The Newsletter of Dunbarton-Fairport United Church

January 2017 Bring your life story to our faith story Issue 5

Our Wall of Remembrance for Christmas and Advent & Advent Paintings

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Messenger January 2016

Upcoming Dates

Every Sunday @ 10:30am: Please join us for Worship Services

January 8 Epiphany Potluck Lunch 12:00pm to 2:00pm

January 8 UCW Evening Unit Meeting @ 7:00pm

January 11 UCW Day Unit Meeting @ 12:30pm

January 14 Remit Discussion 1:00pm to 4:00pm

January 22 Communion

February 5 Annual Meeting during the Service

February 7 Church at the Pub 6:30pm to 8:30pm

February 11 Remit Discussion 1:00pm to 4:00pm

February 12

Souper Sundae

February 19 Healing Service

March 17 UCW Easter Egg Making @ 6:00pm

March 18 UCW Easter Egg Making @ 2:00pm

March 19 Communion

March 18 to April 9

Easter Egg Sales

April 16 Communion

May 6 ‘Paddles Up!’ – a new kind of auction (UCW)

May 14 Healing Service

June 11 Erskine Cemetery Service

June 17 Summer Spectacular Garage Sale

Please note that dates may be subject to change.

Church Office Hours: Please note that the office hours for the church office changed January 1st. We are now here on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday to Friday now 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and

Wednesday’s until 2:00 p.m.

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Messenger January 2016

Looking for a New Year’s Resolution? Consider the Senior

Choir…

It’s January and a time when many people consider doing or trying something new. Why not give the Senior Choir a try? Don’t know how to read music? Don’t worry – we go over each anthem in sections to give everyone a chance to learn their part before it gets put together for Sunday morning worship. Each anthem is worked on for at least 3 weeks before it is sung for the congregation, giving us time to make sure that everyone feels comfortable with their parts.

The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:30pm in the Sanctuary and then meets to warm-up on Sunday mornings at 10am in the Upper Auditorium. We welcome new members for all parts – there are gowns and new music waiting for you!

Questions? Please speak to Dawn Duncliffe or to any choir member.

Another Souper Sundae coming

Get ready – On Sunday, February 12th, there will another Souper Sundae, put on by the UCW. As usual, there will be homemade soup, chili, French bread, a variety of salads, and the usual make your own Sundaes for dessert. The price is $5 a person or $15 a family. Mark this date and come ready for lunch that day.

Counters Needed

The method used at Dunbarton-Fairport for the counting and deposit of the weekly offering is for a rotation of volunteers to be used. We like to have enough people in this rotation so a volunteer only has to count about every 3 months. Currently, we don’t have enough volunteers to be able to spread it out this much. Do you have a spare Sunday afternoon once in a while? Could you look after this, taking it home, counting, recording and dropping the money at the bank later in the day? If you could help the rotation out, please contact Jim Little at 905-420-4391.

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Messenger January 2016

UPCOMING UCW MEETINGS

Evening Unit – Sunday, January 8th at 7:00pm

Chair – Valerie Hendry – 1-905-438-3117

Day Unit – Wednesday, January 11th at 12.30pm

Contact – Marjorie Green – 839-2934 or Mary Nesbitt – 839-0222

Any women of the congregation are welcome to join us for a time of worship and fellowship

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Messenger January 2016

Annual Report

The Church Office together with Session have

been working on a new and improved format for

the 2016 Annual report. Take a look at the

recently received annual report for the United

Church for 2015. The moderator's report is about

132 words. Short and sweet and easily read in

under 5 minutes with the option to go digging for

the financial data. So as you prepare your

submission for early in the new year, think, short,

precise and let us know what you did in 2016. If

you would like to just change the dates on last

year's, it may get a makeover. Deadline for

Annual Reports is Sunday, January 8th, 2017.

Ushers and Greeters, to help you remember what Sunday you have committed to, the schedule is now available online and a print version is posted in the hallway beside the calendar. If you would like to be added to the schedule contact the church office, online version is for viewing only.

DFUC Women's Spiritual Book Club

Welcome all readers into 2017! The DFUC Women's Spiritual Book Club will be reading and discussing the following books over the next few months. Thursday January 19, 1:30--3:00 p.m. "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. (a children's fantasy) Thursday Feburary 16, 1:30--3:00 p.m. "The Light Between Oceans" by M.L. Stedman (set in Australia) Thursday March 16, 1:30 --4:00 p.m. "Still Life" by Louise Penny (a mystery set in Quebec) Thursday April 20, 1:30--3:00 p.m. "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthont Doerr All women are most welcome to join us. We use the public library system exclusively, so no one needs to purchase or locate their own copy. We share what we can borrow from the library. Our discussions are lively and wide-ranging, although we do try to find spiritual or faith connections. For more information, please see any member of the book club. For a copy of the upcoming book, please see Susan Neal. We now have some copies of "The Light Between Oceans", so if any book club member would like to read this book early, please let Susan know.

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Messenger January 2016

Charity Drive Update

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our December drive for hygiene products, warm coats, shoes, toques etc. which were much appreciated by the workers at both the Women's Shelter and Fred Victor Centre. Unless you go down to make a drop off of these items you really can't appreciate how the workers down at FVC and the Women's Shelter light up when we arrive and unload Valerie's Van. Valerie made up over 40 toiletry gift bags for the women so we are assured that they won't be forgotten at Christmas time. We also purchase groceries for at least one hardy breakfast for the restaurant that is run by FVC. We had boxes upon boxes filled to over flowing with eggs, bread, and margarine, a ham, sausages, pancake mix and syrup, fresh fruit, orange juice, milk, peanut butter, jam and I know that I have forgotten just what else we had. Since there is no government money going to help the little bit we provided was well received.

This is an ongoing project the collection of toiletries, so please remember to put them in the baskets provided in the narthex closet area. If you have the larger size containers to donate please give Valerie Henry a call so she can meet you on a Sunday and take them home with her for safe keeping. In May we will once again need the hygiene items (since the women stay in on sight housing for an extended period of time full size containers are what they would like) for our trip to Massey Centre for women and we would also like to be able to take down items to make up baby layettes, each newborn receives brand new items and they especially love the blankets for their cribs. In the past we accepted clothing for both the women and children but space is limited so we don't collect these items any longer. If wool is needed for knitting or crocheting please let the UCW know and we will do our best to get what you need. Once again for any larger items contact Valerie Hendry or see her after church services.

Blessing to all who were able to contribute to our mission.

On behalf of the UCW thank you,

Doreen Williams and Valerie Hendry

Easter Egg Sales

Once again the UCW will be selling chocolate covered cream filled eggs starting March 19th. This year we expect there to be 7 flavours available – watch out for announcements for the ones we actually make. The sale will run 4 weeks or until we run out. If you would like to help with the assembly we are working on them the following times:

Friday March 17th 6 P.M. kitchen – make centres. Saturday, March 18th 2 P.M. kitchen – dip in chocolate, decorate, put on plates, bag and tie with ribbons.

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Messenger January 2016

FOOTCARE CLINIC

For Seniors & Diabetics, Anyone interested in Proper Footcare

Monthly Footcare Clinics By an Advanced Footcare trained nurse

at Dunbarton-Fairport United Church 1066 Dunbarton Road, Pickering

The fourth Wednesday of each month Starting at 9:00 a.m.

Next Clinic: Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Call Carol in the Church Office at

905‐839‐7271 to book your appointment

Cost: $24.00 (cash or cheque)

www.wecare.ca

Basketball: Our weekly basketball

programme open to all who are interested. Ages 25 and over. Location: The gym at Roland Michener School, 95 Richie Avenue, Ajax. Contact person is Ryan Williams. Need more information? Contact the church office.

Join us on the first Tuesday of the month at the Fox Goes Free, Pickering, for a themed discussion. Rev. Jeff picks a topic, which is normally published in the News to the Pews, you buy your meal and join the conversation. Let the church office know if you are planning to attend. Fox Goes Free is located at 339 Kingston Road, 905-509-6464.

In Loving Memory

The large, beautiful red poinsettia in the sanctuary was placed for the Christmas season by Marie Lynde and family in loving memory of Don Lynde.

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Messenger January 2016

Advent Paintings

Peace by Heloise

Joy by Judith Jewer

Love by Peter Stoll (right)

Annual General Meeting: Why is it we can never understand the word “church” outside of buildings and bills? Somehow we have lost the true meaning of “Church” which came from the Greek word “Ekklesia” meaning assembly or gathering. But somehow we have made it about structures rather than people. And when we do that it is easy to say “oh the work of the building and bills is someone else’s job”. But “Church” as a “gathering or assembly” now takes on flesh and bones, hopes and dreams, fears and joy. And that is the responsibility of each member. So this is why we have started to have our Annual General Meeting during our service. It is a chance to look back over the year and celebrate who we have been as

the people of God, as the ones who gather and assemble as the Dunbarton-Fairport family.

And so on Feb 5th we will do so once again during our 10:30 a.m. service. We will come to look not only at how God was working in our midst in 2016 but also to dare dream ahead as Church (not as a church). This year we will be faced with a major deficit due to many capital projects we need to look at that affect not only the church building, but also our work as people of the gospel and of those who use our building for many wonderful events and important work. Our future as a church family needs to be discussed and we

need to hear your voice.

And this is not the “responsibility of our Finance people or Trustees or the committees…but you and me together, young and old. For there are many ways to be engaged as Church. So please mark your calendars. Please don’t say “Oh I am not going because they are doing the AGM”. This is your congregation, your faith family and each one of us is needed to make our Church family a living vibrant

gospel example of love. So please join us…we need you here. Rev. Jeff.

Dunbarton-Fairport United Church Annual Congregational Meeting,

Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.

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Messenger January 2016

Our Christmas Eve cast for the 7pm

family service (missing Lynda

Meredith our narrator). Thanks to

Lindy Kentish for putting this part of

our service together. And a most

special thanks to our young animals

who shared their stories.

Thanks for

your

donations!

Food Drive

(right) and

Sock it to

Me (left)

Christmas Eve Peace by Michael Joe.

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Messenger January 2016

Remember the questions from last year’s Annual General Meeting? As we prepare for our next meeting, let’s review…..

What do we need personally to grow spiritually? What do we need as a congregation to grow spiritually? Our

responses to this question from last year:

• Get to know each other better

• Personally: A sense of value in being part of the congregation (beyond the fundraising and building up-keep).

Congregation: Human face-to-face contact and conversation. Social connection at a personal level (Not electronic alone).

Two-way communication.

• Feel spiritually full now. Become more accepting. Still some judging going on.

• Encourage each of us & each other to be actively involved in joining, organizing, supporting all activities – some

that may become a “joy” we never expected. Share our “church family” relationship with ALL who may want to “have”

what we “have”. Doing a fearless inventory of where we can let “go” of old habits that no longer work & then have

energy/resources to move to NEW activities/practices that will help DFUC to grow.

• Trust and knowing we are not alone never to be ashamed. And to always love our self. To tell the truth always.

• Need to involve more in just worship – only way for people to really feel part of the church.

• Get involved? More than just filling a seat in the pews.

• What happens inside our church community is lovely & welcoming. We have evolved and grown in our time,

but the community at large still sees us as the rigid church of the past. We have changed but the overall image of the

church has not.

• Need to get younger families involved.

• Personally: love, support, open-mindedness, understanding, innovation. Congregation: supporting the previously

listed items.

• We need to first love ourselves, our neighbours and others & truly believe to be open. Helping others in this

world as a congregation.

• We need to not forget our history/past. Not to go far off track. Why are we here?

• Personally: more quiet reflection, less negativity. Congregation: Stir up the worship service. More prayer.

Greater commitment to religious life and community outreach and service – “soup kitchen”.

• Music and minister seem fine. Not sure what to do to improve spiritually. Maybe encourage people to attend

church. Advertise that we are here and open to all who wish to attend.

• Small social groups.

• More structure, more reverence. Sermons tied more to biblical precepts and guidance.

• More individual participation in worship (from the front, not the seats). Scripture study and worship as a

community in member’s homes. The priesthood of all believers; build a community that shares its faith internally and

we’ll naturally express it outside as well.

• Personally: Make Christ part of every aspect of my life every day, and to spread his news joyfully in all I do!

Congregation: Continue what we do, by being a welcoming church. Maybe going out the community more at local fairs,

celebrations, etc.

• A focus on bible study; encouragement of an understanding of the scripture; a questioning of the same. As a

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Messenger January 2016

congregation we need opportunities to come together to discuss issues: breakout groups during Sunday worships; guest

speakers with different viewpoints. As a congregation I would like to establish a yearly theme that drives the work that

year: and to establish a project that can be started and finished within a year.

• Openness to new ideas. Willingness to discuss.

• I am continuously learning about all the bible stories and my faith keeps growing as I feel so happy and

welcome as part of the congregation.

• Faith

• Faith. Outreach to the larger world. Helping others helps ourselves.

• We need a “stronger commitment” both spiritually and financially to grow. More involvement from individuals

to work and worship together.

• We need to become more of a family. We need to focus more internally and less on everything external. We do

a great job ignoring those within our congregation and are too focused on what outsiders perceive.

• Keep on doing what has been successful in the last few years.

• To remain optimistic, positivity grows. A simple smile could make someone’s day that much greater.

• A more positive attitude. More caring and involved congregation. Learn to be there for each other by doing and

sharing. We need to pay more attention to our youth in their early 20’s, invite and encourage them to join the church.

• Acceptance, which this congregation is striving for.

• Opportunities to discuss, challenge beliefs.

• Keep a positive attitude and remember God is always with us.

• We need God’s love and guidance. I need the bible study to help me to grow spiritually. Regular attendance of

worship each Sunday. Prayers each day help to give me the strength to meet the challenges that come.

• Jeff, you are doing such a good job. I don’t know how much more we need to do. Ken is teaching us the bible

which is wonderful. We have good leaders; we will just continue to follow. Do not give up.

• More young families. Otherwise, I am happy as is.

• Continued commitment to attend church and to follow path of truth, honesty, good faith and hope. Continue to

contribute my donations, time and effort to my church.

• Opportunities to dialogue together and opportunities to ask questions, share our perspectives. Continue to grow

our connections with the community and most vulnerable. Challenge our faith.

• Personally: Encouragement. Congregation: Patience.

• We need to continue on our journey to be more inclusive. (Spread of love.)

• Faith, love, laughter, our leader Jeff. Get to know each other. Help our friends up when they are down.

• A little more personal contact, a little less electronic contact.

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Messenger January 2016

Messenger is published ten times a year (monthly except for the summer issue) usually on the last

Sunday of the month. Contributions - whether written or pictures — are welcomed.

Thank-you to all of this month’s contributors: Kimberly Collins. Helen Cox, Dawn Duncliffe, Susan Neal, Carol Taylor, Doreen Williams and Featured Artists Heloise, Judith Jewer, Michael Joe and

Peter Stoll.

If you have access to the Internet, you can reduce distribution costs by signing up for convenient electronic delivery. Your newsletter will never be late and you are helping the church reduce its postage and paper cost. Each member of the family can even get their own copy! Contact the

church office or the newsletter editor to have your email address added to the distribution list.

The deadline for the February 2017 Newsletter is January 20.

Cover Photo Credit: Brent Brook-Allred, used with permission.

Dunbarton-Fairport United Church, 1066 Dunbarton Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1G8 -

905.839.7271

Minister: Rev. Jeff Doucette

minister@dunbartonfairport.on.ca

Office Manager: Carol Taylor

dfunited@dunbartonfairport.on.ca

Church Fax: 905.839.7288 Website: www.dunbartonfairport.on.ca/

dfunited

Director of Music: Dawn Duncliffe

music.director@dunbartonfairport.on.ca

Newsletter Editor: Tanya Bhatia

Newsletter E-mail:

newsletter@dunbartonfairport.on.ca.

Rev. Jeff’s blog: www.jeffdoucette.webs.com

Are you an Adherent and have thought about becoming a full member of the United Church? Do you need to

transfer your membership from one congregation to become part of ours? Contact the office for more details

on how to do this.

P.A.R. is the Pre-Authorized Remittance programme, which allows for an automated monthly transfer of funds

from your designated financial institution to Dunbarton-Fairport United Church. Information and enrollment

forms are available on the table in the narthex. A completed form, along with your voided cheque, must be

returned to the P.A.R. Coordinator, Brenda McLaughlin at 905-420-6521,

brendamclaughlin547@gmail.com. For more information, please contact Brenda!

Visits to the sick in hospitals and home bound. If you know of folks in our congregation who are in need of a

visit please contact the office. Rev. Jeff depends on your help. He does love to visit.

Baptisms: If you are interested in having your children baptized, please contact the church office to speak to

Rev Jeff or see him after services. Also anyone who is an adherent and interested in joining the church

officially, Rev Jeff would love to chat about this with you.

Rev Jeff and Dunbarton-Fairport United church are on social media spreading the love? Check us out. Like

us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/groups/2368087542/ . Follow us on Twitter Rev. Jeff @revjeffdoucette

Dunbarton-Fairport on twitter @DFUnited