Winter 2009

Christmas Eve Family Service & Pageant - Dec 24th 6:30 PM Minister Rev. Phil Dallimore

Office Manager Vickie McMillan

Candlelight Communion Service – 10:30 PM

Winter 2009

Volume 9

Issue 5

Music Minister Janet Kinsey

Board Chair Jean Becroft

Revelations Editor Carol Shaw

Office Hours Mon-Fri, 9:00

AM-1:00 PM

Upcoming Events Advent Sunday #1 Nov 29

16th Annual Artisans Bazaar & Snowflake Luncheon - Dec 5th 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Giving Sunday – Dec 6th White Gifts & Stockings will be dedicated

Christmas Comfort Service – Dec 6th 7:00 PM - Caring, Sharing & Remembering

Christmas Cantata – Dec 13th ** NOTE - for this Sunday only, we will begin at 10:45am

Christmas Sunday Dec 20th Communion Service

From Phil’s Quill There is a story of an old pioneer who was traveling westward across the Great Plains until he came to an abrupt halt at the edge of the Grand Canyon. He gawked at the sight before him: a vast chasm one mile down, eighteen miles across, and more than a hundred miles long! He gasped, “Wow, something musta happened here!” Imagine if visitors from another world dropped into Barrie during the Christmas season. I wonder what they would make of what they saw. Homes decked out in brightly coloured lights, stores jammed with people buying trinkets and treasures for loved ones, the sound of music and bells spilling out of churches, decorated trees in living room windows, happy children, an air of festivity and celebration. Chances are our alien friends would look at each other gasp, “wow, something musta happened here!” We make a big deal of Christmas, and so we should. It should be a celebration of colours and light, and love and laughter. Few and far between are moments when much of the world unites behind a single day that celebrates the highest and noblest of human virtues – kindness, goodwill, and peace. Wow. For Christians we take the “wow” factor of Christmas one step further. We celebrate it as a day of hope and promise, that God’s love is as real to us today, as it was in the manger long ago. Few have been able to capture the spirit of the season better than Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol: “I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, where men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as fellow passengers in life, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, though it has never put a scrap of gold in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!” From my family to yours’ Merry Christmas! May your season be a celebration of the joy of life, and the hope of God’s presence to us all! And may you still find a reason to say “wow”!

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News from the Board We have started the year running!! It is so exciting to hear comments from folk who are visiting on Sundays or taking part in our special events: o o o o o

“There is such energy at Northwest!” “We notice the buzz when we visit!” “We thought we would try you out, and we are staying!” “We are really glad we visited” “The alternate service was great!”

No longer are we trying to survive - we are thriving. Positive comments, positive attitudes and many, many volunteers participating, result in our exciting move forward. On Nov 15th we celebrated our 21st Anniversary – and now we are starting to look ahead and plan for the future. Part of this planning involves organizing our Annual Congregation Meeting that will be held on the first Sunday in February – Feb 7th, 2010. At this meeting the names of the Executive of the Unified Board will be presented for approval, and there will be two vacancies – the Scribe (secretary) and the Vice-Chair. If you feel you have a drive to be involved, if you feel that this is the area of volunteering that may suit your skills and be part of the organization of Northwest, do talk with Rev. Phil or myself. We would love to hear from you! Jean Becroft, Board Chair

Team Reports Communications Team Do you wish you had made it to one of our alternative services? Maybe you intended to but 9:00 AM Sunday morning was just a little too early. Relax; these high energy worship services are now just a click away. We’ve posted them on the website along with Phil's regular sermons. To get a taste of what you missed go to www.nwbuc.ca/meetPhil.htm and have a listen. You’ll be glad you did! While you’re visiting the site click onto the Revelations tab, the 2010 submission dates for the Revelations Newsletter are now posted. To be sure you don’t miss your opportunity to get your news out to the congregation on time mark your calendars. We are making efforts to post as many event notices on-line as possible accessible via links on the home page for all major up-coming events. To ensure your event gets on the web site or if you have a digital "flyer" you would like posted, please get in touch with our resident webmaster Rob @ ([email protected] ) he’ll be sure to make it happen for you.

The Cadbury Secret of Submitting to Revelations

From the newsletter tab found on our website @ www.nwbuc.ca complete the following steps: 1. Select “submission form” complete, and then save on your computer hard drive. 2. From the newsletter page on the website, select [email protected] 3. Select the attach icon (a paperclip) and select your saved document (step 1) 4. Then select the send button - THAT’S IT!!

DEADLINE FOR NEXT NEWSLETTER IS January 15TH!!!

Sunday school - Butterfly & Woodland Park

SHARING STOCKINGS – A GIFT TO THE WOMEN’S SHELTER The Sunday school has decided to fill Christmas stockings again this year as our own special outreach project for ‘Giving Sunday’. This will be in addition to the congregational giving organized by the Outreach Team to benefit the David Busby Centre. The giving of stockings is an opportunity for our children to reach out to a local charity. We have chosen the Women’s Shelter. They are in need of gifts for the children who come to stay with their mothers at a time when their needs are most keenly felt. These toys were very much appreciated by the Women’s Shelter last year. Your child has been given a stocking and we ask that you buy a toy to place in the stocking, and return it by Sunday November 29th. We will then present these gifts on the following Sunday during our Giving Service. We encourage you to let your child participate in the choosing and purchasing of the gift, as the purpose is to teach them about outreach and need in the community. The toy should be approximately $5 - $20 in value. Please keep in mind the recent news stories about toxic substances found in some of the items in dollar stores and be aware of this when choosing items. Some suggestions for gifts might be Hot Wheels, Crayola items, Playdoh etc. Thank you for your help and participation in this project. If you have any questions, please speak to either Lori Dallimore or Barb Sioui.

CHRISTMAS EVE The children of the Sunday school will have the opportunity to participate in our annual Christmas Eve Service. Notices were sent home on November 15th to find out if your child wishes to participate. On December 6th we will be fitting costumes during the Sunday school time. On Saturday December 19th, from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM, we will hold a dress rehearsal at the church. Then on Christmas Eve, we ask that all participants meet in Westennial Hall at 5:45 PM. On that night it would be very helpful if parents came to dress their child in their costume.

Children will be looked after in Westennial Hall by our Sunday school teachers until it is time for the Service.

Outreach Team The Outreach Team recently donated $300.00 to the following local agencies on behalf of the congregation of North West Barrie United Church; the Elizabeth Fry Society, The Women & Children’s Shelter, Youth Haven and the David Busby Street Centre. We will be donating $250.00 to Christmas Cheer On October 18th the Outreach Team led the service and had Rev. Alf Dumont address the congregation. He is the Minister of Word, Sacrament and Pastoral Care at St. John’s United Church in Alliston (1992-2008). His sermon Topic “Through Aboriginal Eyes” - the history of relations between First Nations people and those who have come to Turtle Island...how we have the opportunity to relate in new and significant ways – the challenges ahead and the First Nations prophecies that may help, guide us there. His full address can be heard on the NWBUC website. The Outreach Team will be collecting items for White Gift Sunday, Dec 6th again this year for the David Busby Street Centre. Various items of clothing, gloves, scarf’s, toques, socks, underwear ( all adult size, male and female), toothbrushes, small toothpaste, shampoo, hand warmers, foot warmers, Tim Horton Gift certificates, please no soap at this time.

Worship Team There is still time but not much A group church subscription for ‘The United Church Observer’ is in the process of being set up. Subscriptions are sent to your home address but paid for and ordered through NWBUC. Subscribing NOW is the last year to receive your first issue in January and pay only $15 for the whole year ($1.36 a issue). Sign your name on the list in the foyer or give your name to Clara Leask, phone 728-0965. Also, please give money to Clara Leask ASAP. (Or leave it at the office with Vickie). NOTE: A subscription can be added to the group list at any time during the year. Cost $20. The Observer is one way to be connected with our sister churches across Canada. Ideas, opinions, information and discussions are varied, thought provoking and often humorous. The dialogue that takes place in the Letters to the Editor reveals the divergent views of our many church members. Have a look at a few issues in the magazine rack in the foyer. Be connected. The Observer has had many name changes over the years. It celebrated, in 2009, the 180th year of publication. It was founded by Edgerton Ryerson (Yes – the Methodist minister and politician who established free Public School Education for all children in Ontario). It is the oldest continuously published paper in North America and the second oldest in the world – the Spectator in London, England being one year older. The internet and TV and a declining membership in the churches have taken a toll on Observer subscriptions. Let’s help keep a great publication going and stay connected. MANDATE MAGAZINE: We needed to get 10 subscriptions to qualify for the cheaper group rate. We didn’t reach that goal. There will be one copy put in the foyer/library magazine rack for your perusal and, hopefully, it will generate interest in this great UC Resource for a later date.

Maintenance Team Dishwasher in Servery

Through the generosity of two families in our congregation we have a new commercial dishwasher in our servery, replacing an originally reconditioned unit now older than the church itself. The new unit was put to the test during the Turkey Supper and was not found wanting. Our thanks go to Eleanor and Ed Orme and Marjorie Beardsall.

Digital Thermostats in Westennial Hall Again the members of the congregation stepped forward and two new digital thermostats were installed in Westennial Hall to replace 4 ancient units. Our thanks go to Clara and Ewart Leask.

Updating Westennial Hall Plans are under way to renew and refresh Westennial Hall. The ceilings and walls need our attention and the baffles need tender loving care. More on this project as plans come together and when we outline your volunteer role in this effort.

United Church Women’s Group Sarah’s Circle Unit S -sharing our vision and love A -accepting each other’s differences R -remembering to laugh and cry A -allowing God to work in our lives H -honouring our friendships December 5th – “16th Annual Snowflake Luncheon & Artisans Bazaar” A new twist on an old classic! This year we’re featuring one of a kind local artisans ranging from photographers, maple products, handcrafted jewellers, homemade soaps woodworking and sewing. The artisans will be set up in the “Upper room”, Main foyer & Crying room (adjacent to Phil’s office). As in past years you will also find our UCW White Elephant & Bake Tables set up in Westennial hall. Doors to the vendor village will be open from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM Admission is free. In addition, once again we will be serving a hot lunch consisting of two types of homemade soup, homemade rolls & spice cake topped with fresh whipped cream. Doors for the luncheon open at 11:30 AM -1:30 PM Tickets for the luncheon are available from the church office or from any member of the UCW at the cost of $7.00 each. LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS If you are interested in attending the luncheons don’t delay, get your tickets today….. ALL ARE WELCOME! NOTE: Sarah’s Circle meets the last Wednesday of the month @ 7:30 pm. All are welcome, let’s journey together through learning, sharing and giving. Contact Carol Shaw@ 797-1456 if you are interested in attending a session.

Everyone seems to agree that the changes in the library have made a great improvement to the appearance of the foyer. All we did was change the position of bookshelves from one wall to the other. How easy. How effective. This beautiful location for the library has ONE flaw. We have no room for expansion by SALE of BOOKS adding more shelving for new books. There is only ONE solution. Withdraw some books and make room for new. With this in mind the library team is evaluating Withdrawn books from the condition of each book and withdrawing those that are out-dated (content too the library will be old), in poor condition (yellowed, dog-eared, loose or torn pages), and have not available for sale at the been circulating. (That means no one has taken them out to read for years). This will be an ongoing exercise as we want up-date the material in the library and, Snowflake Luncheon th most of all, we want the materials to be of interest to and circulate among the on December 5 and readership of the congregation. We ask for your co-operation and suggestions for at refreshment time books YOU would like to see in the library. following church on, th Sunday December 6 .

The Shack: Current Fiction Where tragedy confronts eternity by Wm. Paul Young, has been on the best seller list for many months. Book clubs are studying it. Some people love it and some hate it. Mack suffered a great tragedy in his life. Years later he received a suspicion note, apparently from God, inviting him to the shack in the wilderness. He walks into his darkest nightmare but what he finds there changes his world forever. (I haven’t read it – tell me whether you love it or hate it. Clara)

DONATIONS to the LIBRARY: We are still depending on donations to provide new books for the library. There are FOUR ways to donate:

1. DONATE a used book – no strings attached. Book will be sold when circulation stops. 2. BUY and DONATE a new book from the wish list – (read it first if you want to) but keep and submit the receipt if you wish a gift-in-kind income tax receipt. Ask Clara Leask for details.

3. DONATE MONEY through your church envelope or PAR, clearly marked for the LIBRARY. The library team will select the new books to be purchased and you receive an income tax receipt along with your other givings. This is to be a gift over-and-above your other gifts.

4. LOAN your book. It will be put on the data base and circulated as ON LOAN by Your Name. When the book stops circulating OR when you ask for the book back it will be returned to you.

LIBRARY WISH LIST Below is a condensed list broken down by category, if there is

something you would like to see in the library please forward your suggestions to the team.

RECREATIONAL READING: For this section of the library we depend completely on donations or loans. Current Fiction: would be on the best seller lists or prize winner books (Giller, GG etc) mostly Canadian authors. ‘The Bishop’s Man’ by Linden MacIntyre won the 2009 Giller Award. A story about power and corruption in the Catholic Church and the emerging crisis of conscience in a worldly priest who has been assigned to keep a lid on church-related sex scandals. Any of the Giller nominated books. The Winter Vault by Anne Michaels; ‘The Golden Mean’ by Annabel Lyon; ‘The Disappeared’ by Kim Echlin; The Fall by Colin McAdam ‘The Lost Symbol ‘ by Dan Brown. Why not have the next thriller from Dan Brown. This one takes on the symbols of the Masons in Washington. He isn’t the best writer in the world but he sure can produce a page turner. ‘Still Alice’ by Lisa Genova. A heart wrenching story as Alice, a University Professor at the top of her profession discovers she has Alzheimer’s. Told in the voice of Alice, the story also follows her family, friends and colleagues as she deals with this disease. ‘The Book of Negroes’ by Lawrence Hill. Traces the story of one little girl from Africa to America to Canada to the Gold Coast and England. It is historical creative fiction. The title comes from the British record book of slaves that immigrated to Canada after the American Revolution. All four books by Mitch Albom: ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is a memoir. Albom goes to visit his former teacher who is dying with ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease - and learns life’s greatest lessons – and the reader will too. ‘The Five People you Meet in Heaven’ - fiction. The reader meets Eddie, an old man, who dies at the beginning of the story. The five people he meets in heaven help him (and the reader) understand the purpose of life for the living. ‘For One More Day’ - fiction. Albom is a devout believer in the Power of Love. This book will make you smile and believe in the eternal power of a mother's love and perhaps teach you how to live. ‘Have a Little Faith’ is a second memoir for Album. A follow-up in his own life after his visits with Morrie and how he was changed. This book is just newly published and already on the best seller list. MYSTERIES/ THRILLERS: Mystery lovers - you will have to suggest authors and books. ‘Folly’by Laurie R. King. My daughter tells me she is a good author. Start with this one but any of her books are good.

BIOGRAPHIES Extraordinary Canadian Series The new series is still in the writing. They are edited by John Ralston Saul. He has chosen authors with imaginative, questioning minds from leading writers and activists. I can’t remember all the author’s names but some of the book subjects are: Emily Carr, Nellie McClung, Norman Bethune, Lester Pearson, and many others. The newest one is L.M. Montgomery. All youth and adults should enjoy (and own) this series. James Bartleman’s Memoirs The memoirs start with his life as a half breed in Muskoka through his diplomatic service followed by his years as advisor to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and lastly a memoir about his father and early life in Port Carling. This series is important as it reveals the treatment of our first nations people and enlightens us behind the scenes in politics in a very readable, often humorous and never judgemental manner. ‘Out of Muskoka’ by James Bartleman; ‘On Six Continents’: ‘A Life in Canada's Foreign Service’ by James Bartleman; ‘Rollercoaster’: ‘My Hectic Years as Jean Chrétien’s Diplomatic Advisor 1994-1998’ by James Bartleman; ‘Raisin Wine’ by James Bartleman

CHILDREN AND YOUTH The War to End all Wars by Jack Batten. Ages 10 and up. Batten tells the story of a young Newfoundlander, dead at age 18, who went to war not knowing the reasons why. Batten, with elegant prose and archival photographs answers the why questions. Remembering John McCrae by Linda Granfield. Ages 8 to 11. “In Flanders fields the poppies grow …” The first words of the most popular poem of the First World War. The text is supported by a multitude of archival photographs and memorabilia. Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion by Jane Barclay. Ages 4 to 7. “My Poppa was a soldier.” With this simple declaration, an understated beautifully modulated picture book about war and remembrance begins. Not a new book but worth having in the library to help children understand the Holocaust. This book has now been made into a movie. Watch for it coming soon to the theatres in Barrie. Hana’s Suitcase, Ages 8 and up. The story of Hana is revealed when Japanese schoolchildren requested a memento and received a suitcase from the Holocaust Museum belonging to the little girl. They traced the life of the little girl, Hana, who once owned it.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS ‘My Stroke of Insight’ by Jill Bolte Taylor The author is a young neurosurgeon who managed to make herself remember all the steps that happened as she experienced a stroke. We need to understand these steps too and know that the brain can be retrained back to health. ‘The Brain That Changes Itself ‘by Dr. Norman Doidge Amazing new information has come into medical knowledge as researchers discover how the brain renews and heals itself. (See above)

CHRISTIAN FAITH FORMATION This category includes topics such as The Bible, Christianity; Other faiths; Justice Issues economic, social, political, and ecological): In these categories we have very few books. Bart Ehrman: an excellent New Testament scholar ‘Lost Christianities- The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew’– the stories of other groups of Christians who were wiped out by Orthodox Christianity; ‘Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It into the New Testament’ – the Gnostic and other scriptures in their entirety along with introductory comments. Misquoting Jesus: ‘The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why’ – the story of how the books of the New Testament we have today were written and changed and edited and added to over the last 2000 years. John Dominic Crossan: a prolific writer and scholar. The most widely read Biblical scholar in North America. We have no books by this author. We’ll take any you can find. Marcus Borg – another popular scholar and author. Again, we’ll take any book you can find. The Heart of Christianity is a recent book which explains the elements of Christianity and offers new meanings to traditional thought. Marcus Borg and Dominic Crossan: have recently been collaborating on books. Each brings a different slant to the subject, Crossan with his research and historical knowledge and Borg with his soft spirituality and insight. One is the following: The Last Week: A Day by Day Account of Jesus’ Final Week in Jerusalem The First Christmas – I don’t know the exact title. This one would be nice to have now for Christmas reading. The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon ©2009 is their newest book. It will be interesting to compare this book to Barrie Wilson’s book How Jesus Became Christian which is already in the library. Karen Armstrong: We only have one book in the library. We’ll take any others you can find. This is the book we have. The Great Transformation: The Beginning of our Religious Traditions. The Case for God – is her newest book. We could start with this one. Donald Akenson: is a Queen’s University History Professor, scholar and author. These two books are outstanding in their scholarship and easy to read for us laypersons. Saint Saul: A Skeleton Key to the Historic Jesus - Paul's epistles written before the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. Judaism, as Jesus and Paul knew it, is the closest we have to direct witness to Jesus. This whole body of work has been ignored by historical Jesus scholars. It would be interesting to compare this book with Barrie Wilson’s new book How Jesus Became Christian which is already in the library. Surpassing Wonder: The Invention of the Bible and the Talmud - "Understand, perhaps for the first time, the relationship between the origins of normative Judaism and of Christianity. Gives insight into the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Testament and the Babylonian Talmud. Joan Chittister: has written many books and is often on panels for LTQ and other DVD s. Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope - This former Benedictine nun, - a mystic and prophet - richly rewards readers seeking solace in the empathic, wise and accessible meditations of a fellow struggler. Everyone goes through times of pain and sorrow. This book is not a self help manual, and does not offer pat answers. It is a book about hope.

For a complete copy of the library wish list please contact Clara.

2009 Christmas Turkey Dinner

16th Snowflake Luncheon & Artisans Bazaar

Saturday December 5

th

Northwest Barrie United Church

General Admission to Artisans Village FREE 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Luncheon Ticket $7:00 (To

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM reserve tickets call church office call 734.3700

)

Don’t forget your shopping list, with 10 local artisans you’re sure to find that perfect one of a kind Christmas gift. Afterwards, tantalize your taste buds with a piping hot bowl of homemade soup and Nancy’s famous rolls. For dessert, enjoy a generous helping of warm spice cake topped with fresh whipped cream.

Youth Group Attention all youth. Revs Phil and Lori Dallimore have teamed up with Scott and Shaughna Crew,. Together they’re planning some pretty amazing activities for the winter months ahead. The group is open to all youth 12 years of age and up ….. Tell a friend … better yet, bring a friend. Whatever you choose be sure to keep an eye on the church website for upcoming events. We’d hate for you to miss out!!

Cookie Walk The very first COOKIE WALK held in Barrie happened on October 3rd at Northwest United Church. It topped our expectations and was a delightful success. We raised almost $800 dollars THANK YOU to all who baked and donated the hundreds of cookies needed and thanks also to the persons who set up the tables, organized the cookies and managed the day. Many people from outside our church came to buy. It was fun to watch the children, with a parent, selecting the cookies of their choice. This fundraiser can certainly become an annual event for the Saturday before Thanksgiving andt another cookie walk could easily be attempted in mid-winter, Feb/Mar, if the congregation is willing.

Now collecting 2 & 4 liter PLASTIC ICE CREAM CONTAINERS

Note: if ice cream is served at future church functions we encourage you to buy in plastic containers. We now have a special place to store them until the next Cookie Walk. Thank you for making this first Cookie Walk such a success and supporting the church.

Care Ring -Welcomes award winning speaker Dr. Rick Irvin, speaker at the Care Ring Breakfast Event on October 3, was recently recognized with two awards for his outstanding contributions in the field of palliative care. He received the 2009 Human Touch Awards from Cancer Care Ontario. These awards recognize and honour health care professionals and providers in the cancer system who demonstrates exceptional and compassionate care. Dr. Rick Irvin is a lead palliative physician at Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Program and Chair of the Honorary Board at the Residential Hospice Simcoe. He has become an invaluable resource to patients who wish to die at home, and who do not have family physicians, or do not have a family physician who will provide in-home visits. His efforts were instrumental to the opening of Hospice House and he has played a pivotal role in establishing a Palliative Care Call Group of family physicians who provide care to orphan palliative patients within the local cancer program. Nov 20th 2009 marked the opening of Hospice House at 336 Penetanguishene Road; Barrie ON. The first residents will be moving into their home away from home on December 1, 2009.

From our Funny Files!

Acts 2:38

A woman just returned to her home from an evening church service, when she was startled by an intruder in the act of robbing her home of its valuables. She yelled ‘Stop! Acts 2:38!'? (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven) The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar: 'Why did you just stand there? All the elderly lady did was yell a scripture.' 'Scripture?' replied the burglar. 'She said she had an Ax and Two 38s!' Submitted by Katie Smith

THE BRICK – Unknown Author A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, ’what was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? Apologetic the boy pleaded. 'Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do. I threw the brick because no one else would stop...' With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot beside the parked car. 'It's my brother, 'he said 'He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.' Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, 'Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he’s too heavy for me.’ Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. 'Thank you, may God bless you,' the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the young boy pushed his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. Instead, he kept the dent there to remind him of this message: 'Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at

All year long we’ve planned and talked of many things that need be done, the tasks pile up we need some help, what will we do? We’ll ask the Congregation. The roof needs fixing the sidewalk cleared, a cleanup day to make it nice, where do we look to put things right? We’ll ask the Congregation We are raising funds to pay the bills, we need a topping a spud to fill, a talent is great to raise some cash, where will we look? We’ll ask the Congregation We’ve planned a Strawberry supper, who do you think will come? We need a crowd to make it fun. We’ll ask the Congregation And so it goes from day to day, the background work to keep things straight, a concert here, a function there, we are supported everywhere, If anything’s needed what do we do We ask the Congregation A Church starts as a building Four walls, a roof, a door It’s people doing God’s work inside that makes it so much more. The efforts of the people, to make this House secure, gives everyone a place to come to pray, to learn and more. What do we ask? Come join our Congregation So today we recognize, in a way that may seem slight, the members of this family, that have made things work out right,

Brag Board RAISING THE ROOF – Oct 2009 The day couldn’t have turned out better, the sun was shining, not a drop of rain in sight. Thanks to the coordination efforts of Deik eight sets of hands were ready and raring to lay a new roof. NICE JOB GENTLEMEN!!

Left: Unity's first anthem of the fall, October 18, 2009

Kids Korner

WB Runners Club hits the road!

W O R D S IN A W O R D Use only the letters in “Merry Christmas” to find a word for each definition. Cut out the letters below and use them to help you make words to fit the clues. Work with a partner and take turns finding words and writing them on the lines.

1. Twelve months _________________________ 2. Alike __________________________________ 3. Large town ____________________________ 4. Warmth _______________________________ 5. Grows on your head ____________________ 6. Part of a flower _________________________ 7. Money ________________________________ 8. Divide with someone ____________________ 9. Water vapor ____________________________ 10. Male sheep _____________________________ 11. A seat _________________________________ 12. Our planet _____________________________ 13. Bashful ________________________________ 14. Holds up a sail __________________________ 15. Long-tailed rodent ______________________

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