SSUC NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2024
Reflection by Rev. Karen
“Look closely and you will find that people are happy because they are grateful. The opposite of gratefulness is just taking everything for granted.” Brother David Steindl-Rast
I am so grateful for people willing to honestly share the difficult things in their lives, for then we are truly able to be support to one another. I am grateful for volunteers who put on coffee, make cookies, offer drives to others so they can participate, speak to newcomers and share a welcoming presence, count the offering, organize events, offer ideas, and so much more than I could ever list – such actions reach out in a ripple effect we don’t always realize.
I appreciate our local staff and leaders, other PEI churches, and our regional staff. When we work together and share ideas, we are invigorated to grow beyond what we know and to become more than we can imagine alone. 
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I give thanks for our Island home. Even with its imperfections, I look at the beauty of soil and sea, the services we do have, and the people who express caring community. This month, as the days grow shorter, let us add brightness to one another’s days by expressing our gratitude at every moment possible.
November Speakers
Nov. 3, 17, 24 – Rev. Karen Nov. 10 – Rev. Beth
Rev. Karen Will be on study leave from Nov 4-11. For emergency care please contact
a clergy of your choosing.
Services
Nov. 3, 10:30am Topsy Turvy Sunday – wear something unusual for worship today
Nov. 10, 10:30am Remembrance Sunday
Nov. 10, 2:00pm SSCC Remembrance Service at Crapaud Community Hall
Nov. 17, 10:30am All-ages Service with coffee & fellowship time following
Nov. 19, 2:00pm South Shore Villa
Nov. 24, 10:30am Memorial Song Service
Meetings in Fellowship Room
Tues 12 & 26, 2:00pm – Study & Support
Tues. 19, 7:00pm – Trustee & Property
Thur. 24, 7:00pm – Finance Committee
Tues 26, 7:00pm – Unified Board Meeting
Study and Support Group – The Study and Support Group explores the ups and downs of life, using poetry/readings/meditation to guide our reflection. If you would like to participate in this group, the next meetings will be offered in the Fellowship room Tuesdays November 12th and 26th at 2pm.
Prayer Requests – There is a box on the bookshelf at the back of the church for prayer requests, or email jm.macdougall10@gmail.com. Please note if you have submitted a prayer for someone and their situation changes, please keep our coordinator updated.
Building Attendant on Call – For November, Jack can be reached 902-658-2009.
Pastoral Coverage – Joan MacDougall (902-675-2386 and Vicki Francis (902-628-7228) will be visiting in November. If you would like a visit or know of someone who would like a visit, please call.
Donations – Items collected in November will go to the South Shore Food Share. December will be Englewood School.
Christmas Fruit Sale – Once again, we will be coordinating a Christmas Fruit Sale the end of November. Order sheets will be available on November 17th with a deadline of December 3rd. Pick-up will be on Saturday December 7th. The fruit is excellent to be shared as gifts with others, and even with our local food banks. We appreciate your support with this endeavour.
Christmas Decorating – Sunday November 24th. To prepare our Sanctuary for the Advent and Christmas season, you are invited to remain after worship on Sunday November 24th and help put up our tree and decorations.
Finance
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 September our offerings to the church and M&S are ahead of last year. From June through September, we made the following donations - $4,461 of your M&S donations were sent to The United Church of Canada to be shared around the world; donations we received were sent to Camp Abegweit, South Shore Food Share, and we responded to the Appeal for Jasper Alberta. We also sent the 3rd instalment of the Annual Assessment to Toronto.
Many budgeted capital repairs were completed by Midway Construction to the outside of the
building this past spring. Quotes for the walkway leading to the sanctuary will be received this
year with the work to begin next spring.
At a service in July, we received a donation of Choir Mics in memory of Clarence and Eleanor
Ross by the Ross Family. Eleanor was organist and choir director at Bonshaw United. This
donation was received with much appreciation.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the congregation as we look forward to the
upcoming Memorial Song Service and Fruit Sale later in the month.
Community & Regional Events
Coffee & Conversation Times at Crapaud Hall - Will continue Tuesdays November 5th through November 26th, from10-11:30am. Bring along your friends and enjoy this time in community together. Volunteers are needed to bring cookies, and volunteers to set up/make coffee/ and clean up. The sign-up sheets are at the back of the church.
Book Launch – Come celebrate the launch of Rev. Karen’s 6th book and the start of a new series. Sunday, Nov. 3, 2-4:00pm. 1561 Route 225, North Wiltshire. Her other works will be available for purchase and signing. Cake and coffee will be served.
Striking Stories from PEI’s Past – Nov. 3, 2:00pm, Bonshaw Hall. A fascinating presentation by Theresa Redmond author of historical fiction novel Bound. She will share stories of Island history. Scott Parsons, co-founder of the Black CulturaL Society of PEI, and Em Peters will share PEI's Black History. There will be time for Q&A and copies of Bound will be available for purchase. Admission by donation in support of the Hall.
Flourishing Workshop – Saturday, November 9, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at Visions United Church, Moncton. Spend a day with the Moderator, engaging in reflection and energizing activities towards dream-oriented actions for our churches and communities. Go to ucceast.ca for information. Registration (deadline is November 5, 2024)
Remembrance Day – MPI would like to invite you to the Community of Tryon 2024 Remembrance Day ceremony. All welcome to bring wreaths. (rain or shine) Friday, Nov. 6, 10:30am, at the cenotaph, Tryon People’s Cemetery, Tryon, PEI
Remembrance Day Service - The Annual Remembrance Day service hosted by South Shore Council of Churches will be held on Sunday, Nov 10th at 2:00 pm at the Crapaud Community Hall. The service will be led by the North Tryon Presbyterian congregation. For those wishing to place wreaths contact Kingston Legion, 902-675-2023. Light refreshments will be offered following the service. Freepik
Park Royal United Church – You are invited to join us as we host the Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Landsdowne, the 44thModerator of the United Church of Canada, as guest preacher on Sunday, November 10 at 10:30 am. She is visiting the Region for her Flourishing Workshops and asked to join a morning worship service. We are excited to have her, and you, join us for a service of “Becoming Peace” and to Potluck lunch following (even if you can just pop over for cake!) at Park Royal United Church 11 Christie Dr. Charlottetown.
Seniors Action Plan – The provincial government wants to hear from Island residents to help form the next Five-year Seniors Action Plan. Focus on addressing the needs of PEI’s aging population. Multiple dates, times and cities. For more information see the sheet at the back of the church.
Seeking Just Peace in Israel Palestine
Many of us feel deep fear and concern for the climbing death toll from this conflict and for the disregard for international humanitarian law. In August of this year, our United Church General Secretary, Rev. Michael Blair, sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The letter reiterates the United Church’s calls for an arms embargo on Israel, an immediate ceasefire and accountability, and request an in-person meeting with the Prime Minister “to discuss how the church can work with the government in support of a just and lasting peace in Palestine and Israel.”
We are invited to make a strong impression on our government leaders to hear the concerns raised in Michael Blair’s letter by undertaking an individual letter writing campaign. Attached with this newsletter is a template letter for your use, in the hopes that our collective voices will make a difference and leaving a lasting impact on the Government of Canada to do more to end this conflict.
Memorial Song Service – Sunday, Nov. 24. Below are suggestions of congregational or choir selections you may choose as a memorial. If you have a request not on our list, please let us know, this is to help get you started. Please submit requests to the office by Nov. 13. The suggested amount for a memorial is $20 per request. The money this year will go to our general fund to support our hospitality outreach.
Anthems
Brother James Air
Great is the Lord
In My Heart There Rings a Melody
Precious Memories
Hymns
Are You a Shepherd Jesus You Have Come to the Lakeshore
Deep in Our Hearts Like a Healing Stream
God of the Bible Precious Lord, Take Me Home
In the Bulb River
I See a New Heaven What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Humour
One particular four-year-old prayed,
“And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.”
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