Waverley Pastoral Charge » TomsThoughts

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:31:07 +0000

Hi everyone:

Hope your Easter season is moving right along! We’re into week 4 of a 7 week anxiety riddened roller-coaster ride of resurrection appearances and disappearances of the “risen one”, Jesus. One minute he’s in a room behind locked doors,or appearing on a walk on the road to Emmaus. Like Capt. Kirk (Star Trek) he seems to beam into the lives of his followers, and after resolving some of their issues always over a “bite to eat” he quickly is gone again, only to reappear later. You can only imagine the stress this may have caused his followers as they began to get their legs and make their brand of ministry happen. To go where “no one has gone before” (another trekkie phrase) against much opposition and even personal endangerment, but always with the faith that God will see us through. It seems that Jesus and his followers were always coping with stressful situations. We know that stress is still a huge component of our lives especially at our workplace. Its not that we can do away with it, but learn to live and manage it. Otherwise it affects our health, relationships and decisions. You have a decision to make this Sunday evening as you gather as the Waverley Pastoral Charge! It may cause stress and anxiety, but it is another opportunity for dialogue and to ask questions. Another way for you to be a follower of Christ and engage in a process that others have been involved with on your behalf. Perhaps now is the time for some to “get their legs” and have a say, and a vote in who you wish to have as your minister!

Lots of stuff happening:

~Tomorrow, Sat , April 28th the Beacon House fashion show is sold out! Thanks to all involved, But later in the day, you can get gassed up at the Wellington United Homebaked beans & Brown Bread Supper from 4:30-6pm. Hotdogs, Baked ham, desert and Bake table available. Adults-$10, Children-$5, under 5-free.

~ Happy 18th Anniversary to SJUC, and 50th anniversay for the UCW of the United Church of Canada. Come out for some cake this Sunday as the women lead in the service at St. Johns. John Ardley will lead at WUC.

~The WHO (We Help Others) Club girls are at it again with a talent show next Sat, May 5th from 2-4 at the LWF firehall, 843 Fall River Rd. $5-to perform or attend. Proceeds to SPCA.

~FYI:

Congratulations to Dave Miller (our 100 yr-old member) as he received his 50-yr membership medal from the Waverley legion.

Also to Patsy Vaughan for receiving her 50-yr volunteer service medal from the Waverley legion. Dave and Patsy attend the Wellington Church

And under “Did you know?” We have a couple of rock n roll grannies among us. Hazel MacLean (who just turned 85) and Millie Casey have grandsons that play in the same rock band “Glory Hound” Jeremy MacPherson plays Bass (Hazel) and Dave Casey plays lead guitar (Millie). They opened for “Deep Purple recently and will open for NickelBack this summer. Check them out on youtube. Rock on Ladies!!!

All for now,

I’m off to warmer climates this week, so take care and good-luck

Cheers, Tom

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 15:35:19 +0000

Questions are good. Answers… not so much. We probably do not remember the time when as we were developing our perspective of the world we began to ask questions. This usually happened in our early preschool years, and as parents we in turn have had to tolerate the berage from our own children as they questioned everything. Why? Why are you doing that? What’s that for? Where are we going? How long until we get there? Does shaving hurt? Where is God? We’ve tackled these questions with mild amusement, but always as a great opportunity as a parent to say “ask your mother or ask your father” as we scramble for an answer. This Sunday is Thomas Sunday. I like it not just for the name sake but that the disciple Thomas dared to push back. To question and ask “Why?” Its not that he didn’t believe, but rather challenged the ready acceptance of others to follow. He may not have been there in that first Jesus reappearance, but that didn’t give others the right to doubt his faith. He simply asked questions. We all need a little more Thomas in us when it comes to church; especially when decisions or recommendations are made on our behalf. When we ask, we create dialogue, we begin to see things a little clearer. We may not like the eventual outcome, but if we do not challenge a decision then we have no one to fault but ourselves. Thomas wasn’t content to follow along like sheep, but stepped out in faith to “say his bit”. Should we not do the same and continue to bring our “innocent childlike” questions of life and the church as we seek a response from somebody, anybody, including our mother and father, God.

Announcements.

~Our prayers and thoughts are extended to Ruth Oulton and the Oulton family on the sudden death of Ruth’s grandson, Lucas Oulton on Easter Sunday.

Beacon House News http://beaconhousens.org/index.html

~ This Sat, April 14th, is St.Johns United’s turn at Beacon House from 9am-2pm. If you would like to help out, just show up and someone from the church will find a creative life- changing job for you.

~Sat, April 28th @ 1pm. Beacon House Tea and fashion show @ St. Johns United. Come out and relax with friends over a cup of tea and see the latest fashions from the Beacon House spring and summer line.

$10/person at the church office or door. Presented by Church in Action Comm.

~Also we are looking for a representative from St. John’s to serve on the Beacon House Bd. Someone with a business background would be most appreciative. Contact office if its you..

~Our new Sunday School class for grades 5-8 will be beginning at St. Johns this Sunday, April 15th during service time. Please pass the word around and thanks to Natalie Milligan for taking this on.

Good Friday – Seven Last Words of Christ

Tracey — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:00:17 +0000

SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

1. Luke 23:32-34 ³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ³³ And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”^[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.

2. Luke 23:35-43 ³⁵And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” ³⁶The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine ³⁷and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ³⁸ There was also an inscription over him,^[a] “This is the King of the Jews.”³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,^[b] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

3. John 19:25-27 ²⁵ but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” ²⁷Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

4. Matthew 27:45-47 ⁴⁵Now from the sixth hour^[a] there was darkness over all the land^[b] until the ninth hour.^[c]46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ⁴⁷And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”

5. John 19:28-29 ²⁸After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said ( to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” ²⁹A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.

6. John 19:30a ³⁰When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

7. Luke 23:44-49 ⁴⁴ It was now about the sixth hour,^[a] and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,^[b] ⁴⁵while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.⁴⁶Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. ⁴⁷Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” ⁴⁸And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. ⁴⁹And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:26:15 +0000

Sitting in 27 degree celsius heat in March may seem a tad bit ridiculous, but thanks to Global warming we were fortunate to experience some August heat in March. It brought us all to life, as people sunbathed and dug into their summer apparel much earlier then expected. Its nice to have the unexpected in the midst of the mundane. Even though we knew it wouldn’t last, it gave us new energy and a good feeling, perhaps just enough to get us through the remaining months of a Nova Scotia spring that is often cold and dreary. Maybe that’s what Palm Sunday is all about as we approach the end of the season of Lent and converge on Jerusalem. As we wave our palm branches this coming Sunday, its just a bit of a reprieve from the realities of the wilderness we have come through to the ugliness of holy week. It fills us with joy and celebration, we’re caught up in the buzz and join the throngs of parade goers. But eventually we have to return to the reality that Jesus was a first century threat to the ruling Roman Government and his treatment and death on a cross were for all to see. The heat is on this Sunday! Lets enjoy it while it lasts.

Tom

~Still Looking for a few good confirmands! Its not too late !Anyone 12 years of age and over interested in hangin out at St. John’s for a day long retreat this Saturday, March 31st from 9:30am to 4pm. So far we have 4 people and will have a fun time looking at our faith, church, United Church of Canada. Why go to church at all anymore…Is it relevant? How can the church become a place that fits in your life! These and many more questions will not be answered, but we’ll have a fun time trying too…through the use of movies, youtube and audio resources. Give Tom a shout if its for you. And oh yeah you become a member of the prestigious United Church of Canada where membership has its priviledges!

~Also this Saturday, March 31st, at St.John’s, the annual Fish Chowder luncheon from 1130 am-1:30 pm. Bake table and Easter baskets for sale. Please come or if you can’t help to donate to bake table, or fill an Easter basket.

~Ubuntu Grannies Zumba fitness program is taking place @ St. John’s on Wed, March 28th from 7-8pm . Free Will offering. Proceeds will go to the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation to help African Grandmothers who are raising orphan grandchildren. Zumba is a Latin dance-based fitness program.

~Services during holy week:

April 5th: Maundy Thursday: Congregational pot-luck @ 5:45 p.m. followed by a “moving service” as we travel from Gethsemane to the cross.

April 6th @ 11 a.m. Good Friday service @ Wellington United.

April 8th @ 7 a.m. Sunrise service @ St. John’s United followed by continental breakfast.

April 8th @ 9:30 a.m. @ Wellington United, Easter celebration with Communion.

April 8th @ 11 a.m. @ St. John’s United, Easter celebration with Communion

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:50:52 +0000

March Break is almost upon us and couldn’t have come sooner. We all look forward to a much needed break from time to time. Break from our routines, work, school and expectations. Some will even escape to a warmer climate or ski hill in the coming week. Its a long haul from the holidays of Dec and News Years to Easter with no statutory holiday in between. (Come on Nova Scotia)!! Breaks are good, even breaks from your church. In the life of a church member we too often allow ourselves to become frustrated and leave, only after burn-out and feeling under appreciated. Of course there are a myriad of other reasons (excuses) why we venture away. But sometimes the Sunday morning ritual becomes too habitual, and we wonder why we feel this way. Take a break…Thats what Lent is for! A break from the ordinary spiritual walk as we examine our faith and what we believe. A break from the words and music that may not fill us at this time. And hopefully after this break you will emerge from this hibernation and begin again looking for signs of renewal and transformation as we journey towards Easter. Heres to Joe Howe day!!!

Have a safe and fun March Break.

Tom

Upcoming events:

~ No Sunday School at St. Johns this week, Mar 11th, will resume on the 18th.

~Starting Ash Wednesday, and progressing over the 40 days of Lent, leaders in the United Church of Canada have created short devotional videos to be shared with the church. You can subscribe to these videos by visiting http://cruxifusion.ca and entering your email address into the box on the right hand side of the page. A short email will arrive in your inbox where you will need to confirm your subscription. If you have any questions, please contact info@cruxifusion.ca.

~ Also a family lent activities e-mail is being sent to you separately each week from the maritime Conference office.

~Looking for a few good confirmands! Anyone 12 years of age and over interested in hangin out at St. Johns for a day long retreat on Saturday, March 31st (note change of date) from 9:30am to 4pm. We will have a fun time looking at our faith, church, United Church of Canada. Why go to church at all anymore…Is it relevant? How can the church become a place that fits in your life! These and many more questions will not be answered, but we’ll have a fun time trying too…through the use of movies, youtube and audio resources. Give Tom a shout if its for you. And oh yeah you become a member of the prestigious United Church of Canada where membership has its privileges!

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:37:58 +0000

Lent is here and we hardly noticed. Unless you had your fill of pancakes on “mardi gras” or “fat tuesday” or “shrove tuesday” as we used up all our “fat laden food products”. Then we proceeded to be anointed with ashes on your forehead on “ash wednesday”. Its not so much a Protestant thing to do but many religions and denominations observe and practise something around “fasting” in their relationship with God. The fasting varies in length, but is suppose to take the focus off us and our abundance (food being one of many) as we focus on our relationship with God and need for spiritual nourishment. Throw in some sense of penance, atonement for sins, guilt and need for forgiveness, social cause-40 hr famine, and you pretty much cross the spectrum of why Godly people fast. I’m not too sure that having an empty stomach brings us closer to God, maybe the rumblings help us to be in solidarity with a first century disciple who lived on a meager diet of fish and bread. It seems the Brazilians do it up right with “carnivale” or New Orleans with “mardi gras”. A huge celebration before we calm down and reflect, ponder where these next 40 days may take us. Now only if we had some beads to throw!!!

Upcoming events:

Annual Meetings:

~Tuesday, Feb 28th @ 7pm: Pastoral Charge Annual Meeting.

~Sunday, Mar 4th after church: St. Johns United Annual meeting

~Tuesday, Mar 6th @ 7pm : Wellington United Annual meeting.

Looking for a few good confirmands! Anyone 12 years of age and over interested in hangin out at St. Johns for a day long retreat on Saturday, March 24th from 9:30am to 4pm. We will have a fun time looking at our faith, church, United Church of Canada. Why go to church at all any more…Is it relevant? How can the church become a place that fits in your life! These and many more questions will not be answered, but we’ll have a fun time trying too…through the use of movies, youtube and audio resources. Give Tom a shout if it’s for you. And oh yeah you become a member of the prestigious United Church of Canada where membership has its privileges!

Woods’ Weekly

Tracey — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:20:33 +0000

Happy Valentines Day. A day in which we are free to extend our love to one another especially our significant other by way of chocolate and flowers. At least that’s the way it’s suppose to work! But having a saint attached to it you know the early church was involved in its odd beginning, but by now has little significance in its appeal. According to wikipedia the early catholic church had its doubts about this saint as there were so many bestowed with this name of valentine- derived from valens (worthy, strong powerful). So many in fact that it was tough to keep track of them all as they were being martyred (killed) as they attempted to spread Christianity. So as one Pope gave rise to the importance of this day in 496 AD another Pope undid the importance of this day in 1969 deleting it from the Roman calendar.

The romantic side of things came to be when Chaucer wrote a poem Parlement of Foules, including the reference to “love birds” as he commemorated the 1st anniversary of the engagement of King Richard II of England to Anne of Bohemia in 1382 both at the age of 15. Yeah, every guy thanks you Chaucer . So I hope you get shot by Cupids arrow this v-day. Whether its from the Roman or Greek (eros) he’s the chubby guy wearing the diaper!

Tom

Upcoming announcements!

~It may be stormy this Sunday. If in doubt about St. Johns or Wellington being opened: call 860-4000 for a message! or check my tweet (sjucfr) or better still sleep in!

~Maritime Conference meeting can be a fun time, if you’re a youth that is! Think about attending either Intermediate @ Conference (Jr. High) or Youth Forum (Sr. High +) from May 31st-June 3rd @ Mt. Allison University in Sackville , NB. No previous experience necessary. These groups have their own space and dorms to hang-out in. Its a great time to meet other youth from around the Maritimes and Bermuda! See Rev. Tom for application ASAP and some costs if not all will be covered. (depending on #’s).

~Pancake Breakfast @ Wellington United Church on Sunday, Feb 19th following the service. Come on out as we begin another church season (Lent) by eating.

~Annual Meetings:

Waverley Pastoral Charge – Feb 28th @ 7 pm

St.John’s United Church- Mar 4th @ 12 pm

Wellington United Church- Mar 6th @ 7pm

Advent

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:36:07 +0000

Sitting in the dark puts Advent in perspective. We take for granted the conveniences of life (such as power) and when the lights go out (such as right now on Thursday morning), we are crippled or at least really inconvenienced. Imagine our forebearers who grew up in darkness except for the glow from candles or oil lamps at night. Or the people of the north who live in perpetual darkness months at a time. They must have adjusted to this darkness, but the dawning of a new day would be greatly received. It seems that everything we encounter on a daily basis needs power, and unless our batteries are fully charged, such as this laptop, we are at a loss. We need this outside source that strengthens us and improves our living conditions. We need light to permeate our darkness, we need a star to light up our sky. Jesus was that light for a weary people longing for a saviour. Someone to take people from their misery to another place where hope could not just be imagined, but realised in the life we live. Night is at its darkest just before dawn, so lets continue to Adventure in this pre-dawn season, for a new day, a new way is about to be born.