SPRING ISSUE - MARCH 2008


Victoria Square United Church
107250 Woodbine Avenue
Markham, Ontario L6C 1H9
(905) 887-5066

Worship Times: Sunday Morning 10:30 a.m.

Children are welcome;
Sunday school for all ages is available

Minister
Rev. Molly Thomson		 Minister Emeritus
Rev. Iraj Amini		 Editor
Carolyn Mortson
(905) 836-6623
murr-mortson@sympatico.ca



Note from the desk of the Editor:

Floral shops are now brimming with fragrant colourful spring flowers; sunshine is starting to peak through the blinds earlier in the morning. I believe these are signals telling us it's time to open our doors and windows and embrace spring. It's finally time to send winter packing.

I hope this newsletter finds each of you hail and hearty and ready to welcome the time change this weekend? Imagine our clocks change by an hour it's to spring ahead already!

Winter's icy grip of doom and gloom will soon be behind us, we will have longer days filled with sunshine, warmth and the newness of spring's rebirth of life to embrace.

Thanks to all of you for your stories, articles and clippings they're awesome. I've now created a file to keep these pieces tucked away. I'll draw upon them when writing future Revelation Newsletters. Note I say I have started the file, so please keep your news and events coming.

I encourage everyone who is able, to check out the website www.vsuc.com Please take a good look and if you think of anything could be included, please either drop a note in the newsletter box or send an email to murr-mortson@sympatico.ca. This is one of the best formats to promote the Church and the community of VSUC. Please don't be shy, if you don't ask, then we can't check out the feasibility of your idea.


Minister's Message:

We are now well into the season of Lent. It's a time to "spiritually journey with Christ towards the cross and then into the new life "Easter" brings to each of us.

It's a time for inner reflection, worship and prayer. It's also a time to face the things, which have a way of burdening us.

As we move towards "Easter" we are given hope for Christ is with us in a truly profound way.. for his resurrection and the "new life" this brings to us is truly a gift to each of us!

It is with sadness that I announce the passing of Jean Marie Amini whose funeral was held Monday February 11th. She was a treasured person in this congregation and our thoughts and prayers are with her husband, Reverend Iraj Amini.

As we continue in the Lenten Season and approach Easter there are special worship services taking place. On Sunday March 16th at 10:30 a.m. we will observe Palm Sunday. On Friday March 21st at 10:00 a.m. we will enter into the Passion of our Lord with a Good Friday Service. On March 23rd "Easter Sunday" we will then celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord.

On this day we will also celebrate the "Confirmation of some of the youth from our Church, and The Sacrament of Holy Communion will also take place. I hope that you will be able to attend these special services of worship.

- Rev Molly

A Meditation for Good Friday:



For our Sins and shortcomings
He gave the Father his pain.
For our pride
He gave the Father his humility.
For our anger, violence and rebellion,
He gave the Father his gentleness
For our wrongs
He was wronged
And yet he loved us
And yet he forgave us.


Prayers and Remembrance:

We were shocked and saddened by the untimely passing of our Brother-In-Law Gary Kelly November 29th, 2007. Gary in his 67th year was a fabulous Father, Papa, Uncle, Brother, Brother-In-Law and very devoted Husband to our Sister Carol. Married here at VSUC over forty years ago. Gary loved life and nothing gave him greater pleasure than spending time with Carol and their children: Denise & Steve and their Children Russell, Rebecca and Gary, Cindy & George and their Children Tyler and Kyle, Son Michael and Karen and their children Kaylin, Benjamin and Elizabeth and Daughter Jennifer & Brad. Gary had a real flare for woodworking. Every piece was unique and reflected his pride and workmanship. Each of us will keep our treasured wooden gifts knowing the toil, sweat, and skill needed to complete each piece. Our thoughts and prayers continue for Carol and the family.

Sunday April 27th, at 1:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Church to celebrate Gary's life. Light refreshments will follow immediately after the service.


We were sad to learn of the passing of one our Members Bain Arnold. Bain grew up in our Church family, attending Sunday school & Church and joining the Youth group in his teen years. At that time we formed a Youth Band a wonderful addition to our musical program. Being a very faithful group they played approximately once a month and Bain played the Drums. A natural he also ventured with other groups. Bain was a very quiet, polite young man loved by all. We were blessed at our Church to have Bain and his family always present and participating in our Church Dinners, BBQ's, & whatever else was happening & especially his love of music. Our prayers continue for Bain's wife Margo and Son Wilkin Charles, Bain's brother Paul and his Parents George and Marion Arnold.


In remembering the late Jean Marie Amini, (Nee Latta) Who passed on to life with Jesus the Lord, her eternal home on February 5, 2008. Jean Marie leaves her best friend and husband Rev. Iraj Amini, his 5 children, her son James Bottomley (Deb) Alberta, brother John Hammond (Shirley) and Nephew John Jr. (Alberta). We learned that Jean Marie was more than a career-cover girl in Canada and U.S.A, modeled for Heinz foods, cover of 1942 Simpson's catalogue, bill board ads, war ads, magazines, also Miss Canada War Bond pin-up for Chorley Park Military Hospital and sang.

A very active and spirited Jean Marie, always a vibrant part of all church functions, leaves many friends behind.

Jean Marie reminds me of Bette Middler's Song " Wind Beneath My Wings". Through all the photos she's taken, all of church events she captured, the memories, and stories one can share. It's thanks to her they'll last forever; they will remain the spirit beneath our wings. Thank you Jean Marie for capturing that spirit and keeping all of those memories alive.



Early Easter:

Easter is early this year. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.

Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier (March 22) that is rare.

Here's the interesting information. This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here's the facts:
  1. The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now).
  2. The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).
  3. The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now).
  4. The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.

    So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year!


Upcoming Events:

Palm Sunday:
- On the Sunday before Easter, we celebrate Jesus' ride into Jerusalem with palm fronds.

Good Friday:
- Our service begins a little earlier than usual at 10:00 instead of 10:30 am and is a reflective time as we hear the story of the crucifixion.

Easter Sunday:
- This celebration usually starts with a hearty breakfast served immediately before worship service. The menu varies, but it's always homemade and delicious! Upon entering the sanctuary for worship, you'll notice the fragrance of dozens of white lilies, purchased in memory of friends and family, permeating the air!

Celebration of Confirmation:
- Sunday March 23rd, we will celebrate the "Confirmation of Bronson Peters, Alex Thomson and Ian Thomson and a sacrament of Holy Communion will also take place.

Celebration of Holy Baptism:
- Sunday April 13th, 10:30 a.m. The congregation will be joining in the celebration of Holy Baptism for Antwon Jeremiah Charles Leadbetter Son of Mark and Roseanne Leadbetter. Please join us for the celebration of new life for Antwon and his parents.

Celebration of Life:
- Sunday April 27th, we will celebrate the life of John Gary Kelly with a memorial service at 1:00 p.m. light refreshments will follow upon completion of the service.

Sunday School BBQ:
- On a Sunday in late May, we celebrate the graduation of our Sunday School classes by holding a BBQ in the Church yard immediately following worship service.

Memorial Sunday:
- Also called Cemetery Sunday, on the first Sunday in June we remember our friends and family no longer with us and celebrate the fellowship we have today. The service is enhanced with a guest speaker and special music.


Take care, be good to one another and take time to enjoy your day!