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WEST HILL UNITED
August ~ September 2013
the
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WEST HILL UNITED
August ~ September 2013
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WEST HILL UNITED CHURCH
The Salt Shaker is published bimonthly and distributed to
members and friends of the
congregation.
We invite comments about this
issue and other comments about
contents or activities relating to
the church.
CONTENTS
Message From The Board Chair ...................................3
Financial Information ...............................................4
Focused Moment ~ The Colour Purple .........................5
First Nations News ..................................................6
2013 Urban Hero ~ Steve Watson .............................8
Mission & Service ~ Come to the Table .......................9
Kiosk Korner ~ 2014 Calendar Contest .................... 10
Progressive Dinner 2013 ........................................ 12
Holiday Bazaar 2013 ............................................. 15
Next Salt Shaker Deadline ............................. Back Page
EVENTS & SPECIAL DATES
Civic Holiday ~ August 5
International Day of
the World’s Indigenous People ~ August 9
Labour Day ~ September 2
Fall Equinox ~ September 22
Volunteers
Kathleen Blakey
Annemarie Leepel
Editors
Kathleen Blakey
Publisher
(Layout/Design)
Gerald Towgood
Advertising Rep
Laura Bowes
Andrea Rowan
Elaine Sidhu
Proofreaders
West Hill United is located in
the greater Toronto area. For
further information or to contact
anyone listed on these pages,
please contact the church at the
office or through the web site.
Submission Details
Please find the deadline date for
the upcoming issue on the back
page of the Salt Shaker.
The editorial committee reserves
the right to decline or revise any
material submitted for publication.
Material found in the Salt Shaker
may be copied for personal or
group study. Any other
reproduction requires written
permission of the Editors.
c 2013
WEST HILL UNITED
A warm place to find yourself
Minister: Gretta Vosper, BA, MDiv
Vocal Director: Babette Oliveira
Music Director: Scott Kearns, BA, BSW, MDiv, MSW
Manager of Programs & Administration: Kelly Colwell
Receptionist: Teresa Wile
62 Orchard Park Drive, West Hill, ON M1E 3T7
416-282-8566 [email protected]
www.westhill.net
Board Chair ~ Welcome and Thanks
With the summer in full swing, everyone is busy enjoying the sunshine, summer holidays and events. I just want to take a quick
minute to recognize that after a great deal of hard work by the two search committees the congregation commissioned in April, we
now have two new staff on our team at West Hill.
A big West Hill welcome to Teresa Wile who has accepted our new position of receptionist, and Kelly Colwell who has joined us
in the position of Manager of Programs and Administration. I am looking forward to working with these two talented people as we
continue to grow and nurture our West Hill community.
On behalf of the congregation I would like to thank the members of the two search committees, Dana Wilson-Li, John DiPede,
Joanne Worobess, Keith MacInnes, Deb Ellis, John King, Anne Jackson and Gerri Babcock, for all their time and energy in finding
Teresa and Kelly. I also want to thank Ken Ramsey and the other members of the M&P committee for their leadership and time spent
in developing the job descriptions for these two new positions.
It’s great to see the momentum continue to build as we implement the key elements of our WH strategic plan.
Safe travels this summer and may you create many wonderful memories as you share the coming months with family and friends.
Randy Bowes, WHU Board Chair
We are a community of faith committed to love and spiritual growth through
shared ministry, dynamic practices and a diversity of inspiration.
OUR MISSION
Moved by a reverence for life to pursue justice for all,
we inspire one another to seek truth, live fully,
care deeply, and make a difference.
Summary Financial Information
as of June 2013
6 month
Actual
6 month
Budget
6 month
Last Year
Donations
Fundraising (net)
84,109
16,489
72,770
9,100
75,302
10,032
Other income
13,148
13,105
13,655
Total Income
113,746
94,975
98,989
76,446
12,876
7,700
2,270
1,341
2,623
630
400
856
65
77,272
13,283
7,700
2,765
1,465
2,788
890
1,830
925
550
73,880
14,901
8,086
2,399
1,779
2,769
882
503
1,484
886
1,684
500
496
106,891
109,968
108,065
$6,855
-$14,993
-$9,076
-1,220
-1,550
-
-
-
11,164
$5,635
-$16,543
$2,088
Ministry and Personnel
Property
Mortgage
Administration
Communication
Finance
Friendship and Hospitality
Education and Growth
Celebrating
Board and Trustees
Outreach
Total expenses
Operating surplus
Strategic Plan disbursements
Unusual income
Net surplus
Total cash and investments: including all
designated and restricted funds
$75,717
The board continues to closely monitor spending. The unusual income received in 2012 is the partial reimbursement of
staff remuneration during the minister’s medical leave of absence.
Advisory to Readers: I have prepared this statement as Director of Finance. No independent professional accountant has
audited, reviewed, compiled or otherwise verified the accuracy or completeness of this statement.
submitted by Laura Bowes
The Salt Shaker
4
Focused Moment ~ The Colour Purple
It’s not hard to feel small
under the maelstrom of a darkened sky,
its turbulent clouds wrestling with invisible forces,
the shadow of rain grounding the struggle.
It’s not hard to feel small
in the dripping silence of primordial forest,
sounds muffled by the mosses of a hundred, hundred years,
footprints unremembered by the green, resilient folds.
It’s not hard to feel small
in the cleft of an ancient river,
the power of its water
masquerading in the trickle at your feet.
It’s not hard to feel small
amidst the disaster of human history,
bloodied hands shake in rage against our ills
and we cower in our ill-protected fortresses of fear.
It’s not hard to feel small.
Rise up.
Rise up.
Rise up and stand with one another
shoulder to shoulder against the riven sky.
We may have found solace in a shrivelled stature once,
our shoulders shrugging off the blame
as we shirked
the dreadful truth of our enormity.
But we have knit our responsibilities –
one by one –
into this cloak of greatness.
It is an awful garment, sewn with a bitter truth,
but we must don and bear it now.
gretta vosper
The Salt Shaker
5
First Nations Get-together ...
(Ruth returns from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug)
Our June meeting took the form of an invitation to lunch at the Taste of Greek Cuisine Restaurant at
Lawrence and Kingston Road, on Wednesday June 26th. Fourteen members met to welcome Ruth Gill back
from her wonderful adventure, after she spent five days at K I (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug), a fly-in
northern First Nations Reserve. The group enjoyed a leisurely lunch and plied Ruth with questions about her
experiences, which she thoroughly enjoyed and was eager to share with us. If you missed the meeting, you will
have another opportunity to catch up, since Ruth will be writing a full report as well as speaking at church on
July 28th about the trip, which she took in the company of 42 other individuals who accepted the invitation of
the youth of the band to visit their remote northern home. This was a remarkable opportunity to become
acquainted with the people of K I first-hand and experience their land and living conditions as they do. We look
forward to hearing all Ruth has to tell us about her trip.
Art Palmeteer, Judy Palmeteer, Jill Cockwell, Donna Lockhart, June Dickson, Jeanne Hamel, Richard Cammidge,
Elinor Cammidge, Martha Jane Trimble, Velda Jones, Ruth Gill, Dorothy Hirlehey, Nancy Mahoney, Steve Watson.
The Salt Shaker
6
… and Pow Wow !
Following the First Nations lunch get-together, many of the group attended the Southeast Scarborough Pow
Wow, held at Maplewood High School on Galloway Road.
It began with a Sunrise
Ceremony at 6:00 a.m., with the
Grand Entry at 1:00 p.m. and
continued dancing, drumming
and events throughout the warm,
sunny afternoon. Children and
adults of all ages participated and
enjoyed the beautiful costumes
and colourful regalia.
Refreshments were available
and various information and sales
booths did a brisk business. It
was a great opportunity to share
the celebration of Aboriginal
culture in our local community.
submitted by Dorothy Hirlehey
The Salt Shaker
7
2013 Urban Hero Awards
The Etobicoke Guardian, along with sponsorship by Humber College, recently recognised individuals who
are dedicated, inspirational and true community leaders. One of these special people was our very own Steve
Watson.
Here is what they had to say about Steve:
The 2013 URBAN HERO AWARDS
Celebrating the people who make a difference in our communities.
STEVE WATSON
Helping at-risk teens
Steve Watson recruited Pathways to Education’s Regent Park’s program success to Rexdale.
When Horn of Africa Development Association parents shared with Watson their concerns that their
teenage children were not graduating from high school in sufficient numbers, he launched an after-school
program. One year later, he broached discussions with Pathways’ coordinators through his Canadian Auto
Worker’s employer’s Pathways connection to entice them to expand their program next to Rexdale. Watson has
volunteered as an English and French tutor as many as four nights a week to hundreds of Jamestown teenagers.
“These kids are no less bright or motivated than other kids; they just needed more help. Pathways is a really
intensive approach to ensure kids don’t fall between the cracks in high school,” Watson said.
Congratulations Steve.....well done!
To learn more about Pathways to Education visit www.pathwaystoeducation.ca
submitted by John DiPede
The Salt Shaker
8
Mission and Service ~ Come to the Table
Mental illness and homelessness are serious problems that the United Church addresses through Mission
and Service. Here is one example from Manitoba:
Ed had been homeless for about seven years. His life as a husband, father and truck driver fell apart because
of depression, alcohol, childhood trauma, and a marriage breakup.
In the midst of this turmoil, Ed discovered Oak Table Community Ministry in Augustine
United Church, Winnipeg, and started to visit regularly. He became a “street dad” to the kids
who showed up homeless, looking out for them and pointing them toward supports like Oak
Table.
Oak Table referred Ed to a research project focusing on mental health issues and
homelessness. After completing the program, Ed moved into his own furnished
apartment and is looking into becoming an Oak Table volunteer. Ed is absolutely thrilled,
transformed and grateful.
Oak Table serves between 40 and 60 people daily, many of whom are homeless.
Some struggle with mental illness, and some are kids with addictions fleeing abusive or
unhealthy homes. Oak Table offers food, pastoral care, telephone and internet access, and
special activities and events. With a local health unit, the ministry also offers workshops on
nutrition and healthy living.
The need is great. Oak Table is the only community ministry in its part of Winnipeg. Oak Table counts on
Mission and Service to sustain its ministry of hospitality. Your gifts helped Ed regain control of his life, and
your continuing gifts to Mission and Service will help many others.
Submitted by Dorothy Hirlehey
Visit West Hill
On Facebook
The Salt Shaker
9
Kiosk Korner
West Hill Calendar
Last year West Hill United produced an awesome calendar. It truly captured the essence of what our church
is all about. We had some great feedback and sold almost 100 copies. Over this last year we’ve grown and
changed and it’s time again to pull out our cameras and albums. I invite you to submit your photographs by
October 27th.. They don’t have to be of the church, but you need a caption of 10 words or less to tell us how they
relate to West Hill United. Pictures must be 4X6 in landscape format (the higher the resolution the better).
Please limit your submissions to two per person. Beginning October 1st there will be a box in the lobby for dropoff. Be sure to include your name, email and phone number in case we need to reach you. If your picture is
selected we’ll be asking you for a JPG file if possible, so please ensure your camera is set to the finest quality
for picture-taking. Voting by the congregation will take place November 3rd and 10th, so start snapping and
gathering your photographs now. I hope people will be inspired by what they saw last year. October will be here
before you know it. Good luck to everyone!
Make your photo submissions for 2014 by the end of October
Submitted by Margaret MacNeill
The Salt Shaker
10
Join us
for the
Visitors
and Travellers
Lunch
First Sunday
of Every
Month!
The Salt Shaker
11
Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Annual Progressive Dinner
5:45 – 6:45
6:45 – 7:00
7:00 – 8:45
9:00
Appetizers and fruit punch at the church
Travel to host home for main course
Dine at host home
Dessert at the church
Cost: $15.00 per person
(to be collected at church before appetizer course)
Please bring a contribution to the Red Food Basket
Details:
♦
4 – 6 guests will enjoy the main course at a host home .
♦
The hosts will phone their guests prior to the evening to
personally invite them for dinner.
♦
Guests will contribute their choice of appetizers, vegetables,
salads or desserts.
For further information, please contact the church office.
We hope you can join us!
The Salt Shaker
12
Money Talks
There was this $50 dollar bill and a $5 dollar bill on the conveyor belt at the downtown Bank of
Canada building.
As they were lying there side by side the $5 dollar bill said to the $50 dollar bill, "Hey man,
where have you been? I haven't seen you in a long time."
The $50 dollar bill replied, “I have been having a ball! I’ve been traveling to distant countries,
going to the finest restaurants, to the biggest and best casinos, numerous
boutiques, the mall uptown, the mall downtown, the mall across town and even a
mall that I just newly built.
"In fact, just this week I've been to Europe, a professional NBA game, Rodeo Drive, the all-day retreat spa, the
top-notch hair salon and the new casino! I have done it all!" After describing his great travels, the $50 dollar
bill asked the $5 dollar bill,
"What about you? Where have you been?"
The $5 dollar bill replied, "Well, I've been to the Baptist church, the Methodist church, the
Presbyterian church, the Episcopalian church, the Anglican church, the Catholic church, the Mormon
church, the church of the Latter Day Saints, the United Church, the..."
"Wait a minute! Wait a minute!!" shouted the $50 dollar bill to the $5 dollar bill.
"What's a church?"
FundScrip ~ Raising Money For WHU!
Purchase GIFT CARDS through West Hill
United for your everyday purchases, your
business needs, or to give as gifts to your
friends and family.
The FundScrip program allows us to turn
our everyday spending into extraordinary
results! From 1% to 10% of your everyday
purchases get automatically donated to
West Hill United!
See more retailers at www.fundscrip.com
The Salt Shaker
13
WHU Crafters’ Group
If you enjoy crafting, please join us in the WHU lounge
on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m.
Have fun with us as we create crafts for sale at the Holiday Bazaar!
All skill levels are welcome.
Friendly, helpful instruction is available.
This is a fun social outing for a great cause!
The Salt Shaker
14
5th Annual Holiday Bazaar
Saturday November 16, 2013
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Featuring ...
lunch room and coffee house
baked goods, ready-to-make goodies,
frozen soups and entrees
attic treasures and books
WHU Signature specialties (gingerbread,
shortbread, jams, antipasto, brownies)
gift baskets - large and small
crafts of all kinds and craft supplies
Christmas corner
nearly new fashion boutique
raffle prizes
Looks pretty exciting! Lots planned and lots to do...we could use your help!
when house cleaning - save those "white elephant items" and clean, nearly
new fashions only
when dusting off your book shelves - save those books that need a new home
when tidying the sewing room or knitting nook - save the fabric and the wool
consider making a gift basket, perhaps with a friend. Look for bargains but
no dollar store items. Include a list of contents and approximate value.
donate to our raffle prizes
join the Crafty Ladies who meet at 1 pm Tuesdays (starting Sept. 3)
Items for the bazaar may come to the church for storage.
Please make arrangements with Teresa in the office.
Your Holiday Bazaar Committee
The Salt Shaker
15
Next Deadline
for the Salt Shaker
Tuesday, August 27th
Please send your contributions to the editors at
[email protected]