Carman United Church, Chilliwack, BC

Thursday 6 April 2017

April 6th, 2017

Here we are, well into 2017 and this is the first blog of the year.  

There have been many changes at Carman United since the last blog.  Our sanctuary has been renovated, with new carpeting and comfortable chairs replacing the pews which had been in the church for over 100 years.

We are revamping our church council to make for smaller gatherings.  There will also be more emphasis on Communication between council, committees and the congregation.
We have started publishing the minutes of Council meetings for all to read.  Several new and attractive bulletin boards will soon be mounted in the hallway whereon committees can post their own minutes or plans.

We had our Annual General Meeting in February with many new committee members joining those who continue to serve from previous years.  We were reminded of our stewardship and the need for continued and possibly increased givings to meet our deficit budget for this year.  The Carman family can be depended on to do this.

Rev.Medland also reminded us that any member of the congregation is welcome to attend Council meetings and comment if they feel the necessity.  Only council members can vote however.

In March we held our annual St.Paddy's themed potluck supper to welcome all those who have joined us in the past year.  Always a fun get-together.

On April 1st (no fooling!) the annual Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was held.  This is a great way to enjoy wonderful food and to get better acquainted with fellow Carmanites. It also raises funds to support the meals we serve at Ruth & Naomi's mission.

There have been a number of new programs started. For a pleasant afternoon, we have the prayer shawl knitting ministry on Tuesdays from 1 - 3 p.m.  Bring needles and yarn.

  Taize Contemplative service is held on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Rev. Karen is holding evening classes for those seeking church membership or baptism.

Our annual Garage Sale will be held Friday Apr.28th and Sat. Apr.29th.  Donations welcomed and needed.  No clothing but accessories are welcome.

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This coming Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week.  First we will have Palm Sunday which is an intergenerational service at Carman.  Usually we have the children parade in,  waving their palm fronds.  Each person in the congregation is also given a frond and we wave them joyously as we imitate the people greeting Jesus as he entered the city.

The next week leading up to Easter Sunday will be a busy one at most churches and certainly it is at Carman.  Usually we share holy week services with at least one other United Church and this year will be no different.The services will be as follows:

April 9th        -    Palm Sunday             10:30 a.m. children stay for full service

April 13th      -    Maundy Thursday        6:30 p.m.  Agape meal and foot washing.
                                                                Chilliwack United invited.

April  14th      -   Good Friday                10:30 a.m.  Service at Chilliwack United
                                                                                  Joint Choirs.

April   16th     -   EASTER                    7:30 a.m.   Sunrise service at Carman Cemetery
                                                             Muffins and coffee at Carman afterwards.

        Easter Sunday worship                10:30 a.m.  No Communion.

Friday 17 June 2016

The Days of Summer

First up on our summer calendar was the Carman United annual picnic,  held on June 12th.  Once again it took place at Gwynne Vaughan Park, that beautiful acreage of lawns, trees and gardens off of Hope River Road.  This is our 5th year at G.W.P. and we changed things a bit.  Our regular Sunday morning service at 10:30 was held there.  It was a bit cloudy and cool, but the rain held off and by afternoon we had sunshine. 

The service followed the usual pattern with hymns, accompanied by Lisa and Angie on Guitar and voice and Dan with his flutes and horn; scripture reading and Reflection. The theme was Creation, and Angie did a children's story on that basis. Not often you see a minister, not only without a surplice, but wearing jeans and flannel shirt.  A relaxed service to be sure.


After the service, we enjoyed our usual picnic repast of hamburgers, chips,  hot dogs, potato salad, tossed salad, donated desserts and ice cream cones.  Hot Tea and coffee were welcome in the cool morning, but lemonade was also available.


The children were kept busy during the service with pictures to colour with crayons and pencils, and then they filled their plates, most of which were abandoned when the water guns were handed out. Races and games followed, while some of the adults enjoyed bocce ball.  All in all a great day.


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Reverend Karen, who is working towards her doctorate in Theology, left yesterday for three weeks of study in the United States.  No word to me on who will be handling the pulpit during her absence.
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Have you noticed that at the end of this blog is a place for comments?  Praise and criticism is always helpful to your publisher, Carolyn Dickson.  You will also see that there is a place where you can sign up to have this emailed directly to you.  Give it a try!



Monday 6 June 2016

SUMMER IS HERE......LIKE IT OR NOT

The trees have lost their blossoms and are in full leaf now. Flowers are blooming everywhere, and we're already enjoying the fruits of our gardens. Strawberries are big and luscious, just waiting to be piled on shortcake with whipped cream.

With this early summer we are enjoying (or not) real heat, already over the 30 degree mark.
At Carman, we're looking forward to our annual picnic, held as usual at Gwynne Vaughn park.  This year, we are trying something new.  Our morning service will be held there, with the barbeque lunch following.  In the afternoon there will be games for children and adults.

If you're planning to attend, please bring the following. Chairs for everyone in your party, plates, cups and cutlery (or use the throwaway ones provided); a sun hat, and  water for everyone.  There is water at the site but it is through a hose and may taste a bit.  In the event of very light rain, the plan is to meet under the pavilion, but otherwise the service will be at the church.  There is an indoor washroom at the park for your convenience. Parking is somewhat limited, so carpooling would be a good idea if possible.

There is a full day planned and we hope that you will all attend.  You may bring children, grandchildren, BFFs, and that lovely old lady next door who never seems to get out for a fun day. 

Let's make this another great success.  There is no charge but donations towards food and prizes are always graciously accepted.
 summer clothing. 
Summer weather brings out the lighter clothing.  Have you noticed some of the colourful tee-shirts with messages printed on them?  Often they are seeking support for various charities or causes which are of interest to our congregation members.  Our newsletter which comes out next week will feature articles on some of these.  If you have a favourite charity, you are welcome to send some information on it to be posted here or in the newsletter.  

$$$$$  Donations towards the new sanctuary chairs are still coming in and we are very close to our goal.  We are still seeking donations to the building fund which will be much depleted by the replacement flooring in the sanctuary.  It's important that this fund be built up again so that we have contingency funds for any other repairs which might be required.Give what you can.  An extra $1 or 2 per week could give us $10,000 at the end of a year.

Saturday 21 May 2016

MAY 21, 2016


We are drawn together on our journeys of faith 

Last Sunday was the celebration of Pentecost, the beginning of the Christian Church.(some believe that that was the day God came to earth) .  Most of the congregation wore red, the church was decorated in red, yellow and white, and many of us were given the same colour of pompoms to wave at the appropriate times.  We were treated to a lovely anthem sung by the Mens' Occasional Choir, led by Malcolm Olsen, who also filled in as music director.  

A series of Dramatic Readings were performed and the Word for All Ages explained the meaning of Pentecost, especially for the children, but informative to many of us adults as well.

UPCOMING

The U.C.W.  meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at Frankie's Restaurant, near the church, at 5:30 p.m.  This will be the last meeting before the summer break, and start-up on September 27th.

The Rotary Trail Walks will begin again on Sunday, May 29th at 7:00.  Meet at the Peach Street parking lot.

Mark This Date - June 12th 10:30 a.m.    Worship and Church Picnic at Gwynne Vaughan Park.  Plan to attend for worship, fellowship, games and BBQ lunch.  Always a great event! Please indicate in the special column of the pink sheets, for planning and preparation of food, the number of your family members that will be attending.  You are welcome to bring friends and family who are not members of Carman.    



Friday 13 May 2016

This week at Carman

Friday, May 13th


It's been a busy week for many at Carman, with Messy Church at the beginning of the week and The Lawrence Hill event held on Wednesday evening. 




Nice turnout of Children last Sunday.  Karen's Word for all Ages talked of our favourite songs and what they mean to us. Although the young ones had difficulty coming up with favourites, the older folk had no problem at all, most of them mentioning hymns both old and modern.

UPCOMING



The annual "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" will be held on May 28th. Always an enjoyable evening, it is open to all Carmanites and other U.C. folk if they want to meet new friends.  Both Hosts and guests are needed.  Call the church for info or booking.  Proceeds go towards dinners at Ruth and Naomi Mission.


The Rotary Trail walks begin on May 29th, sponsored by Parish life.  A nice chance to get exercise while visiting with a friend. Meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Peach Rd. parking lot.  Amblers and those more energetic folk are all welcome.  Call the church for info.  858-3223.


Healing Pathway is available for relaxing therapy on the first Monday of the month.  Appointments are for 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. Call 604-858-6963 to make a booking.


Observer subscription renewal time is here.  Sunday, May 15th is the last day to renew, new, or cancel. Fill out the form on the Narthex table and return it to the office or put it on the collection plate, with your Cheque (made payable to Carman United Church) or cash, using your own envelopes or the blue ones available at the church. Unpaid subscriptions will not be renewed.


As we near time for the Sanctuary Renovations, we are looking for those who might like a piece of Carman History in the form of a purchase of a pew, which are to be removed. 


First United Church in Vancouver has an ongoing need for items to help the homeless and the poor.  Blankets, elastic waist pants, men's shoes, Lysol wipes.For summer they need  swimsuits and backpacks ( for their picnic) shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, sunhats, sunglasses, sunscreen , after sun lotion, and bottled water. (Funds are always welcome of course) A collection box is in the Narthex.
We are also seeking those who might deliver the items we collect to First U.C. on their trips into the big city.  Call the church if you can help 858-3223.


Lectionary readings for May 15th are: Acts2:1-2 or Genesis 11: 1-9 ; Psalm 104: 24-34 & 35b;  Romans 8: 14-17; John 14: 8 - 17 (25-27).













Friday 6 May 2016

May 6th, 2016

Sunday, May 8th is Mother's Day.  Honour Mom by joining her at the Carman Church service 10:30 a.m.


Happening next week ........




Monday, April 9th    5:30 p.m.    Messy Church - Open to the Community 
An early evening get together for the entire family, you will enjoy a light meal, crafts, and a little Bible study.   


Tuesday, May 10th    7:00 p.m.   Council Meets  in the lounge.


Wednesday, May 11th 7:00 p.m.  An evening with Lawrence Hill, author of the award- winning "Book of Negroes" which became a television mini-series.  His newest book 
"The Illegal" will be the topic of this presentation. Held at Cornerstone Reform Church,
9800 McNaught Road, tickets are $40, available at Carman United, Cornerstone Church or the Cultural Centre.  Proceeds to be used by the Eastern Fraser Valley Refugee Committee. 



Thursday 5 May 2016

Fort McMurray Disaster

You can Help

You will all be aware of the forest fires which have devastated the city of Fort McMurray, Alberta.



The United Church of Canada is accepting donations to provide relief to those who were forced to evacuate their homes.  Over 80,000 people have been affected.  Most of them have lost everything but the few items they could pack into their vehicles. 


If you can help financially, you can donate directly to The. U.C.C. at www.united-church.ca


Do not donate to Carman as we have not set up for these funds at this time. 

Donate Now

Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738 and use your Visa or MasterCard.


Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:
The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note "Emergency Response—Fort McMurray " on the face of your cheque.
Note: Your entire gift will be forwarded to Alberta and Northwest Conference for their response to this disaster. Donations to Mission & Service enable the United Church to cover the collection and forwarding costs of your donation.

Pray

Pray for our sisters and brothers of First United Church in Fort McMurray, and for all those affected by the wildfires including all the people of Fort McMurray, first responders, and their families and friends. You may wish to use the prayer available on the U.C.C. donation page.