Highlights of Our Life and Work |
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Greetings!
We are still on-line for Worship so you can join us at a time that is convenient for you and you can wear your pajamas if you want!
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Draw the Circle HOW Wide?!
Join us for virtual worship this week as we share and reflect on the beloved story of Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, the hated tax collector. Just how wide does God’s circle get?
Scripture: Luke 19: 1-10
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In Person Worship:
Starts September 5, 2021 at 10:00 am!
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to worship in the sanctuary at the Crescent site.
We’ve tidied up and rearranged in preparation for your return and for recording the worship service in a different format for those who are unable or not ready to return to in-person worship.
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Please note the following safety protocols. We recognize that living in a Covid world means plans can change from week to week so check the Sept. 3 announcement in case there have been any changes.
- If you are unwell with a fever, chills and/or a cough or sore throat, please stay home until you are feeling better.
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Please WEAR A MASK when you are in the church.
- The greeters will welcome you at a table in the covered entryway and invite you to sanitize your hands and sign in. Those who are joining us in the sanctuary for the first time ever will be directed to the guest book table to receive a special welcome.
- The little wooden church offering receptacle will be on a table in the narthex for those who wish to deposit an offering envelope.
- Ushers will direct you to seating areas. Please give yourself and others space as you move through the sanctuary and when you are seated. You have your choice of being in the on-camera area or the camera free zone for those who do not wish to be on the video.
- You can hum along with the hymns as they are being sung by our designated singers.
- No coffee will be served at the September 5th service. You are welcome to visit in the parking lot before or after worship.
- Refreshments will be served after the September 12th service which will also be a farewell to Rev. Bruce.
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For those who are not ready or able to attend in-person, the recorded service will be available on You Tube as soon as possible, hopefully sometime Sunday afternoon.
- Dr. Bonnie Henry and our Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada encourages all who are able, to get fully vaccinated.
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(11 am Sunday Morning)
Please join us for coffee time after church. You can join by Zoom or by telephone. We meet all together and then move into break-out rooms of four or five people Here's how to join us:
Click here to join us via zoom video on your computer.
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Local offerings to the end of July were $147,654. This was below budget by $12,763 and lower than the same time period in 2020 by $4,350.
Peninsula has received $30,807 in federal wage subsidies in the first 7 months of 2021.
We have taken $63,078 from the Planned Gift Fund (essentially savings) to meet 2021 year to date expenses. The congregation approved up to $184,900 at the congregational meeting in March 2021 when the 2021 budget was approved.
Year to date expenses of $291,521 were less than budgeted.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Peninsula United Church's Ministry.
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Reminder to Church Groups & Committees |
Now that groups are starting to meet in person, we want to remind you to contact the office as soon as you set a date for your event so we can confirm the space is available and avoid any booking conflicts.
All groups will be required to follow these COVID-19 safety protocols (subject to change):
- If you are unwell with a fever, chills and/or a cough or sore throat, please stay home until you are feeling better.
- Please wear a mask when you are in the church.
- Sanitize your hands when you enter the building.
- Please give yourself and others space as you move through the building and when you are seated.
- Windows should be opened to promote ventilation and locked before departure.
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Click here for information on how to continue your offerings during this changing time.
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On Saturday, August 21 at 8 am, 8 of us gathered at Third Space plus Jean and her niece from Hornby Island for a zoom event hosted by Fundahmer, El Salvador.
We joined folks from sister communities, including Pat and Greig McPhee from Kelowna, a woman from Australia, folks from Calif., NY, Mass, Arizona, Illinois and Ohio and their Salvadoran partners.
It was both joyous and serious with conversation, singing, dancing, prayers and reflections.
There was worship including a circle weaving of red, yellow, white, black, and green, with folks facing the 4 directions and herbs burning in a shell. I had never experienced Salvadoran worship with elements so similar to worship by First Nations. I want to learn more about that.
A youth, his teenaged sister, their Mom, Julio and one or two others left Tierra Nueva at 4 am in the back of a pick up truck to take at least 2 buses into San Salvador for the start of the 4 hour gathering. They returned home the same way, except there was no truck. They walked uphill for 3 hours to return home. What a commitment by them! Once again their loyalty to our relationship is inspirational.
We had face to face time with them, talking about their health and ours, their crops and the 4 houses with repaired foundations. The deteriorating water supply means each family has access to 15 L of water, twice a week, from the 2 community taps. Six months of the year they can collect rain.
Peter reminded them that El Salvador plays Canada in soccer World Cup qualifier in September.
We are indeed family.
Gracias, Cheryl
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A big thank you for all the gardeners who have helped keep the Crescent site neat and trimmed over the summer .
The Weinerts and Logies have been preparing the site to get ready for September opening and have worked tirelessly on the property !
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The United Church of Canada is in contact with Mission & Service partners in Haiti to find out how we can support their communities. Make a gift to support immediate needs including emergency shelter, clean water, and food.
We are also asking for prayers for our partners and the Haitian United Church community in Canada, who are trying to contact family and friends in the devastation. Read more about the situation here.
[Photo: Buildings damaged by the earthquake in Haiti, August 2021. Credit: Tearfund Canada, 2021. All rights reserved, permission required for further use.]
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Many of you may be wondering where we are at with the refugee sponsorship. We are so grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm which have been offered to date. The Committee has been busy doing what we can, but unfortunately circumstances beyond our control have impacted the process. We have reached out to our local MP, but we have yet to hear back.
A little history. The family were accepted as refugees by the Government of Canada in November of 2019, and in January 2020 they were moved from a Refugee Camp to Addis Ababa in order to complete the final steps of their application. Since then, however, other events, including COVID, have brought the process to a stand still.
Happily, we have been able to reach out to the family, initially by email and recently via FB Messenger. The family are naturally very anxious for things to move forward as their situation in Addis Ababa is tenuous.
Hurry up and wait is a normal part of the process. We will keep you up-to-date from time to time.
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Are you seeing all our announcements?
This email is full of important information so please scroll to the bottom to see all the announcements. At the bottom, you may see a “view entire message” link which means the email has been clipped and there is more to see. Just click on this link and it will open up a window where you will see all the announcements..
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Help us support affordable housing |
Affordable rental housing is desperately needed on the Peninsula and we believe everyone should be able to have a home. Surrey City staff, Friends of Semiahmoo Trail, neighbours and thousands of Peninsula residents recommended Council approve the project by non-profit Unite. Every concern raised by a small minority of residents was addressed by the City Staff and Unite. Extra consultation with neighbours occurred and the building height is approved in the city plan. Why then would Surrey City Councillors reject a project with so much support?
Jean Macdonald wrote Peace Arch News on behalf of Peninsula United Church:
“The Editor, Peace Arch News
We at Peninsula United Church are astonished and dismayed that Surrey City Council rejected the 91 unit “Harmony” apartment project proposed for 151A St. and 20th Ave.
There is a desperate need for safe, affordable and inclusive rental housing for seniors, families, those with disabilities and essential workers in our community. This project directly addressed these needs, and was supported by City staff.
City staff concluded “that significant public benefit will be realized through the creation of 91 new affordable and inclusive housing units…and the benefits of the proposed improvements to the Semiahmoo Trail.” Staff also acknowledged the “substantial show of community support for the proposal, and recommended that the Council approve the project.
We are mystified. Why, in face of a robust consultation process, City staff endorsement, overwhelming community support, and the desperate need for local affordable and inclusive housing, would the mayor and five of 8 Councillors would reject the proposal, with neither explanation nor rationale.
We believe that everyone is entitled to a safe home. This Council has denied that right to 191 people on the wait-list for Harmony’s 91 unit.
Yours truly,
Jean Macdonald
Chair, Peninsula United Church Council “
We invite you to contact Surrey City Councillors to ask that question. We also thank Unite for their inspiring mission to provide healthy and inclusive communities including Semiahmoo House and the award winning inclusive Chorus apartment building adjacent to Semiahmoo House on 24th and 153rd St. We know that you will persevere to build “another day” to provide the housing our community needs and desires. Please call Kathy Booth for more information: 604-535-0723
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#1 - 1381 George St.
White Rock, BC
V4B 2L1
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Death Café will not take place this September but will return in October.
The next meeting will be in-person at ThirdSpace on Thursday, October 7.
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Summer Conversation Café is back and in person! ...and also on Zoom!
We welcome you to drop in to ThirdSpace Wednesday mornings between 10am - 12pm for a chat!
You can also continue to join us via Zoom from 10:30 - 11:30am. (link below)
*Please note the Zoom drop in is now only once a week during Conversation Café on Wednesday*
Our Covid protocols remain in place to provide safety and comfort during your chat!
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Drop-In Café is back and in person!
We welcome you to drop in to ThirdSpace Friday mornings between 10am - 12pm for a chat!
*Please note: Friday Drop-In is in person only. If you prefer to join us via Zoom please do so during our Wednesday Conversation Café!*
Our Covid protocols remain in place to provide safety and comfort during your chat!
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News from Affirming Ministry |
Nevada becomes the sixth U.S. state to incorporate LGBTQ history into its school curriculum.
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Tuesdays at 7:30 am in person at the Crescent site.
We are a small group of 4-12 people who gather for 20 minutes of contemplative, silent prayer, followed by coffee and conversation at a local coffee shop.
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News from the Wider Church & Community |
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United Church of Canada E-ssentials Newsletter
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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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Your Ministers are Here for you! |
Rev. Janice and Rev. Bruce have been fully vaccinated. In addition to phone visits, we are available for in-person visits at the church, in your home or garden.
Janice: 604-531-2979 ext.2 or 778-980-8310
Bruce: 604-992-9183
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Staff Update, Summer Hours, and
Announcements Deadline
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The arrival of Summer means staff are taking vacations and hours are being adjusted. .
During the Summer, Joanne Feuer will not be working on Mondays.
Rev. Bruce is available until his last day with us on September 15.
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Weekly bulletin announcements must be in the office by 10 am on Wednesdays.
With the change of hours and staff vacations it is even more important that you honour this deadline. If anything comes in after that time, we cannot promise to include in that week’s email.
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Office Closed but Staff is on the job! |
The office and ThirdSpace will be closed for the foreseeable future but all our staff are available by phone and email.
Peninsula UC Office:
Nikkie Ripka (Administrative Assistant):
ThirdSpace Office: 604-385-0822
Click here for information about access to office and church buildings during COVID-19 restrictions.
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15639 24th Avenue,
Surrey, BC V4A 2J6
604-531-2979
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