MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Happy 2023! Blessings, good health, and joy to you and yours in this new year.
There’s something special about the beginning of a new year. In many ways, it just feels like another day. Yet, it is the start of something new. A clean slate. A fresh journey. Like looking ahead to a path covered with freshly fallen snow, waiting for the first person to take a step and leave a trail. And as we look forward, it’s also a time of moving on and letting go. As exciting as it is to hang a new calendar on the wall, taking down the old one feels a bit strange – like saying goodbye to so many experiences. Here we sit at this wonderful and emotionally charged transition time.
And, as a faith family, we took a big calendar off the wall, so to speak. On Friday, December 30th, the papers were signed finalizing the sale of the Brookhaven building. While the life of Dorval-Strathmore lives on in Lakeshore Trinity, as does St. John’s, the final sale is an official goodbye to a building that was home for decades. The experience is bittersweet. On the one hand, it’s a big relief. We made the decision to sell almost 2 years ago, and had time to share our grief and goodbyes. Having to pay for heating and upkeep of the big empty building was a huge strain. So… big sigh. Done. However, at the same time, we take a moment to take one last look, remembering the life, the work, the service, the mission shared. All the laughter and the tears. We thank God, as we close the last page of that calendar.
I think it’s interesting that that big old beautiful building was not the original home for either of the founding congregations of Dorval Strathmore United. It has its own history of moving to a new space and continuing with a new life. So, in that tradition, we look forward to everything that hanging this new calendar will mean for all of us at Lakeshore Trinity United. We’ve shared one wonderful year already. May God continue to bless us… together… on our journey.
At this moment, I want to thank everyone who worked so hard during this transition year: welcoming, listening, praying, compromising, loving, and learning. My friends expected me to be completely grey by now! I say that the fact that I am not is a tribute to your faithful dedication to this new beginning.
I also want to thank everyone who helped take care of the Brookhaven building in this past year. So much was done in the planning and selling, the upkeep and maintenance. Your work is greatly appreciated. Thanks to Sandra who led this process with incredible positivity. To Trustees Jack, Jim and Claude for their guidance. To Mark, Kathy, Sean, John, Noah, Eric, Tom, and George for keeping the old place looking as good as possible. To Janet for her patience. To Lisa for always going above and beyond. And to Fred who was always there to help us through the technical stuff with the larger church. And to each one of you for your prayers and support.
One final note. A sign perhaps? Like turning to the new page of a calendar and seeing a photo that makes you smile, and inspires you to let gratitude and hope be your guides. The new residents of the Brookhaven building are a Spanish-speaking church. Eglise Hispanique Sendero Hacio La Luz. In English, The Path Towards the Light. May God bless them that they may find joy, purpose, and inspiration in their new home. And may God bless us that the light of Emmanuel, God-with-us, may guide us on our journeys. Together.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2023
11:00 a.m.
Epiphany
Hymns:
VU#381 “Spirit of Life”
VU#81 “As With Gladness Men of Old”
VU#92 “In the Darkness Shines the Splendour” (Verses 1, 2, 4)
VU#87 “I Am the Light of the World”
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23
Reflection: Right place. Right time.
You may join the service via Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Meeting ID: 719 779 7321, Passcode: 442730
Or by phone at: 438-809-7799
Previous services, including the Sunday services of December 18th and January 1st as well as the Lessons and Carols, December 21st “Longest Night and the Christmas Eve service, are available to view on YouTube. Just click on the YouTube link on our home page.
HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TO LAKESHORE TRINITY!
At the January 1st service, we marked one year together as Lakeshore Trinity United Church. May God bless and keep us as we go forward into this new year, united as one community of faith.
Happy anniversary to us!
THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON AT LAKESHORE TRINITY:
The young people joined the choir Dec. 18 to sing “Do You Hear What I
Dec. 18 at 2pm Lessons and Carols. “We Wish You A Merry Christmas”
Dec. 21, the longest night
Christmas carolling at Le Manor Kirkland
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 to Lakeshore 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. The office will be closed the week between Christmas and New Years, returning Wednesday, January 4, 2023.
email: lakeshoretrinityunited@gmail.com
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
