Hi, First Folk!

Looking at the snow this Wednesday morning I decided that Spring is trying to teach us lessons this year - not giving up, looking for hope, being aware of miracles in nature, sharing beauty, trying to lift our own and one another's spirits ... the list goes on.

The birds are singing! What lessons do they have for us?

Lynne

RED DRESS DAY -  A GOOD WAY FORWARD 

The Healing of the Seven Generations (H7G) has reached out to churches to share in the observance of Red Dress Day on Thursday, May 5^th, “to raise awareness and educate the greater community on the significance of Red Dress Day and missing and murdered Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.” The day is marked by the practice of hanging empty red dresses to represent the women who should be wearing them.

UCW MEETING –  THURSDAY MAY 5^TH, 2022 AT 1:30 PM

April rain and snow showers bring May flowers!

Here's your invitation to First's UCW meeting on Thursday, May 5 at 1:30 pm!

It's a time for sharing stories and faith and building and nurturing relationships.

Click below for Zoom Information

WORSHIP THIS WEEK

Sunday May 1st,  2022  -  Rev. Harry Disher

At 10:30 am  -  Worship –  Theme “Praise Be To God”

To join the service please  CLICK HERE

CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW FOR WORSHIP IN THE COMING WEEKS

We are collecting donations until Sunday May 8^th, 2022.  Rose Ann’s last Sunday with us is May 15^th, 2022.  We will present her with our gifts and have a small reception after the service on that day.

If you would like to contribute you can make your donation one of three ways:   

Cheque payable to First On Stage indicating on the cheque that it is a gift for Rose Ann – so there is no confusion with the Easter dinner. The cheque can be mailed to the office or dropped in the outside mailbox or dropped off at the office. 

E-Transfer to giftingatfirst@gmail.com. 

Cash donation you can drop off at the office in an envelope marked ‘Gift for Rose Ann’.

Sunday, May 1 is Mental Health Sunday . . . please take care of yourself. "Did you have your check-up from your neck-up?" If you are feeling overwhelmed and at odds ends, reach out. The isolation of the pandemic has triggered a disruption in our balance and stability. Let me know if you need help finding mental health resources that provide non-judgemental, wholistic healing. For example, these two books for teens:  Blessed Youth and Blessed Youth Survival Guide by Sarah Griffith Lund.

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 7:15 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.

...

Have a fresh look at the orange ribbons in the picture above

These ribbons are to honour the Indigenous children found in unmarked graves across Canada.

The bushes and trees represent life, and the ribbons acknowledge lives lost.

FIRST UNITED SPRING FOOD DRIVE

Read more about helping out food drive and emergency food assistance by clicking the button below

We will be collecting food for Waterloo Regional Foodbank throughout the month of May. Containers will be left in the Narthex to collect your gifts of non-perishable food. Cash donations can be sent to the church office or made directly to the Foodbank at https://www.thefoodbank.ca/donate/

Please watch for announcements in the coming weeks for these events:

May 8-June 19 Marillac Baby Bottle Campaign
Community Garden will be starting up soon

Spring cleaning, by chance?

Any books that you'd like to pass on?

Our Little Libraries would be happy to house your books to share with the community!

We accept all books(in good shape) except religious ones and textbooks. We are especially in need of books for children and youth!  (Hint: Maybe your neighbours have some if you don't.) Books should be taken to the church and dropped off upstairs in the Youth Room (at the top of the stairs).

Many thanks from all the readers who stop by to all who share!

Any questions? Give Lynne Blake-Dickson a call.

Faith Climate Justice WR is presenting a letter-writing workshop on May 4^th, at 7:00 pm. Learning how to write an effective letter to a government official or newspaper is one way to become involved in justice issues, if you can’t be out marching, holding placards, etc. Communicating with others, including government officials is a central way to communicate our faith-based values and to promote the just society we wish to see in the future.

To register for the free workshop Click on the link below

For the UCW and the church’s general fund.

Please contact Alice Bieman – via Phone:  519 634 8614 or via Email:  bieman@ worldline.ca by May 6^th to offer your help any time from Thursday May 12^th to Saturday May 13.

60 HELPERS ARE NEEDED TO MAKE THIS SALE HAPPEN.

THURSDAY MAY 12^TH  - WHERE DO I PUT MY ITEMS?

Parlour  - All Jewelry, Artwork, Vintage and Antique items and  New Items never opened.

Chapel – Lamps, Frames, Furniture, Sports Equipment, Bikes

Narthex – Plants, Indoor and Perennials, Herbs, Garden Tools, Garden Décor, Pots ( Please put a name on your plant if possible.)

Hilliard Hall – Clothing, (Bedding label with size), All Kitchen stuff, Books, Knick-Knacks, Toys, Games, Puzzles with all the pieces, Shoes, Purses, Hats, We sell everything that is in good condition.

NO CAR SEATS, CRIBS, BLINDS FOR WINDOWS, SKIING EQUIPMENT

N-95 MASKS WILL BE SUPPLIED FOR THE HELPERS, IF YOU NEED ONE FOR THE SALE ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

The invasion of Ukraine is costing precious lives and creating a humanitarian crisis as people flee to safety. The United Nations reports that a growing number of over a million people, displaced from their homes, are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Many have lost friends, loved ones, and property; struggle to meet their basic needs, and face an uncertain future.

United Church Mission & Service partners are responding to the rapidly unfolding crisis.

You can help. Right now, people urgently need shelter, clean water, food, and medical attention.

Please show your support by making a gift today - Click below for how to donate.

Many thanks to everyone who has made contributions of cozy hats, mitts, gloves, scarves and socks throughout this cold, snowy winter! They not only provide warmth but show concern and caring for those in need.

Right now, the fence is still hung with cozy things but soon sunhats, ball caps and socks will decorate it. Maybe if you're getting things ready for the sale at the church, you might find a gently used cap, sunhat, or socks for the fence. Stores like Dollarama often have a selection too. 

Thanks again for caring!

Lynne

P.S. The big bin under the bench at back church entrance will stay there hoping to receive your kind donations. You can also drop them in the bin on our front porch at home.

The Easter Dinner has been offered, ordered, prepared, distributed and eaten weeks ago.

Nothing much left to do but add a final helping of sincere thanks

If you ever get the urge to try some more of Angus’s famous Irish Soda Bread  or are looking for fresh ideas for a meal or want to see what his current monthly specials might be, I encourage you to visit DeliWorks, online , in person or by calling 519-579-0777. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 2:00 pm for eat –in or take out .

It has been my great pleasure to work with Angus to  serve our church community and beyond with this event.

We’ll be talking about articles in the current issue of  Broadview Magazine

For more information contact Walt at waltbrooker@gmail.com 

Click below for connection information

Walt at waltbrooker@gmail.com 

Broadview Magazine (previously the Observer): It’s time to renew or start your subscription.  Get 11 issues of the award winning United Church Broadview for just $25.  Please contact the office by phone or email if you would like to subscribe.  Cheques should be made payable to First United Church, with “Broadview” on the memo line. Deadline is Monday, May 30th .

Book Club - Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

Through poverty, adolescence, and a fraught relationship with her mother, Ashley C. Ford wishes she could turn to her father for hope and encouragement.

There are just a few problems: he’s in prison, and she doesn’t know what he did to end up there. She doesn’t know how to deal with the incessant worries that keep her up at night, or how to handle the changes in her body that draw unwanted attention from men.

Click Below for more information

ONEROOF YOUTH SERVICES HAS EXCITING NEWS TO ANNOUNCE! 

Their Supportive Housing Build is nearing completion. They hope to start youth occupancy by mid June. As is with many construction projects,  they have experienced some challenges related to Covid and increased material costs. They are looking to our community to help. Their goal remains steadfast in terms of getting 44 youth into their own homes.

To internally help their efforts to accumulate more funds, oneROOF is hosting an internal Virtual Vendor Fair, Spring Market fundraising event from May 2 - May 8, 2022.      OR

Join them for their BIGYELLOWBAG fundraiser using the code ONEROOF22 upon purchase.

Please click on the link to find out more.

Main Event Page: https://www.oneroof.org/vendor-fair 

Facebook Page: https://fb.me/e/2doBAXXDS 

"one youth on the street is one too many."

WAYS TO DONATE TO FIRST UNITED

You can get your offering to the church office in several ways:

  You can use PAR, or

  E transfer to firstunitedchurch@rogers.com, or

  Website donation to www.firstunitedchurch.ca, or

  Send a cheque to First United Church, 16 William St. West, Waterloo ON N2L1J3, or

  Drop a cheque into the mailbox located at the Entrance on William St. side.

**Just a reminder- credit card companies have a fee of around 3-5%. If you wish the church to get the full amount, then please add that % to your contribution. **

Click Below to catch up April's Board Information

The Friday Letter will continue but will not be produced every Friday. It will be produced every two weeks. In the table below are the dates for the Friday Letter. We are also including the dates when we would like to receive articles for these letters.

NOTE:  Please send Word documents only for contributions to the Friday Letter.  Please no posters just the information from the poster.  Thank you.