Westminster United Church
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February 27, 2026
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025
Message from Rev. Irene Ty:
10 a.m. Sunday, March 1: Communion & Second Sunday of Lent
After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Spirit led him into the wilderness. There he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Then the devil tempted him, not once but three times. Each time, Jesus resisted. At the end of his time in the desert, Jesus came out spiritually stronger. When were times in your life when you felt like you were in a wilderness or you felt like you were being tested? What helped you get through those times of testing?
This Sunday, I will be interviewing Benita Steffi, who serves as our Sunday School Teacher. Originally from India, Benita came to Canada to study and to work. She will share her experiences of being in the wilderness and how God helped her to overcome this period of trial. Join us.
We hope you can join us in person, or if unable, please watch the livestream service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5xmsdJntAE
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.
VACATION
Rev. Irene Ty will be on vacation March 2- 15.
Rev. Joe Hopkins is available to our Westminster family should there be a need for a minister. (647-200-7317).
Contact can be made with Moira Sinclair at M&P or to a member of the Pastoral Care Team depending on the circumstances.
UPCOMING SERVICES
March 1: Communion and Second Sunday in Lent sermon "Bread for the Journey"
March 8: Preacher: Stephen Hurley, LLWL.
March 15: Preacher: Mary Parsons, LLWL.
March 22: Fifth Sunday in Lent service followed by Annual Congregational Meeting
March 29: Palm Sunday
April 3: Good Friday Service
April 5: Communion and Easter Sunday
Worship and Music Team Meeting
March 1, 11:15- 12:30. Library. We are having a Worship and Music mtg following the worship service.
We are hoping that people from the congregation can attend to help us plan our Lent / Easter services by sharing some of your past joys from this time of year. Refreshments will be provided.
Death Café with Joy Seunarine
March 1 2026, 1-3 PM. Westminster United Church library. All are welcome.
Please join us for cake and light snacks. A death cafe is a place to share your thoughts and concerns around death, dying, bereavement, aging and caregiving. Joy provides a safe place to ask questions, reflect on anything related to death and grieving. RSVP if possible but not necessary. [email protected].
Fundraiser Movie Night
Friday, March 6, 6:30pm. St. Stephen’s on-the-Hill United Church (Mississauga) has a long history of sponsoring and partnering with families applying as refugees from all over the world.
Currently assisting a family of 10 who are in hiding in Islamabad, and awaiting their refugee status to come to Canada.
The mom is a teacher and she worked with girls in Afghanistan which put her whole family in jeopardy.
Please join us on Friday, March 6th at 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. We will have one of the family members sponsoring with us in Mississauga speaking about their situation.
We will be showing a wonderful film called “Saint Judy” about an immigration lawyer in LA, and we will have an interactive session following with the "real St Judy" from LA who will be able available for Q&A.
All donations will go towards assisting the family in their journey to a new life in Canada.
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. 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. [email protected]
Upcoming 40th Anniversary Celebration!
We will have the two collection boxes available at Church each Sunday for Memories you wish to share that were special for you and one for pictures you may have in your collections.
You can also email and send your material through the church office, or drop of any items during the week, by January 31.
Any ideas you wish to share re: celebrating the 40th Anniversary are most welcome.
Spring 2026 will be a big year for Westminster United Church! Stay tuned for some exciting updates!
April 6th will land on Easter Monday please keep April 10th open!
If you or someone you know is interested in contributing to the planning of the event please contact Moira Sinclair or the church office for more information!
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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