SSUC NEWSLETTER

May 2024

 

Reflection by Jack Sorensen

“The Merry Month of May” is a common expression which has found its way into songs, poems, and activities for centuries. The origin goes back to pagan time and the worship and celebration of “false gods.” Hopefully nowadays no emphasis of pagan rites is placed in this happy month, and it is refreshing to know that May celebrations have been absorbed over time into more sacred and acceptable venues.

For us in this climate the season of Spring can be uncertain as we experience a variety of weather patterns through March and April. But May is a month when new beginnings really take hold as nature unfolds her veil exposing warmer and more pleasant conditions. May is a month when flowers start blooming, bees and other insects come out of hiding, and the hesitant buds on trees finally open their vests displaying beautiful shades of green. People in all occupations catch this edge toward summer with many kinds of work and outdoor experiences. Farmers become confident that their fields are ready for working, fisherfolk are led to cast their nets, and society at large starts finding ways of “taking in” all which the season offers.

Nature is wise in creating four annual seasons when each is allocated an equal period of time. It provides variety in our lives as the anticipation of a new season supplants any tendency toward boredom. We like variety in our lives, don’t we?

There are many references to nature in the Bible. One website I visited offered 633 Bible verses and images about nature. The one which captured my attention is the often-quoted verse from Psalm 118:24, “This is the Day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

 

May Speakers

5, 12, 26 – Rev. Karen                    19 – Rev. Beth

 

Services

5 – Blessing of the Seeds & Fishers

12 – Mother’s Day; All Ages Family Friendly service

26 – Baptism; Coffee & muffins following the service

 

Including Young Families

We offer story-based, shortened worship times one Sunday a month. Please share with neighbours or family members about our next All Ages Worship times:

May 12^th – Mother’s Day, and June 16^th – Father’s Day.

 

 

Baptism

This spring we will be offering the Sacrament of Baptism on Sunday May 26^th. Anyone who wishes to request baptism for a child, or any adult wishing to request baptism for themselves, please contact Rev. Karen.

 

Fellowship Opportunities

Coffee after Church – We seek to provide time to share supportive conversation with one another with coffee times after church Sunday May 26^th and June 16^th.

 

Updates

Trustee & Property Committee

The Trustees and Property Committee met on April 25 with the church superintendents, Jack Sorensen, and John Heckbert. We completed a thorough walk around the exterior, interior  and basement. There is a list of items the Trustees and the superintendents will be addressing over the coming weeks. The final Draft of the Lease between South Shore United and Merry Pop-Ins will be brought to the Unified Board at their next meeting. The Trustees made every attempt to address the main concerns that had been shared with us by members of the congregation and we thank everyone for your input and support. We discussed the replacement of the first set of cement steps that are currently taped off and not useable. Later this spring we will hold another Trustees & Property meeting with hopefully improved attendance and from that group we believe a solution will be identified to replace the said steps.

 

Finance & Stewardship

Many thanks to our church family for your ongoing support of the ministry we provide here at South Shore United. As of the end of March our offerings to the church and M&S are ahead of last year. We have paid the 1^st installment of our Denominational Assessment, the cost of the new bathroom (outside Rev. Karen’s office for the use of the congregation) and a new photocopier. We hope seniors in our congregation will enjoy the Tuesday lunches at the Crapaud Community Hall. Our outreach to the community is supported by the provincial government program “Seniors Community Meal Grant Program”. Our thanks to church volunteers who are also supporting this program.  

Meetings

Tues., 7, 21, 2:00pm Study & Support group

May 9, 7:00pm Finance committee

May 14, 7:00pm Unified Board

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Congratulations

All the best to Michelle and James Ennis. Married on May 2.

 

 

Pastoral Coverage – Pastoral Care welcomed Vicki to the committee. Joan MacDougall (902-675-2386) & Vicki Francis (902-628-7228) will be visiting in May. If you would like a visit or know of someone who would like a visit, please call.

 

Donations – Items collected in May will go to Camp Abby. Please see below for the wish list or on our Facebook page.

 

Senior's Meals – Tuesdays in May from 11:30-1, we will be offering senior's meals catered by Chef Peter Hicks and hosted by SSUC at Crapaud Hall. Please sign up in advance as there is a cap on the number prepared. Volunteers are needed for set-up, clean-up and serving. Please see the sign-up sheets at the back of the church.

May 7- potato bacon chowder, biscuits, dessert

May 14- lasagna, garlic bread, dessert

May 21- chicken veggie soup, dessert

May 28- roast pork, mashed potatoes, veggies, dessert

 

Camp Abby – We have two BIG events coming up soon. On Saturday, May 25 is our OPEN THE CAMP and clean up day. We are hoping to have 40 to 50 people volunteer their time to get the Camp ready. Many hands will make light work. We will provide a light lunch for everyone. If you can come we would appreciate the help. On Sunday, June 16 will be our OPEN HOUSE from 2 to 4. This is a chance to take a tour of the camp, meet the summer staff, win some door prizes and learn more about Camp Abby.

 

Rural Routes Through the Holy – June 13 – 15, Orchard Valley United Church, New Minus, NS. Beautiful to Behold; Broken Open Church. Rev. Dr. Catherine Smith. For more details see pamphlet at the back of the church.

 

Support PEI Guaranteed Basic Income – Your support is important. It will indicate to the MPs the breadth of support from people and organizations who understand how a GBI could affect the lives of people. Please read and sign the letter. If you can, please share with your colleagues in the faith community. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvgQbs_WEYhjV9Nr60UKzsZfVhK03hv997bdp3YszgmZLPhQ/viewform

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Camp Abegweit Most Needed Items Summer 2024

 

Camp Abby needs some assistance. To help lower our weekly costs we are hoping that people would be willing to donate any of the following items from our “wish list.” These are items that are used in great quantities over the summer. Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated.