Pieces of history

This pamphlet was discovered among some old Verdun United files. Featuring songs from O Canada to Oh! Susannah, it’s barely bigger than a cheque book. Sponsored by Tooke Brothers manufacturing, which used to be on de Courcelle Street, it also features ads for some of their products. Whenever it was published (1950s?) you could get a dress shirt or a pair of tailored pyjamas for $4.95! Anybody remember using this for singalongs? Contact the office if you have memories to share.

Minister's word: Peace, Perfect Peace

I am, by nature, a person who wants all things to be right and to run smoothly. I call it my Martha syndrome.  In fact, I always have a “Plan B”, just in case.

But, lately, something is changing.  In the clear light of day, or in the deep silence of the night, I sometimes find myself with a sense of the deepest peace.  A feeling so warm, so gentle, so calm that, just for a moment, it takes my breath away.  Perhaps it’s something that, with grace, creeps slowly upon you as you age.  Perhaps it is the result of so much of your stuff becoming water under your own bridge.

In any event, I have found myself wondering about the quote from Philippians 4: 7 “The peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Just what is that peace which passes all understanding?

Over the past week I have had the honor of walking with two families who have lost a loved one.  I have done this too many times over the past eleven years or so.  But, this week, perhaps because I am more open to it, I witnessed that calm maturity and acceptance which borders on the presence of the holy; inner peace.

And that, perhaps, is where the mystery lies.

According to “The Mind of Christ” by T.W. Hunt, in the Bible, the word peace is often translated to mean “to tie together as a whole” or “when all essential parts are joined together”.

Inner peace then is a wholeness of mind and spirit, a whole heart at rest.  It has little to do with external surroundings.

Peace is not the absence of trouble, it is the presence of God.  It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit

In John 14: 27, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”.

My wish for you is that you too may find that place of peace, deep peace. 

Beryl

Verdun Triathlon this Sunday

There will be road closures in the Crawford Park area on August 11th because of the annual Verdun Triathlon. Lasalle Boulevard will be closed from the Natatorium to Fayolle Street, and Fayolle will be closed at least up to Truman. Champlain Boulevard should be open for driving to church on Sunday. Bus routes may be disrupted. Check on stm.info.

Find out more about the event here.

Societe Alzheimer Society Montreal Fall programming

Please find attached a brochure from the Montreal Alzheimer Society. It is brimming with information for caregivers as well as people living with dementia.

A new perspective on accessibility

The article below from the United Church of Canada website is a reminder that most of us will deal with “mobility issues” at one time or another. I remember experiencing this in a small way when I had babies in strollers. I see my mother dealing with it as her joints give way.

The federal government recently passed Bill C-81, known as the Accessible Canada Act. It mandates full accessibility in all federal government departments and agencies, wherever they are in the country. It also applies to the federally regulated private sector, including the transportation sector, broadcasting and telecommunications services, and the banking and financial sectors. Bill C-21 was created in consultation with Canadians with disabilities and is supported by the Rick Hansen Foundation and many advocates for people with disabilities. Hopefully it will inspire the provinces and more of the private sector to follow suit.

Here is the article by Pat Elson:

I have a new perspective on life.

While I am waiting for two hip replacements, my mobility is decreasing – in direct proportion to the increase in chronic pain I am managing. These two factors, along with the long wait for joint replacement in the Ontario health care system, have come together in a perfect storm and for the first time in my life I find myself living with a chronic disability.

What I have to say will not be news for those who have lived with this for much longer than I have. And eventually I have every hope that I will be able to return to a reasonably active lifestyle. In the meantime this is what I have learned and what I hope I will remember as I look at the buildings, streets, and surroundings that make up the communities I live, work, and play in.

I look at accessibility from a new perspective. I look at the incline of ramps – not just whether there is a ramp –and the availability of handrails. I look at the height and number of steps. I look at how many people are heading in and out of buildings and whether, given the number of people, I can reach a handrail. I look at whether a bench is available along a walking route and what height it might be. Sometimes what I see means I can’t get into a particular building or space even when that building is labelled “accessible.”

I look at public transit differently. I consider whether I will be able to get a seat or not. I consider whether I can wait for transit sitting down or if I need to stand. I consider whether I can reach an escalator or elevator. The failure of any of those factors mean that more often than not I can’t use public transit.

I look at social and public events with a new eye. Will there be places to sit? If there is food, am I expected to carry it myself? Even more awkward if there a drink I would need to carry! And is it just the people I hang out with – or what is it with the social stand up? Standing for any period of time and my joints lock up, making it not only painful to stand but to move again. So I am careful what social events I go to.

What have I learned with this new perspective? I have learned:

• I am really bad at asking for help, but I am the only one who can tell people when I can’t manage something.

• I have learned that while offers of help may come from the most unexpected of people, many are not good at offering help.

• I have learned that carrying a sign of mobility challenge – like a cane – may get me the help I need, but trying to cope without it is a recipe for disaster.

• The word “accessible” attached to a building, place, or event does not necessarily mean I can access something.

• My life and activities are becoming more defined by what I can’t do than by what I want to do.

I hope what I have learned stays with me and those spaces and people I can influence will benefit. I hope I will be readier to see when helping others is needed and to ask for help more often. I will use my new eyes to look at venues and occasions to create places and spaces that don’t have to be reviewed for accessibility, because it is a matter of course that they are. Isn’t that what accessibility really means? That no one has to think twice about getting somewhere because they just can.

— Pat Elson is Team Lead for The United Church of Canada’s People in Partnership program.

Passages

We hold in prayer the families of Audrey Wratten (1935-2019) and Jane Gangin (1923-2019).

Pastor Beryl led a celebration of Audrey’s life at Urgel Bourgie (Feron’s) in LaSalle on Thursday, August 1st. Interment will be on August 8th at the Field of Honour in Pointe Claire. Audrey’s three children were baptized in Verdun United churches and her daughter Kim was married by Rev. Nerny, who also baptized her children.

Pastor Beryl will preside at the interment of Jane Gangin, mother of Carolyn Grant, this Saturday, August 3rd at Mount Royal Cemetery. Carolyn attends SouthWest United and is related by marriage to Helen Pantridge.

In darkness, there is light,
in sadness, there is hope,
In death there is light, and love, and life everlasting.

Highland Games in Verdun this Sunday

From the caber toss to the Scottish fiddle to the tug-of-war, there’s something for everyone at the Montreal Highland Games, which will take place on the grounds of the Douglas Hospital in Verdun, on August 4th from 9am. There are several related events leading up to the big day; if you were out and about in Verdun on Thursday you might have witnessed the Promenade of Cabers on Wellington, or the Scots in the Park celebration outside the borough hall on Verdun ave.
Tonight, Friday, August 2, at 8 pm, you’re invited to a Wee Cèilidh just before the big weekend! Bagpipers, fiddlers, dancers and more. Location: Burgundy Lion Pub, 2496 Notre Dame Street West, Montreal.
For the full schedule of events on Sunday, click below.

Driving? Taking the Metro?
Guests are encouraged to use our free shuttle service to the Games from Angrignon Metro Station. Shuttles will run approximately every 20 minutes from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm.

The Games asks you to bring your own reusable water bottle, to help reduce plastic waste.

Minister's word: Starry, Starry Nights

One of the benefits of living off the Island of Montreal is the lack of reflected light at night.

It gives one the opportunity to see the night sky in all its beauty.  It begins as the sun ends its going down and the “evening star” is slowly unveiled.

As the night darkens, one by one, like the dance of fire flies in the summer, the stars make their shining debut.

I cannot contain my excitement as I think that these are the very same stars on which Creator made a promise to Abraham and Sarah.  The same stars which accompanied the Magi as they followed that one “special” star to Bethlehem.  The same stars which Jesus and the disciples undoubtedly gazed at time and time again.

On a clear night, as I settle into my hammock to celebrate Creator’s holy mystery, (blanketed and protected from the mosquitos) I am reminded of the words in Isaiah 40: 26 (NIV)

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

Creator’s promise is eternal.  Like the shining stars in the sea of sky, each and every one of us is beautifully fashioned and cherished. This in itself is a great and powerful mystery and I cannot help but give praise and shout “thanks be to Creator God!”

 - Beryl

Verdun Beach: City explains when swimming is allowed, and not

Have you visited Verdun’s new urban beach yet? Are you worried you’ll go and be prevented from swimming because of poor water quality? On the borough of Verdun page of the City of Montreal website, there is a French text explaining the protocol for allowing swimming or not on any given day. More importantly, it gives a phone number to call to find out if you’ll be allowed in the water if you go to the beach located behind the Verdun Auditorium.

That information line is: 514 280-0789. A bilingual message tells you if swimming is permitted on the day of the call. Also, if you’re passing by, a red flag will be flown on the beach on days when swimming is not permitted. A lifeguard stays on site to inform people that it’s not safe to swim.

The borough wants citizens to know that the beach itself is open every day from 10am to 7pm, even if some days you can’t go in the water. The main culprit behind bad water quality is heavy rain. Swimming may be forbidden during a downpour and even for several days after, especially if storm drains overflow. The water quality is tested twice a day. Again, your best bet is to call the info line: 514 280-0789.

August Food Resources

First of all, I must apologize for giving misinformation about Manna food bank in the last newsletter. Due to renovations at Dawson’s, the food bank is closed until further notice (hopefully not much longer!)

There’s lots of information about other food programs, community meals etc. in the two attached calendars from Verdun sans faim.