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Highlights of Our Life and Work
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During the current lockdown we would like to stay in closer touch so we will be sending a mid-week update in addition to our usual Friday highlights. Here's the latest news...
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Sunday, March 29
We hope you will join us online for our 5th Sunday of Lent worship. Click here to join us
(Video will be posted Saturday)
We will be reflecting on
Matthew 26: 17-29, the last time that Jesus shared bread and wine with his disciples before his death on the cross. And then we will CELEBRATE Communion together - the celebration meal that binds us all together with the Risen Christ. You will need to bring your own piece of bread and a glass of juice to your computer when you click on for worship. Whether you are alone at home, or with family members, we will be brought together at Christ's table of belonging.
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Join us after worship for a virtual coffee hour
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Other Opportunities for Worshipping Online
Below are links to three online ministries - you may want to worship from the comfort of your home with them!
* Highlands United Church in North Vancouver - Sunday at 10 am
* Trinity United Church, Prince George BC - 10am PST 9:55 Community Announcements, 10am Worship
* Online Worship with Moderator Richard Bott |
Need Something To Do At Home With Younger Folk?
Click here for Resources:
The resources on this site are in response to the expressed need for a landing place for resources and support during the global COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on our lives and in our communities of faith. We hope you will find this helpful.
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Joyous news to share from Tierra Nueva, El Salvador!
Our families, working together, have made exciting progress on the house repairs. Click here Click here to visit our website and see photos of the work that is being done.
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(text on picture says - "We Will Make It"). |
Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity!
Social distancing is absolutely essential in order to stop the spread of Covid 19. We must maintain a safe distance of at least 2 meters from others when we are in public. That being said, I find myself cringing at the phrase 'social distancing' because it implies less social contact and conjures up isolation and loneliness.
So how about a new term: Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity!
This phrase suggests that by keeping a safe distance we are in solidarity with one another. We are caring for one another by staying far enough apart that we prevent the spread of the virus.
During this crisis, we are living into new ways of being the church without gathering in person. And we are discovering that we can practice physical distancing and still maintain and even deepen our social, emotional and spiritual connections through prayer, talking on the phone and connecting via the internet. What else can we be doing?
During this time of physical distancing and social solidarity what are you doing to share beauty, joy, love and comfort? Where and how are you experiencing the grace and abundance of God? Call or email Rev. Bruce or Rev. Janice and tell us how you are working to maintain and deepen your social connections. Let's learn from one another's experiences.
We would like to post your photos and stories of Physical Distancing and Social Solidarity in these mid-week updates and weekly highlight emails.
Here are some examples:
Kathy Cross, spending time in her garden, was reminiscing about her parents, She writes: "I think of my parents and what they must have endured and gone without during WW 2 as young people. Sometimes I think it made them the lovely people that they became."
Carla Paterson is aware of some positive unintended consequences of COVID-19. She writes about one of those: "Strangely, I'm benefitting from the repercussions of COVID-19. I have chronic health issues that restrict my activity: it's hard for me to attend church on Sunday morning... Yesterday, I watched the Sunday service on-line. With the on-line worship service, I am now able to attend." She wonders, when this crisis is all over, will Peninsula United Church continue to offer on-line worship.
Fred and Evelyn Dobson, like many others, are spending more time in their garden. They write: "Working, wandering and meditating in our garden centres us on what our lives are really all about: caring and nurturing all living things brings joy, and an ever-deeper understanding of life itself."
We give thanks for your reflections and photos. And thanks to Rev. Janice for the beautiful photos of the Daffodils - do you know where this is?
 
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Your Generous Gifts are More Important that Ever
As we know, God's work is never done. Our ministries continue during the week, over months and years. It is immeasurable and powerful how it touches people even when we don't see them face to face.
As we begin to be the church in different ways, our staff and volunteers are actually busier than usual. Of course we will scale back expenses as much as we can but most of our expenses are constant. In fact, we anticipate our revenues will be reduced substantially as some of our reliable renters may have trouble paying their monthly rent.
So your gifts continue to be especially vital for our many ministries. We know that some of our supporters will also experience some financial hardship at this time but for those who are able, we deeply appreciate your continuing, faithful gifts at this time.
Please continue your offerings to Christ's mission. If you normally make your gifts on Sunday worship, please use another way to make your beautiful gift this week, this month, this year.
I
f you do not make your offering through
pre-authorized remittances
(PAR)
please consider
signing up for
PAR using this form
. Please print the form and mail to our
Envelope Secretary, Val Austring. Her address, phone number and email address are in the Congregational Directory if you require assistance.
Another simple way to keep giving is to make out post dated monthly cheques and put them in the mail to us:
Peninsula United Church
15639 24th Ave.
Surrey, BC V4A 2J6
If you prefer to make a gift online, please use the DONATE button on our website.
Thank you for your faithful generosity!
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Message from the Finance Team
If you have expenses to be reimbursed or bills to be paid by Peninsula, please either scan and email them to Sheri at [email protected] or mail them to the church office at 15639 24th Ave Surrey V4A 2J6.
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Prayer Ministry Requests:
During the Corona Virus Pandemic, since we are no longer placing written requests in the sanctuary Prayer Box, members and adherents can submit prayer requests to Louise Bureau or Olive Lee by email or phone. You can find our contact information in the church directory. If phoning in a request, please phone before 8 PM. You may also submit requests through our ministers. Thank-you. It is our privilege to serve you through our prayer ministry.
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Request for Prayers
Dave Turnbull passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. He died at peace with his life, surrounded by loved ones. Please hold Kathy and the rest of the Turnbull family in your prayers as they grieve his death. Calls of condolence to Kathy would be appreciated in the weeks to come.
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Phone Tree - Thank you!
Kathy Matusiak, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, appreciates all who volunteered for our phone tree. We have all the callers we need at this time. We are in the process of coordinating the calls and hope to have a system in place by early next week. This will be our first attempt so we may have to make changes going forward.
We are still organizing volunteers to help with grocery shopping and prescription pickup and delivery. Please contact the office with requests for assistance and urgent errands. |
Due to the COVID -19 Virus, all Peninsula United Church and ThirdSpace services and programs have been cancelled until further notice.
And the good news is that opportunities for being the church are not cancelled!
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Being the Church in New Ways
Online worship and the Phone Tree are a few alternative ways we will be the church in this time.
Please visit our website regularly for updates and follow PUC on Facebook.
Also, stay in touch with ThirdSpace @ www.ourthirdspace.com and follow ThirdSpace on Facebook.
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Your Ministers are Here for You
Although Janice and Bruce cannot visit folks in person they are happy to speak with you by phone, especially if you are struggling with anxiety, health or family crises.
Rev. Janice: 604-531-2979 ext. 2 or 778-980-8310 [email protected]
Rev Bruce: 604-992-9183 [email protected]
Office Closed But Staff is on On the Job
The office and ThirdSpace will be closed for the foreseeable future but all our staff are available by phone and email.
Office: 604-531-2979 [email protected]
ThirdSpace: 604-385-0822 [email protected]
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Sources Food Bank Needs Your Help!
Sources Food Bank has put out a plea for rice, canned tuna, beans, oats, canned meat, fresh and canned fruit and vegetables, powdered milk, Sandwich sized ziplock bags, Size 5 and 6 diapers.
Cheques are very welcome as the food bank can order in bulk.
Mail cheques to:
2343 156 St., Surrey, BC V4A 4V5
Distribution hours and days are same as always.
Please check out Sources Facebook page and the Sources Food bank page for hours and location for donations.
Thanks for thinking of our vulnerable neighbours at this time.
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Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
Br Richard Hendrick OFM Cap March 13th 2020
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From Our Administration Team
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Announcements
Please email announcements to [email protected] or call 604-531-2979 and we will include them in one of our two weekly emails.
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