Watch this week’s service on YouTube by clicking:
Sunday morning worship at CUC is at 10:00 AM and stay for the He/SheBrews Café following in the Van Roon Community Hall
- A Place At The Table – The 2026 Stewardship Campaign – Pledges are due this Sunday. For information on this year’s campaign please visit: 2026 Stewardship Campaign and Pledge Drive
Dates to Keep in Mind in the Next Month
- Sunday, November 16
- Stewardship Sunday. Pledge forms to be returned
- Saturday, November 22
- Christmas Craft Sale and luncheon (this week)
- Wednesday, November 26
- Senior’s Fellowship Christmas Lunch
- Saturday, November 29
- Super Saturday Sundae – Children’s craft making event
- Monday, December 1
- Women’s Advent Service 7:00 PM with reception to follow
- Sunday, December 7
- White Gift Sunday, kick-off to hamper week with many volunteer opportunities
Dear Friends
Welcome to worship for Sunday, November 16, 2025.
I am so mad at my next door neighbour!!
I parked in front of the house one afternoon last week and my neighbour was perched on a ladder on his front steps. He was putting up his icicle lights on the small eave that sits above his front door. I greeted him and said something about inspiring me to do something while the weather was so accommodating. So after putting a few groceries away I thought that there was no time like the present. Out I went to the garage and got the Christmas lights for my house. I brought the ladder out front and began the annual ritual of seeing what lights need to be replaced because I didn’t do anything about it last year.
My neighbour was still outside and we chatted as we went about our respective tasks. One is even a cooperative venture. There is a row of bushes between our two yards which he likes to decorate with strings of red lights. He calls it ‘the burning bush’. I caught the lights as he tossed them over and later plugged them into my socket because that is the easiest for us both.
The ‘conflict’ arose because I thought we had reached a consensus that while taking advantage of the nice weather was clever, it was far too early to be lighting up the house in anticipation of Christmas. I know we talked about waiting for December 1 and for sure we agreed that after the Grey Cup was a good idea. But guess whose porch icicles are shining outside my window? That’s right, my good-for-nothing, electricity-borrowing, Christmas-pushing neighbour!!
Advent and Christmas are busy seasons at the church but now is the time when we are working the hardest, trying to put all of our plans together. On the calendar above is a list of events in the next month. I thought it may be helpful to expand on what they mean if you are unfamiliar with some of the terms we use. Think of it as a bit of an annotated bibliography that is not at all generated by AI.
Christmas Craft Sale and Luncheon is a new event on the calendar. Planned as a fundraiser for the new boiler, it is a market style where the local craft vendors have purchased a table and will have good on offer. Our Care and Community will be selling lunch at one end of the Van Roon Hall for those who bring an appetite. There is no cost to come and browse.
Seniors Fellowship Christmas Lunch is admittedly a little early but is a great kick-off for anyone who has, or has not, been part of this program now in its second year. Following a hot lunch (free offering) we will have a program by Rabbi Matthew Leibl on the “Jewish Contributions to Christmas” which focuses on the holiday classics from Jewish writers and composers. Lots of fun and very interesting. Please register so we have a sense of numbers.
Super Saturday Sundae is a program that has run here for many years. It is intended as a craft-making day for kids. Children can move around the Van Roon Hall to the various tables where a volunteer will provide directions on making a craft to take home. The afternoon ends with snacks (including ice cream hence sundae on a Saturday) and some music and story. Tickets are available on Sundays or from the church office.
The Women’s Advent Service also has a long history. Organized and planned by women of the congregation, it is an opportunity to gather for a quiet, meditative evening worship service at the beginning of a busy season. Refreshments afterwards provides the fellowship and friendship that makes any season pass more easily.
The Christmas Hamper Program is already underway with a dedicated team preparing to help us prepare, pack, and deliver somewhere between 55 and 60 hampers complete with toys for children, to families whose names are provided by the Christmas Cheer Board. Beginning December 7 there will be a week of volunteer activities which you can take part in. Please look to the Hamper handout in the bulletin or visit our website (Christmas Hamper Information)
I’m not really angry at my neighbour. He is actually very friendly and jovial and we even shared a wee dram on the front lawn after the work was done. And furthermore, the season begins whenever you want it to. Whatever brings joy and hope into the early days of winter must be a blessing to us. I hope you will look to all that is offered at Charleswood United Church to bring light into the season of lengthening darkness.
So far I have resisted the temptation to flip the switch but I am weakening with each passing day. One day soon, let there be (coloured) light!
Grace and peace,
Michael
- For news and events, please have a look at Life & Work on our website: Life and Work
- Share the service with friends by forwarding this email or using this link: https://youtu.be/KCEBoujZCR4
- Read this week’s scripture lesson here: Luke 19:1-10
- Did you know you can support this ministry by e-transfer, automatic withdrawal (PAR), and gifted securities, in addition to weekly or monthly cheques? For Offering Information please visit: https://charleswoodunited.org/support/ Thank you for your generous support.
