April 2021 Newsletter
Reflection by Fran Albrecht
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Here, Jesus was speaking with Martha, sad and grieving as her brother Lazarus had been dead for four days and was lying in a tomb.
Later, still in John’s gospel, chapter 20, we read about the fear and grief of Mary Magdalene when Jesus had been crucified and buried. Early the next morning she ran to Jesus’ tomb (John 20: 1-16). She cried to the other disciples that Jesus’ body was no longer there. She saw two angels in dazzling white, seated where Jesus’ body had been. Turning, she saw Jesus standing there, but did not recognize him. Mary had mistaken the risen Christ for the gardener, pleading with him to return Jesus’ body. Then he said to her, “Mary”. She turned, recognized him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (meaning Teacher).
Like Mary, we are an Easter people. Each year, from Lent to the Sunday of the Jesus’ death and resurrection and for the rest of the Easter season, we experience a full range of emotions: uncertainty, grief and doubt which give way to hope, joy and new life.
This April 2021 is our time for resurrection, rebirth and joyous exuberant growth. As I write, the Canada Geese have returned to Tryon River and the ice has left the Straits. Tiny, pure white snowdrops and brilliant yellow crocus have poked through the snow and ice greeted by the warmth of the early morning sun. Blue jays still gather at our feeder, hungry for the last of the sunflower seeds. Crows fly by with bits of twigs and grasses in their beaks, heading towards the shelter of the woods behind our home where they will build their nests, lay their eggs and raise their young. This is God’s country.
This April, we emerge from the depths of winter into the newness of life, hope and joy. This April, with the vaccination roll-out, we emerge from the depths of the global Covid pandemic into the newness of life, hope and joy. We, too, have experienced the complete range of emotions which Mary and Jesus’ followers must have felt.
We pray that we, like Mary, will recognize “the Gardener” and will cry out with joyous love and gratitude, “Rabboni”!
Why I Wake Early
Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the window of, even, the
miserable and crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light –
Good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
In happiness, in kindness.
By Mary Oliver, 2004
Pastoral Care
The Pastoral Care Team has been working diligently to deal with pastoral care concerns and give support to people during these difficult times. April visitors will be Joan Dawson 902-855-3183 and Donna Shaw 902-675-2014. If you would like a visit or know of someone in need please do not hesitate to call.
We will continue to collect items for the South Shore Food Bank. Donations can be left at the back of the sanctuary or dropped off at the church office.
Spiritual Nurture Committee
We have been blessed to have Rev. Beth as our interim minister. Thank you also to our various speakers and volunteers, we could not succeed without your help.
In-person worship will continue in the sanctuary as Health PEI allows, with a maximum of 50 people.
Masks are required to be worn while inside.
Pre-registration is necessary. Please call Richard Boulter - 902-658-2062.
Online services will continue to be offered. If you have a computer but are not part of Facebook, you can view the service on YouTube by searching South Shore United Church PEI. If you would like to join the church’s Facebook group send a request to Deborah Walsh.
Our sympathies go out to family and friends of Clair Carruthers who passed away in March.
The Search Committee
The Search Committee is still working away at getting a new Minister. We have sent out several more requests to possible candidates. Because of Covid, we feel people are not wanting to make a move at this time. If anyone knows or thinks someone who might be a possibility, please let anyone on the committee know. Thank you for your help and patience.
Finance Committee
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and generosity during these unusual times.
Friday 2nd Church office closed
Monday 19th, 10-12:00pm UCW Zoom Gathering. Send request to 
ulvashepherdns@hotmail.com
Tuesday 20th, 7:00pm Spiritual Nurture Committee meeting in Fellowship Room
Sunday 18th Tentative Executive Meeting following the service
April Services
4 Rev. Beth Brehaut – Easter, communion
11 Larry Hale – Blessing of the Seeds & Fishers
18 Rev. Beth Brehaut
25 Jake and Arlene Sorensen
FSLDW - Several educational webinars are being offered by the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters Regional Council Affirm Standing Committee. Go to ucceast.ca for more information.
The webinars will each take place from 2:00pm 3:00pm (Atlantic) using zoom video conferencing.
Please share this information with your committees/networks and save the dates in your calendars!
The schedule of events is as follows:
April 15, 2021: What is Ableism?
May 13, 2021: Creating Safe Spaces
Mission and Service - Make A Special Easter Gift!
The transformation that began on Palm Sunday is at the heart of the Easter story.
Jesus lived, died, and rose again to show us what it means to shelter each other with God’s transforming love. A love stronger than injustice, deeper than despair and more expansive than poverty.
Everyone deserves love. No one should be sleeping in a storage unit. No one should go hungry. No one should feel alone. Everyone is someone’s child.
You and I can do something to help. Please make a special Easter gift through Mission & Service.
Let’s be the hands and feet of the risen Christ for everyone who needs to feel his abiding love.
Thank you for your generosity.
General Council Commissioners
The 44th General Council of The United Church of Canada will meet in July 2022, entirely online, for the first time in the history of the United Church. We encourage you to prayerfully consider serving as a General Council commissioner, which provides you a unique opportunity to be part of the wider church and have an impact on the future of The United Church of Canada. General Council Commissioners are voting members of the General Council meeting and serve as commissioners for 3 years. More information about the role of a commissioner can be ucceast.ca. Nominations will close on May 21, 2021 at 11:59pm.
Guaranteed Livable Income (GLI) – Virtual Vigil April 8th
Join others across the country by lighting a candle and joining in prayer, and/or by contacting your MP on April 8th to urge government to keep GLI on the agenda for addressing poverty in this country. Resources and tips available at ucceast.ca.