AUC Weekly Newsletter from Rev. Heather for December 19, 2024

Hello Dearest Friends:

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Almonte United Church. This beautiful picture reminds me so very much of the beautiful carol, Silent Night, which we’ll be singing by candlelight on Christmas Eve. 

So here’s what’s coming up:

This Sunday: Advent IV: December 22nd at 10:30 am. We will be lighting the candle of Joy. It promises to be a beautiful service of Joy with our AUC Choir singing their Cantata and special guests playing various instruments. 🎶🎶🎶

Christmas Eve at 7:00 pm: This service promises to be filled with the hope, peace, love and joy of Christmas when we light the Christ Candle; sing carols; hear the familiar story; light our own candles, and renew our Christmas faith. 

Please tell you friends and family; all are most welcome. 🎄🎄

Sunday, December 29th at 10:30. This is often referred to as a ‘low Sunday’ after the glorious Christmas Eve service…..but let’s make it a ‘high Sunday’ with lots of carols, scripture and fellowship. 🎄🎶🎮

Sunday, January 5th, 2025: Epiphany Sunday. We will be reading the visit of the Wise of the Magi in Matthew 2:1-12; celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and re-dedicating ourselves to the work of Christ in this shiny New Year. 

The Church Office will be closed from December 19th until January 6th. In case of an emergency, please don’t hesitate to call me at (613) 619-5966. 

So…

    for you who are travelling, a very safe journey; 

    for you who don’t feel like celebrating, please join us at worship to feel the hope, peace, joy and love of Jesus born anew in our hearts; and 

     for those surrounded by the excitement of children, may you take a moment for yourself to remember that Jesus came among us a little child, and

     for all, a very Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for a very Happy and Blessed 2025. 

Fondest Blessings from Rev. Heather🙏🙏

Hello from Green Hill, Nova Scotia:
 

Life is really tough here with the McLeans and Jed. A lobster sandwich for lunch with Christmas cookies and hot cider. I’m figuring it will be a holiday gain of twenty pounds but worth every ounce!
 

Although I’m away, I’ll be with you in spirit as Margie and her merry band of elves lead the AUC worship service on Sunday; it promises to be very special. So wear your pjs and housecoats and support our very talented leaders, children, and youth in this very special service.
 

It’s raining and windy here; the Maritimers, who told me last Sunday to wear my rubber boots, were absolutely correct!
 

Until we meet again in person, God bless and all best wishes in all your Christmas preparations. Rev. Heather 🎶🎄☃️

Hello All:
Here is a picture of some of the goodies for the Christmas Market; it includes cans of delicious cookies, a variety of specially themed  baskets, and all kinds of goodies…a  great place to shop either for yourself or a friend.
 

So AUC is a happening place this weekend and beyond:
      Friday, November 29th at 7:00 pm:  
Movie night with popcorn and hotdogs; the film is “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
It promises to be a fun evening for all ages.
      Saturday, from 10 am to 2:00 pm: Christmas Market in the AUC hall. Bring a friend and shop until you drop!
      Sunday, December 1st at 10:30 am:
Advent 1 with the Lighting of the first Advent Candle, “Hope;” and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The Scripture is Romans 8:18-30.
      Next Thursday, Dec. 5th at 7:00 pm: and/or Friday, Dec. 6th at 2:30 pm:
“Coping With Christmas,” an event for those who are bereaved, lonely, or fearing the activities of the Christmas season. Our time together will include quiet conversation, meditation, candle lighting and refreshments. This event is open to the community; come and bring a friend.
 

I hope you are able to enjoy some of the many activities going on in Almonte over this coming week. And don’t forget to take some time for yourself in the midst of all the activities!
Fondest greetings from Rev. Heather 🙏.

Hello AUC friends:

On this dark, rainy day my spirit was suddenly uplifted when a great friend gifted me with an early Christmas present that makes brewed coffee/tea/hot chocolate in mere minutes! Join me in the office sometime when you wish to share some with me!

This coming week, the first week in Advent, promises all kinds of activities:

Sunday, November November 24th at 10:30 am: our worship service will celebrate the ‘Reign of Christ’; the scriptures reading is the dramatic conversation between Jesus and Pilate found in John 18:33-37. 

At Noon: Advent Bible Study looking at the Angel’s Visit to Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and her response(Luke 1:55) known as The Magnificat. Please bring your own bible or you can borrow one from AUC. Please bring your lunch; tea and coffee will be provided. 

Wednesday, the 27th, between 6:30 and 8:30 pm; and Thursday between 8 - 9 am, cookies will be received and packed for the Christmas Market.

Friday, the 29th, from 4:00 pm, Gift Baskets will be received in the parlor.

Friday, at 7:00 pm: Movie Night with “O Brother, Where Art Thou.” Free will donation; hot dogs and popcorn for $1. Everyone welcome; come and bring a friend!

Saturday, the 30th from 10 am to 2:00 pm: Christmas Market with baskets, baking and all kinds of great gifts. Help is needed for setup from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. 

Coming Up: “Coping With the Christmas Season”: A quiet time of comfort for those who are missing loved ones, lonely or find no joy in the various seasonal activities. 

There will be two sessions:

Thursday, December 5th at 7:00 pm AND

Friday, December 6th at 2:30 pm. 

These are open to the Almonte community; please tell a friend. 

Tea and cookies will be served. 

That’s all for now; now back to my ☕️!

Fondest greetings from Rev. Heather 🙏

What a poignant week of memories it has been! Last Sunday, the 10th, our Service of Remembrance was filled with symbolism: Peter Blenkarn’s collection of vintage helmets; trumpet, organ and bagpipes leading the Act of Remembrance and the hymns, plus the participation of various congregants in a multitude of ways. Many thanks to ALL for making our service so very meaningful. 

On Monday, many of us joined the community at the Cenotaph with several AUC people participating including Ellie, Emmett and Graham laying our wreath ( See photos on our Facebook page). It was a beautiful November day to mark the courage and dedication of those who served so we might enjoy freedom. 

This Sunday we will be celebrating our Canadian Foodgrains Bank Project and also singing some of the old, familiar hymns. We are most grateful to the Lowry family for making our growing project possible. If you would like to give a donation towards this project which provides food for the world’s hungry, please put your gift in an envelope marked Foodgrains. It will be added to the money from the growing project and also to your AUC offerings. 

Advent will soon be upon us full of special activities; in the meantime let us share our faith with deeds of kindness, generosity and love!

Fondly, Rev. Heather ❤️🙏😍.

Good Sunny Morning to All:

This plant lives in the kitchen window here at AUC and symbolizes my feelings yesterday after the American election. 😩

SO! We really need to be really grateful for all of our blessings here in Canada and continue to treat each other with respect and compassion. 

It’s been a busy week here at AUC. Outside on Saturday, a hard working team put in sonar tubes and rebar; mixed cement and readied the site for the spring arrival of the pavilion. Inside on Monday, a hard working team made meals for congregational members at their request. And on the worship side, we have run out of bulletins two weeks in a row! Virginia has printed more for this Sunday. 

This Sunday, we will be showing our respect for those who gave their lives for our freedom. We are fortunate to have musicians in our congregation so will have both a trumpet and bagpipes as part of the Service of Remembrance. Then the Sunday School children will walk to the Cenotaph; if any adults wish to join them, please dress accordingly. 

Our scripture lesson is John -5:9-14 where Jesus says “there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Please make sure to wear a poppy and take time to reflect on the awesome gravity of Remembrance Day. It’s the least we can do for our fallen loved ones. 

Blessings and Peace to All,

Rev. Heather 🍁🙏💕

Happy Halloween to All:

Last Saturday, we celebrated a great day of carving pumpkins; Halloween games, hot dogs and treats, and most of all, enjoyed a wonder inter-generational event. Many thanks to the organizers, especially Evelyn and Laurie😈

While we were eviscerating pumpkins, outside a team was digging holes for the proposed pavilion. On Saturday afternoon, they will be pouring cement; stop by to cheer them on if you a minute. Many thanks to Doug, Peter, Leon and all. 

This Sunday, we will be reading the story of Jesus talking about the Great Commandment which is a combination of two Old Testament commandments.

Our wonderful Youth Group has been collecting goodies for the Food Bank. They were hoping to have forty bags of groceries, etc. to put in the back of the ‘77 Ford truck, Meryl and are a little short. If you haven’t contributed or would like to top up your donation (food or money), please do it this Sunday. Meryl is delivering our donations on Thursday. 🛻. 

I hope everyone is enjoying this great weather. Take a few moments to walk in the leaves, see the buds awaiting spring, and breathe in God’s great creation. 

Fondest wishes, Rev. Heather 🎃🎃🎃

Good sunny morning to All:

What great community spirit we have here at AUC! After our worship service, a big crew of all ages tidied up the gardens, cut low hanging branches and even a tree….thus making several big mounds of debris to be hauled away. The work crew finished off outside with hot dogs and all the fixings. Many, many thanks to all of the volunteers who brought their tools, time and expertise to this endeavour. Many hands really made light work!!

AUC fun continues this Saturday with a Pumpkin Carving Contest, hotdogs and treats from 10:30 to 1:30. There will be prizes and lots of laughter so plan to join us. More details are on the AUC website. 

On Sunday, Norma Wrightley will be leading the worship service while I’m at the Munster 201st Anniversary. (Who remembers what went on in 1823?)

Take very good care of each other💕

God Bless, Rev. Heather🙏

Good Beautiful October Day to All:

Our Thanksgiving Service last Sunday was filled with joy and appreciation for our many blessings. And we topped it all off by celebrating Ernie Smith’s 75th birthday with a huge card (many thanks to Margie), a big cake and special wishes from all. Ernie wears his 75 years well; keep up the good work, our AUC friend. 

This Sunday promises to be filled with faith and fun starting with our worship service celebrating World Food Sunday. The scripture lesson is 1 Kings 17:10-16, the story of the Zarephath widow giving food to Elijah in the midst of a drought. 

After the service, the gardeners will head outside to clean up the lawns, etc. while the non-gardeners will proceed to the hall.

Peter Mansfield will fire up his fancy hotdog machine and there’ll be pumpkin pie (with whipped cream) for both workers and non- workers. 

It looks like we’re going to head into some beautiful weather; I hope you get a chance to enjoy it and the colourful leaves. 

Blessings to all from Rev. Heather 🍁🌻🙏

Our Communion Table last Sunday was a real Eucharistic Feast representing the various breads of the world; many thanks to the Worship Committee for their creativity and dedication. (Unfortunately we didn’t get a photo of it)

This Sunday we will celebrate Thanksgiving; the scripture lesson is the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers from Like 17:11-19. 

After the service, we will celebrate a very special birthday during coffee time.

Our Sunday School and Youth Group want to fill up Meryl, the pickup truck, to the very brim with Food Bank items. Most needed are granulated sugar, Habitant pea soup, cooking oil, ketchup, instant pudding mix, hamburger/tuna helper, microwaveable rice/noodle packets, Boost/Ensure/Glucerna meal supplements/replacement, feminine hygiene products(pads/tampons) and hand soap. Please be generous!

I hope everyone is having an opportunity to enjoy the splendour of the autumn leaves and even play in them. 

See you on Sunday. Rev. Heather 🙏🍁💕

Good, beautiful October morning to all:

What an inspiring service we had last Sunday for Truth and Reconciliation! This is the stone signed by all the congregation and painted by our wonderful SS children.  If you have a chance, swing by AUC to see and read the prayer stones along the path leading to the front door. Mega gratitude to Margie, the Sunday School and Youth Group for their time and creativity!

This Sunday at 10:30 is Worldwide Communion Sunday when we will be joining Christians all over the world in the Eucharistic feast. The Worship Committee has arranged for many kinds of bread and grapes instead of juice. The scripture lesson is Luke 14:15-24 where Jesus tells the Parable of the Great Feast.

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy all of the autumn beauty around us for we do live in a gorgeous part of God’s marvellous creation. 

Blessings and best wishes,

Rev. Heather 🙏

Hello All: 

What’s On This Weekend? Join us, if you can, for any or all of these activities:

Tonight (Thursday) from 5-8 pm: Our super Youth Group is selling “Gifts from the Land” in front of Baker Bobs. It’s much more than huge zucchinis or green tomatoes!🍅 

Tomorrow from Noon to 6:00 p.m. : Help is needed for setting up the Awesome Autumn Market. 

Saturday from 9 am to Noon: Our Awesome Autumn Market featuring Baked Goodies, Preserves, Crafts, Plants, Bulbs and More! Plan to support this fundraiser for AUC. 

Sunday at 10:30: It’s Truth and Reconciliation Sunday as we remember the many ways that our Indigenous Peoples have been mistreated. Don’t forget to wear your Orange Shirts!

The scripture lesson is Luke 6:20-31. 

The electricity may be off but we shall overcome🎶

At 2:00 pm: A special screening of WaaPaKe (“Tomorrow”) in the sanctuary. 

This is a deeply personal documentary of a residential school survivor. Admission is free; a ten dollar donation is suggested. 

Blessings and Peace to all, 

Rev. Heather 🙏

Hello All: 

Hasn’t this been a really spectacular week that also included a full moon and partial eclipse? God’s wondrous creation is certainly all around us. 

What’s Going On This “Welcome Sunday”

It’s “Welcome Sunday!” which also includes a bountiful Pot-Luck Luncheon. Please bring either a main course or dessert for the table; the food is always diverse and bountiful because AUC has such great cooks and chefs!

And for fun, we’re going to wear what someone called a ‘Lanark County Tuxedo’….a plaid shirt ( or a good facsimile.  We should be a very colourful congregation!

The scripture lesson is from Luke’s Gospel, chapter 12:22–34, where Jesus tells his disciples that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

The design of AUC sanctuary doesn’t give much opportunity for folks to really get to know each other except for coffee time in the hall. So this Sunday, we’ll try to remedy the situation; please come to find out how we plan to do it!

Enjoy this beautiful weekend !

Rev. Heather

Hello All: 

It’s Thursday again and what a beautiful day it is!

Last Sunday the AUC congregation unanimously passed the Congregational Profile to be passed on to the Region. 

Many thanks to the hardworking and diligent team who assembled the Profile. I’ll keep you posted as the process unfolds. 

Life is gearing up here at Almonte United church: Our wonderful Sunday School children return this Sunday as well as our dedicated Choir and Organist. And of course a calendar filled with meetings is always a sign of ‘return to normal!

This Sunday our scripture lesson is Mark 9:30-37. It’s a wonderful story about adults arguing about greatness and Jesus enfolding a little child in his arms. 

Please read the important notice at the bottom of this newsletter; hopefully the culprits will be found soon before more damage is done!

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

Fondest wishes from Rev. Heather🙏

IMPORTANT Scam Alert : The United Church of Canada has posted the following on their social media: We’ve become aware of a phishing scam currently targeting United Churches. You might receive e-mails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to be legitimate asking for a change of banking information etc. . We at Almonte United Church have not been targeted at the same time. We will remain vigilant. There are police investigations underway with respect to phone calls etc. targeting individuals and their financial information. We are alerting you about this so you may be prepared if you are contacted. If you are contacted, please advise the office and/or the police.

Hello All: 

What a beautiful autumn day! Here at the church, we’ve been joined by a large group of cyclists from Kanata who stopped at AUC for a break and lunch. Oh, to be filled with so much strength and stamina!

So what’s going on here this week: 

This Sunday we are voting on a new member to the Board of Trustees, and The Congregational Profile which has been assembled by a dedicated group of volunteers. This profile is a necessary and preliminary step in our search for a new minister. We will be voting on the profile immediately after worship so coffee time will be in the pews; please plan to stay for these very important votes.

In keeping with our Profile, I have chosen as our scripture lesson, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13 where Paul writes about the various gifts of the Spirit . 

This is your last chance to see the marvelous tree made entirely of single use plastics before it’s dismantled; it was made by our Youth Group and we thank them for their creativity and enthusiasm. 

I hope you are able to enjoy all of the activities going on in Almonte this weekend; what a great community we live in including Almonte United Church!

I need to sign off, Virginia is waiting for this!

Blessings, Rev Heather🙏🌻🦋😍💕

Good Day to All:

It’s Thursday again…and not just any Thursday but the end of summer holidays and very soon, the beginning of school, choir, Sunday School, meetings, etc. The September calendar is already beginning to look very busy! What’s going on this Sunday: Our scripture lesson is from the Epistle of James where the writer states that “faith without works is dead.” Indeed, it’s a privilege to work with so many faithful people who are so generous in giving of their talents and time! So we will celebrate God’s work among us and our own works of faith. 

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this Labour Day weekend. Take really good care of each other💕

Blessings to all, 

Rev. Heather🙏🙏

Hello All:

Everything seems to be pointing towards autumn: the cool, dewy mornings; the tasseled corn in the fields; and of course, the busy process of getting children off to university, college and school. I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy the last of these August days and nights. 

What’s Going on This Sunday:

We are hosting our good friends from Community Presbyterian Church at 10:30 am. 

The scripture lesson is Ephesians 6:10-20 where the writer suggests we should wear God’s qualities (truth, peace, faith, etc.) like armour. 

Nick and Dini Frans have been graciously hosting our after worship hospitality. If you are able, please plan to give Nick a hand this Sunday (Dini is away); also if you can contribute something to the goodie tray, please bring it along for sharing. 

As you know, our diligent search committee and others have assembled the AUC congregational profile needed for calling a new minister. This profile needs the authorization of the congregation. You will be receiving the profile via email next week; please read it; we will be voting on the profile at a congregational meeting after worship on Sunday, September 8th. 

If you are able, I hope you can enjoy this sunny day. 

Rev. Heather 🙏😍🦋

Greetings from Mennonite Country
 

Hello All: 

I’m enjoying some time in Stratford Country where the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye and the various kinds of blooming hydrangeas are simply glorious. I hope you are having an opportunity to enjoy some August beauty too.

What’s On This Sunday:

Rev. Matt Gallinger will be leading worship at 10:30. He has led worship at AUC before and always brings an inspirational message. 

Sunday, August 25th at 10:30: 

We will be hosting our good friends of the Community Presbyterian Church so plan to join us in this ecumenical service. 

Enjoy the Puppets Up Festival this weekend….it’s such an awesome event in the Almonte community.

Take very good care of each other!

Fondest greetings, Heather 🙏

Hello Friends:

Now wasn’t that another big rain? I haven’t seen any arks in the area yet but it maybe soon time to think about building one! And we’d need to think about who and what we would/wouldn’t include…a real dilemma for sure! 

What’s going on This Sunday at AUC at 10:30 am:

We’re going to enjoy a “Singing Sunday” with some of the old, favourite hymns. So bring your singing voice (whether high or low, raspy or on key, or maybe none at all) and enjoy the joyful sound we make together. Lemonade and goodies will be served on the lawn after the service. Please plan to join us. 

Many, many thanks to the many people who joined us last Sunday at the Community Presbyterian Church; it was great to see so many AUC people there! And we’ll be hosting CPC on Sunday, August 25th for another joint service. 

Please continue to keep our sick and dying in your prayers…..and also the firefighters and people who have needed to abandon their homes and businesses because of the wildfires. Put in perspective, deluges of rain aren’t so bad after all!

August is soon upon us; enjoy the rest of your summer. 🦋🌺😎🌻

Fondest Wishes to All, Heather🙏

Greetings from supply Minister, Rev. Heather

Hello All: It’s me again! I’ll be looking after you while the wheels are in motion for finding a new full-time minister. While I can never be a true substitute for Rev. Mary, with your prayers and encouragement, I’ll do my very best. It’ll be great to see all of your smiling faces again. 

This Sunday, June 30th, let’s wear our ‘red and white’ in honour of the Canada Day celebrations. 

The scripture lesson is Psalm 139, an affirmation of faith that God is with us always….even in these times of change. 

If you are in need of pastoral care or want to leave me a message, my phone number is (613) 619-5966. 

Enjoy this beautiful long weekend and see you on Sunday!

Blessings from Heather 🙏

P.S. Godspeed, Rev. Mary. We wish you well in your new ministry and will really miss you! 💕💕