Virtual Voices - 64th edition Virtual Voices The Video E-Newsletter of Mount Royal United Church for Friday October 8th 2021 Welcome to our sixty fourth edition of the Mount Royal United Church Video E-Newsletter. You will find the video at the bottom of this message. If you have any news items or information you think we should be including in an upcoming e-newsletter, please send your suggestion to newsletters@mountroyaluc.ca
we will do our very best to put it on for you. A quick reminder that our Sunday Service is live streamed from the sanctuary beginning at 10:30 AM and can also be watched later on the church website. The Prelude will begin at 10:15 AM with music and the announcement slides before the service begins
with Rev. Stuart. This video will be produced and sent out weekly on Friday morning with all the important things from our faith community. We plan to keep them short so you have time to drink a cup of tea or coffee while you watch. We hope you have a very good day today. Best Regards, Newsletter Committee Important Update regarding COVID protocols Now in effect for all activities at Mount Royal United Church - Preregistration for in person worship in not required - We are recording names and phone numbers for contact tracing purposes - Mask wearing, hand sanitizing and social distancing are still required. ** Effective September 26, 2021, proof of double vaccination must be provided to attend worship. - MRUC Council has decided 100% of attendees for worship must be vaccinated. - No medical exemptions will be accepted at this time. - You may also be requested to provide a government issued identification. - If you are either unvaccinated or cannot wear a mask, please stay home until it is safer for you to attend church. Message from the Chair of Council - Susan Fowler Did you ever wonder why Canadian and American Thanksgiving are celebrated at different dates? I just googled it. The explanation in one article was that, based on the difference in climate, the harvest must be brought in earlier in the more northernly, cooler climate: thus, October rather than November. Another article said in Canada the festivities are aligned with giving thanks for the harvest whereas in the US the date was to coincide with the arrival of the pilgrims. In Canada, some people celebrate by having an extra day off on Thanksgiving weekend; the second Monday in October. Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday in November in the US. And most of us know that Thanksgiving weekend in the US is huge. People travel home like they do in Canada for Christmas. And Black Friday has, since 2005, been the biggest shopping day of the year south of the border. Regardless of the differences, Thanksgiving weekend is a very special time for more reasons than just an extra-long weekend. It is a great time for us to reflect on our lives, the challenges but more importantly the blessings. It is a time to remember the joy that even the most basic things can bring into our lives. For a few weeks on Virtual Voices, we invited people to send us a note to share things they feel thankful for. There were not many responses, but we did receive one I message I thought I would share with you: "Just want to share some things I am thankful for. Kind family and friends, a warm, comfortable home to live in, delicious and nutritious food, the smell of clothes dried on the clothesline, coffee shared with friends, beautiful fall colours." Isn't that a message that warms your heart? Nothing fancy; just the most basic, wonderful things in life. It is important to remember to give thanks for those special things. Have you sent Rev Stuart a response to last Sunday's trivia question? How many animals, in total, did Moses have on the ark? Send him your replies. You can email him at minister@mountroyaluc.ca. Join us for worship this week as we celebrate Thanksgiving and our many blessings. The service will be live streamed for sure and in person in the sanctuary unless we advise you differently. The scripture lesson will be Matthew 6: 25-33 and the message is entitled Slow Down and Look Around. And be sure to watch the Children's Learning Time for a special treat. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. And Happy Thanksgiving! Susan Fowler Council Chair Mount Royal United Church 506 855-7008  |
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