Newsletter Archive – Midhurst United Church

MIDHURST UNITED CHURCH EMAIL – week of November 15-21

Sunday November 21

Reflection – A King and His Crown

In-person or on ZOOM – see details below

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SAVE THE DATE – December 12, 2:00pm.

Covenanting Service between MUC and Judith

(More details will follow)

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Christmas Eve Services – we would like your input!

There will be 2 services Christmas Eve – an early service and a late service. (Both services can be on ZOOM and in-person if there is an interest.) Please go to the survey monkey to indicate what time works best for you for the service(s) in which you will participate. This survey link will only be open until Sunday night November 21: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XWCFCHX .

Food Drive for Elmvale and District Food Bank

Again this year we are encouraging MUC to get involved in the Christmas Food Drive for Elmvale and District Food Bank. Just like last year, Cindy and Allan Mills have placed a food drive box on their front porch at 10 Maplecrest Road Midhurst, so you can easily place food items there,24-7.

If you prefer to make a cash donation, please go to the Food bank website https://elmvaledistrictfoodbank.net/ to submit this or contact Betty Anne Taylor at 705-331-7961 to arrange monetary pick up. (Charitable receipts are available either way.)

December 19 Sunday Service – Do you have youth or children in your family who would enjoy taking character roles in a Christmas play? Some roles are speaking parts and others are part of the tableau. Please let Judith know.

The Shining Waters Regional Council (SWRC) Annual Meeting was held on Saturday November 13. Here are some of the decisions which I found significant:

Rev. Betty Lou McNabb minister at Georgiana Island Native United Church was installed as the new president of SWRC.
The Social and Ecological Justice Commission- This was originally established as a 2 -year commission and was reaffirmed and the decision made to make it a permanent standing Commission. The mandate of this commission is to “support, and initiate social justice work within Shining Waters Regional Council, which encompasses but is not limited to anti-racism and becoming a critical intercultural church of justice.” There is also an emphasis on climate concerns but the members who held that part of the portfolio moved out of the region so there is a gap in their membership.
Budget – Following the annual meeting last year, a letter was drafted requesting that SWRC present a 5-year draft budget and indicated concern that reserves from sale of ‘closed churches ‘property were being used to fund operating expenses of the Region. This year a 5-year draft budget was presented and much discussion about the use of reserve dollars for operating expenses was heard. Developing some of these properties for affordable housing and income generating property is underway and this was explained partially through a video.
Nomination Committee – In order to minimize the number of paid staff to manage the work of the region and support of communities of faith, there needs to be a roster of volunteers to do this work. Areas which need additional volunteers include the Social and Ecological Justice Commission, Intercultural and Diversity Commission, Communities of Faith Commission and the Executive (governance). If you have an interest in being part of a decision-making group within the United Church speak to Jeannette or Judith for more info.

Jeannette Schieck

Lay Representative of MUC to SWRC

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Wild Church

Sunday, November 21, 3-4 pm

County of Simcoe Admin Building,

1110 Hwy 26, Midhurst.

Use the parking lot on your left

Meet at the gazebo in the corner

Feel free to invite others. Call with any questions – 705-209-3899

To truly benefit from the Wild Church experience you do need to be dressed for the weather. Here are some suggestions to enjoy being outdoors for Wild Church in the winter:

The true winter fashion parade is clothing that keep you warm and cozy, NOT clothing that looks good!
Winter boots are warm even if there is not yet snow.
Break out the long underwear, slush pants, snow pants or a blanket.
Mitts are warmer than gloves.
Toques and scarves are all the accessories you need.
A walking stick may be helpful in any weather.

Wild Church includes wandering not hiking. Dress for a simple walk on uneven ground, not heavy exercise.

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Join us for worship at 10:30 on ZOOM or IN-PERSON.

In-Person

All people who come to the sanctuary for worship must meet provincial and Simcoe Muskoka Health COVID protocols. (The link below is to the ‘new’ October 2021 protocol.) We look forward to worshipping with you in person when you are able to do so. https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/docs/default-source/COVID-/Partners-and-Municipalities/places_of_worship_final.pdf?sfvrsn=40

How to Join by ZOOM

The ZOOM link has not changed https://us02web.zoom.us/j/948706557?pwd=L1hMN1pITWpvN2dOZVpLdXFNM3FuUT09

Meeting ID: 948 706 557 Passcode: Midhurst

ZOOM by phone

Dial by your location +1 647 374 4685 (from a location in Canada)

Meeting ID: 948 706 557 Passcode: 56266156

Sunday November 14

Reflection – “Not to Be Served, But to Serve.”

In person or on ZOOM – see details below

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TODAY (TUESDAY NOV. 9) 4:00 PM

FUNDRAISING PLANNING

ON CHURCH ZOOM.

Have an idea? Join in and share it.

MUC SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PROJECT

Again this year we are encouraging MUC to get involved in the Christmas Food Drive for Elmvale and District Food Bank. Unlike last year, you can drop off food donations at the church in the bin in link when you come for worship or events! However, just like last year, Cindy and Allan Mills have placed a food drive box on their front porch at 10 Maplecrest Road Midhurst, so you can easily place food items there,24-7. (Here’s a challenge, JUST TRY to drop things off without being noticed and warmly greeted by someone in their household.) Thank you to Cindy and Allan for offering this drop-off location.

From the Food Bank website, this is a list of frequently requested items:

Canned Stew,
Vegetable and Cream of Mushroom Soup,
Jello Pudding Mix,
Hamburger Helper,
SideKicks,
School Snacks,
Snack Crackers,
Toilet Paper, Kleenex
Cookies,
Soda Crackers,
Canned Green or Yellow Beans

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FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE – Greetings!

First of all, Thank You!! You, the body of Jesus’ work through Midhurst United Church, have continued to do your financial part to “keep the lights on”! This provides MUC the opportunity to continue our primary purpose of reaching out and helping others in need, particularly during this challenging time.

The Finance Committee promised quarterly updates so …. here is a short summary of where “we” are financially up to the end of September. I have made comparisons between “Pre-COVID” (2019 proposed budget for 2021), adjusted “In-COVID” (2020 forecast budget for 2021) and ACTual numbers to date. We’ll call them Pre-C, In-C and ACT. I do recognize that these are rough numbers as annual revenue and expenditures do not conveniently divide themselves equally throughout the year!!

Pre-C:Income to 3rd quarter: 121,000 Disbursements to 3rd quarter: 120,600

In-C: 90,300 85,600

ACT: 97,700 67,600

Our actual financial position is favourable due to two factors; significantly better fund-raising income than expected and dramatically reduced expenditures. Thanks are due to the “Beef Dinner Brigade” and “Garden/Goodies Gang” who shored up the revenue side of the ledger! Where we have saved dramatically is salaries. This represents $47K less than Pre-COVID and $13K less than In-COVID budget forecast. Actual numbers include ‘Pulpit Supply’ costs. It will be “interesting” to see how we close out the year now that we have a (wonderful!!) full-time minister.

Thank you again for your generosity in all its forms. Without your support of beef dinners, clean-up crews, project labour and so much more, including financially, Midhurst United Church would not be in the blessed position that we are.

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CHURCH COUNCIL Meets Tuesday November 16 via CHURCH ZOOM.

Committee Chairs please get written reports and proposed motions to Linda by Friday November 12 to assist in building the agenda.

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Gifts with a Vision

Don’t forget about Jerry and Gifts with a Vision. Jerry the piggy bank is collecting contributions towards a gift of Equine Assisted Learning for Indigenous Youth. Help Feed Jerry! Check out the other Gifts with a Vision in the catalogue on-line at https://giftswithvision.ca/ or at church. Give friends and family gifts that change the world.

And from Building Blocks Nursery School (BBNS)

BBNS, which rents space in MUC is having a fundraiser. If you are looking for a ‘pick me up’ for yourself or a friend contact BBNS by November 11 to place an order. Submit your order (item with colour) and e-tranfers to bbnsmidhurst@gmail.com. Poinsettias arrive to MUC for pick-up November 23 and 24.

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Join us for worship at 10:30 on ZOOM or IN-PERSON.

In-Person

How to Join by ZOOM

The ZOOM link has not changed https://us02web.zoom.us/j/948706557?pwd=L1hMN1pITWpvN2dOZVpLdXFNM3FuUT09

Meeting ID: 948 706 557 Passcode: Midhurst

ZOOM by phone

Dial by your location +1 647 374 4685 (from a location in Canada)

Meeting ID: 948 706 557 Passcode: 56266156

MIDHURST UNITED CHURCH EMAIL – week of November 1-7

Sunday November 7

“This One Small Act”

In person or on ZOOM – see details below

Mark Your Calendar-MUC Fundraising Planning for 2022

Nov. 9^th at 4 p.m. (via Worship Zoom)-

The purpose of this meeting is to coordinate efforts and develop a calendar of activities for the 2022 year-at-a glance.

Any committee planning to fundraise is invited to have representation at the meeting. (If no one can attend, please speak with Liz or Linda in advance.)

GIFTS WITH A VISION

Jerry, the piggy bank, was introduced (named and clothed) during the service on Sunday. Jerry is collecting coins in their belly and folding money in their pocket (as folding money in the belly makes Jerry constipated.) The money Jerry collects is going towards a gift of Equine Assisted Learning for Indigenous Youth. Through this program, youth work with and learn from Elders to connect with their traditions through caring for horses. Help Feed Jerry!

Some of the other gifts included in Gifts with a Vision are: Stable Income for Women Farmers (poverty reduction), food for the North (food security) and First Start Farm (poverty reduction and food security).

Check out the catalogue on-line at https://giftswithvision.ca/ or at church. Give friends and family gifts that change the world.

Dropbox for Elmvale Food Bank – a new addition to our link!

A plastic Food Bank bin has been placed in the link on behalf of the Elmvale and District Food Bank. (It is a little more discreet than the new Simcoe County garbage and recycling bins.) Donations of non-perishable items are welcome at any time.

Please check ‘best before” and ‘expiry dates’. Although canned foods past their best before dates are still ok to eat, the food bank can not distribute those items.

The Mission and Outreach Committee will see that donations are routinely dropped off at the Elmvale and District Food Bank.

Well Aged – Making the Most of Your Platinum Years is a new book by Ralph Milton, author of several books about the UCC, including the popular This United Church of Ours.

Focusing on older seniors, aged 80 and up, this growing segment of our community often have a very different set of needs, interests and concerns from the rest of our congregation. Ralph takes us on a light hearted look at what it’s like to be ‘old’ old, in the best/worst time of your life.

To introduce us to his book, Ralph has prepared a short video which can be found on YouTube here. His book launched on October 30, 2021, and is available at most book retailers.

Join us for worship at 10:30 on ZOOM or IN-PERSON.

In-Person