Faith in Action – February 1, 2025 ♥
Special Congregational Meeting
There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday on Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m.
(in person only)
Please plan to attend!
Worship – Thank you to everyone who joined us for worship during the month of January – it was great to see so many new and returning faces. Even during the coldest days, our attendance was between 40-50 people per week and we appreciated your support through the chilly January weather! Special thanks to Rev. Carol Fletcher for her leadership for the last 3 weeks in January and for challenging us with her Epiphany words and inspired preaching!
WPUC website
WPUC Canada Helps
QR codes in Worship? – You may have noticed that we are using a couple of QR codes in the worship power point. The one on the announcement page takes you directly to the church website. The one on the Invitation to Share slide takes you directly to our Canada Helps page and makes it easier for guests and on-line viewers to donate. To use a QR code just aim your phone camera at the square. Make sure the QR code is in the yellow square and click on the yellow link that appears. Give it a try from home or during worship! (For the Canada Helps code, there are a number of steps to follow once you are on the page – no money is taken from you just by clicking on the code)
Emergency Food Cupboard – Our food cupboard can always use a little extra, especially during the colder months. This month our wish list includes: 
powdered milk, peanut butter, broth soups, instant coffee, crackers, cereal, pasta, pasta sauces, items that children can take to school for snacks, juice boxes, tuna, beans, muffin mixes, canned fruits and vegetables, cat and dog food.
Hearing Assists – Did you know that we have devices to amplify the Sunday service available to borrow from the office? If this is something you might want to try, please call the church office during the week and we will have one reserved for you for Sunday morning!
Mobility Aid Lending – Did you know that WPUC has wheelchairs, walkers and canes that can be borrowed by congregation members? If you have a short-term need of one of these items, please call the church office (204-256-8792).
Soup Lunch – Thank you to everyone who helped prepare the amazing soup lunch in January and also for all who attended and enjoyed the soup!
Pastoral Care Group – If you are aware of anyone from our church community who might benefit from Pastoral Care support, you can speak with Sue Turley (office@windsorparkunitedchurch.com or 204-256-8792) to share discreetly. If you have some time in your schedule to connect with a shut-in or hospitalized individual from our church community by phone or in person, please reach out to Pat Lumsden (lumsdenpa@mymts.net or 204-254-6301) for more information.
Inventory Crew – Thank you to Alana, Gwen, Margo and Laura who have been busy sorting, organizing and taking inventory in the balcony and on the main floor!
After church coffee – Thank you to those who have hosted coffee time after church and also to those who have donated treats and helped out with serving! Also, a big thank you to everyone who helps by putting away their chair after coffee time.
Speaking of Coffee… Don’t forget that the Holy Grounds Café Coffee Group meets every Wednesday from 1-2:30 p.m. Come out for a coffee and a visit!
Offering counters – Thank you to those who continue to answer this call! Reminder to sign-up for the weeks you would like to count. Sign-up sheets are by the office.
Greeters & Liturgists – Thank you to everyone who has welcomed people to church on Sunday mornings in the role of greeter and to those who are on our list of liturgists to help lead worship and work with the pulpit supply on Sunday morning! Thank you as well to those who welcome the children in attendance and help them find our activity packets.
Snow Angels – If you arrive and notice that the steps need shoveling or sweeping, you are invited to help out those coming after you by doing a little light shoveling/sweeping. The shovels are just inside the door.
Please do not shovel if, for health reasons, it is not advised for you to do so.
Hymn Books – We have a number of Voices United and More Voices hymn books that we are looking to rehome. If you know of an organization or residence that could use these, please speak with Laura or Sue (make sure to get the OK from the receiving end first!) If you would like a hymn book for your own use at home, check out the next book sale!
Book Recommendations for Learning and Growing –
An Audacious Invitation is a startling new commentary on the Gospel of John by former United Church Moderator Walter Farquharson and long-time United Church minister Jeff Cook. Walter’s reflections paired with Jeff’s point-counterpoint responses allow the reader to participate in an energetic dialogue that will both surprise and inspire. Here we discover a Jesus of love and compassion and hope, a compelling call to a new way of living.
Available from Jeff Cook (call the WPUC office if interested) or through Woodlake Books (e-book only https://www.woodlakebooks.com/ebooks/inventory/eBooks/All-eBooks/An-Audacious-Invitation )
Verna J. Kirkness grew up on the Fisher River Indian reserve in Manitoba. Her childhood dream to be a teacher set her on a lifelong journey in education as a teacher, counsellor, consultant, and professor. Her simple quest to teach “in a Native way” revolutionized Canadian education policy and practice.
Available through the Winnipeg Public Library or for purchase at McNally Robinson or through the University of Manitoba https://uofmpress.ca/books/creating-space
Award-winning author and broadcast journalist Carol Off digs deep into six words whose meanings have been distorted and weaponized in recent years—including democracy, freedom and truth—and asks whether we can reclaim their value.
Available to borrow through Winnipeg Public Library and for purchase at McNally Robinson.
Beyond Our Walls:
This week, the Moderator of the United Church of Canada sent a letter to Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, thanking her for her “bold and prophetic” words of January 21st.
https://united-church.ca/news/not-my-name-and-not-name-our-god
Read the full transcript of Bishop Budde’s sermon here:
🛑 Recent Scams to be aware of:
RCMP texts – you may have seen on the news that people are receiving text messages claiming to be the RCMP needing to deliver documents to you. This is a scam – the RCMP does not use text messaging. Do not respond and delete the text.
Scam email
CAA Winter Safety Kit Giveaway – If you receive an email featuring the CAA logo saying you have been selected to receive a free roadside safety kit, do not respond, click any links or provide personal information. This is a scam email.
Scam text message
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