January 9, 2024
Calvary Compass – January 9, 2024 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca
Dear Friends of Calvary,
This Sunday, Lynn McClary from Siloam United Church will be our guest speaker. The Affirming Committee will lead the rest of the service.
Rev. Kerry will be away from January 9th to 17th. Rev. Wendy Noble will be covering for Emergency Pastoral Care. If you call the church office, Kim will let her know of any requests.
The Mayor's Honour Roll was announced in the London Free Press and Sheilah Hogarth was listed as a "Distinguished Londoner". Sheilah has been active in promoting rights for disabled people and is also known to be out on the streets picking up garbage to keep our city clean. Congratulations Sheilah for being recognized for your achievements.
Worship Services are all live-streamed:
January 14 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohBHeB-9BBc
January 21 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbyuGNDZpH0
Recorded service for January 7 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDWz3iY1LOo
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE CHURCH NURSERY
We need people to help in the church nursery. The two younger girls that came to church last Sunday may be coming back and we need someone to be in the nursery for them and any other little ones that come to church. It really does not involve a lot as they enjoy playing with the toys or drawing on the papers. We just need them to be supervised.
If you are interested, please contact Mary Kannakko at mkannakko@rogers.com or 519-672-8286
.
LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY
The Outreach Committee will collect non-perishables for the London Community Chaplaincy throughout the entire year with the exception of July and August. These items are shared between both locations - Southdale and Limberlost, but are dropped off at the Southdale location periodically, as they have the larger storage area. Occasionally we will provide updates/suggestions regarding items currently needed. Breakfast items, such as boxed cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, juice boxes and nut free school snacks (eg. granola bars and fruit cups) are some of the highest need items. As always thank you for your continued support and generosity.
Bonnie and Karen
Co-chairs of Outreach
ACTIVITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS IN
GRADES 5 - 12
On Saturday January 27th from 2:30 - 7 pm, First St. Andrews United Church (350 Queens Ave) are hosting SAIDAT - entertainer, motivational speaker and educator.
Londoner Saidat and her high-energy show is appropriate for those in grades 5 -12.
Saidat's show addresses the serious topics with a smile and encouragement, tackling equity, inclusion, social responsibility and helping youth boost self-esteem and better understand how to handle everyday life.
After Saidat's show, there will be pizza, a dance party and fun until 7 pm.
$5-10 if possible to help cover the cost of pizza.
Bursaries available to assist in covering the cost. Contact Rev. Kerry.
Let's start the New Year off right!
Any questions? Contact Chris Lindsay at children@fsaunited.com or Rev. Kerry at Calvary 519-434-5526 or kerry.stover@calvaryunitedchurch.on.ca
CALVARY GREEN
January Review 6 R's ....
• REDUCE .....Consuming when possible, sharing large purchases
• REPAIR..... Instead of buying new, take advantage of the "free repair cafes" at London libraries
• REUSE.....Avoid single use items and repurpose in unconventional ways
• REFUSE.....Say NO to unnecessary packaging, voice concerns to stores and suppliers
• REIMAGINE.....206 Piccadilly St ( Zero waste package free grocery)
• RECYCLE.....As a last resort. always
Let's make a difference!
GREEN in the CITY Update
Finally our Green Bin Program is almost a go! January 9 @ 7 pm - Zoom session.
Log on to Green in the City of London to register for tonight
February 13th - Climate Change Adaptation and Emergency Preparedness - 5-8 pm TBA
AFFIRMING
Are you aware that the following six London United Churches are Affirming Churches? - First St. Andrews, Riverside, Trinity, Wesley-Knox, Siloam and Mount Zion. Antler River Watershed Regional office is also an Affirming organization.
The network of Affirming Ministries within the United Church was initiated in 1992 by Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble an organization that works for the inclusion of people of all gender identities and sexual orientations within the United Church of Canada and society. The United Church of Canada officially endorsed the Affirming Ministry Program and encouraged its ministries to participate. On February 26, 1995, Augustine United Church in Winnipeg become the first Affirming Congregation in the United Church. By the end of 1995, there were five Affirming Ministries. By April 2020, there were 225 across Canada. and by the end of 2023, there were several more. They not only support those of different sexual orientation and gender identity, but also those of different races, social economic status and diversity in ability.
The initial cost is $100 for the first year. After that the annual fee depends on the net revenue of the community of faith. The cost is no more than $500. The money supports the work of the Affirming Ministry Program, pays for six newsletters per year and other communications, helps initiate other Affirming Ministries across the church, and supports United's National Council expenses as well as annual conference and annual general meeting.
A lot does not change within the church proper. However there are visual public signs especially to the outside of the church to make people aware that the church is an Affirming Church. Some of those changes might be an additional signage of the church's sign to say that they are an Affirming Church or painting the front steps the rainbow colours.
Calvary's plan is to have a Congregational Vote in late March 2024 to decide whether we want to become an Affirming Church. Members and Adherents have an opportunity to vote on this decision. In order for Calvary to become an Affirming Ministry, at least 75% of those voting must say yes. The final decision is totally up to the congregation and not Council. In order to prepare people for the vote, a document outlining what Affirming means and what the actual wording of the vote is will be sent in early March to everyone whether by email for those with email addresses or by Canada Post for those without email addresses. Hard copies will also be made available at the back of the sanctuary. There will be an in-person vote at a Congregational Meeting and other means of voting for those who are unable to attend church in-person. We strongly encourage you to be there in-person if you are able.
Meetings this week:
* CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm
* Bible Study - cancelled for this week while Rev. Kerry is away
Bible Study:
Cancelled for this week
The Scripture Readings for this Sunday's service are the following:
Psalm 139: 1-3; 12 - 17; Matthew 22: 34 -40; John 13: 34 -35;
Psalm for the week:
Psalm 86: 4-7 (from the New Revised Standard Version translation)
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on you.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my cry of supplication.
In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.
Prayer for the week:
O God, giver of every good and perfect blessing upon our lives; we acknowledge that all we have comes from you. Make us a generous people, never holding back what you call us to do or share, so that the light of your Son might pierce the shadows that overcome so many.
We give thanks to you always for your presence with us. Amen.