► What you need to know this week

•  A message from the Outreach Committee: Traditionally, at this time of year, we would be asking you to think about bringing into Walton a gift or a gift card, or a financial donation for us to deliver to the agencies taking care of so many people over the season. Usually, we divide all of these gifts between several agencies, including Kerr Street Mission and Wesley Urban Ministries. Of course, an actual White Gift Sunday wasn’t possible in this COVID-19 year – though we hope you enjoyed our virtual White Gift service last week – but we don’t want those families and individuals in need to feel their shortages more than ever. If you are able this year, we ask you to bring us an unwrapped toy for a girl or boy.

This is a suggested donation wish list:
• New gifts: toys, hygiene items, small kitchen appliances, towel & linens.
• Gift certificates for Walmart, Giant Tiger, Canadian Tire, Toys ‘R’ Us.

We have been blessed by the many hats, scarves and gloves already donated to the Mitten Tree. We know that some of you knit all year in order to deliver the massive bags of knitting. Any deliveries can be made to the Allen Entrance (back door) of Walton Church on Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon. Please wear a mask and ring the bell to have someone open the door to you. If you need a pick-up, please call the office to make arrangements.

• Christmas Memorials – Anyone has the opportunity to make a special memorial gift to Walton at Christmas time. There are two ways you can do that this year — you can make a monetary donation or you can donate a virtual poinsettia in loving memory of a loved one. The cost for a virtual poinsettia is a minimum donation of $10.00 and all donations go to the Walton Benevolent Fund. 
  • Please donate online or contact the church office at office@waltonmemorial.com to make your donation to either the Christmas Memorial Fund or virtual poinsettias.
  • The deadline for donations is Wednesday, December 16th. These memorial gifts will be compiled into a list and will be emailed out to all those who donated early in the new year. They will be dedicated during the virtual service on Sunday, December 20th.
  • More information – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/benevolent-fund-christmas-memorials/
  • What is the Benevolent Fund? This confidential fund, managed by Rev. Gill with help from some of the staff, is to help people in need due to Covid, illness, unemployment, unexpected accident, setback, or tragedy. Every year it helps people in our congregation and in the wider community who are in need,  through financial and material assistance. The work of the fund remains highly confidential to allow for anonymous support of people in need. For more information, please email Rev. Jim Gill jamescwaltonwuc@gmail.com

• Daily Advent Email Devotional – Find greater meaning and inspiration as you prepare for Christmas, with a daily moment of guided reflection and prayer. Inspired this year by the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (made famous by Kings’ College, Cambridge, in the UK), each day you’ll be sent either a Scripture passage or an excerpt from a carol, as well as a short reflection and a prayer. Internet links will also be provided so that you can watch and listen to the carols and readings offered up in worship.
– Throughout Advent, we will affirm and remember our endeavours across the centuries to glorify God and give thanks for the birth of God’s Son. Each day, the devotionals will remind us of God’s enduring relationship with humanity and encourage us to welcome and praise God in our world today.
– If you’ve received the Advent emails in a previous year, you should have received the Advent emails automatically, starting today, Nov 29th. To sign up to receive the emails, please visit: waltonmemorial.com/advent-devotional

• Join us on Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning – We will be having 3 virtual services to celebrate Christmas:

December 24th – 3:00pm – Storyteller Service for kids of all ages
December 24th – 6:00pm – Christmas Eve Service with Communion
December 25th – 8:30am – Christmas Day service

 •  Walton’s prayer chain is open. Confidential prayers requests can be sent to office@waltonmemorial.com

•  If you need Rev. Jim for a pastoral emergency, please email him directly at jamescgillwuc@gmail.com

► What you need to know this week

• Walton is implementing a new software system which can accommodate all our varied administrative requirements: people/membership database and facilities scheduling, donation tracking and receipting, and event registrations. “Planning Center” has been selected by the office staff, council and financial committee as the program that will best suit our needs. However, in order for us to be able to use the new program effectively, we need your help to update our contact information.

•  In many cases, we only have one email or phone number on file for each household. (For example, do you get this Virtual Service directly to your email, or does your spouse have to forward it to you?) Accurate email addresses and mobile phone numbers for each adult are key pieces of information for staying in touch with many in our congregation. If you think we may have out-of-date/incomplete email addresses or phone numbers for your household please let us know.
•  For those who receive letters or tax receipts we also need to make sure we have the correct postal address on file. If you have recently moved or are not receiving any correspondence from us, we may not have your new address.

For any updates please drop an email to office@waltonmemorial.com, with the subject line being “CHANGE IN INFORMATION”, or call the office 905-827-1643. This would really be helpful to make our new program work to benefit both staff and congregation. Thank you!

• Daily Advent Email Devotional – Find greater meaning and inspiration as you prepare for Christmas, with a daily moment of guided reflection and prayer. Inspired this year by the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (made famous by Kings’ College, Cambridge, in the UK), each day you’ll be sent either a Scripture passage or an excerpt from a carol, as well as a short reflection and a prayer. Internet links will also be provided so that you can watch and listen to the carols and readings offered up in worship.
– Throughout Advent, we will affirm and remember our endeavours across the centuries to glorify God and give thanks for the birth of God’s Son. Each day, the devotionals will remind us of God’s enduring relationship with humanity and encourage us to welcome and praise God in our world today.
– If you’ve received the Advent emails in a previous year, you should have received the Advent emails automatically, starting today, Nov 29th. To sign up to receive the emails, please visit: waltonmemorial.com/advent-devotional

•  Food Bank: On behalf of the Burlington and Oakville Food Banks, the Walton Outreach Committee would like to thank you for your generous financial donations since we entered the COVID-19 world. The need has increased hugely in our local areas – families who used to be able to scrape by have been forced to use the services of the food banks to put meals on the table. Families who were already registered are feeling the severity of their situation more than ever. The demand on the food banks is well-documented and we’d like to ask you to donate if you possibly can spare something. You can donate online at the Walton website, which means that the amount will go through your Givings Statement, or drop a cheque through the mail slot at the church, or post your donation to Walton Church, 2489 Lakeshore Rd. West, Oakville, ON L6L H9. We have been able to send your donations of $1400 to date – thank you for your generosity and for thinking of others through our current situation. Please be sure to designate either Oakville or Burlington Food Bank if you have a preference and add your envelope number if you know it.

 •  Walton’s prayer chain is open. Confidential prayers requests can be sent to office@waltonmemorial.com

•  If you need Rev. Jim for a pastoral emergency, please email him directly at jamescgillwuc@gmail.com

• Your generosity is so appreciated! The Mitten Tree is up and ready for your donations! We know many of our knitters have been working hard on mittens, hats and scarves. Our shoppers have been picking up items when they see them on sale. All donations welcome!
“Warm hands …and feet… and hearts”

► What you need to know this week

• Daily Advent Email Devotional – Find greater meaning and inspiration as you prepare for Christmas, with a daily moment of guided reflection and prayer. Inspired this year by the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (made famous by Kings’ College, Cambridge, in the UK), each day you’ll be sent either a Scripture passage or an excerpt from a carol, as well as a short reflection and a prayer. Internet links will also be provided so that you can watch and listen to the carols and readings offered up in worship.
– Throughout Advent, we will affirm and remember our endeavours across the centuries to glorify God and give thanks for the birth of God’s Son. Each day, the devotionals will remind us of God’s enduring relationship with humanity and encourage us to welcome and praise God in our world today.
– If you’ve received the Advent emails in a previous year, you should receive the Advent emails automatically, starting Nov 29th. To sign up to receive the emails, please visit: waltonmemorial.com/advent-devotional

• 2021 Givings Envelopes are available for pick up from the church office. You are invited to drop by Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to pick yours up. Please come to the back door and ring the doorbell. Thanks so much for your help. If you are unable to drop by during those times, please contact the church and make an appointment. 905-827-1643, office@waltonmemorial.com
For the 2021 giving year, Walton has reallocated congregational envelope numbers. This to reduce the range of envelope numbers in circulation, and thereby reduce excessive waste and administration costs. As a result, please check your envelope number to see if there has been a change; this change will be effective January 1st, 2021. If you are on PAR you will no longer receive a box of envelopes, but if you would like the special envelopes used throughout the year, please contact the office and a set of envelopes will be made available for you to pick up through the church office. Thank you.

• Thank you from the  Outreach Committee!
Please know what you are doing helps!
Please know what you are doing is acknowledged and it is appreciated!
Please know that the people on the receiving end are so grateful and thank you for continuing to support and help them. Thank you!  Thank you!
Our modified Spaghetti Dinner raised over $2,000 with your very generous support, this amount will go to Wesley Mission in Hamilton. As well, your response to our Thanksgiving Food Banks appeal enabled us to pass on almost $2,000. to our local food banks.
Walton’s Outreach Committee is trying to maintain some of our Christmas programs. We want people to remember this time of year and the happiness that goes with it, even though we are in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.
• We plan to have a food drive (monetary contributions are appreciated)
• A White Gift program (with gift cards to basic retailers, ie. Food Basics, Giant Tiger, Walmart, Shoppers, etc.
Monetary givings through the church givings would be appreciated as well. Donations can be dropped off at the church Tuesday to Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm. If these times don’t work, please contact the office to arrange an appointment: office@waltonmemorial.com or 902-827-1643

• Christmas Memorials – Everyone has the opportunity to make a special Memorial Gift to Walton at Christmas time. There are two ways you can do that this year — you can make a monetary donation or you can donate a virtual poinsettia in loving memory of a loved one. The cost for a virtual poinsettia is a minimum donation of $10.00 and all donations go to the Walton Benevolent Fund.
— Please donate online or contact the church office at office@waltonmemorial.com to make your donation either Christmas Memorial Fund or Virtual Poinsettias. The deadline for donations Wednesday, December 16th. These memorial gifts will be made into a list and will be emailed out to all those who donated by early in the New Year. They will be dedicated in the Virtual Service on Sunday, December 20th. More information – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/benevolent-fund-christmas-memorials/
— What is the Benevolent Fund? This confidential fund, managed by Rev. Gill with help from some of the staff, is to help people in need due to Covid, illness, unemployment, unexpected accident, setback, or tragedy. Every year it helps people in our congregation and in the wider community who are in need, through financial and material assistance. The work of the fund remains highly confidential to allow for anonymous support of people in need. For more information, please speak to Rev. Jim Gill jamescwaltonwuc@gmail.com

• Upper Rooms for November and December are now available at the church. Please contact the office if you would like to purchase one. Thanks.

•  Walton’s prayer chain is open. Confidential prayers requests can be sent to office@waltonmemorial.com

•  If you need Rev. Jim for a pastoral emergency, please email him directly at jamescgillwuc@gmail.com

• The Mitten Tree is up and ready for your donations! We know many of our knitters have been working hard on mittens, hats and scarves. Our shoppers have been picking up items when they see them on sale. There is a big need for thermal socks!! All donations welcome!
“Warm hands …and feet… and hearts”

► What you need to know this week

• 2021 Givings Envelopes are available for pick up from the church office. You are invited to drop by Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to pick yours up. Please come to the back door and ring the doorbell. Thanks so much for your help. If you are unable to drop by during those times, please contact the church and make an appointment. 905-827-1643, office@waltonmemorial.com

For the 2021 giving year, Walton has reallocated congregational envelope numbers. This to reduce the range of envelope numbers in circulation, and thereby reduce excessive waste and administration costs. As a result, please check your envelope number to see if there has been a change; this change will be effective January 1st, 2021. If you are on PAR you will no longer receive a box of envelopes, but if you would like the special envelopes used throughout the year, please contact the office and a set of envelopes will be made available for you to pick up through the church office. Thank you.

•  Thank you from the  Outreach Committee!
Please know what you are doing helps!
Please know what you are doing is acknowledged and it is appreciated!
Please know that the people on the receiving end are so grateful and thank you for continuing to support and help them. Thank you!  Thank you!

Our modified Spaghetti Dinner raised over $2,000 with your very generous support, this amount will go to Wesley Mission in Hamilton. As well, your response to our Thanksgiving Food Banks appeal enabled us to pass on almost $2,000. to our local food banks.

Walton’s Outreach Committee is trying to maintain some of our Christmas programs. We want people to remember this time of year and the happiness that goes with it, even though we are in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic.
• We plan to have a food drive (monetary contributions are appreciated)
• A White Gift program (with gift cards to basic retailers, ie. Food Basics, Giant Tiger, Walmart, Shoppers, etc.

Monetary giving through the church givings would be appreciated as well. Donations can be dropped off at the church Tuesday to Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm. If these times don’t work, please contact the office to arrange an appointment: office@waltonmemorial.com or 902-827-1643

• Christmas Memorials – Everyone has the opportunity to make a special Memorial Gift to Walton at Christmas time. There are two ways you can do that this year — you can make a monetary donation or you can donate a virtual poinsettia in loving memory of a loved one. The cost for a virtual poinsettia is a minimum donation of $10.00 and all donations go to the Walton Benevolent Fund.
— Please donate online or contact the church office at office@waltonmemorial.com to make your donation either Christmas Memorial Fund or Virtual Poinsettias. The deadline for donations Wednesday, December 16th. These memorial gifts will be made into a list and will be emailed out to all those who donated by early in the New Year. They will be dedicated in the Virtual Service on Sunday, December 20th. More information – https://www.waltonmemorial.com/benevolent-fund-christmas-memorials/
— What is the Benevolent Fund? This confidential fund, managed by Rev. Gill with help from some of the staff, is to help people in need due to Covid, illness, unemployment, unexpected accident, setback, or tragedy. Every year it helps people in our congregation and in the wider community who are in need, through financial and material assistance. The work of the fund remains highly confidential to allow for anonymous support of people in need. For more information, please speak to Rev. Jim Gill jamescwaltonwuc@gmail.com

• Kids and teens – last call to share your gifts!
Like all our services, White Gift is going to be different this year. Our virtual White Gift service this year will be led by our children and youth, as always, but instead of participating in a play, we’re asking Walton’s kids and teens to share their special gifts via photo and video. Whether their gift is singing, playing an instrument, dancing, juggling, or creating art, we want to share it with Walton’s congregation in this special service, as we encourage everyone to share their gifts of support with Wesley Urban Ministries this Christmas season. Think of it as a virtual talent show for a great cause!

• Submitted videos should be no more than 2-3 minutes in length.
• Videos should be recorded horizontally, not vertically.
• Subject matter/music should be church-appropriate .and related to the message of the Christmas season.
• Videos and photos will be included in the virtual service video, which is sent to Walton’s subscribers and shared on social media. Participating children will be identified by their first names only.
• Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, November 18th.
• Email videos and photos to sundayschool@waltonmemorial.com

• Upper Rooms for November and December are now available at the church. Please contact the office if you would like to purchase one. Thanks.

• FALL SPECIAL….MIKE’S SEVILLE MARMALADE is available for curbside delivery through the church office – $3.00 per jar. Please contact the office at 905-827-1643 or email the office at office@waltonmemorial.com to make arrangements. All proceeds go to Walton Treasury to fund programs and ministries.

•  Walton’s prayer chain is open. Confidential prayers requests can be sent to office@waltonmemorial.com
•  If you need Rev. Jim for a pastoral emergency, please email him directly at jamescgillwuc@gmail.com

• The Mitten Tree is up and ready for your donations! We know many of our knitters have been working hard on mittens, hats and scarves. Our shoppers have been picking up items when they see them on sale. There is a big need for thermal socks!! All donations welcome!
“Warm hands …and feet… and hearts”