wheels spring 2015

To know God through Christ and make Christ known to others.

hS P R I N G / 2 0 1 5

Wheels

Art by VELDA BEGGS

From the Editor …………………………. 3

Central Forum …………………………. 4

Meet Our New Foster Child …………………………. 5

Changes in the United Church of Canada ………………. 6

Outreach/Pastoral Committee News ...……………………. 9

Easter Symbols & Traditions …………………………. 14

Transitions & Events at Central …………………………. 15

CENTRAL UNITED CHURCH - SARNIAWorship Service at 10:30am, Sundays

220 George Street, Sarnia, ON N7T 4N9

Office hours:

Tuesday to Thursday 9:00am to 12:00nn 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Friday 9:00am to 12:00nn

Tel: 519-344-4561 or 519-344-9741

Fax: 519-344-9827

2 http://central-united-church.org

insideTA B L E O F C O N T E N T S S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

The cover and background art for this season’s issue is by Velda Beggs.

E D I T O R I A L S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

After a long and bitterly cold winter, it seems that spring is tentatively on its way. Spring is capricious, it seems; tantalizing us with a sunny warm day and then sending the temperatures below freezing with cold north breezes coming across a still frozen Lake Huron. However, we are a resurrection people who live in hope of the promise of new life and renewal. This is our most holy time of year. Easter reminds us of the sacrifice that unconditional love provided and the glory of a resurrection. Birds returning, buds appearing, snow disappearing are reminders that the promise is true: we can be born again. We recently sang the hymn, “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”, which seems so appropriate in expressing our deeply felt longing for the resurrection experience:

In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree;in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

The songwriter sees, in these naturally occurring events, evidence of the spiritual experience. Even though we cannot see the life-force in the bulb and in the cocoon, it is at work creating new life. The cold and snow of winter are temporary; spring will come and bring new life with it. Natalie Sleeth wrote these words as she sat at the bedside of her dying husband. When we know that, we can appreciate the words of the third stanza, “In our death a resurrection; at the last, a victory”. Her time of grief gave birth to these words of comfort and hope. The journey to Easter includes Lent, the wilderness experience, and Good Friday, the experience of grief and loss. When we are in the midst of these life experiences, we lose sight of the promise that “there’s a dawn in every darkness”. Christ endured the cross in order to experience the resurrection. As a Christian people, we are sustained by hope. Although we may doubt and question our Good Friday times, we are sustained by the promise of Easter. Jesus said, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

John 10:10 (The Message) This is the promise of Easter. Be reminded of this promise as you watch spring unfold around you… as the “cold and snow of winter” fade from memory. Easter blessings!

FROM THE EDITOR

Margare t Se lass ie

by elizabeth mcdonald, chair Central Forum just wrapped up its 33rd year as an outreach programme of our congregation to the community. As usual, we had six speakers making presentations on six consecutive Tuesday mornings in January and February. This year was unique in that the local media gave us fantastic coverage. Accompanied by huge photographs there were two front-page articles in The Observer and one in Sarnia and Lambton County This Week. The article on Mike Hurry, speaking on Kenya, the Y trip and animals, even appeared in both publications; and the article on the art gallery and its two speakers, Jane Hunter and Darryn Doull, covered three pages in Sarnia and Lambton County This Week. Carl Hnatyshyn, the new independent reporter for Sun Media, did a fine job recounting Jane’s speech on the history of our city’s Group of Seven Collection and the gallery’s

evolution over the years. Also, look out for the Beaverbrook Collection coming to Sarnia this Fall. Our total attendance was 736 for an average of 123, with 229 in attendance to hear Paul Wells. This is the fourth year of our meeting in the sanctuary and the change has been extremely well-received. Coats can come with us, folk can spread

out, the declining slope makes viewing excellent, and the new, second screen makes powerpoint presentations comfortably visible from all angles. People visit with friends they might have not seen for months or even a year during coffee break in Mid-Turner Hall, so that sometimes one’s reluctant to call the audience back for the Q and A and break up their mini-reunions. By tradition, Central Forum Committee has a wrap-up meeting on the last Tuesday in April. At that time, we decide where to direct our profit for the year and how to make any improvements to our process and programme. If you have any thoughts for a speaker next year, or to which charity you think we could/should donate part of our surplus, or how we could improve our programme, speak to Firman Bentley or myself before the end of April. We welcome all input.

F E AT U R E S P R I N G 2 0 1 5

4 http://facebook.com/sarnia.church

Central Forum Has Another Successful Season

Janice McMicheal-Dennis and Firman Bentley during a session in this year’s Central Forum.

Central Forum’s guests were del ighted with the International Symphony Orchester duet by Tessa Catton and Cait l in Mason which entertained the guests for half an hour prior to the Bluewater Power presentat ion by CEO Janice McMichael-Dennis. The presentat ion cal led “Powering Your Community” was wel l attended.


http://central-united-church.org 5

Introducing our New Foster Child

AMMUBANUSAKTHI SELVAM

Born on November 19 2007

Ammu attends elementary school and walks there each day. She likes to play local games with friends. She lives with her mother and father who are seasonal workers. The family’s income is unstable and far from adequate to provide for the basic needs. Our sponsorship gifts will help establish and expand access to necessities such as education, health care, clean water and skills training for youth and adults. Ammu’s family is Hindu in faith and speaks Tamil and English.In her first letter to us Ammu says she is very happy for getting us as a sponsor. She is in Grade 2 and has two best friends, Durgadevi and Madhumitha with whom she plays every day. Her favourite colour is yellow. Her father works at fishing. She would like to hear from us about our favourite colour and our friends. She and her family pray to God for our well-being and that of our family members. She sends us “loving kisses”.

Location: Southern Tip of India, Gulf of Mannar South of the City of Ramanathapuram

Water Source: Well | Type of House: HutDistance to Water & Health Centre:

More than 5 km

The Sunday School will again hold its Rice

Krispy Fundraiser in April, to support its foster

child. The Sunday School has a new child

this year, and details will be announced in

the coming weeks. Donations of Rice Krispies

can be left in a basket in mid-Turner Hall,

throughout April. Rice Krispies will be available

after church for a donation toward the foster

child. Contact Leslie at 519-869-2715 if you can

provide rice krispy squares.

FUNdraiser

The presbytery as we know it may soon be gone.

The report of the Comprehensive Review Task Group is recommending the elimination of the presbytery and the development of regional councils. Churches and other faith communities will be left to call and end the call of their ministers. After two years of intensive study and consultation, the Comprehensive Review Task Group is recommending major changes to The United Church of Canada in order to revitalize and nurture a range of ministries, simplify governance and administration, and enable the church to live within its resources. “We believe God is doing a new thing and is calling us to change dramatically so we can participate fully in God’s mission,” explains the Rev. Cathy Hamilton, chair of the task group. “Our current organizational structure is simply not sustainable from the point of view of either our volunteers or our finances.”

The church has recognized the need to cut about a third of its budget. “We have consulted broadly across the church and are recommending six significant changes in the way the church operates and in its priorities. We feel these changes would carry the church into the 21st century and open us up to

new possibilities and ministries,” Hamilton added. The full report, titled “United in God’s Work,” is available on the 42nd General Council website. A key recommendation is that the church commit to an initiative tentatively called “Chasing the Spirit” to renew its spiritual centre, just as the Spirit renewed the disciples through the Pentecost experience. This recommendation reflects the task group’s belief that the purpose of streamlining church structures and processes is to enable vital ministry in the world. To that end, it recommends committing significant resources—10 percent of annual givings to the Mission and Service Fund—to supporting new ministries and new forms of ministry.



...continued on next page

IN THECHANGESUnited Churchof Canada

Task Group recommendations:

The church places a high priority on building

relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on mutuality, respect, and equity, and that the church continue to live out its apologies to Aboriginal people.

A College of Ministers be established to accredit,

oversee, and discipline ministers. All ministers serving in paid positions would be members of the College, and it would be governed by a board composed of equal numbers of ministers and laypersons.

The church reduces its governance structure

from four courts to three councils, with the denominational and regional councils focused on providing support and services to communities of faith. Communities of faith would include congregations as we know them, as well as other forms of Christian community.

A working group of ministers be struck

to study the concept of an association of ministers that would offer support to and foster collegiality among ministers.

The church spend only what it receives and

reduce its spending from 2015 levels by at least $11 million. Communities of faith would pay an annual assessment that would cover governance and support services, while donations to the Mission and Service Fund would fund only ministry and mission activities, such as global mission and outreach ministries.

r e c o mm e n d at i o n s



CHANGES IN THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA ...from page 6

The 42nd General Council will discuss and make decisions about the task group’s recommendations and any additional proposals when it meets August 8‒15, 2015, in Corner Brook, Newfoundland. People from across the church are encouraged to read the report and discuss it this spring in their congregations, presbyteries, and Conferences. The United Church of Canada makes its decisions in community and has processes through presbyteries and Conferences for additional proposals to reach the General Council this summer. Please send your proposals through those normal processes. “We see this as the work of the whole church and

know our recommendations would change the church significantly, but we heard over and over again that we should be bold and transformative,” adds the Rev. Hamilton, “We think God is doing a new thing, and the church needs to respond to that call to live out God’s mission in Canada and the world.” The report will be discussed at a meeting at Grace United Church, Sarnia on April 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All are welcome. Snacks and drinks will be provided, so contact [email protected] if you are planning to attend so enough snacks can be made available. However, drop-ins are encouraged and those attending are to bring their own lunch (nut free policy).

On October 19 2014, Outreach Sunday, a Mission and Service play, adapted and directed by Velda Beggs was presented. In the play, two boys learn something about the mission and service provided by the United Church, and a grandmother learns a few things about the internet. Front Row Left to Right: Beth Baird, Jesse Morgan, Adam Hurst, Cathy Acton; Back Row Left to Right: Dave Finch (sound technician), Velda Beggs

Find us on online! Visit Central’s website.h t tps : / /cen t ra l -un i ted-church .o rg



LENTEN ORGAN RECITALS 2015

Organist and music director, Bob Towers, has again organized a community musical arts program of six organ recitals. The noon-hour recitals request a goodwill offering only and all are welcome. Organists come from Southwestern Ontario and Michigan. Left: Cy Giacomin from St Benidict Roman Cathol ic Church, Sarnia; Right: Bob Towers of Central United Church Music Director, Sarnia.

FOR YOUR INFO

!ERRATUM: Please note that in

the calendar on the back cover

page of the Wheels winter

edition 2014/15, the schedule

for Computer Drop-in should

be on Wednesdays and Fridays

at 1-3pm.

N E W S & C O M M I T T E E U P D AT E S S P R I N G 2 0 1 5


Outreach/Pastoral Committee News

Find us on Facebook! Add Central as a friend.h t tps : / /www. facebook .com/sarn ia .church

The year 2015 sees the end of the Voucher Program after several years of filling in financial gaps for many Sarnians in need. This program also gave our volunteers opportunities to interact and provide hospitality to our visitors. We had many expressions of appreciation.

Our challenge has been to find other ways to reach out to our community both financially and hands on. Many of you have been asking what replacements we could find so that our congregation can continue to show the face of Christ to those in need in our community.

Participation in the Neighbourlink program

with other congregations in Sarnia. See the description of this program after this report. This will require a commitment of volunteer time, donations of items, and a financial contribution (recommended $5 per church family).

1

Participation in the Habitat for Humanity build in

2015 on Euphemia Street. Each church (not just United Churches) is being asked to provide a team of 12 to 15 volunteers for the building site for 1 day and a commitment of $2500. We’re able to team with another church and cut this in half if necessary. In addition, we have been asked to allow the teams to use our building for Saturday lunches as we did during the last Euphemia build.

2 Hosting graduates of the resident program at the

Women’s Interval Home once a month to use our kitchen for trying recipes and preparing meals to take home.

Possible participation in Lambton Presbytery’s

sponsorship of a refugee or refugee family. If Lambton Presbytery goes through with this project and we decide to participate, we will be asked for financial and volunteer time.

3

4

The above are in addition to the Giveaway program with three other Sarnia churches held twice a year, the computer drop-in centre, the use of the gym for the West Lambton Community Health Centre seniors walking and exercise group, ongoing donations of food items to the Inn of the Good Shepherd and knitted items to the Salvation Army at Christmas. We still don't have new convenors for the Community Garden at Germain Park in support of the Inn, but we are hoping to have 'picking bees' at self pick farms this summer and donate

the produce to the Inn. We will need to engage in fund raising for all of these projects. Our donations at year end to local and non local causes will be re-evaluated in light of the projects we are hoping to concentrate on. The benevolent fund which was a source of funds for the voucher program is no longer available for our new projects. Our committee looks forward to these new ministries and will be asking you to participate as you feel called and are able.

The following are the ones that our committee has presented to the Church Board at the March 29 meeting for discussion and approval:

We quickly found that there were all kinds of needs that provide opportunities to share our volunteer time and dollars.

C E N T R A L N E W S S P R I N G 2 0 1 5


Thanks from the Outreach/Pastoral Committee The Outreach Committee organized a soup luncheon in response to the Ebola crisis appeal. Ten varieties of delicious soups were available from barley, asparagus to lentil. Rev. Gibson stayed and enjoyed the fellowship with us. To all those cooks and willing hands who made the soup luncheon in support of the Ebola crisis a great success. Thanks as well, to the 60 people who came out to enjoy the food and fellowship. $960 was raised from the soup luncheon plus another $500 was donated from the Outreach Pastoral Care Committee for a total of $1460. This will be forwarded to the United Church Ebola Appeal.

Gloria Finch, Rev. Gibson, Nancy Andrews, and Violet Ni lson during the soup luncheon.

L-R: Maddie, Emma, Greg Jones, Carol Morgan, Jessie, Viv Scott, Margaret Malt in, and Lauren

L-R: Helen Mutton, Beth Baird, Sarah Luttrel l , Wayne Casl ick, Harry and Conny Johnson, Shiela Smith

nurseryThe Nursery continues to be

a busy place with the help of the Sunday School Grandmas.

L-R: Ava, Vivian Scott, Maddie, Marg Malt in, Lauren and El la



Faith and Friendship Group

Exercise Group Repairs Around Central

Valerie Stewart and Gloria Finch, members of Faith and Friendship Group, show how they ut i l ized the desktop computer with a widescreen monitor avai lable in the mid-turner hal l for their Bible study.

Ei leen Wilson and Pacita Ancheta f lash their smiles after a session of the Exercise Group at the Central United Church’s gymnasium.

L-R: Doris Graham, Valerie Stewart, Nancy Andrews, Mary Anne Adams, Margorie Banks, Margaret Matson, and Pacita Ancheta enjoy their coffee and desserts during their Bible study meeting.

Faith and Friendship joined the wider church's Lenten study, "Longing for Home". Our well-equipped mid-turner hall allowed us to use the video made available through the United Church's web page.

The Exercise Group facilitated by the West London Community Health Centre takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday here at Central. This outreach is co-ed and free of charge and welcomes you no matter your ability. Eileen Wilson organizes the chairs and water on behalf of Outreach. Come join the group. It meets November through to May.

There have been improvements at Central! Below are few photos of them.

Can you identify where these are? Try hunting them!



After Church Coffee is a great time to gather relax and develop friendships. We are appreciative of the different committees for hosting this great ministry. Thank you to the Sunday School Grandmas in December, Outreach in January and the Trio: Velda, Jean, and Adele in February.

After Church Coffee

Right photo: (L-R) Jim Rose, Bob Towers, El izabeth and Denson McDonald enjoy their chats over coffee.

Left photo (L-R): Al l are welcome! Cadence, Nancy Andrews, Jaylyn, Jamie Bel l , and Emma have a great t ime at the after church refreshments. Right photo: Margaret Selassie helps to serve tea and cookies in the after church coffee.

SPRING RUMMAGE SALE 2015SETUP: APRIL 16, 10AM | SALE: APRIL 17, 12NN-2PM; APRIL 18, 9-11AM



Central’s Heritage Hallway

Right photo: (L-R) Paul ine Al len, El inore Haig, Valerie Stewart, and Shei la Smith browse on the books at the Heritage hal lway.

Top photo: David Finch looks at the book select ions for sale at the Heritage hal lway.

Central's Heritage Hallway is a busy place before and after worship service with this UCW initiative. Used books are available for a small donation. Cathy Owens monitors the books and will help you choose a book. I saw the movie, "Unbroken" recently and the next week saw the book in the sale. I wished I had read the book first.

Here we go again! It’s time for the Spring Rummage – Garage Sale!SETUP: APRIL 16, 10AM | SALE: APRIL 17, 12NN-2PM; APRIL 18, 9-11AM

ITEMS NEEDED:

Gently used spring & summer clothing

Dishes & other household items

Small appliances & pieces of furniture

Books, cookbooks

Tools, sporting goods

Jewellery, and other treasures

Toys, and other collectibles

Craft and knitting supplies (ie: wool, yarn)

Plants of all kinds & plant containers

DONATIONS ARE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED! VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!

Please call Pat Phillips 519-542-0383

For information on the jewelry, please contact Marg Matson

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EASTER EGGSIn Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during that time were often boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants.In addition, eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages. It is believed that for this reason many ancient cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, used eggs during their spring festivals.Many traditions and practices have formed around Easter eggs. The coloring of eggs is a established art, and eggs are often dyed, painted, and otherwise decorated. Eggs were also used in various holiday games: parents would hide eggs for children to find, and children would roll eggs down hills. These practices live on in Easter egg hunts and egg rolls. The most famous egg roll takes place on the White House lawn every year.

DIFFERENT TRADITIONSOrthodox Christians in the Middle East and in Greece painted eggs bright red to symbolize the blood of

Christ. Hollow eggs (created by piercing the shell with a needle and blowing out the contents) were decorated with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious figures in Armenia.Germans gave green eggs as gifts on Holy Thursday, and hung hollow eggs on trees. Austrians placed tiny plants around the egg and then boiled them. When the plants were removed, white patterns were created.

ARTISTIC CREATIONSThe most elaborate Easter egg traditions appear to have emerged in Eastern Europe. In Poland and Ukraine, eggs were often painted silver and gold. Pysanky (to design or write) eggs were created by carefully applying wax in patterns

to an egg. The egg was then dyed, wax would be reapplied in spots to preserve that color, and the egg was boiled again in other shades. The result was a multi-color striped or patterned egg.

THE EASTER BUNNYHares and rabbits have long been symbols of fertility. The inclusion of the hare into Easter customs appears to have originated in Germany, where tales were told of an "Easter hare" who laid eggs for children to find. German immigrants to America -particularly Pennsylvania -brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider public. They also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares, and may have pioneered the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs.

EASTER CARDSEaster cards arrived in Victorian England, when a stationer added a greeting to a drawing of a rabbit. According to American Greetings, Easter is now the fourth most popular holiday for sending cards, behind Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Mother's Day.

A Brief His to ry of the Spring Holiday’s Celebrations

Easter Symbols & Traditions

by DaviD Johnson anD shmuel Ross

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transitionsIn Memoriam

Jan 12th John “Jack” EastwoodJan 14th Pieternalla “Nelly” PronkJan 22nd Richard “Dick” FoubisterJan 26th Muriel Leckie

Feb 10th Sheila AitkenMar 5th Carson ChabotMar 7th Lana GavanMar 8th Helen Robertson–Korf

Events at Central United

April 3rd Good Friday

April 5th Easter Sunday

April 6th Easter Monday

April 17th & 18th Rummage and Garage Sale

April 25th Trivia Night

April 27th & 28th Lambton County Music Fest

May 10th Mother’s Day

May 18th Victoria Day

June 21st Father’s Day

Mondays Walking Group

Wednesdays Scouts, Walking Group, Faith & Friendship, Computer Drop-In

Thursdays Choir Practice

Fridays Walking Group, Computer Drop-In

SAVE THE DATE!

90th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada

June 10 2015, Wednesday

Join us in the celebration of the

90th ANNIVERSARY

OF THE

United Church of CanadaJune 10 2015, Wednesday

Guest Speaker:

The Moderator, The Right Honourable

REV. GARY PATERSON

Hosted by Central United Church-SarniaMore details coming soon!

wheels spring 2015

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