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 :)
Winter at Portland United........
The Lenten season is now upon us, the period of time that 'begins with its own journey, leading to a cross, and through that cross to new life', as we read in our bulletin of February 14/10. We hope you are continuing and enjoying your journey, and that you keep the spirit with you!
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Special Notices:
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:
- Secretary of the Council;
- 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.
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Worship Schedule: March - April, 2010
March 10 (Wednesday) - Lenten Service;
March 14 - Lent IV;
March 17 (Wednesday) - Lenten Service;
March 21 - Lent V; "International Day for the Elimination of Racism";
March 24 (Wednesday) - Lenten Service;
March 28 - Palm Sunday; Confirmation; Communion;
March 31 (Wednesday) - Lenten Service;
April 1 - Maundy Thursday: 7:00 PM Communion;
April 2 - Good Friday: 11:00 AM service;
April 4 - Easter Sunday;
April 11 - Easter II;
April 18 - Earth Sunday;
April 25 - Camping Sunday