You are welcome to join us for the November 13th Service at 10:30 a.m. in Person!
If you feel unwell, or cannot attend in person, the services are live streamed at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, and will be posted to the YouTube channel for future viewing. To watch the Annesley Sunday Services on YouTube: Annesley United Church’s YouTube Channel is: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnnesleyUnitedChurch
James Brown Trio – November 25th at Annesley
Annesley will be hosting The James Brown Trio on Friday evening, November 25th. We are excited for everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy a concert in our Sanctuary again, but you can also purchase a livestream ticket if you are unable to attend.
Find out more at www.jamesbrown.ca and https://linktr.ee/jamesbrownguitar Tickets are available at Annesley, local businesses, and by online purchase!
Understanding Dementia
In partnership with the Owen Sound Alzheimer Society & South Grey Community Health Centre SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2–4 p.m. at MARKDALE BAPTIST CHURCH 144 Lorne Street, Markdale 519.986.4372 markdalebaptist.org Refreshments provided
Required Urgently : Archivist
Are you interested in the history of Annesley Church? Are you an organized soul who appreciates the need to preserve what has built this religious community? A multitude of photos and documents have been collected, but need a discerning hand to collate and protect them. Please consider this request seriously. Your skills are urgently needed. Contact Patti at the office,519-986-3019, or Lynn at 519-986-3707
Brand new in the Library
Thriving Churches: Urban and Rural Successes by Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd
Two United Church ministers travelled across Canada visiting flourishing United Churches to uncover the reasons for their success. They found these churches shared a number of features that helped them not only survive but also thrive through challenging times. Filled with concrete examples from congregations of all sizes, this book will inspire. Also included is an eight-session study guide on spiritual attributes of thriving churches. THIS IS A MUST READ.
Friends of the South Grey Museum Event – December 3rd
Friends of the South Grey Museum are presenting a premiere production of an original documentary: No Bed of Roses – Agnes Macphail’s Life in Politics on Saturday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Annesley. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets by Freewill donation. General Admission.
FundScrip – Next Order date is Sunday, November 27th
Order forms are below, in the office and the Narthex. Petro Canada, Chevron and St. Louis Bar & Grill have been added to the available cards!
https://www.markdaleunited.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FUNDSCRIP-ORDER-FORM-2022-2.pdf
Grey County Cares
Support our Ukrainian refugees in Grey County by buying a button for $10 or more – donations go directly to Ukrainian refugees in Grey County. Sponsored by the Rotary Club. Buttons are in the office or in the Narthex on Sundays.
Visioning Team’s Final Report
It is not too late to volunteer to help with one of the tasks identified in the Visioning Team’s Report. Your ideas and help are needed!
A Copy of the Visioning Team’s Final Report can be found here:
2022-09-13-Final-report-of-the-Visioning-Team-to-the-Board-of-Annesley-UC-rev-and-approved-by-VT-membersDownload
Affirming Church
Last Spring at our congregation’s annual general meeting, the pastoral care committee put forward a motion for our congregation to study the possibility of Annesley becoming an Affirming church. This is the United Church’s official statement regarding sexuality and gender. “We affirm that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender”. When the congregation voted last Spring to pass the motion, we were encouraged to embark on the process of becoming an Affirming Church and intentionally welcoming for LGBTQ people and their families. This is the United Church, and no surprise, there is a detailed “process” to be followed! There is a long process of listening to one another and engaging in learning activities together before we can finally decide to become an Affirming church.
Next steps: A group of Annesley volunteers have offered to help our congregation through this process of discernment. Over the summer the group was in touch with staff from our own Western Ontario Waterways regional council and Affirm United (a partner of the United Church for the support of all gender identities and sexual orientations) . We were provided with reading material to study and participated in a Zoom session where we received more information about the affirming process.
The group held our first in person meeting on October 3rd. Representatives from our group plan to meet with the Annesley board in November to explain what we have learned so far about the affirming journey. Annesley’s board will decide if now is the time for our congregation to embark on the Affirming process. If the answer is yes, we will begin. The process takes time ….usually several years! It’s a spiritual journey, and is a time for education, storytelling and prayer. Only when we have completed this journey are we able to decide through a congregational vote if we wish to officially become an Affirming church. Members of our group are: Jane Currah, Marlene Evans, Jill Lawford, John Lewis, Ralph Shilton, Heather Spry, Vicki Stephens, Mark Waugh. Any one of us would welcome your feedback and questions. We want this process to be loving and respectful and we understand there will be some challenging conversations. We want to listen and your input is most important!
Markdale Community Choir
Markdale Community Choir continues to hold their rehearsals on Monday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. The concerts will be on December 11th and 12th, with a snow date of December 14th.
Centering Prayer
Do you feel pulled in all directions? Are you looking for a more intimate relationship with God?
Do you want more from your prayer life? Centering Prayer meets most Fridays at 1:30 in the sanctuary. All welcome.
2021 Annual Report
A copy of the Annual Report is HERE: 2021 Annual Report-ANNUAL-REPORTDownload
Plant Sale in the Spring
We hope to have a Plant Sale next spring, so keep us in mind when you are preparing your gardens for the cold weather. We will be asking for plant donations when spring is here again.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl Ministry is an important part of Annesley’s outreach. Warm and cozy shawls are given to those of the congregation and community who are bereaved or seriously ill. The appropriate yarn must be purchased. If you would like to help, put your donation in an envelope marked Prayer Shawl and your name and send it to the church office. If you know anyone in the community who would benefit from receiving a prayer shawl, please call the office at 519-986-3019.