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The Anchor
Edith Rankin Memorial United Church
Easter 2015
Volume 22 Issue1
Wayne’s World – Easter is a Verb!
Okay, so “Easter” is not really a verb, at least not in the sense we were told back in the day when
grammar, syntax and parts of speech mattered. But spiritually speaking, I think Easter has way too
much explosive power to be stuck inside a noun. Nouns tend to be a bit static while Easter refuses to
keep still. Nouns are either way too “common” or all too “proper”. At least that’s what I seem to
remember about them. Do you really think there’s anything remotely common about Abundant Life
having the last laugh on death? And anyone I’ve ever met who has Easter in their soul dances too
close to the edge of most things ever to be considered proper by conventional standards. Loving both
God and your neighbour ‘til it hurts, taking the side of truth over sham and pretence, sticking up for
the marginalized and oppressed, waging peace in a world obsessed with waging wars, you making a just and tender difference
in your small corner and I in mine – these are Easter attributes that deserve the status of verbs, if you ask me. Nouns somehow
just won’t quite do.
Our little building expansion project is hardly in the same league as Resurrection Morning. Except, it sort of is. As building
projects go, it’s actually rather modest and more than affordable by most ERMUC household standards of living. But,
nevertheless, it’s a bold statement about our commitment to life and a vibrant congregational future at a time when so many
people seem to be giving up on church and too many churches are giving up on themselves. It is our declaration that God is still
up to something among us and in our community, that ERMUC is accessible and accepting, that young and old can discover
among us the difference faith makes in their lives, that we are eager to be a neighbourhood resource centre for gathering,
exploring, probing and celebrating the meaning of life in all its fullness, that we are people and a movement of the Spirit who
care about the future, not simply relics stuck in the past, that there is life and love and lasting joy wherever people shape the
future, building on faith. All of which requires the forward movement of some pretty potent and exciting verb forms. It would
be a shame to get smothered or stalled or stymied by too many nouns!
As the renovations get underway, there will be some major chaos and wonderful opportunities for us to be creative in how we
cope with it. We will discover a whole new meaning to “messy church”! There will also be incentive for those who have not yet
taken the opportunity to contribute financially to the project to do so. Some who have contributed may well decide to give even
more. We want to do this right and it would be wonderful if we had a surplus of financial resources to make it possible to put
some marvellous finishing touches on the final product. Above all, the months ahead will provide many occasions, ways and
means for us to be an Easter people, finding just the right verb to help us boldly, graciously and generously demonstrate that the
life that is in Christ Jesus is in us also.
So, come Holy Spirit, come and Easter us and make us vital life signs of Your amazing grace and steadfast love!
wws
Holy Week & Easter Worship
Palm Sunday, March 29/15
10:00 a.m. – Worship: Processions of
Palms .Sermon: “’Thy Kingdom Come.’
Seriously?”
Maundy Thursday, April 02/15
6:30 p.m. – Brief service of prayer and
meditation.
Good Friday, April 03/15
10:00 a.m. – Worship
Music and Meditation
Holy Saturday, April 04/15
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Prayer Vigil
The sanctuary will be open for people to
come and spend as much time as they
wish in private prayer and meditation. A
resource will be provided for those who
may wish to use it.
Easter Sunday, April 05/15
8:30 a.m. – Easter Breakfast
10:00 a.m. – Easter Worship
Sermon: “Easter Again … So What?”
Sacrament of Communion
“The Soul’s Journey Towards Easter”
hope’s healing breezes in the air.
Maybe that’s why Mary Magdalene’s Easter prayer
(John 20:11-18) takes on such meaning for my soul, yours,
and the souls of so many here there and everywhere who
find it difficult to experience or imagine resurrection hope.
Listen to the way Ronald Rolheiser writes about the reality
of Mary’s soul:
I never suspected Resurrection to be so painful,
To leave me weeping with Joy to have met you, alive and
smiling, outside an empty tomb
With regret
Not because I’ve lost you but because I’ve lost you in how
I had you –
In understandable, touchable, kissable, clingable flesh
Not as fully Lord, but as graspably human.
I want to cling, despite your protest
Cling to your body, cling to your, and my, clingable
humanity
cling to what we had, our past.
But, I know that…if I cling you cannot ascend and
I will be left clinging to your former self …
unable to receive your present spirit.
It would seem that God’s invitation to us, even as
our Canadian souls journey in a seasonal rhythm toward
Easter, is to lean into the future and fully let ourselves go
headlong into the promise of a present Spirit, God’s
resurrection hope for our souls.
You’ve likely noticed that Canadian souls seem
tuned to the change of seasons. It just takes a whiff of
spring in the air for my soul to begin to soar after winter
doldrums, frigidity and long dark nights. Spring’s onset –
whether it be a cardinal singing in the morning air or the
mere feel of the sun’s warmth on the face – buoys up a
sense of hopefulness and joy in recognizing the potential
once more of renewal in the soul. The fact that the Christian
celebration of Easter is often so closely aligned with the
arrival of spring naturally seems to strengthen our capacity
to understand the power and promise of resurrection.
This makes me wonder how Christians in other parts
of the world greet Easter and the dawning of the spring
season. Imagine how those who live “down-under”
experience Easter when it is the season of fall and the
thought of winter’s arrival that syncs with the liturgical
season.
Or put yourself in the shoes of Salvadorans who relive in this season the assassination of Jesuit Priest Oscar
Romero, shot down 35 years ago while lifting up the cup
during Mass on Palm Sunday. Romero was the Salvadoran
beacon addressing social injustices. He was and still remains
their sign of hope for the poor and oppressed and those who
were tortured and murdered in their country. Just last
month, on Feb 3rd, Pope Francis declared Oscar Romero a
martyr. Imagine linking the seasonal arrival of Easter with
memories and hopes such as these!
Jean Stairs
Actually, it is not so hard to imagine for those who
know first-hand the soul’s anguish that even spring’s onset
won’t melt away. Perhaps it is a fresh cycle of depression’s
gripping tentacles, the lingering effects of post-traumatic
stress, the incessant worry about a child in trouble, or the
first springtime without a soulmate or loved one at our side.
Empty souls just can’t seem to muster a whiff of spring or
WATCH FOR IT - RELEASE DATE MAY 1st …
Soul Sisters: Re-Imaging Women’s Groups by Jean Stairs.
This book explores the growing swell of women’s spirituality groups in Protestant
churches. Women who participate in spirituality groups are described as “soul
sisters” – women who connect with one another in purposeful ways to take care
of the spiritual aspects of their lives. Author Stairs shares the stories of six
different women’s spirituality groups (including Edith Rankin Memorial’s “Spirit
Sisters”) in order to convey how women are creatively re-imaging women’s groups
within their respective churches. This book offers hope for women who yearn to
know about or form a women’s spirituality group, men who can benefit from clues
for taking care of their own souls, and ministry personnel and ministry candidates
who are open to encourage and support faith formation for women, particularly
younger women and career women.
Building Program Update
With construction due to start in the late spring or early summer, it seems timely to
update everyone on this exciting development in the life of our church.
Over the next few months, a site plan and building permit application will be submitted to the
City of Kingston. Once approved, our architect David Ariss and Project Manager Paul Ireland
will seek estimates from tradespeople and contractors for the work involved in the project.
Only when final pricing is completed will the total cost of the project be known. It will
be only then that we know for certain whether we can do everything we want to do for the
$1.6 M set aside.
Bridge Financing
We are fortunate to be in a strong financial position moving forward with the project.
We have, through generous pledges from our congregation, plus a Trillium grant of $142K,
accumulated just over $1.5 M.
A challenge that we are facing, however, can be summed up this way. The last nickel
pledged will roll into the church office in late 2017. Most if not all construction expenses will
have to be paid by the summer of 2016. Thus the need for bridge financing.
Your Church Council is currently examining several bridge financing strategies. One
involves a debenture program whereby members of our congregation buy debentures that
come due in December of 2018. Interest rate would be 2%/year. You’ll be hearing much more
about this in coming weeks.
If you have pledged to the project, it would be helpful in terms of cash flow if you
would consider shortening the term of the pledge from five years to four years. If you have not
yet made a donation, there couldn’t be a better time to make your commitment.
Monthly tracking of revenue and expenses will occur through the construction process,
so that we know exactly where we stand at any given moment.
Access during Construction
A plan is being developed for accessing the church during construction, and for
temporary locations for the main office and Wayne and Jean’s offices. We’ll certainly let you
know about that in lots of time.
What has been talked about for many years is becoming a reality. This addition will
carry our church into the brilliant, dynamic future that it’s sure to have.
Check out the New
Feature on our Webpage.
It’s a new tab called
“Building Project
Progress”. This will be a
pictorial record of the
changes to our building as
the project progresses: a
feature you might wish to
track.
Gordon Sinclair
Celebrate with our Classics
on Sunday April 26th
Enjoy a catering team dinner, (including cake, of
course!) in a celebration of all those who have
reached the milestone of their 80th birthday.
Entertainment following dinner will be provided
by the chancel choir with a sing a long and
concert are commemorating the 70th anniversary
of the end of World War 2. Our entertainment
will be entitled “Pack Up Your Troubles!”.
Watch for ticket details in April Tidings. If you
are 80 years of age and new to the congregation
or a long time member having recently
celebrated your 80th birthday-don’t be left out!
Contact Rhonda Kerr 613 634 1990 for your
invitation.
Upcoming UCW events
April 8 Four Winds Presbyterial Annual Meeting at ERMUC
from 9 a.m.—3 p.m. Theme: Living with Change.
Guest speakers: Ruth and Anne Wood. Lunch $10.
April 12 Annual UCW Service of Worship,
Guest speaker: Bonnie Jennings
May 5 UCW Spring General Meeting. 7pm. Guest speaker
Judi Wyatt, speaking on “Child Poverty In Kingston.”
All Women of the congregation are welcome to attend.
The Life & Work of Edith Rankin Memorial United Church
Ever wonder what goes on here after we leave on Sundays??
Check out these smiling faces seen in our building!
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fun Fit
Rev. Wayne Soble preparing for one
of his great sermons!
Wellness
Walkers
Faith Formation & Development
|Fellowship Breakfast with Councillor Lisa Osanic
Bridge Group
Lenten Movie Viewers
TGIF
Cataraqui Guild of Needle Arts 2015
Worship Committee
More……..
Life & Work of Edith Rankin Memorial United Church
Just Men 3 Group
Wanda, in the office
Limestone Ringers Rehearsal
Rev. Jean Stairs at work!
Girl Guides
M&O Committee
How Many Edith Rankinites Does It Take to Run a Sunday Service?
As we sit in pews on Sunday, do we ever think of all the people and hundreds of hours of time and effort that , each week, go
into the preparation and leadership of worship and Sunday School? Check out this list….
2 Ministers
1 Usher/Greeter Ccoordinator
2 Greeters & 2 Ushers
1 Announcement maker
1 Pre-Service Candle lighter
1 Children’s Time Coordinator
1 Children’s Time Storyteller
1 Lantern Lighter
1 Scripture Reader Coordinator
1 Scripture Reader
1 Coordinator for Prayers of the People
Pray-er for Prayers of the People
1 person who posts hymn #’s on Hymn
Boards
3 Media Team Members
1 PowerPoint Presentation Maker
2 Custodial Staff
2 Offering Counters and Bank Depositers
1 Fellowship Time Coordinator
2 to 3 Fellowship Time Preparers
1 Sunday School Coordinator
3-4 Sunday School Teachers
1 Music Director and Organist
15 to 20 Choir Members
1 Bell Choir Conductor
10 to 15 Bell Choir Members
1 Junior Choir Director
6-8 Junior Choristers
1 Website Editor and Updater
1 Office Administrative Secretary
(including bulletin preparation)
2-3 Bulletin/Tidings volunteers to fold
printed bulletins
1 Congregational Photographer
8 Worship Committee members (planning)
1-2 Food Bank/Clothing Bin Collectors and
Deliverers
Our Children’s Voices
Starting in January the ERMUC Sunday School has been
learning about "The Good Samaritan". We chose this parable
as we thought it gave the opportunity to teach the bible story
and relate it to some real life experiences to help make the
connection for our children. We were right!
One of the most poignant weeks was taking the children
through a tour of the "Paper Dolls Project" and talking about
what it would mean to be a child facing poverty
challenges. Their ideas to help others were amazing!
Special thank you to Florence Niven and Jan Watkins who
helped lead an outreach session where the children made
care packages that were delivered to shut-ins. We received
many thank you's from those individuals, which brought
smiles to the kids' faces!
We have had the chance to learn about helping others
through drama, art, games and cooking so far this year. One
of my favorite moments was watching a "Mad Libs" type of
re-enactment of the story using modern day references. Who
knew George Clooney would need the help of a Good
Samaritan? or that Katy Perry was a secret inn keeper! With
the creativity of our Sunday School teachers, every Sunday is
full of fun and Christian education!
This past session has been a lot of fun for all, and we are
looking forward to what the next few months bring us!
FOR TWEENS!!! (Grades 4-6)
ERMUC Tweens is a new group for our church
and it is for any children in Grades 4-6
inclusively. We have had two successful
activities so far, and plans are in the works for
another two before the summer break. Our next
project will be an Outreach for the Humane
Society, so please keep an eye on Tidings to see
ways in which you can be of help. For more
information, please contact Jan Watkins
@613-389-4192. or email: [email protected]
Important Dates to Remember:
Sunday May 24 Annual Youth Service
Friday June 5 Confirmation Celebration Dinner,
Lower Hall, 6:00 p.m. for confirmands, parents
and mentors
Sunday, June 7 Confirmation Sunday
Join us for
THANK GOD, IT’S FAMILY NITE! (Otherwise known as “TGIF”)
Parents, grandparents and children are welcome to attend this casual
event scheduled for two more Fridays before summer– so enter these
dates now in your cell, tablet or fridge calendars: Apr 24, and May 29.
Arrive as soon as you are able after work or after picking up your kids at
daycare and participate as a family in four simple movements from 5:00
p.m. – 7:00 p.m.:
1) craft ; 2) group activity; 3) story-time/worship; 4) simple meal.
The menu for each meal is e-posted in advance. Just RSVP to the Church
Office by noon on the Thursday prior. A donation basket covers meal and
craft expenses.
Come on out and enjoy this opportunity to relax, kick-back your heels,
meet other families and participate in an informal faith-based event. It’s a
great event for families of all types and sizes, including yours.
Register on Sundays or by calling the church office 613 389 2530 before
noon on the Thursday prior to the event.
‘SUMMER IN THE CITY’ CHILDREN’S PROGRAM: August 10-14, 2015
It’s time to plan now for summer activities for your children! Come to
‘Summer in the City’, a program offered by Chalmers, Crossroads and Edith
Rankin Memorial United Churches and grant-supported and endorsed by
Four Winds Presbytery. It is for children age 5 to Gr 7. The theme of this
summer’s program is a cross-cultural exploration: “Thailand Trek.” Children
will enjoy the puppet theatre and discover elephants, Thai food and biblical
stories about loving our neighbours. Drop off by 8:30 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m.
program start. Program concludes at noon, with pick-up by 12:15 p.m. This
year, the program will be held at Crossroads UC (where there will not be any
construction underway to the building!), 690 Sir John A MacDonald Blvd.
Registration forms are available on the church website, from the church
office, or by contacting Jean Stairs.
Easter Breakfast
Sunday April 5
A scrumptious, hot breakfast
prepared by Clark Day and his crew!
Lower Hall starting at 8:30am
Free will offering will be
collected.
Don’t miss the hot cross buns during
fellowship time following the
service!
INTERGENERATIONAL CRAFT EVENT
Psyanka (Easter Egg Painting)
9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.
Saturday, March 28th
No experience necessary
Cost $5.00
LENTEN MOVIE SERIES
Final movie in the series on
Wednesday, Mar. 25 6:30 –9:00p.m.
Son of God (2014), an American Christian
movie produced by Mark Burnett and Roma
Downey (Touched by an Angel). It re-tells the
life of Jesus and is an adaptation of the 10-hr
mini-series The Bible, which aired on March
2013 on The History Channel.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH
There are two employment opportunities available this summer for high school youth ages 14 to 17 yrs. Please encourage
our youth to apply for one or both of these opportunities. Interviews for the Assistant Coordinator position will take place
first so both applications can be considered.
1. Assistant Coordinator for the ‘Summer in the City’ Program – this is a 7 week contract (officially beginning July
13) that will be made available pending confirmation of a grant from Canada Summer Jobs. Last summer we received a grant
and are optimistic that we will be successful once more. Funding will be confirmed by April 30th. Salary: 7 weeks @ 30 hrs/
week @ $13.00 per hour.
2. Youth Leadership Training Program for up to six UCC youth from within Four Winds Presbytery. Successful
applicants will participate in a 2-week program that involves a one week training period followed by serving as a leader in a
one week children’s program (children ages 5-Gr 7). Youth who complete both weeks successfully receive a stipend of
$1,000 (subject to deductions).
Applications are due May 13th. Interviews for the Assistant Coordinator are scheduled for Tues., May 19 (evening) and
interviews for the six youth positions on Tues., May 26 (evening). Inquiries and application forms: [email protected]
Edith Rankin Memorial United Church
4080 Bath Road, Kingston, ON K7M 4Y7
Telephone 613-389-2530 e-mail: [email protected]
The Anchor—Email: [email protected]
Ministers:
The Rev. Dr. Wayne Soble
The Rev. Dr. Jean Stairs
Beth Elford
613-634-0479
613-634-0479
613-766-9386
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Ministers in Voluntary Association:
The Rev. Dr. Neil Elford
The Rev. Earl Taft
The Rev. George Lavery
613-766-9386
613-634-6506
613-547-6335
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
613-352-3418
[email protected]
Music Director:
Laurence Rowbotham
Em@il
E-mail is a way of life for many and the church can
take advantage of this, if and only if we have your
current e-mail address. Please send it to
[email protected] and Tanya will enter it on
our confidential database. Sometimes, the church
or the ministers wish to send a message directly to
you. Sometimes, it is a broadcast note (by blind
copy) to the congregation, alerting to a need or an
upcoming event or a newsletter. And sometimes it
is an emergency notice of a change or cancellation
of an event. We have only about ½ of the emails
for our congregational households; there must be a
lot more out there.
Sunday School Superintendent:
Cindy Pettis
613-767-1169
[email protected]
Church Administrative Secretary:
Tanya Bax
613-389-2530
[email protected]
Custodians:
www.ermuc.ca
Barry Servage and Joanne Thomas
Listen to recent services, Watch for event
updates
2015 Church Council
Minister Representatives:
Rev. Dr. Wayne Soble
Rev. Dr. Jean Stairs
Chair: Gordon Sinclair
Vice-Chair: Gordon Sinclair (Interim)
Secretary : Ken Williams
Treasurer: John Moyer
Past Chair: Peter Merkley
Faith Formation & Development: Millie Hill
Media & Communications: Paul Carl
Administration, Stewardship & Resources: Gord Bell
Congregational Life: Janet Dubblestein
Ministry & Personnel: Marg Merkley
Mission & Outreach: Agnes Glenn
Property: Dave Metzler (interim)
Worship: Andrew Robb
Nominating: Peter Merkley
UCW: Jan Rubino
Trustees: Karl Butler
Youth Representative 1: Vacant
Presbytery Representative: Elizabeth Amirault
Membership Steward: Brenda Moyer
Check out our website
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For those of you who have an account on
Facebook, our church is there too. You will
find us as edithrankinchurch.
If you choose to “Like” us, you will receive
notices when changes are made to our
Facebook page. You’ll see notices of upcoming
events with links to our webpage and you’ll see
pictures of events too. If there is an event
which should be noted on either our webpage
or Facebook page, please help out our
webmaster and send it to:
[email protected]
Your webmaster and reluctant Facebook host.
Paul Van Nest
ERMUC Website Smartphone Scan Code