Welcome to the
Riceville-Pendleton United Charge
Newsletter
Winter Newsletter, 2011 Newsletter Committee: Joan Franklin, June Johnston, Eleanor Kerr, Isabel Kinnear, Muriel Lebeau, Willard Presley & Margaret Scott Christmas Greetings from Rev. Phyllis Christmas Greetings one and all! First of all, may I say what a wonderful welcome I have had from Riceville and Pendleton (and the Genesis Cooperative as a whole) into this new and exciting community of faith. The church is definitely 'not dying here'. You have chosen a new direction in ministry, and I'm really pleased to be a part of it. I often find that venturing out on a new course is like that hymn, "New Every Morning" (Voices United #405,) a re-write on the words from the Book of Lamentations (chapter 3, vss 22-23.) You just never know what the day will bring into your life. It is exciting and "new, every morning". Yet making change is often accompanied by many fearful steps, and a feeling of wanting to turn back. At this time of the year, approaching the Christmas season, I start thinking about poor Mary, who had been told by an angel that she was going to have the Son of God, a Saviour who was to change the world(what fear!). We believe that Mary was only a teenager....can you imagine her trying to convince Joseph of what the angel told her, of the long journey to Bethlehem (what that conversation must have been about,) and then to find that there was no place to stay, knowing that a baby was coming. What if Mary hadn't listened to the voice of the angel? As Christians, we believe that these events made it so; the Christ child would be born, and a new direction that the people longed for, would take place. It really did change the course of history. Your new direction isn’t as quite as dramatic, but is life-changing for the direction of the church in our area. It means that, every day, it offers an opportunity for us to share who we are in a struggling world. It means that, every day, we can live our lives differently, because of the example that Jesus left for us. It means that, every day, we can, hopefully, change our world through the love we have. Please come out and join us in the celebration of the birth of the Christ child, in Riceville this year. The service time is 7:30 pm. In Christian love, Rev. Phyllis * * * * On October 23rd we welcomed Carolyn Ruda, M&S Support, Montreal-Ottawa Conference, to our Sunday Service. During the service, conducted by Rev. Dietrich, Carolyn presented a certificate and pins to Harvey Clemens in memory of the late Mary Clemens. Mary served as the M&S representative for our pastoral charge for 50 years. She was appointed as the M&S convenor by the Riceville Ladies Aid in January 1955. In addition to regular planned and “in memory” donations to the Mission and Service Fund (M & S), the congregation and friends of Riceville-Pendleton Pastoral Charge have demonstrated continued support of the M & S initiatives during 2011. We have a Penny Pail to collect loose pennies from pockets and purses; a Living Love Can where folk deposit a monetary thank you for the fine lunches that are enjoyed during our After Service Social Time; a Minutes for Mission on the first Sunday of each month where loose collection is donated to our fund; our Annual Spring Pancake Breakfast and the Return your Syrup Bottle for the $1.00 a bottle bounty offered by the Sugar Camp Boys. Our most recent initiative is the “Sock it to M & S” where people are encouraged to find a stray sock to save their loose coin in. When the sock gets hefty with coin, bring it to our M & S representative to add to our M & S collection. Regular donations and the support of our M & S initiatives have gone a long way to help us achieve our annual commitment; however, as at November 13th we are shy of our goal by $750. We remain optimistic that we will collectively achieve our goal again this calendar year. Thank you for your support. Karen Clemens-Hovey M & S Representative & Treasurer Change effective January 1, 2012. If your donation to our M & S Fund is made by cheque, please make the cheque(s) payable to Mission and Service Fund. * * * * Another Date for your 2012 Calendar!
Our Annual Turkey Super, September 8, 4:00 – 7:00pm The Hall is Booked!! * * * * Congregational Update
It is hard to believe but Rev. Phyllis has been a part of our Genesis Cooperative for six months already!!! It seemed like only yesterday that we were looking forward to her arriving on June 1st. The summer is behind us and we are now in a regular rotation of Rev. Phyllis and our LLWLs. On October 16th at Cassburn United Church, Presbytery held a Covenanting Service which was well attended by our congregations and Presbytery members. Rev. Phyllis has expressed her appreciation for allowing her the opportunity during her first 3 months to conduct one service per Sunday which gave her time to visit with each congregation after the service. Since she started Rev. Phyllis has been involved in a number of community events, the Vankleek Hill Fair Ecumenical Service and the IPM Church Service. She has attended and helped with events such as the brunch at the VKH Fair and the Riceville-Pendleton Fall Supper. Recently she has attended UCW meetings as well as Congregational Executive meetings. She has also been busy with Cemetery Memorial Services, funeral services and weddings. The GENESIS Cooperative Community identified Pastoral Care as an important aspect to our Cooperative and Rev. Phyllis has made close to 20 pastoral home and hospital visits as well as visiting seniors in residences. She plans to work with volunteers from the congregations to form a Pastoral Care team committee. The Ministry & Personnel Committee representatives are now meeting with Rev. Phyllis and Stephanie to address any issues or concerns they may have. Your Genesis Cooperative Council representatives are your line of communication on any concerns or items that you may want addressed, including but not limited to anything from minister related to Sunday Services. Council Representatives bring all concerns or suggestions to our meetings and address them as a Council. As we approach the end of the calendar year, the Council continues to work diligently on your behalf, facing the many challenges and addressing concerns in order to continue to work harmoniously as the community we are meant to be. On behalf of the Council members, thank-you for your continued support: Bryan Anderson, Faye Allen, Helen Lalonde. Ian Elliott, Ian MacLeod, Isabel Clark, John Clemens, Marion Christie, Tammy Oswick-Kearney & Val Dawson * * * * Thank you to all for the many ways with which you lend your support to our Annual Fall Supper. Just shy of 400 guests enjoyed the turkey supper hosted by the Riceville-Pendleton United Churches in September of this year. The food was plentiful, the pies and miscellaneous treats were eye catching and reported as being mighty tasty. Thank you to our guests who took the time to come out to our event and for the kind remarks you shared with us. The donations of various food items, and the help with the preparations, serving, dish washing and clean up, are always appreciated and go a long way with making this event a success. Cheers! Karen Clemens-Hovey, Chairman Fall Supper Committee
Stewardship and Christian Giving At the 29 October 2011, Presbytery Stewardship meeting I attended at St. Andrew’s United in Williamstown, our committee read about ‘Christian Giving’ from 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. In part, the scripture read – Our brothers, we want you to know what God’s grace has accomplished in the Churches in Macedonia. They have been severely tested by the troubles they went through; but their joy was so great in their giving, even though they are very poor. I can assure you that they gave as much as they could, and even more than they could. Of their own free will they begged us and pleaded for the privilege of having a part in helping God’s people in Judea. Christian stewardship is what we do with everything we have, because everything we have is a gift from God. Jesus gave up everything for us, and it is up to each and every one of us to keep it uppermost in our thoughts, that stewardship begins and ends with Jesus. I try to make it a daily habit to remember to be thankful for my countless blessings. We have many blessings, but I believe that one of our greatest is that of being able to help others through our regular donations, (no matter how big or small – Luke 21: 1-4), to the United Church Budget and to the United Church Mission and Service Fund. All members and supporters of our United Church know that it takes money to put their faith into action. You only need to visit the United Church of Canada Mission and Service Fund website to be reminded of the hundreds of partners and humanitarian projects it supports in Canada and around the world. Aid to the Horn of Africa is one of the most recent examples. In David Chilton’s latest book ‘The Wealthy Barber Returns’, his Chapter on the ‘Power of Perspective’ reminds us of the problems that billions of the world’s citizens face daily and says they should shine a light on just how fortunate we are. Nine hundred million people across the globe don’t have ongoing access to safe drinking water. More than a billion people don’t have electricity. One in six people in the world goes to bed hungry every night. Sometimes, we obsess so much about what we don’t have that it affects our ability to enjoy what we do have. We have to be ever mindful of our numerous blessings. For those who may be interested, there is going to be a money management workshop called, ‘SAVE, SHARE, SPEND’ some time in the new year. The workshop is aimed at families and everyone is welcome, so if you would like to attend, please let me know and I will provide you with all of the details. In closing, I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. May you enjoy Hope, Peace, Joy and Love every day of 2012 . . . and oh yes, always remember to give thanks for your many blessings. 1 Thessolonians 5:18 – be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Ray Lebeau Riceville-Pendleton Pastoral Charge / Stewardship Representative Tel: 613 673-2125 or E-mail: raylebeau@sympatico.ca Treasurer’s Report – Pendleton United Church A number of important items concerning our Pendleton United Church finances were discussed at the Riceville-Pendleton Joint Board of Managers meeting, 9 November 2011. The first item, brought forward by our Central Treasurer, was that as a result of the new GENESIS Cooperative and the congregations from Cassburn, Hawkesbury, Kirk Hill, Riceville-Pendleton and Trinity in Vankleek Hill, sharing in the cost of our full-time Minister and the Licenced Lay Worship Leaders, our overall expenses have dropped considerably. The Central Treasurer went on to caution that even though Pendleton United Church may have realized some savings this year, we do not have a clear picture, at this time, of what our financial situation will look like next year. If you will recall, I reported before that one of the main objectives of the GENESIS Cooperative was to reduce the operating expenses of each of the East-end Churches involved. I am sure that we all want to see our United Church doors kept open for the foreseeable future. In order to do this, it is important that we strive to maintain a balanced budget. We now have five Churches, each paying one fifth of the full-time Minister’s salary, I would say, that for the time being, we have successfully accomplished this objective. As previously stated though, there is always the possibility that the Church could be faced with additional expenses in the years ahead, and we should be prepared for the unexpected. A more accurate picture of Pendleton’s financial situation will be known once the treasurer has finalized the 2011 Annual Financial Report and the GENESIS Cooperative Council has released their 2012 Budget Forecast. The second item, brought forward by our Mission and Service Fund Coordinator, concerned the manner in which donations to the M&S Fund are handled. For the past number of years, the Pendleton Treasurer has handled all donations to the M&S Fund through the Pendleton Church account; as no one on the Joint Board could explain why it has always been done this way, it was unanimously agreed that effective 01 January 2012, all donations to the Mission and Service Fund will go directly to the M&S Coordinator who will amalgamate the donations for the entire Riceville-Pendleton Pastoral Charge and submit them to the Toronto Central Office This change will assist by getting our donations to where they are needed most, in the most expedient fashion. You are asked to please keep this change in mind when making donations to the Mission and Service Fund in the new year. In closing, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all members, adherents and friends who faithfully support Pendleton United Church. Without your generous support we would not be able to continue to minister to the community in which we serve. Thank you. The Lord’s Treasury – Acts 20: 35 And I was a constant example to you in helping the poor; for I remembered the words of the Lord Jesus, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Ray Lebeau, Pendleton United Church / Treasurer Tel: 613 673-2125 / E-mail: raylebeau@sympatico.ca Blessings Don & Isabel Kinnear are pleased to have a new granddaughter, born on August 24 – Emilie Anne. A little sister for Alexandre and Mathieu. The busy, happy parents are Blair & Julie!
Life & Work of the Church On July 10, the Church/Sunday School picnic was well attended. With so many children and adults dressed in grass skirts and brightly coloured shirts, in keeping with the Hawaiian theme, a good time was had by all. The challenge is for us to come up with a theme for the 2012 picnic, which will be held on the second Sunday in July. Thanks to all who attended and contributed to make this a real success. We hope you will be able to join us in July! We have a number of people in our congregation who are having health problems. As we go about our daily tasks, please think of them as they struggle with life, as it is now and not as it used to be: Juna Blaney, Lyal Campbell, Lillias Deevy, Eleanor Lalonde, Bertha Mines and Warren Robillard. As we become more familiar with the rotation of Minister and Licenced Lay Worship Leaders, meeting members of the other congregations, at the joint Services; we renew friendships and experience the pleasure of learning about our extended community. Our Church life has taken on new meaning and purpose. The Riceville church has undergone a bit of a facelift over the summer and fall. The outside porch at the basement entrance has been removed, a new steel door installed, a new walkway and ramp plus new flower beds have been built at the side, waiting for spring planting. Earlier in the year, after much searching, we were finally able to purchase new lights for the sanctuary. Our next challenge will continue on the inside of the basement, where we plan to change the entrance for easier access. Remembering Over the last few months a number of families in our Church community have lost family members. June Johnston’s mother – Dorothy Pollard died on October 10; Dona Pytel’s mother – Jean Cameron died on November 8; and Mabel Robillard’s mother -- Grace Peever died on November 12. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all members of these families as they cherish their memories and value every precious day. Thank You Over the last few years, Riceville United Church has been able to take on some much needed repairs and renovations. Not that we didn’t realize the need to get these jobs done before, without sufficient funds, we felt it unwise to get in over our heads. Through the thoughtful generosity of many friends of our Church, our extended church community and our own congregation, we have been successful, in completing several major projects. Our Church is just like our own homes, tender loving care is needed on an ongoing basis; as the song says “Love makes the world go ‘round.” We are grateful for this support and are proud that by working together, our church and congregation continue to take a visible active part in the community. Margaret Scott, Treasurer, Our Church Calendar 2011
Remember to check our Church website: www.riceville-pendletonunitedchurch.ca
Dec. 4 – 18, 10:00am Regular Worship at Pendleton
Please ensure that your year-end donation to the Budget, Mission & Service, In Memorials or the Building Fund, are received by the treasurers prior to this date.
Regular Worship Services will remain at Pendleton for the months of January, February, March and April.
background on how some of them came to be written.
Riceville Pendleton Charge
a Member of the Genesis Cooperative Community
Poem by Ellen Bailey
My neighbors and my friends are very dear to me
They are always there whenever there is a need
We talk to each other and we borrow and lend
Such treasures they are, my neighbors and friends
I sing when they sing and I laugh when they laugh
We do things for each other on the other's behalf
They share with me their many worries and fears
I share with them my compassion and my tears
How lonely and cheerless a place my soul would be
Without such neighbors and good friends as these
I cherish them all and take each one into my heart
Feeling the love and kindness each in turn imparts
Dec. 4 White Gift Sunday. (Don’t forget to bring your donations
of non-perishable food items or personal products)
Dec. 24, 7:30pm Christmas Eve Service in Riceville
December 25 There will be no worship service at Pendleton or at any other churches in the Genesis Cooperative group
Dec. 31 The Financial Books for both Churches will be closed..
2012
Jan. 01,10:00am A Service of Carols, with Hymns we all enjoy and
Jan. 22 Pendleton Annual Congregational Meeting, after the service
Jan. 29 Riceville Annual Congregational Meeting
Feb. 5 Annual Joint Congregational Meeting
riceville-pendletonunitedchurch@live.com
