Dalston-Crown Hill and Forest Home United Churches
North Simcoe Life Newsletter for April to June 2018
In the quiet months of winter, connections, conversations and actions have been stirring within the United Churches in the villages of Dalston and Forest Home. Amidst the activities, plans have been hatching to reach out and engage people in topics of interest, opportunities to build relationships and activities that are meaningful. Be sure to read to the bottom to find out about the yummy Dalston Ham Supper, time for Meditation and new Speaker’s Series!
Through the winter months there have been wonderfully engaging moments such as:
- the Men’s Breakfast in February where 27 men of the community gathered at Dalston-Crown Hill for a buffet of eggs, sausages, baked Beans and hash browns followed by guest speaker Brock Godfrey on the informative and interesting topic of “Fraud Awareness For Seniors”;
- 4F gatherings in January and March at Regan House in Scout Valley when a group of families and friends met to share a meal, and reflect together in January about the intentions we want to bring to this new year and in March to consider the gift of “Diversity” through games and storytelling;
- the Open Hands Youth Mission to Nicaragua hosted a Fundraising Bonspiel Club in February where it was a delight to hear from Nicaraguan hosts Elizabeth and David;
- over the six weeks of Lent a group of 10 enjoyed gathering weekly around a kitchen table to talk about issues that have energy like – What does it mean to be Spiritual but not Religious? What is prayer? And how do Random Acts of Kindness change us?;
- hilarity abounded as a cast of characters from high school days of the sixties of the follower, the nerd, the home-coming queen, the jock, the cheerleader, the biker, the flirt and the rock band leader created an evening of dinner theatre improvisation as a story from decades ago was relived in the basement of Dalston-Crown Hill Church;
- the premiere opening of “Forest Home Community Cinema” when a bunch of folks of all ages from all around the community enjoyed popcorn and the movie, “The Lorax”;
- the Meditation Circle for Women on Wednesday evenings at Forest Home has been rich in conversation and significant in the experiences of connecting to our authentic self deep within, where wisdom and clarity about our life path emerge;
- a Lenten project to support the Hunger to Hope Initiative at Barrie Native Friendship Center including guest speakers Brianna Laws and Meagan Lortie who shared how their work at the BNFC brings meaning, and changes lives, through relationship and access to healthy food who invited us to be part of their work.
So what are some of the ideas that have been developing to invite people to engage in meaningful conversations and actions, and build relationships filled with times of laughter, deepening friendships, and provide opportunity to work together to make the world a better place?
A new Speaker’s Series began in March. The first speaker was Brian Carwana, Director of Encounter World Religions Centre in Guelph who will speak again in May. The theme for March was “To See, To Be, To Do” which provided an insightful map for navigating the landscape of the world’s religions. It compared and contrasted how diverse faith traditions understand fourteen underlying principles on such central issues as: What is the Ultimate, How is Truth Obtained, Attitudes towards Humanity and the World, Causes of Suffering, How is Deliverance Achieved … and much more. We learned about the traditions of the world, of our neighbours, and perhaps even more about our own views on this fascinating and complex topic.
In May Brian will return on Tuesday May 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Dalston-Crown Hill United Church with a focus on Islam. Come learn about the life of Muhammad, the rise of a civilization, the split of Sunnis and Shi’as and the teachings, practices and sources of authority that undergird Islam. We will explore history and ritual, while learning about modern issues prominent in the news including secularism, violence and the role of women. Often reduced to platitudes and caricature, we will aim to gain some depth on this influential monotheistic faith.
The Speaker’s Series on April 24th at 7 p.m. will present an evening of insight with First Nations Elder Mark Douglas from Rama Mnjikaning. The focus of his presentation will be on a method for communal decision making of a model to build consensus which helps us find the eighth way, the way of the Creator. It is a process that invites us to add together all our ideas in order to build a plan that becomes our plan. The talk is called “Seven Twice is Eight”. Mark’s insights about this way of being in community together have enhanced the life and conversations of many people.
Guest speaker at the June Speaker’s Series will be Darlene van Oorschot from Bone Zone. Darlene will speak on The Challenges of Aging and Maintaining Health and Independence. She will discuss ways of maintaining physical and emotional health as well as tips on how to live each day as fully as possible.
The Speaker’s Series are $10/person or $15/2 or $25/4 or what you can afford. You can call ahead and reserve a ticket or ask questions by calling Al at 737-2552 or George at 835-2750.
May 11th is our next 4F from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Regan House in Scout’s Valley off Line 15 north of Forest Home United Church. We will be celebrating “Growing”. Our time together includes building community, playing games, expressing our creativity and a meal! This is for families with children and grandparents with grandchildren and their friends. For more information and to pre-register so dinner can be prepared call Ruth at 705-229-6513 or Debbie at 705-329-1709.
The next series of the Mediation Circles for Women runs on Wednesday evenings from April 11th to May 16th from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Forest Home United Church. The focus is on listening and discerning signs of hope and new life and how we can help shift life on the planet through our daily actions and attitudes to create well-being for all. For more information call Karen at 705-325-7998.
Earth Day is Sunday April 22. Each Congregation will be having an all-age friendly service called “Joyful Noise”. Come to enjoy making music together as we celebrate the Earth that sustains and supports us at 9:00 am at Forest Home and 10:30 am at Dalston-Crown Hill.
At Dalston-Crown Hill U.C., there are periodic gatherings for the Women’s Chit-Chat Sip ‘n Snack. Our gathering involves conversation, snacks, and beverages (hence our name.) Watch for details on our website dalstoncrownhillunitedchurch.net, or send us an email (dalcrown@gmail.com) with a request to be put on the email list so you will be notified of gatherings. You can also check our Facebook page.
Also watch for opportunities to be part of a series of Re-Skilling Events which could include things like developing skills such as cooking economical meals, knitting, canning or other skills people want to learn. Let us know and we’ll see if we can find someone who can teach the skills that interest you!
Dalton-Crown Hill Annual Ham Supper is Saturday May 12, 2018. Dinner will be locally raised ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetables, coleslaw, home-made pies. There will be continuous seating from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Adults are $18, children under 12 are $8. For tickets call 705-722-6965.
On Wednesday June 20th people are invited to gather for a time of pausing to celebrate and delight in the longest day of the year, summer solstice, and to honour the First Nations people of Canada on the eve of our national First Nations day. Everyone is invited to gather at Regan House in Scout’s Valley off Line 15 so we can be close to the earth for a Circle of Meditation filled with our longings for light to guide us on a path toward living the ways of wholeness.
On Sunday mornings everyone is welcome to gather for worship at Forest Home United Church in the village of Forest Home at 9:00 am and at Dalston-Crown Hill United Church in the village of Dalston at 10:30 am.
Dalston-Crown Hill has been newly renovated to be accessible. Come check out the facilities that are available for a variety of gatherings, whether for community or private events. For details call Al at 705-737-2552.
To stay tuned to upcoming events, follow the postings on Facebook at Forest Home United Church and Dalston-Crown Hill United Church or check out the websites at www.DalstonCrownHillUnitedChurch.net and www.ForestHomeUC.ca or send an email foresthomeunitedchurch@yahoo.ca or dalcrown@gmail.com .
submitted by Karen Hilfman Millson