You are welcome to join us for the October 16th 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
Communion
We observed the sacrament of Communion during our in-person service on Worldwide Communion on Sunday, October 2nd. If you couldn’t attend that day, we have arranged for Rev. Kathy Underwood to do home visits on October 26th with a member of our Pastoral Care Team to administer Communion in your home. Call the office at 519-986-3019 if you want a visit that day.
Annesley’s Take-Out Chicken Dinner October 19th
We will be having a take-out Chicken Dinner on Wednesday, October 19th , which would have been the date of our Turkey Supper. A dinner of ½ Chicken, Baked Potato, Coleslaw, Bun & Homemade Pie can be picked up between 5 – 7:00 p.m. that day. Delivery can be arranged, if necessary. Tickets ($20.00) are available at the office (519-986-3019), Murray’s Print Shop (519-986-2134) and from John Lewis (519-379-1685). Sunday, Oct. 16th is the LAST day to order tickets, as the numbers must be submitted to the cooker.
General Congregational Meeting – October 23rd, 2022
On Sunday, October 23rd , immediately after the church service (11:45 a.m. or so), we will be having a General Congregational Meeting to accept the Final Report of the Visioning Team. Copies of the report are available to read here:
2022-09-13-Final-report-of-the-Visioning-Team-to-the-Board-of-Annesley-UC-rev-and-approved-by-VT-membersDownload
It is not too late to volunteer to help with one of the tasks identified in the Visioning Committee’s Interim Report. Your ideas and help are needed!
FundScrip – Next Order date is Sunday, October 23rd
October Promotions include M&M Meats (7%), Foot Locker (7%) and Inspired Dining ( Jack Astor’s etc. 12%). 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
James Brown Trio – November 25th at Annesley
Annesley will be hosting The James Brown Trio on Friday evening, November 25th. James Brown is a talented Jazz guitarist, and we are excited for everyone to have the opportunity to enjoy a concert in our Sanctuary again. You can find out more at www.jamesbrown.ca and https://linktr.ee/jamesbrownguitar Tickets will be available at Annesley, local businesses, and by online purchase soon!
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 has started 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.
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 begins Friday, October 14th at 1:00 in the sanctuary. All welcome
New in the Library
Changing with Aging by Don Kuhl We all have something in common – we’re getting older – and that’s a good thing. Don Kuhl, founder of The Change Companies, shares 10 big lessons he has learned through a lifetime. These approachable stories make the reader smile, laugh, ponder and reflect. Kuhl becomes like an old friend in his writings. To be read, put down, reflected upon and picked up again, you will find yourself warmed and rewarded by this unique book.
2021 Annual Report
A copy of the Annual Report is HERE: 2021 Annual Report-ANNUAL-REPORTDownload
Emergency Response — Ukraine
On February 24th, the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine erupted, costing precious lives and creating a humanitarian crisis as people flee from the conflict. The U.N. estimates that hundreds of thousands of people, displaced from their homes, are seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Many have lost friends and loved ones, struggle to meet their basic needs, and face an uncertain future.
You can help. Right now, people urgently need shelter, clean water, food, and medical attention.
Please show your support by making a gift today:
-Online https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/conflict-ukraine via our secure donation page.
-Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738 and use your Visa or MasterCard.
-Send a cheque or money order to: The United Church of Canada Philanthropy Unit – Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
Please be sure to note “Emergency Response—Ukraine” on the face of your cheque. Note: As part of the United Church’s Emergency Response Fund, 100% of your donation goes directly to emergency relief, with 85% of your donation responding to this designated emergency and 15% responding to future emergencies that do not receive intense media coverage.
Changes to COVID Policies at Annesley
As many of you know, the Provincial Government continues to lift mask mandates in many sectors. The Reopening Committee feels at this time that masks at Annesley will now be optional. The requirement to show proof of vaccination has also been removed. The only time that you will be required to wear a mask is when singing. Also, please feel free to stand when singing. Lastly, we are hoping that coffee hour can return in September. Of course, due to the changing nature of COVID-19 and the new normal waves of infection, this could all change in the future. Thank you to all for your adherence to the many safety measures that have been put in place over the last several months.
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.
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.