Stopped in Awe: News from Tobermory United
Submitted by Rev. Sheryl Spencer
March 4th, all are welcome at the annual Tobermory United Church Pancake Supper. There will be sausage, pancakes, baked beans, fruit, desserts – and friends and neighbours to talk to! Admission is by donation, and volunteers are welcome. For more information, e-mail tobermoryunitedchurch@eastlink.ca or call 519-596-2394.
March 5 at 10:30 a.m., Tobermory United will host an Ash Wednesday service, a joint service with St. Edmunds Anglican, led by Rev. Sheryl Spencer and Pastor Janaki Bandara. Pastor Janaki will also be leading a study on Zoom during Lent, Wednesdays at 2:00 starting March 12. Subscribe to the Tobermory United e-blast for more details by sending a request to the above e-mail address.
Otherwise, Tobermory United is lucky to only have had to cancel one service of worship due to weather this winter. That was on February 16th, when the wind and the snow were colliding, specifically on Sunday morning. Cancelling the service felt like relief not to have to worry about the weather, but it also felt like absence, because we’re all finding that gathering in community is important these days for mental and spiritual resilience.
It is a fact, however, that winter is a quieter time around the church, so we’re taking advantage by resting a bit before spring and summer, when the Chicken BBQ fundraisers and the operation of the Thrift Shop take a lot of our time and energy. So, for now, we’re watching how the snow is falling off the church roof and piling up in curious formations in front of the labyrinth windows, as well as engaging in a Visioning process where we’ve been wondering how our community of faith can not only remain a vital community resource, but expand its welcome. A brand-new web site is underway, more signage in the community is planned, and we’re taking out an ad in Broadview Magazine to welcome visitors from other parts of the province and country. Trying to keep ahead of the curve…
Rev. Sheryl Spencer is the minister at Tobermory United Church, 5 Brock St.
