Announcements - January 8, 2012 - Yellowknife United Church

Exploring Our Faith: There have been some questions and inquiries over the past several months with respect to church membership. In addition, our church board has been asked to vote on three different statements of faith that The United Church of Canada has adopted over it's history, The question is whether each of these statements should be considered under the Doctrine section of the Basis of Union. In order to explore these questions of membership, statements about our faith, and what it means to be Christian in the world today, a series of study sessions will take place in the coming weeks. These study sessions are open to everyone - members and adherents, board members. If you are interested in all or any of these sessions, will you please place your name on the "interest list" along with contact information and information about possible meeting times and dates. Watch for details in the coming weeks.

Coffee Break with the residents of Northern United Place takes place every Thursday mornings at 10:00am in the coffee lounge on the 8th floor at NUP. Access is gained through the apartment entrance on 54th Street (ring *0101) and everyone is welcome.

Membership Transfer – There are certain voting privileges that go with being a formal member of the church. If you would like to transfer your membership from another church to Yellowknife United, please speak with Rev. Peter Chynoweth.

Congregational Meeting: The annual financial congregational meeting of Yellowknife United Church will take place following worship on February 5. This is when the budget for 2012 will be set and when important decisions about the work of the church in the coming year will be determined. Lunch will be provided.

Message from Affirm Study Group
If you were a young gay, lesbian or transgendered person in Yellowknife looking for a place where your spirituality could be honoured and strengthened and where you would be openly welcomed and cared for – where would you look? Most people in most church congregations would say their congregation is welcoming of everybody – it is unlikely that anybody would ever say their congregation does not welcome newcomers! And it is unlikely that anybody would ever want it known that their congregation is not welcoming!

However, when some churches say “All are welcome here …. but your lifestyle is not” they are sending a very strong message.

People at YKUC might say we are already welcoming of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgendered community – after all in 1988, the United Church of Canada said that homosexuality, in and of itself, should not be a barrier to ordination and in the Spring of 2005 YKUC voted to honour same-gender marriage in our church.

Isn't that enough?

Becoming an Affirming Ministry takes this one step further – putting words into action and openly and proudly declaring that the congregation truly says “Yes! ALL are welcome here!”

Readings for next Sunday, January 15th, 2012
2nd after Epiphany
1 Samuel 3: 1-10 (11-20)
Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6: 12-20
John 1: 43-51

Ecumenical Prayer Cycle:
This week – January 8th: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Iraq
Next week – January 15th: Cyprus, Greece, Turkey

Northern Community Prayer Cycle:
This week – January 8th: Sanikiluaq
Next week – January 15th: Sachs Harbour

United Church of Canada Prayer Cycle:
This week – January 8th: Those serving in justice, global, and ecumenical relations
Next week – January 15th: Those who support overseas partners

Participating in Today’s Worship Service:
Opening Host: Bruce L.
Closing Host: Barb P.
Greeter: Lloyd H.
Candlelighter: Fraser D.
Reader: Margaret M.
Musician: Sharon C.
Offering Counters: Brenda T./Lloyd H.
Communion Bread baked by: Peter C.
Communion Servers: Donna A., Terrilyn H., Barb P., Lloyd H.

Stewardship Seconds:
Praise the Lord! From God’s fullness we have all received grace upon grace.