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Rev. Moon’s Message for August 25, 2024 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Dear Friends,

Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to spend time away from the ministry. This time allowed me to spend meaningful moments with both my immediate and extended family. It also gave me the chance to travel, rest, read, reflect, and worship.

During the last five weeks, I realized that although I was physically away from here—our faith community—a part of me never left. My heart remained here, and I came to understand that this place has become my spiritual home—not just where I work, but a home that nurtures my soul. It is my prayer that all who come to our faith community may experience the spiritual home I have found, feeling the same sense of God’s grace and welcome that has nurtured me. It is far from perfect, but God’s presence is here.

I believe that, like all of us, I am a traveler, a sojourner, and a pilgrim, seeking God’s grace each day. It is my prayer that all who worship with us be nurtured by the abundant grace of Jesus Christ.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, August 24, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for August 18, 2024 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Dear Friends,

Thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to spend time away from the ministry.

This time allowed me to spend time with both my immediate and extended family. It also gave me the chance to travel, rest, read, reflect, and worship.

This Sunday, I plan to briefly share what I have learned during the time away and reflect on God being the living bread for our souls (John 6:51–58). It is my prayer that all who worship with us be nurtured by the abundant grace of Jesus Christ.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Friday, August 16, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Sunday School Coordinator recommendation accepted by Session

The Search Committee appointed by the Nurture and Education team has recommended that Lorelee Sankarlal be appointed as Children’s Sunday School Coordinator. We are pleased to announce that the Session has accepted this recommendation with thanks.

Lorelee, along with her daughter Madisen and son Samuel, have been attending Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church regularly for three years. Lorelee has served as a Sunday School teacher at Guildwood, and also brings broad experience in teaching and organizing Sunday School in various Presbyterian churches over the past 12 years. She has a passion for teaching, a strong track record of implementing Sunday School programs and curricula, and a great number of creative and innovative ideas regarding the Sunday School ministry.

Lorelee started her role on July 1 and looks forward to welcoming children and their families back to Sunday School in September.

The Session thanks the Search Committee — Christianne James, Rev. Helen Smith and Steven Szeto — for their work in searching for and identifying the right candidate for this key position in our church family.

—Bruce Morrison, Clerk of Session

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, July 20, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for July 7, 2024 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

“Woe unto You, Scribes and Pharisees” (between 1886 and 1894) by French painter James Tissot (1836–1902); from the collection of the Brooklyn Museum; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

As we head into the summer months, some of us are preparing for new beginnings: a new school, a new job, new friendships, and new journeys. For others, it is a time to rest, play, read, listen, garden, walk, connect, and pray. In our church community, we will continue to worship on Sundays, but many small group activities and programs will pause for the summer and resume in September.

We pray that those in need of rest will find the rest they seek; those looking for a new beginning will find it; and those in need of healing will find the healing they require. Whatever our plans for the summer, may God guide our journey, and may we deepen our love for God and one another. May this prayer of peace not be lost in our hearts.

As the fever of day calms towards twilight
May all that is strained in us come to ease.
We pray for all who suffered violence today,
May an unexpected serenity surprise them.
For those who risk their lives each day for peace,
May their hearts glimpse providence at the heart of history.
That those who make riches from violence and war
Might hear in their dreams the cries of the lost.
That we might see through our fear of each other
A new vision to heal our fatal attraction to aggression.
That those who enjoy the privilege of peace
Might not forget their tormented brothers and sisters.
That the wolf might lie down with the lamb,
That our swords be beaten into ploughshares
And no hurt or harm be done
Anywhere along the holy mountain.
—By John O’Donohue (Irish poet, 1956–2008)

—Rev. Chuck Moon

Reverend Chuck Moon will be away on a well-deserved vacation from July 8 to August 13, 2024. See information on our guest ministers during that time.

A version of this message appeared in the Sunday, July 7, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Summer 2024 – Guest Ministers

“Summer Night” (1890) by Finnish painter Elin Danielson-Gambogi (1861–1919); from the collection of the Ateneum, Helsinki; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Reverend Chuck Moon will be away on a well-deserved vacation from July 8 to August 13, 2024. We are pleased to welcome the following guest ministers to lead our Sunday worship:

July 14 – Rev. Dr. Ian Morrison
July 21 – Rev. Dr. Bob Smith
July 28 – Rev. Dr. Ian Morrison
August 4 – Rev. Victor Kim (Principal Clerk of General Assembly – Presbyterian Church in Canada)
August 11 – Rev. Wally Hong (Clerk of the Presbytery of Niagara)

Please note with apologies that there will be no live-streaming of services while Rev. Chuck is on vacation.

— Bruce Morrison, Clerk of Session

A version of this message appeared in the Sunday, June 23, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for June 2, 2024 – Second Sunday after Pentecost

Dear Friends,

In the upcoming year, we plan to start a monthly ‘grief sharing’ group if there is enough interest. A grief group is not a counseling group but a peer support group. We have all lost someone or something sacred to us, yet we don’t always have enough places to share, process, and pray together. Our culture too often approaches grief as a problem to be fixed or solved instantly. We are taught to ignore or bury our need to grieve. It is our wish to create a safe space to share, listen, pray, and reflect on our life journeys. I plan to facilitate each meeting prayerfully. Each meeting will consist of silent prayers, sharing, listening, and reading.

We plan to hold the first introductory meeting on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 PM. Please invite those who could benefit from this time of sharing. If you or someone close to you (they do not need to be a church member) think that such a group might help, please speak to me directly or send me an email.

May the Risen Christ continue to bless and strengthen you every day.

Upcoming Events

Your webmaster has taken the liberty of adding several other events. They appear with their dates inmedium brown.

Sunday, June 2: Communion will be celebrated.
Saturday, June 8: Women and Girls Strawberry Social 2:30–4:00 PM. Laura Alary will talk with us about her experiences writing children’s books. Please sign up by contacting the church office. This event is sponsored by the Women’s Ministry Committee.
Sunday, June 9: We will celebrate Christian Education Sunday. The Nurture and Education Committee (Rev. Helen Smith) will have a moment to pray for the students, parents, volunteers, and teachers. The Mission and Outreach Committee (Don MacOdrum) will make a Mission Moment presentation on “LOFT”.
Tuesday, June 11: The Annual Evangel Hall Mission Golf Tournament will be held at beautiful Pheasant Run Golf Club starting at noon. For more information, contact Don MacOdrum or see the tournament website.
Wednesday, June 12: The Caregiver Support Group will meet at the lounge at 10 AM.
Wednesday, June 12: “Mind and Heart: The Bible Study on the Gospel of John” will be in the fellowship hall at 7 PM. (resumes in October).
Sunday, June 16: “Read and Discuss: The Monthly Virtual Book Study” will be at 1 PM. Join us for our virtual book study group every third Sunday of the month (after June 16, the book study will resume in September). We extend a warm invitation to those eager to engage in thoughtful discussions. See your Tidbits or contact the church office for the link information.
Friday, June 21: “Read and Pray: The Prayer and Faith Conversation Group” will meet in the lounge at 1 PM. Anyone who wishes to reflect on the journey of prayer is invited to join (resumes in October)
Wednesday, June 26: “Listen and Listen” — a quiet prayer and communion service will be at 7:30 PM (services are from March to June and September to November)

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, June 1, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Guildwood Day Pancake Breakfast – June 1, 2024, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Our church is once again hosting a pancake breakfast as part of the Guildwood Day celebrations on Saturday, June 1st. Pancakes will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the east lawn (or inside the hall in the event of rain). Suggested donation of $5.00 per person and $10.00 per family. Hope to see you there!

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, May 25, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Bells of Guildwood Annual Concert Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 3 PM

Join us for an enchanting afternoon of melody and charm as we gather for the harmonious resonance of the Bells of Guildwood! Mark your calendars for May 25 at 3:00 PM as we immerse ourselves in the captivating sounds echoing through Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.

Musical guests this year include: The Thomson CI Vocal and Wind Ensembles, Brooks Gorst, Hannah Roth, and Maggie and Miriam Donnelly. From classic compositions to modern melodies, there’s something for every musical palate!
That’s Saturday, May 25 @ 3:00 PM

We will host a BBQ after the concert! Hot dogs, burgers, chips, and drinks will be available for purchase.

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, May 18, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Guildwood Yard Sale Day on Sat., May 25, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church, 140 Guildwood Parkway, will once again be participating in the Guildwood Yard Sale Day on Sat. May 25th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We’ll have a bake sale (organized by our Youth Group with proceeds going to Kids Help Phone and Meagan’s Walk), a plant table, a new toys table and a fabric, yarn and notions table. Plus there will be 11 vendor tables offering all kinds of yard sale stuff including production props from the Guild Festival Theatre.

And if you’re hungry that morning, we’ll also be serving egg on a bun, peameal on a bun or egg and peameal on a bun plus coffee or tea beginning around 8:30 a.m. for a minimum donation of $4.00, $5.00 and $6.00 respectively (while quantities last).

In the event of rain, the sale will be moved into the church hall.

All proceeds will be used to continue the work and charity of our church in the community and abroad. Hope to see you on the 25th!!!

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, May 18, 2024, edition of Tidbits.

Rev. Moon’s Message for May 19, 2024 – Pentecost

Ceiling painting depicting the Pentecost by German painter Fidelis Schabet (1813–1874); at the Stiftskirche in Hechingen, Germany; taken from the Wikimedia Commons.

Dear Friends,

May the Risen Christ continue to bless and strengthen you every day.

This Sunday, May 19, “Read and Discuss”, the monthly virtual book study, meets at 1 PM and every 3rd Sunday of the month. We extend a warm invitation to those eager to engage in thoughtful discussions. A Zoom link to the meeting is available from the church office.

On Saturday, May 25, following the Yard Sale (9 AM–1 PM), the Bells of Guildwood holds its Annual Concert in the sanctuary (3 PM).

On Wednesday, May 29, “Listen and Listen”, a quiet prayer and communion service, will be held at the church (7:30 PM): March–June, September–November.

—Rev. Chuck Moon

A version of this message appeared in the Saturday, May 18, 2024, edition of Tidbits.