What's Going on at First?
"Reach for the Stars!"
Fundraising Campaign
Fundraising Campaign
With your help we
EXCEEDED our $10,000 goal
for December 2020!!
WELL DONE!!
THANK YOU FIRST CHURCH!!
Your ongoing support of First United Church is appreciated!
EXCEEDED our $10,000 goal
for December 2020!!
WELL DONE!!
THANK YOU FIRST CHURCH!!
Your ongoing support of First United Church is appreciated!
We continue to meet Online Sundays at 10:30am
for our Joint Worship Service with our own First family,
as well as friends from Central, St. Andrew's & New Vision.
We'd love it if you joined us - even if you've never done so before!
This new season is a great time to connect with your faith community
and our friends from other United Churches in St. Thomas.
Lastly, you can 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
(link to the livestream is posted on our FB page each Sunday just after 10:30am)
https://www.facebook.com/firstunitedchurch
Family Worship has been postponed until we can gather together at the church again.
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We continue with
Coffee & Conversation Time Monday Mornings at 10:30am (link to join is in the weekly email). Last week we listened to author of Gilead, Marilynne Robinson speak to us about how she understands the good life". She said, 1. Consider yourself to be a unique expression of what is humanly possible and ask "What gifts are you most thankful about who you are?" Marilynne also suggested the good life is in 2. Discovering your vocation. Following your passion is key to the good life, competition is a sign that you're probably not living the good life. Robinson says also that the Christian Life and the Christian community we live in is part of the good life in that it helps us 3. Develop a sympathetic imagination in an environment where grace is a cornerstone of how we perceive the world. We wondered what that triggered in us about how we live the good life! This week we can continue on with the conversation. Colin Beaven is a writer and environmentalist and puts the theme of the "Good Life" in a different framework- if we were living in balance with earth, would this help us grasp something of the good life? I invite you to watch the film that was made of Colin Beaven’s book, No Impact Man. It is 1.5 hours, but it is entertaining and insightful. I think Colin would say he learned to live a good life. Check it out! Here is the link. See you Monday!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW5_R-7BClY |
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Youth Group is on a break until after January 23!
SOMETHING NEW!
We are going to start up a new online group Thursday evenings at 7pm
that I'm going to call "The Party Crashers".
When parties are forbidden that is when we need them most!
No need for a personal invitation, no need to take your shoes off at the door, no worries if you don't know who will be there, just show up!
We will check in with each other and partake in a little fun!
Join in using the Sunday Worship Link!
We are going to start up a new online group Thursday evenings at 7pm
that I'm going to call "The Party Crashers".
When parties are forbidden that is when we need them most!
No need for a personal invitation, no need to take your shoes off at the door, no worries if you don't know who will be there, just show up!
We will check in with each other and partake in a little fun!
Join in using the Sunday Worship Link!
BOOK STUDY on Cathedral on Fire – a church handbook for the climate crisis by Rev. Brooks Berndt, United Church of Christ Minister for Environmental Justice.
News of burning forests and rising temperatures raise concern for all of God’s creation.
This Book Study can help us to discover the unique gifts which we have to offer.
Berndt starts with the Genesis story of beginnings, goes on to explore: the importance of caring for God’s creation as our first calling; a scriptural basis to pursue justice for both planet and people; a moral foundation of the climate crisis as an inequality crisis; our power source of love; lifting up hope in the history of environmental justice movement; a rich tradition of theology in time of crisis; and a recognition of youth as the climate prophet of today.
Book Study Facilitators – Marg Murray and Carey Wagner of Antler River Social and Ecological Justice Network. Marg and Carey are retired clergy in Antler River Watershed Region.
Marg’s background is in environmental planning and Carey’s, fossil fuel industry. Both have a passion to integrate climate justice and its impact on the most vulnerable.
Link is here to the first chapter of Cathedral on Fire: https://www.uccfiles.com/pdf/Cathedral-on-Fire_SAMPLE_PAGES.pdf
WHEN? Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 to 11:30 am to February 16, 2021.
To register, email Carey Wagner cgwagne@sympatico.ca. Register early to ensure a place as registration is limited to 15. Registration free. Meeting by Zoom. Invitation details will follow upon registration.
The book will soon be available from United Church Resource Distribution Centre.
Estimated cost of the book is $10.00.
This Book Study can help us to discover the unique gifts which we have to offer.
Berndt starts with the Genesis story of beginnings, goes on to explore: the importance of caring for God’s creation as our first calling; a scriptural basis to pursue justice for both planet and people; a moral foundation of the climate crisis as an inequality crisis; our power source of love; lifting up hope in the history of environmental justice movement; a rich tradition of theology in time of crisis; and a recognition of youth as the climate prophet of today.
Book Study Facilitators – Marg Murray and Carey Wagner of Antler River Social and Ecological Justice Network. Marg and Carey are retired clergy in Antler River Watershed Region.
Marg’s background is in environmental planning and Carey’s, fossil fuel industry. Both have a passion to integrate climate justice and its impact on the most vulnerable.
Link is here to the first chapter of Cathedral on Fire: https://www.uccfiles.com/pdf/Cathedral-on-Fire_SAMPLE_PAGES.pdf
WHEN? Tuesday, January 26 at 10:00 to 11:30 am to February 16, 2021.
To register, email Carey Wagner cgwagne@sympatico.ca. Register early to ensure a place as registration is limited to 15. Registration free. Meeting by Zoom. Invitation details will follow upon registration.
The book will soon be available from United Church Resource Distribution Centre.
Estimated cost of the book is $10.00.
Coming Soon...
Confirmation Classes
offered jointly by Rev. Daryl (from First) & Rev. Paul (from Central).
Please contact the Church Office is you are interested in participating.
offered jointly by Rev. Daryl (from First) & Rev. Paul (from Central).
Please contact the Church Office is you are interested in participating.
Story Submissions for the Timeline for our
Anniversary Celebration (date TBA)
are still being accepted!
Invitation to contribute stories: We are inviting members of our congregation and community to contribute to the story that is First United Church. Perhaps you or your family have a special connection with the church, have an interesting story of your involvement or have a longer history as a member.
We’d ask that you submit your story to Richard Auckland at rauck27@gmail.com.
The intent is that your story will become part of a large timeline that will be posted in the hall on the way into the sanctuary by the Fellowship Room. Below are a couple of sample submissions, but you may have your own thoughts. If you have pictures feel free to include those as well.
Sample Church History Submissions
Please include the date (approximate is fine), your name and brief story or history
of your family’s involvement at First United Church. If you happen to have a picture to include that would be great.
1946 – Some members of the Auckland Family have attended First United since the 1940s. My parents were wed at Talbotville United Church in 1948, moved to Pearl Street and attended the church. Lloyd (my dad) served on the Board, the Trustees and was witness to the horrific fire in 1946 which burned the church beyond repair. As leader of the Argonauts and Argonettes (the youth group), and as a local teacher, he taught many of St. Thomas’ future leaders. My mother, Phyllis, was an original member of the United Church Women (UCW) at the church. All five of us children were baptised and raised in the church. My sister, Sandra (& Mike), 1971 and our son Jon (& Laura), 2018 were wed in the church. A fond memory is coming to church and sitting in the south transept. It was always warm there with the heater on and the sun would often shine through. The Sandersons, the Parsons and other families sat in the same transept for many years as I grew up. Submitted by Richard Auckland
1970s – A fond memory for me was growing up with Lloyd, my father leading the Argonettes and Argonauts. As a youngster, I was permitted to go tobogganing at Union Golf Course with the older crowd. After a really long run, I continued on into the creek and got a real soaker! Submitted by Richard Auckland
Anniversary Celebration (date TBA)
are still being accepted!
Invitation to contribute stories: We are inviting members of our congregation and community to contribute to the story that is First United Church. Perhaps you or your family have a special connection with the church, have an interesting story of your involvement or have a longer history as a member.
We’d ask that you submit your story to Richard Auckland at rauck27@gmail.com.
The intent is that your story will become part of a large timeline that will be posted in the hall on the way into the sanctuary by the Fellowship Room. Below are a couple of sample submissions, but you may have your own thoughts. If you have pictures feel free to include those as well.
Sample Church History Submissions
Please include the date (approximate is fine), your name and brief story or history
of your family’s involvement at First United Church. If you happen to have a picture to include that would be great.
1946 – Some members of the Auckland Family have attended First United since the 1940s. My parents were wed at Talbotville United Church in 1948, moved to Pearl Street and attended the church. Lloyd (my dad) served on the Board, the Trustees and was witness to the horrific fire in 1946 which burned the church beyond repair. As leader of the Argonauts and Argonettes (the youth group), and as a local teacher, he taught many of St. Thomas’ future leaders. My mother, Phyllis, was an original member of the United Church Women (UCW) at the church. All five of us children were baptised and raised in the church. My sister, Sandra (& Mike), 1971 and our son Jon (& Laura), 2018 were wed in the church. A fond memory is coming to church and sitting in the south transept. It was always warm there with the heater on and the sun would often shine through. The Sandersons, the Parsons and other families sat in the same transept for many years as I grew up. Submitted by Richard Auckland
1970s – A fond memory for me was growing up with Lloyd, my father leading the Argonettes and Argonauts. As a youngster, I was permitted to go tobogganing at Union Golf Course with the older crowd. After a really long run, I continued on into the creek and got a real soaker! Submitted by Richard Auckland
“Anniversary Fundraiser”
POSTPONED - New date TBA
There will be 186 marked envelopes posted.
You are invited to choose an envelope (or multiple envelopes)
and fill them with the amount of dollars marked on the outside of the envelope
(of course you are always more than welcome to donate more if you wish 😊).
When we fill all of the envelopes we will have raised $18,000!
We appreciate your participation!
This will go a long way in helping us meet expenses!