston Heights at
the Niagara River all the way through southern and central Ontario to
Tobermory. For us, it’s a physical and spiritual journey to help mark the transition
to being empty-nesters. After 17 years of intensive parenting, our son, Luke, is off
to study Computer Science at the University of Waterloo and we felt a need to
walk out our excess energy and explore not only the outer terrain of the
escarpment, but the inner terrain of our fears, excitement, hopes, and dreams as
we enter this new stage in our lives.
Trinity is on the cusp of a
transition too. In June, the congregation
agreed to enter into a contract with
Springfield Developments to redevelop
our site. During the year or so that
Springfield expects it will take to get the
necessary zoning changes and site plan
approvals, we have a unique
opportunity to begin to think about our future. What fears must we face? What
do we need to grieve? What do we need to let go of as we make this transition?
And at the same time, what excitement do we hold for the possibilities that this
change will bring? It’s an excellent time to dream.
My prayer over this next year is that we will be honest in answering these
questions to the best of ability. That we will take time to be intentional about
what this transition will mean for us as individuals and as a community, and that
we will draw upon the life and ministry of Jesus as our guide.
May God bless us and guide us as begin this new stage, and may we be a
blessing to others.
Rev. Sue
3
TRINITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
Congregational Meeting and vote on Tuesday, June 19.
At a special meeting of the Trinity Congregation held on June 19, 2018, the members present
approved the motion to allow the Trustees of Trinity United Church, Elmira to enter final
negotiations with Springfield Developments.
No committee meetings were held over the summer but much “behind-the-scenes” work
occurred.
Committee meetings are planned for September 20th and 27th.
Peter Kupfer, Chair; Karen Ross, Secretary
4
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Trinity... on the move. At our most recent Leadership Team meeting, we chose this as our
theme for the 2018-19 church year.
At our congregational meeting in June, Trinity members voted to go ahead with a proposal with
Springfield Developments to redevelop our church property. How exciting! But at the same
time, we are faced with the daunting task of -- temporarily -- moving Trinity once construction
starts. While we don't have a firm timeline yet, there is a lot of planning that needs to happen
as we have to decide where we will move our administrative and worship spaces, and figure out
what physical belongings we want to keep, what we want to sell or give away, and what we
want to store. The Leadership Team, along with the Trinity Development Committee and the
Trustees have started to make plans and lists and weigh our options as we prepare.
While all the activity surrounding the redevelopment of our church property -- and the
impending move -- was what sparked the discussion about Trinity... on the move as a theme, as
we discussed further we realized how the theme reflected our church community as a whole.
We are a vibrant, active and enthusiastic group of people who are living out our mission to live,
love and learn through Christ's teachings. Here is just a few examples!
on Sunday mornings, the congregation is on the move during our upbeat and fun
'passing the peace' song.
during Messy Church, which is planned monthly, we get out of the pews and on the
move as we explore the many fun activity stations.
if you come to Community Can Dine, the volunteers are on the move as they prepare,
serve and clean up a monthly community dinner.
We will be on the move when we take a field trip to Au Noir restaurant in Toronto later
this fall.
Trinity's young families were on the move when they gathered for Splashing for Jesus
over the summer months.
our children & youth programs are on the move with more than 20 kids involved in
nursery, Sunday School and youth.
As we go forward, I challenge you to keep Trinity on the move. What can you do to help make
Trinity an active and engaging church community and to live out our mission?
Mary Feldskov
Chair, leadership team
5
Worship and fun and games and food at the Trinity Church picnic on
Sunday, June 3 at the
Feldskov-Knudsen residence.
New members, Kelly Moores and
Carol Gray, were welcomed on Sunday,
June17.
6
These 2 are really making a fashion statement! Josephine Rudow and
Rosa Ackland, rocking the flowered headbands.
Youthful
artists, Brooke
and Madi
Donkersgoed.
7
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL TEAM
We are pleased to introduce and welcome the newest staff members of Trinity United Church,
Elmira, Karen Orr and Tony Domzella.
Karen Orr is our new Youth and Children Coordinator and
she officially started in August 2018. Karen is a returning
face to Trinity as she & her family were past members and
she held a similar staff position. Karen brings with her a
wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for working
with young people in a Christian faith-based environment.
We are excited to have her back within the Trinity family
and look forward to her contributions to our church.
Welcome back Karen!
Tony Domzella is our new Music Director and he officially
started in September 2018. Although young, we were impressed by his maturity and his
thoughtful, sincere Christian faith. Tony is a talented musician (on multiple instruments) and we
are excited by the new possibilities he brings working with our choir, band and the entire
congregation. We look forward to his musical leadership and contribution to our faith
experience. Welcome Tony!
Please make these new staff members feel welcome… and don’t forget our other staff
members, Rev. Sue, Susan, Brad and Katie. Together we look forward to an exciting year in the
life of Trinity United Church, Elmira.
God has truly blessed us once again.
John Osborne & Tim Donkersgoed, Ministry & Personnel Team
Please note:
Our treasurer, Katie Hackert, has a new email: katiehbooks@gmail.com
8
SISTERS UNITED FALL 2018
Our monthly women’s group for younger women in the congregation is starting
up again this fall. Sisters United is a monthly gathering of women who offer a
safe, supportive and trusting environment to each other as we share our lives and
deepen our relationship with God. We look forward to seeing you at our first
gathering on Sunday, September 16 after the second service at 12:30 p.m. Bring
your lunch if you wish.
Rev. Sue
LAY PASTORAL CARE TEAM
The Lay Pastoral Care Team is available for chats and/or visits. If you would like to
talk with a member of our team contact the church office or any one of the team:
Barb Taylor, Christy Humphrey, Melissa Hallock. Rev Sue is, of course, always
available for pastoral care too.
Sympathy to: Marion Foerster and family on the passing of Floyd (Mike) on June
12.
Fall for Jesus
He is Truly
Un Be Leaf Able
9
THE GRATEFUL WAY: A NEW WORSHIP SERIES
Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our
gratefulness, and gratefulness is a measure of our aliveness.
David Steindl-Rast
As a mother, I forced our son, Luke, to write thank you letters (or emails or at the very
least, thank you phone calls) for gifts he received. It was often a chore but I was determined to
teach him a sense of gratitude. So if gratitude is good, why is it so hard to do?
In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, we will explore the gratitude gap
and how we might sustain a meaningful life of gratefulness. Drawing from
Diana Butler Bass’ new book, Grateful, we will look at how we might go
beyond reciprocity and develop gratitude interventions both individually
and together. Join us September 16, 23 and 30th for this new worship
series!
Let’s Get a Little Crazy – Passing the Peace of Christ!
10CHILDREN & YOUTH
Hello Trinity! My name is Karen Orr and I am the new Children
and Youth Coordinator at Trinity! You may recognize me…I
worked at Trinity doing the same jobs from 2004 -2013. It is
good to be back!
My vision is for people of all ages to KNOW GOD as opposed
to know OF God. My desire is for people to have a relationship
with God and to provide lifelong tools to nurture this
relationship. We will do this by infusing spiritual practises into
the faith development of our young people as well as bible
stories, and fun!
I am passionate about helping people become who God created them to be! It is important to
find your spiritual gifts and use them with joy! With a large part of this ministry being about
serving, I hope to assist people of all ages to use their gifts in our ministry. Adults of all ages,
please prayerfully consider using your gifts and serving in this ministry. We will have 2-3 short
sessions for Sunday School as well as opportunities to serve in youth groups. Providing these
ministries to our children and youth are a responsibility of the whole congregation. This is what
we promise at baptism as a congregation! Together we can walk with our young people on their
journey. No matter what your age or gifts are, I also encourage you to pray for these ministries
and our young people.
Some up to date facts about me! For the past four years I was the Youth Minister at Dublin
Street United in Guelph. In 2013 I became a trained Spiritual Director. My job is to guide people
in their spiritual journeys and illuminate where God is working in their life. I love to journey
with people. I personally meet people on a 1-1 basis for spiritual direction but I also bring much
of my training into children and youth ministry. I am excited to infuse this into the ministry!
In the past four years, I have also received my certificate from Conrad Grebel in Conflict
Management for Congregations. I have become trained as a Soul Collage Facilitator (which I will
share!), and received training in Mental Health First Aid. I also co-created a curriculum for
youth for vocational discernment which you can check out at www.discoverment.org
On a personal note, I am married to Kevin. He is thrilled to be joining Trinity again and I am sure
he will bring his gift of music! We have been blessed with 3 awesome and inspiring children:
Ryan, Emily and Alison….all either in University or just finishing.
Peace and blessings to you all, Karen Orr childrenandyouthcoordinator@gmail.com
11Upcoming dates!!!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sept 16- 9am Messy Church with breakfast for all congregation and families! All
welcome!
Sept 23, 30- Sunday School rotation based on the theme
Oct 7 10 am service–we will have a short play for some of the children and youth to
share with the congregation
Oct 14 9 am – Messy Church for everyone
Oct 21, 28 Sunday School Rotation based on the theme with leaders!
November 4- 9am Messy Church * note with this service we are moving Messy Church
to the first of the month
YOUTH GROUP
Youth groups: Junior (grades 6-8) and Senior youth (grades 9-12)
Sept 14 6-8:30 pm with dinner at Community Can Dine (2nd Friday of every month)
* YOUTH join us as part of our gathering will be to give ideas and input for the year!!!
Sept 23 11-1:30pm including making and eating lunch (4th Sunday of every month)
During these gatherings, both junior and senior youth start off together and then move
into separate junior and senior youth groups halfway through the gathering.
October 28 looking at possible afternoon nature retreat …hold the space!
MUSIC
Meet Tony Domzella, our new music director.Tony is an energetic musician with a
love of diverse styles of worship. He has a firm base in piano and guitar, and likes to
dabble in woodwinds when time permits. Tony has a passion for learning and teaching, and also
has a deep interest in composition. Outside of music, he enjoys curling. Tony is excited to be
joining Trinity, and to see what God has in store this year for music.
12HALF-PRICE RETREATS
Need a break? Want some space to reflect? Here’s a fabulous offer for you!
Rev. Sue serves as a volunteer spiritual director from time to time at Loyola House Retreat
Centre just outside of Guelph. An American Protestant who has been blessed by retreats at
Loyola House has recently given money to Loyola for bursaries for Protestants. The cost can be
reduced by or up to 50% for regular retreat programs. If you have an interest yourself or know
someone who could use this information please pass it along.
Here's the link to Loyola House which includes a link to the program booklet which lists retreats
and training opportunities for the next year. https://ignatiusguelph.ca/loyola-house/
CHRISTIANS TOGETHER FALL EVENTS
Christians Together is a new ministerial for all churches in K-W and surrounding area. Marion
Lambert and Rev. Sue attended the inaugural meeting of the group last May. Here are some of
the Fall events the group has planned:
1. The evening on cannabis and the Christian Community is planned for Wednesday,
October 17, 2018, at 7 p.m. (ending at 8:30 p.m.), at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall,
173 Lourdes St., Waterloo.
2. The evening on opioids and the Christian Community is planned for Wednesday,
November 21, 2018, at 7 p.m. (ending at 8:30 p.m.), at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall,
173 Lourdes St., Waterloo.
These events are for both clergy and lay folk. All are welcome!
Be receptive to what you can download
from the web of life.
God is accessible on the inner-net.
Keep logging on.
Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi
13GPS (GROW, PARTICIPATE, and SERVE)
The GPS team is excited about the fall plans with a wide variety of events for our church and
beyond. Up and coming events include:
- the Welcome Back BBQ breakfast (Sept 9th at 9:30 a.m.)
- our annual Winter Clothing Drive for Woolwich Community Services
- World Food Sunday (Oct 21st) with a Pizza Lunch prepared by the youth and a Silent
Auction with a “Food” theme
- bus trip to O. Noir Restaurant in Toronto for lunch (Nov 3 rd)
- breakfast with St. Nicholas (Dec 1st)
- and the Cookie Walk (Dec 1st)
Watch our timeline in the glass corridor by the front doors for more information.
Silent Auction:Mark Sunday, October 21 (World Food
Sunday) on your calendar now!
We are having a silent auction at noon, along with a Pizza
Lunch prepared by our youth, for our enjoyment.
The theme for our auction is FOOD, so set your plans right
now:
- to fill a gift basket with your favourite preserves of
jams, jellies, pickles, salsa or your specialties.
- to offer up a donation to prepare soup or desserts or
a home cooked meal once a month for six months or for a year
- to purchase a gift card to your treasured restaurant.
New this year will be a children's table of single food items individually wrapped and
individually priced. Cupcakes anyone?
Every silent auction donation must be consumable. How can I donate is the question?
Yum! I can smell and almost taste the wonderful foods that will be prepared for this year’s
Silent Auction.
Bette Cummings
GPS Members: Bette Cummings, Jessica Rudow, Melissa Hallock, Christy Humphrey, Barb
Taylor, Helen Smith, Rev. Sue, Karen Orr
14COMMUNITY CAN DINE
Community Can Dine Celebrated 5 years in June! That’s 5 years of serving great
meals to the community every 2nd Friday of the month!
You can always check the CCD Facebook page to see what’s on the menu. Coming
up is our very popular Thanksgiving turkey dinner on Friday, October 12. Please
contact Melissa Hallock, Christy Humphrey or Jessica Rudow for more information
on how to volunteer.
EUCHRE
Come out for a fun evening of cards and fellowship
and there are snacks too!
Friday. October 19 and Friday, November 16. The
fun starts at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. $2.00
per person
Marilyn Read
15TRINITY UCW MEETING DATES AND TEAMS
October 18
Team Leader: Lyn Schwindt 519 669 2212 (Sept. Oct)
Betty Bauman, Betty Clements, Merle Haney, Lorraine Kidd, Mildred MacFarlane
December 13
Team Leader: Sue Neufeld 519 664 3388 (Nov. Dec.)
Diane Farrow, Betty Howlett, Joyce Morden, Doreen Schmidt
February 21
Team Leader: Linda Hastings 519 219 0567 (Jan. Feb.)
Marie Bauman, Shirley Bridge, Diane Gowing, Isabel Groh, Elaine Robertson
April 18
Team Leader: Sheryl Bertrand 519 669 8270 (Mar. Apr.)
Alva Cummings, Marilyn Read, Joan Starling, Flo Underwood
June 13
Team Leader: Sandy Pember 519 669 2404 (May-June)
Janet Fairhall, Gerrie Porter, Charlotte Read, Helen Richmond
Note: The team leaders will have UCW presidential responsibilities for 2 months
and will chair the business portion of each meeting.
Submitted by Lyn Schwindt
16NEWS FROM WATERLOO PRESBYTERY
“Fresh as the morning, sure as the sunrise, God always faithful,
you do not change.”
(“God of the Bible” More Voices 28)
The refrain of “God of the Bible”, which we sang a couple of times during summer worship, was
going through my head as I prepared to write this news article. General Council 43, which met
in Oshawa, ON, July 21-28, confirmed that many changes are coming to the United Church of
Canada. I’ve told you about some of the changes in previous reports, and Waterloo Presbytery
has been working toward implementation. Now the time has come to put the plan into effect.
As of January 1, 2019, Hamilton Conference and Waterloo Presbytery will no longer be part of
the church governance model. In place will be 16 Regional Councils; our congregation will be
part of Region 8.
A “getting acquainted” meeting for all ministry personnel (including Rev. Sue) and current lay
representatives (including me) from congregations in Region 8 is planned for Saturday, October
20, 2018 in Mount Forest, and for the First Annual Meeting of Region 8 next May 2019. The first
two newsletters, “The Region 8 Review” have already been distributed. Executive Minister
Cheryl-Ann Stadelbauer-Sampa is ready to lead the transition to this new structure.
At the June meeting of Waterloo Presbytery, which was held at the University of Guelph, the
representatives had discussions about our vision for the new Region 8. There are many ideas
about how the local congregations can stay connected to the other United Churches around. It
is hoped that there will be a meeting of representatives from the United Churches within an
hour’s drive of Drayton to share ideas for a “cluster”; Trinity Elmira would be part of that
discussion. United Churches in the Guelph area already have “GUM” (Guelph United
Ministries). United churches in Kitchener-Waterloo are considering other ways to stay
connected. The important thing for all congregations is to collaborate and stay connected
throughout all the changes.
Andrew Hyde, Ecumenical Campus Minister at U. of Guelph, shared what Campus Ministry does
and the various programs offered to students. Listening to him made me wish that there had
been that kind of campus ministry when I attended U of G! Here’s a link to more information
www.ecmguelph.org
One idea that was shared at the meeting is to have a “Prayer Walk” in the neighbourhood
around the church. As we walk, ask God to open our eyes and ears to the people and the things
we see, and pray a blessing on those we meet. It’s one way to stay connected to our
17community as the world around us changes. If you have ideas, please share them with me so I
can pass them along.
Waterloo Presbytery is preparing a “final farewell” event for November (Date to be
announced). In the meantime, consider reading “A Fond Farewell” by Steven Chambers in the
July/August issue of the UCC Observer, p.36, or at this link:
www.ucobserver.org/faith/2018/07/a_fond_farewell_to_presbyteries/
As mentioned earlier, General Council 43 met during the last week of July. I was not a
commissioner or participant in any of the events, but I did follow the link:
https://generalcouncil43.ca/news. Here, you can read about the 50th Anniversary of the Union
of the Evangelical United Brethren Church with the United Church of Canada. In this link, Rev.
Dave Jagger speaks about his personal connection to EUB and to Rev. Bruce Seebach (Deb
Jagger’s dad). If you didn’t already know, Trinity Elmira’s current church building was formerly
Zion EUB, and we joined together in 1971.
The new Moderator of the United Church of Canada is Rev. Richard Bott. The September issue
of The Observer provides more information about him, as well as reviewing some of the events
of GC43.
There will more to share about all of these changes in the next issue of The Voice. Stay tuned!
Karen Ross, Presbytery Rep.
MODERATOR’S WELCOME MESSAGE
Transcript of Videotaped Message: September 2018
Hello, my name is Richard Bott. My pronouns are “he,” “him,” and “his.” This past July, the
General Council elected me as the 43rd
Moderator of The United Church of Canada.
I’ve been asked what it is that I’m hoping to
focus on over the next three years. I’d really like
to see us—as individuals, as communities of
faith, and as a denomination—to explore what it
means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in The
United Church of Canada in the 21st century.
Who is Jesus—for me, for you, and for us—and
what does that mean for how we live and work and celebrate the presence of the divine
together? Part of the joy of The United Church of Canada is that we have so many different
18answers to these questions—and, when we get down into the vulnerable depths of discussion,
we have the ability to experience God’s presence in powerful ways, learning from one another.
I believe that the Holy Spirit was moving at the 43rd General Council—in gusts that carried us
further along paths that we’ve been discerning for a time—as we listened to, and accepted, the
calls to action of the Caretakers of Our Indigenous Circle. We have a long way to go to truly
become people walking together in right relationship with each other and with the Creator, but
I am so thankful for the teachings and the challenge that our Indigenous siblings have been
willing to offer, and that those of us in Christ’s church who are settlers and descendants of
settlers are listening, learning, and acting.
I believe that the Holy Spirit was moving at the 43rd General Council—in a gale-force whirlwind,
when racialized commissioners and commissioners who are differently abled spoke of the
experiences in their lives of racism and ableism—not just in the world but in The United Church
of Canada. In those few hours, God challenged those of us who are part of the dominant church
to realize that every single person is a beloved child of God and to do the deep, hard work of
rooting out and changing our internalized and overt racism and ableism.
In all of this, there is listening that needs to happen, and conversations that need to happen,
and there’s action that needs to happen. There are moments that each of us will feel
overwhelmed. If we take a look at the biblical stories, there are times that many of the disciples
who walked right beside Jesus were overwhelmed—even ran away. But they came back, and
they lived Jesus’ Way to the best of their ability.
There are so many things happening in the life of our church and in the world around us right
now. Political changes, social changes, structural changes, and all of these changes, whether we
think they’re good or not, add to our stress. There’s a phrase that I once heard used by a
Buddhist teacher, a play on words that both makes me smile and gives me pause, “Don’t just do
something. Sit there!” It was their way of challenging the listener to stop and simply be until the
moment was right to act.
For me, as a disciple of Jesus, those moments of quieting myself are a lead-in to the
conversation with God that we often call prayer. So I’d invite you, in those moments when all of
the change, all of the transition threatens to be overwhelming, “Don’t just do something. Sit
there!” Listen carefully—to yourself, to your neighbour, and to God. Then act, and let your
action be as full of your love and God’s love as you are able to make it!
Let’s see where Jesus’ Way is leading us today.
19FINANCE & PROPERTY
Trinity United Church – General Fund as of August 31, 2018
Income $ 92,156.50
Expenses $129,299.00
----------------
Net deficit ($37,142.50)
Rental Income $9,899.55
Solar income $1,760.00
---------------
Net deficit ($25,482.95)
Overall our financial position is slightly better than at this time last year, however keep in mind
we did end 2017 with a deficit. So nice to see that we are in better shape, so hopefully we can
end 2018 with a balanced budget or perhaps even a small surplus! I encourage you to look at
what you gave over July and August and if it is less than what you would give in a normal
month, please consider topping up your gift in the month of September. If you aren’t on PAR
yet, consider moving to PAR and please continue to support any activities that are taking place
within the church that help contribute to our general fund.
The Finance and Property team would like to thank the “garden fairies” who looked after the
flower beds over the last several months. Your time and energy on the flower beds is very
much appreciated and certainly didn’t go unnoticed! Thanks a million!
After a long history with Trinity United Church, we were informed at the beginning of
September that the Sparks, Brownies and Girl Guides will no longer being make use of our
facilities for their weekly meetings. They have found other locations that will allow them to
offer more active activities for their members.
Randy Warren, Chair, Finance & Property Team
CUSTODIAL NOTES
Over the summer, we have had the dishwasher repaired. The elevator is working smoothly
again after it’s blip in the spring. And hopefully the boiler will start when we need it as the
temperature gets colder. Winter is coming!
Brad Roth, Custodian
20ALL MY RELATIONS*
It’s been hard to know how to respond to the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and
Reconcilation Commission Report. The challenges to systemic racism towards our
indigenous brothers and sisters seem so huge. And yet, there are small ways to begin.
This fall, you will notice that every service will begin with an Acknowledgement of the
Land on the screen, reminding us that the land we are on has been home to generations
of First Nations peoples. Then, as part of our centering time, I will read a short
reflection by Richard Wagamese from his book Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations.
Wagamese has won numerous awards for his books, including Indian Horse, which was
recently made into a movie. I commend his writing to you.
Rev. Sue
*Here is what Richard Wagamese means by “All My Relations”:
It means everything. It's not uttered in a casual way nor is it meant to be. In its
solemnity it is meant as a benediction, a blessing and a call to this unity you feel
all around you in the depth of morning. This phrase, this articulation of spirit, is a
clarion call to consciousness.
It means that you recognize everything as alive and elemental to your being.
There is nothing that matters less than anything else. By virtue of its being, all
things are vital, necessary and a part of the grand whole, because unity cannot
exist where exclusion is allowed to happen. This is the great teaching of this
statement.
"All my relations," means all. When a speaker makes this statement it's meant as
recognition of the principles of harmony, unity and equality. It's a way of saying
that you recognize your place in the universe and that you recognize the place of
others and of other things in the realm of the real and the living. In that it is a
powerful evocation of truth.
21Because when you say those words you mean everything that you are kin to. Not
just those people who look like you, talk like you, act like you, sing, dance,
celebrate, worship or pray like you. Everyone. You also mean everything that
relies on air, water, sunlight and the power of the Earth and the universe itself for
sustenance and perpetuation. It's recognition of the fact that we are all one body
moving through time and space together.
To say these words is to offer a doorway to that understanding to those who hear
you. It's to proclaim in one sentence that this experience of living is a process of
coming together and that it was always meant to be.
From kamloopsnews.ca, posted June 11, 2013
22SPLASHING WITH JESUS
This summer families at Trinity
tried to beat the heat and enjoy
a pot luck supper and fellowship
at the Elmira Splash Pad. It was
great opportunity to catch up
with our church family and enjoy
the laughter and joy of God. The
weather cooperated for the
most part and I must say it was
one of the highlights of the
summer... so much so we added
an impromptu additional date.
Many thanks to all those who
attended and especially Helen
for hosting the rain date.
Jessica Rudow
23TRINITY UNITED CHURCH
21 Arthur St. N., Elmira (P. O. Box 25 Elmira, Ontario, N3B 2Z5)
519-669-5560 email: triunited@golden.net Website: www.trinityunitedelmira.ca
Ministers: All of us
CLERGY: Rev Sue Campbell revsuetrinityelmira@gmail.com
Music Director: Tony Domzella
Child/Youth Coordinator: Karen Orr - childandyouthcoordinator@gmail.com
Treasurer: Katie Hackert – katiehbooks@gmail.com
Custodian: Brad Roth (519) 502-0666
Office Staff: Susan Beinarovics
Leadership Council Chair: Mary Feldskov mfeldskov@gmail.com
For information about other activities including weddings, baptisms, membership, etc.
please contact the church office.
Our Acknowledgement of the Land
"For thousands of years First Nations people have lived on this land. The
land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee
(Iroquois), Ojibway, Chippewa, and Anishinabek peoples.
We acknowledge with respect the spirituality, history and culture of the
peoples with whom Treaty 29 was signed in 1827.
Acknowledging the territory and the people who have traditionally called it
home supports our call to live out the United Church's apology to indigenous
peoples and to live out our call to right relations."
The Voice is the newsletter of Trinity United Church, Elmira.
Compiled by Susan Beinarovics
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