Contact Online is a Blog for St. Mark's United Church Community of Faith, Region 15 of the United Church of Canada. 504 Bernard Street, Port Hawkesbury, N.S. B9A 1L2, E-mail: stmarksuc@gmail.com St. Mark's United Church accepts and welcomes all people as we share and grow in acceptance, learn, love and share our Christian faith in God's love. Phone: (902) 625-2229, Church Services are held every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
41ST GENERAL COUNCIL YOUTH FORUM
Saturday, 26 November 2011
GIFTS WITH VISION
Introducing Gifts with Vision: A United Church Christmas Giving Catalogue
Now available online www.giftswithvision.ca
Here's your chance to browse, consider, and choose gifts that are helping to create a better world. The gifts that you will find here are visionary: they don't just sit on a shelf-they improve people's lives! Give one of these gifts and you provide food and shelter, improve health, promote peace and justice, and empower communities.
The projects have been chosen by our long-term partners in mission in Canada and around the world. Choose a Gift with Vision and join the United Church of Canada and its partners working near and far to make life better. Let your Christmas gift-giving improve someone's life by giving a Gift with Vision.
Make your gifts meaningful!
This year, purchase gifts that show your family and friends how much you care, gifts that make them feel great, gifts that help change the world.
In a world where many don’t have access to the basic elements of life, imagine the benefits possible from a gift of medicine and health care, a gift of clean water, a gift of schooling for children, a gift of seeds and tools to grow next year’s food, or a gift that provides programming and support.
The United Church of Canada launched the Extra Measures program in summer 2011 as an opportunity for congregations, groups, and committees to connect with and support the work of Mission and Service global partners. This program is possible because Mission and Service partners receive ongoing core funding from donations to the Mission and Service Fund.
Through the Gifts with Vision catalogue, you can do something extra for Mission and Service national and global partners and support their work by making a gift in honour of friends or family to specific partner activities.
How It Works
When you make a Gift with Vision, you give a gift in the name of a friend or family member that helps others. Both you and your loved one join The United Church of Canada’s Mission and Service partners working near and far to create a better world.
The Gifts with Vision catalogue supports the work of Mission and Service partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and right here in Canada. Contributions create healthy places to live, promote justice, provide social services, and enliven worship.
If by chance a gift idea is so popular that it becomes oversubscribed, additional gifts will be forwarded to the partner to be used for the next greatest need.
Ready to select Gifts with Vision?
CHOOSE
- Browse through the Gifts with Vision catalogue online.
- Choose gifts that will be perfect for loved ones on your list. You will find a choice of dollar amounts, as well as gifts appealing to varied interests.
DONATE
- Once you select your gifts and add them to your order cart, proceed to the Checkout page with your credit card information handy and follow the easy instructions.
- If you would prefer to make your gift by telephone, call 416-231-7680 ext. 2026 or toll free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2026. Have your credit card information and gift code(s) ready.
NOTIFY
- You will want to give your loved one a gift card. You may choose to send cards electronically, or print a customized card as part of the checkout process.
Friday, 25 November 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH
Seasons of the Spirit encourages setting up a Contemplative Corner for prayer during Advent and Christmas. There will be a space at the back of the balcony at St. Mark’s to gather for quiet prayer on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. through Advent. (November 29th, December 6th, 13th and 20th 9:30 in the morning)Everyone welcome. Nan is at St. David’s Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00. Drop by for a coffee.
General Council Youth Forum Home Group Leaders and Chaplains Needed Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery Christian Life and Growth Committee are searching for leaders from our presbytery to attend the 41st General Council Youth Forum as Home Group Leaders and Chaplains. General Council 2012 Youth Forum will be held in Ottawa, ON August 11-18, 2012, with the theme Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly. Home Group Leader and Chaplain expenses will be covered by the Youth Forum budget, with the exception of expenses in acquiring a Police Record Check. Application forms are available in the church office. Speak to Nan if interested.
ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Anyone who would require envelopes for the 2012 year please advise us as they will be distributed in early December.
St. David’s Hall Cleaners for November are Claudette & Ashley Fox.
ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
“Hanging of the Greens” Service at 7:00 p.m. (November 27th) TONIGHT at St. Mark’s Church. Youth led worship. Decoration of the Church for Advent and Christmas.
Count Your Blessings The Mission & Outreach Committee will be providing tea and sweets following The Hanging of the Greens Service. You are invited to drop some loose change into the cup and all the small blessings will become part of our givings to The Mission & Service Fund.
The Memorial Hymn Sing which was held on Sunday, November 20th, was a phenomenal success, including $76.50 from the Free Will Donation baskets from those attending who did not make previous donations, which netted a profit of $6,860.00. A huge "thank you" goes out to Al Fougere and the Community Choir who led us in an hour of beautiful music and song. A special thanks is extended to those who generously donated, Nan for preparing the Order of Service, Camille for designing and formatting the program, Brenda and The Hawk for printing it, Larry and Joyce for leading the service, Clark and Karen for the scripture readings, Donnie and Jean for greeting, Bob from The Hawk for taping it, Lucille for organizing the reception, those who provided food, and anyone else who contributed in any way. It would not have been such a wonderful fundraiser if it weren't for all your generosity.
Contact Newsletter To those of you who have opted to take the online version of the Contact, St. Mark’s Finance Committee applauds you! The online version now has all the photos in colour, which would be very expensive to produce in the printed copy. If you would like to have a copy e-mailed to you, please see Camille. The printed Contact is available on the table in the Narthex. Please be sure to take your own copy. If there is not a copy with your name on it and you would like to add your name to the list of those who receive a printed copy, please see Camille after Church. If you see one that belongs to a relative, neighbour or a friend, please pick it up and deliver it to them.
The district lists have been altered and reduced due to the many people who have opted to receive their Contact online. If you had a district list in the past, please check with the lists on the table in the narthex. Your list may now have different names, or you may not have a list at all. If you see a district list that contains addresses in your part of town and the person who is supposed to be in charge of that list is absent, please take those copies and deliver them yourself or give them to the district person to deliver. With all this cooperation the Contact will be delivered in no time!
Thank you all! Camille Chapman Editor
Members of St. Mark’s Congregation have formed a committee to compile a cookbook and we want your “tried and true” favorite recipes. If you want to share your recipes, please type them up and forward to Ruth MacRae at angus.macrae@sympatico.ca or write them up and put on the collection plate and I will type them up. We’re looking for recipes in all categories. This cookbook will be an excellent fundraiser for our church, so pass on your recipes. Any anecdotes re the origin of your recipe(s) or any other comments are most welcome.”
St. Mark's Worship and Pastoral Care Committee is establishing a Pastoral Care Visitation Team, an informal group of laypeople who will extend pastoral care and a compassionate presence to members of our congregation. Interested in helping us provide this ministry, supported by our minister, Nan? Please call the Church Office or speak to any member of the Worship and Pastoral Care Committee.
The United Church Observer reports on national and international issues of faith, justice, ethics, daily living and popular culture. Cost is $20/yr. Please use one of the envelopes in the narthex to subscribe or renew and place on the collection plate by Dec. 11. For more info contact Lorna Harvey.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
ADVENT 1 NOVEMBER 27TH/ Hanging of the Greens Service
may you find hope,
may you find joy this day.
First Sunday of Advent
November 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Wonderful music and scripture
as we prepare our Church to celebrate the Advent Season.