Minister’s Message It’s hard to believe we are ready to enter into 2019.
We, in the United Church, have known for sometime, that 2019 would be bringing many changes. Do you recall all those ‘remits’ that we voted on? The decisions from those were finalized at our meeting of General Council, held in Oshawa, Ontario this past summer. Not only those decisions, but many others are now helping our church to move into a 3-court system (from a 4-court system), as well as other resolutions are taking place. The church is on-the-move! But, please be patient with these changes, as the new rules are being re-written, almost as we speak!
2019 will also bring a trial year of working with our friends to the south of us: the Glengarry East Pastoral Charge. Consisting of congregations from East Hawkesbury (Ste. Anne de Prescott), Dalhousie Mills (the Round Church) and Alexandria (the Church on the Hill), they bring an added value of personality and faith to Genesis, that looks to fitting well – all of our churches wanting to uphold United Church of Canada ministry in this Eastern Ontario area.
What does all of this mean? It means that worship will continue to take place every Sunday in every congregation for the next year(unless otherwise stated). We will all know about the celebrations and activities and events that will happen in all our congregations, and we will strive to recognize and celebrate together. It means sharing not only a clergy person and LLWL’s, but it also means a sharing of thoughts, new ideas, and great projects to keep the spirit moving and growing in us all.
I’m starting to get excited about this new venture. I hope you are as well. All of this begins January 1, 2019.
Lots of changes for this United Church of ours!
We are now in the season of Advent…the word means “coming”. It brought great change 2,000+ years ago, and can bring the same change in the faith of many believers and non-believers today. I hope and pray that your heart will feel the change that the Christ child brought to so many people years ago, and can bring to us today. What change in your life do you need right now? Often, we can find it through hearing the Christmas story told once again, noting how Jesus’ parents found new hope in “going home another way”. The child born to them changed their lives, and continues to change us today.
With our Genesis congregations, we hope you will join us in our Advent/Christmas gatherings. The times are listed in this newsletter as well as on our website, and in the newspaper, The Review.
May Christ be born within our hearts this day! Welcome the change!