DORCHESTER UNITED CHURCH NEWSLETTER

September 2017

www.dorchesterunitedchurch.ca

Chairman of the Board Message

So here we are at the end of September and Autumn is here. It looks as though the harvest will be bountiful - we have so much to be thankful for!

As Chair of the Church Board, we are advising you that Rev. Larry is on Medical Leave until mid to late December. While he is on leave, Rev. Keith Rameshwar, Volunteer Associate Minister at Dundas Centre United Church in London, has agreed to take the services for three months starting this coming Sunday, September 24^th. We are very fortunate to have an ordained Minister who is available to fill in for Rev. Larry. Let us all keep Rev. Larry and Gwen and their family in our thoughts and prayers.

There are many events scheduled in the coming months at Dorchester United Church. They will be listed elsewhere in this newsletter. I hope that you, your family, friends, and neighbours will be able to attend most of them. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Glenn Baskerville

UPCOMING EVENTS
September 24^th 16^th Sunday after Pentecost , Welcome to Rev. Keith Rameshwar
October 1 World Communion Sunday
October 8 Thanksgiving Sunday
October 15 World Food Sunday - Remember your food bank items
October 22 Dorchester United Church Anniversary Service 11:00 AM with lunch to follow. Our guest speaker is from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The UCW invites members with last names from A-L to bring squares, M-Z to bring sandwiches. Thanks for your participation. Come and enjoy the lunch and the great fellowship.
October 29 Reformation Sunday
November 5 All Saints Sunday
November 12 Remembrance Day Service
November 18^th UCW Church Bazaar - Frozen Pies and baked goods on sale.
November 19 24^th after Pentecost Sunday
November 25^th Annual Turkey Dinner
November 26^th Communion Sunday
December 3^rd 1^st Sunday of Advent
December 10^th 2^nd Sunday of Advent
December 11^th The Scott Woods Christmas Show - Fundraiser
December 17^th 3^rd Sunday of Advent
December 24^th 4^th Sunday of Advent
December 24^th Christmas Eve Service - 7:00 pm
December 25^th The Birth of the Lord (No Church Service)

REPORT FROM THE VISIONING COMMITTEE

The Holy Diner is a community outreach program which took place on eight summer Thursday evenings in July and August. An attractive yellow billboard was created and placed in front of the church each Thursday morning. Posters were placed around the community inviting one and all in the community to join this social event. A menu consisting of delicious cheeseburgers, sausages, beverages and cookies was prepared and served by many faithful cooks & helpers. Diners were invited to make a cash donation, with proceeds destined for the Food Bank.

The Visioning Working Group, made up of Cathy and Glenn Baskerville, Joyce Holland, Mary Kaiser and Coleen Mason, is pleased that the Dorchester United Church community has donated a total of $2350.00 to the local food bank in Dorchester. A sincere thanks to all who made this big undertaking such a success.

We have received a lovely letter from Jean and Bob Davis, coordinators of the Dorchester Food Bank, acknowledging the many volunteers for their time and effort, and thanking us for the generous cash donation which will help them supply fresh meat, dairy, vegetables and fruits to families requesting assistance.

We hope to make this an annual event and welcome suggestions for next year.

Food Bank Donations are welcome every Sunday. Items of particular need at this time are school lunch snacks (granola bars, pudding & fruit cups, juice boxes). Monetary donations, used to purchase perishable foods & personal items, are most welcome. Envelopes for cash donations and gift cards can be found at the back of the sanctuary.
Do you need a ride to church? Please call Cathy at 519 461 1679 to make arrangements.

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ANNIVERSARY OFFERING ENVELOPE

Dorchester United Church is celebrating 161 years of serving God, following our faith journey and giving of our time and talents. We have enclosed an Anniversary Offering Envelope for your consideration of a donation for the coming year, to be used for the church's ministry, mission and outreach. May you know the joy of giving and the satisfaction of knowing what an important presence this church is in this community? We sincerely thank you for your time and continued support.

Dorchester United Church Board