Hello Everyone!
This Sunday June 8th we are marking the holy flame that was lit one hundred years ago when voices and hearts caught fire to ignite the birth of what we now know as our beloved United Church of Canada! Our beloved church is 100 years old this month! It is my hope that we will raise the roof and as we say in Newfoundland ” blow the doors off er” with a joyous celebration of past, present and future! Kyung- A has pulled out all the stops and has invited guest musicians to lead us in spirit filled music and song! Thank you Kyung- A!
Coincidently, we are not only celebrating our faith traditions 100th anniversary we are also celebrating Pentecost… a double whammy of fiery spirit and love! This day is traditionally known as the birth of the Church, the Christian community founded on the values and mission of Jesus. Pentecost is the day of wind and fire when the gift of the Spirit empowers God’s people to live the Jesus way and witness to the resurrection life he brings. The Good News is we are the recipients of God’s Spirit as much as the those first disciples when tongues of fire danced above their heads. The true miracle of Pentecost is connection. The Spirit makes it possible for people to hear one another- not just words, but the heart of the Gospel, in their own native tongue. The Pentecost experience can be ours today if we open ourselves and allow the Spirit to blow us where the Spirit wills. We can all enjoy the deep human connection that God brings if we allow the Spirit to lead us beyond our divisions. We can be part of the community of faith in which we belong, love and be loved.
Speaking of being part of a community of faith, we are delighted to be ” formally” welcoming new people into our faith community here at Trinity United Church on Sunday morning too! Our Board Chair Lynda Arnold will do the honours of introducing our newest members and asking them to come forward for the welcoming ceremony. Julie Brushey has graciously agreed to bring us her special message on this day- Julie, being a dyed in the wool, life long member of the United Church of Canada since she wore knee socks and a pillar here at Trinity for 23 years, is an ideal person to share her faith stories with us on Sunday morning. Wrap all of this in a Spirit led, music stuffed service and we are all in for one unforgettable glorious, joy filled, historic celebration! Come early to claim your seat!
But, the celebrating doesn’t stop there! Onto Trinity Hall where you are all invited to partake in an extra special luncheon and enjoy a piece of anniversary cake! If you have been considering inviting a friend to come with you to church some Sunday- THIS is the Sunday to make that invitation!
On a personal note, as you may or may not already know, Marc and I are both home again- now the real healing with the Muskoka sunshine, and fresh air begins. ” There’s no place like home Dorothy!”
A big thank you to The Affirm Team and Rev. Nina Fulford for holding down the fort in my absence! I am so looking forward to being back on Sunday and returning to some semblance of “normal” again. Bouquets of thanks and gratitude for your comforting texts and emails during the past two weeks. They meant more than you know. So many beams of light scattered the uncertainty and fragility of Marc’s major and complicated surgery and recovery. As I like to say, love is the light that gets us through our tunnels of darkness. Thanks for being that light. We are blessed.
In our birthday corner, Ron Strickland is celebrating his birthday this week-end- on Sunday and Diane Charlton will also be blowing out her candles as well!
Birthday blessings and hugs from all your friends here at Trinity United Church and best wishes for a year overflowing with happy surprises, good health, good friends and faith that sustains you when trouble knocks at your door.
Hoping to see YOU all in your rightful pew on Sunday morning! No ” get out of church free” cards available for this Sunday lol!
With gratitude and Christ’s fiery spirit of love, Rev. D