MINISTER’S MESSAGE
Rev. Steve Gillam
Greetings, everyone.
“For see, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.” (Song of Solomon 2:11-12) This verse (from this often ignored book in the older testament) celebrates the vibrancy of Spring. It is a glorious time of the year: every day is a gift of new life, new colour, new beauty.
Spring is a time of growth and renewal. It is also a time of change. And change is tough for some people. In fact, it has often been said that The Church doesn’t like change. For us, “change” is a four-letter word. (Isn’t it funny that we use that expression to refer to offensive words. I like lots of four-letter words. Love. Hope. Home. And cake.)
Taking this time to reflect on my ministry journey has made me realize how much change has been a blessing in our lives together. This season reminds us that life is about change. Growth, renewal, resurrection… Change. We are living beings, together forming the living body of Christ. Change is a gift.
Think about how our worship life has changed over the years. The style, the music, the inclusivity, the permission to laugh. Our United Church of Canada’s crest reflects the change in our relationships together, with the addition of two other languages and the medicine wheel colours honouring Indigenous spirituality. Although our church first ordained a woman in 1936 (married women had to wait until the 1960s), it has remained a struggle for women in ministry. Today, six of the ten congregations in our local Cluster are served by female ministers. And we are the stronger for it.
Of course, there are so many other examples. Examples of painful growth. Examples of beautiful blessings. Examples of the Spirit of Life working in and through us. A few years ago, I was reminded of how significant change can be. Allow me to share that story.
We were in the process of selling our Brookhaven building in Dorval as part of our merge. (Another change that has been a blessing!) Lisa, our wonderful office administrator, and I took a week to sort through the archives closet. A very full closet with boxes and boxes of old minutes, records, photos, stories. All of it told a beautiful story. Very little of it needed to be saved.
One day, Lisa pulled out a file, looked at me, and quickly closed the file. I was intrigued. She said I didn’t need to see the contents of that file. I was even more intrigued. After a bit of tug-of-war, I had the file in my hands. The documents were from the late 1980s. It included a motion unanimously passed by the congregation that they would never call an openly gay minister to their church. Included was a list of every member who had voted. I read the names, while Lisa kept urging me not to. But I was not in the least bit disturbed or bothered seeing those names. Most were people that I had known, or continue to know. That experience was somehow inspiring. For it was only about 10 years after that meeting that I was blessed to be called to ministry with these same people. People with whom I have shared all of life’s journeys. People whose homes I have been welcomed into. People with whom I have worked and played and laughed and lived side-by-side with. People I love.
So, don’t tell me the church doesn’t change. We all grow. We all blossom in new seasons. I know I’m not the same person I was when I started my ministry. And I look forward to more challenge, more colour, more new growth.
In the hymn “Spirit of Life” we sing, “Roots hold me close, wings set me free. Spirit of life, come to me. Come to me.” May we continue to celebrate the roots that have made us who we are, and be open to the Spirit who makes us who we can be.
Peace.
Rev. Steve
Sunday, May 15, 2025
11:00 AM
Worship Song: VU#381 “Spirit of Life”
Hymn: VU#232 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”
Connections: A May Day
Hymn: VU#224 “Sing a Happy Hallelujah”
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14
Reflection: Good medicine
Hymn: VU#624 “Give To Us Laughter”
Prayers and The Lord’s Prayer (sung VU#959)
Offering and Sung Dedication: VU#958 Halle, halle, hallelujah!
Hymn: VU#373 “As Comes the Breath of Spring”
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
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING:
THIS SUNDAY, MAY 18, 12:00 NOON
There will be a special congregational meeting this Sunday, May 18 after the service, to receive the report of the search committee charged with finding our new minister. We will be voting on their recommendation. Please plan to attend.
We extend our deep thanks to the members of the committee who have devoted an enormous amount of time and prayer and careful discernment to this important task.
COMING UP
Saturday, May 24th, 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon: Spring Sale Fundraiser. See details below.
Zoom Coffee, Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7197797321?pwd=RmF4Q0c1UVJlN1BIaUhEM1gvTk1MZz09
Sunday, June 8: United Church 100th Anniversary Service and picnic lunch at Lakeshore Trinity.
Sunday, June 15th: Rev. Steve’s final service at Lakeshore Trinity before his retirement. Plan to stay following the service for lunch, and a celebration of the rich, inspiring relationship we have enjoyed with him over the years of his ministry with us.
SPRING SALE
Our Spring Sale fundraiser is coming up next Saturday, May 24th, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.
Featuring:
BJ’s White Elephant Table- kitchen ware, toys, SMALL household items of all sorts
Balcony Boutique – fashions upstairs for all ages, for spring and anytime
Stu’s Sports- sporting equipment on the parking lot
Kathy’s Book Corner- books and games to satisfy every taste
Bake Table and Coffee Stop- with contributions from the legendary bakers of Lakeshore Trinity
Jane’s Garden Centre- perennials, house plants, garden accessories and more, out on the front walk.
Hot Dogs by Jack Fraser- on offer in the kitchen
Donations welcomed for all departments:
*SMALL household articles only, please. NO furniture or appliances or other large items*
books and games
sporting equipment
plants and garden accessories
kitchen wares, toys, assorted household “white elephant” items
baking – to be brought to the church on Friday evening May 23, packaged ready for sale
The church will be open to receive donations Tuesday through Sunday mornings until Friday, May 23,
including this Saturday, May 17, 9:00 AM until 12:00 Noon
Help needed please:
Setting up on Friday, May 23rd
Selling on Saturday, May 24
Sign-up sheets will be at the church
Spread the word:
To friends, family, neighbours.
You may download a copy of the flyer here: Spring Sale flyer
Come to the sale!
THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA: 100 YEARS
June 10, 2025 is the 100th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada! Our West Island Cluster of United Churches is planning a joint service of celebration on Sunday, June 8th, at 11:00 AM, to be held right here at Lakeshore Trinity, with a picnic lunch to follow. Watch for more details in the next issue of Happenings!
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SPRING CONCERT
The Coro Vivo Chorale, a West Island community choir directed by our own Gohar Manvelyan, will be presenting their spring concert of Favourite Love Songs, this Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 pm, at All Saints by the Lake Anglican Church, 865 Lakeshore Drive in Dorval. A freewill offering will be collected.
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