September 2014 newsletter
View southwest from Sicamous
Dear Members and friends of Sicamous United Church
In the midst of this beautiful late summer season, I would like to bring you up to date on activities at Sicamous United Church.
The Thrift Shop had a very successful summer, with lots of sales, and thanks to the generosity of several households that are downsizing, we’ve had some big furniture items to share. We are indeed blessed to have so many hard working volunteers, and our dedicated manager, Linda. Thank you everyone who gives so generously of your time and energy to make this great ministry work. As you may know, through the Thrift Shop, we help out in emergency situations for local residents and transients, and 10 percent of our revenue supports the Sicamous community and beyond.
Sunday morning worship continues on a regular basis, and this fall we are focusing on Living with respect in Creation. I’m delighted to tell you that Amanda has started a little Sunday school and has wonderful craft ideas and programs for our youngest members. Jim and I have had two honourary grandchildren staying with us over the past two weeks and they really enjoy their adventures at church!
Some dates to watch for:
Sunday, October 5th 2014 at 3:00 PM there will be a Covenanting service between Sicamous United Church, Rev. Juanita and Kamloops-Okanagan Presbytery. What’s a covenanting service and why should you be there? In the scriptures, we understand that our relationship with God and with each other is based on covenants – promises we make to one another about how we will live together in community. As a congregation, Sicamous United officially `called’ me to continue working with them last May – now we get to celebrate together, along with members of the Kamloops- Okanagan Presbytery – the regional body of the church.
Refreshments will be served afterward. So, please come and be a part of it, and encourage other church members, thrift Shop volunteers and friends to be here. The Black and Bluez band has kindly agreed to play – so the music will be grand!
Saturday, October 18th – Soup & Song from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM
Again this year the congregation will be hosting the Thrift Shop volunteers and patrons to delicious home-made soup and buns, tea, coffee and cookies while Jim and I, and hopefully another guest musician offer some lunch music.
Sunday, November 9th at 7:00 PM we will be hosting a Fabulous Fashion Show, featuring treasures from our Thrift Shop. Thanks to Alice Duck for her willingness to do a lot of organizing for this event. There will be more details to follow, but we will likely be asking people to bring a non-perishable item for the Foodbank. Refreshments will be served and a special shopping opportunity will be available.
Other things to note:
The Prayer Tree – If you walk past the huge cedar tree in the back yard of the church you will see colourful strips of cloth hanging in its branches. The Judeo- Christian religion, at its best, recognizes the sacredness of all creation. “And God saw that it was good.” Genesis Chapter 1. This recognition and respect for creation is also a part of indigenous spirituality around the world, including Celtic and First Nations spirituality.
Following an ancient Celtic/Christian tradition, you are invited to take a strip of cloth, and add it to the tree as a symbol of your prayer – for yourself, for others, for the world. The strips of cloth are in a basket in the Thrift Shop during the week, or in the church on Sunday mornings.
A banner in the making – I had a brilliant thought about getting a great banner made for the big Climate Change march in Salmon Arm (September 20th) similar to the photo at the beginning of this letter. However, taking care of a three year old and five year old over the past few weeks has humbled me a bit and I haven’t even had time to sketch it out. I do have several people willing to work on this banner however, and I look forward to reporting on its progress.
Ireland? Wait, didn’t I go to Ireland way back in June? Yes I did, along with Jim and my Mom and daughter Miriam. We had a fabulous time, and I took many pictures. I will be preparing a photo presentation sometime over the next several months. I’ll let you know when it’s ready!
Sunday by Sunday and beyond – Our congregation is tiny and wonderful. I love to see everyone on a Sunday morning. Can’t make it out to church every Sunday? Check our website at www.sicamousunited.ca or Facebook page to see what is happening in this ministry that is ours together. If you would like to talk over anything with me, or just want a visit, please call me – 250-836-4390 at church, or home 250-832-6385, or email minister@sicamousunited.ca
Blessings, Juanita