News Letters (Page 9)
And the Two Shall Become One..
The Story of a Successful Amalgamation of Two Amalgamation is not palliative care. In a time when many churches are struggling to stay alive and when options to close or amalgamate often lead to the inevitable demise of the congregation, it is nice to know that it does not have to be that way. Amalgamation can be highly successful and can breathe new life into a church community that thought there was no hope for its survival. In the Year…
April 29, 2025 – Minister’s Message
This was my second time returning to Guatemala for a mission trip, with my first being in 2019. Though the destination was the same, the journey felt fresh, stirring, and deeply personal in new ways. One thing that stood out right from the beginning was the rare blessing of having four pastors on the same trip—a lot of leadership, maybe a bit too much! But truthfully, it created a beautiful harmony, where we learned to share the burden and joy…
GREAT GRANDMA’S IRISH STEW
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrated in Style Many thanks to Dave Taylor, for presenting Great Grandma’s Irish Stew. He cooked before a packed house to a very appreciative audience. His always entertaining repartee made us want to sample this delicious feast and no sooner than his presentation was done we were treated to delicious Irish Soda Bread and a bowl of this stew. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Everything was just perfect. I know that the bowls at my table…
March 6, 2025 – Minister’s Message
Are you ready for a journey? In the Christian tradition, the season of Lent is a journey over forty days (not including Sundays) towards the pivotal events of Jesus’ final days of his earthly ministry we call Holy Week. It is a time of thoughtful reflection and practice for those who seek to love and follow Jesus in the world today. The exciting thing is this Lenten journey is not one we make alone. Rather, we do so in the…
March / April 2025 – Graceview
What a winter it has been! With the multiple snowstorms we’ve been gifted with lately, it’s hard not to marvel at the beauty and power of God’s creation.
Tortellini with Mushroom and Garlic Sauce
1 pkg. fresh or frozen tortellini 1 tbsp butter or margarine 1 small green pepper, cut into short strips 1 small red pepper, cut into short strips 1 can Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom and Garlic soup (This is getting hard to find. If you can’t find it, use regular Cream of Mushroom and add a tsp of minced garlic to the peppers in the frying pan.) 1/2 cup milk Grated parmesan cheese That is the basic recipe. Easy and delicious.…
If it Doesn’t Give you Joy, Out it Goes!
I look around my house these days, and it’s easy to get discouraged at so much clutter! It’s not a big house, as houses go. It’s a fairly basic three-bedroom bungalow of about 1800 square feet, built in 1955, and it’s pretty dated. In 1994 we moved in, and in 1998 gutted and replaced the original kitchen. In 2002 we did the same to the main floor bathroom. The updated version of both is now outdated. The kitchen is large,…
Going To Church
Adapted from an article by Theodore Roosevelt, Ladies Home Journal, 1917. Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919) was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. 1. In this … world, a churchless community, a community where men have abandoned and scoffed at their religious needs, is a community on the rapid downgrade. 2. Church work and church attendance mean the cultivation of the habit of feeling some responsibility for others… 3. There are enough holidays for most of…
Hymn Stories: The Old Rugged Cross
Adapted from 101 Hymn Stories – Kenneth W. Osbeck Author and Composer – George Bennard, 1873-1958 On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. This gospel hymn, a sentimental favourite of Christians and non-believers alike, was written by George Bennard in 1913. It is generally thought to be the most popular of all…
Money Talks
So far in my life, which has included service not only to our church but to other organizations in which I have served as an executive member, such as the now defunct Home and School Association, my long-ago bowling league, and Let There be Music Choir, I have always managed to steer very clear of anything to do with looking after other people’s money. Taking care of money and making financial decisions just wasn’t happening, no matter in what other…
St. Patrick – Patron Saint of Ireland
St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and was probably responsible in part for the Christianization of the Picts and Anglo-Saxons. The available body of evidence about him is contradictory. It appears that Patrick was born in Roman Britain in the early part of the fifth century, but as a teenager was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland. While in captivity, he prayed daily, his faith grew, and after six years he heard…
Minister’s Message- March / April
What a winter it has been! With the multiple snowstorms we’ve been gifted with lately, it’s hard not to marvel at the beauty and power of God’s creation. As we take in the wonder of nature, let us also turn our hearts to something even more wonderful – the Holy Scripture. Just as the snow blankets the earth, may God’s Word cover our lives with wisdom and truth. I want to share with you an epiphany I received from the…