What a time! In a week when we would often be together, we are living ‘physical distancing’. It is a time for creative connections to be in this week together.
(If you are unsure about using ZOOM, please call Carol or Jeff at home and we will try to walk you through getting set up. It works best if you have a device with a camera and a microphone and speakers – think computer, laptop, tablet, phone – but other ways are possible too)
Here are some suggestions and opportunities:
- JOIN US FOR A CASUAL CONVERSATION (ZOOM)
Thursday April 9 at 9am
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/880475495 - LET’S MAKE PRETZELS
Sometime this week make ‘Prayer pretzels’, remembering their interesting history:
Around the year 610, a monk decided to make a treat for the children who had learned to recite their prayers. Christians in those days prayed by folding their hands across their chests with each hand touching the opposite shoulder. The monk rolled and formed the dough to resemble this and called the creation ‘pretiola’, which in Latin means ‘little reward’.
TMUC Pretzel Recipe (PRINTABLE VERSION)
Pretzel Recipe
Preheat the oven to 425 F
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups flour (plus a bit for the counter when you are rolling the dough)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
½ tsp salt
2/3 cup milk (room temperature)
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
Coarse salt for a topping (or a bit of cinnamon)
Instructions:
Stir together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt
Mix the milk and oil
Add the milk and oil to the dry ingredients to make a soft dough
Sprinkle additional flour (about 2 Tbsp) on the counter, divide the dough into 2 balls and knead each ball for about 5 minutes, turning and pushing until it is soft, silky and holds together.
Put the bowl upside down over the dough balls for 15 minutes.
Divide each ball into 4 smaller balls (you will have 8 small balls in total). Roll each ball into a long rope about 1 foot in length and form a pretzel shape.
Place pretzels on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, or greased.
Beat egg and brush over the pretzels, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
Place in the over for 9-11 minutes, or until slightly golden brown.
Let cool and then enjoy!
- BEAUTIFUL WINDOW BUTTERFLIES
Cut bright paper (leftover magazines? Other scrap paper?) into squares that measure 4X4 inches and 3X3 inches.Accordion-fold the papers and place them together attaching them at the mid-point with a twist tie, or a pipe cleaner scrap, or a small piece of yarn or string.Spread the papers to resemble wings (the small piece goes on the lower side). If you want to be creative and make other sizes please do!And, there are many other resources for butterfly pictures that you might like to colour – please be in touch if you need help finding them.
Let’s have some fun! Post your photos of you and your pretzels and your butterflies on Instagram or Twitter and tag us. Or check our posts on Facebook and send us a response!
- MAUNDY THURSDAY (ZOOM)
Thursday April 9 at 7 pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/587350921
We will be having communion at that time, so please make sure you have a piece of bread or cracker, and a bit of juice or something suitable. - SPECIAL MESSY CHURCH EASTER
Messy Church team is hosting a special Messy Zoom on Friday at 1:00 to which we are inviting everyone to join in and show us your crafts and activities just like a home Messy Easter!
MESSY EASTER (ZOOM)
Friday April 10 at 1 pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/595081942
We have about 20 kid friendly Easter themed craft envelopes to share. Please reply to us to let us know if you would like one or more by Wednesday at noon! Once we know how many we need, we will get them to you! (Safely)
- DAILY PRAYER
Written by the National Indigenous Elders Council
The Elders advise us all to take care of each other, to heed medical advice, and to continue to engage in prayer and ceremony even as we are unable to come together to do so. They offer the whole church its wisdom and assurance in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have included in their message this prayer from the Indigenous Ministries and Justice Circle:
Creator, God,
We ask you to be with us.
We pray for those who are ill, and for those we cannot be with as closely as we wish.
When we are afraid, help us to remember and be grateful for:
Water, which gives life.
The land, which sustains us and restores us to health.
The wisdom of Elders, who guide us.
Our young people, who deserve a bright future.
Our strength and resilience, which will bring us to a new day.
Help our leaders respond appropriately to the specific needs of Indigenous communities.
Help us to walk compassionately with all who are ill or afraid.
Help us to understand that we are all relatives.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
We keep you in our thoughts and prayers,
Carol and Jeff