Hi Friends, I was thinking…

If you are in your adult years, you probably have faced endings, disappointments or roadblocks as you set out to do something that you felt was good, possibly aligned with God’s plan for your life, and all of a sudden you faced an impasse.  I find that in the moment, sometimes, I perceive things to be spiraling out of control. What if it is all in my mind? I find that if I intentionally interrupt the temptation to despair, with some faithful rumbling or interrogation, learn what I need from the disappointment, ground myself in God’s love, and cease the opportunity to rise again through faith, I land in a more positive space. It’s a faith discipline and I work at it. 

For example, I was struggling this week to find pastoral care relief during my summer vacation.  I reached out to a few ministers and no one was available. I was tempted to despair that the options were very limited. I was beginning to feel discouraged.  I then reached out to three more and I found not one but three persons. Three said ‘yes’ with Rev. Gayle MacDonald of Carlisle/Kilbride Pastoral Charge being the first to agree. I re-framed my mindset ‘that no one was available’ to ‘I need a vacation and God has provided relief.’

I can think of many scenarios in life, when we are called to work through a life-challenge by shifting our mindset. Faith in the risen Christ, who has overcome the troubles of this world makes the shift possible. 

A fresh mindset can re-frame a limiting belief into an opportunity for a new beginning. Jesus promised that as we continue to persevere through the inevitable hard  things, with him, we will find new life. Jesus promises us that we will discover the true meaning of life. Christ’s love helps us to re-frame the hard things and transforms them into glorious fresh starts. My dad leaves that legacy of faith with me, as he lives the final chapters of his life.

Join us for worship on Sunday June 21st, as we reflect on Jesus’s mentorship through inevitable hardships, how Jesus becomes our bridge over troubled water, and the legacies of our dads! Experience how both these themes come together on Sunday June 21st, 10:00am at Lowville United Church. The service will include some timeless traditional hymns and other music that celebrate the legacies of fatherhood.

You're invited to worship in the Zimmerman Room and our picnic on Sunday June 28th. Please RSVP with Karen McLean at [email protected], on or before June 25th 2026.  This week the congregation will have an opportunity to overcome the limiting belief that we’re not sure how to invite someone to the church picnic. You can personalize the invitation you received with the eblurb,  and invite a family member or a friend. Statistically three out of five people respond positively to a warm invitation.  The worship theme for June 28th is “ Called to Be Friends” with communion and a picnic. (See invite attachment below)

Rev. Gayle MacDonald , minister of Carlisle/Kilbride United Church will be providing emergency pastoral care supply during my July vacation days July 1st-11th.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grand-dads and mentor-dads!

Blessings, Rev.Roni

NOTES:

SERVICE TIME CHANGE please note starting Sun June 28th services will begin at 10:30am

BECOME A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY Wed June 24th (7pm) Carlisle United Church. Support your congregation or community by creating a space where people with dementia feel welcomed, included and understood. Guest speaker Andy Gibb, Alzheimer Society. 

STRAWBERRY SALE  Sat June 27th (9:30am to 1pm)  Or until sold out at Kilbride Church.  Fresh, local strawberries.  Boxes and flats.  Market pricing will be available next week.  Outdoor sale at the church.  If you want to reserve a flat, please email [email protected] or call Helen at 905-659-1947. 

REV RONI VACATION July 1st - 11th & Aug 16th - 18th.  Rev. Gayle MacDonald, minister of Carlisle -Kilbride United Church will be providing emergency pastoral care supply.

HISTORY OF LOWVILLE For the City of Burlington’s Heritage Week, join us at Lowville United Church on Sat Aug 8th (10am) for a presentation on the history of the village of Lowville.  There will be some terrific pictures and stories from days gone by! Registration is required at [email protected] or call Helen at 905-659-1947. 

SUPPLY MINISTER Mary Parsons will be supplying Sun Aug 16th while Rev Roni is away.

WELCOME BACK "SUNDAE" Sun Sept 13th.  More information closer to the date.

FACEBOOK Are you on Facebook? Please add Lowville United Church’s Facebook Page and “like” the page.  Liking content, provokes interest when newcomers visit the page. It is a simple thing we can all do to promote LUC’s visibility!

REV RONI`S OFFICE HOURS at our Church are Mon, Tues & Wed (10am - 3pm) Contact Info: [email protected] or Cell (416) 271- 531 (text, email or phone for appointment).

REFRESHMENTS Choose a Sunday to bring “after Worship” refreshments. Sign-up Sheet is on the Zimmerman Rm Bulletin Board (south/east wall).

LOWVILLE CARES  Place your Local Food Bank Donations in Zimmerman Room Baskets located under the Guelph Line window near the Sanctuary door.

ONLINE CALENDAR did you know that Lowville has an online calendar??? Go check it out at www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca/calendar. It’s updated with all the happenings.

DONATIONS to Lowville United Church can now be made online by scanning the following QR code with your phone or by clicking the Donation link at www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca