MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone.
Well, winter made its presence known! Let’s take a break from shoveling and continue my journey through ministry. Last time I shared my experience with the Search Committee at Dorval Strathmore. This week, let me tell you about meeting with the St. John’s Search Committee.
Not, however, when I met with them six years ago before starting here half-time, as wonderful as that meeting was. I’ve been thinking about the time I was the Presbytery rep on the Search Committee when my predecessor was called. Even then (sixteen years ago?), I felt very much at home with the people on the team that did the Needs Assessment and Search work.
Recently, it occurred to me that we’re in a similar situation again. At that time, Cedar Park United was also going through the process of getting a new minister. And I was the Presbytery rep also working with them. I remember the feeling that our people expressed about wanting to get the word out there before the other congregation did. There was the sense that the other congregation was a bigger draw, and perhaps no one would apply here. (And of course they did.)
Well, here we are again, going through the process the same time that Cedar Park is. (Rev. Elisabeth is also retiring in June.) I haven’t heard anyone express the same concern they did sixteen years ago, but just in case, I want you to know – or be reminded – that this is a very special place. Warm and welcoming. An interesting mix of traditional and adventurous. Committed to the faith family and outreach in the community and beyond. And most of all, perhaps, a place where joy is known and expressed. You have a lot to offer, and it has been a blessing to serve here with you all.
So, continue to pray for the members of our Search Committee, and be grateful for who we are and for what the ministry of Lakeshore Trinity has to offer.
Now, back to shoveling snow…
Peace.
Rev. Steve
Sunday, February 23, 2025
11:00 AM
Worship Song: VU#585 “Jesus Bids Us Shine” Verse 1
Hymn: VU#222 “Come, Let Us Sing”
Connections: John 13:34-35
Hymn: MV#89 “Love is the Touch”
Scripture: Luke 6:17-26
Reflection: A world put right
Hymn: VU#82 “A Light is Gleaming”
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU#959)
Offering and Sung Dedication: VU#958 (Halle, halle, hallelujah!)
Hymn: MV#138 “My Love Colours Outside the Lines”
You may join us 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
VALENTINE BRUNCH:
THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 10:00 AM
We all wisely stayed home during last Sunday’s blizzard! But the Valentine Brunch is back on for this week. We and St. Ed’s will get together at 10:00 AM to enjoy fresh bagels with cream cheese and jam, luscious fruit, and the best of fellowship. Don’t miss it!
A WARM AND WELCOMING SANCTUARY
Mid-morning on Tuesday, February 18th, the school across the street from the church, Place Cartier, experienced smoke in the ventilation system. Firetrucks arrived, and the students and staff were evacuated. It was way too cold to stand around outside, so they came knocking at our door. About 500 of them! They found a warm welcome in our sanctuary and south wing. Bert Patterson dropped by to turn on the heat in the sanctuary, Joan Pitcairn put on a big urn of coffee, and Lisa O’Brien and Rev. Steve kept everyone comfortable. Just before noon, they were all sent home, grateful for a safe and warm place to wait. (And thanks to George Provias for cleaning up after 1000 boots!)
And later….
This morning, Thursday, two administrators from Place Cartier arrived at the church door with thanks and little gifts of appreciation for the warm welcome their students received at the church on Tuesday morning. “You went above and beyond!” they said, “you went out of your way to make us comfortable!”
Nicely done, Bert, Joan, Lisa, Rev. Steve and George!
AN INVITATION FROM OUR SEARCH COMMITTEE
We are all invited to a short meeting in the sanctuary following the service on March 2nd. The committee tasked with the search for our new minister would like input from the congregation regarding the qualities most important to us in a minister. Please plan to attend.
COMING UP
Balcony Boutique: this Saturday, February 22, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Happy Hat: next Sunday, March 2nd. Bring your loose change for Mission and Service.
Zoom Coffee, Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Annual General Meeting: Sunday, March 23rd, following the service. Committee chairs are asked to submit their annual reports to the office by March 4th.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER: MARCH 4, 6 PM
Tuesday, March 4 at 6:00 PM. We are invited once again to join with our friends of St. Edward for their annual pre-Lent supper of pancakes and sausages, prepared in the kitchen by their excellent cooks, and served in the south wing. We are asked to bring our own dishes, cups and cutlery to facilitate clean-up. Following the dinner everyone is welcome to an Ash Wednesday observance in the sanctuary, led this year by Rev. Steve.
FOOD COLLECTIONS
Doris McConnell reports that the food collected in the bins has been delivered to West Island Mission. The next delivery will go to Saint Columba House. Thanks to all the volunteer drivers, to Doris who is ever alert to the needs, and, of course, to all our faithful donors.
BOOK NOOK NEWS
The following selection of Nook books is out in the light of day at the back of the sanctuary:
Reflections on Emancipation and Anti-Black Racism in Canada (a collection of short articles)
The Wall Between: What Jews and Arabs Don’t Want to Know About Each Other (by an Arab and a Jew)
Works by the acclaimed theologians Marcus Borg and John Shelby Spong, referred to by Rev. Steve in a recent Happenings.
Please BORROW and peruse at your leisure (note the take-out sheet).
REMINDER: You can always pop into the Nook, hidden beyond
the coat-rack sections off the hall. A catalogue lists the holdings by topic division.
Judy Lindsay
MARK WATSON ONSTAGE
Our Council of Ministries Chair, Mark Watson will be performing in the Hudson Village Theatre production of “9 to 5, The Musical” based on the the 1980 hit movie, March 6 – 16, 2025 in Hudson.
Mark invites us:
“Come see 9 to 5, the story of the trials and tribulations of a man struggling with his mid-life crisis. Dick leaves his wife for his secretary, gets dumped and tries to reconcile with his now ex-wife. Oh yeah, there is also a side story of three women, including Dick’s ex, who get fed up with the sexism they face at work, and they decide to take matters into their own hands…”
For information and tickets, see: Hudson Village Theatre
Tickets can also be purchased by contacting the box office directly:
450-458-5361 or hvtbox@villagetheatre.ca
| BETHAN WARDROP ONSTAGE |
| Bethan Wardrop will be taking part in The Lakeshore Light Opera production of “The Pirates of Penzance”, running at John Rennie Theatre, March 13-16, 2025. Bethan, along with Rachel Buchanan and Lara Jones from St. Edward, will play three of the daughters of the Major General. Proceeds from this annual LLO production will be donated to the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation.
For tickets and information, see: Pirates of Penzance |
|
WE GIVE THANKS
The email address for e-transfer is: ltuc98givings@gmail.com. Please 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.
email: lakeshoretrinityunited@gmail.com
On Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Lakeshore-Trinity-United-Church-101331995747334
