St. Paul’s United Church Edition 11 · St. Paul’s United Church Worshipping God...Serving...
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St. Paul’s United Church Worshipping God...Serving people Edition 11 September 22, 2020 Friends, this little poem recently landed in my in-box: Give Me This, -- by Ada Limón I thought it was the neighbor‘s cat back to clean the clock of the fledgling robins low in their nest stuck in the dense hedge by the house but what came was much stranger, a liquidity moving all muscle and bristle. A groundhog slippery and waddle thieving my tomatoes still green in the morning‘s shade. I watched her munch and stand on her haunches taking such pleasure in the watery bites. Why am I not allowed delight? A stranger writes to request my thoughts on suffering. Barbed wire pulled out of the mouth, as if demanding that I kneel to the trap of coiled spikes used in warfare and fencing. Instead, I watch the groundhog closer and a sound escapes me, a small spasm of joy I did not imagine when I woke. She is a funny creature and earnest, and she is doing what she can to survive.* Indeed, there is much suffering in our world right now. We try to make sense of it. We do what we can to alleviate that suffering, and we companion and support those we know who are suffering in some way. We may endeavour to keep up with the news, no matter how harsh and depressing, or anger producing it may be. Small and unexpected joys continue to grace and serendipitously touch our lives. These help sustain us through all the requirements and limitations of this Covid-19 pandemic. The unexpected joys – in nature – and in the human community – are gift and blessing. We may understand them as Divine gift. The irony is that part of the suffering that we are aware of in the wider world is the result of climate change, and it threatens some of the things – or species – or forests that are gift and blessing to us and others at this time. There has emerged an incredible urgency about climate change, as we watch fires rage in the western U.S. and Siberia. It is not our praying, ―God save us!‘ But our God saying, ―Mend your ways. Save yourselves and this planet home I have given you.‖ As this pandemic continues to surge, we do well to intentionally encourage one another in our vigilance in keeping the simple requirements that help control Covid-19. Here at St. Paul‘s, we have re-opened for worship, with all these requirements in mind; and we will continue to live-stream our worship services.
Transcript of St. Paul’s United Church Edition 11 · St. Paul’s United Church Worshipping God...Serving...
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
Friends, this little poem recently landed in my in-box:
Give Me This, -- by Ada Limón
I thought it was the neighbor‘s cat back
to clean the clock of the fledgling robins low
in their nest stuck in the dense hedge by the house
but what came was much stranger, a liquidity
moving all muscle and bristle. A groundhog
slippery and waddle thieving my tomatoes still
green in the morning‘s shade. I watched her
munch and stand on her haunches taking such
pleasure in the watery bites. Why am I not allowed
delight? A stranger writes to request my thoughts
on suffering. Barbed wire pulled out of the mouth,
as if demanding that I kneel to the trap of coiled
spikes used in warfare and fencing. Instead,
I watch the groundhog closer and a sound escapes
me, a small spasm of joy I did not imagine
when I woke. She is a funny creature and earnest,
and she is doing what she can to survive.*
Indeed, there is much suffering in our world right now. We try to make sense of it. We do what we can to
alleviate that suffering, and we companion and support those we know who are suffering in some way. We
may endeavour to keep up with the news, no matter how harsh and depressing, or anger producing it may be.
Small and unexpected joys continue to grace and serendipitously touch our lives. These help sustain us
through all the requirements and limitations of this Covid-19 pandemic. The unexpected joys – in nature – and
in the human community – are gift and blessing. We may understand them as Divine gift.
The irony is that part of the suffering that we are aware of in the wider world is the result of climate change,
and it threatens some of the things – or species – or forests that are gift and blessing to us and others at this
time. There has emerged an incredible urgency about climate change, as we watch fires rage in the western
U.S. and Siberia. It is not our praying, ―God save us!‘ But our God saying, ―Mend your ways. Save yourselves
and this planet home I have given you.‖
As this pandemic continues to surge, we do well to intentionally encourage one another in our vigilance in
keeping the simple requirements that help control Covid-19.
Here at St. Paul‘s, we have re-opened for worship, with all these requirements in
mind; and we will continue to live-stream our worship services.
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
On Sunday the 20th, we bid farewell to Rev. Allison Playfair, extremely grateful for her many gifts, and her
ministry among us. We wish her well, and pray God‘s blessing on her ministry at Carlisle and Kilbride.
Going forward, we do well to remind ourselves that God is with us in our endings and our new beginnings --
in our transitions and our transformations – even when these changes seem triggered by events beyond our
control.
With you on the journey -- I wish all of you much grace and peace,
-- Rev. Jim Cairney
*Copyright © 2020 by Ada Limón. Originally published in Poem-a-Day on September 16, 2020, by the Academy of American Poets.
Bless you!
Bless these gifts!
Bless our life in Christ!
Bless the ministry and mission of St. Paul‘s!
Week by week, we have intentionally blessed our offerings in our on-line worship –
regardless of which method of giving you employ!
And we will continue to do this Sunday by Sunday now that we are open – even though
we are not ‗taking-up‘ the offering, but placing offering plates in the sanctuary.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support the mission and ministry of St. Paul‘s.
Well done! We are grateful! We appreciate the sacrifice that some of you are making.
We will continue to bless you -- and your offerings -- praying God‘s blessing on – and
wisdom in the use of – these gifts.
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
MUSIC NEWS
As we move cautiously into reopening our church, you will be hearing more ways of
reimagining our Music Ministries. Gatherings and singing together at this time are risky,
but Music is an important part of our Ministry and of our Faith.
Today I would like to tell you about HOLY UKULELES. This is a rethinking of the
Youth Music Ministry for our Celestial Singers. The children may either get their own
ukulele or borrow one from the church. Via Zoom, we will have lessons in the rudiments
of playing the ukulele, we will learn and sing some songs, and we will have an
opportunity to visit with each other on a regular basis. It may also be a good opportunity
for parents to learn along with their children. If you know children interested in
becoming part of Holy Ukuleles, let me know so we can involve them. I would like to
thank Steve Parton and Sheelagh Wood for helping to facilitate this new aspect of Music
at St. Paul‘s.
Moving forward you will be hearing how the music ministry will be continuing for each of our music groups at
St. Paul‘s. We have already broadened our scope with so much virtual music, and that will continue, as we develop a
St. Paul‘s Virtual Music Channel for the website.
I would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Sweet Refrain, so pay tribute and express our sadness at the passing
of two of our members. Linda Wilkinson and Ada Van der Dussen shared their musical gifts with our group for years.
Furthermore, they have shared the beauty of their kind personalities and friendships. We miss them both. And our
condolences go out to their families.
In closing, I would like to tell you about the hymn ―O Love that Will not Let Me Go,‖ (VU 658) and its author George
Matheson. Matheson was a minister in the Church of Scotland in the nineteenth century. His life was not an easy one.
Early on doctors told him he was going blind and there was nothing they could do to reverse it. As a result, on the eve of
his own marriage, his fiancée said she could not go through with marrying a man who would be blind.
His three sisters who were close to him, however, helped him with studies in the seminary, and he was ordained. On the
eve of his closest sister‘s marriage he wrote this hymn.
Having lost the love of his fiancée and the companionship of his sisters, he could say:
―O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee,‖
And having lost his sight he could write:
―O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain.
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be‖
George Matheson understood that even in affliction, much like our own present challenges the hand of God is there to
provide all the grace necessary to make our life a testify to the love of God.
Blessings,
Fredric
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
Friends, we share the sad news of the death of Heather Pullen. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband
Ken Fidlin, and their two sons, Tyler and Samuel, and their granddaughter McKenzie Fidlin; Heather‘s
brothers Stuart (Lola) and Richard, her brother-in-law David Dacyk, as well as nieces Amanda (Dorey) and
Valerie (Onischuck).
We knew Heather was a person of faith and conviction, who faced her death with grace and hope. We
commend her to the eternal love of the Holy One she knew so well. Her obituary notice follows here.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Jim & Rev. Allison
Heather Joan Pullen
Forever in our hearts, Heather left us peacefully on Tuesday,
September 15, 2020 after a three-year battle with breast cancer.
Generous, kind, thoughtful and selfless, Heather was a friend to
all who were lucky enough to cross her path, whether as a family
member, a journalist, a broadcaster, a communications specialist,
a student or a teacher. She encompassed all those aspects in
her 65 years on earth.
Heather was born in Regina but spent the early part of her life in Calgary, the third of four children born to
Jack and Kay Pullen.
Her formative years were a whirlwind of achievement, whether it was academics or athletics. A straight-A
student, Heather swam competitively at the Winter Club and built a solid golf game at the Elks Club. Soon
enough, her dad introduced her to skiing and she left her mark at Mount Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine.
She dreamed of a career in journalism and made that dream a reality when she graduated from Carleton
University‘s honours journalism program in the spring of 1977.
Her first job after graduating was a short stint at a startup newspaper called Ottawa Today. The newspaper
didn‘t last but it was during that time that she met her future husband, Ken Fidlin. They were married in
August of 1979 and spent the next 41 years in a marriage filled with love and happiness.
Her second job was a 10-year stint at CBC Radio where she eventually became one of an elite group
producing documentaries for the network‘s flagship program, Sunday Morning.
In 1987, she made an abrupt career shift, leaving CBC behind for a job as a communications specialist at
Toronto General Hospital. That opened the door to 30 years of health care communications, including 13 years
as Manager of Public Relations at Hamilton Health Sciences. She loved being part of a close-knit team
working in a public service setting.
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
Heather particularly treasured the final chapters of her career when she went back to university in 2007, at the
age of 52, to join the very first cohort of McMaster University‘s Master of Communications Management
program. She cut such a wide swath as a student and, later, a teacher in the program that they established the
Heather Pullen Pathfinder Fund, to sponsor student research and learning in the MCM program.
Heather leaves behind her husband, and two sons, Tyler (Megan) and Samuel, granddaughter McKenzie
Fidlin, brothers Stuart (Lola) and Richard, brother-in-law David Dacyk as well as nieces Amanda Dacyk
(Dan Dorey) and Valerie Onischuck (Bo). She was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Kay Pullen, and her
beloved sister Carol.
Heather also played an important role in the Fidlin clan, bonding with Ken‘s late mother Dorothy, his five
siblings, their wives, husbands and children.
The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Tozer, Heather‘s brilliant oncologist who shot every arrow in his
quiver to try to save her. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the hundreds of medical professionals who
contributed to her treatment at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. We are indebted to the Victorian Order of
Nurses, and nurse Jenny Voisin in particular for their professional, compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, Heather requested that donations be made to the Heather Pullen MCM Pathfinder Fund at
McMaster University. You can do that directly through this link: https://bit.ly/32E8lkl
A funeral will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 2:00pm in the sanctuary at St. Paul‘s United Church,
29 Park St. West, Dundas ON. Livestream viewing of the service will be available on the Church website
(stpaulsdundas.com).
Due to COVID-19 space restrictions, family and friends who wish to attend the service in person, in the
Church sanctuary, are asked to register by September 30th by email to [email protected].
St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
On-Line Bible Study
Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 20, 27.
Tuesday mornings 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Meeting by Zoom
To register or for more information, contact Rev. Jim:
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
ORANGE SHIRT DAY
& ORANGE SHIRT SUNDAY
On September 30, people all across Canada will wear orange shirts to remember and honour Indigenous
children who attended Residential Schools. Indigenous Ministries and Justice at The United Church of
Canada asks you to participate in Orange Shirt Day!
Why orange? Because of Phyllis Jack Webstad from the Stswecem‘c Xgat‘tem First Nation, who went to
St. Joseph Mission Residential School. On her first day of school, Phyllis wore an orange shirt that her
grandmother had given her. It was immediately taken away, and that marked the beginning of Phyllis‘s long
separation from her family and community, a separation caused by actions of the church and the federal
government.
Orange Shirt Day is a time for us all to remember those events, their ongoing impact, and just as importantly,
the continuing strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples.
We will mark Orange Shirt Day in the St. Paul’s community of faith
on Sunday September 27.
Whether we meet in person or online, please wear orange, if you can.
A Prayer for Orange Shirt Day*
Today we wear orange to remember and honour all the Indigenous children who went to Residential
Schools.
Today we wear orange and we pray for the Residential School and intergenerational survivors who are
still struggling.
Today we wear orange and we are thankful for those who speak the truth, and who work to shine a light
on injustice.
Today we wear orange in the name of compassion and the spirit of truth and reconciliation.
Help us, God, to remember and act on this every day. Amen. *This prayer was inspired by Honarine Scott‘s Orange Shirt Day blog.
Wear an orange shirt on Wednesday, September 30
Whether you‘re at work, at school, or at home, get out that orange shirt!
If possible, take a picture to share on Facebook and Twitter (include the hashtags #OrangeShirtDay,
#EveryChildMatters, and #UCCan). Invite friends and family to do the same. You can send your pictures to
Reconciliation and Indigenous Justice Animator Sara Stratton at [email protected] for use on United
Church of Canada social media pages.
Orange Shirt Day 2017
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
Fall 2020 Book Study
Fear of the Other No Fear in Love
By William H. Willimon Abingdon Press 2016
Is there a distinctively Christian way
to engage the “outside” and “stranger”?
Mondays 7:30 to 8:30 or so…
Through five Zoom sessions
Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16.
This is a small book — less than 100 pages.
It is around $21/22 Canadian
(We will order some copies into the office.)
To participate, or order a book, contact Reverend Jim
905-628-6396 — [email protected]
Hello everyone, We trust everyone remains healthy and safe. Maybe even a little less stressed.........? The Dundas Good Food Box program will re-start on Friday September 25. Please let me know by 5pm on Wednesday September 23 if you would like to order either a $10.00 box with 7 items or a $18.00 box with 12 items. We will still be operating out of the Dundas Salvation Army programming space at 150 King Street West in downtown Dundas. The location is at the corner of King Street West and John Street opposite the Shopper's Drug Mart. In order to maintain proper distancing while packing the food boxes, we have had to significantly reduce the number of our volunteers. Therefore the pickup time is from 11:00 am to 12:00 noon. Please do not come early. If this pick-up time cannot work for you, please contact me. We will be operating an outdoor pickup. Do not come into the packing room. Please bring your own bags. We will place a bag with your produce onto an outdoor table and ask that you transfer the contents to your own bag. Please wear a mask when doing this. Payment can be made by cash or cheque at pickup or by e-transfer to [email protected]. If you use e-transfer, please set the answer to the security question as goodfoodbox. If you are late or forget to come, your bag of produce will be placed in the Salvation Army Foodbank refrigerator. You should ask at the Food Bank no later than Monday 28th after which un-collected food will be donated to the Food Bank. We look forward to seeing you in your stylish masks on Friday September 25! Cheers, Jim
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 11 September 22, 2020
“Are you still giving out Metro cards?”
We continue to give out Metro grocery cards to assist people in need who come to the doors
of St Paul‘s. Thank you to everyone who has been donating to the Benevolent Fund to
support this ministry. Your support and compassion are
appreciated by those we help. Your donations can be mailed,
dropped at the church, made online through Canada Helps on our
website, or by e-transfer.
.
Fiesta
Silent Auction
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we will not have a traditional FIESTA this year.
BUT we will do what we can, and we want to stay connected!
This year‘s Silent Auction will be online!
You will be able to look at items, and bid from the comfort of your own home.
You will be notified if someone outbids you, and you can bid again.
Stay tuned for more details!
Joan Williams
From the Re-Opening Task Committee
It was great to see so many out for worship on September 20, as we celebrated Rev. Allison‘s Ministry with us
and said good-bye. There were a total of 55 in the Sanctuary.
We look forward to more Sundays of worshipping in the church. Thank you to everyone for following all the
COVID protocol while in the building.
Until further notice, please continue to register each week if you are planning to attend worship on Sunday,
via e-mail [email protected] or by calling the office at 905-628-6296, by noon on Friday‘s.
We will continue to monitor the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province and follow provincial
guidelines.
Bev
Chairperson, Re-opening Task Committee
St. Paul’s United Church
Worshipping God...Serving people
Edition 1` September 22, 2020
Update in light of the COVID-19 virus pandemic.
We Re-opened the Sanctuary for Worship
on Sunday September 20 at 10:00 am. Please refer to and follow the directions from the Re-opening Task Group (see
previous page)
Online Video Worship (10 am) available Sundays. Please go to the St. Paul‘s
United Church Dundas website.
Recordings of previous Online Services are available on the St. Paul‘s website.
Listen to Online Worship
Dial 647-374-4685 (ID 296 507 638)
Sunday Worship is followed by Online Fellowship
In person meetings are cancelled.
Zoom Meetings can be scheduled.
Text Wayne at 905-541-4212 to schedule.
Programs, Rehearsals, Communal Meals are cancelled.
Saturday morning Breakfasts are cancelled.
Our Office Administrator, Wendy Thomson, is in the office.
905 628 6396 or [email protected]
If you are in the building, please maintain an appropriate social distance and wear
your mask.
For Pastoral Care please contact
Rev.Jim Cairney [email protected]
Our mission as a community of Christ‘s disciples is to grow in faith, in love of God, all
human beings and the world God created.
St Paul’s Website https://stpaulsdundas.com/
Twitter https://twitter.com/StPaulsDundas
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsDundas/
―We are all in this world together,
and the only test of our character
that matters, is how we look after
the least fortunate among us. How
we look after each other ...That‘s
what really matters.‖
Tommy Douglas
1904-1986
