Talbotville United Church Spring Newsletter 2018 Message from Our Pastor Getting a Clear Perspective Text: Colossians 3:1-2 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Easter greetings in the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we approach Holy week, I want to share with you some encouragement that I recently discovered for myself. The passage from Colossians has come alive within me as it was part of our recent Bible study on Heaven. A couple of weeks ago we discovered that our van had a terrible noise going on in it. Every time we hit a bump in the road this sound would happen in the rear of the vehicle as if it was about to fall apart. We had just spent several hundred dollars on a repair job and now it likely needed more attention. In the meantime there were several irritating little problems arising around home with taps and toilets; and with computers in the office and a non-working TV in our Talbotville sanctuary. Now I know you, the reader, can empathize with what I was going through. Nothing big but each one was grating on that last nerve. All these little things began to work on me in a negative way. And then! I was preparing for our Bible study on heaven, when this verse gave me a clear perspective on my poor me situation. Here in this passage was a reminder of what needs to be my highest priority. In it I found the following principles of faith that helped me with the here and now. 1. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. In Him I have new life and His power within me to overcome. 2. I am to set my sights on what is to come, heaven awaits me. 3. Jesus in on His throne and in control of all things, including my life. 4. Easter is my reminder that He has conquered sin and death. 5. Being heavenly minded helps me have a clear perspective on all these little (and big) troubles I face on this earth. It helps me to rise above the things that are temporary and focus more on what is long-lasting and eternal and keep the troubles of this world in their proper place. With Jesus as Lord, I m to not let these present troubles be in control of me. Whatever it is that is causing you to feel burdened, there is hope and there is an abiding peace that God graciously gives. Jesus understands our discontent, and invites us to himself in saying, Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. My dear friends, may you receive a clear perspective this Easter as you celebrate the One who loved you so much that He died for you and rose again for you. Praise Him! Pastor Don Macpherson
A mission trip to return to Nicaragua is being planned for January 2019 through PAN Missions. This is our second mission trip with PAN, and we began fundraising last fall. With donations and fundraisers we have collected $4700. We are still forming our team, so if you would like more information or would like to join the team, please join us : Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Talbotville United Church. In the meantime here is some information to help you with your decision to join us on Mission Nicaragua 2019. For more information and/or to register for the April 7 meeting, please contact: Pastor Don pastordonmac@gmail.com 519-872-9379 OR Brian Golem briangolem@hotmail.com Mission Nicaragua 2019 Location: Los Altos de Nindiri which is about a 40 minute drive from the PAN Missions home. Departure Date : Monday January 6 or Tuesday January 7 Length of trip: 14 days is desirable for a church build mission and it is suggested the stay be a minimum of 10 days Team Numbers: Doug Walker and Bruce Compton will be the PAN facilitators. We will be joining two other teams, one from Owen Sound and the other from Bruce Comptom s church. A total of 15-24 people is hoped for. Costs: a church build is $18000 US plus a contingency fund. $20000 Cdn has been donated Team Costs: cost per team member is $2400 Cdn. (10 days is $2100) the full cost is tax receiptable by PAN Missions. This is an all inclusive price for flights, meals, accommodations, travel, drivers, translator and a few tourist activities to be decided with discussion with the team. Down Payment: 1/2 or $1200/person is to be paid by the end of May in order to book the flights. Extra costs: Not included in these costs is Out of Country Medical Insurance (necessary and proof given to PAN Missions), trip cancellation insurance suggested, a $10 US entrance visa, souvenirs, snacks and potentially one or two restaurant meals. Talbotville United Church Community Choir December 2018 marked the 10th musical performed by the TUC Community Choir. Since the choir first formed in 2010 they have performed eight Christmas and two Easter musicals at Talbotville, as well as other selections at Yarmouth Centre and at Rosy Rhubarb. It has been a choir for all ages, from tweens to 80 s, with any where from 23 to up to 43 members for this season, with over 85 different people joining at one time or another to sing with the group. While not started as a fundraiser the audiences have been generous over the years and $12000+ has been donated to various local causes. This would not have been possible without the vision and leadership of Music Director Jenn Brown and in appreciation a mounted canvas print of all the musical cover graphics was presented to her by members of the choir. IMPORTANT NOTICE! We are actively looking for volunteers for: *Newsletter writing/designing/printing/distributing *Bulletin board design/maintenance *Audio/video design and facilitation during worship *Family/Women's /Men's event planning *Spring cleaning assistance Thank You for considering how you can help. Contact the church office or talbotville@gmail.com
Sunday School Christmas Concert The Sunday School children presented a play at Christmas based on the book Goodnight Manger and all the children took turns at the microphone with speaking parts. The congregation joined the kids in singing favourite Christmas carols. The Sunday School even received Christmas greetings from the book s author Laura Sassi from New Jersey on the church s Facebook page!. Christmas Trees These happy customers are picking out their Christmas tree at Talbotville before all the snow arrived! Trees were sold from December 1-14 with the $750 raised shared between the congregation and the Nicaragua Mission trip 2019. Thank you to the many volunteers for your dedication and to everyone that supported this fundraiser by purchasing a tree! SPEAK IN SUCH A WAY THAT OTHERS LOVE TO LISTEN TO YOU. LISTEN IN SUCH A WAY THAT OTHERS LOVE TO SPEAK TO YOU. Shalom to our Music Director On Sunday February 4 we celebrated with Music Director Jenn Brown, and her daughters Bella and Nev through tributes, music, hugs and fellowship. Jenn has left her position at Talbotville to continue her education and placement requirements in the United Church s Designated Lay Minister program. In early March she attended a two week Learning Circle in Saskatoon and is currently seeking a position as a student minister. Jenn will complete six of these intense learning circles over the next three years. Our church family will miss her musical and spiritual gifts, energy, humour, smile and presence as she continues on her faith journey. At present an Interim Music team has been formed to play on Sunday mornings and lead the choir once or twice a month. Janice Fisher, Debbie Logghe and Helen Campbell will be taking turns at the keyboard for at least the next three months while we take time to discover what the church family would like for the Music Ministry in the future. We would love to hear your ideas, and have anyone else bring forth their musical talents. Would you like to sing with the choir? Have an instrument you would like to play? Don t hesitate to speak to Janice, Debbie or Helen.
AMALGAMATION Our sister church, Yarmouth Centre United church (YCUC) has been considering options for their future and at their Annual Congregation meeting in January voted to propose amalgamation to Talbotville United Church (TUC). This proposal was made to TUC at our Annual congregational meeting on February 4 and a motion was passed to put the proposal to a vote of TUC members at a special duly called TUC Congregational meeting on February 25. A representative from Elgin Presbytery was present at the TUC February 25 meeting to answer questions about the process and tabulate the results. Members voted by ballot and the motion carried for YCUC and TUC to amalgamate. What does this mean for TUC? Amalgamation means that, once completed, the two churches become a new entity, and all the assets and members of both churches belong to the new congregation. YCUC is looking forward to amalgamating with TUC and offered that the name of the new church entity remain Talbotville United Church. With amalgamation a new board is formed with officers and members of the present boards of TUC and YCUC as well as additional officers and board members as needed. A new budget will be drafted which will include a proposal on what TUC, as a single point church, can afford for ministry, music, and other operating expenses. The property of YCUC can be sold before or after the amalgamation with proceeds from the sale of the property bound by United Church rules to be used for capital expenditures. To guide the two congregations through the amalgamation a committee was formed as follows: Al Hurst - YCUC Board and Congregation Chair Nancy Taylor - YCUC Board Member Myrna Stoss - TUC Board Chair Janice Fisher - TUC Congregation Chair What can you do during this transition? Consider your strengths and gifts and how you might be able to serve in deed or as an officer or member of the new board. The YCUC property will be offered for sale shortly, and June 10 has been selected as a possible date for a final service of celebration and closure at YCUC. Once plans are finalized the final service date will be in the Sunday bulletins and published on the church website and Facebook page. This is a time of mixed emotions for members of YCUC and we extend a hand and a warm welcome to them as they become more involved with our church family. If you have questions please contact a member of the Amalgamation Committee. When I m worried, It s usually because I m trying to do everything myself. When I m at peace, it s usually because I remember that God is in control Breakfast is Ready! Sounds inviting doesn t it? You can hear those words soon at Talbotville church. Yes, in April, breakfast will be served on two different Sundays! First is a continental style breakfast on April 1 after our Easter Sunrise service, ready at approximately 7:45. Then on April 22, Rural Life Sunday, a country breakfast will be ready at 10:15 before our service. So mark those dates and times on your calendar and come and enjoy the food and fellowship with your church family. If you are able to help with setup, cleanup, or food, please contact Brenda McArthur 519-633-0649. There is no cost but a free will basket will be set out and all proceeds will go to Grace Café.
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late. Ralph Waldo Emerson.