Rev. Moon’s message for May 8, 2022

Dear Friends,

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers and communicating with our Session. Many of you shared how much you would like to have singing back.  Yes, we also heard from those who love singing, but prefer waiting. Our Session listened. 

On May 4, our elders met, prayed, discussed, and decided that we would bring singing back (with masks*) to our Sunday morning worship as of this Sunday, May 8. We are very excited to have ‘singing’ back in our Sunday worship.

Church choir and director ready to sing, with piano, organ and keyboard in foreground
The GCPC Senior Choir under the direction of Rachelle Risling n Sunday, May 8, 2022, about to start singing in the sanctuary again!

Thank you for your patience, honesty, and support you have demonstrated to the session. Dealing with the pandemic has not been easy on our elders. I would like to thank our faithful elders who have taken the task of leading the congregation seriously. They deeply care about the safety and well-being of our congregants. They have spent countless hours in many meetings, listening, praying, and carrying out extra ministry duties. We understand that not every decision we make will be popular, but none of our Session’s decisions is to hurt or marginalize anyone. In fact, our elders make each decision with humility and the intention to serve Christ and the community. Sometimes we make decisions we regret. Other times we make good decisions. However, we make every decision trusting God beyond our human wisdom and trusting our congregation’s ability to forgive, speak up, and support each other. 

We believe the process of making each decision will help all of us become better followers of the risen Christ. We know we have so much to learn and we are here to serve Christ together. 

Thank you for your patience, forgiveness, love, and willingness to work with our elders. I would like to ask you to hold our elders in your prayers. And if you are able, please reach out to our faithful and caring elders and share your kind encouragement.

– Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, May 7, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Time, Talent and Treasures Auction May 14, 2022

Only 2 weeks until the return of our favourite and fun Time, Talent and Treasures Auction on Saturday, May 14, 2022! 

“Auction Sale in Clinton Hall, New York” (1876) by Spanish painter Ignacio León y Escosura (1834–1901); from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Schedule on May 14

5:45 PM Doors Open for Registration, Refreshments and Silent Auction
7:00 PM Live Auction

How to contribute

Reflect on what gifts you can contribute, and the church will auction off your service, entertainment, cottage, hospitality, food, etc.  Sign-up sheets for contributions/donations are posted at the church.

Draft catalogue

A preliminary draft catalogue will be available this Sunday, May 1.  If you or someone you know has a contribution, please let us know by May 11 in order to be included in the Auction. 

More information

Contact Cindy Similas or the church office if you have questions. 

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, May 1, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s message for May 1, 2022

Dear friends,

For some time, I had been discussing with my previous dentist in Port Elgin and current dentist in Markham the possibility of implanting a molar tooth, ever since I had lost all upper molar teeth on one side to cavity and infection. It was the combination of its cost and my fear of having someone drilling a hole in my jaw near my sinus that made me wait so long.

“A wealthy patient falling over because of having a tooth extracted with such vigour by a fashionable dentist.” Watercolour (1790) by British caricaturist and printmaker James Gillray (1756–1815); from the collection of Wellcome Images, part of the Wellcome Trust; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Finally, after long discussion and consideration, I had dental surgery on the Tuesday morning of April 26 around 8:30 AM. I made the appointment at 8:30 morning so that after the surgery, I could go directly to the office and do my work. I even packed my lunch. I was utterly clueless.

I did not even realize that the dental surgery would require recovery time. It would take 24–72 hours to heal. So instead of going to the office, I went to a pharmacy to get pain killers, antibiotics, and Peridex mouthwash. I sent an email to Bruce and Lisa sharing that I would not be at the office on Tuesday and probably Wednesday. Then, I went directly to my bed with an icepack on my face. I ended up staying in my bed all Tuesday and Wednesday. I could not believe putting a tiny screw in my jaw would need 48 and more hours to recover. At least I was so glad I did not schedule the surgery on Friday or Saturday.

I have learned a good lesson again. It is not just dental surgery that requires a time of recovery and rest, but I am not always good at recognizing the need for recovery. I need to become more intentional about recovery time. I am sure I am not the only who struggles with this.

After a long day at work, after a big or small project, after spending hours with pleasant friends or troubled clients, after visiting our loving family or complete strangers, after success or failure, after hearing exciting or disappointing news, after listening to others or sharing our concerns with others, after saying goodbye to our loved ones or welcoming others, we need time to rest, process and reflect. Looking back, when my dentist said, “Do you have any other questions?”, I could have asked, “What should I expect after surgery?” “How long will it take to heal?” But the only questions I asked were, “How much it will it cost?”, “What is the timeline for the procedure?” and “How soon can I get it?”

May we not forget to spend time with the Risen Christ, and find peace and rest each day!

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 30, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s message for April 24, 2022

Dear Friends,

Happy Easter to you! Christ is risen!

Resurrection of Christ” (1499–1502) by Italian painter Raphael (1483–1520); from the collection of the São Paulo Museum of Art; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

I would like to share an email (I have permission) that I received from an elder, Christianne: 

A neighbour down the street went into labour!  She walked to my house, and rang the bell. I opened the door, she was very flushed, heavily breathing, very pregnant and said ‘Hi, I am in labour, but before I call 911, are you able to stay with my two kids for the night?’ What a mommy and trooper! My heart and spirit were in awe of her. Her hubby is driving back from Montreal tonight. I just put her kiddos down and now able to email you all. It was a beautiful reminder to me, that amongst the turmoil, chaos and death tolls of the world, life continues, new beginnings are occurring, God’s children are being born and joyful blessings are experienced daily!

When I read the email, I heard the angels singing Christ is risen!  May we discover and celebrate many signs of the risen Christ around us!

(Update from Christianne-Her neighbour had a girl. Both the mother and the baby are healthy.)

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 23, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s message for April 17, 2022

Dear Friends,

“A state of emergency”

April 8 was a busy morning as we tried to reorganize the church lounge and nursery.  After everything was done, after everyone who came to help left, I found a dead mouse in the church.

I am afraid of a few things in this world:  Heights, a flying bat, a mouse dead or alive…

View from above of the “Preikestolen” or “The Pulpit Rock”, a cliff in Strand, Norway, that rises 604 m (1,980 ft) above the Lysefjord. Photo: Clementp.fr, CC BY-SA 4.0 International. Full Credit below.

I ran as soon as I saw it.  I mean, you will never see me running that fast. I never knew I could run that fast. But I did not scream…At least, I think I didn’t. I told myself, “Why did I open that door?” I thought about doing nothing about it, but I did not want to leave it there another day. I told myself, “Deal with it. Everyone is busy. You could do it.”

For a brief moment, I thought I could remove the dead mouse if I had a shovel. So, I spent the next 15 minutes looking for a shovel at the church, except I could not find one.

I had never felt so helpless, so I ended up emailing our elders, asking for their help (Bless our elders for their patience). My email sounded like this: “There is a dead mouse in the church, I don’t know what to do.” 

Rayford and Maureen, who came to the prayer meeting that afternoon, kindly removed the creature from the church. The first thing Rayford said when he saw the dead mouse was, “It is a good size!” I am sorry, I ran again. If you ever see me running in the Village, you know what is happening in the church.

Here you go, you know a lot more about me now. I am afraid of mice, bats, and heights.

Come and join us this week. You never know what goes in the church.

May God surprise you and bring laughter to your hearts this week!

– Rev. Chuck Moon

Photo credit: “Preikestolen topdwon.jpg”, by Clementp.fr. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

A version of this message first appeared in the Friday, April 15, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Church Yard Sale – May 28, 2022

Spring cleaning or downsizing?  Remember to save things for our yard sale, which will take place on May 28, 2022 from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Small graphic of a poster advertising a church yard sale
GCPC Yard Sale poster – 2022-05-28

We can use housewares, small working appliances, books, CDs & DVDs, LPs, stereo equipment, toys, gardening, outdoors, camping items, small furniture, and knick-knacks. Please, NO BROKEN ITEMS.

Bake Sale too!

If you have no items to donate, think about donating baking as we will have a bake table too.

Logistics and Help

We will let you know when to bring items to the church, and we will accept any help you can offer for the sale. There is now a sign-up sheet in the church hall, or contact Bonnie Horton via the church office.

Thank you!

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 9, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Women’s Spring Brunch – May 5, 2022

Brunch may not be exactly as depicted! Image taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

The Fellowship Committee is hosting a Women’s Spring Brunch on Thursday, May 5, 11 AM–1 PM.  If you are able to join us, please register on the sign-up sheet in the church hall or contact Sandra O’Brien via the church office.  A goodwill offering at the brunch to offset the cost is appreciated.

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 9, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Eastertide Services 2022

“The Resurrection Of Christ” (16th century) by Italian painter Annibale Carracci (1560–1609); from the collection of the Louvre; public domain; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Here is the schedule of Eastertide services for this week.

  • Thursday, April 14—Maundy Thursday Meal 6:00 PM, Tenebrae Service 7:00 PM
  • Friday, April 15—Good Friday Service 10:00 AM 
  • Sunday, April 17—Easter Sunrise Service 6:15 AM, Guild Park Bluffs
  • Sunday, April 17—Easter Sunday Service 11:00 AM, followed by an Easter Egg Hunt (more just below)
Hanácké kraslice, a traditional way of decorating Easter eggs with straw in the region of Haná, the Czech Republic. The photograph was taken at an exhibition of egg decorating in B?lkovice-Laš?any in the Czech Republic. Public domain. Taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

The Fellowship Committee is holding a Children’s chocolate Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 17 after the 11 AM Easter Sunday service. All children—young & old— are welcome!

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 9, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s message for April 10, 2022

Dear Friends,

“Death in the Sickroom” (1893) by Norwegian painter Edvard Munch (1862–1944); from the collection of the Munch Museum, Oslo; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words.  In 1893, Munch painted a scene from his own life, the death of his older sister Sophie. This picture captures our human grief and loneliness. Everyone is looking at something other than each other. Maybe Edvard is telling us that we are afraid of looking at each other to show our struggles and vulnerability. Or perhaps he is telling us we have our ways of dealing with sadness, anger, and loneliness. Or maybe he is asking us, “Where do we look when we face our grief and loneliness.” “Where are you in your grief journey?” since we all have experienced the loss of someone or something important to us. 

We are heading into Holy Week. Yes, we celebrate and remember the resurrection of Jesus, but during this Holy Week, we are also invited to remember Christ, who struggled and died on the cross as one of us. I wonder what Christ was telling us on the cross. Was he telling us that God loves us even when we are not ready to welcome God? Was he teaching us about God, who  participates in our human suffering? God, who suffers when we suffer? Or was he trying to remind us that we are not alone despite all our human challenges? Or was he listening to us?

During this week, may we deepen our questions and love for God.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 9, 2022, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s message for April 3, 2022

Dear Friends,

Two weeks ago, Carol shared a beautiful poem with us — Happiness Cake Recipe.

First, the ingredients: 1 cup good thoughts, 1 cup kind deeds, 1 cup consideration for others, 2 cups sacrifice, 2 cups well beaten faults, 3 cups forgiveness.  

Mix thoroughly. Add Tears, Joy, Sorrow, and Sympathy. Flavour with Love and Kind Service. Fold in 4 cups of Prayer and Faith. After pouring all this into your daily life, bake well with the Heat of Human Kindness. Serve with a Smile any time, and it will satisfy the hunger of starved souls.

I have been working on my happiness cake for the last two weeks. Our life offers so many lessons and ingredients. I am good at collecting ingredients but not always good at putting them together and allowing them to become a part of who I am and what I believe today. I needed time to pause and spend more time in prayers and reflections (studying books and preparing future services). I needed time to allow what I have experienced to become a part of what I believe and who I am. 

Thank you for allowing me to rest and renew my spirit.

The Session met on March 29 to continue discussing and studying the COVID restrictions and policy regarding our church activities. Our elders take their responsibility very seriously. Our elders pay full attention to what is happening around us and recommendations from the various governments, health units, the denomination, and our own congregation’s needs. However, we are also overwhelmed by this pandemic experience. We ask for your forgiveness and understanding if we take a more conservative approach during this pandemic. We desire to create a safe environment for everyone. Singing is considered a high-risk activity, so we humbly ask congregation singing to be avoided at this time (We are reviewing it frequently). The decision is hard on everyone since we value the power of singing in our spirituality so highly. We aim to bring singing back slowly and gradually. We would also like to thank Rachelle for all her efforts with the choirs and music during these past two years. 

While we cannot sing as a congregation, we hope to use this time to deepen our listening, our appreciation for silence, and prayer in our spirituality. We acknowledge everyone’s struggles and questions regarding the COVID restrictions on church activities. We desire to hear and understand your thoughts and questions, and we have set aside April 3 and April 10 after Sunday worship to hear from you.

Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message first appeared in the Saturday, April 2, 2022, edition of Tidbits.