Highlights of Our Life and Work
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Here's what's coming up for our community of faith. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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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!
Love will not be cancelled
Conversations will not be cancelled
Relationships will not be cancelled
The beauty of Spring will not be cancelled
Hope will not be cancelled
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Backhuysen, Ludolf, ca. 1630-1708. Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54955 [retrieved March 19, 2020]. Original source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Backhuysen,_Ludolf_-_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee_-_1695.jpg.
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Worship this week will be provided by Rev. Bruce, Rev. Janice and Denice Grant. It will be coming to you in video format posted on our website. You can watch it on Sunday morning or anytime after it's posted, probably on Saturday.
We hope you can join us as we pray for the peace of Christ to calm our hearts and minds in these tumultuous times. Our Scripture is Mark 4:35-41.
If you have a hymn book at home, we will be singing: "Be Still and Know that I am God", More Voices 77 and "When We Are Living, it is in Christ Jesus", Voices United 581, "Be Still, My Soul" Voices United 652.
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath-
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another's hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love-
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
-Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
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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!
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We had hoped to be able to offer a meal to go but unfortunately we have to cancel due to the closure of the Star of the Sea Hall.
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Phone Tree - Callers Needed
Kathy Matusiak, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, is organizing a phone tree so we can stay in touch with each other through weekly phone calls. We will use existing church groupsWe need more volunteers to call 5-8 people each week. Please contact Kathy (kathypaul.matus@gmail.com) if you would like to help.
Also, we are organizing volunteers to help with grocery shopping and prescription pickup and delivery. Please contact the office with requests for assistance with urgent errands.
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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 janice@peninsulaunited.com
Rev Bruce: 604-992-9183 bruce@peninsulaunited.com
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 office@peninsulaunited.com
ThirdSpace: 604-385-0822 assistant@ourthirdspace.com
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Sabbatical News
Rev. Bruce will be on Sabbatical this summer
The United Church of Canada policy stipulates that every pastoral charge provide a paid sabbatical of at least 3 months to members of the order of ministry who have completed at least five years of service in one call or appointment. Rev. Bruce began his call at First United White Rock in 2014 so it's time for a sabbatical!
Sabbatical, rooted in the biblical practice of the Sabbath day, is a time for renewal, reflection and rest. Bruce's sabbatical plan includes all three. Since he will be combining his three month sabbatical leave with vacation time and continuing education time he will be on leave from May 14 to October 2, 2020.
We are getting ready! Your Council has routinely set aside funds each year to ensure appropriate support for worship, pastoral care and programs during the sabbatical leave.
The Sabbatical Planning Team is in the midst of creating a roster of folks from inside and outside the congregation who will offer worship leadership and pastoral care support. We are also looking to hire a part-time minister to provide leadership at ThirdSpace and support Rev. Janice with pastoral care and other responsibilities at Peninsula UC.
Stay posted for more Sabbatical News.
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Frozen Food Sale - (POSTPONED)
The frozen food sale has been postponed. We will offer this sale again later in the spring in time for Thanksgiving in October.
Sorry for any inconvenience.
Pat Anderson |
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Events Beyond Our Congregation
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First United is a place of welcome for people who experience
homelessness, poverty, and mental health and addictions issues in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Our programs include: legal advocacy; emergency shelter
and social housing; meals; the Community Help Desk (health and hygiene supplies, community referrals, taxes, foot-care, and phone and mail); and spirit programs. We support and celebrate the inherent strengths of all people, of all walks of life. Donate
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"May we remember to be deeply kind. We are all living with uncertainty, fear and loss-everyone you meet is struggling hard. And may we remember to celebrate the good, savouring the beauty of spring, the care in others hearts, the joy that comes from real, tenderhearted connection during such vulnerable times." Tara Brach PhD, psychologist, author and teacher |
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From Our Administration Team
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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.
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