Soul of the community with Saint Columba House

Soul of the Community, Building neighbourhoods of Hope -3

NEW DATE OCTOBER 27TH

Back by popular demand, a day of interactive workshops, community building and acknowledging the important role of faith communities in creating healthy neighbourhoods.

This event will recognize communities of faith’s opportunity for structuring ways to talk about their identity, purpose, and future.

How can planning be understood as a journey of discernment?

Please save the date and discuss this event in your ministries.

Saturday October 27, 2018, 9:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Saint Columba House 2365 Grand Trunk Montreal

Tout le monde est bienvenu

JGER Committee, Vision and Transformation Committee, Saint Columba House, Montreal City Mission, Edge Network

Mini-Market Sept. 26

We have exciting news! Our Mini-market which has been every second week will soon be every week! We have one coming up next Wednesday, the 26th, then two weeks after that, October 10th, we will begin holding the market every Wednesday from 10:30 to 3:30.
Click the link to see the list of fresh produce on offer this time:

Minister's Message: Staying the Course

I now live in between two places of ministry and find myself attempting to adapt to new realities. I need to always have that emergency bag with me - tooth brush, razor - and find my way into a new rhythm as we all do in changes within our lives. I have been thinking of this verse:

So let us not become tired of doing good: for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. (Galatians 6: 9)

There is a lesson in the story of the tortoise and the hare. One was fast and could have easily won, had he not been overly confident and rested during the race. The other just kept plodding along, straight past the finish line. I want to be the plodder, the stick-to-the-path racer, and make it to the finishing line.
Paul writes to a small faith community to not get tired of doing good. When you look for clear results you may not see them in the immediate but if you persist you will reap a harvest.
I see harvest all around me in the Townships with stalls filled with fresh produce from the field. I see the seeds of ministry in Emmanuel and SouthWest and know that we need to not be weary in adjusting to new challenges and to stay the course. Plodders! Not discouraged! And focused on harvest, on the fruit of what we hope for.

The following words are often sung to the tune of Finlandia by Jean Sibelius:

Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side, bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Trust in your God, your Saviour and your guide, 
who through all changes faithful will remain.
Be still me soul, your best, your heavenly friend
through stormy ways leads to a peaceful end.
(VU 652, Katharina von Schlegel)

These words root me In the soil of hope and faith.
Stay the course through times of change. Keep on plodding on the path of life. And do good, always, with a generous spirit knowing that God sustains us and strengthens us.

Rev. David

Click below to hear Libera Boys Choir sing the hymn referenced above.

La fête des récoltes\ Harvest Party

Invitation à la fête des récoltes ce 12 octobre de 17h00 à 20h00 et  une visite guidée du Grand Potager le 12 octobre à 17h00. 
You are invited to our harvest celebration on October 12th from 5pm-8pm and to sign up for our guided tour of Grand Potager on October 12th at 5pm. 

La fête des récoltes - The Harvest Party 

 Le Centre d’agriculture urbaine, le Grand Potager vous invite à un 5@7 le 12 octobre aux serres municipales de Verdun! Pour ceux qui y étaient l’année passée, vous savez que c’est un évènement à ne pas manquer! Venez célébrer la deuxième année du Grand Potager. Des délicieuses bouchées préparées avec des verdures de nos jardins et des boissons seront au rendez-vous. Nous allons présenter notre vision du site. Venez fêter avec nous! Au plaisir de vous accueillir chez Grand Potager, le centre d'agriculture urbaine de l’ouest de l’île! Confirmez votre présence en cliquant ici. Évènement gratuit

The Grand Potager, Urban Agriculture Centre invites you to un 5@7 on October 12th in the Verdun municipal greenhouses! For those who joined us last year you know what this is an event not to be missed. Delicious snacks made from the greens from our urban gardens, will be served along with some drinks. Join us to celebrate our second year and discover the greenhouses. We will be launching our vision for the site. We look forward to hosting you all at Grand Potager, The Urban Agriculture Centre of the west of the island of Montreal. Confirm your presence now by clicking here. Free event
 

Visite guidée du Grand Potager -  Guided tour of Grand Potager

21 organismes partageant un espace dédié à l'agriculture urbaine; apprenez-en plus sur l'organisme et visitez les serres. Ce 12 octobre, découvrez des projets d’aquaponie, d'hydroponie, de compostage, de plantes rares et exotiques, de murs végétalisés, d'apiculture et plus! Un lieu unique à Montréal, au coeur de Verdun! Reservez votre place dès maintenant sur Eventbrite! La visite sera suivie de notre Fête des Récoltes annuelle! Soyez des nôtres de 18h00 à 20h et rencontrez certains de nos membres!
 

PRIX D'ENTRÉE: 5$
Visite bilingue
 

21 organizations sharing a space dedicated to urban agriculture; learn more about the organization and visit the greenhouses.  On October 12th, discover projects in aquaponics, hydroponics, composting, rare and exotic plants, green walls, beekeeping and more! A unique site in Montréal, in the heart of Verdun! Reserve a spot now on Eventbrite! The visit will be followed by our annual Harvest Party! Join us from 5:30pm to 9pm and meet some of our members!

ENTRANCE FEE: 5$
Bilingual event

SouthWest and Emmanuel United Linked in Body, Mind and Spirit

SouthWest United and  Emmanuel United Church in Cowansville linked in Body, Mind and Spirit through Rev. David

This is it: SouthWest and Emmanuel United have officially been approved by Quebec Presbytery and are experiencing half-time ministry.

On Sunday September 16th, SouthWest was blessed to have former congregant, choir member, Verdunite and now licensed lay leader Beryl Barraclough leading worship (Beryl is currently at Kanesatake United in Oka). Bells and whistles were blown in Beryl’s honor as the school alarms rang unprovoked prior to worship but immediately stopped at 11:15 worship time! Beryl will continue to lead SouthWest in worship, with support from the worship team, the second Sunday of the month.

Beryl Barraclough

Meanwhile, Rev. David gave his first sermon on Sunday, September 16th as the minister for Emmanuel United Church in Cowansville. Louise Smith of EU wrote the following article that appeared in the Sherbrooke Record:

"After nearly a two year search, the Emmanuel United Congregation was very happy with the choice made. Rev. David has an easy going, gregarious style, that warms the heart and makes each person he speaks to feel special and connected to the collective spiritual entity that makes church a living experience.

Rev. David has been a minister in the SouthWest United Church in Verdun for twenty years. They are going to a half-time ministry and so Emmanuel was blessed to get an experienced minister to have as their half-time minister. Rev. David is fully bilingual, energetic, involved in community services, and he made a good impression during his first official Sunday. "

Une invitation aux enseignants/ Invitation to teachers and others who work with youth

Come discover the numerous cultural activities offered to school and community groups in Verdun. Thursday Sept. 20, drop in between 3 and 6PM. Quai 5160 (new Maison de la culture), 5160 Lasalle Blvd.

Viva Musica!

SouthWest Music and the 2018 – 2019 season

Another year of wonderful music is upon us, and we are ready to begin preparations for all kinds of events – from regular Sundays to the traditional celebration of Christmas music, by way of special ‘Music Sundays.’

Interested in taking part in any way? Do you sing? Play the bagpipes? Wooden spoons? Free every third week? Let me know!

Easiest if you contact me directly (saromica@yahoo.ca) but the church office can always forward messages as well.

See you soon!

Sarah and the Music Team

Musique Sud-ouest et la nouvelle saison 2018 – 2019

Oui on est prêt! Malgré le beau temps qui continue l’heure est venue de commencer nos préparations pour les célébrations de dimanche, les « dimanches en musique » et même Chantons Noël !

Vous aimez chanter? Vous jouez de la guitare ou la flûte à bec? Vous appréciez toutes styles de musique mais vos propres talents sont à découvrir? Il y a de la place pour tout le monde!

Vous pouvez me contacter directement (saromica@yahoo.ca) ou en laissant un message au bureau de l’église.

J’ai hâte de vous voir!

Sarah + l’équipe de musique

Better Together Harvest Party/ Fête des récoltes

With the Harvest Season coming to an end, it is that time of the year to thank mother nature for the bountiful crops she has provided. What better way to celebrate this moment than with a Community Harvest Party? SouthWest is a recipient of a $1000 grant from the Aviva Community Fund. So what are we doing with the money? Having friends over, of course!
Please join SouthWest and their team on Wednesday September 26 for a very special Welcome Wednesday Community lunch at 12:30 and visit our Mini Market for some fresh fruits and vegetables at great prices!
Let’s bring together our partners, our volunteer teams and staff BUT most of all the community; an inclusive community event where people can come and enjoy local music, our market, our food opportunities and share SouthWest’s vision “We provide a table where all are welcome, with food for body, mind and spirit.”

Here’s what Aviva says about their initiative:

We believe that good things happen when people come together. Even great things. We get to know our neighbours. We do things to help each other. We become more resilient. That’s why this year’s theme for the Aviva Community Fund is about bringing people together to create change within our community.

To celebrate 10 years of impact, we’re donating another $1 million to fund charitable initiatives across Canada. Because communities are better together

Congrats to our $1,000 #BetterTogether event winners!

Darlene

Minister's Message: Faith leads us into new ways of being

[This month, Rev. David began splitting his time between SouthWest and Emmanuel United (Cowansville Area Pastoral Charge.)]

I knew ministry would be different at Emmanuel when I got lost heading for a meeting with the Worship/Pastoral care/Christian education team.

I took a wrong turn and ended up passing the Cowansville Institution; then I saw soldiers in full military gear doing maneuvers at the side of the road. And at the end of the day, as I followed my Waze app, I encountered three horses riding on the country road just in front of my car. Prison, soldiers and horses, on the same day. You are not in Verdun anymore, Reverend!!

Last Sunday SouthWest adapted to road work at the church and worshipped at the Mission. I had arrived early for another meeting and was present when the Metro Group gathered. They extended a welcome to their open meeting, and I attended my first ever AA group. They appreciated our letting them keep their regular 10h00 time and helped set up the chairs for our 11h15 service, and even left their coffee and milk for our use.

Faith keeps us looking at what can emerge when we move forward and adapt to changing realities. Faith reminds that when we choose life there will be challenges and joys, new friends and new possibilities. Faith sits us down unexpectedly in another group’s meeting and prays with them the Lord’s Prayer.

I am reminded of these words:

Faith, while trees are still in blossom, plans the pickling of the fruit;
Faith can feel the thrill of harvest when the buds begin to sprout.
Long before the rains were coming, Noah went and built an ark.
Abraham, the lonely migrant, saw the light beyond the dark.

Faith believes that God is faithful: God will be what God will be!
Faith accepts the call, responding, “I am willing, Lord, send me.”

(Voices United 643, Anders Frostenson, 1960)

I prayed with brothers and sisters last Sunday this prayer (this is its original version) written by a Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr.

May it be our prayer:

God, give us grace to accept with serenity, the things that cannot be changed,
Courage to change the things which should be changed,
and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

Mon Dieu, donne-moi la sérénité d’accepter le choses que je ne peux changer,
le courage de changer les choses que je peux,
et la sagesse d’en connaître la différence.

We say/Nous disons: Amen.

Rev. David

First Meli-Melo of the School Year!

If you look at your calendar, you might notice that September 23rd is actually the 4th Sunday of September, but we’re advertising Messy Church on the 3rd Sunday of the month. What?
You’re right: we’re messing with you. This month our informal celebration is the fourth Sunday, but moving forward it will be the third. If you’re the type who likes to mark their calendar ahead of time, here are the next dates:

October 21st
November 18th

The Children’s Christmas Party is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 1st this year. Meanwhile, join us September 23rd at 12:30 for family, food and fun: