Calvary Compass – October 6, 2026 - Calvary United Church, www.calvaryuc.ca

Dear Friends of Calvary,

Sunday's Harvest Dinner was very delicious and a great success. Thank you very much to the Outreach Committee members who worked tirelessly all week with preparations and serving the dinner. It was a lot of work for all of the planning and putting it all together! Thank you to the youth who helped with setting tables, clearing the tables and helping with the cleanup. Also thank you to the people who helped with taking the tables and chairs down afterwards. All of your efforts were well appreciated by those who came to the dinner.

The next edition of the Compass will be on Wednesday, October 14th as Tuesday, October 13th will be the Thanksgiving Stat for Kim and Rev. Kerry.

Remember this Wednesday evening is Jazz Vespers at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

The heat in the Sanctuary has NOT been turned on yet. Please bring a coat or sweater in case Sunday is a little chilly.

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We have sad news to share. Long-time member Betty Fisher died September 30th in her 103rd year. Her funeral will take place at Millard George this Friday at 1pm.

“Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Worship Services are all live-streamed:

• October 11, 2026 (Thanksgiving) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8I3z-4s5Bo

• October 18, 2026 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKRrOyF6Unc

NOTE: The same links will work to view the recorded service, in case you are unable to watch the live-stream.

Recorded service for

• October 4 (Communion) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT9IfY-JOmc

CANADIAN FOODGRAINS BANK 2026 FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE

This time of the year marks the beginning of Calvary's annual fundraising to support our neighbours around the world who are facing food insecurity and possible famine.

Donation envelopes are available in the church sanctuary and can be put into the offering plates OR dropped off or mailed to the church office at:

Calvary United Church

290 Ridout Street S. London, Ontario N6C 3Z1

1. Make cheque payable to " Canadian Foodgrains Bank".

2. Write " Caradoc Growing Project" in the Memo line in the bottom, left hand corner of the cheque.

3. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Cheques must NOT be made out to the church as there is no way to process them.

4. We request that your donations be received by Oct 25, 2026.

E-transferring is also possible:

1. Set up your recipient as caradocgrowing project02@gmail.com ( Note 02 are numbers and not letters)

2. Use Caradoc Growing Project as the contact name

3. Carol Stanley is the Caradoc Growing Project treasurer. Input Carol's email address as castanley97@gmail.com

4. Your full address and postal code must be put in the message box to ensure a tax receipt can be sent to you. Also include Calvary United Church as your faith group.

5. Proceed as your financial institution prompts you.

NOTE that Carol will need to know the answer to your security question, so you need to send that to her in a separate email to castanley97@gmail.com

You may also make a note of Carol's cell phone number 519-902-3357.

Thank you.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – Sunday, October 4th

Pictured: Rev. Kerry holding the boa constrictor with Rev. Rob, and Rev. Michael (St. James-Westminster Anglican)

MESSY CHURCH

On Friday, October 9th, the Shared Ministry Churches are hosting a Messy Church event at Riverside United Church. This event is for everyone in a family - the parents, the children, the grandarents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. There will be activities to do, transitional group activity and a meal of hot dogs/veggie dogs, veggies. juice and cookies. Everyone is welcome to come! The Theme is Super Heroes!

CHURCH BAZAAR

In preparation for the Nov. 7th church bazaar, a large plastic container has been placed on the table by the parking lot door if you have any of the following to donate to the jewelry table, please put them in the container.

• jewelry

• scarves

• purses

• hats

Thank you!

Calling All Bakers - Ladies & Gents

We are hoping that you are beginning to think of all the goodies that you like to bake. Your contributions make Calvary’s Sale a success every year!

Things that sell well are cookies, tarts, squares, muffins and small loaves. (no large cakes and pies, thanks)

If your baking freezes well and you would like to store it in either Brenda or Liz’s freezer. Give them a call. Otherwise plan to bring your baking to the kitchen of the church, between 9-11 on Friday Nov, 6, for packing and pricing. Thank you.

Brenda Radforth 519-685-6196 and Liz Macdonald 519-663-5020

LONDON COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY NO FRILLS GROCERY WALK-A-THON

The Annual Walk-A-Thon takes place on Sunday, October 18th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. We will be walking the 5 km. to the local No Frills to restock the emergency cupboard at the Chaplaincy Office. Carrying the groceries home gives participants the experience of grocery shopping without a car as in the case for many of the families.

The meeting place is 1481 Limberlost Road, Unit 136. The group will be walking to the No Frills on Fanshawe Park Road.

Your donations support all the programming for the families and their children: tutoring, after school homework club, arts and crafts activities and special events over the seasons.

Heather Guild, one of the Chaplaincy Board members and a Calvary member, will be walking on the 18th and appreciates any support you could give to this most worthwhile cause.

Donations of cash and cheques are gratefully accepted as well as e-transfers to ihguild@rogers.com

Thank you!

CALVARY GREEN

HONOURABLE HARVEST is an ancient and relevant practice that applies to every exchange between people and the earth. It is not written down, but beautifully phrased by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer from her book BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teaching of it.

KNOW the ways of the ones who take care of you, so that you may take care of them.

INTRODUCE yourself. Be accountable as the one who comes asking for life.

ASK permission before taking. Abide by the answer.

NEVER take the first. Never take the last.

TAKE only what you need.

TAKE only that which is given.

NEVER take more than half. Leave some for others.

HARVEST in a way that minimizes harm.

USE it respectfully. Never waste what you have taken. Share.

GIVE thanks for what you have been given.

GIVE a gift in reciprocity for what you have taken.

SUSTAIN the ones who sustain you and the earth will last forever.

MEETINGS THIS WEEK

• CHAMPION - Wednesday - 1:00 - 3:30 pm

• Jazz Vespers - Wednesday - 7:00 pm

• Bible Study - Thursday - 11:00 - 12 Noon via Zoom

• Messy Church - Friday- Riverside U.C. - 6:00 - 8:00 pm

BIBLE STUDY

Scripture Readings: Psalm 65 VU pp 782-3; Luke 17: 11 - 19;

PSALM FOR THE WEEK

Psalm 25: 4 - 7 from the Contemporary English Version translation

Show me your paths

and teach me to follow;

guide me by your truth

and instruct me.

You keep me safe,

and I always trust you.

Please, Lord, remember,

you have always

been patient and kind.

Forget each wrong I did

when I was young.

Show how truly kind you are

and remember me.

You are honest and merciful,

and teach sinners

how to follow your path.

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK

God, you light and love. Where you lead,

we can follow without fear. Continue to enable

us to live into your ways. Replace judgement with

spacious acceptance of all your children.

Each day continue to teach us how to love. Amen.

Prayer focus this week: For those who have an empty chair at their Thanksgiving feast. As we give thanks, we also remember those who are no longer with us.