Even in Winnipeg we think we can finally say good-bye to winter and hello to Spring and ‘we are waiting for you, Summer’.
The weather is a little warmer. Some people are raking their yards, The streets are being cleaned. Gardening and home stores again host the familiar sight of bags of soil and grass seed piled on shelves and pallets.
We are ready for the colours of trees and grass and flowers to return. We are ready to hear bird songs and even goose honks. We are ready to walk in warmth rather than cold.
We are again reminded that seasons change, sometimes seemingly quickly and sometimes one season seems to gradually blend into another.
Each season brings changes in our attire, our activities, our celebrations and even our moods.
The Christian church has its own calendar of seasons. Currently, the church is in the season of Easter. We don’t always think of Easter as a ‘season’. We celebrate Easter Sunday and may tend to think that Easter is just one day of the year…but not for the church. For the church. Easter is a season comprised of the 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
So, as we say hello to the season of Spring let us also say hello to the season of Easter.
Let us say hello to Easter that speaks of creation’s pattern of life-death-new life.
Let us say hello to Easter that declares a resurrection blessing of life emerging, even from death.
Let us say hello to Easter that sings of God’s love, that discovers God’s love present in human suffering, that discovers in God a sacred love that rejects the way of violence, that discovers God’s love lived through the humanity of Jesus.
Let us say hello to Spring as an Easter people.
You are invited to join us for worship this Sunday at 10 a.m. If you cannot be present, or choose to stay safely at home, you are invited to join in the livestream.
Here’s the ZOOM link for TMUC:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7538449219
and, if you want to just listen, you can join by phone: 204-272-7920
On Sunday we will be reading John 10:1-10 and the music includes:
“God of the Bible” – More Voices #28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCmtmWLB40A
Church News:
Monday May 8 at 7:00 p.m.
(The ZOOM link will be available for those unable to attend in person)
The purpose of the meeting is to receive the report and recommendation of the TMUC Search Team who have been diligent in their work.
This meeting will be chaired by the Reverend Mary Best who has been working with the Search Team. The agenda for this meeting will include a motion to allow adherents to vote on these matters. The Search Team must keep their recommendation confidential until the congregational meeting and continues to appreciate your prayers and support.
Items Needed: The New to Canada people from Ukraine need some things – particularly bath and kitchen towels, a stroller and a bassinet for a newborn, (the twins will have a new neighbour soon!), and jams (Jams are expensive in Canada and the families are accustomed to lots of jam on bread and pancakes—and they love homemade if someone is inclined… ). We also need clothes for girls 8 and 10 and boys 10-11.
Thank you to everyone who participated in TMUC’s Glenlea Greenhouse plant sale fundraiser.
The plants will be delivered to TMUC on Friday May 12 and pick up starts at 3 pm. If you require delivery, please contact tmucflowers@gmail.com and we can make arrangements with you.
Come for conversation! Tuesdays from 1:15-2:15 and Thursdays from 6-7pm. We welcome people to gather in conversation. Those learning English are eager to practice! Come and join us in the Multi-purpose room to chat! All are welcome! (if you could help with childcare during the Thursday evening sessions, please contact the church office).
We continue to partner with TruEarth for fundraising. TruEarth is a Canadian Company that has developed an environmentally friendly hypo-allergenic cleaning products. The cleaning products are mailed to your home, and very easy to use. If you have questions there are a number of people in our congregation who are using them. The fundraising link can be used by anyone across the country so please share the news with family and friends!
https://fundraising.tru.earth/tmuc
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support of TMUC’s ministry. Donations online can be made through CanadaHelps:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/14890?v1=true
Prairie to Pine Regional News:
The Regional Annual Meeting will be held June 1-4 at the United Church in Meadowood. Details of volunteer opportunities have been circulated – please check previous messages for more details.
We keep you in our prayers,
again, with deep, deep thanks,
Carol and Jeff