you could be learning from knowledgeable guest speakers or learning a new skill. Call the church 905 987 4515 to find out about up-coming meetings.

Euchre – every second Friday at 7:00 PM in our hall. Doors open at 6:45. $5/person includes refreshments. Mentors are available for anyone wishing to learn Euchre. Singles, couples, friends,

neighbours – all are welcome. Check our advertisement in The Village Voice for dates.Board Game Night! September through June we get together on a Friday night for a really fun evening of games and munchies. Everybody is welcome – you can use our board games or bring your own.

Friendship Connection – we meet monthly October – June for a time of refreshment and chats and going to the movies. Up-coming get-togethers are posted on the church website.

Baptism and Church Membership – Anyone who has a request for baptism, or who would like to discuss becoming a member of Newcastle United Church, please speak with Rev. Mary-Jane at any time.

Bible Study Group: Where the upcoming Sunday’s scriptures meet our lives. We meet Wednesdays at 9:30AM until sometime in June. All are welcome.Messy Church – fun and unique faith growing for a Christ-centred

community. Everyone is welcome – all ages, all abilities. We Chill (gather), Create (activities), Celebrate! (inter-active worship) and Chomp (sit down to a meal together). Check out our website to see when you and your friends can join us in this fresh approach to church.

Groups meeting at Newcastle United:Tuesdays - Gospel Plus meets Tuesdays 7PM. Contact Lloyd 905 987 7292.Wednesdays – Girl Guides meet 6:00-8:30PM in the church hall. Saturdays – AA meets in the church hall 7 p.m. every Saturday evening. Call the Oshawa office 905 728 1020 for further information and assistance.East Clarington Men’s Breakfast. Men from local churches take turns hosting the Breakfast, which always includes an interesting speaker or presentation. Call Myno at 905 987-5482 or shortboxchev@gmail.com

NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCHRev. Mary-Jane Hobden, B.A., M.Div., Minister

NEWCASTLE UNITED CHURCH84 Mill St. S. L1B 1H2 www.newcastleunitedchurch.org

Email: newcastleunitedchurch@bellnet.ca 905-987-4515

Newsletter Spring – Lent/Easter 2017

Dear Members and Friends of Newcastle United:As I write, we are in the midst of yet another thaw after a snowstorm. It is looking and feeling a bit more like spring each time it happens. It has been an interesting winter, but as Lent approaches we also know that spring really is on the way.Lent is a time to take stock of our lives and re-commit to being the best ‘me’ we can each be. Lent is traditionally seen as a time of repentance. To ‘repent’ means to ‘turn around’, to head in a new direction. The 40 days and six Sundays of Lent provide a time for the reflection and beginning of such turning around. By the time Easter arrives we have had enough time to develop new habits and outlooks, if we have used the time to our advantage. We become ready to take hold of the new life offered to us by the Resurrection.In the past, Lent has been a time of fasting and prayer. To deny oneself and be focussed in prayer was seen as the way to draw closer to God. Fasting gave way to giving up other things in a symbolic denial. It is supposed to be something that is difficult to give up so that you feel the loss and turn to prayer. While nowadays we often hear of giving up chocolate or TV, I have discovered that taking up a spiritual practice has a greater effect on my closeness with God. Taking a short walk every day, while perhaps cutting down on TV time, also provides an opportunity to draw closer to God in the quiet of your mind and creation.Anything and everything we do each day can be a spiritual practice if it is done prayerfully and mindfully. We need to be fully present in the activity and dedicate it to God. The writer of Thessalonians reminds us to: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a)I am committing myself to be more mindful in all I do during Lent. I know it will bring me a greater appreciation of all that I have and everyone in my life. What better way to prepare for the new life the day of resurrection, Easter Day, brings us as we once again celebrate Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Jesus showed us how to live and love. He was always mindful

of all God has given the world in love. That mindfulness extended to providing himself as the ultimate sacrifice to show how love should be lived.May we all remember that Love brings new life. May we share it mindfully.-Rev. Mary-Jane

Sundays and Special EventsWorship 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Nursery care is provided for little ones to 4 years.Faith in Motion for young people ages 5-12. Youth Bible Learn for teens.

March 20171 Ash Wednesday – the beginning of Lent, Bible Study 9:30 AM3 World Day of Prayer – 2 PM, hosted by Orono UCW. Euchre – 7 PM5 First Sunday of Lent - Communion6 Session Meeting – 7 PM8 Bible Study – 9:30 AM12 Second Sunday of Lent. Daylight Savings – Clocks move ahead14 Official Board Meeting – 7 PM15 Bible Study – 9:30 AM16 Messy Church – “The Great Surprise” - 10 AM-1 PM17 Euchre – 7 PM in the hall19 Third Sunday in Lent, St. Patrick’s Stew Lunch after worship22 Bible Study – 9:30 AM24 Board Games Night – 7PM in the hall26 Fourth Sunday in Lent. 1 PM - Bloomin’ Spring Fling Talent Show29 Bible Study – 9:30 AM31 Euchre – 7 PM in the hall

April 20172 Fifth Sunday of Lent.

“Road to Resurrection” - 6-8 PM Easter event for everyone9 Palm/Passion Sunday – Communion14 Good Friday – Service at 10:30 AM16 Easter Sunrise Service – 7 AM. Easter Sunday -10:30 AM Celebration21 Board Game Night – 7 PM in the hall28 Euchre – 7 PM in the hall30 Presbytery Pulpit Exchange

May 201714 Mothers’ Day – Christian Family Sunday26-28 Conference Annual Meeting, Brockville28 UCW Sunday

June 20174 Pentecost11 Outdoor Service & Picnic18 Fathers’ Day25 Strawberry Sundae Sunday

Hi! Our young people are learning and living the Word through the interactive programmes we offer each Sunday morning at NUC. Children 5-8 use the Holy Moly! curriculum. We are learning some New Testament stories and have a special Holy Week and Easter unit coming up. Our 9-11 year olds explore how we can strengthen our relationship with God through the Grapple! resources. Teens dig into the Bible with critical thinking using our re:form! guide and anti-workbook.We have a Really Big Lent Event “Road to Resurrection” on Sunday, April 2 from 6-8PM. This is open to everybody. We experience The Triumphal Entry, the Passover Meal, The Prison, The Cross and The Joyful Road through hands-on activities. Then we gather together at the Roadside Diner for snacks. Limited space so let us know you’re coming by e-mailing the church.Board Game Nights are a blast and people of all ages enjoy a fun evening of friendly games and competition. And munchies!Messy Church – we have an awesome Lent/Easter MC coming up – “The Great Surprise!” during March break – Thursday, the 16th from 10-1. Open to everyone - all ages, all abilities. Messy Church is a fun and unique approach for all who wish to grow their faith in a Christ-centred community. Check out our website for other MC dates.150th Challenge! To celebrate the sesquicentennial of our sanctuary and our beautiful country, our young people have monthly “Acts of Kindness” challenges. Complete a challenge(s), cross it off the list posted in the hall and Mill St. entry and earn yourself a sticker!

Church Groups and ActivitiesThe Choir – under the direction of Music Director Joanne McLennan, practices Thursdays from 7:00-9:00PM. September to mid-May. We are 20+ strong but there’s room for more! If

you would like to join in this ministry, please speak with Joanne.United Church Women – our very active group meets the second Monday of each month except July and August. At these meetings,