Westminster United Church
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May 1, 2026
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026
Message from Rev. Irene Ty:
10am Sunday May 3rd: Fifth Sunday of Easter
I have just experienced a three day conference called “Cruxifusion”, organized for United Church of Canada ministers and leaders.
I look forward to sharing my learnings in the coming weeks. It is good for me to step out of my own church context from time to time and be with other colleagues to support one another.
It is good to know that we have a lot in common and we have experiences and ideas to share.
I look forward to sharing worship leadership with our guest speaker Mr. Danilo Ramos this Sunday.
Guest Speaker: Danilo Ramos
Westminster is delighted to welcome Mr. Danilo Ramos, a prominent peasant leader from the Philippines and one of the most respected voices of the Filipino farmers’ movement.
He has been at the forefront of organizing farmers across the Philippines and is the national Chairperson of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
Born into a farming family, his early life in the countryside shaped a lifelong commitment to defending the rights, livelihoods, and dignity of landless peasants and rural communities.
A survivor of the historic Mendiola Massacre of 1987, Ka Daning’s leadership has been marked by steadfast courage and deep commitment to people’s struggles.
He has led and participated in numerous fact-finding missions and national campaigns addressing land rights, state violence, and the worsening conditions of farmers.
He has also contributed to key policy advocacy, including the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, and joined efforts to challenge repressive legislation such as the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
🌱 Lunch & Learn following the service: Voices from the Philippines
Join us for a meaningful and timely Lunch & Learn featuring Danilo Ramos. He will share firsthand insights into the realities facing peasants in rural Philippines, including the ongoing struggles for land, livelihood, and human rights. This session will also explore the impact and power of solidarity in resisting injustice and building collective strength.
🍲 Join us for lunch and engage in a thoughtful conversation about global justice, grassroots organizing, and the resilience of rural communities.
We hope you can join us in person, or if unable, please watch the livestream service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZdCSaWyPtY
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
May 3: “Land is Life” - “Lupa ay Buhay” Service. Guest speaker: Mr. Danilo "Ka Daning" Ramos, a peasant leader and current chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid Pilipinas (KMP), the largest peasant organization in the Philippines. Sunday School, Lunch and Learn
May 10: Mother's Day, Sunday School and Fellowship time
May 17: Celebrate Earth Sunday
May 24: Pentecost Sunday, Sunday School
Seated Yoga
Are you interested in experiencing this form of gentle and meditative exercise? The Congregational Care Team is in the process of organizing some sessions at WUC. Based on our Activities Survey last fall, there was interest. Please let Joyce Singh or Rev. Irene Ty know if you are interested.
Free copies of Our Daily Bread Booklets
Available for pickup on Sundays
Our Daily Bread Ministries is a non-profit charitable organization that seeks to make the wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. WUC receives free copies of the Devotionals booklets for our members, featuring daily stories, insights and reflections. Feel free to pick up a copy for yourself or even to share with friends and family.
Death Cafe
May 24 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at the WUC Library
In the last year, I have been astonished at the number of people in my wider circle who are facing sudden unexpected deaths of loved ones. At these times, I realize how important it is for the conversations around death to happen before there is a crisis. Please come out and join us to share your questions and your thoughts around death, dying, end of life,caregiving and grieving. This is a caring, compassionate non-judgmental space. Light refreshments will be served. For questions, contact Joy ([email protected]).
Senior’s Lunch
Tuesday, May 5 at 12pm
You are invited to lunch at 12.00 pm at The Beechwood Retirement Home, 1500 Rathburn Rd E. Mississauga. This event is planned by the Congregational Care Team. Rev. Ty will offer an opening devotion and there will be a presentation by Safe City Mississauga focusing on how to prevent fraud and scams for Seniors.
Please RSVP by Tuesday April 28th: Joyce Singh, (905) 270-5426 or [email protected] or Joy Seunarine (905) 542-7307 or [email protected].
Please let us know if you need a ride or if you have any dietary needs.
NEW Upcoming 40th Anniversary Open House!- June 13th
Be sure to mark down Saturday, June 13 in your calendars for our 40th Anniversary Celebration at the church. 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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