Westminster United Church
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March 19, 2026
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026
Message from Rev. Irene Ty:
10 a.m. Sunday, March 22: Fifth Sunday in Lent
Lee and I returned from a wonderful two week vacation in B.C. which included visiting our son Robert and my relatives living in Vancouver. Part of the time was also spent cross country skiing at the Silver Star Mountain Resort, located on the Monashee Mountains, just outside of Vernon. The elevation at the resort is 1600m and the summit is 1900m. The mountain receives an annual snowfall of 7 meters! It is a paradise for skiers to be skiing on this amount of snow. As a cross country skiier, I am able to take the gondola up to the summit, from where I can ski the Nordic trails all the way down to the village. It takes about an hour and a half, with the gradual sloping trails winding around the mountain. When the weather is good, you'll want to take your time as the view of the Monashee Mountains is truly stunning. Against the backdrop of the mountains, it made me feel as if I was just a small speck in this natural world before me. I continue to marvel at God's creation and am grateful for the opportunity to experience new things including travelling to another province.
The focus Scripture passage comes from Ephesians 4: 1-7, 11-16. I chose this passage as it talks about the gifts we have been given, which are meant to "equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ" vs. 12. This speaks to me about church. Though we are each given different gifts and talents, we are connected with Christ and our purpose is to work together to build up the body of Christ. As we look forward to our Annual Congregational Meeting this Sunday, I can't help but feel grateful for all who you are and all that you have shared with Westminster. The Holy Spirit has brought you to this community of faith. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the past year, and look forward to our present and to our future together. May God continue to grant us wisdom and strength for our journey forward.
We hope you can join us in person, or if unable, please watch the livestream service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp_LstIWDdc
Choir Practice: Christine MacDougall, our music director, welcomes you to sing with the choir. Practices are held Sundays from 9:15am to 9:45am in the sanctuary.
UPCOMING SERVICES
March 22: Fifth Sunday in Lent service followed by Annual Congregational Meeting
March 29: Palm Sunday with Fellowship Time after service
April 3: Good Friday Service
April 5: Communion and Easter Sunday with Sunday School
April 12: Anniversary Sunday, Receiving of New Members with Fellowship Time
April 19: Volunteer Appreciation Sunday
April 26: Guest Preacher: Rev. Donalee Williams, Fellowship Time to follow
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
10:45 - 11:40 A.M. Sunday, March 22
The Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) will be held in person in the sanctuary, following a shortened Worship service on March 22, 2026. Fellowship and Refreshments to follow afterwards in the Activity Room, hosted by the Leadership Council.
A BIG Thank You, to all of the Leadership Council, the Team Leaders and Volunteers who have submitted their reports for The Annual Report document. Each group has made an interesting summary of the year’s activities which you can enjoy.
For those not able to attend in person on Sunday you can join the meeting through Zoom.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/XoIUscAYTXWtrJW6TIpstQ
Dorothea Phair, Chair, Leadership Council
“Here From the Beginning”, a Black History Exhibition
As part of UCC’s 100th Anniversary, Pilgrim United Church in Edmonton created an exhibition that showcases the contributions and experiences of Black people within the church. (More info here: https://herefromthebeginning.ca/ ) (see poster attached).
This exhibition is going across the country, including Mississauga!
Christ First United Church at 151 Lakeshore Road in Port Credit will be hosting it on Sat, March 21st.
Christ First is looking for volunteers from other UCC churches including Westminster, to be part of the hospitality team.
Please contact Victoria Keane if interested at: [email protected]
Active Senior's Information Fair
Tuesday March 24th from 11am-3pm
The Active Adult Centre of Mississauga (AACM) is pleased to invite us to attend our upcoming Active Seniors Information Fair at Central Parkway Mall (377 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E. Mississauga).
This free community event is designed to connect older adults, caregivers, and families with valuable services and resources that support healthy, active, and independent living.
Crime Prevention Seminar
SafeCity Mississauga is holding a Crime Prevention Seminar featuring the following topics:
-Fraud & Scams
-Personal Safety
-Home & Auto Safety
Location: Mississauga Valley Community Centre at 1275 Mississauga Valley Blvd.
"Continually Crafted by God"
Thursday March 26th Providing Pastoral Care (Part 1)
7-8:30PM at the Streetsville United Church library.
Workshops on identifying spiritual gifts, designing worship services, and providing pastoral care. It's especially meant for some capacity building within the laity of Streetsville United, but anyone can come and participate! Please contact Rev. Joe Hopkins if you are interested in attending: [email protected] or call 647-200-7317.
NEW Upcoming 40th Anniversary Open House!- June 13th
More details to follow.
Prayer Request Box
Please note the newly installed PRAYER REQUEST BOX. It is on the wall just left of the doors to the Sanctuary.
You will notice slips of paper on which anyone is welcome to fill in their prayer requests and any other information they may feel comfortable sharing regarding the request.
Requester's name is optional. These requests are accepted with confidentiality and respect and will be provided to Westminster's Prayer Team.
Members of the team will pray for these requests on a daily basis. Prayer works wonders.
SPECIAL MUSIC AT WESTMINSTER
Over the past year, Westminster has enjoyed guest musicians such as soloists, cellists, pianists, drummers. These were folk known to us through friends and family of Westminster people. Do you know a music student or a professional who would like to share their music at a worship service? Please provide the contact information to Rev. Irene. Thanks.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Monday 10am-Noon
Tuesday & Friday: 9:30am-1:30pm
Wednesday & Thursday: 9:30-3pm
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
1. Tuesdays from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM: Tight-Knit Senior's Club - Participants meet every Tuesday in the Board room to learn to knit, share their knitting and crocheting skills, enjoy socializing and light refreshments. Yarn and materials will be provided and some of the products can be donated to support the DBNC Care Closet.
2. ZOOM CHECK-IN, BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER: Thursdays 10:20-11:30AM: This is an opportunity to study scripture together, share how we are doing, and encourage one another through prayer. If you haven’t participated before, you’re welcome to join!
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86164499299 Or By Telephone: 647-374-4685 or 647-558-0588 /Meeting ID: 861 6449 9299
3. Westminster Seniors Connection.
Weekly Drop-In Sessions are back! This free session is a space for participants to learn, create and connect. Held every Monday from 1-3pm. For more details contact Donia at 416-276-7592.
Community Resources
Vision
Growing together in Christ
Mission
Westminster United Church is a welcoming faith community which is diverse, caring, and compassionate where we grow together in Christ, to love and serve one another, the community, and the world.
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