Pictou United Church News

by Angie Burrell

Pictou United Church - Greeting the congregation this Sunday were Peter and Susan Fraser. Steward was Ken MacMillan.

Lighting the Christ Candle and Leading the call to worship was Raine Langille.

We were pleased to welcome Rev. Canon Eric Beresford, President of the Atlantic School of Theology and Moe Erhard, Directory of Development for the Atlantic School of Theology.

Eastlink Television was present recording the morning’s worship to be broadcast at 1 p.m.

Hymns sung were Joy Comes with the Dawn, Jesus Stand Among Us and God, We Praise You for the Morning.

The Sunday School answered the challenge Rev. Moriarity gave them to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The Sunday School were given reusable groceries bags and brought them to church full of toys, clothing, etc. which would be given to the Winifred Grand Opportunity Shop.

Following worship the congregation gathered for coffee hour, a presentation on the Atlantic School of Theology and for further conversation.

PICTOU – Christobell Pamela MacCormack, 85, of Strathcona Place, and formerly of Cottage St., Pictou, passed away April 15, 2009 in the Palliative Care Unit of Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow.

Born in Scotsburn, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Mary (Rush) Owen.

Christobell was actively involved with the Pictou United Church, in the U.C.W., and as a C.G.I.T. Leader. She also volunteered much of her time with the Opportunity Shop and the Food Bank, but her passion in life was gardening, and her home on Cottage Street was proof of that.

She is survived by her son, Larry (Ann), Truro; daughter, Shirley (Bill) Humphrey, Midland, Ontario; granddaughters: Kelly (Dan) Fillion, Hamilton, Ontario; Cindy (Adam) Loney, Fergus, Ontario; Stephanie (Charles) Randolph, Ajax, Ontario; two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Molly; brother, Albert (Edie) Owen, Plymouth; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband Frank; sisters, Florence and Ivy; grandson, Mark Humphrey.

Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou.

Funeral service will take place 1 p.m. Saturday from Pictou United Church, with Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity officiating.

Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery, Scotsburn.

Family flowers only please. Donations in her memory may be made to the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society, or the Canadian Cancer Society.

by Angie Burns-Burrell

Pictou United Church - Joyful spirits, joyful colors, joyful sounds resonated through Pictou United as the congregation gathered for worship this Easter Sunday. Greeters were Jane and Brian Burris, steward was Ken MacMillan.

Leading the Easter Litany were Charlotte, John and Sueann Musick.

Easter flowers had been placed in the sanctuary by members of the congregation in celebration of friends and family.

During the Moment for All, Rev. Moriarity spoke to the Sunday School children as to the symbol of the Hot Cross Buns; what spring brings forth in new life and the meaning of Easter. Rev. Moriarity shared her experience of meeting the Easter Bunny.

The choir offered an amazing Easter Contata which brought the congregation to its feet at the conclusion. Hymns sung were Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Give Thanks; Jesus Christ is Risen Today.

The service ended with Celtic dancers accompanying the hymn, I Danced in the Morning.

by Angie Burrell

Pictou United - Church greeters today were Linda Tucker and Carolyn Moore. Steward was Ken MacMillan.

Palm Sunday was an Intergenerational Worship with the Sunday School and others leading us in worship.

Following the Lenten Candle Liturgy the last Lenten Candle was extinguished.

We listened to the stories of the last week of Jesus’ life.

All were invited to come forward and move through the Palm Sunday Stations with the touching of the ointment, sharing of the Matzah, and invited to take a cross made out of palms and remember.

Following worship a coffee hour was hosted by the Pastoral Care and Outreach Committee.

Good Friday Worship will be held at 9:30 a.m. followed at 10:15 a.m. by the Walk with the Churches as we journey from church to church and to the Oddfellow’s Field to erect the cross.

2:00 p.m. worship at the Shiretown Nursing Home.

With sadness the family of Erma McLaren, 92, announces her passing on March 30, 2009. An active and vital woman to the end, she passed away peacefully at the Shiretown Nursing Home.

Born June 30, 1916 in Meadowville, Pictou County, she was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Murray. Growing up on a farm, she learned the rewards of hard work, self sufficiency and the love of God – values she carried throughout her life.

A 73 year resident of the ‘Old Town’ as she affectionately called Pictou, she made the leap to independent living in 1936 and ultimately met and married her life-long love, Stan McLaren, in 1939. They raised a family of three children. She worked side by side with her husband in the funeral business until his death in 1968.

Erma then joined the staff of the Pictou Medical Clinic until her retirement in 1981.

Erma was a woman of boundless energy and drive. She channeled that energy into her family life, her church and the community. Her family was the most important part of her life and she had a deep interest in knowing all about what was going on. She took delight in everyone’s successes and gave support and encouragement when needed. She took great pride, with a daily sense of accomplishment in a neat and tidy home as well as her appearance with her signature white blouse.

An active volunteer for most of her life she never refused a request for help. She worked tirelessly on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Society, United Way, just to name a few, and was a proud 71 year member of the Princess Rebekah Lodge #4. She was an active member of Pictou United Church and a dedicated worker in Unit 3 of the United Church Women. Her pies, biscuits and sweets were popular items at the dinners and suppers she worked to support over many, many years.

She passed on to her family the value of a positive outlook on life. As she would say, no matter your situation your happiness was all up to you. Always greeting family and visitors alike with a smile you immediately felt welcomed and at ease and of course you could not leave her home without a cup of tea. Certainly, a view of life to be emulated.

Erma is survived by children: Beverly, Richmond, Texas; Bill (Diane), Mississauga, Ontario; and Murray (Zelda), Pictou; grandchildren: Leslie, Ian, Maggie, Karyna, Sonya, great-grandchildren, Stuart and Nicholas; and sister, Jeanette Guy, Halifax; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Stanley; and brothers, Harold and Russell.

Visitation will be held at the McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou, Sunday, April 5th from 7-9 p.m.

Funeral service will be held Monday, April 6th at 2 p.m. from Pictou United Church with Rev. Mary-Beth Moriarity officiating. Burial at the Seaview Cemetery. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pictou United Church or a charity of your choice.

by Sharon Cheverie

PICTOU UNITED - Greeters on Sunday March 29th were Alison Yoshioka and Sharon Dewar, steward was Ian MacDonald.

We welcomed and thank Mike Simmons for leading us in worship as Rev. Moriarity was away.

Mission Moment was shared by Margaret Anne Dodson.

Lighting the Two Lenten Candles, the Christ Candle, leading the Call to Worship and the Lenten Liturgy was by Brad, Mary, Sarah and Kathleen MacCallum.

Hebrew Scripture Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Gospel Lesson John 12: 20-33 were read by Diane Vaughan.

Reflections “Renewed Spirit, Born in Us” God asks “What has to die inside of you”? We would have to change our attitude, our outlook on life and get rid of our ego. God gives us three things to work on:

1. Love Him all, mind, body and soul.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
3. Never fail Him, love yourself.

Mr. Simmons asked the question, if you died today what (legacy) would you leave behind?

Sunday we celebrate Intergenerational Palm Sunday Worship at 10:30 followed by Coffee Hour hosted by Pastoral Care & Outreach Comm.