Fanfare
 

January 2012

A Message From
Rev. Sheila Macgregor

Sheila

Dear Friends,

            I hope you share my excitement about the many worthwhile ministries taking place at Siloam as we move into our 155th year of worship and witness. At our New Members Sunday last month we welcomed several new friends into our church family. Marilyn Flanigan, our interim Children’s Coordinator, continues to do a fabulous job with the Sunday School, Youth Groups, Vacation Bible School and P.A. Days. Rev. Catherine Moore lovingly ministers to us with her caring pastoral visits and Dr. Todd Wieczorek, Helen Bruzas, David Parisi and the Choir provide us with beautiful music every Sunday and a wonderful cantata every December. This past Fall David Parisi took on the leadership of the Bell Choir, whose lovely music we enjoyed at our Christmas Eve Family service. As well, the Praise Band welcomed our new and gifted percussionist, David Robilliard. With the installation of wheelchair accessible doors last spring, we have also been able to welcome an even greater number of people to our church. Extensive new programming for families and adults has been introduced at Siloam in the last year too, making Siloam an even more inviting place for those seeking personal and family support, as well as spiritual nurture and renewal.

            In addition, our Outreach ministry has been invigorated by the strategic planning process led by Karen Taff, a member of our original Siloam Strategic Planning Team. The Outreach committee and its helpers continue to bless our community through their Welcome Wednesday and Hospitality meals, the Eluco Food Cupboard, support for children at Camp Kee Mo Kee, and their assistance to our refugee families. At the request of the congregation, your will recall that in 2011we increased our giving to the Mission and Service Fund, which enables us to help people in Canada and throughout the world, as well as right here in London. We have helped to provide for the building of a new daycare centre in South Africa, through our donations to Care for Kids. Plus several Siloam young people and members were generously supported in their mission projects to Peru, El Salvador and Africa. We are so proud of them and excited to see the mission of Jesus Christ take fruit in their lives, as they seek to be “Christ to each other and God’s world”.

            In this regard, I am concerned about a trend in giving that has been identified by our Congregational Resources Committee, the group of dedicated men and women that looks after the financial concerns of Siloam. We have generously supported the special projects and increased our commitment to the Mission and Service Fund, as requested at our Annual Meeting in February of last year; but we have not kept up the support of the regular operating budget of the church.

            Let’s be absolutely clear about this. There is NO suggestion that we stop supporting the Mission and Service Fund or the various outreach  projects engaged in by our members. This is a central part of our Christian calling and our service to Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear that we are called to love what God loves, which means that we must love the world that “God so loves” (John 3:16). The ministry of justice and compassion to those in need has been of paramount importance since Siloam was founded by members of the Tolpuddle Martyrs 155 years ago. But if we want to continue to support and even exceed our mission to others, we must first meet our budget expenses and reach out to the world in and around Siloam. As noted above, important ministries happen all the time here at Siloam. Catherine and I are constantly responding to calls from hurting people right within our church family. Our programming seeks to respond to the quest for new growth and spiritual nourishment so badly needed by our own people and the local community. It is our plan this spring, as approved by the congregation in 2011, to hire a full-time Minister of Children, Youth, Young Adults and Families, so that we can reach out and respond to the needs of this important but increasingly disaffected demographic.

            Apart from adding a new minister, we continue to face ongoing cost increases for maintenance, energy, presbytery and other expenses. Plus the Property Committee would like to build a much needed storage facility that could be used to help increase the success of our major fund-raising events, like the wonderful Yard Sales and superb Chicken BBQ and other suppers. We also expect to press into new areas, like reaching our community via the internet and other social media. In all we anticipate a need for givings to grow about 11%  this year. I know that this is a tall order. This is why our Church Council is now asking for your prayerful commitment.

            It is for this reason that our Church Council has designated Sunday, March 4th as a special Service of Commitment, called “One Great Hour of Sharing”. Because you have been so generous in the past, we know that you will want to be part of it. And so it is our prayer that you will consider placing an extra gift, as you are able, in the enclosed envelope and include it with your regular offering on March 4th. If you are receiving this letter by e-mail, please feel free to pick up an envelope from the church office. If you are not able to be present on Sunday, March 4th please feel free to drop your gift off to the Church office or mail to Siloam United Church, 1240 Fanshawe Park Road East, London, ON N5X 3Z8.

            This year Siloam celebrates 155 years of vital witness to North London and the surrounding community. Let’s make it our best year yet! With your help, we can meet – and exceed – our budget goal! More importantly, your generous response, coupled with that of others, will enable us to fund a strong ministry and mission.

         Thank you in advance for whatever you can do.

Faithfully yours,

Rev. Sheila Macgregor,
Lead Minister and Minister of Worship & Pastoral Care

YouthAtSioam

Sunday School Shout Out

Hello Everyone! 

Youth Groups are underway, but we always welcome more to join us!  January 25th will be for the Junior Youth Group (JK - grade 3), from 6pm to 7:30pm.  We provide supper.  We are currently doing a series on "Big Dummies of the Bible".  Our first Big Dummy was Eve and her choice to eat the apple.  We discussed what her actions mean for us in 2012. 

Youth Group will meet next on February 1st, from 6pm to 8pm.  We are currently working on a project for the members of our congregation in Nursing and Retirement Homes who are unable to come to church regularly.  We want these people to know that we are thinking of them.

Regarding Sunday School, we have had wonderful attendance from our families, and I want to say THANK YOU for your efforts of making church a priority in your child's life.  I understand all to well how difficult it can be to get everyone fed, dressed and out the door on Sunday mornings.  At this time, I want to also say thanks to the teachers who have already signed up for dates for this first quarter.  There are still a few teaching holes and if you have ever considered teaching, or are curious about it at all, please let me know. I'd be happy to run a class with you and to walk you through the online curriculum.

You may already know that Sunday, March 4th will be the "Great Hour of Sharing" after worship.  I encourage you to stick around after the luncheon for our "Family Fun Carnival"!  If you have a high school student looking for volunteer hours, I have a few games that I need help running.  You can call me at (519) 461-1539 or drop me an email at youth@siloamunitedchurch.org.

Thanks and Peace to You All,

Marilyn Flanigan
Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator
youth@siloamunitedchurch.org
(519) 461-1539

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Coming Events and activities

Annual Congregational Meeting

Sunday, February 5, 2012 starting at 11:45 am

Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Supper

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

 

Living and Learning
and
Healing, Wellness & Spirituality at Siloam
2011 – 2012

FALL 2011

TUESDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP:

THE ME I WANT TO BE: BECOMING GOD’S BEST VERSION OF YOU

Course Synopsis: Join us for this video based bible study by best-selling author and pastor John Ortberg, as together we travel the sometimes hard but ultimately fulfilling journey towards a uniquely created spirituality – one designed just for you. Spiritual growth can often seem difficult or even intimidating, but in this study with Ortberg we learn to “live in the flow of the spirit.” Ortberg first helps us to gauge our spiritual health and measure the gap between where we are now and where God intends us to be. Then he provides detailed tasks and exercises to help us live in the flow of the Spirit, circumventing real‑world barriers—pain and sorrow, temptations, self‑doubt, to flourish even in a dark and broken world. As we start living in the flow, we will feel: — a deeper connection with God — a growing sense of joy — an honest recognition of our brokenness — less fear, more trust — a growing sense of being “rooted in love” — a deeper sense of purpose. Course begins 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 13th in the Library-Chapel. All welcome. Please let the office know at least three weeks in advance if you would like to order the book that goes with this study.
(Other topics to follow in the Winter and Spring of 2011. TBA.) Course Leader: Sheila Macgregor.

THE OLD TESTAMENT:

This course continues the study that we began last winter, picking up with the story of the Exodus. A video study based on the lectures of renowned biblical scholar, Amy-Jill Levine, it provides a detailed investigation of the Old Testament, the scriptures that emerged from the Hebrew people, which still form the foundation of the Jewish faith today, as well as the Christian and Islamic traditions. Following a half hour lecture by Professor Levine, group questions, discussion, and sometimes humourous dramas around a particular bible story follow. Although this study began last winter, new members are most welcome! Friday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Library-Chapel, starting Friday, October 14th in the Library-Chapel. Course Leader: Sheila Macgregor

ONTARIO EARLY YEARS PROGRAMS:

   Community Playgroup:

This weekly Monday morning program offers Learning Activities for parents/caregivers with children from birth to 6 years of age.  The group runs from 9:30am to 11:30am. Drop-in or for more information call OEYC London Fanshawe at 519-455-2791.

WINTER – SPRING 2012

LENTEN STUDY:

BELONGINGS: AN INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN FAITH
Course Description:

Beginnings: Longing to Belong is a ten‑week study that explores the importance of community in the Christian faith, using fire as its central metaphor.
  
Session themes:
     Longing to Belong? 
     Introduction
     How Do We Find Our Place? 
     Baptism
     What Are We Hungry For? 
     Holy Communion
     What Happens When We Pray Together? 
     Prayer
     What’s the Deal With Miracles? 
     Signs and Wonders
     What Do We Have in Common? 
     Stewardship
     How Can We Remember Who We Are? 
     Worship
     How Can We Open Our Lives to Each Other? 
     Hospitality
     How Can We Get Along When We Are So Different?     
     Conflict Resolution
     How Do We Share What We Have Discovered?             
     Witness

Each session begins with a 20‑minute video presentation on DVD, in which Rob Weber explores the week’s topic through story and Scripture. After the video, participants discuss and share, study Scripture, and grow in depth of experience through the small group. All Welcome! Dates to be announced. Leader: Sheila Macgregor.

 
Siloam United Church - Copyright 2012