General Secretary's Weekly Letter

June 27, 2013


Dear Friends, 
Calgary, High River, Canmore: these are names that I associate with mountain views and beautiful Alberta landscape. My other strong association is with my family of Calgary cousins. It’s been a shock these past few days to hear the lead item on the news each morning focused on the devastating floodwaters that have encroached on roads, businesses, and homes in cities, villages and First Nations in southern Alberta.

One of the congregations most directly affected is High River United Church, which has a beautiful new building that is less than five years old. The pictures of the sanctuary with the water half way up the pews, and the outdoor sign sitting in the middle of a lake, are dramatic. The Rev. Susan Lukey reports that after working with a crew from the church to place sandbags and move precious items, she stayed to do one more thing and got caught: the waters rose so quickly that she couldn’t get out. Just imagine the night she spent alone in the church, up on the ledge by the cross, as the water flowed into the church.

Another church that has been severely impacted is the Chinese United Church, along with the Oi Kwan Place seniors’ residence in Calgary. Being located on the banks of the Bow River has been an attractive feature of Oi Kwan Place: no one would have predicted the river overflowing its banks as it has this week.

Many people – including my aunt, and many from our churches – were forced to leave their homes, often on very short notice. Probably everyone in southern Alberta has been affected in some way. Many people have experienced flooding in their homes and communities, or have had their electricity cut off, their  offices closed, or road access diverted. Others have offered help or accommodation to those more directly affected, or worried about friends or family in the flood zone.

This is what we might call “a disaster of biblical proportions.” That phrase tends to call to mind the floods and famines and mass disasters that we hear about in the Hebrew scriptures. I wonder if we could coin a new phrase: “Love of biblical proportions”! We could use it to reach out to those affected by the Alberta floods, and other disasters anywhere in the world, as Jesus would want us to do. Whether we offer cash, services, messages of support, or prayers, there are so many ways to live out this love.

I know there were prayers of support offered in United Churches across the country on Sunday. Staff of this office worked on the weekend to get a message of concern, and suggestions of how to help , up on the website.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by the floods in Alberta, and those downstream worrying about what is next for them.

Nora

Sharing a message from Shaune & Gordie MacLeod's Son Kirk

Dear All,

This is a note to update you all on what has been going on in my life and to ask of you, a favor.

The short version is that I have been fighting Stage IV Metastatic Colon Cancer for the last two-and-a-half years...almost three.

In August 2010, just days after coming home on leave from Honduras where I was working as UN Country Security Advisor, I suffered a ruptured colon. I almost died. It turned out the rupture was caused by colon cancer. They thought they had it all after an emergency resection. They discovered they were wrong in December 2010 when I went in for a reversal on my colostomy. The cancer had spread and developed throughout my abdomen. I did 3 months of chemotherapy Spring 2011 followed by major nine-hour surgery/internal chemo called the Sugarbaker Procedure in June 2011 followed shortly after by three more months of chemo and then another reversal surgery.

In that Sugarbaker they stripped the internal lining from the abdominal walls and off most of my internal organs, they removed the whole of my large intestine, part of the small intestine, my gall bladder and the nerves and blood supply to my left testicle (yeah, I thought I needed some of those things as well...). Amazingly, I have been fully functional since...

In January 2012, after another surgery to reverse the ileostomy that resulted from the Sugarbaker - and according to all the tests available - I was declared cancer free, or more aptly: tumour free. I returned to work in February 2012 as the UN Country Security Advisor for the Dominican Republic.

Unfortunately, it was not to be and my first blood test came back with high colon cancer marker levels. A CT scan detected a tumour. A PET scan revealed activity in the tumour shown by the CT, another tumour in the abdomen and at least one "nodule of concern" in the lungs. September 2012, I began three more months of chemo. February 2013 I had another bowel resection removing the two tumours as well as another piece of small intestine (no ostomy this time - small miracles). This was followed in March with a resection of part of the upper left lobe of the lung. They believe another nodule on the right side to be benign...we shall see.

So, once again, as of just a couple weeks ago they have - based upon available tests - declared me cancer free (or perhaps, free of tumours)... at least for now. I remain at high risk for recurrence and have my first CT scan in August...

That brings me to today.

Just living life after cancer is not enough. I have had a very vocal attitude through all of this and continue to do so.

So, I have decided to do something serious. On 4 August, 2013 I will take part in The Big Swim. I will swim from the province of New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island. An open water swim of at least 14km (about nine miles) to raise money for Brigadoon, a camp for chronically ill children.

This kind of thing is beyond the scope of most fit people and I know this. I am doing it after recovering from massive, major surgeries and harsh medical treatments and without some of my internal organs...Those of you who know me well, know that I will get it done.

I am training now and have the coaching, training and nutrition advice of some of the best trainers and experts available.
What I ask of you is this: Support me in this swim by donating to Brigadoon. Here is the link:

http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=24308

Pass my information as far and wide as possible so that Brigadoon can get as much money as we can raise. I always think to myself how fortunate I am that this happened to me and not to one of my kids. I can only imagine how hard that would have been. The least I can do is help kids who have to fight the fight I had as an adult.

The picture above is a comic a friend of mine just drew about me and the swim. I am using it as part of my fundraising push:

I hope you are all well and thriving wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Take care,
Kirk

This Week in Queens County

                                          

Friday June 21, 5:30 am Summer Solstice Sunrise Ceremony Foot Bridge of Nature Trail, White Point. Welcome the summer solstice by joining us on the edge of the ocean for a traditional sunrise ceremony with Elder Todd Labrador. The Sunrise Ceremony is a deeply spiritual event, performed by First Nations as the sun is rising. It welcomes a new day and gives thanks to our creator, to all directions and all of creation, including the plants, animals, mother earth, medicines, elders, youth, etc.  

Sun., June 23:  Privateer Days’ Worship Service is being held at 10:30 am at the Entertainment Tent at Privateer Park in Liverpool.  Worship service at Zion United Church will be cancelled as all the town churches are participating in the Privateer Service.  

Secretary's Weekly News Letter

June 14, 2013

Dear Friends,

Anyone who preaches sermons knows that after you put together all the ideas and words to capture your message, you can tell from the comments people make afterwards that they hear what they need to hear – whether or not it was what you intended to convey.

This is not a bad thing. I like to think of it as one of the ways God works through us. We are used to plant ideas and offer hope in ways beyond what we could actually plan.

This came up at lunch this week with my colleague Dan Benson. Dan has been taking theology courses “on the side” (meaning in addition to his workload as Executive Minister for Communications), and is getting to be in demand as a preacher and theological reflector. He mentioned an experience during his internship placement when he felt that a particular sermon had simply not worked out, and then someone came to him afterwards and told him how powerfully it had spoken to that person in the midst of particular life circumstances.

So, you never know what things you say and do will make a difference.

I experienced a different version of this myself recently. Someone lifted up something I had said in a way that I hadn’t particularly highlighted, but with a focus that was helpful to me.

At the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, I spoke about how important it is for all churches to share the rich resources of faith and scripture with new generations. I gave, as an example of the wonderful, timeless advice we find in the Bible, the following passage from Romans 12:9-16:

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good;
Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Someone who spoke to me afterward thanked me for reminding the Assembly of that direction to love one another. I hadn’t emphasized that part, and my point was more about what wonderful advice this passage offers through the ages, but that was the part that spoke to him on that particular day. He mentioned the way that people can get so caught up in the debates or issues that the call to love one another can be overlooked. His comment was that the thing that allows us, ultimately, to work things out and go on, is the ongoing love. I think his words were something like, “It’s about the love, that’s what lets us get through those difficult times and go on.”

He had picked up on that part of the passage, and when he spoke those words, they resonated for me beyond the context of the meeting, and straight into the up and down moods that mark daily life with a beloved teenager. “Yes,” I thought, “it is love that lets us work it out!”

I love how scripture speaks to us, and how when we share our thoughts about scripture with one another, the meaning deepens.

Peace be with you.

Nora

This week at Zion United

This past Sunday at Zion saw Lauren Mckiel finally being able to deliver his word. "The Parable. Why?". as you know with storms cancelling church this past winter and Lauren not being well and away on vacation, he was not able to attend his turn at the pulpit. 

Welcome to Zion United from Sally, Jean and Lauren. The weather was nice enough to open the front door. I always love to see the front door open. 

John Pitblado, unofficial executive greeter. Great job John. I think he is trying to get a hug out of Phyllis!!

The Zion United Choir is swelling these days as the summer weather nears and our southern friends join us. 

So nice to have Georgia and Karl Nolph back with us for the summer and I hope they will be sharing their musical talents with us this summer.

Services for Bessie “Bet” M, FRELLICK

FRELLICK ; Bessie, “Bet” M

FRELLICK -- Bessie, “Bet” M. of  Liverpool, NS passed away peacefully at home on May 07, 2013.

Bessie was born March 4, 1917 in Mt. Denson, Hants Co., the daughter of Lee and Rosa (Nichols) Schurman.

She graduated from Victoria General Hospital, Halifax in 1940 and worked several years at Queens General Hospital in Liverpool. She was a member of Zion United Church and Zion UCW since 1946. She was a leader and assistant leader of Brownies in her early years. Bessie enjoyed all needlework, games, reading and baking, but most of all family and friends. Travelling with husband Lloyd was a real pleasure, visiting Newfoundland, England, Scotland as well as Canada and the USA from coast to coast.

Surviving are son John (Gail) Riverview, NB and daughter Joan (Richard) Fralic, MacLeod Hill, NB. Grandchildren, Peter Frellick (Tracy Wallace), Vancouver, BC; Susan (Gordon) Frellick-Perry, Summerside, PEI; Lynn Frellick (Ron Haslam), Summerside, PEI; Greg (Theresa) Fralic, Heidlberg, Ont.; Michael Fralic (Julie Hong), Ottawa. Great-grandchildren Jacob and Ella Rose Fralic and Leigha Haslam. Her nieces and nephews were very special to “Aunt Bessie”.

She was predeceased by husband Lloyd and infant son Ronald Lloyd.

Service of remembrance will take place Saturday, June 22nd, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Chandlers’ Funeral Chapel, Liverpool. Reverend Sheila Redden Smith officiating. Burial will be in Camphill Cemetery, Halifax on Monday, June 24th, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. No flowers by  request, donations may be made to  Queens General Hospital Foundation, Zion United Church, Liverpool or any charity. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com

Jeannie Cans are out!

Please make sure you have your Jeannie Can. This is an annual fundraiser for the UCW of Zion United Church. Just save up your change for the summer. It is as easy as that. 

If you would like a Jeannie Can please contact any of the UCW members or call Dorothy Shankel at 354-3572.

General Secretary Weekly Letter

June 7, 2013

Dear friends,Next Monday will be the 88th anniversary of the inaugural worship service of The United Church of Canada. In chapel this week, the Rev. Bronwyn Corlett led us in an inspiring service using hymns and prayers from that special day in 1925.

I have a photocopy of the inaugural service that I keep on my desk right under the Bible that I was presented with at the General Council where my appointment was approved. I keep it there, but I hadn’t looked at it for a while, so this was a good reminder to get it out again.

It was a significant occasion, I know, but even still it’s hard to picture a worship service this long in any gathering of the United Church today. They wanted to lift up the best of the traditions of the founding denominations, and they were making commitments for the church of the future. This service reflected their dreams for future generations of the church: for us.

Reading the Order of Service with 2013 eyes, we find a mix of the familiar and the quaintly archaic.

The hymns:

"The Church’s One Foundation"
        "All People that on Earth do Dwell"
             "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing"
                 "O God of Bethel, by Whose Hand"
                     "When I survey the Wondrous Cross"
                         "O Spirit of the Living God"

are mostly ones we still sing today, although with updated language.

Bronwyn also updated the language of the Commemoration of the Faithful prayer that she led us through, although without losing any of the original meaning. It’s just that some of the original wording would get in the way of our understanding today.

After chapel I had a meeting with the Rev. Michael Blair and we talked about the service before moving on to other topics. He pointed out to me that several of the lines from the Commemoration of the Faithful are echoed in the words of A New Creed. Of course some of the phrases have their origins in the much older words of the scriptures. The same ideas have been repeated in the words contemporary to different times, so that their full meaning can be experienced by successive generations.

This may be something like the work that the Comprehensive Review Task Group is doing – identifying the ways to structure church, and to speak of church – for our generation and those to come.

Somehow it seemed very appropriate that this lovely chapel service, drawing on the words of a worship service in 1925, was led by a young minister who as a woman would not have been qualified for ordination at the time of church union.

We maintain the best of our traditions, and draw on the strengths of each generation.

Nora Sanders

Queens County Girls Choir at Zion United

The Queens County Girls Choir under the direction of Christopher Snarby and accommpanied on the piano by Alison Williams, joined us for our service at Zion this past Sunday. Unfortunately, I was unable to take any pictures or video. If anyone did take a picture or video they could share, please contact the office on 354-5851. Can't wait to have them back again fr anyone that missed this. It was simply fantastic. Voices of angels!!! I enjoyed this immensely. The picture above was taken from the Advance article from Oct 8, 2011 by Nick Moase for the QC Girls Choir 10th Anniversary. 

Portraits at Zion United - Sign up now open

Brochures are available at the Church as well as a display in Gorham Hall. 

This Sunday at Zion United

So will you be joining us? 

General Secretary's Weekly Letter

   

May 31, 2013

On this “about to be June” evening, I’m sitting out in the backyard with my laptop, enjoying the bird calls and the damp earth scents. It’s the first time I’ve written the weekly letter outside this year.

The temperature is a far cry from a week ago. I wasn’t expecting to drive through snow on May 24 on the way to the Hamilton Conference meeting in Port Elgin. I’d like to claim that I foresaw that when I delayed getting my snow tires taken off, but of course the fact is that I just haven’t managed to get it done yet.

The temperatures stayed a little chilly for much of the weekend, but the sun shone and the atmosphere of the meeting was welcoming and warm. This was the second year the meeting has been held at the Canadian Auto Workers Family Education Centre, a great facility located close enough to the shore of Lake Huron to allow early morning walks on the beach.

Certain things about annual general meetings are always the same and yet never quite the same. I’m talking about the celebration of new ministries, and the honouring of those retiring and reaching significant anniversaries in their service in ministry. It always feels like such a great honour for me to be part of these occasions.

It was heartening for me to see the engagement of those at the meeting with the discussions around the Comprehensive Review. I know that there is a lot of work ahead before we as a church come to what changes are needed, but I felt there was a healthy mix of realistic acceptance that change is upon us, and hopeful regard for the possibilities the future holds. It seemed that people came to the meeting with open attitudes, and the presentation by the Rev. Lauren Hodgson of the Comprehensive Review Task Group managed to be both frank and positive.

There were many good words spoken over the weekend. I found the address by Dr. Kofi Hope about the church that young people want to be challenging and inspiring in ways that has left me with food for thought that I’ve been chewing on all week.

Another highlight of this busy week for me was a visit on Tuesday to 40 Oaks, the home of the Christian Resource Centre, which is part of the redeveloped Regent Park in downtown Toronto. Talk about a hope-filled place. Talk about a place where people are committing their resources of time and money to make a positive difference in the lives of others. This is the kind of United Church work that we should all be proud of. This is work that exemplifies church at its best.

The official reason for my visit there was to see where the United Church archives will be located after they move out of 3250 Bloor Street West this summer. This space is still under construction, but it will be excellent accommodation for the archival material, staff who work there, and users of the archives. It is good to think of the archives sharing space with an active community ministry, with the rent going to that ministry instead of to a commercial landlord. I’m impressed with the aplomb with which General Council Archivist Nichole Vonk is managing the planning and pending upheaval that goes along with a big move.

With the sun now down, I’ve been joined in the yard by some mosquitoes, my signal that it is time to end this letter and go inside.

Nora