SSUC NEWSLETTER
March 2024
Reflection by Rev. Karen
“Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43: 18-19
These words speak to me so vividly as life continues to evolve for us personally and communally. It sounds like the promise of resurrection we will shortly hear on Easter Sunday. It is a message communicated constantly to us in nature. But at times, I can find myself blind or resistant to the new things God is doing. Yet when I encourage myself to accept the change that has come, I discover that although life is different from before, there can still be joy and goodness.
Through holy week we will hear stories about the disciples struggle to accept the different way Jesus offered himself as Messiah for them – not as valiant warrior but as humble servant. A special meal of remembrance from their tradition will take on brand new meaning after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Once followers of Jesus as their teacher, they will shift to become the teachers so new followers can learn of his love. There was no going back, they were continually called to the new thing God asked of them in their lives.
Recently, you may have noticed some new things we are doing at SSUC. In worship we no longer sing the Lord’s Prayer because the musician who created that piece was convicted of numerous counts of sexual abuse. In support of the many people who have suffered as a result of his actions, we no longer choose to use his music within the United Church. Another change in worship is our new worship resource that provides creative ways to share each week – new music, new symbols, and some new titles in the bulletin. We have also extended worship into the week, by sharing daily reflections on our Facebook page and some of you have been wonderful to join in and add to that connection between us!
We are not the church we were ten years ago, but we are still a people with whom God is doing new things. Can you see the justice work we are doing? Can you see our efforts in outreach? Can you see the changes in our building which support our ministry together?
Let us not give up, rather let us take up, the new opportunities God offers us and allow God’s love to bear us up with new strength and hope.
March & April Speakers
24, 31, 7, 21 – Rev. Karen 14 – Rev. Beth
Services
Mar. 24 – Palm Sunday Experience
Mar. 28 – 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Experience in Fellowship Room. An Upper Room experience where we will explore the final evening Jesus shared with his close friends.
Mar. 29 – 2:00pm Ecumenical Good Friday service hosted at South Shore United
Mar. 31 – 8:00am Ecumenical Easter sunrise service and breakfast, led by North Tryon Presbyterian Church
Mar. 31 – Easter Celebration with Communion
April 7 – Second Sunday of Easter
April 14 – Rev. Beth Brehaut offering leadership
April 21 – All Ages Earth Day Service with Coffee afterward
Including Young Families
We offer story-based, shortened worship times one Sunday a month. Please share with neighbours or family members about our next All Ages Worship times:
April 21st – Earth Day theme, and May 19th – Baptism.
Baptism
This spring we will be offering the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday May 19th. Anyone who wishes to request baptism for a child, or any adult wishing to request baptism for themselves, please contact Rev. Karen.
Fellowship Opportunities
Coffee after Church – We seek to provide time to share supportive conversation with one another with coffee times after church Sunday April 21st and May 19th.
Coffee/Tea, Cookies & Conversation at Crapaud Hall
Tuesdays April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21 we plan to host, for the community, a drop by or stay for a chat time, where anyone can come and enjoy coffee/tea, a cookie and conversation. Volunteers are needed to help with this outreach. If you would be willing to provide cookies or help serve – sign up sheets are at the back of the sanctuary.
Study and Support Group – This group is open to anyone interested and you can join at any time. We are following monthly seasonal themes and reflections offered by Joyce Rupp. The group is led by Helen Green and offered in the Fellowship Room.
Next Sessions: March 26th, April 23rd 2pm
Note: There will not be a meeting on April 9th.
Updates from the Annual Meeting
Sale of Chairs – At the Annual Meeting it was decided to sell the wooden chairs stored in the basement. Congregational members have first option before we advertise elsewhere. Suggested price: $20 for chairs in good condition, $10 for chairs that require repair. Chairs can be viewed on Sundays. Please arrange for pick up through Jack Sorensen by April 14th.
jacksorensen@outlook.com or #902-629-5806
New Bathroom – A new bathroom, between the minister and administration offices, has been completed. It is a wonderful and much appreciated addition to this area of the building.
Track Volunteer Hours – A new part of our statistical forms now invite us to share the amount of volunteer hours provided within our church community. It helps us show we are more than income and expense lines. So, we ask everyone involved in our congregation to track the hours you give to the church whether it is at a meeting, at choir, at a group, coffee time or other activities. Just note it monthly on your calendar and then we can collect those totals in December. We appreciate your help with this.
June 2nd Regional Council Sunday – The Spiritual Nurture Committee discussed our choices for this Sunday, and we would like your input before a final decision is made. Last year, several people attended the Regional Council worship at UPEI and found it very meaningful. We cancelled our local service. Do you wish to do the same this year – and perhaps try to organize carpooling to attend? Or would you prefer to have a service at SSUC that Sunday morning?
Please email or hand in to Rev. Karen your response:
A) cancel and carpool or
B) hold regular morning worship at SSUC
Thank You – Your generous donations to the Giving Tree at Christmas were greatly appreciated. We received a thank you from Englewood School for our contribution in support of families at need at Christmas. We were also able to contribute $1000 to the South Shore Food Share which will enable them to purchase a much-needed new fridge.
Meetings
Tues., 26, 2:00pm Study & Support group (canceled for Apr.9)
Apr. 4, 9:30-11:30am Christian Friends
Apr. 23, 6:30pm Trustee & Property
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastoral Coverage – We would like to welcome Vicki Francis to the Pastoral Care Committee.
Donna MacKinnon (902-658-2610) and Helen Nicholson (902-658-2324) will be visiting in March. Michelle Holmes (902-314-4048) and Barb Clement (902-393-3816) will be visiting in April. If you would like a visit or know of someone who would like a visit, please call.
Donations – Items collected in March will go to Englewood School. Suggested items: snack items, juice boxes, nut-free granola bars, etc. April donations will go to the South Shore Food Share.
Broadview Magazine – subscriptions are coming up for renewal in a couple of months and the price will be $30 this year.
Holy Week Time of Meditation & Scripture – Wed., March 27, 1230-1:15pm. Trinity United Church Summerside. Music and reflection on piano and organ. Coffee & tea provided, bring your own lunch.
Welcome Spring Ceilidh 2024 – Bonshaw Hall Sunday, April 7, 2:00pm. Families and children are especially welcome and there will be a short singalong for the kids. Joining us will be Alicia Toner and Max Keenlyside. Conifer seedlings will be given out and folks can choose a book from our wide selection. Admission by donation at the door in support of the Hall. Children under 12 are free.
Registration for Youth@Region is now live! Y@R is a place of community and a place of faith for United Church youth, between grade 6 and 12. It takes place during the Annual Meeting of Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council (FSLDW), May 31-June 2, 2024. https://ucceast.ca/82679-fsldw-youthregion
Any questions, please email Catherine Stuart, cstuart@united-church.ca, or
Lisa Folkins, at lisa.folkins@gmail.com.
Rural Routes Through the Holy – June 13 – 15, Orchard Valley United Church, New Minus, NS. Beautiful to Behold; Broken Open Church. Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith. For more details see pamphlet at the back of the church.
South Shore United Church, P.O. Box 4, Crapaud, PE C0A 1J0
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Karen MacLeod-Wilkie 902-940-6349;
Office Administrator: Ruth Boulter 902-658-2863 Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 830am – 1230pm
Email: southshoreunited1@gmail.com E-Transfer: ssuc.et21@gmail.com