Hi Friends,

When I call you friends, I am extending Christ’s love and welcome to all who receive this email. It’s a bit weird, because I haven’t yet met some of you! I wanted to float a life-situation by you. 

Hey, maybe like me, you have had a mentor, teacher or a senior colleague, pour love and support selflessly into your life, and years later call you friend. It’s quite the honour, a bit overwhelming. Maybe it still makes you feel a bit uneasy. Jesus does exactly this on the night before he was betrayed, denied and abandoned by his apprentices, he calls them friends. Jesus because has made himself completely known to them, he has poured his love into them and in the moment being called his friends, they likely felt a bit uneasy.  By extension, Jesus calls all of his disciples (including us) his friends. While we can be fickle in our love toward Jesus, his love for us is unwavering.

By extension, Jesus desires to create a community of love, and equips us to befriend others, not just people who are just like us. He calls us to love the ones that are different from us. He says it is way too easy to love people who are just like you. Jesus loves ‘Old Lowville’ and ‘New Lowville’. Jesus wants to pour his love into each person’s heart, through you and me. This church was established in order to pour the love of Jesus into all hearts for all time.

Our picnic on Sunday June 28th, is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and cement that friendship that Jesus establishes among us. We will have great food, great fun and one more surprise.  In partnership with the Lowville Festival, we will be screening a short film “Lowville is Love Will“. The film features content from interviews with residents of Lowville, recent Major 7th Band concerts and interviews from members of Lowville United Church.  Members of our church and attendees at the picnic will have an opportunity to offer feedback to Debra Pickfield who is leading this project.

Remember worship begins at 10:30 am, starting this Sunday. We will be singing some joyful music and engaging the theme “Jesus Calls Us Friends."  We will also be having Communion.  It is not too late to decide to come to the picnic, the RSVPS were to help us estimate the amount of food we needed to purchase. You will be warmly welcomed!

Please note I will be on holidays, July 1st to 11th and August 16th to 18th. Rev. Gayle MacDonald, Carlisle-Kilbride Pastoral Charge will be providing emergency pastoral care, she can be reached at 289-442-8420.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

Blessings, Rev. Roni

NOTES:

STRAWBERRY SALE  Kilbride United Church Sat June 27th (9:30 am to 1 pm)  Or until sold out. 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. 

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

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. She can be reached at 289-442-8420.

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. 

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