God’s Jurisdiction Our Gladness – February 23, 2022

Dear God, You created us for Relationships of Love, Joy and Respect. You delight in us more than words can say, help us delight in you in that same way. We are deaf at times, Help us hear the music of Your Eternal Love, even if there’s nothing playing. Remind us once again that the Joy of the Lord, is our strength. Because You are the fountain of Joy even in despairs of life; our Hope in anguish, and our Light in darkness. Your oil of gladness never runs out, even if life can sometimes bring forth unspeakable losses. We … Read more

The Slow Work of God – February 9, 2022

Holy One, who offers this world Living Water, along the Oil of Gladness and the Refining Fire. We submit ourselves to your Triune Love. Tonight, we surrender to our Baptismal Promises once again and ask for your Healing Water to Bathe us, Your Oil of Gladness to Anoint us and your Refining Fire to Purify us. We seek your Patience to take over us, as we await your slow but assured work of Love. We seek your Perseverance to guide us, as we decide not to give up, and your Peace to be evident as we face the storms of Life. … Read more

You Love Us Fully – Feb. 2, 2022

Holy One, who is Grace and Compassion, Healer and Helper, We surrender ourselves, the world and the entire Creation to Your Love. Tonight, may Your Grace Heal us, Your Compassion Help us. May the broken places of our lives allow your love to sneak in and your light lead our path. You come to us disguised as ourselves and remind us we are favoured more than we can imagine. Your Love is unconditional, dissolving the toxicity and the shame that the world has burdened us with. Tonight, as we sleep, help us hear your voice calling our name and remind … Read more

The God Who is Greater than God… January 26, 2022

Holy One, You love us into vastness of abundant life. endlessly forgiving, constantly anointing. Tonight, and every night, help us rest in your love and wake up refreshed and joyful and see your Presence everywhere we are. Help us remember that you are with us no matter what and you constantly want to dance with us, cheek to cheek, even in the midst of darkness of life. Your music never stops, you grant us melodies of love even in the night. We bless your name, the God, who is greater than God. Amen. Rev. Takouhi – January 26, 2022

Good News is God’s News – September 24, 2021

                        “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory…”                                                                                                                        (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)   Dear Grace United Church Family & Friends, We all know the meaning of need; may it be personal or communal. Today, in the middle of this pandemic, I want to share with you a story of God’s provision through a total stranger. In June, a … Read more

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