THE ORIOLE

Our Pastor’s MessageSuffering Inside the Circle of God’s Love

The terrible images of the devastatingearthquake in Haiti have been emotionallywrenching. It was significant enough for meto change the theme of my message onJanuary 17th. I wanted to say somethingabout human suffering and God.

Jesus spoke to the issue of suffering and itscause in Luke 13:1-5. A tower unexpectedlyfell and killed 18 people. Some people thenasked Jesus questions we all ask: Why didthis happen? Who was to blame? Werethose 18 killed because of their sin? Jesustold them, no, the people killed were noworse than anyone else living in Jerusalemwho escaped the tragedy. Those people justhappened to be in the wrong place when thetower fell.

We often suffer innocently because wehappen to be in the wrong place. In the midstof great global or personal tragedies,emotions of grief, despair, doubt and angermay rise within us and we cry out withquestions that have no answers. Those whoknow God understand that is OK. We stand

Oriole-York Mills United Church Newsletter February 2010

In this issue:

Our Pastor’s Message:Suffering Inside the Circleof God’s Love ………….…1

A Message from Rev. Val ...3

Council News ……………….5

The Meaning of Stones ……7

Social Justice Action .………8

DVRR Update ...…..........….. 9

Did You Know? – DaylightSaving Time ………………10

Thanks to Contributors …..11

Save Trees and MoneyEither Way ……………..…..11

Contributions andSuggestions …..….………..11

Your OYM Calendar .…..…12

Contact OYM .…….….…..…12

in a long line of faithful believers – from prophets to psalmists, including Job– who did not understand what was happening to them, or why, and whoseemotions and questions spilled out before God.

There are some people now as then who will try to supply answers. Besidesthose who are always blaming God in situations like this, there are alsoothers who think they are explaining God. ‘Job’s comforters’, they are called.But they usually get it wrong. For according to God – and that’s whoseopinion counts! – Job did not suffer because of his sin. When Jobencountered God, he did not hear a detailed explanation of why he sufferedbut, in a strong yet compassionate manner, he heard that God wanted torestore the relationship Job had with him before his circumstances changed.Job responded to God by repenting for even thinking God may have causedthe tragedies in his life. For God did not cause Job’s suffering!

I do not think we offer our heart-wrenching laments in suffering primarily toget answers. But, rather, through our laments of grief, pain and suffering,we are joined empathetically to others and, most importantly,compassionately to God. There have been remarkable news reports ofcrowds of people singing together on the open streets of Port-au-Prince –singing Haitian hymns of lament (understandably) but also (amazingly!)hymns of praise to God.

We have only a limited understanding of why terrible things happen. Butthat does not mean there is nothing to say. Scripture urges us to seek God– the living God who lives in the centre of tragedy, suffering with us and forus. Is this witness not seen most clearly in the cross of Jesus, where Godjoined with us in suffering an unjust and cruel death out of his love for allhumanity? My friends, God does not cause chaos but enters into it with us.God does not send calamity but suffers with us through it. God does notstand over us but holds tightly onto us and promises never to let us go. Nowonder Paul declared so powerfully in Romans 8:35-39: “Who, then, canseparate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship orpersecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? I am certain there isnothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love ofGod which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2

THE ORIOLE

Our Pastor’s MessageSuffering Inside the Circle of God’s Love

The terrible images of the devastatingearthquake in Haiti have been emotionallywrenching. It was significant enough for meto change the theme of my message onJanuary 17th. I wanted to say somethingabout human suffering and God.

Jesus spoke to the issue of suffering and itscause in Luke 13:1-5. A tower unexpectedlyfell and killed 18 people. Some people thenasked Jesus questions we all ask: Why didthis happen? Who was to blame? Werethose 18 killed because of their sin? Jesustold them, no, the people killed were noworse than anyone else living in Jerusalemwho escaped the tragedy. Those people justhappened to be in the wrong place when thetower fell.

We often suffer innocently because wehappen to be in the wrong place. In the midstof great global or personal tragedies,emotions of grief, despair, doubt and angermay rise within us and we cry out withquestions that have no answers. Those whoknow God understand that is OK. We stand

Oriole-York Mills United Church Newsletter February 2010

In this issue:

Our Pastor’s Message:Suffering Inside the Circleof God’s Love ………….…1

A Message from Rev. Val ...3

Council News ……………….5

The Meaning of Stones ……7

Social Justice Action .………8

DVRR Update ...…..........….. 9

Did You Know? – DaylightSaving Time ………………10

Thanks to Contributors …..11

Save Trees and MoneyEither Way ……………..…..11

Contributions andSuggestions …..….………..11

Your OYM Calendar .…..…12

Contact OYM .…….….…..…12

in a long line of faithful believers – from prophets to psalmists, including Job– who did not understand what was happening to them, or why, and whoseemotions and questions spilled out before God.

There are some people now as then who will try to supply answers. Besidesthose who are always blaming God in situations like this, there are alsoothers who think they are explaining God. ‘Job’s comforters’, they are called.But they usually get it wrong. For according to God – and that’s whoseopinion counts! – Job did not suffer because of his sin. When Jobencountered God, he did not hear a detailed explanation of why he sufferedbut, in a strong yet compassionate manner, he heard that God wanted torestore the relationship Job had with him before his circumstances changed.Job responded to God by repenting for even thinking God may have causedthe tragedies in his life. For God did not cause Job’s suffering!

I do not think we offer our heart-wrenching laments in suffering primarily toget answers. But, rather, through our laments of grief, pain and suffering,we are joined empathetically to others and, most importantly,compassionately to God. There have been remarkable news reports ofcrowds of people singing together on the open streets of Port-au-Prince –singing Haitian hymns of lament (understandably) but also (amazingly!)hymns of praise to God.

We have only a limited understanding of why terrible things happen. Butthat does not mean there is nothing to say. Scripture urges us to seek God– the living God who lives in the centre of tragedy, suffering with us and forus. Is this witness not seen most clearly in the cross of Jesus, where Godjoined with us in suffering an unjust and cruel death out of his love for allhumanity? My friends, God does not cause chaos but enters into it with us.God does not send calamity but suffers with us through it. God does notstand over us but holds tightly onto us and promises never to let us go. Nowonder Paul declared so powerfully in Romans 8:35-39: “Who, then, canseparate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship orpersecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? I am certain there isnothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love ofGod which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

2

In Lamentations 3:19-24, Jeremiah responded to the fall of Jerusalem: “Thethought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. I think of itconstantly, and my spirit is depressed. Yet hope returns when I rememberthis one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as themorning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I putmy hope.”

God not only suffers with us but God also works through us. Helen Kellersaid, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming ofit.” Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty andyou gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked andyou clothed me” (Matthew 25:35-36). Jesus called the Church to be hishealing and helping presence wherever there is suffering in the world.

Giving through proven organizations you already trust is the best way todonate. Our United Church is also appealing for donations to support reliefand reconstruction efforts in Haiti in partnership with the ACT Alliance – anetwork of churches and Christian aid agencies that enables globalresponses to emergencies and development needs. So let us pray for thepeople of Haiti and share generously.

Chris Miller

For more on the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and their work inHaiti, visit http://www.act-intl.org

___________________________________________________________________________

A Message from Rev. Val …

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2010! In this Season after Epiphany, weexplore and discover ways the light of Christ becomes alive in the lifeand work of Christian faith communities. Along with the Youth wecontinue to learn more about our shared Christian faith alive and growing aswe journey together. We are very happy and privileged to welcome theAdult Mentors who will continue to meet with the Youth every third Sunday ofthe month. January 18th marked our first ‘Confirmation Lunch and Learn’event which went very well. During this time the discussion focused on

3

At OYM or yourhome, let theyoung people

hear yourmemories of the

early years ofthe UnitedChurch ofCanada

exploring why we need to be part of a faith community and further exploredhow Jesus’ ministry helps shape our lives everyday.

At the First Sunday of Advent Service the OYM children and youth helpedas servers for Holy Communion and offered their leadership in the ‘FamilyTime Spiritual Reflection’ as they explored through liturgical movementhow we are moved to serve as an ‘Instrument of Peace.’ This helped thecongregation to explore deeper ways to feel and live an inspiring faith!

The Monthly Amica Worship Services continue to be well received as wasthe Advent Holy Communion Service. There will be a special Valentine’sWorship Service planned for the folks at Amica to enjoy soon! Those atCedarhurst and Lifestyles continue to enjoy the weekly bulletins and, ofcourse, the Christmas cookies and Christmas messages from the childrenand youth.

As we come to celebrate Black History Month during February weremember that we are the Body of Christ “called to love and serve others, toseek justice and resist evil”. Let us celebrate and reflect on how ourbrothers and sisters throughout the world enrich our learning of how to serveas Christ’s Body! ‘Believe It, God’s Riches are Here!’ is the YouthWorkshop from Mission and Service that we will explore in the comingweeks throughout their journey as Confirmands.

Over the coming months the children and youth hope to interview andexplore with our Senior members at OYM what happened as they and their

families celebrated the birth of The United Church ofCanada in 1925 and what church life was like inthose early years. If you were alive in 1925, or bornsoon after, please let the young people hear yourmemories – this could be at OYM or in your home.Reports of these memories will be part of our learningjourney as the OYM family of faith discover moreabout our United Church when OYM celebrates the85th Anniversary of Church Union on Sunday June6th, 2010. Yes, “We have this ministry,” astogether we grow deeper in our faith understanding.

4

In Lamentations 3:19-24, Jeremiah responded to the fall of Jerusalem: “Thethought of my pain, my homelessness, is bitter poison. I think of itconstantly, and my spirit is depressed. Yet hope returns when I rememberthis one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as themorning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I putmy hope.”

God not only suffers with us but God also works through us. Helen Kellersaid, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming ofit.” Jesus said: “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty andyou gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked andyou clothed me” (Matthew 25:35-36). Jesus called the Church to be hishealing and helping presence wherever there is suffering in the world.

Giving through proven organizations you already trust is the best way todonate. Our United Church is also appealing for donations to support reliefand reconstruction efforts in Haiti in partnership with the ACT Alliance – anetwork of churches and Christian aid agencies that enables globalresponses to emergencies and development needs. So let us pray for thepeople of Haiti and share generously.

Chris Miller

For more on the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and their work inHaiti, visit http://www.act-intl.org

___________________________________________________________________________

A Message from Rev. Val …

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2010! In this Season after Epiphany, weexplore and discover ways the light of Christ becomes alive in the lifeand work of Christian faith communities. Along with the Youth wecontinue to learn more about our shared Christian faith alive and growing aswe journey together. We are very happy and privileged to welcome theAdult Mentors who will continue to meet with the Youth every third Sunday ofthe month. January 18th marked our first ‘Confirmation Lunch and Learn’event which went very well. During this time the discussion focused on

3

At OYM or yourhome, let theyoung people

hear yourmemories of the

early years ofthe UnitedChurch ofCanada

exploring why we need to be part of a faith community and further exploredhow Jesus’ ministry helps shape our lives everyday.

At the First Sunday of Advent Service the OYM children and youth helpedas servers for Holy Communion and offered their leadership in the ‘FamilyTime Spiritual Reflection’ as they explored through liturgical movementhow we are moved to serve as an ‘Instrument of Peace.’ This helped thecongregation to explore deeper ways to feel and live an inspiring faith!

The Monthly Amica Worship Services continue to be well received as wasthe Advent Holy Communion Service. There will be a special Valentine’sWorship Service planned for the folks at Amica to enjoy soon! Those atCedarhurst and Lifestyles continue to enjoy the weekly bulletins and, ofcourse, the Christmas cookies and Christmas messages from the childrenand youth.

As we come to celebrate Black History Month during February weremember that we are the Body of Christ “called to love and serve others, toseek justice and resist evil”. Let us celebrate and reflect on how ourbrothers and sisters throughout the world enrich our learning of how to serveas Christ’s Body! ‘Believe It, God’s Riches are Here!’ is the YouthWorkshop from Mission and Service that we will explore in the comingweeks throughout their journey as Confirmands.

Over the coming months the children and youth hope to interview andexplore with our Senior members at OYM what happened as they and their

families celebrated the birth of The United Church ofCanada in 1925 and what church life was like inthose early years. If you were alive in 1925, or bornsoon after, please let the young people hear yourmemories – this could be at OYM or in your home.Reports of these memories will be part of our learningjourney as the OYM family of faith discover moreabout our United Church when OYM celebrates the85th Anniversary of Church Union on Sunday June6th, 2010. Yes, “We have this ministry,” astogether we grow deeper in our faith understanding.

4

We are the Body of Christ, “O God receive our living!” (VU #510)

God’s Blessings to You! In Christ’s Service,

Rev. Val

For further information concerning volunteering your Church Union Story, aswell as Youth Confirmation, Outings, and requests for Pastoral care visits,please contact me at tel. # 416-417-4439; @ valnoakes@rogers.com; @

oymyouthminister@rogers.com or through Jean at the Church Office._____________________________________________________________________

Council News

First I want to congratulate and thank everyone in the congregation whoresponded so well over the last two months of 2009 to our local givingscampaign. With your generous support, we increased our givings from$73,165 as of October to $103,114 as of the end of December. In doing so,we exceeded by nine per cent our 2009 goal of $94,300. This gain of some$30,000 over two months is very impressive and reassuring.

I think Reverend Chris’s October sermon on giving had much to do with thisoutcome along with a very enjoyable series of Advent season services onthe theme of ‘Get Connected With Christmas’. Along with Chris, yourWorship and Christian Education Committee, Derrick – our Director ofMusic, members of the Choir and our children from Sunday’s Cool whoperformed in the Cantata deserve a special vote of thanks for their sustainedefforts to make this past Christmas such a joyous and memorable one. It iscertainly also appropriate for us to recognize with much appreciation DianneDomelle, Elda Scott, and Dave Johnson, with Pedro’s assistance, for thebeautiful and magical ambiance they created in decorating the Sanctuary forthe Christmas season.

It was also encouraging to welcome three new members to ourcongregation. For Gale and Brian George, and Nancy Sirois, your decisionsto seek a deeper relationship with us in your spiritual journey have made ourhearts glad. As well, having all those children, their families and friends

5

present for the baptism service in early December added immensely tobringing into focus the true meaning of Christmas.

On other matters, your Council has set up a task force consisting of itsExecutive Committee and other members of the congregation to review,assess, and advise on OYM’s Strategic Growth Initiative. We plan to have

an interim report available for our AnnualCongregational Meeting which is scheduled totake place on Sunday, February 28th. Pleasemark this important event on your calendars. Itwill be a time to look back and to look forward and,through your decisions there, to give furtherdefinition to OYM’s future.

OYM’s new web site was one of the main initiatives taken this past year. Weare very gratified by the response to it since it was launched last October.Many from within OYM see it as a significant improvement in the way weproject our church life to the world beyond our doors. The site is alsogaining traction in cyberspace with the number of visitors to it increasing bysome 70% between October and December. It is also revealing that next tothe Home Page, the Spiritual Journey page is the second most visited one.As has been said before, we only get one chance to make a good firstimpression. In this light, these initial results are encouraging. A key will beto keep the content ever-fresh and timely. Again many thanks are due tothose members of the congregation who have provided content for our suiteof web pages.

I do invite everyone to visit our web site (www.oymunitedchurch.net) oftenand to continue to provide us with feedback on it. Currently, our Home Pageincludes a video of our new Moderator, Mardi Tindal, introducing her openletter to Canadians on climate change in the aftermath of the Copenhagenconference she attended. Her entire open letter, with some complementaryimages of Canada’s Arctic added, is also posted on our web site at theGod’s Creation section of the Spiritual Journey page. A hard copy versionof her letter is also available each Sunday on the table in the entrancelounge. I highly recommend everybody to read it and reflect on its key

AnnualCongregational

Meeting onSunday February

28th

6

We are the Body of Christ, “O God receive our living!” (VU #510)

God’s Blessings to You! In Christ’s Service,

Rev. Val

For further information concerning volunteering your Church Union Story, aswell as Youth Confirmation, Outings, and requests for Pastoral care visits,please contact me at tel. # 416-417-4439; @ valnoakes@rogers.com; @

oymyouthminister@rogers.com or through Jean at the Church Office._____________________________________________________________________

Council News

First I want to congratulate and thank everyone in the congregation whoresponded so well over the last two months of 2009 to our local givingscampaign. With your generous support, we increased our givings from$73,165 as of October to $103,114 as of the end of December. In doing so,we exceeded by nine per cent our 2009 goal of $94,300. This gain of some$30,000 over two months is very impressive and reassuring.

I think Reverend Chris’s October sermon on giving had much to do with thisoutcome along with a very enjoyable series of Advent season services onthe theme of ‘Get Connected With Christmas’. Along with Chris, yourWorship and Christian Education Committee, Derrick – our Director ofMusic, members of the Choir and our children from Sunday’s Cool whoperformed in the Cantata deserve a special vote of thanks for their sustainedefforts to make this past Christmas such a joyous and memorable one. It iscertainly also appropriate for us to recognize with much appreciation DianneDomelle, Elda Scott, and Dave Johnson, with Pedro’s assistance, for thebeautiful and magical ambiance they created in decorating the Sanctuary forthe Christmas season.

It was also encouraging to welcome three new members to ourcongregation. For Gale and Brian George, and Nancy Sirois, your decisionsto seek a deeper relationship with us in your spiritual journey have made ourhearts glad. As well, having all those children, their families and friends

5

present for the baptism service in early December added immensely tobringing into focus the true meaning of Christmas.

On other matters, your Council has set up a task force consisting of itsExecutive Committee and other members of the congregation to review,assess, and advise on OYM’s Strategic Growth Initiative. We plan to have

an interim report available for our AnnualCongregational Meeting which is scheduled totake place on Sunday, February 28th. Pleasemark this important event on your calendars. Itwill be a time to look back and to look forward and,through your decisions there, to give furtherdefinition to OYM’s future.

OYM’s new web site was one of the main initiatives taken this past year. Weare very gratified by the response to it since it was launched last October.Many from within OYM see it as a significant improvement in the way weproject our church life to the world beyond our doors. The site is alsogaining traction in cyberspace with the number of visitors to it increasing bysome 70% between October and December. It is also revealing that next tothe Home Page, the Spiritual Journey page is the second most visited one.As has been said before, we only get one chance to make a good firstimpression. In this light, these initial results are encouraging. A key will beto keep the content ever-fresh and timely. Again many thanks are due tothose members of the congregation who have provided content for our suiteof web pages.

I do invite everyone to visit our web site (www.oymunitedchurch.net) oftenand to continue to provide us with feedback on it. Currently, our Home Pageincludes a video of our new Moderator, Mardi Tindal, introducing her openletter to Canadians on climate change in the aftermath of the Copenhagenconference she attended. Her entire open letter, with some complementaryimages of Canada’s Arctic added, is also posted on our web site at theGod’s Creation section of the Spiritual Journey page. A hard copy versionof her letter is also available each Sunday on the table in the entrancelounge. I highly recommend everybody to read it and reflect on its key

AnnualCongregational

Meeting onSunday February

28th

6

messages and call to action. These key messages and call to action alsorelate to our mission of being faithful stewards of God’s creation.

See you in church on Sunday!

Gerry Cooper_____________________________________________________________________

The Meaning of Stones

… Lynn Watt, reporting on the ‘Equipping Ambassadors ofReconciliation’ conference last November

Participants walked in a circle around the room and, from a collection ofstones placed on a table, each chose a stone to take home. As we held thestones we had selected, we read together the following Liturgy of theStones.

Leader: This stone comes from this place in which we have gathered.All: It is part of the Earth, formed by the Creator, just as we are.

Leader: Jesus said stones would cry out if humans remained silent.All: We will listen to our hearts and speak from them.

Leader: Stones like this have marked graves.All: Jesus rose out of death into a new life and the stone was rolled

away from his grave.

Leader: Stones like these mark paths for those who journey.All: This stone in our hands will mark the way we journey toward

right relationships.

Leader: Like words and broken trust, stones can be used to break apart,hurt and injure.

All: In our hands this stone will be a sign of the strength of whatwe can build together.

Participants in this liturgy quoted above were attendees at a conferencecalled ‘Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation’. The liturgy was part of

7

the closing ceremony. The conference was a three-day event held in Orillialast November and was attended by members of the United, Anglican andPresbyterian churches in Ontario and Quebec.

The hoped for reconciliation is with the First Nations peoples of this land,formerly known to them as Turtle Island and the promise of reconciliation isthat we will forge a new and honourable relationship, with justice and dignityfor all. The stones that were part of the closing ceremony would symbolizethe commitment of those in the church to such right relationships with FirstNations peoples.

At Oriole-York Mills United Church we too use stones in our worship as asymbol of commitment, to our faith and also to serve as a reminder to us toreflect on our thoughts and actions. A stone from an OYM service twoweeks earlier was taken to Orillia and became part of the closing ceremonyat the ‘Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation’ conference.

In this way, the dedication of Oriole-York Mills to right relationships becamepart of a ceremony of reconciliation and, in turn, the spirit of reconciliationwas rekindled at Oriole-York Mills.

___________________________________________________________________

Social Justice Action

Fairlawn United Church hosted a multi-church meeting last December aboutsocial justice. Moira Mancer and Lynn Watt represented OYM at thismeeting. Each church described their community and worldwide outreachsupport and then the group got down to talking about social justice.

While Outreach can be described as addressing immediate needs andtangible help, social justice addresses the systemic causes of injustice thatoften result in the need for Outreach. Social justice is generally long termand more difficult than Outreach. Outreach, such as the OYM’s charitableactivities, addresses needs right now and must not be ignored while injusticecontinues.

8

messages and call to action. These key messages and call to action alsorelate to our mission of being faithful stewards of God’s creation.

See you in church on Sunday!

Gerry Cooper_____________________________________________________________________

The Meaning of Stones

… Lynn Watt, reporting on the ‘Equipping Ambassadors ofReconciliation’ conference last November

Participants walked in a circle around the room and, from a collection ofstones placed on a table, each chose a stone to take home. As we held thestones we had selected, we read together the following Liturgy of theStones.

Leader: This stone comes from this place in which we have gathered.All: It is part of the Earth, formed by the Creator, just as we are.

Leader: Jesus said stones would cry out if humans remained silent.All: We will listen to our hearts and speak from them.

Leader: Stones like this have marked graves.All: Jesus rose out of death into a new life and the stone was rolled

away from his grave.

Leader: Stones like these mark paths for those who journey.All: This stone in our hands will mark the way we journey toward

right relationships.

Leader: Like words and broken trust, stones can be used to break apart,hurt and injure.

All: In our hands this stone will be a sign of the strength of whatwe can build together.

Participants in this liturgy quoted above were attendees at a conferencecalled ‘Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation’. The liturgy was part of

7

the closing ceremony. The conference was a three-day event held in Orillialast November and was attended by members of the United, Anglican andPresbyterian churches in Ontario and Quebec.

The hoped for reconciliation is with the First Nations peoples of this land,formerly known to them as Turtle Island and the promise of reconciliation isthat we will forge a new and honourable relationship, with justice and dignityfor all. The stones that were part of the closing ceremony would symbolizethe commitment of those in the church to such right relationships with FirstNations peoples.

At Oriole-York Mills United Church we too use stones in our worship as asymbol of commitment, to our faith and also to serve as a reminder to us toreflect on our thoughts and actions. A stone from an OYM service twoweeks earlier was taken to Orillia and became part of the closing ceremonyat the ‘Equipping Ambassadors of Reconciliation’ conference.

In this way, the dedication of Oriole-York Mills to right relationships becamepart of a ceremony of reconciliation and, in turn, the spirit of reconciliationwas rekindled at Oriole-York Mills.

___________________________________________________________________

Social Justice Action

Fairlawn United Church hosted a multi-church meeting last December aboutsocial justice. Moira Mancer and Lynn Watt represented OYM at thismeeting. Each church described their community and worldwide outreachsupport and then the group got down to talking about social justice.

While Outreach can be described as addressing immediate needs andtangible help, social justice addresses the systemic causes of injustice thatoften result in the need for Outreach. Social justice is generally long termand more difficult than Outreach. Outreach, such as the OYM’s charitableactivities, addresses needs right now and must not be ignored while injusticecontinues.

8

The conclusion at the December meeting was that we should meet again tohave more time to discuss which social justice issue to champion and howsuch an objective could be achieved. Social justice action involving manychurches could bring a stronger voice to local, provincial and nationalpolitical circles. This could involve writing letters, visiting representatives,and signing petitions in the future.

What’s next? Until Moira and Lynn have something more definite to reportabout social justice, there is a way to help reduce poverty in Ontario. SinceJune 2009, the Stop Community Food Centre has issued a challenge:

‘Do the Math’ in support of a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplementto social assistance rates – revised rates are expected in the Marchbudget. The Stop provides an online survey allowing you to compareyour estimates of a basic needs budget with what people on OntarioWorks and on the Ontario Disability Support Program receive. Theresults come as a surprise and you can send a letter to Premier DaltonMcGuinty online!

Help reduce poverty by visiting http://dothemath.thestop.org___________________________________________________________________

DVRR Update

Last August, a Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) team provided a 5-dayorientation at the Al Hol Camp on the Syria-Iraq border. This is the refugeecamp where the DVRR-sponsored Palestinian family wait to come toToronto. COA is part of the International Organisation for Migration and isfunded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The COA program is newto DVRR – as it reassures newcomers, so it will help settlement.

The OAC program provided some basic English and covered the followingtopics:

facts about Canada, Canadian geography, climate, and weather, travel procedures to Canada, information relating to their Private Sponsorship, their rights and responsibilities, and Canadian laws,

9

healthcare, education, working in Canada, cultural shock adaptation, and other topics relating to the needs and specific questions of the group.

It was reported that the refugees seemedless anxious about their upcomingdeparture and about the changes followingtheir arrival in Canada. The letter with thisnews came with a photo of DVRR’ssponsored Palestinian family. Shown onthe left are Amneh Al-Sama’neh, MamdoohAl-Madi Kazem, with their OAC certificates,and their young daughter Fatima.

After the news of the OAC program came the news of the birth of MohamedMamdooh Atef Al-Madi on December 15th, 2009. The pregnancy and arrivalof Mohammed has delayed the sponsored family’s travel to Canada. Sonow DVRR waits to welcome this Palestinian family with two children toToronto.

DVRR raised $3,976.48 through the sale of flower bulb kits and donationslast fall. Elaine Bremer and Moira Mancer thank supporters at OYM for theircontributions. This money will help to support the Palestinian family.

_____________________________________________________________________

Did You Know? – Daylight Saving Time

Germany and Austria were the first countries to legislate use of DaylightSaving Time. To conserve fuel during World War I, they moved their clocksahead an hour on April 30, 1916. In Canada federal legislation introducedDaylight Savings Time in the spring of 1918. This legislation was an attemptto standardise the piecemeal adoption of Daylight Savings across thecountry – Nova Scotia and Manitoba had been the first to adopt timechanges.

10

The conclusion at the December meeting was that we should meet again tohave more time to discuss which social justice issue to champion and howsuch an objective could be achieved. Social justice action involving manychurches could bring a stronger voice to local, provincial and nationalpolitical circles. This could involve writing letters, visiting representatives,and signing petitions in the future.

What’s next? Until Moira and Lynn have something more definite to reportabout social justice, there is a way to help reduce poverty in Ontario. SinceJune 2009, the Stop Community Food Centre has issued a challenge:

‘Do the Math’ in support of a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplementto social assistance rates – revised rates are expected in the Marchbudget. The Stop provides an online survey allowing you to compareyour estimates of a basic needs budget with what people on OntarioWorks and on the Ontario Disability Support Program receive. Theresults come as a surprise and you can send a letter to Premier DaltonMcGuinty online!

Help reduce poverty by visiting http://dothemath.thestop.org___________________________________________________________________

DVRR Update

Last August, a Canadian Orientation Abroad (COA) team provided a 5-dayorientation at the Al Hol Camp on the Syria-Iraq border. This is the refugeecamp where the DVRR-sponsored Palestinian family wait to come toToronto. COA is part of the International Organisation for Migration and isfunded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The COA program is newto DVRR – as it reassures newcomers, so it will help settlement.

The OAC program provided some basic English and covered the followingtopics:

facts about Canada, Canadian geography, climate, and weather, travel procedures to Canada, information relating to their Private Sponsorship, their rights and responsibilities, and Canadian laws,

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healthcare, education, working in Canada, cultural shock adaptation, and other topics relating to the needs and specific questions of the group.

It was reported that the refugees seemedless anxious about their upcomingdeparture and about the changes followingtheir arrival in Canada. The letter with thisnews came with a photo of DVRR’ssponsored Palestinian family. Shown onthe left are Amneh Al-Sama’neh, MamdoohAl-Madi Kazem, with their OAC certificates,and their young daughter Fatima.

After the news of the OAC program came the news of the birth of MohamedMamdooh Atef Al-Madi on December 15th, 2009. The pregnancy and arrivalof Mohammed has delayed the sponsored family’s travel to Canada. Sonow DVRR waits to welcome this Palestinian family with two children toToronto.

DVRR raised $3,976.48 through the sale of flower bulb kits and donationslast fall. Elaine Bremer and Moira Mancer thank supporters at OYM for theircontributions. This money will help to support the Palestinian family.

_____________________________________________________________________

Did You Know? – Daylight Saving Time

Germany and Austria were the first countries to legislate use of DaylightSaving Time. To conserve fuel during World War I, they moved their clocksahead an hour on April 30, 1916. In Canada federal legislation introducedDaylight Savings Time in the spring of 1918. This legislation was an attemptto standardise the piecemeal adoption of Daylight Savings across thecountry – Nova Scotia and Manitoba had been the first to adopt timechanges.

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Spring Forwardat 2 a.m. on

Sunday March14th

Now it's up to each province to decide whether touse Daylight Saving Time. As readers know,Ontario does! In 2010 all readers must move theirclocks forward one hour on the weekend of March13th and 14th. If you will be awake at 2 a.m. onSunday March 14th, do it then.

Please don’t arrive at church on Sunday March 14th as the worship service isending!

Sources: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.htmlhttp://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/firstworldwar/025005-3300-e.html#c_____________________________________________________________________

Thanks to ContributorsThanks to the following for contributions for this issue:

Gerry Cooper Council News (page 5)

Lynn Watt The Meaning of Stones (page 7)___________________________________________________________________

Save Trees and Money Either Way

More people could save trees and save OYM money at the same time.Sign up for ‘The Oriole’ in pdf format by sending an email to ‘The Oriole<oymoriole@gmail.com>'.

If not going the pdf route, you can help to save some trees by leavingOriole envelopes for re-use for the next edition of ‘The Oriole’. Envelopesleft from the last Oriole will be used for this edition. If you have no use forthe envelope at home, please leave it in the box provided in the narthex.__________________________________________________________________________

Contributions and Suggestions

Contributions and suggestion for future issues of ‘The Oriole’ are welcomefrom all readers. Please send contributions and suggestions to ‘The Oriole’by sending an email (The Oriole <oymoriole@gmail.com>), leaving amessage in the slot for ‘The Oriole’ in the office, or talking to Moira Mancer._____________________________________________________________________

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Your OYM Calendar

Coming Sunday Worship Services and Events

Sunday February 14th Mission Sunday, with guest speaker ClovisGrant from Eva’s Place

Sunday February 21st First Sunday of Lent, starting Lenten themeof ‘Renewal’

Sundays February 21st toMarch 21st

Lenten theme during worship servicesincluding ‘Temptation to Renewal’,‘Barriers to Renewal’, ‘The Way toRenewal’, and ‘Prepared for Renewal’

Sunday March 28th Palm Sunday worship with Choir Cantata ‘NoGreater Love’

Friday April 2nd Good Friday worship service at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday April 4th Easter Sunday: ‘The Great Renewal’,including Holy Communion

Other Notable Events

Monday February 8th Bridge Club Session at 1 p.m. in entrancelounge – all players welcome (subsequentmeetings 2nd Monday each month)

Wednesday February 17th Wednesday Study Group continues: Acts ofApostles: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. inentrance lounge

Sunday February 28th Annual Congregational meeting followingworship service

Tuesday March 2nd Council Meeting at 7 p.m. in entrance lounge

Contact OYM: Oriole-York Mills United Church

2609 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M2L 1B5Phone: 416-447-5941 Email: orioleyorkmills@rogers.com

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Spring Forwardat 2 a.m. on

Sunday March14th

Now it's up to each province to decide whether touse Daylight Saving Time. As readers know,Ontario does! In 2010 all readers must move theirclocks forward one hour on the weekend of March13th and 14th. If you will be awake at 2 a.m. onSunday March 14th, do it then.

Please don’t arrive at church on Sunday March 14th as the worship service isending!

Sources: http://www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/e.htmlhttp://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/firstworldwar/025005-3300-e.html#c_____________________________________________________________________

Thanks to ContributorsThanks to the following for contributions for this issue:

Gerry Cooper Council News (page 5)

Lynn Watt The Meaning of Stones (page 7)___________________________________________________________________

Save Trees and Money Either Way

More people could save trees and save OYM money at the same time.Sign up for ‘The Oriole’ in pdf format by sending an email to ‘The Oriole<oymoriole@gmail.com>'.

If not going the pdf route, you can help to save some trees by leavingOriole envelopes for re-use for the next edition of ‘The Oriole’. Envelopesleft from the last Oriole will be used for this edition. If you have no use forthe envelope at home, please leave it in the box provided in the narthex.__________________________________________________________________________

Contributions and Suggestions

Contributions and suggestion for future issues of ‘The Oriole’ are welcomefrom all readers. Please send contributions and suggestions to ‘The Oriole’by sending an email (The Oriole <oymoriole@gmail.com>), leaving amessage in the slot for ‘The Oriole’ in the office, or talking to Moira Mancer._____________________________________________________________________

11

Your OYM Calendar

Coming Sunday Worship Services and Events

Sunday February 14th Mission Sunday, with guest speaker ClovisGrant from Eva’s Place

Sunday February 21st First Sunday of Lent, starting Lenten themeof ‘Renewal’

Sundays February 21st toMarch 21st

Lenten theme during worship servicesincluding ‘Temptation to Renewal’,‘Barriers to Renewal’, ‘The Way toRenewal’, and ‘Prepared for Renewal’

Sunday March 28th Palm Sunday worship with Choir Cantata ‘NoGreater Love’

Friday April 2nd Good Friday worship service at 10:30 a.m.

Sunday April 4th Easter Sunday: ‘The Great Renewal’,including Holy Communion

Other Notable Events

Monday February 8th Bridge Club Session at 1 p.m. in entrancelounge – all players welcome (subsequentmeetings 2nd Monday each month)

Wednesday February 17th Wednesday Study Group continues: Acts ofApostles: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. inentrance lounge

Sunday February 28th Annual Congregational meeting followingworship service

Tuesday March 2nd Council Meeting at 7 p.m. in entrance lounge

Contact OYM: Oriole-York Mills United Church

2609 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, M2L 1B5Phone: 416-447-5941 Email: orioleyorkmills@rogers.com

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