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........
We say it is winter, but taking a look outside, and even venturing outside makes one wonder what happened to our weather - no snow, no real deep-freeze, and more mild temperatures than it seems like we have had in July. But, that could change in a hearbeat, for yes, it still is winter, and this is Canada. Now with the Epiphany season here we are entering another year and looking forward to what will be the next events at Portland. One thing coming up is our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. The committee has been struck and now planning begins in earnest. Chairman Bill Vail has things under way, and will be looking for support to make this another success.
We are also looking forward to a new group forming here, at Portland, that of the "PASS" - the Portland Adult Social Scene. This group is for those who want to enjoy a social time of fun and fellowship. We do have fun at our fund-raising events, but this is a time away from those tasks, when we can have some social interaction. Won't you come and join us for our get togethers? Watch for the next meeting in February, in the church parlour.
It is the New Year, so enjoy all that we have been blest with, for you, your family and your friends!
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Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper: Please support this fund raising event being held at Portland. See the poster below for full details.
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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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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;
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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