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Dearest First Church Friends,
We hope you are well. If you are in need of support, please reach out to the Church through a phone call or email and someone would be happy to speak to you. Church Office: office@1stunitedchurch.ca Rev Daryl: minister@1stunitedchurch.ca Church phone: 519-631-7570 |
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Bulletins, Newsletters & Mailings.... Oh my!
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First With the News
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You are invited to join us for worship Sunday Mornings at 10:30am.
There are 3 ways you can join us:
*In Person at First United Church (please pre-register)
*Online through our Google Meets Link
*Live through our Facebook Page
There are 3 ways you can join us:
*In Person at First United Church (please pre-register)
*Online through our Google Meets Link
*Live through our Facebook Page
You can also watch our Online Worship Service LIVE on our Facebook page
(link to the livestream is posted on our FB page each Sunday just after 10:30am)
https://www.facebook.com/firstunitedchurch
An Important Message from Our Official Board Executive (November 12, 2020)
COVID-19!!!!!
Will 2020 be considered by most as the year we would like to forget? That might be our preference but how can we possibly look back on the past several months and expect to forget what has unfolded? Looking back to March, who would have thought the COVID-19 pandemic would consume our lives the way it has…and for so long? Studies have apparently shown that 2020 has been deemed the most stressful year in our lifetimes. No surprise, really.
COLLABORATION A SUCCESS!!!
At First United Church, with the leadership of some amazing individuals, we were quickly able to offer a virtual Sunday worship service and we also began a very positive, collaborative relationship with Central United and other St. Thomas United Churches including St. Andrews and New Vision. Note that St. Andrews and New Vision have returned to operating independently; however, we enjoyed working with them throughout the summer and early fall.
LEARNING PROCESS
We have learned a lot since mid-March! The smoothness of the online services has improved and efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at First United continued in accordance with local direction from Southwestern Public Health. We tried to be extremely careful and even when the opportunity arose to physically return to church, we did so cautiously, encouraging most congregants to continue with the online service alternative.
Guidance at a provincial and local level has been very helpful. We have maintained lines of communication with Southwestern Public Health as guidelines have been revised. Church members can learn more about local health unit guidance by checking out this link:
https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/COVID-19-Resources/COVID-19-Guidance-for-Places-of-Worship.pdf
LOW COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS LOCALLY
Thankfully, our area has experienced very low case numbers during the pandemic and consequently, we have started to believe that it is appropriate to promote both in-person and virtual Sunday worship. Of course the safety of members and staff remains paramount.
SHARING RESOURCES? LET’S TALK!
As noted, coordinating a shared virtual service with Central United has been successful and we hope to continue to share our resources moving forward. A team from each congregation has been selected and these church members will meet to discuss future possibilities. Please understand this is not about merging, but rather sharing resources to grow stronger together while acknowledging our respective financial realities. This process could include sharing of staff or physical resources and sharing the cost.
POSITIVE PROGRESS
Some members of the congregation who have attended Sunday services at church (and others who have participated online) have indicated they would like to have more “live content” in the sanctuary. While lay leaders have often been present in the church for service (particularly in more recent months), our ministers have only more recently been present at First or Central United for worship. It is important to remember that Reverend Daryl lives in a part of Ontario where COVID-19 case numbers are much higher than the local situation and he has often been inclined to conduct his portion of Sunday services from home rather than in-person. This has certainly been a sound decision. It is also important to note that Rev. Daryl has been able to provide significant pastoral care through phone calls, Monday Coffee time and other “remote” means. It is anticipated that one element of the joint conversations with Central United will be the merits of shared resources.
MOVING FORWARD
In consideration of local circumstances and the feedback received from some members, we will begin to more actively promote in–church service, welcoming those who are comfortable to join, while continuing to offer a virtual connection given the recent surge in COVID-19 cases at a provincial level. We have lots of safe space for churchgoers in the sanctuary, with roughly 28 “bubbles” clearly marked in the pews. Congregants will be pleased to learn that a separate Sunday family program has been running successfully for approximately two months, with an average of four or five families participating each week. This program is scheduled so that families arrive in the Assembly Hall before regular Sunday service commences and exit before the worship ends upstairs. This approach has been well-received and is compliant with health unit requirements and guidelines. Contact Karen Auckland or Erin Chute for more information regarding this program.
OUR SERVICES – MUSIC AND MORE!
Music has always been a large part of First's worship services and has been difficult to offer under the current circumstances. Singing and group singing in particular poses a major risk in spreading the virus and consequently is very restricted at this time in accordance with Southwestern Public Health direction.
Jody is working on a plan to utilize the band to safely offer music within the building and virtually. One idea being explored is providing live music prior to each service as we head into Advent season. Other forms of “live” music are being considered as well. Remember – although you cannot sing during the service, Jody and the band would very much appreciate hearing you join in by clapping along with the music. Stay tuned for more on this theme as well as other ways to provide “live streaming” of Sunday services in a safe, enjoyable manner.
NEW NORMAL???
If you have any questions, comments or concerns as you read this message, please feel free to communicate them to us. As we all continue to learn how to cope or adjust to what seems to be a “new normal”, patience and understanding will be important. We hope that First United Church can remain an important, viable component of your spiritual and emotional well-being so we encourage you to share any thoughts you may have as time continues to move along.
Thanks and may God be with you always!
Executive Committee Reverend Daryl Webber
Justin Chute
Richard Routhier.
Richard Auckland
Karen Auckland
Don Renaud
Mark Snowsell
Will 2020 be considered by most as the year we would like to forget? That might be our preference but how can we possibly look back on the past several months and expect to forget what has unfolded? Looking back to March, who would have thought the COVID-19 pandemic would consume our lives the way it has…and for so long? Studies have apparently shown that 2020 has been deemed the most stressful year in our lifetimes. No surprise, really.
COLLABORATION A SUCCESS!!!
At First United Church, with the leadership of some amazing individuals, we were quickly able to offer a virtual Sunday worship service and we also began a very positive, collaborative relationship with Central United and other St. Thomas United Churches including St. Andrews and New Vision. Note that St. Andrews and New Vision have returned to operating independently; however, we enjoyed working with them throughout the summer and early fall.
LEARNING PROCESS
We have learned a lot since mid-March! The smoothness of the online services has improved and efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone at First United continued in accordance with local direction from Southwestern Public Health. We tried to be extremely careful and even when the opportunity arose to physically return to church, we did so cautiously, encouraging most congregants to continue with the online service alternative.
Guidance at a provincial and local level has been very helpful. We have maintained lines of communication with Southwestern Public Health as guidelines have been revised. Church members can learn more about local health unit guidance by checking out this link:
https://www.swpublichealth.ca/en/resourcesGeneral/COVID-19-Resources/COVID-19-Guidance-for-Places-of-Worship.pdf
LOW COVID-19 CASE NUMBERS LOCALLY
Thankfully, our area has experienced very low case numbers during the pandemic and consequently, we have started to believe that it is appropriate to promote both in-person and virtual Sunday worship. Of course the safety of members and staff remains paramount.
SHARING RESOURCES? LET’S TALK!
As noted, coordinating a shared virtual service with Central United has been successful and we hope to continue to share our resources moving forward. A team from each congregation has been selected and these church members will meet to discuss future possibilities. Please understand this is not about merging, but rather sharing resources to grow stronger together while acknowledging our respective financial realities. This process could include sharing of staff or physical resources and sharing the cost.
POSITIVE PROGRESS
Some members of the congregation who have attended Sunday services at church (and others who have participated online) have indicated they would like to have more “live content” in the sanctuary. While lay leaders have often been present in the church for service (particularly in more recent months), our ministers have only more recently been present at First or Central United for worship. It is important to remember that Reverend Daryl lives in a part of Ontario where COVID-19 case numbers are much higher than the local situation and he has often been inclined to conduct his portion of Sunday services from home rather than in-person. This has certainly been a sound decision. It is also important to note that Rev. Daryl has been able to provide significant pastoral care through phone calls, Monday Coffee time and other “remote” means. It is anticipated that one element of the joint conversations with Central United will be the merits of shared resources.
MOVING FORWARD
In consideration of local circumstances and the feedback received from some members, we will begin to more actively promote in–church service, welcoming those who are comfortable to join, while continuing to offer a virtual connection given the recent surge in COVID-19 cases at a provincial level. We have lots of safe space for churchgoers in the sanctuary, with roughly 28 “bubbles” clearly marked in the pews. Congregants will be pleased to learn that a separate Sunday family program has been running successfully for approximately two months, with an average of four or five families participating each week. This program is scheduled so that families arrive in the Assembly Hall before regular Sunday service commences and exit before the worship ends upstairs. This approach has been well-received and is compliant with health unit requirements and guidelines. Contact Karen Auckland or Erin Chute for more information regarding this program.
OUR SERVICES – MUSIC AND MORE!
Music has always been a large part of First's worship services and has been difficult to offer under the current circumstances. Singing and group singing in particular poses a major risk in spreading the virus and consequently is very restricted at this time in accordance with Southwestern Public Health direction.
Jody is working on a plan to utilize the band to safely offer music within the building and virtually. One idea being explored is providing live music prior to each service as we head into Advent season. Other forms of “live” music are being considered as well. Remember – although you cannot sing during the service, Jody and the band would very much appreciate hearing you join in by clapping along with the music. Stay tuned for more on this theme as well as other ways to provide “live streaming” of Sunday services in a safe, enjoyable manner.
NEW NORMAL???
If you have any questions, comments or concerns as you read this message, please feel free to communicate them to us. As we all continue to learn how to cope or adjust to what seems to be a “new normal”, patience and understanding will be important. We hope that First United Church can remain an important, viable component of your spiritual and emotional well-being so we encourage you to share any thoughts you may have as time continues to move along.
Thanks and may God be with you always!
Executive Committee Reverend Daryl Webber
Justin Chute
Richard Routhier.
Richard Auckland
Karen Auckland
Don Renaud
Mark Snowsell
From your Finance Committee...
"REACH FOR THE STARS"
Advent Fundraising Campaign
It’s that most wonderful time of the year once again!
It’s Christmas Time.
A time to be thankful for that all God has given us.
A time to share our love with each other.
A time to show our thanks to First United for being a magnificent place of worship.
This year we invite you to participate in a Special Fundraising Campaign to help sustain our beautiful church throughout the 2021 year.
If you look up to the church chimney (south side of the church), you will see 4 stars. Our hope is to bring light to each of these stars before New Year’s Day! How will we do that? We can do it if we all pitch in and give a little in the Spirit of Christmas.
Our goal is to reach $10,000 by December 31st.
When we reach $2,500 the first star on the chimney will be lit;
when we reach $5,000 two will be lit;
$7,500 = 3 stars lit;
and when we reach our goal of $10,000… all 4 starts will be lit!
To contribute to this fundraiser,
just designate your donation in some way to “REACH FOR THE STARS”.
Your donation can be made by Cheque, Cash, E-Transfer, PAR or PayPal. For anyone opening a new PAR or PayPal account, committed to making monthly donations, we will multiply the first month’s donation by 12
and add that sum towards reaching our goal.
Let’s all pitch in and make this a Christmas to remember by lighting all four stars!!
It’s Christmas Time.
A time to be thankful for that all God has given us.
A time to share our love with each other.
A time to show our thanks to First United for being a magnificent place of worship.
This year we invite you to participate in a Special Fundraising Campaign to help sustain our beautiful church throughout the 2021 year.
If you look up to the church chimney (south side of the church), you will see 4 stars. Our hope is to bring light to each of these stars before New Year’s Day! How will we do that? We can do it if we all pitch in and give a little in the Spirit of Christmas.
Our goal is to reach $10,000 by December 31st.
When we reach $2,500 the first star on the chimney will be lit;
when we reach $5,000 two will be lit;
$7,500 = 3 stars lit;
and when we reach our goal of $10,000… all 4 starts will be lit!
To contribute to this fundraiser,
just designate your donation in some way to “REACH FOR THE STARS”.
Your donation can be made by Cheque, Cash, E-Transfer, PAR or PayPal. For anyone opening a new PAR or PayPal account, committed to making monthly donations, we will multiply the first month’s donation by 12
and add that sum towards reaching our goal.
Let’s all pitch in and make this a Christmas to remember by lighting all four stars!!
Click to be taken to our Events Page
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We have some exciting things planned at First United Church!!
Everyone is welcome to participate in our events, so mark your calendar! |
Ministers: ALL THE PEOPLE OF GOD
Intentional Interim Minister: Rev. Daryl Webber
Music Minister: Jody McDonald-Groulx
Secretary/Treasurer: Lori Hoffman
Custodian: Dave Luftenegger
Intentional Interim Minister: Rev. Daryl Webber
Music Minister: Jody McDonald-Groulx
Secretary/Treasurer: Lori Hoffman
Custodian: Dave Luftenegger
Office Hours
Lori is working a combination of in the office & also from home.
Office Hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm
Please call (519-631-7570) or email if you require assistance.
Office Hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 3pm
Please call (519-631-7570) or email if you require assistance.
Moved?? New to the Church??
If you have moved, or you are new to the Church, please fill out a Family Information Sheet (link below)
and return it to the office or send Lori a quick email with your new details so we can keep our records up to date! Thank you!
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