Virtual Voices 132nd Edition Virtual Voices The Video E-Newsletter of Mount Royal United Church for Friday February 24th 2023 Welcome to our one-hundredth and thirty-second 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 10:05 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 Message from the Chair of Council - Susan Fowler Hi and welcome to Virtual Voices for the week of February 24th. There are just a few new announcements for this week for Mount Royal United Church, Moncton. First, a big thanks to Erik Gingles and his pancake and bean elves for the first ever Mt Royal Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. There was a good crowd, and it was enjoyed by all attendees. I was sorry to miss it. What do you think? Should we try to make it an annual event? Can we encourage even more folks next year? In the spirit of a big celebration before the start of Lent, and because I love the sweet stuff, I recommend decadent chocolate cake on the menu for next year?? I wonder if Erik’s elves will like that suggestion. On February 22nd, we had an Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary. The imposition of ashes is always significant for those who attend. If you missed it in person or live during the service, you’ll find the recorded version posted and available for viewing on the church website. It was a brief service, but I am sure you would appreciate Rev Stuart’s message “Come As You Are.” For this first Sunday in Lent, February 26th, Nancy will be the reader. She will share Luke 4: 1-13. And Rev. Stuart’s message is entitled “Even in the Dessert”. The anthem will be “Blessing”. And there will be a Kid’s Korner program downstairs during the worship service. All young people are most welcome. Won’t you join us in person or online for worship this week! On Monday, Wed and Friday mornings at 9:30 there will be Val’s Tai Chi group. Tuesday Craft Group meets at 10 AM in the kitchen and Council meets at 7PM. Wednesday, March 1st the Writer’s Circle meets at 12 PM in the Boardroom and Choir practice happens in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM. The first week of the Lenten study happens on Tues at 1:30 PM. If you would like to participate online, please advise Rev. Stuart by this Sunday revstuart@mountroyaluc.ca Rev. Stuart will be on leave from March 1st to March 12th inclusive. For the two Sunday worship services, we welcome as guest pulpit supply, Rev. Dr. Beverly Daley. We have birthday celebrations to share: Will Mah, Norman Bremner turns 88 on Feb 28th, Sam Scott and Robert McKillop. Best wishes to these four folks and anyone else with a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion to celebrate. Be sure to pass along those noteworthy events to Emily in the office. office@mountroyaluc.ca Easter letters, with a calendar of events and an envelope for a special offering, as you are able, are in mail slots for pick up or delivery if you can help offset mailing costs by delivering a few around the neighbourhood. And tax time is upon us. Your charitable receipts have been mailed. Do you wonder about something in the bible or are you curious why Christians believe a certain thing or why the United Church has a particular focus? Drop your question, anonymously if you like, in the “I Wonder” box at the back of the sanctuary or email Emily or Rev Stuart and mark the subject heading “I Wonder”. Donations of non-perishable food items for the Peter McKee food bank would be appreciated. Drop them in the wooden box at the Bessborough door and we will deliver them for you. Thanks to the tech team volunteers weekly and to the usher/greeter folks. The schedule is posted in the bulletin which you can see on the church website. Also, to those who set up, provide food and wash dishes following coffee and conversation, we pass along appreciation. Interested in helping this small but mighty group of volunteers? Assistance would be delightful, and we are happy to train and work you into the schedule. Please give Emily your name and interest area. A reminder again, that the Annual General Meeting is coming up on March 19th with a storm date of the 26th. It will be held in the sanctuary and begin and end with worship and prayer. It will be live streamed for anyone watching remotely. I hope we will have an excellent turnout. Annual Reports will be available soon. Stay tuned for news of the upcoming discussions stemming from the Visioning Committee recommendations. The plans for this are evolving but we hope to make an announcement and start encouraging engagement by all members of the Community of Faith. Each person is so critical to the ongoing success of the church family and community. Please take the time to review the recommendations carefully and consider what steps we may need to take to keep Mt Royal a vibrant part of the community. Speaking of considering our future, there is an opportunity for an online event via Zoom organized by the Atlantic School of Theology. Entitled Turning Ourselves Inside Out: Late COVID Reflections on Thriving Churches, this two evening event will be hosted by Russ Daye and Rob Fennell, co-authors of the book by the same name. The sessions will be Monday, April 17th and Monday April 24th from 8:00 PM -9:30 PM AST. Please contact me or Emily Smith in the office for additional details on the cost and how to register. Thanks for your ongoing support of Mt Royal. Be sure to email me if you have questions and comments. For those of you lucky enough to be starting March break by the 3rd, have a wonderful holiday or rest. Remember the office is closed on March 6th. Susan Fowler Council Chair Mount Royal United Church, Moncton councilchair@mountroyaluc.ca  |
info@mountroyaluc.ca | All Rights Reserved