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 :)
Spring at Portland United........
One season we are all pleased to be part of is that of Spring. Daylight hours are increasing, giving us more time to get out and prepare for the warmer days ahead in anticipatation of the awakening bounty that is provided to us - the birdsong we hear each morning; the soil warming and waiting for the flowers to be prepared and planted; the buds beginning to blossom for the next wonderful season. Yes, the world will soon show more glory of what we have been given and what we all share.
Rev. Jennifer is now on her sabbatical, and our SWAT team (see below) has services organized for the well-deserved time the minister is off. We are very pleased to extend an invitation to you to join us for our services, here at Portland United and experience our congregational family and activities. Happy Spring, everyone!!
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Annual Spring Yard Sale
Many 'thank yous" are sent out the wonderful group who contributed and assisted with the yard sale, which raised a tidy sum of money for our church. The weather may have been quite cold, but even with the snowflurries in the air, the spirit of fun and fellowship kept us all "toasty warm". A great crowd of bargain hunters left with some very satisfactory treasures, and we all felt great joy of the success we achieved! Thanks again to Bob Fairweather and his organizing team who put this annual event together.
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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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Pastoral Care Commitee: A reminder for those wishing a visitation
If you know of any member who is shut-in, and would like a visitation by one of the committee members, please contact the church office (632-4030), and Ellen will pass along the information to the committee. We are truly blessed to have this hardworking committee who regularly visit those who are unable to attend our services, or who wish a contact with their church in times of need.
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2012 Annual Church Picnic:
A hard working group is planning the congregational picnic. Keep watch of the fun and laughter event as the time approaches!
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MEN'S CLUB REMINDER!!
The May 16 meeting is one in which all area United Church men are invited to attend, and this will be a large gathering, indeed. Bill Vail, Bob Bond and the club members are extending the invitation our men of the congregation to attend this meeting, who will have as guest speaker, the City of Saint John Chief of Police, Mr. Bill Reid. For reservations of the banquet, please contact the church office (or any member of the UCM) by May 4. Tickets are $12 each.
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Become Involved in your Church!
1. Church Council:
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 a number of positions for our Church Council, in anticipation of current members whose terms will expire during the next two years. Terms for membership in the council is for a two year period. The positions on Council consist of a number of committees (13), with chairs of each, and members for each committee (48 in total, but more added as needed).
Information about these positions is available in the church office in "A Guide To Our Council System". Potential volunteers who have an interest in these positions, and in providing service to the church, are encouraged to contact the church office, or by contacting Bob Bond, Chair of the Nominating Committee (672-1313).
2. Help Wanted!
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: April, 2012 - August, 2012
Note: While Reverend Jennifer is on her mandated Sabbatical Leave, and combined with her annual three week Study Leave, as well as her annual vacation, a special committee - the Sabbatical Worship Action Team, "SWAT" - was formed to develop and organize services for each Sunday during the minister's absence. The committee has worked diligently, and have come up with a number of innnovative ideas that include a large part of the church members. We are looking forward to this time of fellowship as a means of bringing our church family together while Rev. Jennifer is on her well deserved time of "recharging". Thanks is extended to Ellen Flemming, Barry Snodgrass, Shawn Clark, Cindy Fleming, Karen Stephen and Lois Irvine of the SWAT committee for the work in the organizational work for this time.
May:
May 6: The women will be conducting this service, and will be part of the UCW Act of Remembrance. Our own Betty Hitchcock will be delivering the message, and Gillian Barfoot and Janet Bruce will provide special music. "Coffee and Conversation" to follow;
May 13: Communion Sunday and Mother's Day. Ellen Flemming will lead the service;
May 20: The service will be highlighted with special speaker Dr. Pam Coates, whose theme is "How do we as Christians Deal with Poverty?";
May 27: Music director Barry Snodgrass and the choir will lada a Pentecost service titled "The Life of Christ in Readings and Music";
June:
June 3; Annual Sunday School Picnic and Family Day service, hosted by the Christian Family Life Committee;
June 10: Service conducted by our very own Brent Nelson. The service highlights the 87th Anniversary of the United Church of Canada;
June 17: Aboriginal Sunday, with service conducted by Ellen Flemming;
June 24: Stewardship Sunday, conducted by the Finance and Long Range Planning Committee at this service.
July:
July 1: Canada Day. Watch for something special to help celebrate our nation's 145th birthday!;
July 8: Service will be lead by our own Lois Irvine;
July 15:Watch for upcoming information;
July 22: Watch for upcoming information;
July 29: Service will have as guest speaker Myra Stites, of the St. John and St. Stephen Nursing Home, who will speak on how to "Honour and Celebrate the End of Life":
August:
August 5: Welcome back for leading the service Brent Nelson;
August 12: Watch for upcoming information;
August 19: Watch for upcoming information;
August 26: The "WE DID IT" service, in which we join together in a celebration of music and worship followed by a Potluck Lunch.