Announcements
SSUC Bedneyimages SSPC NEWSLETTER
May 2026
Reflection by Rev. Karen
Throughout the Season of Easter, we have followed the journey of the butterfly. We’ve considered the call to come out of the comfort of our cocoons and trust God who helps us wake up to the needs of the world around us. Unfolding and opening our hearts to God’s possibilities gives us the strength to let go of what has been, in our personal lives and in our congregation’s life. Risking flight – means daring to embrace new things.
Our visioning committee started the journey, next the Unified Board joined in, and soon
the whole congregation will hold conversations that look ahead toward 2035 in the church.
What is important to us? How do we reflect God’s love in this place? In what new ways may
God be inviting us to express our faithfulness?
When fear and anxiety take over in the face of uncertainty, may we ground ourselves in
the peace that God offers. When we doubt what we can do or what something new may offer,
may we allow God’s comforting presence and the support we offer to each other assure us we
are not alone. When we feel overwhelmed by personal life demands, and wonder how we can
manage it all, may we trust that God strengthens us in ways we can’t always explain and sends others to serve with us.
Peace, Comfort, Strength to each of you as we dare to hope and boldly allow South Shore Pastoral Charge to transform and emerge anew in the months ahead.
Speakers
May 24, 31 – Rev. Beth June 7 – Christian Friends June 14, 21 – Rev. Karen
Vacation Time - Rev. Karen and family are off to Europe to celebrate Paul's retirement. Karen will be away May 20th-June 9th. In cases of emergency, you may contact a clergy of your choosing or await Rev. Karen's return. Our pastoral care team will continue to provide regular visits and support.
Services
May 24, 10:30 – Coffee and fellowship following the service
June 14, 10:30am – Communion
June 21, 10:30 – All Ages Service
June 28, 10:30am – Coffee and fellowship following the service
Church Updates
Trustee Update
Work on the sanctuary entrance has commenced. Thank you to Paul Dawson for coordinating with Curran and Briggs to help oversee this project on behalf of the trustees. The lower concrete steps were removed, and a new paved walkway will soon be in place. This will
improve the safety of that entry area.
Finance Updates
Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) What are the benefits?
Through an automatic monthly withdrawal from your bank account, PAR allows you to give to what matters to you most. Sometimes life’s agenda takes over our best-laid plans. With PAR, you don’t have to worry about writing a cheque or forgetting to donate because life has
thrown you a curveball. By signing up for PAR, you make a clear statement of what is
important to you. You also give the recipients of your gift the peace of mind that comes with
knowing your help is stable and reliable. Through PAR you can give both locally and to Mission
and Service.
If your circumstances change, at any time you can contact our envelope secretary, Bev
Noonan 902-439-2352 or bevanoonan@gmail.com and increase or decrease or stop your PAR
contribution. Sign up forms are at the back of the church.
Unified Board Visioning
On Thursday May 14, the Unified Board began the process of “Deep-Bold-Daring
Toward 2035: An Introduction for Conversations Within Communities of Faith”. We shared
what warms our hearts when we recall the stories of Jesus – what he loved, taught and lived.
-Jesus’ words “let the little children come to me”
-his teaching “love one another”
-he welcomed everyone
-he said ‘let whoever is without sin cast the first stone’
-Jesus was compassionate
-Jesus was a storyteller
-Jesus emphasized joy
-he gathered people together
We considered ways we saw Jesus’ story embodied at South Shore.
-non judging people
-we create safe places
-we meet together and we share worship
-through our coffee times we go outside the church
-we care for people
-we are committed to outreach – through the Foodshare, Camp Abby and more
After reviewing statistics of church decline and vulnerability we shared what we felt
would be lost if the United Church closed in this area.
-the church is part of what holds us together as a community
-it used to help define us
-having a safe place to be
-a place to take time out and restore
-a place to practice kindness
These are early reflections and our conversations will continue both at the board level
and at times during worship to include the congregation.
As the Unified Board continued its business, we considered ways to connect with the
wider community around us. Two special events will be offered to begin reaching out.
1) A gratitude barbeque for Merry Pop Ins – will be coordinated for early July during the week from 4-5:30. MPI has been with us for 8 years and we appreciate the opportunity we had to provide a place for them as they searched for a new home and we give thanks for the stability their rental income offered to us.
2) A Souper Sunday Community Experience – will be offered late September at the Victoria School House details will follow later this summer.
Prayer Requests – There is a box on the bookshelf at the back of the church for prayer requests, or email 
jm.macdougall10@gmail.com.
Pastoral Coverage – Joan MacDougall (675-2386) & Vicki Francis (628-7228) are visiting in May. Helen Nicholson and Donna MacKinnon will be visiting in June.
Building Attendant on Call – John can be reached at 902-888-7382.
May Donations will go to Camp Abegweit. Please see their wish list at the back of the church and on our Facebook page. If giving a monetary donation please indicate on your offering envelope (or a plain one) the amount you wish to contribute to Camp Abby. Make cheques payable to South Shore Pastoral Charge and mark on the memo line “Camp Abby”.
June donations will go to the South Shore Food Share.
Fellowship Opportunities
Coffee/Tea, Cookies & Conversation at Crapaud Hall
Another well-attended and greatly appreciated community outreach experience was hosted by our volunteers. Thank you to all who volunteered and came out to support this time in community.
Including Young Families
Our next story and activity-based, shortened worship times will be offered June 21.
Community Announcements
Free Concert – Spring Park United new worship group, Spring B. May 24, 2:00pm
Take-Out Lobster Supper – Park Royal United Church, Wednesday, May 27, takeout 4-5:30pm. Price is $30. Lobster is shelled, so no mess, no fuss - maybe a get-together with neighbors for a nice meal and no cleanup! Meal also includes potato salad, coleslaw, fresh roll and decadent dessert. Tickets available now by calling 902-894-9656 or through Eventbrite.
FEAST of MUSIC Concert – 7pm, Sunday, May 31st at Hillcrest United Church, Montague featuring our Senior and Youth Choirs and the Sibbick Family Singers directed by Anne White, A Joyful Sound Community Choir with director Christie Beck. Our accompanists are Sara White and Elizabeth Wisnicki with flute playing by Mary MacLean. There will be hymn singing and a delicious lunch to follow. Admission by donation. All are most welcome!
RURAL ROUTES THROUGH THE HOLY ANNUAL EVENT - June 11-13. Central Queens United Church in Hunter River. Our theme is Tales, Tables, and Tending: the Slow Work of God in a Fast World. We’ll gather for tea/coffee and muffins at 9:30. Our welcome and worship begin at 10:00. You can learn more and register at https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca/rural-routes-through-the-holy-registration/ If you have questions you can always reach me at ruralroutesatlantic@gmail.com
Have you heard of RRTH? It's a three-day gathering held annually for those in rural faith communities. Rooted in the United Church it is ecumenical in its participation. It aims to grow and nurture a network and community of folks in rural churches and communities in the Maritimes; to encourage our voices as people with questions and gifts that are vital for telling the life of Christ in the world. We’ve been gathering since 2019 and over half our participants return year after year. There are various speakers to spark our imagination; some from people just like you who love something their faith community is doing and want to share their experience. We share worship, good food, conversation, resources, and quiet spaces for prayer practice or to walk the labyrinth. You can learn more at https://ruralroutesthroughtheholy.ca
Reverend Dr. Catherine Smith, Creator and Founder of Rural Routes Through the Holy
Nave Series with Luka Hall – Thatcher MacKay concert series. June 27, 7:30PM. We are aiming to utilize the natural acoustics of a church building. It is at the Free Church of Scotland in Cape Traverse. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at thenaveseries.com.
Humour
When is it impossible to plant flowers?
When you haven’t botany
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South Shore United Church, P.O. Box 4, Crapaud, PE C0A 1J0
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Karen MacLeod-Wilkie 902-940-6349;
Office Administrator: Ruth Boulter 902-658-2863
Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 830am – 1230pm
Email: southshoreunited1@gmail.com
E-Transfer: ssuc.et21@gmail.com