The Net BEACON  ØØ News and views from Beaconsfield United Church  Summer 2004

Phone: (514) 695-0600                              E-mail:   bu1@bellnet.ca  Fax:      (514) 695-8301                             Website: www.bucweb.info

Dear Friends,        I would like to thank the congregation and the organizers of the absolutely wonderful reception held on the occasion of my 20th anniversary of my ordination into the Order of Ministry within the United Church of Canada.  From the food, the decorations, to the humourous remarks and stories, everything was just grand.  It was a delight to be feted.         I particularly want to thank the congregation for the lovely gifts of a stole and new alb.  The alb is on order from Belgium and the stole is my new favourite.  It has fourteen medallions that are connected by a Tree of Life which represent the various ministries of the church.  The stole for me, represents the ministries not the minister of church, to which we are called to participate given our gifts and abilities.  Represented on the stole are: the five different hands reaching toward one another from the five different continents, which make up the universal community of the World Wide Church; Next to it is a medallion for Missions.  These two hold up the work of Beads of Hope, Penny Fund, Mission & Service, Dix Mille Villages, UCW.and the West Montreal Readaptation Centre.  The Sacraments and the church gathered for worship are all the people who participate in making worship occur: the sextons, greeters, ushers, worship committee, chancel committee, choir, baptismal sponsors, communion servers, coffee people, counters, etc.  The medallion for the ill and infirm is about the work we do through out Pastoral Care team, preparing meals, driving to medical appointments, keeping in touch, etc.  The medallion for the Abbeys, this is one of my favourite scenes; the little Irish monks copying the sacred text and transmitting human learning as we witness in our Sunday School, Adult Studies, Bible Studies.  The Baptism of Clovis, who was the first of the Christian French Kings to be baptized.  The medallion for the Martyrs is not only the Martyrs of the early church but also our present days martyrs who give or gave their lives in the service of a higher call; Oscar Romero, Dietrich Bonnhoffer, Martin Luther King...  The medallion for Pentecost depicts the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit that unites each and all of us.  The Ascension is about the glory of God who lives through the world and beyond it.  The Crucifixion which is the story of a God who suffers with creation, who understands our sorrow and pain.  The Last Supper which commemorates Our Lord’s instructions that when two or three are gathered together that He is in the midst of us.  Jesus hands Peter the Keys to the Kingdom and says upon this rock I will build my church, that Jesus enables human beings to extend his work.  The multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes is the story about there is plenty and enough for everyone when we share the world's resources.  The Nativity is of course of God taking on human form to be one with us.         There are over 100 human beings depicted in the stole - it is absolutely full of life and people.  And in each area I see our church community participating in the Ministry which Christ gives us.  Ministry is about relationships, holistic, healthy, purposeful relationships. I thank you again for your good wishes, the gifts, and our continued Pastoral Relationship here at Beaconsfield United Church.                                         In Christ,                                         Shaun E. Fryday

Letters TO the Editor Dear Robin,   Those of you who missed the car rally should definitely mark your calendar for 2005!  Organized by Rob Fairbairn and Cindy Casey, it featured a great route and outstanding clues.  We missed “great ????” and “Christmas Trees in the window”. Dinner afterward featured pasta and salads prepared by Shaun - Delicious.  A very large thank you to the above three for all their hard work. Sincerely, Lorne Walker  GRATITUDES: Thanks to Sheila Spicer for the “heavenly children.” __________________________________ To All:  I look forward to receiving more of your letters.  Feel free to email me at robinlttl@aol.com or call me at 695-9683 or when we meet let me know your thoughts. Thank you! Robin Little ________________________________ Please note:  The next Beacon will be coming your way in early September.  Deadline for submissions is May 9,  2004.  Please email or drop them off to Cindy Casey  (in the Church office) or to me.

Excerpts from EL PIDIO* By Bob Guiliano Forwarded from Montreal Presbytery of the United Church of Canada In a way I am sorry to report this to you.  I like to keep my columns up-beat and gentle, but I thought you probably knew the truth about these things better than I do, and you might be glad to have it out.  A recent survey of Protestant churches in the U.S.A. spelled out some very troubling news.  Not only were 2,100 pastors fired from churches of one denomination during an eighteen-month period, but 41 percent of terminated pastors did not go back into church related work. For one who taught clergy, I wasn’t too surprised to learn that eight out of ten seminary graduates left the active ministry five years after graduating.  Among U.S. protestant pastors, the average length of service at one church is 2.3 years. That’s about as long as a preacher can handle some folks or the folks can handle the preachers without changing anything. I was angry when I read in the report quoted above that the researchers are asking people to pray for their pastors.  I suppose that makes good sense and would be welcomed by the preachers.  But, I am afraid that prayer without works, piety without truth, concern without action is where we have been for a very long time.  It surely must be time to grow up in the faith community and come to grips with the realities that we all share but are afraid to mention in public. *The full document is available at the church office.

Angelika's journey goes on ... Dear members of Beaconsfield United Church, You have encouraged and supported me in many ways, throughout my time of discernment and my preparation for ordained ministry.   I feel it is important to keep you informed about my next steps on that journey. The National Internship Committee of the United Church of Canada has chosen Prairie Points Pastoral Charge, in southeast Saskatchewan for my eight month internship. It is a rural congregation covering three small villages, each having its own church. There,  I will be working together with the minister on site, as well as with a Lay Supervisor and the Lay Supervision Team. My family and I will move  to Saskatchewan in August, until next summer. We are all looking forward to this special experience: to get to know the people; to learn about rural life and to share joys and sorrows, in a different United Church context.  Thank you for your interest and support. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Angelika Piché

 

“Good On You!” By Graeme Decarie Ever notice how you hear the same phrases over and over at funeral parlours? “Such a fine person,” they’ll say. “Such a Christian. Everyone loved him.” Half of that might be true. The dear departed might have been loved by everyone. But if he was loved by everyone, he wasn’t much of a Christian. It’s something like the way we teachers judge students. Teacher committees become all gushy about the students who have perfect records, the ones with nothing but ‘A’ in everything all the way from kindergarten to university. Those are the ones they love to send on to graduate school, with a big APPROVED stamped all over their applications. But think about what that prefect record really means. At some point going through school, some of it is time-wasting and silly. At some point, any student with any brains at all wonders whether this makes any sense or can possibly lead anywhere worthwhile. At some point, any student with any brains at all gets interested in ideas or groups or causes outside the school. In both cases, school grades will suffer. In other words, students who are really intelligent and intellectually alive will sometimes do badly in school. They’ll even fail. That means the ones who get straight ‘A’s  are not the best and the brightest. They are more likely instead, to be the least imaginative and the most conformist. A grade of ‘A’ means that you fit into the school system. But fitting into the school system is not necessarily a mark of intelligence.  Being loved by everyone means you fit into the social system. But fitting into the social system is not necessarily a mark of Christian living. We don’t live in a world that operates on the basis of Christian principles, not on any side of its many wars and not at any level of government or private life. A Christian can’t possibly fit in. If that worries you, it shouldn’’t because Jesus didn’’t fit in, either. And He most certainly was not loved by everyone.  So if you have enemies –– good on you! Your enemies, just by being your enemies, do you honour.  And don’t feel badly about those school grades, either.

When Your Parents Grew Up Part 4: Final Episode How many do you remember? Head lights dimmer switches on the floor, ignition switches on the dashboard, heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall, real ice boxes, pant leg clips for bicycles without chain guards, soldering irons you heat on a gas burner,  using hand signals for cars without turn signals, Blackjack Chewing Gum, wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water, candy cigarettes, soda pop machines that dispensed bottles, coffee shops with tableside jukeboxes, home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers, party lines, newsreels before the movie, P,F, flyers, butch wax, telephone numbers with a word prefix (Olive 6933), peashooters, Howdy Doody, 45 RPM records, S&H Green Stamps, hi-fi’s, metal ice trays with levers, Mimeograph paper, blue flashbulbs, Packards, roller skate keys, cork popguns, drive-ins, Studebakers and wash tub wringers.

United Church Women PENNY FUND Summer camp time is fast approaching.  You have all been wonderfully supportive of the Penny Fund for St. Columba House.  Please continue to search your pockets and purses for those coins and bills that help the youngsters have a camp experience.  Those of you who would prefer to write cheques may do so!  Please make them payable to B.U.C., with St. Columba House on the Memo line.  You’ll receive a charitable donation slip for all cheques received.  Thank you! FALL FAIR AND CRAFT SHOW Please mark Saturday, November 6th, on your calendars.  Over the summer, keep your eyes open at home or at garage sales for items for the Attic Treasures and the Santa shop.  We are going to need craft items of all kinds, and any extra jams, jellies and pickles that you’ll be making.  The sale will be a success only if we all contribute to it. BUTTERFLY BRIDGE Many thanks to all the people who supported the bridge by playing, making desserts, donating prizes and helping in the kitchen.  We were able to earn $670 to support church and community activities. Other Activities... Meditation Relaxation, music and silence are the main ingredients of our Meditation Group.  Each session runs for 6 weeks, on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 12 noon.  Interested?  Call Sheila Spicer 630-7667 Ping Pong  Mondays in the Main Hall at 10:00am.  Be there for fun and games!  For further information, call Doug Yeudall at 695-9506, Doug French at 697-1686 or l Bill Ackhurst at 697-1610. Looney Breakfast A home-cooked meal awaits you for only $2.00 on Thursdays at 9:00 am. Spin Table Tennis Club Spin Table Tennis Club, with players at all levels, operates in the church hall on Friday evenings from 7 P.M. to 10 P.M, and welcomes new members.  Please come along to our Open House on May 28st   and June 4th.  For more information, call Derek at 695-8956.  New & Improved The new and improved B.U.C. Communications Committee wants to be able to communicate with you.  One method we will make good use of is e-mail.  Please send your current e-mail address to cindy.dunlop@sympatico.ca.  Thanks! Please be sure to note our new e-mail address on the front page.  bu1@bellnet.ca. Help Wanted The B.U.C. Communications Committee would appreciate your help.  Please tell Cindy Casey or myself, Robin Little, of any NEW people in our community who may like to receive “The Beacon”.  Thank you! This Summer This summer, the week of August 16th to the 20th, come join Ian Wooden and friends at The Ian Wooden Music Camp. Held at Beaconsfield United Church, it will be a camp featuring different musical activities running from 9am to 5am (extended hours available). For information concerning programs, prices and other details, you may contact Ian Wooden at 514.827.9663, or e-mail us at ian_wooden@hotmail.com.

Stars of Promise submitted by Suzanne Black What did you think when you saw hundreds of stars decorating the sanctuary throughout Advent?  Did you think of hopes and promises?  Did you then wonder what would happen to the stars when Advent was over? I did, and I thought, “Reduce, reuse and recycle.” Each year, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is celebrated in the schools. At Dorset Elementary School, we are always looking for creative ways to tell our teachers how great they are.  Stars hanging from the ceiling, telling our teachers – the stars of Dorset – how special they are, would be a great sight.  Thanks to B.U.C., each student was able to write a thank-you note on a star and hang it in the hallway.  It was a great hit with the teachers and a novel way for B.U.C. to participate in the community.Thank you to the star makers in the Spiritual Care group from all of the students.

Music's alive at BUC !!! Submitted by Lyle Spicer We’re less than halfway through 2004, and already we’ve enjoyed a lively and varied Music Program.  Our Family Choir has a wonderful time singing together after our regular church service on the last Sunday of each month.  We meet next on May 30th and hope to continue in the fall!  Our Women’s choir sang during the March 28th Sunday Service, and the Men’s Choir on May 9th.  During both our Palm Sunday and Good Friday services, Elly Le Noble favoured us with two beautiful solos.  Elly is one of the new faces in our B.U.C. choir.  Easter Sunday saw our regular choir, plus Danielle Pullen, along with three of our Chancel Band instrumentalists, performing a stirring combination of “An die Freude” as well as “Joyful, Joyful We adore You” (both to the music of Beethoven) in German and English, respectively.   The opening solo portion was very well executed by Cameron Black.  On Sunday, May 2nd, our choir met the challenge of singing the anthem, “My Prayer,” a capella (unaccompanied; voices only).  On the evening of April 9th, we had the pleasure of hearing Danielle Pullen and Catherine Pycock sing Pergolesi’s beautiful “Stabat Mater.” On Friday, May 28th, our Concert Series continues with “The Three Sopranos,” (Danielle Pullen, Cicela Mansson, and Pamela Jones) and on Friday, June 18th, with “The Enchanting Flute,” featuring Cindy Shuter.  Lynette will provide piano/organ accompaniment for both concerts, which begin at 7:30 PM. In the fall, we hope to start a Youth Choir, so if you have a boy or girl in the ten to fifteen age group who likes to sing, please speak to Lynette Wahlstrom, our Organist and Choir Director.  It’s through the effort, encouragement, preparation and skills which Lynette applies, and her relationships with all of the participants, that we can say,  “Yes, music IS alive at BUC. Concert Series (Donations at the door) Friday, May 28th , 7:30 pm The Three Sopranos  Danielle Pullen, Cicela Mansson, Pamela Jones, sopranos  Friday, June 18th , 7:30 pm The Enchanting Flute  Cindy Shuter, flute  Accompanied by Lynette Wahlstrom,piano and organ

Intercessionary Prayer... praying for others An Inspiring Ministry Prayer chain ministry can be empowering for many volunteers, particularly those who cannot participate in more physical kinds of church ministries.  “Health concerns keep me close to home,” one prayer chain member told me.  “I pray right here where I am.  I feel so close to God, to the people I pray for and to the whole prayer chain.  I know god is shaping people, the church, and me through this ministry.”  But perhaps the most important reason for embarking on a prayer ministry is the impact it has on the lives of those who ask for help.  “I have experienced a new blessing in my church,” says one woman who sought prayer support.  “They held me in prayer quietly and powerfully.  What a gateway into hope!  I am not alone.  I thank them and I thank God.” Later that same week, a man facing a family crisis calls the congregation’s “prayer chain” contact person.  He asks for prayers for healing and for the strength to face the difficult days ahead.  The contact person listens compassionately and assures him of prayer support.  She passes the request along the prayer chain, and volunteers begin praying for him. Jesus prayed with a belief in what God can do in any situation.  He taught his followers to pray sincerely (Matthew 6:7-13) and showed them that God heard every prayer (Mark 10:46-52). From “Links of Love,” by Bev Williams, Ordained Minister If anyone would like information on becoming a member of our chain, or have prayer requests, please call us.  Your requests remain confidential. Sheila Spicer 630-7667

A Sunday School Message  from Chona Coleman & Kathryn Hornby "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this Sunday School season a success.  On June 6th, at circle time, we will take a moment to thank our Sunday School teachers for all the time they gave to our children. We would not have had a great season if they weren't there for us. Our children are an important part of our congregation and our teachers are crucial for making Sunday School an integral part of our worship. We would like all the Sunday School teachers to be present for the June 6th service for this special time. There will be a BBQ after the service. Everyone is welcome. There will also be a sign-up board for those teachers who want to have first choice for the unit they would like to teach next season.  We will be having an informal Sunday School during the months of July and August.  On September 12m we will be having our Sunday School rally where registration will take place for our next sessions. There will be a BBQ after that service and another chance to put your name on the sign-up board. Once again, everyone is welcome.  We hope your summer will be fun and safe! More News for Children  This Summer This summer, the week of August 16th to the 20th, come join Ian Wooden and friends at The Ian Wooden Music Camp. Held at Beaconsfield United Church, it will be a camp featuring different musical activities running from 9am to 5am (extended hours available). For information concerning programs, prices and other details, you may contact Ian Wooden at 514.827.9663, or e-mail us at ian_wooden@hotmail.com.

Children share their ideas of heaven...  Heaven?  I’m gonna get there real soon.  I could try to let you know what it’s like, if you tell me where you live.  I’ll call, “Hey, Victoria!”? and when you look up, you’ll see me flying in the sky and I’ll be wearing this beautiful blue dress and my hair will be so long it’ll trail behind me.  I might be on a horse, or one of those angel horses with wings. ___________________________________________________ I think you gotta work up there.  You gotta sign up for either angel or messenger or something like that.  You got so many people down here to watch out for.  They keep you real busy but you don’t get tired.  You’re never tired.  And no medicine, either.  Everyone’s healthy.  Strong.  You know?  Once a week you got to meet with God.  Either him or St. Peter.  You got to report on how things are going.  But there’s no wrong answers in heaven.  There’s no report cards. __________________________________________________ Me?  I’m gonna be a ballet dancer, or maybe an ice princess like in the Olympics.  Just twirl around all day and eat Fruit Roll-Ups. Kids in Church 3-year-old Reese:  “Our Father, who does art in Heaven, Harold is his name. Amen.”                 _______________________________________________ One particular four-year-old prayed, “And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”              __________________________________________________ A little boy was overhead praying:   “Lord, if you can’t make me a better boy, don’t worry about it.  I’m having a real good time like I am.”

Laughter Is the Best Medicine.... DEAD DOG Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dg for company.  One day the dog died.  Muldoon went to the parish priest and asked, “Father, me dog is dead.  Could ya be sayin’ a mass for the poor creature?” Father Patrick replied, “I’m afraid not; we cannot have services for an animal in the church.  But there are some Baptists down the land, and there’s no tellin’ what they believe.  Maybe they’ll do something for the creature.” Muldoon said, “I'll go right away, Father.  Do ya think $5,000 is enough to donate to them for the service?” Father Patrick exclaimed, “Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus!  Why didn’t ya tell me the dog was Catholic?” ______________________________________________________________ DONATION Father O’Malley answers the phone.  “Hello, is this Father O’Malley?” “It is.” “This is the IRS.  Can you help us?” “I can.” “Do you know a Ted Houlihan?” “I do.” “Is he a member of your congregation?” “He is.” Did he donate $10,000 to the church?” “He will!” _____________________________________________________________ SENILITY An elderly man went to his doctor and said, “Doc, I think I’m getting senile.  Several times lately, I have forgotten to zip up.” “That’s not senility,” replied the doctor.  “Senility is when you forget to zip down.”

Return to 'What's New Chez Nous' page

Retour à la page 'Quoi de neuf?'