HELLO!

There are FOUR Woodlawn United Church events I want to highlight this week, although the church is busy with activities every day, many planned and facilitated by my colleague Bethe. Bethe listens to what our church and the surrounding community want/need. If you, or a neighbour, have suggestions for Bethe please let her know: 902-856-0101.

Event 1) Faith Study – Tuesday, October 20^th at 7 pm Sams Room

When I was a teen, young adult, the one constant during Sunday morning worship was the first verse of “Holy, Holy, Holy”. I used to ponder, “What do we mean by Holy?” In her third chapter of “Sacred Nature” author Karen Armstrong shares one definition of “Holy” by Rudolf Otto “the fearful experience of a transcendent reality”. According to Otto, Holy is something that tears you away from everyday life. The “Holy” is “wholly other”. In the Older Testament God is revealed in nature as “Holy”, “other”, “an experience that tears the people away from their everyday life”. The Psalms are filled with these visions. Another example is Job, the afflicted righteous man who is tested. In every encounter with the “Holy” Job is dazzled by the transcendent “other” and asked to remain silent. Historically, Christian monks do likewise. Where in nature have you experienced this transcendence? Join us for this “Holy” conversation.

Event 2) Senior’s Drop-In 10:30 am Every Thursday Community Room

The coffee/tea is on, chairs are placed around the extended table. One of these chairs is intended for you. Informal, live-giving conversation.

Event 3) Woodlawn United Church Annual Craft Sale and Luncheon this Saturday, October 24^th 9am-2pm. Admission $2 (under 12 are free.)

35 vendors! The luncheon is $12 for Beef Barley Soup or gluten free Corn Chowder, with roll, cookie, tea/coffee. Donations for the bake table are welcomed. (Baked goods, preserves, etc…) Please bring them to the kitchen in the Hall Friday or the Sams Room Saturday morning. This year the entrance to the Craft Sale will be through the glass doors at the Main Entrance on Woodlawn Road. The Bake Table will be on that level. The UCW Tabitha Unit hopes to see you there, always a packed gathering.

Event 4) Woodlawn United’s 142^nd Anniversary October 25^th 10 am.

In my previous 36 years of ministry churches often invited former clergy, former student ministers, to offer sermons on Anniversary Sunday. During many of my visits long-time church members declared, “you are only the second minister to visit me since I came to this church”. The other minister? Cecil Webber, grandfather of my colleague Bethe. Bethe is collecting memories of Cecil she will share this Sunday. If you have any, please send them to Bethe: Revbethecameron@woodlawnunited.ca

My friend Brian sent me this photo he took recently. These four events may well lead you to happiness. Please join us to find out…Peace, Kevin

PS We are offering our funeral ministry Monday October 26^th at 11 am. https://tjtracey.com/tribute/details/4321/David-Halozan/obituary.html#tribute-start We need additional ushers. If you are available, let me know. Please keep Dave’s family in your prayers.