Cedar Park United Church

Dear Friends,
What a busy active community Cedar Park is! There are changes inside and out! I came home from holidays to discover a new floor in our halls and common room. Put on your sunglasses. It’s dazzling! New wires and tree cutting in the east property line, have also been done this summer. Thanks to property and decor!

We have our new music director, Douglas Knight, hard at work preparing the music room and also for the fall music programme. Your staff team is working together to get everything ready for a great new season. Our programmes are rich and varied: from Journaling, to Listening to Understand, to Saving Jesus, to Reading the Bible in Community, to a Prayer and Movement Workshop. Our Healing Pathway Ministry welcomes each week people who would like to experience healing touch. There are already a number of social/fundraising events in preparation. A new young family ministry group is planning programming up to Christmas. Kidzone (children’s Sunday programme) is preparing to welcome our children. (We are looking for some help in this area). Kids Can Free the Children will be welcoming new members. The choir is beginning; Coffee Houses are already being planned. Pointe-Claire Grannies to Grannies group (supporting grandmothers raising Aids orphans in Africa) is so keen, they’ve even been meeting all summer. Morning Connections is gearing up. And the new Stewardship Working Group is planning a Stewardship fair in later Sept. Watch for other new stuff! It’s appearing all the time!

All this preparation is being done with you in mind! Please come and support this vital, spiritual, justice-seeking community! Come and discover your spiritual gifts; and a community that cares about you. Come and be part of the growing, changing, spirit-led work of Cedar Park. We need your ideas; insights and wisdom; and we need your personal and financial support. AND we need you to tell your friends and neighbours about us. Let’s make this a great year of sharing in God’s work through Cedar Park United Church.

Sharon Moon

A WORD ABOUT SPACE
Cedar Park is a very busy building, happily filled with activities, programs, rentals, etc. If you need space for your meeting, please ensure you book it in advance with the Church Office. Leave a note or a voice mail, outside office hours. If you’d like to borrow any equipment, please coordinate this through the Office also, so we don’t find ourselves searching for a coffee maker or flipchart. Thanks for your cooperation.

Message from Board Chairman Paul Clarke

“What a Wonderful Life”

As some of you know, I work in the financial industry. However, my background is in history. I tend to view life through a prism of what has gone before us, and how we will perceive in the future what we have done.

Which brings me to my parents. In September, they will celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss. They are part of a limited generation for whom one marriage was the norm, and living into their 80’s. My mother recently completed her biography and various members of the family have typed it. My mother wrote out over 400 pages longhand, and we want to preserve the story in a book form.

So what’s the conclusion at 82, having lived through the Depression, WWII and raising 6 children? My mother feels blessed, lucky, and pleased with so much in her life. Did everything go as planned? Certainly not. Did it work out in the end? You betcha. My 24 year-old son’s favourite anecdote has my parents traveling to Branson , Missouri, to see a bunch of shows. On the schedule was Lawrence Welk. They arrived, to find the Welk people could not perform. Disappointed? Not a chance! My parents were introduced to another Canadian band, who were wonderful. My mother had refused to be disappointed for 82 years, delighting instead with the wonderful things in her life.

Can we translate this to our church family? I think so. We are a people of good will. We want to love others, and go lightly in this world, and leave it a better place. Not everything in church happens as planned: but most of the time, we all move forward. Do things happen as quickly as we hope? Not always. But taken as a whole, our church life is blessed, brings us closer to God, and brings us closer to each other.

Let’s continue to delight in our God at Cedar Park. And enjoy the unexpected!

Message from the Family of Doug Burdett 

To the Cedar Park Community,
The caring support given in the past year, particularly since Doug’s tragic death in April, has been greatly appreciated.We laid Doug’s urn to rest in the family plot in Stratford. A gentle rain was falling when we buried him with some sand from his beloved “beach”, earth and flowers from his garden and rose petals from our last anniversary’s flowers. Thank you sincerely.
With love, Betty Burdett

KidZone Kickoff

Join us for worship service at 10:00 a.m. on September 9, followed by lunch and games for the entire family!

Sign-up for our free Sunday morning KidZone Christian Development program for children preschool through grade 8. We also offer a teen program and nursery care for 2 and under. For more information, call the Church Office at 514 695-3337.Progressive Dinner with a “Twist”

When: Saturday, September 15
How: Buy your ticket ($15) at the Church Office before September 13.

What’s the twist ?
Members near the church have offered their homes. You will meet at 5:15 at your first assigned location for punch or wine and cheese. After Happy Hour, you’ll move to a different house and join a new group of people for the first course, then switch houses and groups again for the main course. All the small groups will come together at Sharon and Howard’s home for dessert and coffee, to continue their dinner conversations and share anecdotes about each mini-party.

The focus is on fun, friends and fellowship and the FOOD will be deliciously homemade. The same menu will be served at each venue at the same time.

Three wheelchairs are available for those who may have trouble with distances, or those with mobility impairments may choose (in advance) to remain at the same house, as the guests will change for each course.

 Spirituality and Healing

Discussion Groups offered in English. Small donation or fee may apply. As space is limited, pre-registraion is essential. See Sign-Up Sheet on the Activity Board, or call the Church Office.

Healing Pathway Ministry

Therapeutic touch techniques adapted for the United Church to restore balance and wholeness of Body, Mind and Spirit are available every Monday afternoon. Our practitioners are receiving ongoing education as well. We invite anyone who would like to experience this most relaxing treatment to call the church office to find out how to book an appointment.

Healing Pathway
Fall 2007 Training Sessions
Registration has already been completed for Practicum A and Healing Pathway Phase Three which are being offered in early September at Manoir D’Youville, Chateauguay and Summerlea United Church respectively. If you hurry, there’s still time to register for:

Introduction, Healing Pathway Phase One
Come and take this opportunity for self-care and learning. With an emphasis on learning to be an instrument of God’s healing power, you will practice and receive specific healing techniques. We will discuss ways of integrating these techniques into a healing ministry and into your own life.
When: September 21, 22, 23, 2007
Where: Cedar Park United Church
Cost: $150.00 (plus cost of book) $170.00 for late registration after Sept. 1.
Registration contact:
Church Office, 514 695-3337

Reading the Bible in Community

Are you interested in reading the Scripture in Church on Sundays, but are not sure how to begin? Have you wondered how and why some texts ever made it into the Bible in the first place? Or why we read some passages and not others? Or who chooses the passages we read? Do you want to learn some fun and interesting ways to read the Bible with your family? Then this course is for you.

Elisabeth Jones, Director of Studies at the United Theological College, and a member of our Congregation, is planning a four-week mini-workshop course designed to explore these questions and provide practical tips on how to read Scripture in Church worship and family settings. No previous experience necessary, just an interest in Reading the Bible in Community.

Where: Wednesday evenings, Sept. 19, 26, October 10, 17; 7-9 p.m. in the Lounge.
To register, call the Church Office at 514 695-3337 or sign up on the Activity Board.

Saving Jesus
COMING IN OCTOBER!

A 12-Week study to be offered in two sessions, six weeks prior to Advent ‘07 and six weeks prior to Palm Sunday, 2008.

Saving Jesus is a revolutionary DVD-based small group exploration of Jesus Christ for the third millennium. Featuring leading religious voices of our day, the 12-week program includes a participant reader offering discussion questions. The basic format for each weekly 2-hour session includes conversation around the readings, a 20-minute video segment and guided discussion. Join Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill Levine, James Forbes, John Selby Spong, and a host of others for a conversation around the relevance of Jesus Christ for today.

The presenters encourage us to ask important questions about our faith… Such an invitation serves to strengthen our understanding of the profound significance Jesus of Nazareth has on our lives and on our own spiritual awakening. It also encourages us to embrace a greater understanding of faith that is inclusive and reconciling rather than unique and exclusive. The course… speaks to the twenty-first century Christian and a twenty-first century global family.

The course is scheduled to take place on Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., commencing with an orientation session on October 11th. There will be a maximum of 12 participants. Further Information and Registration will be available in mid September.

Fall in Love with Journaling during the Month of October

Workshop leader: Terri Coyle
- Learn what a precious treasure or incredible tool journaling can be.

- Learn specific writing techniques that will help you:
- Tell your family stories
- Enhance your health and well-being
- Develop your spiritual awareness

Join us Tuesday evenings (October 2 to October 30) from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Lounge. To register, call the Church Office at 514 695-3337 or sign up on the Activity Board.

Listen to Understand

A series to help attune yourself to deeper listening and integration of mind, body and spirit.

“Listen to the Silence”
“Listen in Relationship”
“Listen to your Body”
“Listen in Sacred Writings”

Each week we will have opportunities to practice the lost art of listening, and to encounter others in the group as we share insights and wisdom.

Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9 p.m., November 7, 14, 21, and 28,
led by Sharon Moon

Looking Ahead to Advent

Advent Meditations Services
Sundays at 7 p.m., starting December 2

Advent Retreat
From the team that brought you the “New Beginnings” retreats in 2006: Diane Fagg, Terri Coyle, and Richard Bastien.

Saturday, December 1, 2007, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.

Before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season takes over,
carve out a little soul time for yourself. Come find your quiet centre through gentle yoga, simple journaling and soothing guitar music. Watch the church bulletin for more details.

Sharing Our Faith and Joy

Young Family Ministry

The newly formed Young Family Ministry Committee has been busy planning social events and informational seminars of interest to our young families and those in the community at large for the
upcoming school year. Plan to join us for the KidZone KickOff Sunday, September 9, after the service and lunch for old-fashioned games for all ages!

Look for forthcoming information on other events planned for Fall including: Family Bingo Night, Halloween Haunted Hall and Christmas Carolling, as well as a First Aid/CPR seminar.

All are invited to participate, and new ideas and volunteers are warmly welcomed.

The Music Message
Douglas Knight

Music is a living expression of worship at Cedar Park United Church where welcoming, encouraging, and developing the many musical talents of our congregation is paramount in my ministry as your new music director. Much care is given to ensure that the church service music reflects, deepens, and enhances the message of the lessons.

Allow me to introduce myself, Douglas Knight, as a long-time Pointe Claire South resident. In June 2007, I became Music Director of Cedar Park United Church, leaving my post of 20 years as Minister of Music for the Anglican Parish of Vaudreuil at St. James’ Church in Hudson and St. Mary’s Church in Como.

I have been an active music director, choirmaster, and organist for the past 25 consecutive years, and many West Islanders know me as the founder of the Pointe Claire-based community choir, “The Knight Singers”, and as the present conductor of the “Lakeshore Chamber Orchestra”. Although I am also referred to as a Gilbert & Sullivan specialist by many, having been the music director/conductor of the “Montreal West Operatic Society” for over a decade, my studies of grand opera conducting were with Metropolitan Opera conductors in New York. I have a McGill degree in piano performance. I sing and compose and have interests in oil painting, gardening, and cooking. If you get a chance to drop in the music office, you will find I also have interests in renovations and interior decorating.

My wife, Susan, and I have been busy over the summer months renovating the music office. The crowning touch to the makeover is a donation from Grace (“Sam”) and Ernie Kirkham. They have donated their piano in memory of their daughter, Dawn. This is a wonderful and much appreciated gift, and I would like to thank them for their generosity.

The choir is in for a comfortable treat. Morning Connections has donated 20 posture-perfect folding chairs to the choir. On behalf of the choir, I would like to thank the committee members of Morning Connections for this great gift.

Many plans are in the works for the music programme at CPU. Our choir, already comprising a good balance of voice ranges, has continued to grow since June, and still there is room for more. We welcome new members to join at any time of the year without the pressure of an audition. Interested singers or would-like-to-be singers need only let me know in advance and join us for a few rehearsals to find out what it is like. After a few rehearsals, when you are more comfortable with your voice, I’ll take you aside to listen to your range to be sure you are with the right section: soprano, alto, tenor or bass. Not every one is able to make a 10-month commitment of joining a choir. Special arrangements can always be made for those whose schedules can only permit a shorter commitment. Let me know what works for you.

The singing voice is one mode of expression we can use in worship; musical instruments also speak from the soul. Our congregation is fortunate to have an abundance of musical gifts to offer. We have a wide assortment of instrumentalists from flutists to trumpeters, violinists to guitarists, and many more that make up the music worship at CPU. I’m sure there are more that I am unaware of. Please introduce yourself to me.

There is a musical evening event being planned for this fall that will be “An Introduction to ‘More Voices’”, the new supplement to the hymnbook we use entitled “Voices United”. It will be in the setting of an informal Coffee House with a number of our talented musicians.

The Choir will be paying a visit to the patients of the West Island Palliative Care this fall bringing gifts of music. We will sing a collection of anthems and hymns.

On the topic of hymns, has one of your old favourites not been sung for a long time during worship Sunday mornings? Drop by the music office after service and let me know about it, and it will be included at the earliest appropriate service. If it is more convenient, pls. e-mail me your choice.

Choir rehearsals will resume Thursday evening, September 6, at 7:30-9:30 in the sanctuary. Our Sunday morning rehearsal is at 9:15. Our anthem for September 9 is a beautiful four-part choral arrangement of the early-American hymn tune, Prospect, entitled “The Lone, Wild Bird”. This arrangement by Marty Haugen is accompanied by piano and guitar. Future anthems will cover a wide spectrum of musical styles from classical to contemporary, from jazz to gospel, from rock to Taizé, and more. We will start working on our Christmas Concert music in late October. Perhaps some people would like to join us at this time. The details of this special event will be announced later.

The Choir is always ready to welcome new singers. Reading music is not a requirement. To enjoy singing is a must. Joining a choir is a great way to get vocal training and before you know it, you’ll be ready for Canadian Idol. Anyone interested in becoming a new choir member is asked to contact me before attending a rehearsal. Membership is open to teenagers and adults alike. The choir will have the opportunity to welcome our latest arrivals at our Newcomers Get-Together planned for late September.

I hope everyone’s lives will be spiritually enriched to some degree by our music.

“Grandmothers to Grandmothers”

Did you know? 13 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Africa. An estimated 5 million more will be orphaned by 2010.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation’s “Grandmothers to Grandmothers” Campaign is raising awareness and mobilizing support for Africa’s heroic grandmothers who are holding their communities together by caring for millions of AIDS orphans.

Cedar Park United Church supported this Campaign with our Lenten programs and Easter Sunday Outreach offering of $2,836.80 and we have now created a local “Grandmothers to Grandmothers” group. With Heather Hayes Lefebvre taking the lead on the administrative side, many members from our congregation and the larger community have offered leadership on some exciting fundraising and awareness-raising activities. Watch for details in the Church Bulletin and website. For more information on the Stephen Lewis Foundation “Grandmothers to Grandmothers” Campaign, see www.grandmotherscampaign.org or have a look at the Grassroots newsletter on the Outreach Bulletin Board in the Common Room.

Coming up on September 8, a “Grandparents Solidarity March” in Ottawa. Also, mark your calendars now for Sunday, December 9. All donations from the annual Christmas Choral Evening at St. Andrews & St. Paul will go to the West Hill Grannies Group.

Cedar Park Youth in Action Group of FREE THE CHILDREN

Cedar Park’s Youth in Action Group was VERY active last year. The group’s objective was to raise at least $10,000 to build a much-needed school in the Maasai Mara region of southwestern Kenya. Thanks to bake sales, a movie night at Trafalgar School, booths at John Rennie High and Cedar Park, the generous support of Cedar Parkers through their Outreach donations and a fabulously successful African Dinner at the end of April, the approximately twenty members of this group raised a total of $11,057.64 for their project.

This very successful year raised the total that the Cedar Park Youth in Action Group has raised since 2003 to $46,112.16, a substantial contribution to the needs of children in the developing world and a life-changing experience for the youth who have worked so hard to make it happen.

Zac Clarke will be leading the kick-off for the group for 2007/08. Please encourage any interested youth between 12 and 25 years of age to get in touch with him via the Church Office at 514 695-3337. Watch for the announcement of the group’s first fall meeting.

1st Pointe Claire Scouting Group

Cedar Park has sponsored the 1st Pointe Claire Scouting Group for many years. Registration for 2007-08 will start at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4 in the church hall, the day after Labour Day.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. The Scouting programs provide wonderful learning and fun opportunities for both boys and girls. Registration will be for four of the Scouting sections:
- Beavers, ages 5 to 7
- Cubs, ages 7 to 10
- Scouts, ages 11 to 14
- Venturers, ages 15 and over.

Our Scouting groups have provided very welcome support to the church over the past year. This included raking leaves for us in the fall, selling Living Gifts for Saint Columba House before Christmas, and collecting food and money for Saint Columba House as part of the Spring Sharing campaign.

Morning Connections

Starts Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at 9:30 a.m.

Morning Connections is a weekly drop-in group where connections are made through thought-provoking topics, coffee and treats, friendship, guest speakers, music and chat. Everyone is welcome, any week. The first Wednesday of each month is reserved for “Chat and Connect” which gives everyone lots of opportunity to catch on each other’s news. For information, call the Church Office at 514 695-3337.

Cedar Park Coffee House

Two years ago Richard Bastien and Terri Coyle came up with the idea of the Coffee House–an opportunity once a month for coffee, music and fellowship, and a chance to spend some quality time with good friends, while discovering some of the musical talents within our community. We’ve enjoyed some wonderful evenings as a result of their initiative.

This Spring Richard and Terri decided to pass the baton. At a meeting in June, many people expressed a desire to keep these precious evenings of entertainment and fellowship going.

Mark your calendars for the first evening this fall:
October 26th at 7:30 p.m.

Douglas Knight and a number of our talented musicians
will explore “More Voices”

Your participation is needed to make all future Coffee House evenings a success.

The jobs have been broken down to make it easy for anyone to help. To date volunteers have stepped forward to do the following tasks:

Communications/Talent Scheduler, Sam Kirkham
Sound/Lighting, Ernie Kirkham/Alex Carruthers
PR/Advertising, Nancy Walsh/Terina McLaren, Barb Poole

Perhaps you are the right person to help with some of the tasks that remain. The more people who volunteer the easier the job. Grab some friends and step forward!

Co-ordinator/s (Keep everyone organized.)
Setup/Tear-down Group (Set-up Friday, oversee guests who put everything away.)
Refreshment/Kitchen Group (Buy goodies, make coffee, tea and clean up kitchen.)

Perhaps you can play an instrument, carry a tune or read a good poem. Don’t be shy! Don’t feel that you must perform for a whole set. Invite someone to pair up with you, or talk to Sam who will help find just the right spot on an evening’s program so you can share your talents.

If you would like to be involved in any capacity contact the Church Office at 514 695-3337.

Men’s Group

Meets second and fourth Tuesday evenings of each month.
Exploring faith, life and meaning in a safe, open enviornment. All men welcome. For more information, contact the Church Office at 514 695-3337.

Stewardship and Fund Raising

Cedar Park’s newly created Finance and Stewardship Committee is hard at work planning for the Fall. The committee is charged with:

 Reviewing regularly the church’s detailed financial results and procedures, and making any necessary recommendations to the Congregational Board.
 Preparing and supporting the annual budget.
 Ensuring stable long-term financing of the church.
 Encouraging stewardship of time and talents, in support of the church’s work.

Two important events will anchor the committee’s fall program:

A Stewardship Fair, at Fellowship Hour after the service on Sunday, September 30. All groups within the church are encouraged to have a “booth” to show their pride in their activities and attract additional participation in their endeavours. We invite you and your neighbours to take a second look at our programs and activities to see what’s new and where you could share your talents and gifts.

Stewardship Sunday, October 28. This will be the traditional launch of the Fall Stewardship Campaign, with stewardship pouches being circulated to all members of the congregation.

Current members of the committee are Bill Blevins, Elizabeth Chown, Bill Flannery, Bill Harvey, Rod LeRoy, Barbara Poole, Renate Sutherland and Ewan Vost.

Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR)

Using the Pre-Authorized Remittance program is an excellent way to support our church. For information on how to register for monthly “direct debit”, please call the Church Office.

Book Fair

Friday, October 12, 7–9 p.m.
Saturday, October 13, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Please bring your used hardcover, soft cover and paperback books, records, tapes, CDs, DVDs, magazines, games, and puzzles to the stage after October 6. No encyclopedias please. Helpers are always needed to sort and display the books, starting at noon on Friday October 12.

Knick Knack Bric-a-Brac Sale & Antique Attic

Saturday October 20, 9–2:30

Picture the Treasure Table gone wild !

The entire Reception Hall will be filled with previously loved items and savvy shoppers will delight in finding the perfect additions to their collections, items for their cottages, articles to sell on e-Bay
and knick knacks to enjoy. It’s the ultimate in recycling !

Knick knacks, figurines, dishes, vases, candlesticks, decorative items, frames, pictures, glasses, baskets, what-nots, small furniture, tablecloths, placemats, jewelry, etc. are welcome. No sports equipment, mirrors, computers, clothing or kitchen sinks please !

Please put your bric-a-brac on the stage after October 14
or call the Church Office and we’ll find a little knick knack nook !

Antiques & Collectibles on Consignment

We are once again accepting your special treasures on consignment. If they sell, we will give you back 60% of the selling price. If you’d rather donate items outright, you’ll get an income tax credit for 100%. Please call the Church Office at 514 695-3337. The deadline for consignments is October 17.

Gourmet Food Fair

Saturday, November 10, 9:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Jams, jellies, home baking, frozen meals, Christmas crafts, handmade gifts and lots more. Lead or join a Work Bee in the church kitchen or Lower East Annex kitchen or your home to make cookies, squares, cupcakes, muffins, applesauce, lemon curd, lasagne, casseroles, meat pies, apple pies, etc. We need lots of food to make this a success! Please call the Church Office to volunteer.

Join us for Fair Trade coffee or lunch in our Reindeer Café.

A Vernissage & Tasting Evening will be held Friday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. Admission is $2. Sample the available meals for $1 a spoonful.

Floor Fund
“Building Our Future on Solid Footing”

The floor tiles in the Christian Education (C.E.) Building Common Room and hallways have been replaced. They are now safer–no more broken tiles waiting to trip people. Our floors are clean and bright and they look marvellous! A generous donor has made a substantial contribution towards the $7,456 cost, and we invite your donations to our Floor Fund as well.

We’d welcome donations in increments of $5. Pretend you put your name on a few tiles before they were laid! All contributions are welcome. Please drop off a jarful of coins, an envelope of cash or a cheque payable to Cedar Park United Church at the Church Office. Mark your donation “Floor Fund”, and include your name and we’ll ensure you receive an Income Tax credit.

Thank you to our Décor Team, particularly Audrey Riley for over two years of research, to Paul Stejskal for his negotiations with Tapis Pincourt, and to so many others who were involved in this project. And thank YOU in advance for your financial contribution. If you have not already seen the new floor, we’re sure you will agree that this was a very worthwhile – and necessary – investment in our church home.

Note from Décor Committee

Next meeting will be September 12, 1:30 p.m. in the Lounge, open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Fundscrip

FundScrip is a fund-raising program in which you purchase gift cards and use them at various merchants around us. They’re usable everywhere in Canada and have a 3 year expiry … so give them to family and friends, or use them for your own! We try to buy a card each week and, when it’s time to go grocery shopping, I can use my gift cards. It’s money you’re going to spend anyway, so why not help the Church out at the same time (with the % rebates)?

The orders have become so consistent that there’s nowhere else to go but up and beyond! From June 2005 to today, we’ve earned $8,166.18 for Cedar Park!! So far this year there have been 322 orders, earning us $2,201.15!

We appreciate all of your orders and I look forward to seeing you during coffee time! An order form is attached to the Cedar Parker, and you can leave this at the Church office anytime with your cheque, or at Fellowship Hour after Church.

Let’s all pull together this year to make FundScrip a really major contributor to Cedar Park. Thank you!

Terina McLaren, FundScrip Coordinator