Knox Shuniah United Church

Good News!!!

As the weather begins to warm up, many of us are recalling the days we were able to gather at the

church and enjoy coffee and conversation outside on the lawn. Watch this space to see when we are

going to start up again!!! We will probably still need to bring our chairs & coffee and keep our masks

handy. Looking forward to seeing everyone in person!!! (Courtesy of Ruth Kamo)

Hurray! What you have all been waiting for... Our Dulcimer Circle is preparing to play some music for the

service on April 18th. If you miss the service come back to the website to view under videos. We hope it

will be inspiring! (Courtesy of Ruth Kamo)

Ezbikenh’s Story … from “Your Generosity Matters”

We all have superpowers. Generosity is one of them. But did you know that the power of generosity through Mission & Service supports real-life superheroes?

Esbikenh was once a junior kindergarten teacher. While he grew up knowing his ancestral language, Anishinaabemowin (pronounced Ah-nish-nah-BEM-win), sadly the children he taught didn’t. “One day I turned on YouTube and saw superhero videos. I thought, ‘Why not make these videos and we will just have all the superheroes speak in Anishinaabemowin?’” says Esbikenh.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action include reclaiming, revitalizing, strengthening, and maintaining Indigenous languages. This is critical for cultural revitalization. It’s also important because when people are able to speak their ancestral language, self-understanding and self-esteem grows, health improves, and the sense of connection and relationships with others flourishes. Knowing how important learning Anishinaabemowin is to the children he once taught, Esbikenh applied for a project grant from the United Church.

The Healing Fund, which is nearly entirely funded through Mission & Service, addresses the ongoing impacts of the residential school system.

With financial support secured, Esbikenh’s filming has begun. When the videos are finished, they will be used as an educational resource for teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to learn the Anishinaabemowin language. Ashley Riley, the librarian and arts coordinator at Antler River Elementary School of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Ontario, plays a starring role in the films. She describes the systemic oppression of Indigenous peoples in Canada that results in the loss of language, among other things.

Ashley’s mother is a residential school survivor, and because she wasn’t allowed to speak her language at school Ashley didn’t learn it growing up. “We weren’t allowed to speak our own languages. We weren’t allowed to be who we were. We weren’t allowed to practise our own ceremonies. My mother grew up thinking the language wasn’t that important. She’s slowly learning now. She says a prayer every morning in her own language. I’m hoping the community will get involved in creating more language videos,” Ashley says.

Why did Ashley decide to participate in the video project? She believes each one of us has the power to make a difference. “Every single person is a superhero. Every single person has a gift to share with the world. I think the most important thing is realizing the gift you can bring to your community,” she says. Through Mission & Service, your generous gifts help repair harm and extend hope. Please support the vital, healing work we do together. We can do much more together than we ever could alone. Thank you!

“Chee meegweetch to everyone who donated to Mission & Service for making this possible.” (Esbikenh)

Listen

Mark 4:37–41

A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Reflect

What kind of “superpowers” did Jesus have, and how did he use them? What was the impact of Jesus’ healing, loving, and justice-seeking superpower?

What spiritual superpower do you have, and how can you use it to make a difference?

Pray

At a Gathering

Powerful God, everything is possible when we are grounded in your Spirit. We can take responsibility for our past actions and promote healing. We can take a stand against injustice and work toward the common good. We can use all of our gifts– our time, talent, and treasure–to help build a better world. Buoy us with your mighty grace as we come together today. Empower us to make a difference. Amen.

For Personal Devotion

O God, My thoughts have power. My words have power. My actions have power. My interactions have power. I have power, O God. Help me use it wisely. Amen

Harmony United Church

Telephone: 345-5065

email: [email protected]

web site: http://www.harmonyunited.webs.com

Easter Sunday Announcements

April 1th, 2021

Serving & Helping…

If you aware of anyone who is in hospital or requires a pastoral telephone call, please notify the Church Office.

Do you have a suggestion for any of our church committees? If so, please put it in our locked mailbox. The Committee Chair will be notified of your suggestion.

Harmony’s Facebook Page site administrators are Gary Pederson and Teri Lynch. Please share any ideas and words that may bring comfort or joy to members of our congregation, and pictures of what you are doing to keep busy during this challenging time. Teri and Gary can be contacted at [email protected] & [email protected]

Monthly GO Team Collection: 3rd Sunday of the Month. (April’s collection will benefit the “P.R.O. Kids Thunder Bay ”.)

Donations of Canadian Tire Money are gratefully appreciated to help offset our operating costs!

Lillian Gillson would welcome calls. She can be reached at 768-0589, or via the Glacier Ridge desk: 343-0242.

Events Happening at Harmony United…

FINALLY!!!!! You may now make out your cheques to Harmony United Church. Many thanks to those who have been dropping off giving envelopes and donations in the church’s locked mailbox!

Wednesday’s Coffee Drop In and “Home Group” are cancelled until further notice.

How to Worship from Home…

Streamed services from Trinity United Church: http://trinityunited.church/livestream/

Click on “TRINITY LIVE” to connect to live streaming shortly before, or during a service.

To watch a service at a later time, click on the small circle labelled “PREVIOUS BROADCASTS”. They will appear, with the most recent to the left.

You can also view the streamed services on Trinity’s Facebook page.

Worship Service Outline: For those of you who would like a copy of the service emailed out to you, before or after presentation, please contact me by email and I will send whatever is available each week. This may not always include the sermon. I'll send whatever I can. [email protected]

 Rev. Rob Smith is leading Virtual Lectionary Bible Study on Mondays at 1:00 p.m. through ZOOM. The participants explore the scriptures for the coming Sunday.   I hope you will join us.  We are averaging about 6 people.  We can always find another place at the table for you.  Here is the ZOOM invitation for the study:

Time: Mondays, @ 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada) ongoing throughout 2021.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84679577617?pwd=dnZja3hlWWgvRjNzV3Z1OTRMK2FyQT09

Meeting ID: 846 7957 7617

Passcode: 314924   

Sign In Clipboards

During our response to COVID-19, please ensure that you sign one of the three clipboards … in the foyer near Crittall Hall, on the table in Cameron Hall, and in the entrance to the Sanctuary. Please note your name, the date, time in, time out, and your telephone number.

Local United Church Activities:

St. Paul’s and Harmony – “Music, Meditation and Muffins” a YouTube service that will be ready to view every Wednesday morning. Call St. Paul’s for the link.

April 18th – Third Sunday of Easter – Harmony will coordinate and Christina Stricker will offer the meditation

April 25th – Fourth Sunday of Easter – First-Wesley will coordinate; Rev. Louise Hart will coordinate

May 2nd – Fifth Sunday of Easter – Pinegrove will coordinate and Rev. Rob Smith will offer the meditation

   Church Office Hours

Patricia will attempt to come into the office as required until further notice.

If an emergency arises, please feel free to call her at home:

623-6821

You can also leave her a message, or send an email to:

 [email protected]

A huge thank you to the individuals who shared in delivering the Easter Newsletter that was prepared by Ruth Kamo:

Ruth

Betty Whittingham

Linda Hammond

Christina Stricker

Humour – Courtesy of Ruth Kamo

A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired of his

father as to when they could discuss his use of the car. His father

said he'd make a deal with his son: “You bring your grades up from

a C to a B average, study your Bible, and get your hair cut.  Then

we'll talk about the car.” 

The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for

the offer, and they agreed on it. 

After about six weeks his father said: “Son, you've brought your

grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your

Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't had your hair cut.” 

The boy said: “You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and

I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair,

John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair ~ and there's

even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair.”

You're going to love the Dad's reply:  “Did you also notice that they

all walked everywhere they went?”

Welcome to the New Minutes for Mission!

Friends, COVID-19 has changed everything–including how we tell the amazing stories of the life-changing difference Mission & Service makes. Meet eight real people whose lives have changed thanks to your gifts. These stories are offered with prayers and scripture readings for personal and small group devotions. Videos and slides that can be adapted for a variety of screens, plus shorter versions of each Minute suited to social media and bulletins, are available online. Eight stories—is that all? No! In addition to these stories, there will be special Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas stories available in multiple formats, and all year long we will be sharing news features that describe up-to-the-minute ways your Mission & Service gifts are making a difference. We will be sharing as many stories as ever with you, but now they will be delivered differently so we can share the good news of what your support is doing right now. Why the changes? Before the pandemic, we sent Minutes for Mission booklets to print nearly a year ahead of when you read them. Many of these stories centred on ways we help people face to face or described large in-person gatherings we anticipated would happen. When we were all thrust into social isolation, the stories seemed out of touch. Our materials, which were geared to hour-long in-person worship, didn’t work for everyone anymore. Your Mission & Service gifts are critical as the pandemic makes Canadians and people around the world even more vulnerable. We want to share how your support helps transform and save lives right now.

The United Church of Canada

What else is different? Some stories will be deeply personal; others will be breaking news. Our core Minutes for Mission stories–the eight in this booklet—can be mixed and matched to suit any situation or medium you may have, and accompanying devotions ensure that our church’s mission is deeply rooted in our faith practice. Where can I get these incredible stories and offer feedback? Access all the stories online at www.united-church.ca. Click “Mission & Service” on the homepage or search “Stories of Our Mission.” You can also subscribe to the God’s Mission, Our Gifts e-newsletter and have all the current stories delivered right to your inbox every month. Visit www.united-church.ca/e-newsletters. We are working hard to adapt to the changing times, and we’d love to hear your feedback. Sharing the amazing results of your gifts is our top priority. We are grateful for any advice you can offer to help us do that better. As you can see in these stories, through Mission & Service we help transform and save lives, inspire meaning and purpose, and build a better world. Every day. Thank you for your generosity!

With gratitude,

Rev. Trisha Elliott

On behalf of the entire Harmony United Church Family, a heartfelt

“THANK YOU” goes out to Betty Whittingham who has been tireless in

her dedication to bring a ray of sunshine into all of our lives.

During this past year of pandemic, Betty has selflessly prepared and

delivered greeting cards to all.

It has been a busy year for Betty with a variety of 42 cards, and 119

Christmas greetings, going out without cost to the church through her

own generosity. Her contribution to bringing joy to us all during this

difficult time must be recognized as a true Christian endeavour.

Betty, from all of your friends at Harmony, saying “THANK YOU” is

simply  not enough for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

(Submitted by Arlien Hall Wesa)

Rev. Rob Smith is leading Virtual Lectionary Bible Study on Mondays at

1:00 p.m. through ZOOM. The participants explore the scriptures for the

coming Sunday. The regional lectionary Bible study by ZOOM will start

again on Monday, January 11th  at 1 p.m.  I hope you will join us.  We are

averaging about 6 people.  We can always find another place at the table

for you.  Here is the ZOOM invitation for the study:

Time: Jan 11, 2021 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84679577617?

pwd=dnZja3hlWWgvRjNzV3Z1OTRMK2FyQT09

Meeting ID: 846 7957 7617

The Worship Committee thanks Christina Stricker for

her unfailing leadership and contributions almost every

week to the Sunday Live Stream Services. We are

grateful to all of the choir members of Harmony, and

readers, for their willing contributions.

Worship Service Outline:

For those of you who would like a

copy of the service emailed out to

you, before or after presentation,

please contact me by email and I

will send whatever is available each

week. This may not always include

the sermon. I'll send whatever I can.

[email protected]

From Christina Stricker …

I received a brief note from Rev. Sakala yesterday. He expressed his appreciation for the photos I sent and shared the family's excitement at becoming part of the Harmony Family. They all chuckled at the Balloon-Head choir and enjoyed the creativity expressed. (Thanks to Ruth and Richard for that one!)

Some of the photos I sent included 'eating with church folks' pictures - he remarks that one of his professors in the past once said 'a strong church will always have a good kitchen'. When I asked if his congregation celebrated by eating as often as we seem to he replied that they ate together for Special occasions as 'we do not find it easy to prepare a meal for over 300 people every Sunday'!!! I wonder how they will respond to our coffee times, for about 50+ people, usually every Sunday. I'm sure they will all enjoy the fellowship time we share.

I did include one of my own photos of one of those mornings when the fluffy snow sits on everything like pillows and is so beautiful. I asked whether the family would be delighted or horrified. He responded that although he has been in snow no one else in the family has experienced it: they are excited enough to be looking forward to coming into physical contact with snow rather than just seeing it in movies and books. Their only question was 'what do you do when you wake up I the morning and you find the car buried in snow?'

Rev. and his family try to keep up with the whole COVID event around the world but especially how it affects Canada and the steps being taken as we all work our way through. 

Finally, the family appreciate the prayers and kindnesses we offer by our friendship and they look forward to the time when we can 'recognize one another in person'.

So that is the most recent update to share.