MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Boo.
So, if you have young ones in your household, or for those of you who are young-at-heart, you know that Halloween is coming up. Maybe that isn’t all that important to you, or perhaps you’ve been dreaming about your costume since last November. Or you’re somewhere in between. Halloween. The day has evolved over the centuries, and Christians sometimes struggle with the event.
Halloween’s roots go back to the ancient Celtic people. Their year ended on what we now know as October 31st. It was the end of the harvest; a time of great celebration. It was also the beginning of a new year, and it would begin with darkness and cold. This transition time between the old and the new, the light and the dark, was sacred; a crack in time when space and reality opened-up, where the distance between this world and the next collapsed. It was celebrated with a festival called Samhain (SAH-win). It was an attempt to describe the indescribable – experiencing another realm that defies our limited senses.
At Samhain, spirits – good and bad – would roam freely. Many of our modern Halloween traditions come from this festival. People wore costumes to ward-off ghosts. Treats were left for loved ones on their spiritual journey. Bonfires were lit, either to scare away the spirits, or help them find their way. Bonfires gave way to lanterns carved in turnips, which became carved pumpkins when those of Celtic heritage came to North America.
When the Roman empire spread north, two Roman celebrations were blended into Samhain: Feralia, a time to honour dead ancestors, and Pomona, a harvest festival. (Some believe this is the root of our tradition of bobbing for apples at Halloween. Pomona. Pomme. Just curious… when was the last time you bobbed for apples? And did you ever do it other than at a Halloween party?)
With the Romans came the Christian church. There was an attempt to clean-up Halloween (or Samhain). No more focus on bad or scary spirits. It became a time to honour dead but holy people. In the eighth century, the pope declared November 1st as All Saints Day, and later November 2nd as All Souls Day. Our name for the day, Halloween, comes from “hallowed e’en”, holy eve, the night before November 1st.
And this tradition continues, in one way or another, in the church today. But it was difficult to get rid of the other associations with the ancient holiday. So, ghosts and goblins abound. We enjoy (well, some of us do) being scared by movies, stories, or haunted houses. There is something innately human about needing to explore that which we can’t really define.
So, enjoy Halloween, for everything that it has meant and still does. If nothing else, it is a way to connect with the neighbourhood. And then, come to church on Sunday, and we’ll focus on remembering those who have gone on before us. (Okay, I realize that Halloween is after Sunday, but you know what I mean.) Although All Saints/All Souls doesn’t have a strong Protestant connection, I think it is the perfect time to remember and honour the lives of loved ones who have passed on. Is it, as some people believe, a time in the year when the presence of those in the spirit world is felt more strongly? Maybe yes, maybe no. But we use this shared historical experience as a time to remember, honour, pray for, and celebrate the lives of those who were, and still are, near and dear to us.
This Sunday, there will be an additional piece of paper beside the Prayer List that we have at the entrance each week. The prayer list will still be there for you to name those you would like us to remember together in our prayers, for whatever reason. (And please print clearly. Thanks.) But this week there will be a sheet for you to name loved ones who have passed on… either during this past year, or those you especially want to remember this year. We’ll share those names in our prayers this week.
And we’ll reflect on the Celtic spiritual teachings that speak of the thin veil, or the thin places: moments when we brush-up again another realm, when we feel closer to God and a spiritual presence. It’s comforting to think of the energy and love of others being closer to us than we think.
God bless our journeys.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2022
11:00AM
Hymns:
VU#264 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
MV#145 “Draw the Circle Wide”
VU#706 “Give Thanks for Life”
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
Reflection: “Who rocked the religious boat on behalf of love and justice”
You may join the service via Zoom at:
Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
Or by phone at: 438-809-779
Last week’s service on October 23rd may be viewed at:
Jingle Bell Bazaar, Tea Room
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Our Christmas Bazaar and Tea Room is back this year! Spread the word to neighbours and friends over coffee, Facebook, carrier pigeon…Posters for the Bazaar will be available on Sunday for you to take into the community. You can download an English poster here or a bilingual poster here. Please continue to bring in your holiday-themed treasures and trinkets, and books to sell. Start planning your baking! More details about planning and setting up to come next week.
WHERE OUR FOOD DONATIONS GO:
SAINT COLUMBA HOUSE
Saint Columba House is a community outreach ministry of the United Church of Canada located in Pointe St. Charles. It was established in 1926 to support people struggling through the Great Depression. Through its long history it has continued to support and empower marginalized people in the community. In addition to addressing food insecurity, Saint Columba House offers youth leadership programs, after school support programs, summer day camps, rooftop vegetable gardens (including a couple of beehives), even a bicycle repair shop. Their services change in response to changing needs in the community. St. John’s United has had a long and happy relationship with Saint Columba House, one that has extended beyond food donations, woollies from the mitten tree, and toys for the children at Christmas time. John Bryce and Mike McGarry used to drive in to volunteer at the after school program. Hector and Jean Perreault were involved in helping to upgrade the roof, the wiring and plumbing in the building, bringing it up to code standards. Joy Mackenzie and others have served as Board Chairs. John and Virginia’s daughter, Rev. Elizabeth Bryce, did an in-ministry placement at Saint Columba House during her theological training in the late 1980’s. She says that the experience opened her eyes to what the mission of the church should be.
Here at Lakeshore Trinity, we continue to support Saint Columba House, as well as Dorval Community Aid, On Rock and West Island Mission, through our food donations. They rely on our generosity in these difficult economic times.
Justice, not Charity
THE MITTEN TREE
The Mitten tree will once again be up in the hallway of the church waiting to be trimmed with your contributions of warm mittens, hats and scarves. These will be taken to Saint Columba House and distributed in the community to provide some cozy warmth through a cold Montreal winter. Homemade or purchased items are equally welcome.
Time to start knitting!
Charyl Hyndman invites us to the Lakeshore Players’ production of Lost in Yonkers, by Neil Simon, November 10th-19th, at Lakeside Academy in Lachine. Both Charyl and her husband Eric Sauvé, will be on stage!
Charyl tells us:
This hit Broadway production is set in Yonkers in 1942. Bella is thirty-five years old, mentally challenged, and living at home with her mother. As the play opens, ne’er-do-well son Eddie deposits his two young sons on their doorstep. Financially strapped, he is taking to the road as a salesman. The boys are left to contend with Grandma, Bella and her secret romance, and her brother, Louie, a small-time hoodlum, and Gert, their sister with a breathing condition.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, you may call the box office at: 514-631-8718, or visit: lakeshoreplayersdorval.com
Just a reminder that Lisa will be sending in an order for calendars, Tuesday, November 1st. The calendars are $10 each. Please email Lisa at the office if you would like one.
WE GIVE THANKS
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please include your envelope number and indicate how you wish to have your offering divided. If not indicated, it will be designated as local offering.
Cheques should be made payable toLakeshore Trinity United Church. They may be dropped in the mail slot at the church or sent by regular mail if you are not attending church in person.
Rev. Steve Gillam can be reached by phone or text at 514-235-9383 or by email at macduffsdad@hotmail.com.
Lakeshore Trinity United Church
98 Aurora Ave. Pointe-Claire, QC, H9R 3G7
514-697-6459
The church office is open Tuesday to Friday mornings from 9 AM to noon.
email: lakeshoretrinityunited@gmail.com
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
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