Announcements – 04 August 2021
Worship…
-
- The Sunday August 8 service of worship will be live streamed at 10 am. Please go to the Knox YouTube channel or click here
- The printed service and message are available here.
- There is no zoom fellowship time this week. Next Sunday (August 15) I hope to see many of you in person at worship. Details will be sent early next week.
Joys and Concerns… Please let Laura know if you have prayers you would like to share and may each person experience love, support and the healing presence of Christ as they are held in prayer.
-
-
- Please pray for Dot Wong (Dorothy’s mom) and Yin Lam (Dorothy’s husband) – both are experiencing health concerns.
- Pray with thanksgiving for Emilee McInnes and Cedric Spry as they welcome their son Rowan Maxwell Spry – a brother for Gavin. Rowan was born on Monday, July 19. Mom and babe are home and doing well but no visitors just yet.
-
Knox Book Club… Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm at Oaklands Park. We will discuss Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier and Whispers of War by Julia Kelly. It will be great to visit and catch up! Bring your own snack and chair.
Thank you… I have enjoyed my study leave and holiday time. Many thanks to Trinity Church for hosting worship during these past weeks. We look forward to having them worship with us during the remaining weeks of August. Thanks also to the Knox ruling elders, the Rev. Cathy Victor, and our Pastoral Visitor – Ruth McCowan for addressing any pastoral concerns in my absence. — Laura
Office Hours… Beginning August 9th Laura will have regular office hours from 10am to noon on Mondays and from noon to 4pm on Wednesdays. It would be great to see you “in person” to share what I learned during my study leave and to catch up with what is going on in your life.
August 1 is now recognised across Canada as Emancipation Day, marking the end of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. Tomorrow I will post a special picture book reading on the Knox YouTube channel to honour this. There is also a reflection on the PCC website.
Celebrations…
04 Aug – Nan Zorn
05 Aug – Toa Mari Lam
06 Aug – Richard Fowler
11 Aug – Emilee MacInnes + Cedric Spry
12 Aug – Doreen Daviss
12 Aug – Jorge + Moira Prieto
13 Aug – Ian Sturgess
14 Aug – Emilee MacInnes
22 Aug – Joan Hartemink
29 Aug – Dennis + Lilian Sutherland
31 Aug – Esther Mitchell
01 Sept – Betty Hall
02 Sept – Fiona Gow
03 Sept – Nan + Gordon Zorn
Tenant Starter Kit update… Thank you to all who donated items or funds towards the Our Place/Cool Aid Society starter kit program. These kits are aimed at supporting those in our community who are transitioning into housing, providing them with the basics to set up a comfortable home. In addition to the donated items, we used the funds to supplement the kit with needed items such as small appliances and bedding. We did our best to purchase quality used items, however some things (like pillows) are best bought new. Together Kittie and Catherine met at the church and assembled one kit (containing almost fifty items) which has been picked up. Our aim was to assemble more than one kit; however due to overwhelming support from the community, over fifty kits have been collected and no more are needed at this time. The Our Place Coordinator informed us of another project that did need donations: New Roads, a therapeutic recovery community for men. We were invited to tour the recovery house in Saanich and met with the coordinator and two residents. They were delighted to receive the two large area rugs and other items we had originally collected for the second starter kit. It was quite heartwarming to hear how committed and hopeful these men are for their future.
Mission Moment – August 8, 2021 – Defying the Norm: Lydia Returns to School
Sexual assault, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy are significant issues in Malawi. Lydia was only 15 years old when she became pregnant, and the stigma of being an unmarried, pregnant teenager led her to leave school. Left with few options, Lydia’s circumstances were reported to the community victim support unit, and, with their help and guidance, Lydia was empowered to return to school where she can continue to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. This project to strengthen community structures that respond to those experiencing sexual- or gender-based violence is supported by Presbyterian World Service & Development.
PCC Prayer Partnership
Sunday, August 8 We give thanks and pray for the Presbyterian World Service & Development program in Malawi that is helping pregnant mothers and their newborns access medicine.
Monday, August 9 (International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) We give thanks for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a guiding light on the path to justice and reconciliation.
Tuesday, August 10 We pray for the Rev. Jonathan Baird and Rani Ibrahim, and for the new worshipping communities they are leading in the Presbytery of Lindsay-Peterborough in Ontario.
Wed., Aug. 11 We pray for Cindy Stephenson, Convener of the Life and Mission Agency Committee.
Thursday, August 12 We pray that the members of the Presbytery of East Toronto’s Student and Education Committee will feel a strong sense of God’s presence in their discernment.
Friday, August 13 We pray for colleague covenant groups and clergy support groups as they support one another and develop healthy perspectives on themselves and their ministries.
Sat., Aug. 14 We pray for ministers and elders who feel discouraged and alone in their ministry.