St. Mark's Men's Group Roast Loin of Pork Dinner, October 4th, 2013

Hayward, our Banker.

Our Chef, Jim  George

tables are all set.

The last minute preparations.

The culinary crew.

Faye was home for a visit.

Carl's music is always appreciated.

Andy has his papers to run the dishwasher!

Nan prepares a take-out meal.

The dinner was absolutely delicious! Thanks to all who contributed and worked to make it such a success!

MARITIME CONFERENCE FUNDRAISING PROJECT LETTER-ST. MARK'S

The Maritime Conference

The United Church of Canada

L’Eglise Unie du Canada

Maritime Conference Office

21 Wright Street, Sackville, NB E4L 4P8

Tel. (506)536-1334 • Fax (506) 536-2900 • Email: info@marconf.ca

June 2013 

Re: Maritime Conference $3 million fundraising project

Dear Port Hawkesbury: St. Mark's Pastoral Charge,

Within the organization of The United Church of Canada, each layer of our conciliar system has unique responsibilities and authority. Conference offers support and encouragement to the work of congregations and Presbyteries/Synod in matters of faith formation, spiritual growth, justice seeking, resources, stewardship, personnel, mission, finance and administration. Conference also has the responsibility to represent the interests and insights of the region within our denominational structure, the General Council, and to interpret and implement the decisions and initiatives of the General Council in our region. For these purposes, the Conference has staff and an office.

One other thing that Maritime Conference does is maintain an Archive for the purpose of retaining and preserving the records that tell the story of our churches through the years, and to make those records available for research purposes by the church and by members of the public. The tradition of keeping an Archive began with our Presbyterian (1866) and Methodist (1903) forebears, and has been repeatedly reaffirmed by Conference. The value of the Archive is established by its usage, as well as by the continued contribution by churches of documents to be held. The result, over the years, is that each time the Conference has expanded the Archive space, it has rapidly filled up. This most recent expansion of the Archive was done with the expectation that it would not fill up for at least 25 years.

In September 2012, the new $3 million Conference Centre at 21 Wright Street, Sackville, NB, was officially opened.

For more information on the Conference staff, the Conference office and the Conference Archive, please visit www.marconf.ca, and click on “About Us.”

The Fundraising Project

The project began with the direction from Conference to focus on gifts from individuals. The preparatory study interviewed over 70 church leaders throughout the region and predicted a high degree of success for the $3 million fundraising objective. Over the last 18 months, donations and commitments of approximately $600,000 have been received. We celebrate this progress; however, this progress has not been sufficient to keep pace with the financing costs for the new building. In May 2013, the Conference Annual Meeting approved that the fundraising project should be expanded to include requests for gifts from congregations.

What would be an appropriate and “fair” objective for each Pastoral Charge? What does $3 million look like when spread over 500 congregations? That is a decision best made by each congregation. To help you with your discernment, here are some numbers for your consideration, using the data submitted by your Pastoral Charge in the annual statistical forms (2012). In each case, the sample objective for your Pastoral Charge is calculated in proportion with the whole Conference. For example,

• Port Hawkesbury: St. Mark's Pastoral Charge reported 85 people, on average, attending worship (line 20). On this basis, your objective could be $10, 786.80 or $3,595.60 per year over the next three years.

• Port Hawkesbury: St. Mark's Pastoral Charge reported spending $109,822.00 on Pastoral Charge operations (line 40). On this basis, your objective could be $11,278.04 or $3,759.35 per year over the next three years.

• For 2013, Presbytery assigned to your Pastoral Charge a Conference allocation of $2,425/77. On this basis, your objective could be $11,295.70 or $3,765.23 per year over the next three years.

These numbers are offered simply as examples of ways an objective could be calculated. You will need to make the determination about what is appropriate in your circumstances. You could also consider if the objective is an amount that would be raised immediately, or spread out over the suggested three years.

While Pastoral Charges work away on their objectives, the fundraising team will continue to work on securing individual contributions from within, and, particularly, from beyond the “regular” United Church family. Commitments from individuals and congregations that show strong support for the project will help strengthen the position of the fundraising team as they continue to seek donations from “external” sources. A strong response in donations and pledges now will promote positive results. Progress towards the goal of raising $3 million will be regularly updated on the Conference website.

Fundraising ideas

A variety of excellent fundraising ideas have been offered. A selection are offered below. Please develop a plan that will work the best in your situation, using the skills, interests and abilities of your community.

• Memorial hymn sing service with donations made to dedicate a particular hymn in honour of someone special. Offering to be collected during the service.

• Fundraising dinners – spaghetti, turkey, beef, lobster, corned beef and sauerkraut.

• Dinner theatre, talent show, movie night.

• Invite each person to make a specific monthly offering using PAR. For example, using the worship attendance figures above would mean $3.53 extra per month per worshipper, for three years.

• Discern if there are individuals who could be invited to make a significant donation towards your objective. Think of ways that special recognition or commemorative designation could be given to these gifts.

• Visit the Conference webpage for fundraising to see some of the options for making commemorative gifts in honour of someone special in the life of your congregation: sponsor an item in the kitchen, a “chair” in the meeting room, dedicate a room of the building. (Contact the Conference Office for more information.)

Thank you for your consideration of this important moment in the life of the United Church in the Maritime Conference region. While it is clearly understood that congregations support the work of Conference through the annual allocation, this additional request is necessary to allow us to collectively eliminate this debt and continue to focus on the mission priorities in our region.

Responses made by the end of October will assist the fall meeting of the Conference Executive in their deliberations. Without the support of these voluntary contributions by individuals and congregations, there will be little choice but to look again at allocations. The Conference Annual Meeting in May, empowered the fall meeting of the Conference Executive to re-evaluate the financial situation in light of the commitments that are made by congregations before the end of October. So, as soon as possible, please let us know what your congregation/Pastoral Charge has decided to do and over what time frame.

With prayers for God’s blessing upon all of our work and ministry…

The Maritime Conference Fundraising Team: Ruth Gamble, Ivan Gregan, David Hewitt, Jane Johnson,

Stephen Mills, Barb Prowse, David Thorne, Donna Tourneur 

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH 2013

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Larry & Lucille Evans

(St. D.): Sally & George Fox

Lay Reader (St. M.): Denis Bernard

Lay Reader (St. D.): Karen Wagar

Collectors (St. M.): Larry & Lucille Evans, Earl West,

Annabel Butts

Collectors (St. D.): Curtis Fox, Lisa Rhynold

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon

Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon

Friday – Minister’s Day Off

Next opportunity for baptism, affirmation of faith or transfer of membership will be November 3. For further information please contact the Church Office at 625-2229.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month. DONATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED NEXT SUNDAY.

Suggested Food Banks donations: Peanut butter or Cereal.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Monday, October 21^st will be our next time of gathering at 1:00 p.m.

AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH OFFICE:  

Canadian Church Calendar 2014 

Cost: $6.00 ($1.25 profit from each to go to the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada) 

Pictures this year depict banners, communion table frontals and other liturgical artwork from United Churches across Canada.

The Moderator’s Visit to Maritime Conference - The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson, will be visiting Maritime Conference, Monday, October 21 – Wednesday, October 23. He will be visiting PEI Presbytery and Valley Presbytery and all are welcome to the following events: All PEI events will be held at Central Queens United Church, Hunter River, PEI:

Monday, October 21: Theme : More Than Survival in Challenging Times

3:00- 5:00 PM ~ Clergy and Congregational Leaders: Q&A with the Moderator.

7:00-9:00 PM ~ Worship (Moderator will preach) &  Q&A

Tuesday, October 22: Valley Presbytery

7:00-8:30 PM ~  Town Hall Gathering at Windsor United Church

Wednesday, October 23: Valley Presbytery

1:00- 2:00 PM ~  Meet and Greet at St George & St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal

6:00-7:30 PM ~  Town Hall at Orchard Valley United Church, Kentville, NS

If you are in the area, please come and join the Moderator and the Presbytery.

The UPPER ROOM for November-December is available

United Church partner, Vernie Yocogan-Diano, speaks on Indigenous Women: Their Courageous Struggle Against Unjust Mining in the Philippines.  

On Saturday, October 26, 2:00 pm, the Whycocomagh UCW will be hosting Vernie Yocogan-Diano and they are inviting everyone to Cameron Hall, Whycocomagh (next to Stewart United Church) to hear her speak. Tea will be served and everyone is asked to bring cookies to share.

Vernie is a dynamic, warm and articulate activist  with the Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA), a federation of grassroots-based indigenous people's organizations in the Philippines. The CPA is an organization dedicated to the protection of the Cordilleran peoples whose lives, cultures and lands are threatened by transnational mining companies, including Canadian mining companies. Vernie represents United Church overseas partners on the United Church Partners in Mission Committee. She traveled in Western Canada in 2011 as part of the KAIROS-sponsored Women of Courage Tour, and in April 2013 spoke at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission gathering in Montreal.

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDSCRIP REPORT - Order Sunday is October 20^th and delivery Sunday is October 27^th.

Promotions for October

The Children’s Place                        10% ( Regular 8% )

Domino’s                                           10% ( Regular 7%  )

la Vie en Rose                                   10% ( Regular 6 % )

( can also be used at la Vie en Rose Aqua )  

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER - Fill out the FundScrip order form found in the green folder in the narthex. Enclose the completed order form and payment either cash or cheque payable to St. Mark’s United Church ( no postdated cheques please) , put in FundScrip envelope and place on collection plate during Sunday offering. Alternately envelopes can be left at St. Mark’s office during secretary’s working hours. (Please do not leave them in the narthex). Contact Patsy Brander at 625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions.

St. Mark’s Lay Readers:

Oct. 27^th – Brenda Mac Innis Nov. 3rd –Vida Hood

Nov. 10^th – Bill Charlton Nov. 17th – Clark Brander

Nov. 24th – Jean Mac Pherson

Children’s Fall Fair on Sunday, November 3^rd at 6:00 p.m.

November 29^th – St. Mark’s Christmas Bazaar. Further details will be put in the bulletin later.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. David’s Lay Readers:

Oct. 27^th – Bonnie Hatcher Nov. 3^rd – Wanda Radford

Nov. 10^th – Cadets Nov. 17^th – Arnold Mac Lean

Nov. 24^th – Margie Mac Intyre

Church Hall Cleaners for October: Wanda Harb, Florence Timmons

November 1, 2013 – Roast Beef Dinner with home made pies. 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Port Hastings Fire Hall. Adults $12.00/Child’s $8.00. Take-outs available. Sponsored by St. David’s Board of Stewards.

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Strait Area Curling Club has frozen apple pies for sale at $8.00 each. Please call Valli Ross @ 625-0576 or Jean MacPherson @ 625-0609.

There will be an evening of prayer, music and scripture for families and friends of those who have died while in the care of St. Martha’s Hospital from February 1^st, 2013 to July 31^st, 2013. This service will be held in the Clare Marie Auditorium (former St. Martha’s Chapel) on Wednesday, October 30^th, 2013 at 7:15 p.m. Refreshments will follow.

The Port Hastings Historical Society present The Men of the Deeps with Special Guests The Celtic Touch Dancers on October 26, 2013 @ 7pm in the SAERC Auditorium - Port Hawkesbury. Tickets $25.00 & $15.00 for Students...available at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (902-625-2591) or www.phcivic.com Proceeds to Port Hastings Museum and the family of the late Henry Snow. Thanks to our sponsors: 1015 The Hawk, Strait Supplies, Green's Funeral Home, WinMar Cape Breton, Tri Mac Toyota, Gateway Hyundai and Canso Ford

Strait Area Community Curling Club 

Registration for Junior Curlers 

Bantam Curler grades 2-6 

 Junior Curler grades 7-12 

For registration forms contact Tom Wagar tk.wagar@ns.sympatico.ca or Nan Corrigan nancy.corrigan@gmail.com Curling Sunday afternoons beginning October 27th. First invitational spiel Sunday November 3rd, Sydney

 The Curl For Cancer Bonspiel will be held November 1 – 2 at the SACCC.  It is a fun bonspiel to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division. Interested teams or individuals can register by calling Karen MacKinnon, 625-2984 or e-mailing: karenmackinnon@ns.sympatico.ca

The Career Development Association of Inverness Richmond is hosting an Older Workers Program this fall, so if you are between the ages of 55 and 64, and are interested in working for yourself this program would be of great value to you. Tentative start date is Nov. 1^st, 2013. To register for this program, contact Sheri Wood at (902) 625-1131. 

ORDER OF SERVICE SUNDAY OCTOBER 20TH 2013--22ND AFTER PENTECOST

The Congregations of St. Mark’s and St. David’s

United Church of Canada

Port Hawkesbury/Port Hastings, NS

Office: 625-2229, Fax 625-3597, e-mail: stmarks1@eastlink.ca

Blog: http://ourcontactonline.blogspot.com/

Minister: Nan Corrigan D. M.

Minister of Music: Al Fougere

October 20^th, 2013--22^nd Sunday after Pentecost

Sacrament of Baptism-St. Mark’s

Announcements The Work of Church and Community

WE GATHER TO WORSHIP GOD

Greeting

One: The peace of Christ be with you. All: And with your spirit.

* Introit All Are Welcome, verse 1 Printed

Let us build a house where love can dwell

and all can safely live.

A place where saints and children

tell how hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hope and dreams and visions,

rock of faith and vault of grace.

Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;

Refrain

All are welcome, all are welcome,

all are welcome in this place.

Words and music: Marty Haugen Copyright © 1994 by GIA Publications, Inc.

7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800-442-1358.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

*Call to Worship & Prayer of Approach      Back of bulletin

* Hymn           Be Thou My Vision            VU 642

Prayer for Wholeness       Based on Psalm 119:97–104

Open our spirits to Wisdom calling:

calling us not to stand still, not to believe in static truth,

but to seek understanding in relationship, to find love in action,

to achieve justice in engagement.

Open our ears that we may hear the cries for peace and equality

and move towards them.

Open our mouths that we may speak.

Speak out in wisdom, in love, in justice, in truth.

Let our speaking be our worship of you,

O just Spirit, O divine Love, O peaceful Wisdom, O God,

our touchstone and our redeemer. Amen.

WE LISTEN FOR GOD’S WORD

Jeremiah 31:27–34      A covenant written upon people’s hearts.

This is the witness of the Hebrew people. All: Thanks be to God.

Psalm 119      How I love God’s law. Refrain 4       VU 840

Hymn       O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee       VU560

Opening the Word/Sacrament of Baptism (St. Mark’s)

The Gospel Acclamation

Luke 18:1–8 The parable of the widow and the unjust judge.

This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection

WE RESPOND IN FAITH

* Hymn       Lord, Speak to Me        VU 589

Minute for Mission

Offering Our Gifts to God

*Offering Prayer       Based on Luke 18:1–8

May these offerings turn our hearts away from our own needs, and turn the hearts of those who grant justice to those who demand it. May our offerings be our unrelenting plea, week to week, to remember those whom others refuse. Amen.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession

WE GO TO SERVE GOD

* Hymn            Lord, You Give the Great Commission        VU 512

* Commissioning and Benediction

As we depart from this place of worship,

we will listen carefully

to those who use their voices

to speak about God’s justice.

Go now, to speak and be God’s justice

until the entire world knows God’s mercy. 

* Choral Amen

THANKSGIVING SUNDAY PICTURES

ANNOUNCEMENTS SUNDAY OCTOBER 13 2013

Participating through leadership in worship this morning are:

Organist: Al Fougere

Greeters (St. M.): Larry & Lucille Evans

(St. D.): Sally & George Fox

Lay Reader (St. M.): Julia Mac Quarrie

Lay Reader (St. D.): Susan Langley

Collectors (St. M.): Larry & Lucille Evans, Earl West,

Annabel Butts

Collectors (St. D.): Curtis Fox, Lisa Rhynold

MINISTER’S OFFICE HOURS:

Monday 9-12 noon

Tuesday 9-12 noon

Wednesday 9-12 noon at St. David’s You may drop by for a coffee.

Thursday 9 – 12 noon

Friday – Minister’s Day Off

Next opportunities for baptism, affirmation of faith or transfer of membership will be October 20^th and November 3. For further information please contact the Church Office at 625-2229.

Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of the month.

Suggested Food Banks donations: Peanut butter or Cereal.

Prayer Shawl Knitting Circle Knitters and crocheters gather together in the parlour of St. Mark’s on the 3^rd Monday of each month. Monday, October 21^st will be our next time of gathering at 1:00 p.m.

AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH OFFICE: 

Canadian Church Calendar 2014

Cost: $6.00 ($1.25 profit from each to go to the Mission and Service Fund, United Church of Canada)

Pictures this year depict banners, communion table frontals and other liturgical artwork from United Churches across Canada.

The Moderator’s Visit to Maritime Conference - The Moderator of the United Church of Canada, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Gary Paterson, will be visiting Maritime Conference, Monday, October 21 – Wednesday, October 23. He will be visiting PEI Presbytery and Valley Presbytery and all are welcome to the following events: All PEI events will be held at Central Queens United Church, Hunter River, PEI:

Monday, October 21: 

Theme : More Than Survival in Challenging Times

3:00- 5:00 PM ~ Clergy and Congregational Leaders: Q&A with the Moderator.

7:00-9:00 PM ~ Worship (Moderator will preach) &  Q&A

Tuesday, October 22: Valley Presbytery

7:00-8:30 PM ~  Town Hall Gathering at Windsor United Church

Wednesday, October 23: Valley Presbytery

1:00- 2:00 PM ~  Meet and Greet at St George & St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal

6:00-7:30 PM ~  Town Hall at Orchard Valley United Church, Kentville, NS

If you are in the area, please come and join the Moderator and the Presbytery.

The UPPER ROOM for November-December are available

**********

ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

FUNDSCRIP REPORT - October order Sundays are October 6^th and 20^th and delivery Sundays are October 13^th and 27^th.

Promotions for October

The Children’s Place                        10% ( Regular 8% )

Domino’s                                           10% ( Regular 7%  )

la Vie en Rose                                   10% ( Regular 6 % )

( can also be used at la Vie en Rose Aqua )

  

HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER - Fill out the FundScrip order form found in the green folder in the narthex. Enclose the completed order form and payment either cash or cheque payable to St. Mark’s United Church ( no postdated cheques please) , put in FundScrip envelope and place on collection plate during Sunday offering. Alternately envelopes can be left at St. Mark’s office during secretary’s working hours. (Please do not leave them in the narthex). Contact Patsy Brander at 625-1062 or Bonnie Dawson at 625-3838 if you have any questions.

St. Mark’s Lay Readers:

October 20^th – Denis Benard

October 27^th – Brenda Mac Innis

October 15, 2013 – St. Mark’s Congregational Board Meeting: 6:30 p.m. – Executive, 7:00 p.m. – Committees, 8:00 p.m. – Combined Board

October 19^th – Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade Gift Sale at St. Mark’s from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Help End Poverty. Support Fair Trade! For more information call Lana at 227-5776. Admission is free.

November 29^th – St. Mark’s Christmas Bazaar. 

Further details will be put in the bulletin later.

ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

St. David’s Lay Readers:

October 20^th – Karen Wagar

October 27^th – Bonnie Hatcher

October 20 Sunday School begins at St. David’s. Call the church office to register.

Church Hall Cleaners for October: Wanda Harb, Florence Timmons

November 1, 2013 – Roast Beef Dinner 

with home made pies. 

4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Port Hastings Fire Hall. 

Adults $12.00/Children $8.00. Take-outs available. Sponsored by St. David’s Board of Stewards.

**********

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

An eight week Basic Introduction to Computers, Internet and E-Mail will be held on Monday nights from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. October 17 to December 5, 2013,  at the St. Peter’s Learning and Technology Centre. For more information or to register, call the Richmond County Literacy Network at 226-0383 or 535-3304. No Fee. Funded by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education. ( A similar program will be offered in Arichat in the new year.)

The Strait Area Curling Club has frozen apple pies for sale at $8.00 each. Please call Valli Ross @ 625-0576 or Jean MacPherson @ 625-0609.

There will be an evening of prayer, music and scripture for families and friends of those who have died while in the care of St. Martha’s Hospital from February 1^st, 2013 to July 31^st, 2013. This service will be held in the Clare Marie Auditorium (former St. Martha’s Chapel) on Wednesday, October 30^th, 2013 at 7:15 p.m. Refreshments will follow. We look forward to seeing you.

The Port Hastings Historical Society present The Men of the Deeps with Special Guests The Celtic Touch Dancers on October 26, 2013 @ 7pm in the SAERC Auditorium - Port Hawkesbury. Tickets $25.00 & $15.00 for Students...available at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre (902-625-2591) or www.phcivic.com Proceeds to Port Hastings Museum and the family of the late Henry Snow. Thanks to our sponsors: 1015 The Hawk, Strait Supplies, Green's Funeral Home, WinMar Cape Breton, Tri Mac Toyota, Gateway Hyundai and Canso Ford

Strait Area Community Curling Club Registration for Junior Curlers 

Bantam Curler grades 2-6 

Junior Curler grades 7-12 

For registration forms contact Tom Wagar tk.wagar@ns.sympatico.ca or Nan Corrigan nancy.corrigan@gmail.com 

Curling Sunday afternoons beginning October 27th. 

First invitational spiel Sunday November 3rd, Sydney

The Curl For Cancer Bonspiel will be held November 1 – 2 at the SACCC.  It is a fun bonspiel to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society, Nova Scotia Division. Interested teams or individuals can register by calling Karen MacKinnon, 625-2984 or e-mailing: karenmackinnon@ns.sympatico.ca