From the United Church of Canada

ACTIONS AND CAMPAIGNS

Unsettling Goods: Choose Peace in Palestine and Israel

Join the United Church campaign in working for peace and justice in Palestine and Israel.

Over 2013 and 2014, The United Church of Canada is encouraging United Church members and others to become involved in the search for a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis. On these webpages we invite you to learn more about some of the issues related to the injustice and conflicts in the region, and things you can do to contribute to justice and peace.

This campaign is the result of actions agreed to at the 41st General Council in August 2012. These actions focus on the illegal Israeli settlements, and they call for education and for economic action by United Church members to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories.

Keep checking this page, as we will be adding new content and action possibilities throughout the campaign.

The Executive of the General Council approved implementation of this economic action campaign in May 2013.

What Are Israeli Settlements?

Background on the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank and their impact on Palestinian human rights.

How Do Settlements Affect Palestinians?

How Israeli settlements in the West Bank affect Palestinians' lives.

Speakers Bureau

Invite a United Church of Canada guest speaker to your church or group to talk about Palestine and Israel.

What Are Other Churches Doing on Palestine and Israel?

An overview of global church actions on settlement product boycott.

Personal Stories from the Occupation

Examples of the real human cost of the occupation in Palestine.

Travelling to the Holy Land

Turn a trip to the Holy Land from a tourist experience into an ethical pilgrimage.

Political Engagement

The United Church’s engagement with the government and opposition parties on the issue of Israel and Palestine.

Take Action

• Clearly Identify Israeli Settlement Products in Canada
  Support the General Secretary's letter to Minister Baird asking for identification of Israeli settlement products in Canadian stores and an end to tax exemptions for products from the settlements.

Dedication of Glastonbury Chair to Zion United

The Glastonbury Chair donated by Dr. Borden & Muriel Bird. This chair was made by Borden's late cousin, Donald Johnson Bird. He built it out of white pine instead of oak as it had to be light to cross the Atlantic by air and also had to fit in a suitcase in it's broken down state.

Donald saw one of these chairs in a Cathedral and was told that it was for the visiting Bishop to sit with "piously folded hands over his paunch, nodding off to sleep, while the Vicar delivered his homily. Donald sketched the chair in his notebook and made it in his basement in Truro. Later he gave the chair to the Bird's who kept it in their Liverpool home. The chair now sits in the Minister's Study and is used at most meetings. 

Covenanting Service of Rev Sheila Redden-Smith

The covenanting Service for Rev Sheila was held on September 29 at Zion United. The Church was full and a pot luck supper followed and was enjoyed by all. Here are some pictures of those involved in the service with Rev Sheila.

Guest speaker Rev. Sharon Lohnes, pastoral charge at Beacon United Church in Yarmouth. 

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

October 4, 2013

Dear Friends,
It has been a month since the summer break ended and the fall round of work and meetings started up again at the General Council Office and everywhere else in the church. I don’t know about you, but I was surprised to find myself turning the calendar this week to October. Where did September go?

Looking at the calendar, I realize it went to meetings—meetings of senior staff of the General Council Office and Conferences; meetings of the General Council Planning Committee, the Permanent Committee on Governance and Agenda, and the Indigenous Justice and Residential Schools Committee;  and, of course, the Comprehensive Review Task Group I visited briefly with other committees, too, and in between met with a range of smaller groups and held one-on-one meetings with staff members and others. At some meetings I do more listening, and at others more talking. I’m frequently inspired by the gifts that so many people—staff, elected, and volunteers—offer to the work of the church.

On Thursday and Friday this week, I am attending a meeting of the executive of Manitou Conference. I haven’t been travelling as much in the past couple of years as I did in the past since my arrangements at home got a little more complicated, and I’m looking forward to it.

In chapel this week, the Rev. Joe Ramsay reminded us of the importance of experiencing the presence of God. It made me reflect that we can think and talk and meet all we like, but there are certain moments in each of our lives that touch us in a deeper place. When we talk about those moments years later, there is a catch in our voice.

I think those are the moments that prompt us all to want to be church, even when it means going to the meetings and doing the work that is sometimes, but by no means always, inspirational. It’s those deeper moments that we share to offer hope and purpose in our communities of faith.

In times of deep connection with God, and in times when you are buried in meetings and work, peace be with you.

Nora

A Message from Rev. Sheila

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

September 26, 2013

Dear Friends,

Last week, as our Moderator and many United Church people were gathered in Vancouver for the sixth of seven national events sponsored by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the generosity of a residential school survivor in Yellowknife made local headlines in that community.

The CBC North headline read, "Street person donates $2K to youth centre" I was on the board of the SideDoor Youth Centre when it was getting started in Yellowknife, but moved to Iqaluit the next year so I never made much of a contribution to that worthy work. I certainly never made anything like the contribution Charles Delorme has made.

I didn’t know him by name, but from the photo on the CBC website, I realized he was a familiar face to me. He would be a familiar face to most people who had walked down the streets of Yellowknife in recent years. The news story describes him as having spent most of forty years on the street. Last week, he walked into the youth centre and handed a crumpled piece of paper to the director. It was a certified cheque for $2,000. Mr. Delorme (known to most as Charlie) was sharing money he had received as part of his residential school settlement.

Charlie’s words to the kids at the centre were simple. “You know, I'm 64 years old. I'm getting a little old and tired. And I just want to say I love you all and God bless.”

The director spoke of having tears in his eyes. I felt tears, too, as I read the story.

We often speak of Jesus Christ being here and active in the world today. I’m grateful that so often we see evidence of that active presence in the work of our church communities. I’m humbled and grateful when I recognize that God’s work stretches so far beyond our churches, too. Just as in Jesus’ time, we are reminded of the gifts to be found in unexpected places, and the Godly work that is offered by unexpected hands.

Thanks be to God.

Nora

A message from Rev. Sheila

A message from Karl & Georgia Nolph

This message was passed along from Karl & Georgia Nolph. Their grand daughter Shelby Ringdahl after her experience in the Miss America Contest on Sunday Night. She sends thanks to all her Canadian friends that supported her. 

As I arrive home from Miss America, I can't even put into words the feelings that flood my heart. What an incredible experience filled with amazing memories and new, wonderful friends. I am absolutely humbled to have made it to the Top 12 in the Miss America finals. Hearing your name called on that stage is something I never thought would be the outcome of crossing something off the bucket list. Would I have loved to sing "Defying Gravity" on the Miss America stage on national television, yes, but making the top 15 was my goal and so I refused to feel disappointed. More rewarding is being Top 3 in the American People's Choice votes. Thank you to all my TCU, Missouri, CASA, Theta, and even my Canadian friends who constantly voted and shared. Your efforts mean more than you know. Entertainment Weekly also named Miss Missouri for Best Personality. Perhaps the thing that means the most is the almost 70 people who travelled from Missouri, Texas, Connecticut, and DC to be in the audience with bedazzled letters, posters, and loud voices. Knowing that I got to see you all at the end of every day of competition is what gave me so much ease and a constant reminder to just be myself. Thank you to all for every phone call, text, fb message, letter, and prayer...those words are what truly matter most to me at the end of the day. I feel beyond blessed to have been a part of Miss America 2014 and look forward to what God has in store for the rest of my year as your Miss Missouri 2013

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

September 13, 2013 Dear Friends, My summer got messy – and that was the good part. After a hiatus of about four years, I finally found some time to get back to making pottery. Not that any is completely made through all the stages of firing yet, but I’ve been having fun using my creativity. There is something captivating about the way the clay moves in your hands as the wheel turns. It is messy work, but perhaps letting go of the need to be neat and perfect is part of the attraction for me. I’m no professional, but the more I do, the more I can see my skills improving, and most importantly, it’s fun. I guess I have a need to balance my time between things where results really matter, and things where the pleasure lies in the simple act of doing. Now that we are into the second week of September, and fall routines along with the flurry of a new season of meetings are picking up, I can still feel the creative energy from the pottery-making, and the centredness from time outdoors, and the warm memories of family times. My holidays were right at the end of August, so those uplifting moments were quite recent and will carry me through the round of meetings and catching up that is now well underway. All of us with kids in school feel the first week of September as a time of new beginnings, and of “schedule shock” as the household realigns to stricter routines. In fact, it is a feeling that never quite goes away after school years are done. This is especially true in the church world, where there is a blessed paucity of meetings over the summer and an instant shift back to full agendas come September. I suspect that everyone feels some mix of reluctance to settle back into things, and pleasure at reconnecting with colleagues and returning to the fulfilling work that we are called to in the church. Even as we are occupied with the expected seasonal transitions, we are confronted by news of people in other parts of the world for whom the regular patterns of life have been violently disrupted. At this time, I’m thinking particularly of the people of Syria, both those remaining in their war-torn country and those who have fled to overflowing refugee camps. May our prayers and gifts support them in this time of crisis. Peace be with you. Nora

Zion is buzzing with excitement this fall

Winds of Change having a rehearsal for Les Miserables at Zion United. They also held some of their auditions here.

Le Miserables will be playing at the Astor Theatre on November 14 for 2 weeks. 

Zion will also be hosting choir practice for a new Children's Choir starting soon in Liverpool, and don't forget about our hugely popular Country Music Jam Sessions every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, starting on September 12th.  As for Zion, Rev Sheila just outlined the new activities for the fall, Bible Study and Prayer Shawl Ministry in her fall newsletter. For more info on these and other activities at Zion United call the Church Office on 354-5851.

We are all feeling much cozier in the Sanctuary and we have the Choir amongst the congregation. They make us all sound much better.

A message from Rev. Sheila

A visitor to Zion opens my eyes!

Last week at Zion, we had a visitor. Tina dropped by, as she was admiring our church and wanted to see the inside. Tina moved to Liverpool with her husband about 2 years ago and has begun exploring the area after some long home renovations. She specifically was interested in our stain glassed windows. In particular she noticed the etched window in the centre of the front of the church. 

It was an interesting visit, as I had never noticed this etched window before and I thought others would like to see it too. Familiarity is a funny thing, because the more you are familiar with something the less you seem to see. I only started to really appreciate the stain glassed windows, when the chairs in the Sanctuary were moved at an angle. 

Tina was also admiring our church organ pipes. I hope she may join us one Sunday to hear Marjorie play. 

Here is a look around Zion United Church.

 

Inside

and out.

A Message from Rev Sheila

Rev Sheila will return from vacation on September 4th and will lead worship on September 8th. 

This Sunday at Zion

Dan MacLaren lead our worship Service this past Sunday. He gathered a few of us from the congregation to assist in his dramatization of Hebrews 12: 18-29. Myself, Pember & Heddie Edwards and Jean Strum debuted our acting skills!!!! Sorry no pics as I was in it!! 

However, we had 2 songs on the hand bells by Marjorie Powell and Pember Edwards. Pember leaves us now to return to Dalhousie, but I am sure we will hear from her on the holidays. 

I recorded the songs from Pember and Marjorie and you can hear them by clicking the YOUTUBE button to the right. 

Dan MacLaren will be leading Worship Service again this Sunday September 1. We will also be resuming the refreshments in Gorham Hall following the service. Hope you can join us.

A Message from Rev Sheila

Meet Karl & Georgia Nolph's Granddaughter Shelby Ringdahl

She just happens to be Miss Missouri 2013 and will be competing for Miss America on September 15, 2013. Congratulations Shelby Ringdahl and good luck with your bright future. You can support for Shelby to win the People's Choice Award. Just click on the video.

More pictures from the Musical Service

Privateer Brass Band

Zion United Choir

 
 Pember Edwards on the hand bells & the Zion United Choir.

Pember Edwards solo

A Message from Rev Sheila

A Special Musical Service at Zion United.

Thanks to Marjorie Powell for organizing and leading this weeks musical service. Also to Karl and Georgia Nolph for sharing these pictures from the service this past Sunday. I was unable to attend, but heard that it was just wonderful and very well attended.  

I had a call from Mary Nickerson of Caledonia. She attended on Sunday and thoroughly enjoyed the service and said the music was wonderful. She hopes to come back to Zion United again in the future. 

The Privateer Brass Band at Zion United

Lincoln & Lauren Inglis sang and took part in the readings for the service.

Pember Edwards played the hand bells and as usual was most excellent. It is amazing that she can do, what we used to watch about 6 people do. Just wonderful. 

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

August 9, 2013


Dear Friends,

In this morning’s paper there was yet another columnist talking about how the birth of Prince George, now third in line to the throne, has offered a welcome bit of good news in a summer of many natural disasters, economic woes, etc. 

I have to admit, I am one of those who followed the news of the impending royal birth with interest, and was excited by the news of the tiny prince’s arrival, and those first images of him with his proud young parents. They are so like anyone else…and yet not. He has been born to a life of such privilege, without many of the uncertainties that the rest of humanity faces in life. At the same time, with all that he can take for granted, a quick review of the rest of that family in the past couple of generations reminds us that happiness is not one of the things that he will be able to take for granted.

The same week that we were oohing and aahing over those first photos of our future king, I was talking to my cousin who has worked for the past thirty years or so helping people who find themselves on the edges of society in Toronto. My cousin is one who we can all turn to in times of need, but she doesn’t limit her care to our family or to her own friends. That week she was working with a family with a young infant who needed a place to live. Finances were part of their struggle to find a home, but there were other issues too. Without knowing any details, I can just call them struggles in relating to society generally. And here was this infant, a sweet and happy child, as unaware of the challenges of its circumstances as the young prince was of the privileges of his.

Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you.” It’s a phrase that many of us have struggled with over the years. I hear in it that our work is never done, there are always people in need. We work towards the Kingdom, where all will have enough, not just materially but in all ways, and yet in our life spans, that work is never done. Of course there is a context to that phrase. Jesus was reminding the disciples that he would not be with them forever, that it was worth taking time to be cared for, to enjoy simple pleasures. The multitude of self-help books written on maintaining balance in life stem from this principle. 

“The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me,” is yet another of those places in scripture where we are reminded that life is not simple. We reach out to help children in need, at the same time we find joy in the news of a child born into great privilege. Life doesn’t make sense. Let’s celebrate the complexity in which we live. 


Nora Sanders

A Message from Rev. Sheila

That would make me well over 10,000 years old!!! LOL But I love the thought of being able to start over fresh each day!!! Thanks Sheila.

Godspell at the Astor Theatre

The Zion United Choir

Zion United Summer Choir on Sunday August 4th. 

We have been enjoying a grand summer choir at Zion and the Sanctuary has been filled with music. 

Great to see so many members of the Choir in the summer at Zion. Great job and thanks for adding wonderful music to our Sunday services.

At Zion United this Sunday August 11th we will have a musical service led by Marjorie Powell. 

The Privateer Brass Band will be playing and Pember Edwards will be fascinating us on the Hand Bells.

There will also be music and readings by Lauren and Lincoln Inglis. 

Hope you can join us. 

Church News

A Gift for Zion 

You may have noticed a new addition to the decor at the Zion United Church. This statue now sits in our Sanctuary. It was a very generous gift to Zion from one of our members. They are very pleased that Zion has been able accept this gift and hope that everyone will enjoy it as much as they will. 

Rev. Sheila on vacation

As many of you may now know. Rev Sheila Redden-Smith, will be on vacation from August 1-September 4th. In her absence pastoral care will be available from Rev. Karen Orht. Karen can be reached at 356-2768. However, you can always refer to Gordon MacLeod, our Clerk of Session on 354-2219 for any matter during this time. Here is the line up for Sunday Services at Zion for the next 5 weeks.

August 4 - Shirley Shot

August 11 - Marjorie Powell will be conducting a musical service.

August 18 - Shirley Shot

August 25 - Dan MacLaren

September 1 - Dan MacLaren

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

July 26, 2013 

Dear Friends,

I didn’t get a weekly letter written last week because I was on study leave working on my writing.

There are so many aspects to my work, you could begin almost anywhere in picking a topic for self- improvement. I guess this weekly letter, and an occasional sermon, formed the basis for my suggestion to my supervisory committee that I might take a writing class. That was back in June when the committee met last, and they were supportive. They had been encouraging me to take some study leave time because I had informed them earlier of my intention to defer plans for a sabbatical, given all that is happening in the church these days.

It happened that on the same day, I walked into my colleague Ann Perry’s office and she told me that she would like to take a writing course this summer. My thought was that in Ann’s case there is little left for her to learn – she is a great writer – but of course I recognized that there is always more to be learned. Often it is those who know the most already who are most aware of how much more there is to know.

That’s how Ann and I found ourselves last week taking the same class in “narrative non-fiction” at the University of Toronto. Before the class began, we received writing samples from all of the students. I didn’t have time to write something new ahead of time (we would do more writing during the course), so I sent along a couple of my weekly letters, and Ann submitted a piece she wrote in her newspaper days. Reading the offerings of the other students, I formed images of them based on what they had written about, and, I have to admit, their writing standards. No doubt they also formed an image of me, based on my pieces.

As the students gathered the first morning, I sorted them in my mind: this is the bus driver, this is the one writing about his uncle’s experiences during the war, this is the dog lover, this is the one who told an edgy story about Toronto’s mayor...and so on. As we started out, the stories were more real than the people. As the conversation progressed that first day and through the week, my perceptions of each of my classmates shifted. Yes, their writing defined them in a way, but as they talked, told about themselves, respectfully critiqued each other’s work, and produced funny or insightful on-the-spot pieces for our class assignments, I realized that I was sharing the week with a most interesting group. Sitting there with them, I found myself less concerned about quirks in writing style and increasingly drawn into the stories of each of these people, and the stories behind their stories.

I still don’t know whether this was a particularly interesting group of people, or if the reality is that when we take time to listen and learn from people beyond the superficial level, everyone is interesting. The Bible tells us that God knows every human heart, and I marvel once again at the wonderful diversity of God’s creation.

After last week’s pleasant and stimulating shift in gears, I’m back in the office this week, catching up on things and getting ready for a meeting with the Comprehensive Review Task Group next week. One of the high points of my week was attending a meeting at the KAIROS offices with Fr. Michel Jalakh, General Secretary of the Middle East Council of Churches. It was humbling to hear him speak with such hope and commitment about his work in very challenging circumstances. With more than a million Syrians in refugee camps in Lebanon, and Christians seeking to flee from persecution in fundamentalist countries in the region, Fr. Jalakh spoke of the council’s work for ecumenical and interfaith understanding and protection of religious freedoms for all.

In the midst of my reflections on the stories from last week and this week, I received an email from the Rev. Brian Nicholson, whom I first met at the Arnprior Assembly in 2005. Brian remembered that I talked there about the importance of story. I think I must have spoken then about my view that we learn most about one another, about the world, and about God, by sharing stories. Facts and figures, no matter how compelling, are not enough. It’s the stories that make them come alive, the stories that inspire.

May you be blessed by the sharing of stories, around campfires or wherever you are this summer.

Nora

Summer views of Zion United Church

Have you seen our sign recently. Rev Sheila keeps it current. Pass by each week to see her message. 

Our door is always open. Drop by during office hours (posted to the right) or call Rev Sheila 350-6814 and make an appointment.

The gardens are enjoying all the rain and sun. They are in full bloom and look great. Thanks to Valerie for keeping up the gardens. 

Jaggernathsingh Baptism at Zion United

This past Sunday service was well attended. Glad to hear (as I was not in attendance) that summer service is alive and well at Zion. The congregation was able to bare witness to the Baptism of Samson Jaggernathsingh.

The Jaggernathsingh family, Randy, Samson, Marlo, Nadia, Cordelia, With Gordon MacLeod and Rev Sheila Redden-Smith

Samson on the move.