NEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON

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1 Page 1 January 8, 2015 NEWS FROM THE PEWS NEWS AND INSPIRATION FROM ST. ANDREW S UNITED CHURCH, GEORGETOWN, ON Sunday, January 11 Reader: Gordon Smith Greeters: Bruce and Barb Munro Ushers: Mel and Jeannie Yach Counter: Mike Sprague and Ross Yahiro AV operators: Howard Beitz and Andrew Piper Announcements: Board Chair Next week, January 18 Reader: Dianne Grundy Greeters: Nolle and Adam Ohashi Ushers: June Longstreet and Pat Moore Counter: Joe Oatman AV operators: Rob Ogger and Graeme Thompson Announcements: Board Chair WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND January 11, 2015 Winter Worship Series: Imagine...A God Who Is Able To Do All Things Part 1: Imagine...All That God Has Done! On Sunday we begin a new 4 week winter worship series called Imagine A God who is Able to Do All Things! You know the old saying, with God all things are possible! Yes it is true that God can do all things. With God we are blessed, we are healed, we are renewed and we are strengthened. Over the next four Sundays we will be imagining how God is working in and around St. Andrew s. We will explore the ways that we have been blessed by God in our past, present and will be blessed in the future as we embark on a most exciting journey of exploration in our vision process. This Sunday for part 1 of the Imagine series we will be looking to the past and celebrating the ways that God has blessed our church and indeed our individual lives. We lift up the milestones, the major risks we have taken as a church, and the ministries we have accomplished. When we look at the vision plan for a is the electronic newsletter of St. Andrew's United Church, Georgetown, Ontario, produced every Thursday. If you would like to publicize an event, please send it in the body of an (not as an attachment) to: standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca by Wednesday NOON. For further information, contact our secretary, Margaret Yahiro, or our Minister, Rev. Grant Williams, at brighter future, we first need to celebrate our history and recognize the wonderful ways that we have been blessed already. This will be the first Sunday that we will be honing in on who we are as a church as we begin the wonderful journey to creating a new vision plan for the next three to five years. It will be a most exciting time to be part of the worshipping community. Following worship we will be gathering in the gym and having small conversations about our vision plans. We will have an opportunity to write your comments on large sheets of flip chart paper and allow the opportunity to engage in the visioning process. We hope to see you there.. The Readings this week are: Genesis 1:1-5 Mark 1:4-11 Sermon: Imagine All That God HAS Done!

2 Page 2 PRAYER NOTES FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY: prayers. 1) Bruce Allworth - Our deepest sympathy to Doris Allworth and her family in the death of their husband/father/grandfather/great-grandfather, Bruce, on Monday, January 5th at the Georgetown Hospital. Bruce, in his 81st year, beloved husband of Doris and cherished father of Stephen, Mary Fendley (Glenn) and Ruth McMenemy (Randy). Proud grandfather of Ryan McMenemy (Andrea), Rob McMenemy (Erin), Lindsay Langlois (Michael), Emily McMenemy, Leah Fendley and Melissa McMenemy (Zach) and great grandfather to Sarah, Meghan, Becca, Oliver, Rosie, Kate and Logan. Please keep the Allworth family in your There will be a visitation with the family on Friday, January 9th, 2015 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm at the J.S. Jones & Son Funeral Home, Trafalgar Rd., north of Maple Ave, Georgetown A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's United Church on Saturday, January 10th at 1:00 pm with a reception to follow. In memory contributions to St. Andrew's United Church or Sick Kids Hepatology Program (Biliary Atresia Research and Innovation) would be appreciated. The Obituary can be found at: Allworth-Bruce/obituary.php May God surround Doris and the family in their grief and loss. 2) Clara Wodhams - Our sympathy also to Norm Wodhams and his family in the death of their wife/ mother/grandmother and great-grandmother, Clara, who was one of the Charter members of St. Andrew's United Church. She passed away peacefully at Seaforth Community Hospital on Sunday, January 4, Clara Joyce Wodhams (nee Greenwood) of Goderich was in her 84th year. Beloved wife of 60 years to Norm Wodhams. Loving mom of Doug (Anita), Ron (Cindy), Bill (Ann), Andrew (Tracey) and Peter Wodhams. Cherished Grandma of Lisa (Erik), Heather (Spencer), Brian (Krista), Patrick, Scott, Matthew, Joel; and Great-Grandma of Regan, Knox and Scarlet. Clara will also be missed by her sisters Florence, Gladys and Marian. Please keep the Wodhams family in your prayers. At Clara s request her body had been bequeathed to medical science education. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to McGlynn Family Funeral Home, Seaforth, As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Alzheimer Society of Huron County would be appreciated and can be made through the funeral home or by visiting Clara s on-line memorial at The Obituary can be found at: Wodhams-Clara/obituary.php May God surround Norm and the family in their grief and loss. 3) Kent Fromer - Sad News- We have just learned that a former supply minister at St. Andrew s, Rev. Kent Fromer, passed away this morning at 1 AM. Kent was minister here for a year just before Grant Williams. He lived in Ventura, California and had been fighting Cancer for a number of years. We extend our condolences to his family. Please add the Fromer family to your prayers.

3 Page 3 LIVING THE QUESTIONS GROUP Living the Questions will be meeting at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Room on Monday, January12th. From our study material: We gather, reflect and share, aware that in doing so we give human expression here on earth to the Divine Mystery present and active everywhere in this vast universe. Join us for some intellectual stimulation, collegiality, spirited discussion and refreshments. Contact Greg Howard at for details or study materials. GUITAR GROUP - CHANGES The Guitar Group is moving from Friday mornings at St. Andrew s Church to Wednesday Mornings at St. Andrew s Residence Common Room from 9:30 a.m to 11:00.a.m. Starting January 14, Open to anyone interested, please come and join us. For more information, please contact Gordon Robinson. ANNUAL REPORTS DUE LAST WEEK- To all Ministries and Groups Please submit your reports for the 2014 Annual Report to the office ASAP. Those with Internet can them to standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca Thank you! CHRISTMAS CARD EXCHANGE AT ST. ANDREW'S There are still a few Christmas cards that haven't been picked up. Please check the mail slots to see if any belong to you. CHURCH ENVELOPES FOR 2015 ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP Church envelopes are on a table outside of the Fellowship Room. They are in alphabetical order by last name. If you would like to change to PAR (i.e. Pre-Authorized Remittance) givings, please ask for a form from the Church Office or from Nancy Thompson. Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) is a direct debit program that allows people to support their church through an automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank account. PAR ensures St. Andrew's continues to receive financial support even when you are unable to donate in person. A donation can be designated to current expenses and/or other special funds, just like it is on an offering envelope. Thank you! YOUTH CONFIRMATION Each year St. Andrew s holds a Confirmation Class for youth age 13 or older. If you are interested in being confirmed as a member of the church and seek to find out more about the Christian faith, please speak to Rev. Grant Williams. THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY GROUP The weekly Thursday morning Bible Study has started again at 10:00 am. It is led by Rev. Grant Williams. All are welcome.

4 Page 4 IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES OF WHAT GOD CAN DO AT ST. ANDREW S This Sunday and for the next 4 Sundays you are invited to join us in the church Gym for Coffee Hour. We will have Flip Charts set up so you will have a chance to give input into our new vision planning in There will be a chance to talk with people about the process and talk to people about your ideas. This is your chance to engage in the process and help to imagine what our church could be like in the future. WEEK OF CHRISTIAN UNITY SERVICE - SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 The Georgetown and District Ministerial Association is holding a special service to celebrate our Christian Unity. This year we have 8 different congregations participating. We will be reading the entire Gospel of Mark by candlelight with music offered. It will be held at St. Alban s Anglican Church, Glen Williams at 7:30 PM. All are Welcome. VISION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT DAY SATURDAY JANUARY 31 FROM 9 AM TO 3 PM You are invited to join us for a day with Consultant Duane Whittey to continue exploring our new Vision at St. Andrew s. This will be an opportunity to learn about Transformational Leadership and help to cast the new vision for our church. This will be an exciting day to be a part of and have your input in the future of the congregation. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Grant Williams or Alan Grundy. COMMUNITY SUPPORT & HOUSING HALTON S THE COFFEE HOUSE SOCIAL GROUP A FUN AFTERNOON OF GAMES & ACTIVITIES Light refreshments will be provided. Every TUESDAY, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Andrews United Church. This space is wheelchair accessible if you need arrangements for accessibility, please contact Jennifer beforehand to make arrangements. For more information, contact Jennifer at (905) ex. 380 or jbarclay@shhalton.org Support & Housing Halton providing excellence in supportive housing, peer support & recovery since COFFEE HOUSE Social Group

5 Page 5 A NOTE FROM BILL ELGIE AND LESLIE HOYLE - KILIMANJARO TRIP Dear friends, Many of you have heard that we are going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with an Outward Bound expedition in January. This a fund-raising expedition for Outward Bound Canada. We worked for the Outward Bound schools in Australia and Canada at the beginning of our careers in outdoor education would like to "pay it forward" to help people experience this wonderful program. All funds raised will be used to support programs for youth at risk, Aboriginal youth, veterans and women from abusive situations. If you would like to contribute please copy this link to our fundraising page: All contributions go directly to Outward Bound and tax receipts are issued from OB as well. This is the link to the blog for our expedition: Thanks! Bill and Leslie This is the website for Outward Bound Canada which has information about the programs that we are supporting: Outward Bound Canada has links to recent articles: Videos on the Outward Bound youtube channel: A good "overview" of the OB story and impact is this video: FRENCH CONNECTIONS GRANDPAL PROGRAM SEEKS FRENCH SPEAKING VOLUNTEERS French Connections is an intergenerational program partnering with the Hillsview Active Living Centre in Georgetown and the Trillium Lakeland District School Board. Grade 4 French Immersion students will have the unique opportunity to practice their French language oral skills by conversing with older adults who are French speaking. With the aid of computer technology the students and older adults will be able to engage in meaningful conversations, learn from each other, and enhance a variety of skills while having fun at the same time. When: The 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month beginning January 14, 2015 (10 sessions) Time: 11:30-12:30 Lunch will be provided after the sessions Where: Hillsview Active Living Centre (Georgetown) 318 Guelph Street Unit CASHH 15TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Cancer Assistance Services of Halton Hills (CAShh) will be celebrating their 15th Anniversary on February 14, 2015 at the Acton Legion with a dinner, dance and silent auction! Tickets are $50.00 per person and are available December 1, 2014 at the CAShh office at 222 Mountainview Road North, Georgetown, ON. Come on out and help us CELEBRATE!

6 Page 6 OUR CHURCH VISION With God s Help we will: develop Spiritual and personal growth through Christian faith and fellowship welcome and encourage new ideas encourage outreach programs offer programs for all ages and stages in life foster personal growth and friendship through Small Groups ministries be more visible in our community Week-at-a-Glance Thursday, January 8 10:00 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Choir has been cancelled Friday, January 9 9:30 am Circle of Friends 7:00 pm Youth Group Saturday, January 10 1:00 pm Memorial Service for Bruce Allworth Sunday, January 11 10:00 am Worship Monday, January 12 10:00 am Living the Questions 7:00 pm Spring Auction Planning Meeting 7:00 pm Worship Team Meeting Tuesday, January 13 1:00 pm Coffee House Thursday, January 15 10:00 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Choir Friday, January 16 7:00 pm Youth Group Sunday, January 11 10:00 am Worship WINTER WORSHIP SERIES Imagine. A God who is Able to do All Things January 11: Imagine All that God HAS Done! January 18: Imagine All that God IS Doing! January 25: Imagine All that God CAN Do! February 1: Imagine Discerning God s Will Together Church Secretary/Office: Closed Christmas Day and New Year s Day standrewsoffice@cogeco.ca Secretary - Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 9 am - 1 pm Thursdays: 9 am - 3 pm Minister Hours: Monday - Thursday Grant Williams: standrewsminister@cogeco.ca

7 Page 7 GRANT S WORLD Happy New Year!!!! This is the first Grant s World of The start of a new year always brings newness to life. The New Year is a time to let go of the past and prepare for the future. Over the past couple of weeks I have been busy with Christmas services. New for this year we held a 4 PM Christmas Eve service in addition to our usual 7 and 9 PM services. We were really pleased and blessed by how it all turned out. There were about 65 people at the kid s service and many were guests from outside the church community. It was short and sweet and we felt that it filled a need that our younger families had. Lots of kids were in attendance and then after it ended, they were able to go home and get ready for dinner and bed. We hope to repeat it next year. Between Christmas and New Year s my family and I were able to get away for an entire week out of town. We had a chance to see Laura s mom in her residence and then celebrated New Years in a small City named Mt. Clemens, MI. Between 4 and 9 PM the city closes the streets and opens up all the bars and restaurants to families and had cartoon characters dress up to get pictures with the children. We watched a crystal ball drop at 9 PM from the back of an antique Tow truck to celebrate the New Year. I think the ball was actually made out of sheet metal on top of a flag pole! There was a magic show, crafts and juggling in the street. It was a nice blessing to spend the night with family. After our time in Michigan we then had a chance to head to Sandusky, Ohio to a waterpark hotel called Kalihari. It was a lot of fun to watch the kids frolic in the wave pool and ride the slides at breakneck speeds. This month I want to draw an important adventure to your attention. Our own Bill Elgie and Leslie Hoyle will be heading to Africa this weekend for 2 weeks to go hike Mt. Kilimanjaro with the Outward Bound organization. A trip of a lifetime. We wish them well and good health as they do this amazing adventure. Please say prayers for their journey. Blessings and see you on Sunday. Grant

8 Page 8 The Ugly Christmas Sweater Celebration Service There were some ugly, pretty and interesting Christmas sweaters, shoes, ties and even a dog displayed at the service. Thank you to everyone who participated!

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10 Page 10 Congratulations to the winners - Valerie, Tracey, Gord, Katie and Sarah with honorable mention to Jean and thanks to the judges - Alan and Phil.

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12 Page 12 I don t think anyone could outdo Valerie! Have a nice week!