PRESS RELEASE: United Church Members Are Being Asked to Sign a Pledge for Medicare

For Immediate Release                                                                      

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

United Church Members Are Being Asked to Sign a Pledge for Medicare

Toronto: For 60 years The United Church of Canada has advocated in support of universal health care. Now the church is calling on its members to sign the Medicare Pledge launched by the Canadian Health Coalition, a public advocacy organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of Medicare.

The Medicare Pledge is part of an ongoing campaign spearheaded by the coalition, of which the United Church is a member. In part, the pledge says that “quality health care must be based on need, not ability to pay” and that we “must improve our public health care for everyone, instead of expanding private for-profit services that benefit only a few.” So far over 10,000 Canadians and more than 100 organizations, including the United Church, have signed the pledge.

The United Church’s call for its members to sign the Medicare Pledge comes just days before a National Day of Action for a New Health Accord on March 31. The day of action coincides with the date that the current health accord between the federal government, the provinces, and the territories expires. Thus far, the federal government has refused to renegotiate the agreement.

The coalition argues that without a new health accord it will be impossible to ensure national health care standards across the country.

“Medicare is not something that Canadians should take for granted,” says The United Church of Canada’s Moderator, the Right Rev. Gary Paterson. “Signing the Medicare Pledge is one way to ensure that, for generations to come, the health care system that we have been privileged to enjoy is preserved and protected.”

For more than half a century, the United Church has supported the concept of universally accessible health care for all Canadians. In 1954, the church first endorsed the principle of a national health insurance plan, and urged all levels of government to move toward the establishment of such a plan. In 1994, it strongly affirmed its support for the core principles of Medicare: that Canada’s health care system remains universal, accessible, comprehensive, portable, and publicly administered.

To sign the Medicare Pledge go to http://medicare.ca/medicare-pledge .

For more information

Mary-Frances Denis

The United Church of Canada

416-231-7680 ext. 2016

1-800-268-3781 ext. 2016

mdenis@united-church.ca                             

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General Secretary's Weekly Letter

March 21, 2014

Dear Friends,

In a recent conversation, a wise person of our church said that for him, worship was really about being grateful.

I liked that description, and yet realized that sometimes I struggle to find that gratefulness. This week has been one of those times.

We got back from holidays a week ago to the news that the wonderful pre-teen daughter of good friends had within the previous week been diagnosed with cancer and died. There is no sense to be made of it, no way to justify the giant hole left in this close family, and the deep loss for all the classmates, teammates, friends, and relatives left behind. A young girl on the verge of womanhood, a proud farm girl, a bright student, an active participator in soccer and dance and 4H, a girl whose calm nature attracted the confidence of animals, a loving sister and daughter, is gone. Gone in the same instant are all the treasured hopes and dreams for her future.

Gratefulness isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

If I dig deep enough, there are things to be grateful for. The grieving family has a wide circle of friends and family offering love and support. They have a church community and a faith base that gives them a framework to grapple with their stark new reality. These things can’t erase their pain, but surely they offer comfort, at least some of the time.  

I am grateful for God’s love that surrounds us always, at the times we feel grateful, at the times we feel angry, and even the times when we feel most distant from God. 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” May it be so.

Nora

Zion United would like to send Condolences and Sympathies to the family of Malcolm Charlton

Charlton; Malcolm Anthony

CHARLTON -- Malcolm Anthony, 67, of Liverpool, formerly of Montreal.  It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of a dear husband and father on Sunday, March 16, 2014. 

             Born in Montreal, Quebec, he was the son of the late Earl and Agnes-Marie Charlton (MacKenzie).  

Malcolm’s pride and joy was his family, which included not only his wife and daughter, but his dear friends and fellow Masons.  He felt it an honour and a privilege to be elected Worshipful Master of Zetland Lodge #9, his only regret is that he was too ill to serve.

Malcolm’s passion lay in radio and television production, an industry that saw him produce and direct numerous documentaries and variety programming, work in the CBC national radio newsroom and run the CBC Montreal newsroom.  Malcolm was director of Hockey Night in Canada for nine years and was at the helm of National finals in a multitude of other important sports broadcasts, and later worked at CTV Montreal and 940News prior to his retirement. Even in retirement though, Malcolm could not stay away.  He was a significant presence from the outset at Liverpool’s QCCR radio before starting his own daily news site, Queens County Close-up.

Malcolm leaves to mourn his loving wife of 45 years, Linda (Ridley), his daughter Phaedra (Jamie Huskins), special friend Kathleen Quinlan, new and old friends and Masonic brothers, all of whom offered Malcolm such overwhelming support. 

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool.   Visitation to be held at Chandlers’ on Sunday, March 23, 2014, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.  Funeral service will be held at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Liverpool, March 24, 2014, at 11:00am, Fr Keith Billard officiating.  Reception immediately following at the Trinity Anglican Church Hall. Burial will be at a later date.  No flowers by request.  Donations may be made to the Queens Branch of the SPCA, PO Box 2012, Liverpool, NS, B0T 1K0 Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com

The family would particularly like to thank Dr. Norah Mogan and the staff at Queens General for their thoughtful and compassionate care of the entire family during Malcolm’s final hours. 

A Message from Rev Sheila

Zion sends sympathies and condolences to the family of Bob Stafford

Stafford; Robert Edward

STAFFORD -- Robert Edward,  77, of Liverpool, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 10, 2014 in Halifax Infirmary.

Born in Sherbrooke, PQ, he was a son of  the late Leonard and Grace (Webster) Stafford.

Robert was a partner in his own chartered accounting firm, Stafford, Lyon and Noble, in Sherbrooke before moving to Nova Scotia in 1978, working with Cecil Smith, and eventually beginning a new firm Stafford and Raymond. He “retired” in mid 2006. He was an active member and past president of the local Progressive Conservative Party as well as a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Liverpool.  He enjoyed curling, fishing, antiquing and the outdoors. He will be fondly remembered as a kind, unassuming, true gentleman who gave generously of his love, time and talents to family, friends and co-workers. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Sandra (Saanum), his daughter Rachel (Patrick) Stiles of Hammonds Plains.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool where visitation will be held Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 7 until 9 p.m.  Funeral service will be held Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in Zion United Church, Liverpool. Reverend Sheila Redden-Smith officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. No flowers by request. Donations may be made to QEII Foundation, the Queens General Hospital Foundation or to any charity. Online condolences may be made to  www.chandlersfuneral.com

Zion sends Sympathies & Condolences to the Family of Betty Killam

Killam; Mary Elizabeth

KILLAM -  Mary Elizabeth “Betty”,  91, of Liverpool passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at home surrounded by family.

Born in Moncton, NB., she was a daughter of the late George and Verna (Mann) Reid.

Betty was a seamstress and dress maker for most of her life and a former salesclerk with Liverpool Ladies Wear for over 13 years. She was an avid sports fan enjoying many sports such as curling, golf, bowling and badminton to name a few. She enjoyed baseball and was a Liverpool Larruper  and Boston Red Sox fan. She loved to knit, do needle point, rug braiding and refinishing wooden furniture by hand. She loved to cook, bake and was well known within the family as the maker of the “best lobster chowder around”. She was an avid bridge player and played in marathon bridge tournaments. She enjoyed gardening and “spoiling” her cats.

She is survived by her daughters Shaune (Gordon) MacLeod of Liverpool, Randi (Ted) Dickie of Brooklyn and Patricia VanBeek of Eagle Head. Her sons William “Bill” of Sandy Cove and Greg (Lisa) of Liverpool. (13) thirteen grandchildren and (7) seven great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Arthur P., her daughter Elizabeth Keating, sons-in-law James Keating and Joseph VanBeek, sisters Anna and Phyllis Parker.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. from Zion United Church, Liverpool. Reverend Sheila Redden-Smith officiating. Burial will be at a later date.  No flowers by request. Donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia or to Queens General Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com

A Message from Rev Sheila

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

March 4, 2014

Dear Friends,

I’m looking forward to a supper of pancakes drizzled (or drenched!) with syrup along with a sausage or two to balance all that sweetness. This meal, eaten in a busy church, is one I have enjoyed pretty well every year of my life. I probably have missed a year or two along the way, but can’t quite recall when.

This tradition marks the beginning of Lent. It is good to have this modest time of celebration before beginning the time of deprivation or at least spiritual reflection that helps us prepare for the grief of Good Friday followed by the joy of Easter.

For all those involved with congregational pancake suppers, you might find it fun to take part in the first-ever United Church Pancake Supper Census (Clearly we don’t collect enough statistics already, but this sounds like fun!)

The United Church website connects us to a wealth of resources we can use during Lent. Lent happens every year, but every year we seem to want—and come up with—new ways to explore it.

For those who enjoy trying new ways to engage, our Moderator Gary Paterson has developed Turn Around and Take Off, an online Lenten study. I know he worked away at that during some of his time “off” after New Year’s, and I’m excited to see it unfold.

I understand one of the participants in the online study will be Debbie McMillan, who wrote Confronted by Jesus, the United Church’s study book for this Lenten season. I have already started looking at that book and plan to use it through these coming weeks, even taking it with me for reflection on our spring break vacation.

I go back and forth about whether to mark Lent by giving something up or simply committing to a pattern of daily reflection. I noticed in the new Observer a reference to Lee Simpson’s blog about her year of buying nothing, and I went to the site and read some of her commentary about making this commitment and living it out. I have to admit that I am not quite up to the commitment that Lee has made, but she has inspired me to think that for Lent this year, I would like to try a more limited version, by refraining from buying anything for myself except for food and basic toiletries. As the parent of a teenager, I think it might be unfair to him to make a blanket commitment to not buy anything at all for the next 40 days, but even this lesser “sacrifice” will make me think. I do love acquiring, either new or second-hand, all kinds of nice things for the home, but perhaps this time of Lent will help me realize how many things I don’t really need.

May you find challenge, peace, and meaning in your own journey through Lent.

Nora