Submitted by Brad Inglis
Well this final article of the year is always a no-brainer. It’s all about gratitude! As we reflect back on the year that was, you can’t help but feel grateful for the many blessings of this community. Folks always seem to step up to the challenges of life with generosity, good-will and compassion.
We want to thank folks who came out to the bazaar to shop and/or have lunch, the vendors, the musicians, the Community Centre/Municipality, the donors and the many volunteers who helped to make it a great success and community event.
Volunteerism in this community seems to rank up there as one of the greatest pastimes of those who live here. Be it organizing a trail race, greeting at the Museum, Legion events, The Thrift Shop, various committees and organizations, or frying onions for someone’s hotdog – the gift of time is alive and well here in the village. The countless hours that people share, is humbling. And without those hours, I’m not quite sure where we would be. You can’t begin to pay for that kind of time and dedication. So, here’s to the volunteers who lead us into 2020 with optimism and grace.
On Saturday December 21st at 7pm we will host our annual Longest Night Service. This is an intimate, peace filled time when we take a break from the busyness of the season, to quiet ourselves and just breathe. Not everyone finds the holidays easy, and some just want to take time to remember those who are no longer with us. There is candle light and gentle music and we honour life’s transitions as we move from the darkest night of the year, back into the light.
On Christmas Eve at 5pm we gather for a community wide service of carols and celebration. We share that old familiar story of Christ’s birth and try to figure out why we still celebrate it, even today. There is communion for those who wish to participate and an opportunity to wish your friends and neighbours a Merry Christmas. All are welcome and it makes for a lovely tradition.
Starting Tuesday January 7th at 3pm, we will once again host our weekly Ted Talks Discussion group. Each week there is a different speaker and topic and we follow that up with stimulating and often differing discussion about how we see the world. These are open sessions and anyone can drop in on any given week when the topic interests you or follow along at home using the posted link.
For those who don’t have access to Netflix but would like to see the 3rd season of The Crown, we will showing two episodes a week every Thursday at 1pm starting January 9th. Even if you have Netflix, join us for the fun of watching it together!
Speaking of saying thank you…on Friday January 10th, the local churches will once again host our annual free community dinner – To The Tub With Love! There will be turkey with all of the trimmings, wonderful desserts and a great chance to visit and catch up with friends and neighbours after the holidays. If you would like to volunteer with the dinner, just drop me a note and we will be happy for the help with what has become a very popular event.
As we end this year, everyone from Tobermory United Church would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and blessings for 2020. If you would like to be on our email list to be updated on events in and around Tobermory, please send me an email and we will be happy to add you.
Brad Inglis is the minister at Tobermory United Church. He can be reached at binglis2@me.com
www.tobermoryunited.ca
