Cross-Cultural Celebration, Bhutanese Concert and Potluck Meal
Sunday, January 24, 2:00 - 4:00 Ministries' Centre Hall

This cross-cultural celebration of traditional Bhutanese clothing, dance, music, and song will be at an hour and a half long followed by a potluck meal of both Bhutanese/Nepalese and Canadian food.

There is no charge for admission; however, donations are invited to support the Bhutanese refugee community in Nepal. They have recently experienced both a fire and a flood and are in need of financial aid. Receipts will be issued for identifiable donations of $20 or more.

For all those who gave household items to these families and did so sight-unseen this is a great opportunity to finally meet - living, learning, and laughing together.

As a National Church, as a Pastoral Charge, and as individuals we continue to respond to the needs of the people of Haiti with our financial contributions towards immediate relief and ongoing reconstruction and rebuilding.

Donations to the United Church of Canada Haiti Appeal can be made through any one of our three congregations along with your regular financial support. Cheques should be made out to the congregation and also be clearly marked Haiti Appeal. Like your regular giving, Haiti Appeal donations are eligible for an income tax receipt and the amount you give will be added on to your other giving over the year.

You can also drop off financial contributions at the Pastoral Charge Office (9 Cornwall Road) 8:30 to 1:00 Monday through Friday.

Jim Hodgson, our Caribbean regional program coordinator gives us this assurance, posted on the national website: "Know that long after the TV cameras have left, and when the politicians have forgotten that this happened, we will still be there with our partners in their struggle to rebuild. And we'll continue to tell their stories."

Continuous, updated coverage on the United Church response can be found at www.united-church.ca

The recognition and welcoming of new members set for February 21 offers an opportunity for anyone who participates regularly in worship and pastoral charge/congregational activities who is not currently a member to become one.

If you are among that category of people and think you might be interested in membership you'll need to figure out the sub-category to which you belong. Are you...

1. a member in good standing of another United Church congregation now worshipping with us?

2. a former member of another United Church whose membership may have lapsed?

3. previously a member of another denomination recognized by the United Church?

4. none of the above?

Wherever you place yourself we're glad you've found a place with us and we'd like to encourage you to consider becoming a member.

If you are in category 1 above, you'll simply need to write to your former congregation and request them to send us a Letter of Transfer.

If you're in any of the other categories we have scheduled two evenings for you to explore further what membership might mean for you, your readiness to make this step, and what the process entails.

These evening sessions will take place on Tuesday, February 2, and Wednesday, February 3 from 7:30 to 9:00 all are welcome to attend, including those of you who are curious and have questions and aren't at all sure that membership is for you at this time.

In order that we can best plan these two evenings - you come to one, or the other, or both as you choose - we're asking you to "register" by calling the Pastoral Charge Office, speaking directly to one of our ministers, or emailing them (see contact page). In the meantime, as you ponder and perhaps even prayer about this, they'd be happy to answer any initial questions you have.