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Highlights of Our Life and Work 
March 10 ,  2019
Sunday Worship, March 10, 2019
 
We enter the wilderness on this first Sunday of Lent with the invitation to "Be Still and Know God."   Lent always begins with a journey into the desert with Jesus  but as Jan Richardson says, "it's never quite the same path from year to year, never precisely the landscape we explored the last time around.  This is part of the point of the Season of Lent: it disrupts what is comfortable, familiar, and known, that we may be startled out of our customary ways of seeing." 
We will be nourished for the journey as we gather at the table for communion.

10 am Worship at Cate Church 
Join us at Cafe Church this Sunday as we retreat with Jesus into the wilderness for a time of quiet and stillness where we can reconnect with God and who we are called to be. Our theme for Lent is: Be Still and Know that I am God. This Sunday we will also celebrate communion!
Events this Week
(* = weekly events)
   
Sunday, March 10 -  
 *Sunday Worship - 10 am - Crescent Site 
*Cafe Church - 10 am - ThirdSpace (1381 George St.)
 
Monday, March 11
Women's Coffee - 10 am - Pelican Rouge Cafe
Community Dinner - 5 pm - Star of the Sea Hall - 15262 Pacific Avenue
 
Tuesday, March 12  
Peninsula UCW - 12 pm - Sunnyside Site, narthex
Trustees Meeting - 6:30 pm - Sunnyside Site, narthex
Expressive Art Workshop - 7 pm - ThirdSpace (1381 George St.)
*Sit & Stitch - 7 pm - ThirdSpace (1381 George St.) 
 
Wednesday, March 13
*The Third Cafe- 10 am - ThirdSpace (1381 George St.)
*Men's Coffee - 10 am - Danica's Bistro - 1959 152 St (Windsor Square)
* Wednesday Worship - 1:30 pm - Sunnyside Site - Sanctuary 
*Choir - 7 pm - Crescent Site - Sanctuary 
* Entering the Silence - 7 pm - ThirdSpace  (1381 George St.)
PFLAG - 7 pm - Sunnyside Site 
 
Thursday, March 14
*Centering Prayer - 7:30 am - Crescent Site, Sanctuary
Women's Coffee - 10 am - Pelican Rouge Cafe
Healing Touch and Reiki - 10 am - Crescent Site - Sanctuary
Stitch and Chat - 2 pm - Sunnyside Site - narthex
 
Friday, March 15
*Encore Pilates - 9:30 am - Crescent Site, Narthex
*The Third Cafe  - 10 am - ThirdSpace (1381 George St.)
 
Saturday, March 16 
Irish Stew Dinner - 5 pm - Crescent Site, Lower Hall 
 
Sunday, March 17 - 
*Sunday Worship - 10 am - Crescent Site 
*Cafe Church - 10 am - ThirdSpace (1381 George St. ) 
 
News This Week
Music Video
This Saturday, March 9th, a music video is being filmed at the Crescent site. The vocalist, Dani Le Rose, has a beautiful voice and you'll find some of her music videos online.

The director has invited "church extras" to sit in the pews for some of the scenes and would welcome members of the congregation
who might also "get up and dance" if the music so moves them.

"Extras" are welcome to come dressed in nice clothes from 11 am for about an hour or two.  Drinks & food will be available for the extras.

Please let Teri know if you plan on attending so she can plan for the numbers
Thank You! Appreciation to those who gave the generous gift of their time and labour
at the Pancake Lunch. Thank you, also to those who attended to make this event a success.
$600.40 was raised to support UCW outreach projects.
Peninsula United Church Women
Lenten Lunches  - There will be four lunches this year on 
Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 pm starting Mar. 14 (until April 4). Come break bread with members of other Peninsula faith communities. Take time to make these lunches a part of your Lenten spiritual practice.
Peninsula United will be hosting on March 28th at Star of the Sea Hall. We need your help by purchasing of buns, setting up, serving, cleaning. Please contact Val Weinert, Joan Strutt or Noreen Fedewich if you can help. 
 
The first lunch on Mar. 14th will be at Mount Olive Lutheran - (2350 148 St).
The second lunch is on Mar. 21 Star of the Sea Catholic Church
15262 Pacific Avenue. (Sponsored by Star of the Sea)
The third lunch is on Mar. 28 at Star of the Sea Catholic Church
15262 Pacific Avenue. (Sponsored by Peninsula United Church)
The fourth lunch is on April 4 at St. Mark's Anglican Church
12953 20 Ave .
United Church Moderator Richard Bott reminds us that the season of Lent offers an opportunity to think deeply about our relationship with God. In the attached video he asks us to explore the question: How is it with your soul?

Happy news from Habitat for Humanity El Salvador--visit the Peninsula United Church webpage to see a sweet one minute video greeting from our Habitat family standing in front of their new home with the newborn baby, Alex.
 
Creating a community that cares.
Monday, March 11, Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Ave. All are welcome. Doors open at 4:30 pm, dinner is served at 5:00 pm. Everyone welcome
Sponsored by Peninsula United Church and Sources Food Bank.
Irish Stew Dinner - Mar 16th 5 pm at the Crescent Site of Peninsula United Church (2756 127th St)
Circle of Friends will be entertaining. If anyone is able to help in the kitchen or would like tickets please see Joan Strutt after Church or call 
604 576-8812.

Toonies for Kid's Lunches 
The local Food Bank needs your help.  1200 clients are served every month at the Food Bank and 300 of those clients are school aged children.  $2 can provide a healthy lunch for a child.  Please drop your toonies in the marked containers in the Narthex.  Thanks!
Tuesday, March 12 - noon at the Sunnyside Site, 15639 24th Ave. Please bring a bag lunch.  Tea is provided. UCW is open to all women of the congregation.  We enjoy Fellowship, Worship, & Interesting Programs.  For the March meeting, bring your favourite very old or new cookbook for a "Show and Tell."  More information, call Pat Anderson 604-535-5652.
UCW Fundraiser - Back by Popular Demand - Frozen Food Sale!   Order forms will be available after church on March 1, 17 and 24th. 
Delivery will be April 13. For more information talk to Pat Anderson (604-535-5652).
Spring Rally & Annual General Meeting - Monday, March 18,  9:30  am- 2:30 pm,
Cloverdale United Church - 17575 58A Ave.
Fellowship - Wearing of the Green
Registration & Lunch $8
Thursday, March 14th, 10 AM to Noon, Crescent Site Sanctuary. All are welcome to drop in or come on a more regular basis for healing of body, mind, & spirit.
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month
Next Session is March 20, 1 pm

Join us in the Crescent Site Library, as we read, discuss,and write to deepen our lives and to appreciate, encourage, connect and more via writing and sharing. No writing experience needed! Call Marilyn Hahn at 604-996-2960 for details.

See also: Write Time, Write Place, at ThirdSpace on the last Wednesday of the month. Next session is Wednesday, March 27, 1 pm.
Coldest Night 
A big Thank You to all of the folks both inside and outside our church community who generously donated to our Coldest Night of the Year walking team this year.  You helped raise over $3,000 for the Sources Rent Bank, and altogether the White Rock event raised over $100,000.   The Sources Rent Bank assists individuals and families who are living on a low income and who are at risk of homelessness. The funds help support these people to achieve housing stability through facilitating access to various income supports and/or providing micro-loans for rental/utility arrears or damage deposit and first month's rent.

Volunteer Drivers Needed - Several of our congregation members need our help. They are not able to join us at church on Sundays or on Wednesday afternoons because they no longer drive. If you can help once or twice a month we can pair you with someone in your neighbourhood. Please contact Leisa Bannerman for more information: or call 604-725-2512  
As of March 2 the Emergency Weather Shelter has been open for 81 nights. An average of 19 guests have been welcomed every night. A total of over 1300 guest have visited since November.
We urgently need small travel size toiletries, including deodorants and toothpaste, gloves and warm jackets. Please bring to the Crescent site on Sunday or the Sunnyside site during the week.
Please bring to Crescent site on Sunday.
For information call Cheryl Lightowlers at 604-538-7366.

Programs at ThirdSpace
                         #1 - 1381 George St. 604-385-0822
                                         www.ourthirdspace.com
Good News for ThirdSpace!
Our ProVision grant request has been approved and we will receive an additional $15,000 from the ProVision Fund for 2019 (which makes a total of $29,400 in total for 2019). This grant comes after we completed an independent evaluation of our ThirdSpace programs. The full Evaluation Report and a summary will be available and posted on our church website as soon as possible (and available from the office).
We welcome your questions & suggestions!
Please contact ThirdSpace Team members: Maria Booth (Chair), Leisa Bannerman, Jean Kromm, Susan Zwick & (Rev.) Bruce McAndless-Davis.
Sit & Stitch
Every Tuesday from 7- 9 pm at ThirdSpace
Come relax, chat, knit and find life-changing friendships. All ages and skill levels are welcome - especially beginners!

Expressive Arts
This Tuesday  from 7- 9 pm at ThirdSpace
.Find joy & peace in releasing emotions by getting in touch with your creativity. Expressive Arts Therapy help us get insight into our problems and top into our most resilient selves.
Experience greater compassion for yourself through the healing power of the imagination. No previous experience required. Supplies provided. No charge; donations welcome.
Space is limited, please register: Facilitator: Tracey Gramm, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist.
The Third Cafe
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
at
ThirdSpace
Drop by for a cuppa fresh ground coffee or gourmet tea! A warm welcome awaits in a place that is relaxed, safe and truly inclusive.
Wednesdays, 7 - 8 pm -  at ThirdSpace
One Hour of Silent Meditation for the Experienced Meditator Complete Silence; no guidance or instruction provided. 

Facilitator: Marilyn Hurst
  PFLAG
This Wednesday, 7-9 pm -  at the Sunnyside Site
ThirdSpace is pleased to host monthly PFLAG meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at our Sunnyside location (15639 24 Ave.) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. 
Meets the last Wednesday of the month. (at ThirdSpace 1381 George St.)

The next session is Wednesday, March 27.

Join us as we read, discuss,and write to deepen our lives and to appreciate, encourage, connect and more via writing and sharing. No writing experience needed! Call Marilyn Hahn at 604-996-2960 for details.

See also , Peninsula United Sacred Writer's Group  (drop-in) at the Crescent Site - on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.  
Next session, March 20, 1 pm.
Events Beyond Our Congregation
Camp Fancy 2019 - April 27th, 2019 at Camp Fircom. Help us kick off the 2019 camping season. Last summer we served more than 630 campers and run by a phenomenal team of staff and volunteers. Many of our campers and families rely on the campership subsidies to attend our programs. Last April, Camp Fancy raised $11,000 for the campership fund! This money helped us support 72 campers across all seven of our program areas. It's time to ensure that this summer is equally accessible. Let's go even further this year!
Camp Fancy guests come from all corners of the Fircom community. Alumni, current and former staff, donors, and family members all gather together to enjoy good food and a great atmosphere. Throughout the day, guests enjoy behind the scenes tours, workshops and activities, silent and live auctions, and an incredible meal from the Fircom kitchen. Visit our website for more information
We look forward to seeing you there!
Inspire 2019 - May 3 & 4th, 2019 at Shaughnessy United Church (1550 W33rd Ave., Vancouver). Come and gather at our fourth annual Ecumenical INSPIRE Conference Sponsored by Pacific Mountain Region, The United Church of Canada In partnership with BC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Worship and speakers for those engaged in ministry with Children, youth and young adults and Contemplative Justice. Early Bird Rate: $215 until March 18; Regular Conference Rate: $240, after March 18 (one day options available). Visit the Inspire Conference website  for more details. Pre-Register NOW!! There truly is something for everyone!!
John Dominic Crossan - I Shall Not Hate
Salt Spring Symposium, March 22-23, 2019 at Salt Spring Island United Church, 111 Hereford Avenue.  Cost $99 per person For more information call Chris at 250-538-2419 or email
Dr. Crossan is the founder of the Jesus Seminar and the foremost New Testament Scholar in North America.  He will speak on the question of Christian non-violence, exploring how the God of the bible has been used to condone or even promote violence.
A Meal for Your Wheels
Make the Trade! A Rocha's BC Centre needs your help! Do you have a safe, reliable passenger van or truck that is less than 10 years old that you are not using?  If so, we would love to trade you a hearty bowl of garden-fresh soup for it!
Our old vans and truck  are speedily nearing the end of their rich and adventurous lives.  We need your help --and new wheels -- to continue our good work.  
 
Please connect with Shauna Anderson if you'd like to donate your vehicle to A Rocha's BC centre. She will sign you up for a delicious meal!  
(1620 192 Street Surrey)
Monday, March 25 - Friday, March 29, 
9am - 3pm  
Have fun exploring the wetland! Do you know a child between the ages of 6-12 who would rather have adventures in the forest than sit glued to a screen (or, rather, that's what you wish for them!)? If so, register them for our upcoming Spring Break Day Camp! Children will spend every day outdoors, exploring the signs of spring in the wetland, forest and farmland at Brooksdale Environmental Centre. There will be fun songs, crafts, and lots of games.  
Cost: $190 (*financial assistance available)  
Donations for First United Downtown 
Our Community Help Desk is as busy as ever and we currently welcome the following donations: bar soap, shampoo, conditioner. Please visit our Give Goods page for updates on our needs and how to make a donation. You can also make a donation to the area of greatest need online anytime.  Donate
From Our Administration Team
Announcements Deadline
Weekly bulletin announcements must be in the office by 10 am on Wednesdays. 

Email to  office@peninsulaunited.com or call 604-531-2979.