vol. xiii, no. 3, december 2016 of laidlaw memorial united ... · the beacon, volume xiii, number...

The Beacon, Volume XIII, Number 4, December 2016, page 1

Inside this Issue:

News, Notes and

Progress...page 2

More News and

Notes...Page 3

For your Refrigerator

Door...Page 4


Door...Page 5


Door...Page 6

We’re All God’s Children!

Page 7

Rev. Doug—Christmas:

Just Another Day?

...Page 8

Join Us in Celebrating The Birth of Jesus

The Reason for the Season!

Sunday Worship at 11 a.m. Church School Classes

for Children and Youth Nursery Room Available

Worship is followed by

Coffee, Tea, Cold Drinks, Cookies,

Conversation, games in the gym! (or a Loaves and Fishes Lunch!)

Sunday, December 18, 11 a.m. Christmas Pageant

Followed by Loaves and Fishes Lunch

Saturday, December 24, 7 p.m.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion

The Newsletter Vol. XIII, No. 3, December 2016 of

Laidlaw Memorial United Church

www.laidlawchurch.ca Email: [email protected]

The United Church of Canada

www.united-church.ca

155 Ottawa Street North at Cannon Street, Hamilton, Ontario L8H 3Z2

Phone: 905 544 6536

Rev. Douglas C. Moore, B.Th., B.A. (Phil), M.Div., Pastor

Residence: 905 547 2021 E-mail: [email protected]

Celebrating our 104th Year—1912-2016 Our Mission:

With respect, cooperation and joy, through acts of love that build each other

up, we seek to share the light of Christ as a Beacon on our corner in East Hamilton

Visit us @ www.laidlawchurch.ca: Event posters will stream—keep up with what’s next!

and the site works on your phone—try it!

https://www.pinterest.com/anneswicegood/nativity-scenes/

The Beacon, Volume XIII, Number 4, December 2016 page 2

Access Project News: With the chancel and organ project complete,

and the grand piano paid for, and the air conditioner installed, and payments ongoing, we are making progress toward the Access Project. There is a steeple roof to repair in 2017, but we should also be able to make a start at the Access Project Plans engineered and permitted, so that we would be ready for a possible Trillium Grant in late 2017 or 2018… in the mean time, the installation and strengthening of the parking lot stair entrance has improved mobility at Laidlaw, and there will be more progress!

Join us for Movie Night! More and more people are finding their way to Movie Night at Laidlaw Church. We had record crowds in October and November, and we introduced soup for sale as well as pizza and hotdogs for supper, at Movie Night and Bingo. We are seeing more and more young families having a night out on a budget—the Movie and Admission are free, and the food is a bargain—Join us this December 9 for The Secret Life of Pets!

Candy Cane Bazaar was a hit! Laidlaw’s United Church Women put together a wonderful Christmas Bazaar, with a record attendance at the Tea Room for Lunch. Shoppers delighted in bargains on Baking and Meat Pies, Candy, Gifts, Knitting and Crafts, and through this and other events, the United Church Women have been able to support our ministry together. Everyone working together is a great pleasure to watch, and to be part of—Thanks!

Tinsel Town was amazing! Laidlaw’s Third Annual Tinsel Town welcomed 30 tables of Christmas handcrafts and merchandise for sale, just in time for Christmas. We met wonderful artisans in painting, drawing, knitting, needlework, knotwork, handcrafts, some we know, others we came to know. Everyone enjoyed the day and we look forward to another craft sale this spring!

Santa loves to come to Laidlaw! We enjoyed a record crowd at Santa’s Breakfast, with more children than ever. There was a great breakfast, a Christmas Craft, and Kevin Holmes made sure there was a picture with Santa. It was a wonderful day for families to enjoy the beginning of the Christmas season, a much appreciated tradition at Laidlaw.

Passing the Hat... Since the rebuilding of the chancel, and the purchase of a

grand piano, we have been working to promote concerts and music events at Laidlaw. We will have had nine such events by year’s end. We hosted a music stage in the parking lot in May for Sew Hungry, the merchants on Ottawa Street sponsored a summer concert, the BIA sponsored a second summer concert, and another concert on the Christmas Shopping Day on Ottawa Street. For Anniversary


PLEASE USE THE ENVELOPE INCLUDED WITH YOUR NEWSLETTER TO HELP US KEEP THE BEACON

SHINING! Every gift helps! YOUR CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE—they

determine, in large part, if we are able to balance our budget in 2016—THANK YOU!

At Laidlaw, we never ask for it if we don’t need it, and we’re careful with every gift we are given.

You are encouraged to speak to your lawyer or estate planner about leaving an estate gift to

Laidlaw Church. We are adjusting to the payments on the new air conditioning system, at

$333.35 a month, for 68 more months. Solar in come is covering the roof mortgage.

Balancing our Budget in 2016, after doing so in 2015 will help our application for Trillium Fund

for the Access Project. Please consider going on PAR. This allows you to designate a

monthly gift to Laidlaw drawn from your bank account like other ‘automatic’ payments. Call

Don Wood (905 560 6183)

Please share your copy of your Newsletter—invite others to participate and attend

Services and events! If you would like additional copies of the Newsletter to share, or

need to correct an address, call the church office at 905 544 6536!

Thank you for your generosity, every contribution is an act of love and joy!

Sunday, we enjoyed a concert with Steve McRae on the grand piano. Myke Hutchings chose to come to Laidlaw to debut his new Album, ‘Table for One’ in August, and Shawn O’Halloran will give a concert Sunday evening on December 4. In addition to these events, The Music Study studio held their summer recital at Laidlaw, and will hold their Christmas Recital at Laidlaw in December. It is amazing to see our church transform, in less than 10 minutes, to make room for these events. We are happy to see more and more people finding community and enjoyment at Laidlaw.

New Partnerships at Laidlaw; Welcome! It began with the Hamilton Gay

Men’s Chorus. Instead of ‘renting’ we partnered with the Chorus, and that collaboration, in part, led to a much better design for our Chancel Project. We have no desire to become ‘landlords’, but we do have space that we can responsibly shared with groups to mutual benefit. Steve McRae has been working with Hammer Entertainment, and through Steve, we have made space available to Hammer Entertainment for rehearsals. The same sort of arrangement has been made with The Music Study. Recently, a request from Crown Point Community Planning Committee was received, and we have been welcoming this group to meet at Laidlaw. In addition, there is ongoing cooperation with the Ottawa Street BIA, to provide washrooms and space for SEW Hungry, as well as music space for community concerts. All these groups ensure they cover the cost of heat and light, and all these groups must be insured and charitable or non profit in purpose. We gain nothing but money from ‘rent’. With partnerships, we learn and grow as we find ways to support each other, and our community.


Wednesday Morning Craft Circle Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m.

Craft Circle Lunch Out on December 14, 2016 Starts again Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Everyone is welcome—Join us—lot’s of projects and activities to do! Craft Circle Days, the GYM is open for Moms and Tots to come and play!

Thursday Morning Office Crew Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. till 11:30 a.m.

Everyone is welcome—Join us—help get the church ready for Sunday! Coffee, Cookies, and Bulletins folded! Join us!

Laidlaw Choir welcomes you! Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. till 8:30 p.m.

No Choir practice December 29, 2016; Choir resumes on January 5, 2017 Everyone is welcome—Join us—All ages and abilities are welcome!

MOVIE NIGHT AT LAIDLAW — The SECRET LIFE OF PETS Friday, December 9, 2016, doors open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 7:00 p.m.

We will play with the Wii until Movie Time! Admission to the Movie is FREE! An all ages night of fun—Join Us! Pizza, Popcorn and Hot Dogs will be for sale!

United Church Women Presbyterial Joy Day Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Waterfront Centre

The Third Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 11, 2016, 11 a.m.

Benevolent Bell Tree Donations will be gathered The Benevolent Fund is evolving to help in new ways!

LAIDLAW UNITED CHURCH WOMEN Turkey and Dressing Lunch Meeting, December 12, 2016 at Noon

Turkey, Dressing, all the Fixings, free will offering for Lunch UCW Meeting and Christmas Picture follow lunch!

Christmas Pageant Dress Rehearsal Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 11 a.m.

All Participants in the pageant should come to rehearse! Pizza for Lunch will follow! Join us!

The Music Study Studio Music Recital Saturday, December 17, 2016, 2:30 p.m.

The Music Study students will offer their talents—all are welcome!

The Fourth Sunday of Advent—Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 18, 2016 at 11 a.m.

Come and See our Youth and Children Shine for Christmas! The Sunday School have prepared a Chrismon Service this year!

Loaves and Fishes Lunch will follow the Service!


Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion

Saturday, December 24, 2016 at 7 p.m. Join us, and invite your friends for a family friendly service

of traditional Candlelight, Carols and Communion!

NO SERVICE AT LAIDLAW CHRISTMAS DAY! Sunday, December 25, 2016, no service at Laidlaw

Church Office Christmas Break! Sunday, December 25,2016 until Tuesday, January 3, 2017!

For Pastoral Care, please call Rev. Doug at his residence, 905 547 2021!

WORSHIP WITH US NEW YEAR’S DAY! Sunday, January 1, 2017, 11 a.m.

Join us as we celebrate the New Year together! Coffee Hour will follow!

Epiphany Sunday—the ‘Other’ Christmas Sunday, January 8, 2017, 11 a.m. The Magi have arrived—let’s celebrate—

The ‘real’ Christmas in the Orthodox Church! Coffee Hour, conversation and games in the Gym will follow!

Reports for the Annual Meeting are Due! Sunday, January 8, 2017 (or sooner, if you can!)

All Committee Chairs and Church Groups should submit a report!

LAIDLAW UNITED CHURCH WOMEN Chowders and Bread, January 9, 2017 at Noon

Turkey, Dressing, all the Fixings, free will offering for Lunch UCW Meeting will follow lunch!

Bingo at Laidlaw! Saturday, January 14, 2017

, doors open at noon, Bingo at 1 p.m. Bingo is a family friendly experience—all are welcome!

(children must be accompanied by a person 18 years or older)

The Baptism of Jesus Communion Sunday, January 15, 2017, 11 a.m.

Coffee Hour, conversation and games in the Gym will follow!

Crown Point Community Planning Committee At Laidlaw, Monday, January 16, 2017, 6:30 p.m.

Come and learn more about our community! Everyone is welcome!


MOVIE NIGHT AT LAIDLAW—Kubo and the Two Strings Friday, January 20, 2017, doors open at 6 p.m.,

movie starts at 7:00 p.m.

We will play with the Wii until Movie Time! Admission to the Movie is FREE! An all ages night of fun—Join Us!

Pizza, Popcorn and Hot Dogs will be for sale!

The Second Sunday after Epiphany Sunday, January 22, 2017 11 a.m.

Loaves and Fishes Lunch will follow the Service! Lunch donation: $3.50 per person!

The Third Sunday after Epiphany Sunday, January 29, 2017 11 a.m.

Coffee Hour, conversation and games in the Gym will follow!

Bingo at Laidlaw! Saturday, February 4, 2017, doors open at noon, Bingo at 1 p.m.

Bingo is a family friendly experience—all are welcome!

No Choir—We’re going to Steve McRae’s musical play Title of Show Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

We will gather at Laidlaw to go to the Citadel Theatre Speak to Rev. Doug for Tickets!

MOVIE NIGHT AT LAIDLAW—Storks Friday, February 17, 2017, doors open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 7:00 p.m.

We will play with the Wii until Movie Time! Admission to the Movie is FREE! An all ages night of fun—Join Us! Pizza, Popcorn and Hot Dogs will be for sale!

Annual Congregational Meeting Sunday, February 19, 2017 following Worship and Lunch! Lunch is free on Annual Meeting Sunday! Everyone is welcome!

Coming Events

Bingo in 2017 at Laidlaw! Saturdays, February 4, March 18, April 15, May 13, June 10

doors open at noon, Bingo starts at 1 p.m. Penny Sale, Bake Sale, 50/50 Draw, Raffle and Lunch

Saturday, February 25, 2017, 12-3, draws at 2 Saturday, May 27, 2017, 12-3, draws at 2

Donations are welcomed!

Soup and Bread Supper, Ash Wednesday Communion Wednesday, March 1,2017

Supper served from 5:30 till 6:00 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service follows at 7 p.m.


The Christmas Pageant will be on December 18, 2016 at 11 a.m.! It is a joy to see our young people learn and grow in faith! The tradition of faces and names helps us remem-ber how many wonderful young people are part of our life at Laidlaw—and learn the names of all God’s children!

Angela-Rose

Ethan Daniel Corey

Corbin Calyb Berlin Ashley

Jewel James

Grayson Faith

Kennedy Kaleb

Julie Josh Jon

There’s room for you too! Join us this Sunday!

Kiaya Leah Lillian

Malachi Logan Morgan Nicholas

Phoenix Paige

Lily

Tiana


T he other day, I got to remembering the Christmases after Shirley and I were first married. We would be making plans, trying, as so

many families do, to work out how to meet all the demands that family and community and church make around Christmas.

Shirley’s mother usually wound up with the short end of the

Christmas event stick.

Shirley’s mother would always say, “Christmas is just another day!” Shirley and her mother were always careful to keep their expectations

under control, they did not like to be disappointed.

Shirley and I always tried to make sure that Christmas wasn’t

‘just another day’ for her mother. We tried spending money, we tried carefully planned events, we tried sentimental journeys.

But Shirley’s mother, and Shirley, had a habit of being right about most things, a wisdom born

of experiencing some of the ‘hard’ things that happen to us in this life. The truth is, Christmas is ‘just another day.’ If we’re looking for magic and miracles, our Christmas is

likely to fail to meet our expectations.

The truth of Christmas is that Jesus, who we now proclaim Messiah and Saviour; whose birth we celebrate; well, it was not a big enough event at the time that we even know the actual day of Jesus’ birth—we had to pick a day to celebrate because no one bothered to keep any note of it at the time. Mary and Joseph didn’t exactly have an easy time of it. Mary gave birth in a stable, I suppose because Joseph didn’t get a reservation.

For me, what is important about Christmas isn’t the day. What gives my heart hope is that Christmas reminds me to look at every newborn child and wonder what wonders that child might do among us. Christmas reminds me that ‘just another day’ might turn out, after all, to be the day when angels sing, and we move a little closer to peace on earth and good will toward all people.

When I look around me, here at Laidlaw, I see so much transformation, so many familiar faces, so many new faces. I see us welcoming our community in new ways, and partnering with others to build each other up with acts of love and grace and cooperation. I see the joy as we work together, and I see the compassion as we try to help each other get through the hard things life does to us. And all I see is the potential for the light of Christ that we have been given at Laidlaw to continue to shine, and to shine in new ways.

I’m not sure what sort of Christmas we’ll have this year. We will gather, we’ll give our gifts, we’ll make time for family and friends, we’ll try to show compassion to each other and to our community; and Christmas will come and go, ‘just another day’.

My prayer is that every day we live is ‘just another day’ like Christmas is ‘just another day’—an ordinary day when extraordinary things are possible, if we take the time to look up and see the stars, or listen carefully enough to hear the angels sing.

It is not often in magic or miracles that God comes to us. But God is always with us—loving us always and forever, each day we live. That is the great grace of this season. Thanks be to God. Merry Christmas, and a Bright, Happy New Year!

Rev. Doug Moore, Lovin’ it at Laidlaw, Ho Ho Ho, Halleluiah!

vol. xiii, no. 3, december 2016 of laidlaw memorial united ... · the beacon, volume xiii, number...

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