West Hill: Are you ready to say, "I do"?

On Easter Sunday of each year, we open our arms and welcome people into our extraordinary space and the inspirational community that enlivens it. In fact, we do that every Sunday. But on Easter Sunday, we do it with a pledge to be present to everyone who, on that special day, chooses to become a member of our congregation and, through it, of The United Church of Canada.

 

While we, as a community, make that pledge to the individuals choosing to make West Hill their church home, they, too, make a pledge to us. In so doing, they are making it known that the principles by which West Hill guides itself are those they wish to use to guide their own lives. And they commit to helping us do that as a community.

 

In his ground-breaking book, The Exceptional 7 Percent: Nine Secrets of the World’s Happiest Couples, Gary Popcak presents his analysis of the most successful marriages. Noting that when each partner can identify what he or she wants to be when she or he dies, in other words, the most important ideals or goals in that person’s life, Popcak argues that the best marriages are those in which the partners commit to helping one another meet those goals. And that’s what we’re doing when we embrace new members; we’re committing to help them as they become the people they want to be and they are committing to help us become the church we want to be. It is a beautiful moment in time and one to celebrate. 

 

If you would like to join West Hill on Easter Sunday this year, please let gretta or annie know by emailing or phoning the office. Gretta will want to have a conversation with you so that the celebration is as rich for you as it can be.

 

If you don't live near our Scarborough church but would like to become a member of West Hill, we are willing to work with you to create a meaningful relationship that will last over the years to come. Some of our members are only able to join us very infrequently because of the distance at which they live. Others are able to join us for our Visitors' and Travellers' services which take place on the first Sunday of each month and are followed by a lunch. This year, we are receiving members who are regular attendees at West West Hill in Mississauga. Wherever you are, if you're ready to join us, we're ready to make the commitment and can exchange vows by Skype or in some other way that works for you. Just let us know and we'll work out the details. It will be wonderful to have you join us as part of our family.