E100 – The Bible reading plan people love to complete. Our congregation starts today!

What is E100?  The Essential 100 Challenge is a new way to read through the Bible. The Challenge is based on carefully selected Bible passages – 50 from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament – that help you get the big picture without getting bogged down.  It is not difficult, but requires a commitment. But even that commitment is not onerous since you can complete the readings at the pace you choose.

Whether on your own or in a group the E100 challenge will be very beneficial for your Christian growth and knowledge.

Starting November 1, you are invited to start the E100 challenge. If you want to meet with others to discuss the readings, starting Nov 5, there will be 2 discussion groups meeting weekly – Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. The groups will meet in the Library for 1.5 hours for discussion.

Click here for the complete guide (Excel spreadsheet; select Open or Run to open it).

Over the summer Ken Poulson has managed the upgrade of our parking lot. In addition to the originally contracted work, it was necessary to replace a drain pipe running from the courtyard to the street as well as the drain basin in the courtyard. In order to provide the correct drainage across the courtyard path it was necessary to relay about half the courtyard pathway. Finally excess bricks were used to create a garbage bin container area.

Note that the two aisles closest the to church have been reinforced to withstand the weight of heavier delivery vehicles. Also conduits were installed to allow the running of electrical wiring and water pipes to the two islands if desired in the future.

Parking Lot Overview

Including all the modifications the entire project cost came to $80,500 versus an original budget of $80,000.

On Monday June 22, the pavement from our parking lot was removed and activities commenced to provide the base for a new asphalt surface.

A panoramic view of the parking lot with new gravel base.

Preparations included:

• Building a gravel base to suitable depth to allow proper drainage of underground water and support for the new surface,
• Installation of a weeping tile drain in the centre of the two roadways closest to the church,
• Removal of some defective earth in two locations to provide a solid base to support the new surface,
• Replacement of a collapsed drainage pipe running from beside the church office stairway to the street
• Replacement of broken curbs around the lot
• Replacement of the main parking lot entrance curbs

Click on any picture to see the full size picture.

Near aisle with the weeping tile ditch down the middle	Centre aisle – digging out the weeping tile ditch
Removing defective earth	Another perspective
Installing weeping tile down the middle of the centre aisle	Building a concrete pad for our garbage containers

The driveway entrances are being completely rebuilt with new curbing, etc.

Construction will continue the week of June 29 with the goal of completion, weather permitting, by Friday, July 3.

The two aisles of our currently parking lot closest to the church building were paved in 1982. In 1996, after the demolition of the old manse, the third aisle was added. After 33 years those initially paved aisles have suffered severe disintegration due to our constantly changing climate and the lack of proper sub-surface drainage.

Ken Poulsen, a professional engineer who has worked on many paving projects over the years, has evaluated the underlying soil conditions, the condition and usage of the parking lot and come up with a recommendation that provides the most value for money spent. (His four options ranged between $60,000 and $140,000; his recommended option is for $80,000.)

At the Annual General Congregational Meeting a motion is being proposed by the Official Board to repair the parking lot. The slide show below was presented at a Congregational Information meeting on Sunday, January 18.

View the PowerPoint presentation here.

View the background document here.

Organ Recital tickets can be purchase via the Organ Recital event page.

Today we are pleased to welcome Kelly Crewson as our new Administrative Assistant. Kelly brings a wealth of both administrative and IT experience to the position.

Drop by to say hello if you are around during the week. Office hours continue to be 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.

Kelly can be reached via email at the secretary@nullstreetsvilleunited.ca address.

On a cool Saturday evening, Feb. 22, 2014, twenty-six members of our congregation gathered at Cooksville United Church for the second annual Coldest Night of the Year walk, raising funds in support of The Dam, whose mission is to  Develop, Assist and Mentor youth and young moms along the journey towards reaching their full potential. Ours was the largest team and was either first or second in raising funds of over $4,000 – 36% over our goal of $3,000.

Participants elected to walk 2.5, 5 or 10 kilometers; at the 1.5 km mark we stopped in at The Dam’s relatively new Cooksville location near Hurontario and Hillcrest. On completion of the walk,organizers served a light dinner of soup and baked goods.

More pictures can be found at Streetsville United’s Facebook page:

Get Involved

Are you looking for a way to reach out in the community this Christmas? Maybe looking for an alternative gift that keeps on giving? Consider the following as you begin preparing for the Christmas season.

Streetsville United

Streetsville Food Cupboard – Donations for the food cupboard, gift cards and bus tickets are always welcome. If you looking for a more direct involvement, consider volunteering on Tuesday and Friday mornings. People power is always welcome. Speak with Adelaide Tapscott for more information.

In the Community

The Dam – Annual Silent Auction – Nov 15, 2013 – 6:30 pm – 1 World Drive, Mississauga (World Vision Auditorium). Auction items and online bidding at www.thedam.org.

Eden Community Food Bank Christmas Hampers – Provide Christmas dinner (except the turkey) and a gift for family members (you choose family size). Volunteers are welcome on Dec 19th & 20th to assist in receiving and shipping baskets – great community service hours opportunity. Please contact Heather Barbour directly – hbarbour@nulllook.ca – if you are interested. For those who do not have e-mail, please contact Cathy Clipperton – 905-826-1576

Circle of Care Program Interim Place – Information available on the Outreach bulletin board front entrance or contact Interim Place – fundraiser@nullinterimplace.com or 905-403-9691 ext. 2223    www.interimplace.com.

Nationally and Globally

Gifts with Vision – This is a gifting catalogue from The United Church of Canada. Copies are available in the narthex or visit the website – www.giftswithvision.ca. These are local, national and global projects that are partners with the United Church.

Hope International Gift Catalogue – Support one of our global partners through various gifts including scholarships, a cow, water filters, greenhouses and much more. For more information, visit the website – https://secure.hope-international.com/registrant/TicketingCatalog.aspx?eventid=131660&langpref=en-CA&referrer=http%3a%2f%2fwww.hope-international.com%2findex.php.

Where Do Our Outreach Dollars Go?

Wondering how the envelope offerings directed to outreach are used? The funds designated for local and global projects are disbursed quarterly. This is where our funds went in October. Check the websites for more information.

Local – Mississauga and Toronto

Pathway Community Programs –www.pathwayhousing.ca/community_programs.html

The Dam – www.thedam.org

The Open Door – www.opendoorsquareone.org

Eden Community Food Bank – www.edenfoodbank.org

The Scott Mission – www.scottmission.com

Globally

cbm Canada – www.cbmicanada.org/

Hope International – www.hope-international.com/index.php

The Leprosy Mission Canada – www.leprosy.ca/Page.aspx?pid=191

Canadian Foodgrains – www.foodgrainsbank.ca

Syria Refugee Relief – Donation made through the United Church of Canada – www.united-church.ca

in support of Pathway Community Programs Audrey Pritchard Breakfast & Lunch Programs (church wide)

The Sunday School needs your help to ensure children in these programs go to school well nourished, ready to learn. From September 29^th to October 20^th please bring your food donations to church and place them in the marked box in the narthex.

Please see the wish list below for donations suggestions.

Pathway Community Breakfast Program Wish List

• Mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish
• Salsa
• Pancake syrup, pancake mix
• Jam
• Tins of flaked chicken/turkey/ham/tuna/salmon
• Spaghetti sauce preferably “lumpy” vegetable kind to use
•    to make pizzas (rather than plain sauce)
• Tins of diced tomatoes
• Soda biscuits, Ritz crackers plain or cheese
• Peanut-free granola bars
• Bisquick
• Muffin mix
• Taco kits
• Flavoured Instant Oatmeal packets
• Fruit juice (not fruit drinks) in large or individual servings
• Bottled water
• Zipper type sandwich bags
• Paper lunch bags
• Disposable cups (for juice that would hold at least 4 oz)
• Small disposable Styrofoam plates, Styrofoam
• Serviettes, plastic spoons, forks
• Chocolate “cheerio” type cereals
• Dish soap, new dish cloths
• Aluminum foil
• Frescho or No Frills grocery cards