Sunday November 29 begins the new Christian year, which always starts with the Season of

Advent—the days of preparation for Christmas.

Please remember to register each week by calling the church office at 705.734.0760 or via email (office@graceucc.ca) before 10:30 am on Friday.

Livestream

Join us by Livestream on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am by clicking on the link in the right side bar. If you miss the Livestream, you can always see the taped version posted to the church website and YouTube later in the day.

Whether you join us in the sanctuary or online, we are delighted to welcome you to worship with us each Sunday morning alongside the Grace family.

Our Grace Building at Christmas

Although our building remains closed, that should not stop us from celebrating Christmas and offering a message of hope and joy to the community around us. So…what we are wondering is whether there are volunteers who could help in the following ways:

• Donating some used white or coloured outdoor lights to Grace.
• Helping to get them up around the outside of the building and the parking lot.

  (When we know who you are, we will pick a decorating day—with an eye on the weather as well.) It will be a properly socially distanced outdoor decorating party!

  Other Happenings for the Coming Weeks

  Food Fair

  Please don’t forget that for the Food Fair on Saturday, December 12, from 1 pm – 4 pm, we need to know ahead of time what donations we will receive so that they can be listed for prospective buyers.

  If you can donate baked goods, preserves, etc., please let Edith Elliot (705.792.2343) know by Monday, November 23, so your items get on the list.

A purchase list will be compiled and advertised so that orders can be processed for the pickup date of December 12.

Please see the attached flyer for more information about how you can contribute items and/or purchase them as we try this new version of a creative Food Fair. With thanks to all who are organizing and supporting this initiative.

Purdys Chocolate Fundraiser

Grace United Church is fundraising with Purdys Chocolatier, just in time for Christmas! Not only do you get delicious chocolate treats, Grace gets 25% of overall sales.

If you’d like to support us through purchasing some very sweet Christmas gifts for friends, family and yourself, please contact Barb Moore at barbaramoore2015@gmail.com or call 705.321.5012. The deadline to order is November 23, 2020.

Mitten Tree

The Mitten Tree is up in the foyer for donations on Sunday morning for those who attend worship. There is also a bin available just outside the north (canopy) doors during the week.
If you have new mitts, gloves, scarves, hats, socks, underwear, baby clothes, and warm winter clothing—to be distributed to charities throughout the city for people in need—please call the office to check for a good time to drop off your items.

Arrangements can also be made to pick up donations at your home. Want to make your donation? Need wool? Questions? Email judi.shields@rogers.com.

New Youth and Children’s Ministry Coordinator

Grace is happy to welcome Rob Murdock in his role as youth coordinator at Grace. This is his first eight-month field placement as part of the requirements through the Centre for Christian Studies in Winnipeg. He is combining his learning at Grace for youth/young families with Collier Street United in terms of Seniors/Adults. These are exciting opportunities for Rob and we support his educational goals. Welcome, Rob!

Livestream Memorial Service for Joyce Eagle

On Thursday, November 26, at 1:00 pm, the family of Joyce Eagle will hold a Memorial Service for Joyce, which will be live-streamed from the Grace sanctuary. If you would like to attend the virtual service, please click on the link in the right side bar Thursday at 1:00 pm.

Grace Matters Newsletter

A Message from the Editing Team

We are hoping to publish another edition of Grace Matters by mid-December and invite you to submit contributions. What have you been up to during these last few months to cope with the pandemic? Have there been any special family events such as milestone birthdays, graduations, promotions, anniversaries, etc., that you would like to share with your church family? Do you have a favorite Christmas story or poem that might be appreciated by others? Any questions, please contact Barb Mercer at 705.728.6734 or J.T. McVeigh (editor) at 705.716.4506, and send submissions to the Grace office at office@graceucc.ca. Team leaders and event organizers, please submit any reports from summer or fall events, updates or promotions that you would like to have included.

WEEKLY PROGRAMS

Functional Fitness Fanatics Class – Mondays & Thursdays, 9:30–10:15 am

As a result of COVID-19, we will continue with Zoom Fitness Classes, which can be done right in your own home. All you need is a computer and the Internet. This class is great for anyone who would like to increase their quality of life through functional strength, cardio, flexibility and balance. Please contact Doreen at 705.728.5815 or dtef1@yahoo.com.

Progressive Theology Study Group – Tuesdays, 7:15 pm

Plans are all set for our series on the Seven Grandfather teachings (via Zoom). For more info, please contact Bette McCracken at 705.721.5156 or Dave Collacutt at 705.436.1093.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study at 9:30 am

This group has resumed (via Zoom)! This is an old tradition, originating in the local rural communities from whom we’ve received so many members over the years. It’s a lectio divina structured meeting, coordinated by one of our wonderful wealth of Ministers/Emeritus/VAMs. We generally follow the lectionary, so it’s a great “heads up” for Sunday’s sermon— sometimes! We’d love you to join us. Email the Grace Office to be added to the Zoom list.

PRAYER LIST

For updates or additions, email the Grace Office or call Barb Mercer at 705.728.6734. For more information about meetings and activities, or sharing news,

email the Grace Office or call 705.734.0760.