An Ordination From Newfoundland

Greetings Folks,

Here is a picture of most of the Fillier Clan at St. James United Church in St. John’s Newfoundland. Rev. Victoria Fillier, who is my sister-in-law, is missing from the picture of me, my dad, and my brother Bob.

The second picture is of Lorna and her family, including her mother Hilda Griffin and her father, Ron Griffin. The green stole is a wonderful gift from my home congregation at St. James United.

It was an incredible service for Newfoundland East District’s final worship service, packed with folks I had not seen in ages and some I had never seen at all who traveled quite a ways to be with us for the occasion.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers during this journey, and keep us in mind as we prepare to travel to Louisbourg, Cape Breton, for July 1st! As for Lorna and I, we’re off with Rev. Trent to Maritime Conference in Sackville this weekend for the ordination service. Many of my classmates are being ordained, and we’ll send along our greetings and prayers for their ministry as well.

A Letter From The Minister

To all those who worship at

Fort Massey United Church

Halifax, NS

May 11, 2008

Dear friends:

On this Pentecost Sunday it seems fitting that I write to you on a matter concerning worship offered at our church.

It is no secret that attendance at both services has been in decline over the past several years. I realize that this is partly due to a national trend. However, over this past year, in particular, I have noticed that we have been having difficulty retaining new attendees. I am convinced that the lack of numbers in the pews at both services is having a negative impact on newcomers as well as on some of us faithful Fort Massey folk.

At my request, the Kirk Session agreed to initiate an ad hoc committee of elders, representing both the 9:30 & 11:00 services. Our goal was to look at offering a single Sunday morning worship service as soon as possible. Subsequently, this committee recommended to the Kirk Session that effective September 2008, the 9:30 and 11:00 services be replaced with a new 10:30 worship experience. Along with the nearly twenty recommendations made by the committee, the Kirk Session and ministry staff have agreed to one Sunday morning worship service for the 2008-09 year.

I am very aware of the energy, time and commitment many of you gave to these two services over the years. Thank you for your support. I also recognize that, for some, you will be feeling a loss of your worshipping community, whether it be 9:30 or 11:00. Please know that I share your sense of loss.

I am excited about the opportunities that this will give to our present and future worshippers. I ask that you keep Fort Massey in your prayers as we venture forth together on this journey. May the Spirit continue to guide us and move us.

On behalf of the Kirk Session,

yours faithfully,

Trent D. Cleveland-Thompson

Moderator

Heads Up From Rev. Ali

Many of you at FMC know the now Rev. Ali – a former student here at FMC. Ali sent us this important notice today so I wanted to pass it on to you. It concerns the world food shortage. Please take a moment to read it and sign if you so wish.

Ali wrote:

I just signed a petition urging world leaders to tackle the food crisis now gripping the world. This is important and I thought you might like to sign it too:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1

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Have you noticed food costing more when you shop? Here’s why — we’re plunging headlong into a world food crisis. Rocketing prices are squeezing billions and triggering food riotsIn Sierra Leone alone the price of a bag of rice has doubled, now unaffordable for 90% of citizens. Fears of inflation stalk the whole world, and the worst could be yet to come.

We need to act now — before it’s too late. So we’re launching an urgent campaign with African foreign minister and human rights campaigner Zainab Bangura. Click below to see Zainab’s video message and add your name to the food crisis petition — we need to raise 200,000 signatures by the end of this week to deliver a massive global outcry to leaders at the UN, G8 and EU:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/world_food_crisis/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1

Two Intersting Links…

Hi folks,

There’s two links I want to bring to your attention that we recieved in our inbox at the church this week.

The first is to a PBS interview with Jeremiah Wright by Bill Moyers. This is the controversial pastor of U.S. presidential candidate Barak Obama.

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/profile.html

The second is a YouTube sermon by Rev. Kevin Little of the United Church entitled “What is Truth?” It’s just a clip but you may want to check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEQFIo1lFbk