Celebration

Update from Our Most Recent Refugee Families

Leave a Comment / January 16, 2021

Our most recent refugee families arrived in Canada on December 8th and were able to successfully quarantine in a home in Brampton that their sponsor, Abdul Wahid, a relative here in Mississauga, rented for them.  They are all relatives of Abdul, one being a family of 6 and the other a single man.  They arrived from Afghanistan via Turkey and are quickly becoming accustomed to their new home in Canada.  These families were thrilled to join their brother / brother-in-law as well as their other relatives (family of 3) who had also been sponsored by Abdul only a few months earlier with Maple Grove’s assistance as well. 

We were able to provide them with some games, Lego and a GingerBread house kit to assist with passing the time which they took to very eagerly as the pictures above show.  The top picture is of the reunited families enjoying a meal once the quarantine period had passed.

Here is a note of thanks from the families:
  ”We found Canada a very beautiful and nice country, found ourselves very safe & comfortable by being part of the so nice and kind people of Canada, we don’t feel like we are in a strange country we have got so much love and kindness in last few weeks and feel very happy and lucky by being part of the community. Our kids are full of joy and so much excited living in such a peaceful and lovable country like Canada, for sometime when we newly arrived we were not believing that we are really in Canada. We all will be trying our level best to be as good as we can to our new home country Canada and be part of the community for our whole life where we can share values.

And we all are really very thankful to Katy, Sandra, Hugh, Gordon, Adam & Khawaka from the United Church of Canada, and all who were involved to change our lives and bring us here to Canada. You all will be in our prayers.

Kind regards,
Mohammad Nasim and Family & Mohsin Shirzad”

Virtual Service, January 3, 2021

Leave a Comment / January 3, 2021

January 3rd’s pre-recorded worship service with communion
Message: “A New Beginning”
based on Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Matthew 2: 1-12

“O Come All Ye Faithful” played by the Memorial Handbell Choir
directed by Gaye Gemmell

There will be no Zoom Coffee Chat time at 11 a.m.
Coffee Chat time will resume via Zoom on January 10th at 11 a.m.

Virtual Service, December 27

9 Comments / December 27, 2020

In the “comment” space below the video of December 27 virtual service, you can say hello to Barb Duffin, learn more about the Neighbourhood Care Network and thank our speaker, Max Foxall. Plus you can speak to the musicians, Dr Deborah Henry, Eran Rozen, the Chancel Choir, and Pat McKee & her daughters Serena and Alice. John Berg and Dave Freeman were the readers. you can also thank the technicians or simply wish all the Maple Grovers “Merry Christmas” once again.

Sometimes it takes a little while before the comment is “live” and appears below the video of the service; please be patient.

Virtual Christmas Eve Service

Leave a Comment / December 23, 2020

In the “comment” space below the video of the Christmas Eve service, December 24, 2020, you can say hello to Rev. Kerry, speak to the musicians and/or readers, thank the technicians or simply wish all the Maple Grovers “Merry Christmas”. Sometimes it takes a little while before the comment is “live” and appears below the video of the service; please be patient.

Christmas Eve Services, 2020

Leave a Comment / December 22, 2020

Hello Maple Grovers and friends,
As we prepare our hearts and homes for Christmas, I want to share with you that there has been a lot of discussion over the last weeks on how we at Maple Grove will be able to worship on Christmas Eve.  After many hours of discussion and various ideas we have decided to offer several ways in which we hope you will be able celebrate the joy and wonder of Christmas Eve at MGUC. 

In making our decisions and offering the various choices, we have followed the Halton Region Health Unit and the Oakville Council and Mayor’s guidelines.  These guidelines are in line with the Province of Ontario’s pandemic protocols. 

Here are three options, with short explanations, for Christmas Eve worship services. 

On Dec. 24th on the website or in the enews you will find the YouTube link to the Pre-Recorded Christmas Eve Communion Service (similar to what you receive on Sundays).  If this is your safest and best option you may not need to consider the other options. There will be scripture readers and Music provided by the Maple Grove Children’s Choir, the Chancel Choir and the Memorial Handbell Choir. Watch the pre-recorded service, approximately 55 minutes, in the comfort of your own home and on your own time.  The YouTube link is active from December 24th and ongoing.  Watch it many times and then share it with family and friends.   

We also offer the Young People’s Christmas Eve service, from the Sanctuary, via Zoom at 6:30pm and also the Traditional Family Christmas Eve service, from the Sanctuary, via Zoom at 7:30pm. (note: these services are different from the pre-recorded service on YouTube).   For both of these services you do need to pre-register.   

To join the Young People’s Christmas Eve service via Zoom please email revkerrymguc@gmail.com by 5pm on Christmas Eve to receive the Zoom link.  The focus is sharing the good news of the birth of Jesus by dressing as our favourite Nativity person at home and Rev. Kerry, using Zoom, will lead us to the manger.  Scripture Readings and the music will be provided by Dr. Deborah Henry and Eran Rozen, M.Mus. Natasha Frank will lead the Christmas Eve craft time. 

If you would like to join the Traditional Family Christmas Eve service, from the Sanctuary, via Zoom at 7:30pm please email revkerrymguc@gmail.com by 5pm on Christmas Eve to receive the Zoom link.  The Family Christmas Eve Service will be live via Zoom from the Sanctuary.  This Zoom service will open at 7:30 pm and begin at 7:45 and end at approximately 8:20pm.  Readings, Christmas Carols and a short message from Rev. Kerry as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Note this service is different from the pre-recorded service of item A.   Music provided by Dr. Deborah Henry and Eran Rozen, M.Mus.   


The Service in the Sanctuary has been cancelled due to COVID-19  

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the office or Rev. Kerry at revkerrymguc@gmail.com

Grace Moment – Banff

Leave a Comment / November 28, 2020

I mentioned the attached video during this morning’s Bible Study.  Those who were on the Zoom call will get the connection and I have been asked to share this beautiful video from St. Georges in the Pines, Anglican, in Banff.  It is lovely all by itself but special for me as someone who grew up in the shadow of the Rockies and knows this church well.  As a young Anglican choir boy (I sing much better now, but in the shower only), I went to a summer choir camp at St. George’s.  I have walked by this church for decades since.  All the vistas in the attachment can be seen from the sidewalk in front of the church.  Many more can be seen just by turning around on the spot.  The Town of Banff, unfortunately, has been spoiled by excess tourism but we can all see the magnificence of the Rockies by driving  ½ hour further West.  Keep going and it just gets better.

Many of us see the Rockies as proof on God.  Who else could have done this?

Blessing,

Gord Penley

Happy Diwali, 2020

Leave a Comment / November 14, 2020
Happy Diwali

May this festival of lights
fill your life with
the glow of happiness and joy.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a Hindu celebration that symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”. As Christians who also celebrate the coming of the light, we wish a very happy Diwali to all those celebrating it, in Canada and abroad

Poinsettia plant

Poinsettia Sale 2020

Leave a Comment / October 29, 2020

In these unsettling days of physical distancing and social isolation we look forward to brighter days throughout the Advent season. To that end there is no better year to offer the beautiful poinsettia plants to you, your friends and family, while at the same time supporting the ongoing needs of the church. This year we realize there may be special circumstances by which not everyone might be able to pick up their plants in person. If that applies to you, please indicate in the space provided on the order form if you require delivery. We are striving to make these beautiful plants accessible to everyone!”

Download an order sheet below, and bring it and your cheque to the church in an envelope and place it in the lockbox to the right of the west doors.

Download the order form here –

2020Poinsettia-Order-Sheet pdfDownload
2020Poinsettia-Order-Sheet .docDownload

Yezedi Woman Update

Leave a Comment / October 3, 2020

Finally in each other’s arms….as it should be. After 6 years apart!

This photo is of them in Iraq. Mom will be there for 6 weeks or so helping to finalize identity papers to allow her daughter, Ronia, to eventually come and join her in Canada but we expect that to take about 6 months and some more funds.

Donations can be left in the church lock box on the wall to the right hand side of the door at the back of the church. Please mark “Ronia” on the cheque.


Your Outreach Committee

Bill Bremner is 90!

1 Comment / July 30, 2020
Bill Bremner

Thank you: 

Dear Friends at Maple Grove United Church,

I am overwhelmed by the many kind greetings that I have received on the occasion of my “90th” birthday. A large number of those are from my many friends at MGUC.

My wife and I became members of the congregation at Maple Grove United Church in 1976 and we have enjoyed the many friendships over these many years.

I have enjoyed being part of many committees over the 40+ years, the many evenings of Bible Study with several different leaders, and of course the many “Breakfast meetings” with the Maple Grove Men.

I have been so blessed to be your friend and your “Good Wishes” at “90” mean a great deal to me.

Thank you.

William H. (Bill) Bremner

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