Future Directions: An important meeting

LE FRANÇAIS SUIVRA

In order for us to move forward with decisions concerning the future of our congregation, Quebec Presbytery requires that a formal vote take place concerning the selling of SouthWest Property. 

This is a two-item meeting.

Notice is hereby given that votes will be taken on the following motions after worship on Sunday July 15, 2018. (around 11AM)

Motion 1: As we prepare for our future, SouthWest United approves the selling of its church and manse, as is.

Motion 2: SouthWest Congregation approves that the Minister moves to half-time.

Please help us inform all our friends, members and adherents about this important meeting.

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Afin que nous puissions aller de l'avant avec les décisions concernant le futur de notre congrégation, le consistoire du Québec exige qu'un vote formel ait lieu concernant la vente de la propriété SouthWest.

Ceci sera une réunion de deux points seulement.
Avis est par la présente donné que les votes sur les deux motions suivantes auront lieu après le culte de dimanche le 15 juillet 2018. (Vers 11H)

Motion 1: Alors que nous préparons notre avenir, SouthWest United approuve la vente de son église et de son presbytère, tel quel.

Motion 2: La congrégation SouthWest approuve que le ministre passe à temps-partielle.

S'il vous plaît, aidez-nous à informer tous nos amis, membres et adhérents de cette importante réunion.

Heat Wave and Remembrance

As the vulnerable succumbed to the extreme high heat this week across Quebec, we pause to remember them, some 33 who died.
We light our candle at worship and hold them, their friends and families in our hearts and prayers.
We ask that neighbours and community show concern for those who are alone, and that our remembrance be a commitment to love our neighbour as we love God and ourselves.

A Heat Wave Prayer:
God of creation,
may the glistening beads of sweat upon our brow, remind us of our baptismal promises;
may the slowing of our paces and practices,
remind us of the sacredness of each moment;
and may the sweltering waves of heated air,
remind us of your Spirit which moves amongst us. 
Keep safe those who work and those who play this day, as we tend to our neighbours in need. Amen.
(Diocese of Niagara, 2013)

Rev. David

We're still in for some more hot days. For tips on how to protect yourself during a heat wave, see this pamphlet from the government of Quebec:

Countdown to General Council

The 43rd General Council of the United Church of Canada takes place July 21st to 27th 2018 in Oshawa, Ontario. This is where many decisions will be made about the future of the church, including the election of a new Moderator. There are 10 candidates from nine different Conferences right across the country. Eight are ordained ministers; two are laypersons. You can read their bios on the General Council website:

The first two days of GC43 are devoted to the Festival of Faith, described as "a celebration of our work and witness through the arts".

What’s happening at the Festival?

• Music: Experience inspiring performers at multiple stages. Enjoy a DJ, silent dance party and lip-sync competition.

• Interactive art: Explore amazing art displays, including stories and images of over 80 projects supported by Embracing the Spirit, a new United Church learning network that you can get involved in. Join a Messy Fiesta and paint a pew!

• Workshops: Be inspired by 25 workshops with leaders from across Canada.
• Spirituality: Discover different ways to express your faith.
• Coffee house: Enjoy the open mic experience, spoken word, poems, songs and more. Everyone is welcome to contribute.
• Artisan market: Explore the market sprinkled with local artisans and social enterprises.
• The Alvin Dixon Memorial Run/Walk: Start your second day of festival on the right foot at 8am with this 5km run / 2km walk event.

Follow the Festival of Faith on Facebook for details and

Minister's Message: Renovations and Changes

The SouthWest Office has physically closed for two months and the Mission for two weeks, until July 16. The office will adapt with the help of internet and function as best as it is able during this period. Be supportive during this change to our office administrator, Amy. Messages will be reviewed daily but there may not be a real live person answering your calls. I am available throughout the summer and include my cell below to facilitate communication during this time. These are significant renovations that will improve the fire safety of the former Woodland School and secure the Mission space more efficiently. As in all renovations there will be a mess! And the hope of getting to the other side one day.
I brought home six boxes of papers, files, and work that needs attention and sorting. I have a terrible habit of putting papers under my desk and losing files. So this is an opportunity to organize myself better I hope.
Shirley Mitchell has been our “office angel” some eleven years now, coming in at least two days a week. She has helped create the office filing system, has maintained our historic registers impeccably, and kept Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals on track. “Officially” Shirley “retires” as of this week. Unofficially she will remain an off-site consultant! She merits the deep, heartfelt gratitude of the SouthWest family for her commitment and dedication that have sustained us. We are grateful for the time and energy she devoted over the years to our Mission project. Your quiet efficiency, caring discretion and thoughtful opinions will be missed. Thank-you, Shirley.
Check out the summer schedule for SouthWest on this Blog (What’s open and closed/ Ce qui est ouvert) and invite friends to sign up to our newsletter to be kept informed of activities and changes.
When we know the start date of construction on Clémenceau you will be notified of our plan. Thank-you Keith and Darlene for attending the Verdun Borough's information session on our behalf.
My Bible inspiration comes from Proverbs 14: 23. 
Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table!
For now,I return to the piles of papers needing attention.
And imagine the cleared desk when we return into the office at the end of the summer. 

Rev. David
514 567-7756

Mobile Brunch mobile

Some 200 people came by last Sunday for the St-Jean Baptiste mobile brunch. Whether Sikhs, Christians, people of other religions or no religion, this was neighbours meeting neighbours over food and table. The food was delicious - Thank you to all the cooks of all denominations! - and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to the team who hand-distributed flyers in Crawford Park, and to our MNA Mme. Melançon whose donation helped pay for the event.

Canada Day

Happy Canada Day!

On Canada Day we celebrate our country. 
We recognize the defining moments that have brought us together.
We reflect on how fortunate we are to be Canadian, and what we still need to do to make sure that everyone across this land shares in the same rights and opportunities.

Bonne fête du Canada!

En ce jour de la fête du Canada, nous célébrons notre pays.
Nous reconnaissons les moments déterminants qui nous ont réunis.
Nous réfléchissons à la chance que nous avons d’être Canadiens, et aussi à ce qui reste à faire pour que toute personee à travers ce pays ait accès aux mêmes droits et aux mêmes opportunités. 

This year's Canada Day Parade is on Sunday, July 1st at 11:00am, starting at the corner of St.Catherine and Fort streets, and ending at Place du Canada, where the festivities continue:

Between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., the parade wraps up at Place du Canada and a huge cake measuring 1.22 metres by 2.44 metres (4' by 8') will be served. It's expected to feed up to 2,500 people.

There will also be face painting and caricatures for kids on site.

All activities, cake and water are free of charge (but bring your own reusable water bottle anyway: it's better for the environment, and it's going to be hot and humid out).

Verdun's own Legion #4 is hosting an Open House in honour of Canada Day, starting at 3pm on Sunday. Join the celebration and enjoy the music of Rick Tennant.

Passages

On Sunday, June 24 during the 10AM service, there will be a double baptism. Jestiny Angel and Jewelz Willow Trudeau-Caine are the daughters of Rosita (Rosie) Caine and Jesse Trudeau, and granddaughters of Gloria and Harry Caine. The family are faithful guests at our monthly Messy Church/ Méli-Mélo.

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Ruth CLENDINNENG

"Miss Ruth" 1917- 2018
Three days short of her one hundred and first birthday, Ruth died in her sleep on April 4, 2018 at C.H.S.L.D Bayview. Ruth excelled as a personal assistant and secretary for Ogilvie Flour Mills and Labatt Brewing Company in Montréal. Ruth willingly provided extended compassionate care for her mother and two of her brothers. Ruth was predeceased by her sister Doris and her brothers Euard, Clifford, Sydney and Raymond. Aunt Ruth is fondly remembered by her nieces Ann and Kathleen (Robert), and her nephew Peter (Suzanne), grandniece/nephews Robin (Robert), Andrew, Dennis (Rachida), and five great-grandnieces/nephews. Heartfelt thanks to Ruth's special friend and caregiver Dann. Interment in Mount Royal Cemetery to follow at a later date. Donations in Ruth's memory to an animal welfare charity of your choice will be appreciated.

Ruth was a long-time congregant of SouthWest. An interment service was performed at Mount Royal cemetery on June 8, 2018 by Darlene Halfyard in the presence of her many nieces and nephews as well as church friends.

Living Right Relationships: Right Where We Are

"Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed." (Isaiah 10: 1-3).

There are many images speaking to my spirit and informing my prayers these days:

- The sacred wall of prayer in Jerusalem (the Western or Weeping Wall)

- The separation wall (between Israel and Occupied Territories)

- The image of children separated from their parents as they arrive at the Mexican/US border

I have always been sensitive to those who are not included and who are ostracised from the 'in' group by others; to walls that divide and policies or laws that are unjust. When religion is used to justify injustice or unequal citizenship or when prayers by some are experienced as right while others' are wrong I must ask what is my responsibility as a person of faith?

Changing the policies of another country is not something I can accomplish. And it seems too easy to critique what others are doing than to look to concrete action closer to home.

I have decided that I can commit to right relations with my neighbours where I live, right here and now. Going to the Mosque for an Iftar during Ramadan 2018 and co-hosting a Mobile Brunch with our Sikh neighbours on St Jean Baptiste this Sunday are actions of wall breaking, of knowing who our neighbours are. Walls of separation are sometimes simply about how little I know about someone of another faith practice.

There is another neighbour I need to meet and better understand: those of First Nations. I have often spoken of the founding peoples of Canada as First Nations, French and English. Some hearing that have reacted negatively.

The recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission within Canada has exposed the need of all of us to address an inherent ignorance of the realities of these nations colonised and excluded over so many centuries. As I hear the word "reconciliation" I accept that I have much to learn from my place of privilege: to live a journey in relationship with First Nations peoples who are in my neighbourhood, to accept that I know so little and need to humbly listen and hear stories and experiences very different from my own.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21, the day of my writing this reflection. It is also the first day of summer. I hope that my recent visit to Israel and the news of the day can motivate me to pray for all peoples and governance, and that justice flows through all faiths, prayers and civic action. 

Let faith and work be one as I seek right relationships right here and now, with all my neighbours!

- Rev. David

This prayer comes from the website of the United Church and is appropriate:

Great Comforter, we know that we are surrounded by a legacy of pain. 
We acknowledge the pain, grief, and sorrow caused by not living respectfully with all people,
and we are sorry for the ways that we have dishonoured the depths of this pain. 
Open us, Creator, to the power of interconnectedness:
Help us to receive the painful stories as well as the inspiring stories;
Grant us the courage to own any feelings of vulnerability, shame, fear, and guilt that may come from our interactions with each other;
And with your healing grace, lead us through our aching toward your dream of wholeness.
Transform us and our community so that we may continually work toward reconciliation and new life.

In Jesus name.

Amen.

© 2016 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non- commercial Share Alike Licence. Any copy must include this notice.

Rev. David

St-Jean-Baptiste Mobile Brunch «mobile» de la St-Jean

Calling all neighbours in and near Crawford Park! Your local Sikh temple and Christian church invite you to an outdoor "mobile brunch" for the Fête nationale! Come by SouthWest first, at 1445 Clémenceau, for sweets and lemonade at 11:30; then wander over to Temple Guru Nanak, 7325 Ouimet, for a savoury buffet starting at noon. Yum!

Les voisins! Le temple Sikh et l'église chrétienne du quartier vous invitent à un brunch «mobile» en plein air pour la fête nationale! Passez d'abord à l'église SouthWest au 1445 rue Clémenceau pour des gâteries et du limonade; ensuite passez au temple Guru Nanak au 7325 rue Ouimet pour un repas style buffet. Miam!

For National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21st)

In Canada, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. In the spirit of Reconciliation, we offer the following two prayers.
 

Let us Give Thanks to Our Creator

Let us give thanks to our Creator
for the Creator is always with us.

God is with us in the call of a loon
and in the flight of an eagle.

Our Creator is with us in the changing of the seasons.

God is with us when we gather together
and when we are alone.

Our Creator is with us in our giftedness
and in our search for new understandings of ourselves,
new visions of our communities.

Let us give thanks to God, our Creator.

—A prayer from The Dancing Sun (United Church of Canada/Anglican Church of Canada).
 

We Praise You for the Sacred Fires

God, Creator and Great Mystery, we praise you for the Sacred Fires that burn today and for the prayer-filled smoke that you receive and bless. We offer our deep gratitude that the Fire’s light informs and guides our journey. We pray, just as the Elders prayed, for renewal and for the restoration of beauty to the land and its people.

We acknowledge the diverse and abundant gifts of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples. We recognize that their knowledge and wisdom have benefited generations past and present, and that this blessing will continue for generations to come. We remember the many who are committed to the healing of family, community, and nations.

We pray for Mother Earth, the waters, the winds, for our siblings the animals, birds, and fish, and all of life that surrounds us. We pray that we will walk the good Red Road of life, and that we will walk with courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom.

We offer this prayer in humility and hope, and in the name, of our brother Jesus, the one who lights our path to wholeness, justice and peace. Amen.

—A prayer for Indigenous Day of Prayer by the Rev. Maggie Dieter, Executive Minister, Aboriginal Ministries and Indigenous Justice; and Bill Snow, Stoney Nakoda First Nation, Alberta, member of the Indigenous Justice and Residential School Committee.