Cayuga United Church

08/30/2021

Please pray for workers around the world but in particular for Swaziland and our dear friends in Cuba. 🙏🙏

06/20/2021

Friends in Christ,

Happy Father’s Day! My hope and prayer is that you are finding ways to celebrate the day in ways that are meaningful and safe. Surely, things are better for many fathers and grandfathers this year than last year; I’ve heard that some folks are heading off to cottages and others are having visits with family they couldn’t enjoy last year because vaccines weren’t available.

I received my second vaccine on Friday and am excited by the possibility of freedom it brings with it---once full immunity happens in two weeks. What a relief that will be.

Speaking of health issues…Shari Booker called me long after the service had been recorded. Please continue to pray for Bob; however, he is now home and happy to be there. As I mentioned in the recording, they are both grateful for the card and prayers they have received during this time. So, ignore the part of the prayer when I mention he could be coming home on Monday—since he is already at home.

Great is Thy Faithfulness is the hymn offered by our music ministry team this week. Hazel and Denise Snyder on piano and vocals; sound mixed by Brian Pogson. Many thanks to the music ministry.

And many thanks to Patti who continues to generate the bulletins each week. A reminder: if you want anything to appear in the info-bulletin, you need to make sure Patti has it by Thursday morning at the latest.

Here is the service link. https://youtu.be/0mKCsJwTqu8 May it bless you even in a small way.

Peace and blessings, The Rev. Debbie McMillan

Happy Father's Day! Genesis 9:12-17 is the focus scripture used to reflect on covenant and promise. We are given an opportunity to reflect on The Apology the...

06/13/2021

All music and streaming is covered by CCLI Church Licenses – #1598821 & #20398339 This week we look at Psalm 139 verses 1-12 through the lens of this line fr...

06/06/2021

Friends in Christ,

I hope this finds you and your families well.

As you watch the service, you will see that a creature paid me a visit on one of the days while I was filming. I won’t ruin the surprise by telling you what s/he was. I will tell you that the creature remained with me for the duration of the filming--even for awhile after. It was one of the most incredible experiences I have had in my life.

Today, our service theme is “To proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.”

What does that mean to you? How do you proclaim Jesus crucified and risen? Where do you see God/Jesus/Spirit as hope in your life?

The United Church of Canada has been making that proclamation for decades—long before the writing of a New Creed.

On June 10th, the United Church of Canada will celebrate its 96th birthday. In my reflection, I talk about how celebrations are muted in my own mind and heart as I continue to ponder the Residential School atrocities---specifically the mass grave at the Kamloops Residential School. I hadn’t planned on discussing it again this week during the message. When I heard that there has been a call to a National Day of Prayer, I threw out my planned message, changed course to respond to the call. I also decided to include the video created by the United Church of Canada which talks about the legacy of residential schools. The video is 12 minutes long and is incorporated in the message.

Our sacred music this week is provided by Hazel and Denise Snyder; the sound has been mixed by Brian Pogson.

Here is the link for the service: https://youtu.be/QIU0Ug1Y_6g

Peace and blessings,

The Rev. Debbie McMillan

06/02/2021

Please take note of the new name for the partner organization through which we support ministries in Cuba. What a great new name!

Hi Friends, we are ImpactHope!
(Formerly known as: Missionary Ventures Canada)

We are more than an organization. We are a movement of people who are actively committed to the cause of Jesus; to share the good news, fight poverty, alleviate suffering and bring freedom to the oppressed.

ImpactHope develops sustainable projects across the world. We encourage people who would like to make a difference, to join us and personally participate in impacting and shaping stronger communities.

We focus our efforts on food security, access to clean water, protection of the most vulnerable, gender equality and girl empowerment, access to healthcare, education, and leadership training.

ImpactHope’s teams work across the globe to shape stronger communities in Guatamala, Peru, Haiti, Mexico, Africa and beyond.

To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit: www.impacthope.ca

06/01/2021

From our Moderator:

As news came on May 28, 2021, that the remains of 215 children were found in a mass unmarked grave on the grounds of the former Kamloops Residential School, we entered into a time of mourning for these relatives, their families, and their communities.

05/30/2021

Friends in Christ,

It has been a week filled with ups and downs.

We can celebrate the good news of more vaccines being made available to more people more quickly. We can celebrate that our COVID case counts are falling. The summer’s promise of more freedoms may seem realized more quickly than any of us had thought possible. God’s schedule is always better than ours.

This week I attended the virtual meeting for the Horseshoe Falls Region. On Friday, our region, along with members from Antler River and Western Ontario Watershed were given the chance to listen to The Honourable Mr. Murray Sinclair. Much of my reflection today comes out of what he shared with all of us during his time with us. It is possible that a recording of his talk may be available---but I’m not sure.

He spoke with honesty about the Residential School system. He did so mere hours after the news broke across the country about the Kamloops Residential School. That had not been on his radar, nor ours. Prior to the Kamloops residential school atrocity, we thought he was going to talk with us about living into our commitments to Truth and Reconciliation. He adjusted his talk to us to accommodate the issues raised by that horrific story---while he was still processing his own personal responses to it—as a First Nations man who is also an elder. He turned down interviews with reporters from across the country so he could speak to those of us in the United Church: his phone even rang when he was with us….but he let it ring.

His Honour, Mr. Sinclair, was so passionate about giving his message to us that nothing could stop him from addressing all 273 of us who held virtual space for him as he held virtual space for us. His time with us was sacred, powerful and humbling. The Spirit moved and our response was deep listening.

Earlier in the week, when Patti received the scriptures she saw what I had selected for today and she was delighted that what Brian and ARISE had chosen for music -without even seeing the scriptures- matched the scriptures so well. His selection: Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone. This song speaks to all of us about God’s Power. God’s power releases us from what holds us back or down. But the grace offered by God is neither easy nor cheap. As Jesus called out the demons so that the man from the Garasenes would be healed, we too are called to call out the demons of evil we see at work in systems. Neither Brian nor I had any idea that I would be using this scripture to reflect on a Canadian Tragedy which we are all still processing.

If you are feeling traumatized by what you have heard in the news this week, please reach out. You can call or text me. You can send me an email. These stories are difficult to process without having to navigate the challenges of COVID.

I am grateful for a God who is present with us and to us in all things. May God support and sustain us as we continue to make our way through life—wherever we are on the road---and wherever that road leads.

Let us remember Bryce Taylor as he continues to deal with the challenges of pneumonia: we pray for him and for Anne.

Here is the service for Sunday. May it be a blessing to you. https://youtu.be/zG_tP3SaRfk

Peace and blessings,

The Rev. Debbie McMillan

All music and streaming is covered by CCLI Church Licenses – #1598821 & are 5 more lines in "A New Creed" and Rev. Debbie will be using them to...

05/23/2021

Friends in Christ,

Happy Pentecost!
Rejoice! I didn’t write a message this week. I did all the exegesis and study. All the preparation in the world couldn’t make the words flow on the page. It happens sometimes.

Instead, I offered a reflection about the Holy Spirit. It seemed the right thing to do, the only thing to do, really. (So, sorry, you'll still have to listen to me. But at least it won't be for much longer.)

I haven’t offered a sermon without a script since June of 2020. I have rediscovered writing messages and have found my preaching voice again---but this week was different.

I can’t tell you -nor would I presume to tell you- how to process the news of my resignation. I can tell you that I discerned for 6 months about leaving. During the first three months, I added fasting to my prayer life. I searched out spiritual direction and I received prayer support and pragmatic advice from trusted colleagues.

None of that was comfortable, comforting or easy. Writing a message for today: impossible.

But, the Spirit showed up and helped me talk to you in this service. My rambling message should reflect this simple truth: we can ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to be manifest in us and present to us as we go through difficult times.

So, in the coming days, weeks, months ahead, don’t be afraid to ask for God’s help. Ask God for what you need for your church, for your community. You are all God's beloved children and God will not abandon you.

Humanity may disappoint you. Human situations may frustrate you. Human behaviours and choices may infuriate you; but God is always faithful, always present, always loving, always leading and always loving you.

Here is this weeks service https://youtu.be/A_PucfFZNmI

Sacred music today is provided by Hazel and Denise Snyder; sound mixed by Brian Pogson.

May God keep you all safe this long weekend.
Peace and blessings, The Rev. Debbie McMillan

Music is provided by Hazel and Denise Snyder. All music and streaming is covered by CCLI Church Licenses – #1598821 & #20398339

05/21/2021

Oh, I felt the Pentecostal fire,
it strangely warmed my heart;
the Holy Spirit's presence there,
it gave us quite a start!
We told the people gathered 'round
of the truth that Jesus shared,
and, each and all, they understood
though they came from everywhere!

Some thought that we'd been drinking hard,
while others thought we were mad,
but we kept on speaking of his love,
and it made us all quite glad!
We talked and taught and shared the hope,
of God's kingdom ever near,
and the more we offered of what Jesus shared,
well, the less and less was our fear!

Yes, some, they scoffed, and some they jeered,
but that didn't stop us at all;
disciples once, apostles now,
it was time to live out our call.
The ones who heard Christ's saving Word,
they began to gather round,
to support each other, to share a meal,
to one another be bound.

Now, from that moment, years have passed,
that marketplace is no more;
but, disciples of the Risen One,
well, I'm sure that you know the score!
The Holy Spirit is in you now,
it is your time to sing her song,
so go with hope, because Christ's holy Love,
will always carry you on.

(Can be sung to "I feel the Winds of God Today")

(Image: RB)