Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection… Summer 2021… 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4: 16 Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, The words of Apostle Paul written so long ago to the church of Corinth, still speaks to us today. We all know that perseverance is important, in other words, not losing heart and continuing the journey even when we are facing difficulties of life. We can all agree that life can have difficult climbs at times and when we look back, we can see the incline that we … Read more

E.O.O.R.C. Virtual Gathering – President’s Report – May 7-8, 2021

17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17 – NRSV Ten years ago, when I was ordained into the Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care (Montreal-Ottawa Conference), I never imagined the changes that the world, the church, and I, would encounter on the road ahead. Our inaugural gathering was in Smiths Falls in June 2019. That seems so long ago, but it feels like it was just yesterday. At that time, our Regional Council was only six months young.  Like an infant that age, we were not … Read more

New Life is On the Horizon

Newsletter – Spring 2021 – Rev. Takouhi’s Reflection… Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, Exactly a year ago today, March 8, 2020, was the last time that I led worship celebrations – like we knew it – at the communities of faith that I served. Without any fear we were shaking hands, hugging each other, sitting side by side, singing fearlessly, praying, passing the Peace of Christ, the offering plates, dancing, clapping, having coffee, cookies, celebrating birthdays, and breaking bread together as the Sacrament of Communion or dinners/lunches for mission fundraisings and otherwise. Today, when I look back, I … Read more

Gary’s Health Update – January 16, 2021

Dear Family and Friends, Many of you have asked about Gary’s health. Here is an update from Gary himself. Thank you for your Love, Concern and most of all for your Prayers. May Blessings of Peace and Perseverance Abound, Takouhi *************************************************************** From Gary: I have spent less and less time on FB recently as I just found that seeing the important things through all the ads and videos was getting more and more difficult. That being said I felt it necessary to share an update. I saw my neurologist yesterday and my prognosis is the same as it was when … Read more

Do NOT be Afraid to Let Go!

Dear E.O.O.R.C. Family, Is it too late to send you blessings of Peace and Joy for this new year, 2021? It might be for some, but I believe that every single day is the beginning of a new year. I have been wanting to write to you since October 21, 2020, but as we all know, after health, time is a precious commodity that we all desire to have more of. It is a year now that COVID-19 threw a curveball to the world and changed the way of life. The United Church folks thought that new way of doing … Read more

Ministry & Personnel Committee Bid Farewell To Rev. Takouhi – October 7, 2020

I am so grateful to have had this ministry with The Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge. (September 1, 2009 – August 1, 2010 – Student Minister & February 1, 2013 – October 31, 2020 – Ordained Minister) These pictures are a glorious reminder that even a pandemic cannot stop God from calling us into new beginnings. Thanks be to God. Thank YOU M & P Committee for the gift of  Your Time and Support. ********************************************************************************************** On Wednesday evening (October 7, 2020), the M & P Committee met with Rev. Takouhi to have a conversation about her years with us in the Elgin-Portland … Read more

20th Wedding Anniversary – September 3, 2020 – Proclamation of Love!

Dear Reader, Whenever I officiate weddings, I share with people that the reason we are gathered together is because the couple has invited them, so that the two people may proclaim their love to each other in front of God and in front of them. Today, Sept. 3, 2020, marks the 20th anniversary of my covenant of marriage with Gary, and I want to share a letter from my heart to him, but also proclaim to the entire world, what this journey with Gary means to me – actually means to us. Most often, people express their love for their … Read more

My Farewell Announcement – August 9, 2020

August 9, 2020 Dear Elgin-Portland Pastoral Charge, The year 2020 has, in many ways, been unprecedented so far, and I am not sure how we are able to carry on our lives in such a different way. On January 16, 2013, when my family and I moved to Rideau Lakes Township to serve these beautiful communities, I always said, “I did my internship here in 2009-2010, and I will retire from here as well.” People used to joke and say, “… but you will never beat the 30 plus years that Rev. Seeley has in this pastoral charge.” and I … Read more

Hope for Beirut – 2020

Lebanon’s Love is as Ancient as the Love of God, her resilience parallel to the Cedars of Lebanon, which live over thousands of years, and are also referred as the Cedars of God. There will be beauty rising out of these ashes, resurrection will take place for all who died, and the oil of gladness will once again anoint everyone. Weddings will take place, Baptisms will be celebrated, and loved ones will bid goodbye to the ones who will die — in their own righteous, natural time. After all, after a good rebuilding and restoring, we will once again sing by the shores of the Mediterranean, and drink fresh, spring waters of Sannin. There will … Read more

What Purpose Does this Have? – July 21, 2020

Have you ever looked at something and asked, “What purpose does this have?” After dinner, about two weeks ago, Gary and I sat outside on the front deck and looked at one of the trees closest to our house and I asked, “Seriously, what is this tree good for?” It blossoms for only a few weeks in late May and early June, and after that it seems to become “boring”, unlike the Maple tree right next to it, where the leaves seem to smile and almost speak to you with their beauty. We both remembered how two years ago, this … Read more