Following the recent earthquake in Haiti, members of the Guelph community have pulled together to organize a benefit event featuring a wide selection of our amazing and world-class local-area talent. With overwhelming support from the local community, event organizers (Rev. Paul Clarkson, Dr. Ajay Heble, Sam Turton) set a goal of raising $20,000 from this event, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross.

The Event Organizers are pleased to announce that over $21500.00 was raised and that this will be matched by the Canadian Government making the total over $43000.00!  Thanks to everyone who supported this effort by attending the Concert; donating their time and talents - to all our talented Musicians, back stage coordinators, Green Room volunteers, donation takers; and to all of those who donated goods and services.  Also, thanks to Colleen Clack and the wonderful staff at the River Run Centre, and our Mayor - Karen Farbridge and City Council for their support.  It was truly inspiring to be part of such a wonderful event!

An open letter to all Canadians from the Moderator of The United Church of Canada

This letter was read by our Moderator, Mardi Tindal, at her home congregation here in Ontario this past Sunday.  It was also read at more than 100 congregations, during their worship services, right across Canada.  In it Tindal challenges us to find hope despite the failure of the Climate Talks in Copenhagen a month ago.

January 17, 2010

This letter was born in Copenhagen where, heartbroken, I watched the international climate talks fall apart.

Heartbroken because it was clear to me, as it was to many of you, that the talks in Copenhagen needed to succeed, that it is no longer safe for us to go on as we have before.

I believe this is a unique time in humanity’s fretful reign on Earth, a rare moment that will have historic significance.

And yet the Copenhagen talks failed. We have no plan to reduce deadly emissions of carbon dioxide. Emissions that are a symptom of our broken relationship with the web of life. Emissions that are rising faster than at any time in human history.

To say that we have hit the ground running, here at Three Willows,  as we entered the month of September might be a bit under stated.  In the Church September is always a very busy month as our various groups, teams and committees resume their activities after a well deserved summer break.  Last Sunday (September 13th) we started our formal Sunday School classes with a new curriculum - "Rock Solid".  We also held a barbeque after worship on the lawn beside the church building, and rented a huge bouncy house for the children.  If the energy and excitement at worship and the barbeque is any indication of the rest of the church year, we are in for a wonderful time together!