Welcome back if you are a returning visitor and a new and hearty welcome if you are visiting us here on the internet for the first time. We hope that you will be able to join us for worship each Sunday at 11:00am. We have lots of activities planned for this year with so many wonderful ways to worship God through song, prayer, study, music, sharing meals, welcoming new members. Come and help us, we would love to see you! Thank you for visiting with us and may God continue to walk with you on your journey and give you peace!
In Christ's name, Jennifer :)
Summer at Portland United........
SUMMER! - The glorious season, when outdoor activities are at their peak - BBQs, baseball, soccer, walking, hiking, vacation trips, and no more school for our students. Yes, we have waited for this time, when we can all get out to enjoy the wonder that has been made available to us from the Creator. Church activities are in the "wind down" mode, but we still must keep aware of the needs to make our contributions to assist with the ongoing needs of the church, both spiritually and financially, so we encourage all to keep this in mind as we take time to enjoy that well-deserved time off from work, and to sit back and relax where one has the opportunity to travel a distance away, or stay in the confines of your backyard. Wherever, whatever you are doing this summer, enjoy that time with family and friends, and stay safe, ready for the times we can all share stories and greet one another during our meetings, and after the summer season!
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Special Notices:
***EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (Part-time status)***
Portland United Church is in search of candidates for a number of church-related positions. If you are interested in working with the church, please make contact at 645-7235, or send your contact information to the e-mail address:
search@portlandunitedchurch.com
The positions available are:
1. Director of Promotion and Recruitment;
2. Director of Retention;
3. Director of Youth Programs;
4. Director of Church School.
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Spiritual Care in the Hospitals: From a letter received from Jim Butler, Director of Spiritual and Religious Care, Saint John Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Care, visits to patients for Spiritual Care must now meet a new requirement. This is a new privacy requirement of the Department of Health to protect the privacy of patients. Upon admittance to any Health Care Facility patients will be asked two questions having to do with the Faith Tradition or Community to which they are affiliated and if they wish to receive a visit from their Faith Tradition or Community or a chaplain from Spiritual and Religious Care.
If patients wish to have a visit while in the hospital they must answer YES to the two questions, as noted below:
1. Yes, I belong to the United Church Faith Group;
2. Yes, I want a spiritual and religious care visit.
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News from the Choir: After many, many years, and countless number of services, the church choir gowns are invariably showing signs of wear and tear. It is felt the need to have the gowns replaced as costs of repairs has risen substantially, and is not a cost effective way to maintain this visible presence at our services and other special choir events when the gowns are used.
The choir has initiated a special "Choir Gown Fund" to assist with raising funds to replace the gowns. Please contact the church office, or any member of the choir if you wish to make a contribution to this project.
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Portland United Church Volunteer Opportunities: The important day-to-day work of the congregation of Portland United is done largely by volunteers. The Nominating Committee is searcing for volunteers to fill the following positions:
- Additional members of the Membership Committee;
- A representative on the Youth-at-Large Committee;
- A representative(s) as Member-at-Large; and
- two Lay Representatives to Presbytery.
Information about these positions is available in the church office in "A Guide To Our Council System"; from current members holding the positions, or from Paul Potter, chair of the Nominating Committee (645-7235). Potential volunteers who have an interest in these positions, and in providing service to the church, are encouraged to contact Paul.
Help Wanted!
A few committees/groups are in need of some members from the congregation to add to those who already are contributing their talents to the following. If you are interested, please contact the names mentioned, or the church office, and your name will be passed along;
1. The Council has formed a committee to plan events for the 2010 Anniversary Celebration, for this October. Members of the Church Council are members, but input from members of the congregation is valued. If you would like to be a member of this group, and assist in planning for this event in any way, please contact Terry Robart, or the church office;
2. The Joint Search Committee at Portland is looking for some new members. The committee (Paul Potter, Lois Irvine, Joan Spencer, Rick Watters and Garnet Cress) has been working over the past year. At the recent Annual General Meeting, their role has changed but they are prepared to continue a search for a person(s) for spedific tasks to promote areas of concern identified in the report by the Join Needs Assessment Committee - primarily with children, seniors and the promotion of our church in our community. This new committee will be acting on behalf of the congregation through Council. Additional members to this committee would be welcomed. If you are interested in assisting this group, please contact Garnet Cress or the church office;
3. Our Counting Teams are in need of some help. This job requires a short time after church one Sunday a month. Training will be provided. Please contact the church office if you could assist with this request.-
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WORSHIP SCHEDULE: August - September, 2010:
August 29 - Summer Service;
September 5 - Summer Service: Communion, Lemonade and Laughter;
September 12 - Regular Service;
September 19 - Regular Service;
September 26 - Regular Service.
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