From the Minister of Worship and Pastoral Care

Saturday Night, April 16 ~ Easter Vigil at 8 PM ~ (CLICK HERE) Gather on Zoom with those waiting for Easter through a simple, reflective hour of worship. Together we'll look at the Isaiah passage (chap 25, vs 6-9) that claims, "God will wipe away tears from all people and destroy death forever." You might enjoy listening to this hymn of Good News (CLICK HERE). (Note the Zoom link sent earlier this week is incorrect).

Sunday Morning, April 17 at 10:30 ~ Easter Worship &Communion at 10:30 ~ (CLICK

HERE) Celebrate the core of our faith, Christ is Risen! either in person or online. Preaching & presiding: the Rev. Harry Disher with the Rev. Rose Ann Vita assisting. Sermon: Gone? Children's Story: Till We Meet Again by Julie Muller.

Tuesday, April 19 at 2 PM on Zoom ~ Caring Community ~ (CLICK HERE) We often give so much of ourselves to others that it might be time for us to try to be more selfish. Yes, selfish . . . you know the great commandment: "Love your neighbour as you love yourself." Let's talk about how we might be more loving to ourselves . . . by being a little more selfish. 

Tuesday, April 19 from 10:00 to 12:00 ~ Stringing the Cranes - Your help is needed to string the cranes so they can be hung in church. If you are interested in helping, it is important to let me know by Easter (rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com). 

Saturday, April 23 at 10:00 ~ Hanging the Cranes - Jana can use some help hanging the cranes in church on Saturday morning for Michael Savage's afternoon memorial service at 2 PM. Mike was an advocate of spreading the message about the impact and consequences of nuclear war and he had sponsored a few Crane projects during his lifetime. All are welcome to come to church and help hang the cranes.

Sunday, April 24 Worship at 10:30 AM ~ Earth Day Sunday ~ In-person and livestreamed

(www.firstunitedchurch.ca/live). This service is inspired by the work of our new initiative - Faith Climate Justice which was ratified as a mission strategy at our February 27 Annual Meeting. Our guest preacher, Henriette Thompson from FCJ will talk about intercultural engagement in climate justice through the story of the Samaritan Woman at the well (John 4:1-42). Our Children's Story is Every Leaf a Hallelujah by Ben Okri, and our worship space will be filled with Peace Cranes so lovingly made by friends and members of First United Church. I am looking forward to worshipping with you. [Please bring your cranes to church by Easter - Thanks!]

Sign the Petitions ~ On April 3rd, two opportunities to sign petitions for world peace were mentioned during the worship service. Here are the links for you to add your name:

• Korean Peace Appeal - End the War Now (CLICK HERE)
• Open Letter from Nobel Peace Prize Laureates and Citizens of the World Against War and Nuclear Weapons (CLICK HERE)

A Request from the Pastoral Care Committee ~ We are putting together a few pages of prayers that we might say at the end of a pastoral call and wonder if you have a favourite prayer or quote to offer. One quote was shared with us  is "We come into the world crying while all those around us are smiling. May we go out of the world smiling while those around us are crying." If you have anything that might be helpful, please send it to me. Thank You.

A Good Goodbye Some may want to gather with me and share memories of our time together as I prepare for my departure, retirement, and return to the States to be a new grandmother. (My last day is May 15th). Let me know if you would like to have Tea with Me at 4 PM on Friday, April 29th on Zoom. Or have Lunch with Me at noon or Dinner with Me at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 3rd at a local restaurant. You are also welcomed to arrange for an individual meeting. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Pastoral Care If I can offer you pastoral care, don't hesitate to contact me.

Be blessed to be a blessing, the Rev Rose Ann Vita

(rose.ann.vita2@gmail.com ~ 647-763-0101)