Reflections, Prayers, Suggested Readings, Stewardship Thoughts

Now is the high tide of the year,

And whatever of life hath ebbed away

Comes flooding back with a ripply cheer,

Into every bare inlet and creek and bay;

Now is the heart so full that a drop overfills it,

We are happy now because God wills it

No matter how barren the past may have been,

'Tis enough for us now that the leaves are green;

There are many more lines to this old verse, but I think Lowell captures the spirit of this season. This season brings with it lazy moments spent at the cottage or in your backyard hammock, the aroma of food sizzling on a barbecue, the sounds of children playing in the parks. For me, the summer season has also been a very spiritual time ...... a time for sensing God's presence in the beady and wonder of nature; a time to be quiet with God, away from the telephone and e-mails and the busyness of life; a time for acknowledging God's peace that passes all human understanding; and a time for seeing God in the faces of those we love and those who love us.

May you feel God's presence in these summer days and nights. When you go to the cottage or hit the highways on holidays, pack a bible and read it. Or, read a book that will inform your faith or inspire you to greater things in life. Summer worship will be at the regular time of 10:30 a.m. every Sunday and we hope to see you in church. God doesn't take a break from us, so we shouldn't take breaks from worshiping God! See you in church!

Since January we have all been very blessed with the presence and ministry of Anne Montgomery, our ministry intern. Anne will be with us until the end of August. In the short time that Anne has been with us she has given us so much. Thank you, Anne for sharing your many talents with us. We are going to celebrate Anne's internship and her ministry with us on Sunday, September 7th at our morning worship with a reception following. We hope to see you there!

Sunday School Rotation will begin the following week on Sunday, September 14 th . Come and register your children that day. The Sunday School has an excellent program planned for the Fall.

In closing, I want to wish you a very happy and safe summer. May God bless you and those you love,

Your friend and pastor,

Neil

Summer greetings, everyone! Where has the time gone? It seems as if I just began my internship here only weeks ago, but almost six months have flown by. And here we are once again, enjoying the warmth and beauty of summer days -

S -see new people and places

May your summer include opportunities meet new friends, visits home, or perhaps travel to a place you have never seen before, in person, through memories, or via the media.

U -untie your shoes

May your summer include places to kick off your shoes and really feel the coolness of fresh-mown grass, the dampness wave-washed sand, the softness of a vacuumed carpet.

M - muse on music and art

May your summer include jazz and blues fests, quilting shows, the Changing of the Guard, finger-painting (or spatter-painting, remember?), local artists, hymns and children's laughter.

M - make your summer count

May your summer include taking time to be a good neighbour and friend, picking up some garbage, planting a flower or a tree, recycling something you don't need or use anymore, or picking up the phone to give a word of encouragement.

E - extend your circle of friends

May your summer include sharing a "cuppa" with a friend who brings along a new friend, a party with people new to your community, letters, smiles, laughter, or a listening ear,

R - relaxation and re-creation

May your summer include time for yourself, to read books, sleep in, do puzzles, take a bike ride or go rollerblading on your favourite path. And may your summer include some personal re-creation time with God.

Blessings,

Anne

P.S. This summer Canada celebrates the hundredth anniversary of "Anne of Green Gables", a story dear to my heart. If you are planning a trip to Prince Edward Island this summer, there will be many ways to join in the celebrations, If you would like to be more than a passive tourist on "The Island", there will be some Habitat for Humanity builds on the Island this summer. Information is on the websites at www.habitat.caand www.habitatpei.ca . Contact names are also available - call me?

From the Habitat website:

° One of the most appealing aspects of working with Habitat for Humanity is that building a house provides tangible opportunity to live out your faith.

°Giving your time and talents makes faith come alive

This fall there will be an opportunity for each family at City View to have photos taken at the church. Every family photographed will receive a FREE copy of our photo directory. We hope that YOUR FAMILY will be a part of this project so that our Pictorial Directory will be complete. Photo appointments will be held the last week of October. More details will be available in the fall.

Greetings from the office

Please note that during the month of July the office will be only be open on Thursdays, from 9:00 am to 12 noon and 1:00 - 4:00 pm. Voice and e-mail messages will be picked up on a daily basis.

During the month of August, the office will be closed for vacation and will re-open on Monday August 25th . The new office hours will be: 9:00 am to 12 noon, Monday, Tuesday & Friday, and 9:00 am to 12 Noon and 1:00 to 4:00 pm Wednesday and Thursdays.

Anne will be away on vacation June 29 & 30th and July 27 to August 4th inclusively. Neil will be away on vacation from July 7 - 21't inclusively.

Have yourselves a great and safe summer! I look forward to re-connecting with each of you in the fall.

Mary Lynne Harvey