Message from Our Minister Reverend Mary White
Good Day and Blessings!
“The shift to a heart-centred way of living
means that our souls are rumbling away, crying for freedom,
demanding that we follow our heart’s desires.”
– Samantha Wilson
Would you offer uplifting words to those who diminish the souls of the needy; invite those to dinner who build walls to restrict outsiders; drop off a casserole to the angry neighbour; provide a drive to the doctor’s office for the person who refuses to be vaccinated against the Covid virus; give your coat to the freezing pro-life marcher?
If we follow our heart’s desires, then we function from a place of compassion and loving-kindness; we are respectful, and non-judgemental towards others. We free the soul to see and touch the soul of those who may have different world views. When we are unguarded to listening to another’s perspective, and letting them know they are heard, then we are open to learning something about ourselves.
With Love,
Rev. Mary White
Dear Parents, Families and Friends,
September is a time for new beginnings in school and activities, and a time to get back to more regular routines. It often feels more like New Year's to me, than January does. Sometimes I try to set some new routines in place related to new goals. For this year I am planning to increase my activity level, and I am going to try to have members of my household take part in gratitude journal writing. Do you have new goals for this time of year? I hope this "start up" month has gone well for you and your family thus far.
This week the Parent Tot Sing Along video includes the reading of a book written by a local author and it is called, Talk to the Wind. The songs are: The More We Sing Together, From My Head Down to my Toes God Loves Me, Twinkle, Twinkle, Alphabet song, 5-2-1-0, and Jesus Loves Me.
The Family Fun Sing Along video includes a reading about Terry Fox, and the songs are: To Be Alive, Most of All, Yellow Bird, Don't Stop, and Magic Penny.
Kind Regards,
Brenda Pielle
Reaching Out To Families
Powell River United Church
Reading Excerpt
In Sync with the Sacred, Out of Step with the World by Tom Stella
Repentance, which means change, is usually thought of as feeling sorry for our misdeeds, accepting responsibility, and pledging never to do a repeat performance. But real change might mean that, along with being remorseful and resolving to make amends, we let go of our ego-based blame and trust that we are forgivable.
There is a sacred Self beneath the self that did or said what we regret – name it and claim it. If we fail to do so, if we choose to hold on to rather than let go of the self that is offended, we opt for an existence characterized by guilt and self-loathing that benefits no one. Words attributed to poet and author Maya Angelou are fitting here: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.”
Poem Still, I Rise
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops,
Weakened by my soulful cries?
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own backyard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
~ Maya Angelou
Heather is very seriously ill and Ray and the the reform Church prayer group are requesting prayers from all who have known Heather. She grew up in the P.R. United Church and is still connected with us in many ways – cleaning up after pasta nights, pianist for Choraleers that sing at our Christmas luncheon for women of the church – as well as being Mrs. Santa alongside Santa Ray and visiting our Kids United after their Christmas Pageant every year.
All her life has been dedicated to helping others – with Joy and enthusiasm – she a very special person.
PRUC Online Worship Service
Please join us this Sunday, September 19th
Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
Let us remember our Jewish brothers and sisters who are celebrating, September 15 and 16.
Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson suggests that the spiritual practice of observing Yom Kippur should not stop at atoning for one’s offences. We should look at this day as an island in time, “no past and no future… a day of being enveloped by G-d, a day of being one in G-d’s presence.”
PRAYER
Giving Spirit
Help us to set aside ourselves, hear the voices and bring comfort to those who have suffered from insensitive words, inconsiderate arrogance, thoughtless scorn, and extreme dislike. May we uplift them with grace, authentic acceptance, and Love.
And may we be a teaching voice -- of hope, healing, forgiveness, that perpetrators need in their lives. We pray this in the name of the One with whom we journey.
Amen