Advent 2023 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“Advent: Redirecting our lives to God’s authority and aligning oneself to the coming of the Realm of God!” – Rev. Takouhi Dear Grace United Church, Are you ready for Advent? Do you remember what Advent is? We already know the long nights are here, and the hours of daylight have become shorter and will be even shorter until December 21, and after that longest night, the daylight hours will be starting to get longer and longer, slowly but surely. We do know this, and we hold on to this Hope. As your spiritual leader it is my duty to immerse myself … Read more

Larry Eugene Cochran – Sunrise, March 14, 1944  –  Sunset, September 21, 2023

Reflection from the Celebration of Life held on September 29, 2023 at Portland United Church, Portland, ON. “Suck it Up Buttercup!” If you had the chance to meet Larry, your life never would be the same. The day I met him, in March 2013, the St. Patrick’s Stew supper was taking place at Portland United Church. I had just started a New Call at the church on Feb. 1 of that year. I was informed there were many newcomers to this town since I last finished my internship in May 2010 and completed student ministry on Aug. 1, 2010. I … Read more

Summer Time Away – August 14 – September 6, 2023

Dear Grace United Church, This year, summer arrived with vengeance, and the weather has been as unpredictable as life itself. It seems summer is lingering, yet it is almost running away. I do not know if it is “coming out of COVID” or what, but this summer seems to be busier than ever before for the ministry we share together, and I am ever grateful. Today, August 13, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism and officially welcome members to this Community of Faith. When I tell people that summer is one of the busiest seasons of the year, they don’t … Read more

Join Us for a Historical Worship Celebration – July 16, 2023

Dearly Beloved, We hope and pray that you are having an amazing Summer – staying safe, cool and hydrated. We are thrilled to share with you that God’s Love is overflowing in and through Grace United Church in Gananoque and we wanted to convey this Good News… Sunday, July 16, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. (ET) Grace United will hold the very first Pride Worship Celebration ever. You are welcome to join us in person (120 Pine Street, corner Stone in Gananoque) or on our YouTube Channel – (Grace United Church Gananoque – YouTube) May Blessings of Love abound in and … Read more

Prayer of Thanksgiving – God of Deliverance – June 14, 2023

God of Deliverance, Out of floods, you deliver us unto fields of gold.  Out of parched places, you deliver us beside life-giving waters.   No matter where we are,  You are our Deliverer,   And You see us through.   Therefore, today, with grateful hearts we come to You  for all You have done and continue to do.   Your promises are steadfast until the end of time.   Thank You for the Gift of Your Presence.  Thank You for the Gift of Your Peace. Thank You for the Gift of Your Persistent Love.   May we journey on with Hope,   Tell our Stories of … Read more

A Prayer of Thanksgiving – ORIGINS – June 7, 2023

God of Creation, Out of darkness you brought Light, Out of nothingness you brought Life. From mud you created humankind, Yet, you gifted Your Image to all,  And instilled Your Breath in everyone.   Thank You for the Gift of Your Life-Giving Word. Thank You for the Gift of Your Spirit in and with us. Thank You for the Gift of each other.   May we go forward from here knowing that we are not alone. We live in Your World, In Your Womb, In Your Love – Today and Always.   Amen. 

Summer 2023 Newsletter – Grace United Church

“Life is short. We do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who journey the way with us. So be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” Henri-Frédéric Amiel Dear Grace United Church, Marcus J. Borg, a wonderful theologian, teacher, and lecturer, passed away in 2015, but the above words from Henri-Frédéric Amiel, which Borg used at the conclusion of almost every event, still ring true to my mind and heart. They make Borg’s memory a blessed one to me, personally. Today, as I type this short reflection from my heart, my mind is racing … Read more

Study Leave – Festival of Homiletics Gathering – May 14, 2023

Dear Grace United, It is the most wonderful time of the year for your minister, as she prepares to leave for her annual preaching conference – Festival of Homiletics. Yes, some people attend music festivals, garlic festivals, and many other sorts of festivals, but your minister attends a preaching festival. This festival is a learning, enriching and growing opportunity for all ministers and lay leaders from all over the world. I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend this festival, either live or virtually, since 2013. It is one of the most powerful lifelong learning events that I attend each … Read more

A Prayer of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide
April 24, 1915

April 24 is the Armenian Genocide Commemoration date. In 2015, the Canadian Parliament passed Motion M-587 to declare the month of April as Genocide Remembrance, Condemnation and Prevention Month, and mark April 24 as Armenian Genocide Memorial Day. A Prayer of Remembrance – Armenian Genocide – April 24, 1915 [1] Holy and Life-Giving God, we come to you today with trust, knowing that Your Spirit hovers over all existence, bringing Light out of darkness, Life out of nothingness, Beauty out of ashes and Resurrection from the depths of the earth. Today, we remember the atrocities of the Ottoman Empire, that was … Read more

Time Away – Easter 2023

Easter 2023 Dear Grace United Church, What a joy it is to be journeying with you! Would you believe that this is our third Easter together? I have been blessed, and still am, to be serving congregations that understand the hardships of being a minister and offer a reprieve following the high seasons of the church, Advent/Christmas, and Lent/Easter. Preparing weekly worship with meaningful sermons is the small part of the iceberg that is visible from the pulpit each week. Not many realize the depth of accompanying all those who are walking through the shadow of death. Of course, there … Read more

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