Grace United Church
210 Third Street
Weyburn, SK
S4H 0W6 December 2024
From the minister’s desk,
The light of love at Christmas!
The birth of Christ can be summed up in two words; love and peace. God so loved the world that Jesus God’s word of Love was sent to earth to heal and embrace humanity in love. Christmas is a celebration of the night, when love was born in a humble manger – Immanuel, which means “God with us”. Jesus is the light of love to the world then and still is today.
It is time to put our focus on what Christmas is all about. From cover to cover, the entire theme of the Holy Bible is Love. In love God created the heavens and the earth and found it good. In love God sent Jesus that there is peace on earth. Love is the greatest commandment that encompasses every other Commandment. Apostle Paul in
1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remains; faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.
Jesus taught his disciples and teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, and with all our mind and with all our soul. At every Christmas we are invited to receive this gift of love. No matter how we feel right now, that fact will never change. Some people may have trouble receiving the gift of love because that love and peace are denied to them for some reason. To the despairing world prophet Isaiah gives the assurance, “For unto us a child is born and he will be called Prince of Peace”.
When we receive the light of love and peace – God’s gift for us – we will give that love to others as Jesus commanded us to do. Without it, we will have the difficulty to adhere to Jesus’ second Commandment: Matthew 22:39 “You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these commandments hang all the law of the prophets”.
At every Christmas we honor the birth of Christ by choosing to live in the light of Christ’s love and be at peace in us and with everyone around us. The basic tenants of love as Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is this, “Love is patient and kind, love is not envious or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things. Love never ends”. By doing these things we come to know the reason for celebrating Christmas.
I wish you all a happy and a blessed new year as you begin a new journey in the life of Grace church family.
With God’s peace and blessings
Mohandas Barnabas
Advent and Christmas Season
Worship Services
Sunday, December 1 at 10:30 am ~ 1st Sunday of Advent “Hope” (White Gift Sunday)
Sunday, December 8 at 10:30 am ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent “Peace”
Sunday, December 15 at 10:30 am ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent “Joy”
Wednesday, December 18 at 7:00 pm ~ Solace Service (a candlelight service for those who grieve a loss)
Sunday, December 22 at 10:30 am ~ 4th Sunday of Advent “Love”
Tuesday, December 24 at 5:30 pm ~ Christmas Eve candlelight family service with Holy Communion
Sunday, December 29 at 10:30 am ~ Regular Worship Service
Ministry and Personnel
Season’s Greetings! It is our sincere wish that your Christmas season will be filled with joy and peace.
It is a truism that change is a constant. And so it is with our church community. Change is not always welcome. For example, we are saddened by the looming retirement of Rev. Barnabas at the end of this year. He will be missed but we wish him happiness and contentment as he enters a new phase in his journey. It will be a change for him as it will be a significant change for us.
We were also saddened by the passing of one of our committee members, Margaret Lukey. Her exemplary service to our church community spans many decades. She, too, will be missed.
On a happier note, we are delighted to welcome Trent McCallum to the Ministry and Personnel Committee. Trent is no stranger to most of you as he has been an active member of Grace United for years. We look forward to working with him.
Merry Christmas!
Ministry and Personnel Committee
Ray Hamm, Mal Barber and
Trent McCallum
The UCW Christmas Bake Sale will be held on December 7th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. We are asking for your help in providing a variety of baking such as buns, pies, dainties, or cookies. We would appreciate having the baking placed on trays and wrapped but we will also be happy to accept baking in pans or containers. Trays will be available following the service each Sunday or at the Church Office during the week. Please bring baking to the Church between 10 am to 2 pm on Friday, December 6th.
~ Your support is very much appreciated ~
All proceeds will go towards projects within the church. Thank-you.
And a Special Addition …..
Cabbage Rolls - $15.00
Ingredients: white rice, lean ground pork, beef, onions, garlic, and spices.
Packed 1 dozen per tray…frozen for freshness.
Advanced Prepaid Orders Accepted – contact Nancy Smoliak @ 306-861-5124 to hold yours with e-transfer or pay for your order at the Church Office
· Pick up Saturday, December 7thfrom 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Memorial Christmas Tree
Starting Monday, December 2nd, ornaments for the Memorial Christmas Tree can be purchased through the Church Office until Friday, December 20th.
For $5.00, an ornament will be placed on the tree in memory of a loved one. All proceeds will go towards the Memorial Fund.
Yearend Donations
Anyone wishing to make a year-end donation for the 2024 taxation year must have their donations at the Church Office by Friday, December 27, 2024. Depositsneed to be made in 2024 to count for 2024!
All donations received after this date will go towards the 2025 taxation year. Please contact the Church Office at 306-842-5131 if there are any questions. Thank you
Christmas Solace Service
Christmas is a time for memories and remembrance. For some, the memories of a loved one departed are still real. For others the memories are of happier times than they know now. We need to find a space and time to acknowledge that all our loved ones still embrace us in love and care. At Christmas they truly would want us to celebrate life as they always did when they were alive. For these reasons a separate time has been set apart for a special Christmas Solace Service on Wednesday, December 18that 7:00 p.m. at Grace United Church. You are invited to come with your family and friends.
Weyburn Salvation Army, in regard to the Christmas Kettle Campaign, is in need of bell ringers to work the kettle at the Wholesale Club in town. The kettles start on Thursday, November 28th and goes through till Saturday December 21st. It is 3 days a week; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The shifts are two hours long; 10:00 am to12:00 pm, 12:00 to 2:00 pm, 2:00 to 4:00 pm, and 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Any extra help would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time.
If anyone is interested in some shifts, please call Evelyn at the Salvation Army (306) 842-2280 Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
THE COMMUNITY HOT MEAL
Grace United Church, in partnership with Knox Presbyterian Church, is helping with “The Community Hot Meal” that is being held at Knox Hall on Sunday, December 15, Sunday, 
January 5th, 2025, Sunday, February 2nd, and Sunday, March 2nd. Food to be delivered to Knox Hall at 4:00 pm.
GREETINGS FROM THE FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE
Pot lucks are back on the calendar and we commenced with the Harvest Hoedown on the 15th of September. Great attendance and we are grateful for all who assisted that day.
The pot lucks are held the 3rdSunday of the month and all are welcome. Come and enjoy delicious food and get to know fellow parishioners.
The Social times are a great success and thank you to all who are signing up to do this once a month. You are appreciated!
Our December pot luck will be a highlight with a celebration of the retirement of Barnabas. We will have hot dogs available for the children and CAKE too!
Our committee has some ideas for theme days in the New Year so stay tuned.
Respectfully submitted by Grace Plonka.
Blessings to you all this Christmas season.
Pat May, Keri Forsgren, Kathy Erickson, and Maureen Clay
Variations Winter Concert
presents
Christmas Traditions
Saturday, December 7
7:00 pm
Sunday, December 8
2:00 pm
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
210 – 3rdStreet, Weyburn
Free Will Admission
Worship Committee Report
Greetings from the Worship Committee! As we look forward to the upcoming Christmas season, we are thankful for many things; Inspiring sermons from our minister, beautiful music provided by our choirs and choir director, plus the many volunteers supporting worship by assisting with scripture reading, ushering and communion.
During the Christmas season, we celebrate the four Sundays of Advent. December 1st - HOPE (White Gift Sunday); December 8th - PEACE; December 15th - JOY. Our worship service will be celebrating Reverend Barnabas. A potluck meal will be held after the service- everyone is encouraged to attend; December 22nd - LOVE. A Decovenanting Service for Reverend Barnabas will be held.
On December 18th, the Solace Service, for those grieving the loss of a loved one, will be held. Our Christmas Eve Service is on December 24th at 5:30 pm. Communion will be served. A regular worship service will be held December 29.
We will be welcoming our new minister in January 2025 with his first service on January 5, 2025. Again, thanks to everyone who participates in our worship services. Your contribution is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharynne Pearce, Chair
Heidi McCallum
On January 1, 2025, we will be welcoming a new minister who is part of the Admissions process for the United Church of Canada. In order to prepare for this new phase of our journey as a community of faith, you are invited to stay after church service on Sunday, December 8th in the Upper Grace Hall for a workshop outlining important information and learning about the process. This will be facilitated by Tracy Murton, Pastoral Relations Minister from Living Skies Regional Council. Everyone is welcome and highly encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be available.
Pastoral Care Committee
We are once again pleased to report that the monthly church and communion services have resumed, since September, to Weyburn Special Care Home, Tatagwa View, Midtown Care Home, Hill Top Manor and Parkway Lodge Care homes.
We wish to extend thanks to the 20 plus volunteers who dedicate their time, singing and musical talents for these pastoral care services. The residents enjoy the message from Reverend Barnabas, the music and the time spent visiting with them.
As the Christmas Season approaches, the Church Board has again agreed to request the congregation's participation in the yearly Salvation Army Christmas Donation Project. The Pastoral Care Committee will organize this project with myself and Marie Grohn volunteering to organize the donations. This year the Salvation Army has made some changes to their donation program. They are requesting toy and cash donations only. They will be establishing a TOY STORE at the Salvation Army so that the parents can come in and choose the appropriate toys for their own children and also families will be provided with a means to purchase the food they wish for their own special Christmas meal.
Any donations will be gratefully accepted. Marie and I look forward to accepting your donations and delivering them to the Salvation Army.
Our committee is always eager to accept new members. If you are interested, please contact me at below number.
On behalf of the Pastoral Care Committee, we wish everyone a very blessed, happy and safe Christmas and holiday season.
Blessings to all...
Connie Milligan
(306) 861-9973, and
Co-Chairperson Marie Grohn
Christian Education Committee
We want to thank the volunteers that have signed up to teach Sunday School this fall season. It is much appreciated and we will again be looking for volunteers for the new year.
Brooke and Justice will be putting up a Giving Tree for supplies that we require for the Sunday School room. If anyone is able to donate, they can come down and pick an apple that will have the item that we require.
As we approach the season of advent, Brooke and Justice have the kids working on Christmas cards that will be delivered to residents at a long-term care home who may not have anyone at Christmas. This year they have chosen Tatagwa View.
We wish you and your families a safe and happy holiday season!
Coreen Ward and Jodie Schneider
On behalf of the Grace United Church Official Board, it is with mixed feelings that I extend happy retirement wishes to our dear Barnabas. We are so very excited for you to begin this wonderful adventure in your life where you can do all the things you have wanted to do but have just needed the time and the freedom! Sadly, and most sincerely, however, we are going to miss regularly seeing your smiling face and hearing your laughter, and being comforted in your care and guiding words. We have been truly blessed these past 16 years and deeply thank you for all that you have given us in our together. May God be ever with you Barnabas and bless both you and Ida abundantly in your retirement. Be sure to keep in touch and come back often to visit.
We would also like to take this moment to say thank you to our church family. We are extremely thankful for how you have served so generously this past year. Whether it’s leading or supporting committee work; shepherding children; serving coffee; beautifying and setting up for worship; providing inspiring music; keeping us informed; supporting fundraising events; volunteering time and talents; keeping us informed; supporting fundraising events; volunteering time and talents; repairing and cleaning; or any of the countless other (usually unseen) tasks that keep our church community running, we are so very, very grateful! Thank you so much for all you do continue to do to nurture our community of faith!
May your Christmas be abundantly filled with hope, peace, joy and love.
Nancy Smoliak
Church Board Chair
Greetings from
Ministry & Personnel
The good news is that Grace United is blessed with having a very, very good staff who are willing and very able to carry out the work of serving the congregation and the community. It is a pleasure to work with them. The less than good news is that many of the committees of the Board are in dire need of volunteers to serve, this is particularly true of the Ministry and Personnel Committee. The M & P Committee meets only three or four times a year to discuss issues regarding support of the staff hired by the church. Though members of the committee are technically members of the Church Board, they are not required to attend Board meetings, though they are most certainly welcome to do so So, the time commitment is minimal but the committee’s work is essential. Please consider volunteering to serve your congregation.
Ray Hamm
(306) 861-9071
PAR ~ Pre-authorized remittance
If you have automatic withdrawals from your bank account, then you already understand the PAR principle.
Besides being convenient, using PAR for your offering ensures regular monthly givings to help our church’s ministry even when you are away. You will be providing our congregation a dependable flow of contributions, which increases our overall financial stability. Why not participate in PAR? Your regular giving supports the local ministry of our congregation. To participate in PAR, you may contact the Church Office. (306) 842-5131
Pastoral Care
The monthly Church and Communion Services have once again resumed in Weyburn Special Care Home, Midtown Care Home, Parkway Lodge, Hill Top Manor and Tatagwa View. Once again, I am very appreciative for the 20+ church volunteers and pianists who have graciously volunteered their time for these monthly services. The residents and staff of these facilities are most happy to have us come into their home to offer our church service, friendship and visits with the residents. This commitment involves about one hour of time monthly for each volunteer. If anyone else is interested in volunteering on this committee please contact me.
Pastoral Care Chairperson.
Connie Milligan. 306-861-9973
Dear Fellow Church Members, United Church women
Our UCW remains active with 24 members and 3 Associate members and always reaching out for new members to join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2 pm at Upper Grace. After having a successful garage sale and salad smorg in the spring, we continue with our monthly meetings this fall. Each meeting consists of a program by members and concludes with lunch and fellowship. UCW members also visit Hilltop Manor monthly.
We recently replaced and installed new blinds in Upper Grace as well as purchasing some new round tables. Our sick and visiting committee reaches out to many church members in need, on a regular basis. Our group will continue with other projects in the near future.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Respectfully yours,
Blanche McRae
UCW President
The Worship Committee assists Reverend Barnabas with the worship service each Sunday. The committee is responsible for organizing many facets of the services such as ushering, scripture reading, communion preparation, finding servers for communion and participating in the baptisms. We again look forward to the music provided by our Music Director, Colleen Weimer, and our choirs during our worship. We appreciate Doug Weimer for donating his time and expertise operating the sound system and power point during services. We would also like to extend a thank-you to Laura Watson for decorating the church for the season of Thanksgiving. Our committee would like to thank the many people who take part in services. We are always looking for more volunteers who would like to participate in worship services. Please reach out to our committee members if you would like to help. Respectfully submitted,
Sharynne Pearce,
Worship Committee Chair
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY to THURSDAY
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Fridays
9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Closed Weekends
and Holidays
Grace United Church email: grace.weyburn@sasktel.net
Phone: 306-842-5131
Website: graceunitedchurch-weyburn.ca
Facebook: personal login and Grace United Church-Weyburn
Minister: Reverend Mohandas Barnabas (phone: 306-415-0195)
Administrative Secretary: Gerri Becker
Music Director: Colleen Weimer
Child and Youth Music Coordinator: Kendra Gonczy
Child and Youth Activities Coordinators: Brooke Ward and Justice Morrison
Custodian: Dave Rennie (phone: 306-861-0110)
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of Grace United Church is to help people discover and nurture their Christian Faith,
within a loving and inclusive community, which serves God daily in the world.
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE AT :10.30 AM
HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE: FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT 10.30AM
EVERYONE IS WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS
Grace United Church email: grace.weyburn@sasktel.net Phone: 306-842-5131
Website: graceunitedchurch-weyburn.ca
Twitter - @gracechur Church Board
Facebook: personal login and Grace United Church-Weyburn
Minister: Reverend Mohandas Barnabas (phone: 306-415-0195)
Administrative Secretary: Gerri Becker
Music Director: Colleen Weimer
Child and Youth Music Coordinator: Kendra Gonczy
Child and Youth Activities Coordinators: Brooke Ward and Justice Morrison
Custodian: Dave Rennie (phone: 306-861-0110)
Trustees of Grace United Church Congregation of the United Church of Canada
210 Third Street Weyburn, Saskatchewan Canada
Cindy Bell
Bob Klemmer
Don Neill
Nancy Smoliak
Sharynne Pearce
Darcey Ward
Mal Barber
Allan Beach
Murray Keefe
BOARD TERMS STARTING SEPTEMBER 2022
TITLE NAME PHONE NUMBER TERM
Chairperson Nancy Smoliak 306-842-2636 (Home) 2022-2025
306-861-5124 (cell)
Vice Chairperson _____________
Secretary Marg Stewart 306-842-7633 (Home) 2022-2023
COMMITTEES
Christian Education
Co-chairs: Coreen Ward 306-891-8681 (cell) 2022-2025
Jodie Schneider 306-861-3666 (cell) 2022-2025
Members:
Jayme Payak 306-842-5755 (Home) 2022-2025 306-861-5739 (cell)
Tammy Friesen 306-891-4260 (cell) 2022-2025
Livia Steininger 306-861-2994 (cell) 2022-2025
Fellowship
Co-chairs: Grace Plonka 306-861-6598 (cell) 2022-2025
Maureen Clay 306-842-2894 (cell) 2022-2025
Members: Bev Johnstone 306-861-2832 (cell) 2022-2025
Tammy Friesen 306-891-4260 (cell) 2022-2025
Keri Forsgren 306-861-6090 (cell) 2022-2025
Finance
Members: Terry Steininger 306-861-4761 (cell) 2022-2025
Andrea Corrigan 306-848-3534 (Home) 2022-2025
306-861-9250 (cell)
Ministry and Personnel
Chairperson: Ray Hamm 306-842-3826 (Home) 2022-2023
Members: Mal Barber 306-842-7708 (Home) 2022-2023
Pastoral Care
Chairperson: Connie Milligan 306-842-2259 (Home) 2022-2025
Members: Marie Grohn 306-861-7302 (cell) 2022-2025
Member: _____________
(FYI – part of the Pastoral Committee but not on as board members)
Georgia Jensen – card service
Volunteers and Pianists for the Care Homes
Property
Chairperson: Byron Skjerdal 306-842-5890 (Home) 2022-2025
306-861-6542 (cell)
Members: Gordon Smoliak 306-842-2636 2020-2023
Lorne Klein 306-861-9235 2022-2025
Social Action and Outreach
Chairperson: _____________
Members: Sharynne Pearce 306-861-5871 (cell) 2022-2025
Member: _____________
Worship
Chairperson: Sharynne Pearce 306-861-5871 (cell) 2020-2023
Members: Heidi McCallum 306-848-0184 (Home) 2020-2023
UCW Representative
President: Blanche McRae 306-842-2898 (Home) 2022-2023
Representatives of Living Skies Regional Council: Margaret Lukey
Nancy Styles
Cindy Bell
Terry Steininger
Livia Steininger
Chancel Choir
Singing ~ Fellowship ~ Fun ~ Laughter ~
Caring ~ Serving
This is what happens in our Grace Chancel Choir!
The very dedicated members of this group gather for rehearsals every week and lead our services with their awesome music almost every Sunday! Their musical talent and commitment to the church is invaluable and I feel so fortunate to work with each and every one of them! Each week we rehearse music that we hope will be relevant to and will complement the messages Barnabas delivers. They always present their music with sincerity and enthusiasm! Their leadership of hymn singing is a great contribution to not only Sunday services, but to funeral services as well.
This year, the Chancel Choir will be presenting a Christmas cantata with the theme “Road to Bethlehem”. Jean Fahlman is composing the narrative for this cantata and the choir will be singing the songs which, when all put together, will make for a wonderful Christmas message. They will be presenting this cantata during the worship service on December 11.
The choir will also be a part of some outreach into the community as they will be performing at the Rotary Carol Festival on December 4. This has been a long-standing tradition, with Grace United Church Choir being part of the festival since its inception almost 70 years ago!
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the members of Chancel Choir for their commitment to the choir and to our church! Also, thank you to Barnabas for his encouragement and unending enthusiasm for the music in our church!
Submitted by
Colleen Weimer- Grace Music Director
2:00 and 7:00 p.m.
PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE
As chairperson of the Pastoral Care Committee, I am pleased to report to Grace United Church on the work and activities of our committee.
The main purpose of our committee is to provide volunteer support to Reverend Barnabas and the pianists for monthly Worship and CommunioN Services in the Long-Term Care facilities in our city.
Our church services and visiting in these facilities is warmly welcomed by the residents and staff.
On behalf of Grace United Church board and all the congregation, I thank the volunteers who make this possible.
Tatagwa View, Weyburn Special Care Home, Parkway Lodge, Hill Top Manor, and Midtown Care Home.
Worship/Communion services are scheduled and provided monthly to each care home except for July and August. To date we have had services in September, October, and November. Unfortunately, some facilities had to cancel within these months due to Covid issues.
On separate dates, we also provide volunteer visiting to the United Church members who are residents of these facilities.
This pastoral care is provided by a committed and faithful group of 14 volunteers and 5 pianists on a regular basis and 8 volunteers to fill in on an alternate basis. We are always eager to accept more volunteers, so if anyone is interested in this valuable work of the church please call/text me at
Connie Milligan
CHILDREN AND YOUTH MUSIC MINISTRY
Grace Youth ~ Kendra Gonczy Sunday School Coordinator & Youth Music Leader
Once again, the youth are busy filling the halls and sanctuary with energy and enthusiasm! There are currently approximately 35 children enrolled in our Sunday School program. Each Sunday, they are excited to get together, hear stories, and make crafts pertaining to the Bible story of the week. We have a dedicated group of volunteer teachers who make it fun and inviting for all who come!
Our Small Voices of Grace is a lively group once again! They sing in church the third Sunday of every month and bring smiles and joy to all! They meet every Thursday for 45 minutes of stories, games, snacks and lots of singing! This group performed at Communithon and they look forward to sharing some Christmas songs with the congregation during the December 18thservice.
Spirit of Grace is made up of 15 very amazing girls who love to sing and perform! The enjoy getting together every Sunday afternoon, and they also enjoy leading the music for worship services once a month. They were great ambassadors for our church at Communithon as they performed a variety of religious and Broadway songs. These girls will be performing at Rotary Carol Festival on December 4. As well, they are busy preparing a Christmas musical called “Three Wise Men and a Baby”. They will present this to the congregation on Sunday, December 18 during worship service.
The third group of youth who meet each week for song and fellowship are our
Spirit Singers. These very talented teens love to sing together and have a very fun time at rehearsals! They also performed some impressive music at Communithon and will be sharing more of their music at the Rotary Carol Festival. As well as leading music for worship services, these teens were also excellent food servers at our Turkey Supper! All of our youth groups generously contribute their time and talents to church activities as well as to community events. We are very proud of all our Grace Youth – they are invaluable members of our church family!
Your church board strives to ensure that the church stays true to its core mission by participating in sound decision-making, using good judgment, setting aside personal interests to ensure the best interest of the organization is kept, and by complying with governing laws. We have a wonderful group of volunteer board members who donate countless hours to achieve these goals and are blessed with an amazing congregation that guides and supports them. I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a most joyous Christmas and I look forward to working together with you all in helping Grace United Church thrive in 2023.
Nancy Smoliak / Church Board Chair
“FELLOWSHIP IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE”
Togetherness, Supporting, Sharing and Strengthening one another are the rewards of attending our potluck lunches. After a Covid hibernation we are finally able to organize this event that takes place the third Sunday each month.
Our committee consists of Keri Forsgren, Tammy Friesen, Bev Johnstone and co-chairs Maureen Clay and Grace Plonka. Thank-you to our dedicated volunteers as well as several individuals who assist us on these Sundays. Please consider joining our committee if you would like to help with the monthly potlucks.
In addition to the potlucks, we assist with the Annual Turkey supper in many ways. We would like to thank this year’s Chairperson Nancy Smoliak and her team for their excellent organization of this successful event.
So mark your calendar for the next potluck taking place on Sunday, December 18th!
Grace Plonka, Fellowship Committee
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