Sawyerville U.C.W

On April 19, the U.C.W. met at the Sawyerville United Church. Perhaps I have mentioned that we are now having our meal around noon (which was just as good as it always is!) with the meeting afterwards. This way, we all get to come and go in daylight.

President, Bonnie Fowler, opened the meeting by asking us to repeat the Purpose.

She also had a little humour from an old Reader’s Digest. “For months I used to go to the same restaurant every Sunday morning and order pancakes for breakfast. Although ‘three large pancakes’ was listed on the menu, I always ordered just two. One day I asked the waitress if it was an inconvenience to them to give me just the two pancakes instead of three. “Oh, no,” she replied, “the cook loves you. Every time you come in, he gets a pancake.”

Theda Lowry read us a little story from a Friendship book. “A man went into church wearing a bowler hat. A man on duty at the door welcomed him, gave him a hymn book, and asked him if he would mind removing his hat. Another man showed him to his seat and said something similar, as did the woman behind him. After the service, the vicar was outside shaking hands with members of the congregation. He shook hands with the man, said how nice it was to see him in church, but it was usual to take off one’s hat. “Oh, I know,” was the reply, “but I’ve been coming here for six months and it’s the first time anyone has spoken to me.”

Devotions were next and it was our Easter month - time to tell the story once more. I read Mathew 21 verses 1-11, for Palm Sunday. We sang Hosanna, Loud Hosanna. Doreen Cairns read a story The Day Philip Joined the Group. Nineyear-old Philip had Down Syndrome and his classmates did not accept him because he was different. One day, not long after Easter, the teacher gave them each an empty plastic egg that pulled apart in the middle. She instructed them to go outside and find something that symbolized new life to put inside the egg. When opened, the other children had filled their eggs with leaves and flowers, but Philip’s egg was empty. He explained “I have new life because the tomb is empty.” That was when Philip became part of the group.

That summer Philip became really ill and died. His classmates and teacher came to his funeral. They went up to the altar and on his casket, they placed an empty egg.

Doreen read a poem and a prayer. We said the Lord’s Prayer.

I continued with the Easter story reading Mark 15: 16-39. We sang, Were You There? then John 20: 1-31. The final hymn was a happy Jesus Christ Is Risen Today, Hallelujah.

The meeting: secretary, Doreen Cairns, read the minutes of the last meeting. They were approved as read. Seven members answered the roll call. Wendy Mackay gave the Treasurer’s report.

Committees:

Stewardship - Rev. Tami Spires reported that we have a new foster child, Syntiche, who lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is a little jar sitting on the organ for anyone to drop some coins in if they want to make a donation to help out. Rev. Tami reminded us that it would be Earth Day soon, April 22.

Cheer- Bonnie Fowler sent out two cards.

Church - Theda Lowry reported that we had Maundy Thursday here, as well as a breakfast after the Sunrise Service at the Eaton Corner lookout. A note here to thank Ian Mcburney for setting up tables and taking them down again whenever we need them.

Christian Education - Rev. Tami said that Sunday School is currently on hiatus.

Cradle Roll - Theda continues to send out birthday cards with balloons.

Regional Council - there is an inperson meeting scheduled for June 3 at Plymouth Trinity in Sherbrooke. For further information, contact Rev. Tami Spires.

There was no new business, but we will be making some donations next month.

Next meeting: May 17.

We closed with the Mispah benediction: May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are absent, one from the other.