Minister’s musings
This Sunday we’ll hear Luke quote Jesus as saying “…God is good even to the ungrateful and wicked. Be compassionate, as your loving God is compassionate.”
There’s a lot of pressure sometimes for Christians to be “nice.” We read (or mis-read) scripture and feel like we’re supposed to just take whatever the world gives us and keep on smiling. But, sometimes, it’s too much. Sometimes we don’t want to have compassion for the folks who belittle us or yell at us or make gestures at us from behind their steering wheel. We want to get angry. And sometimes we get a bit down and even if we’re blessed with friends calling and care packages delivered, we don’t want to be grateful – we are sad and we want to stay there for a while. And sometimes we may even knowingly do something malicious.
We are human. We are shadow and light. We are grey. We are complex. And, so we will get angry sometimes, we will be ungrateful and we will be mean. It’s the next step that matters – how quick are we to move through the shadow into the light?
“God is good even to the ungrateful and wicked.” Thank goodness … because sometimes that’s you and me!
“Be compassionate as your loving God is compassionate.” Aka … be quick to see the other as a beloved child of God; and let’s remember to see ourselves that way too.
With gratitude,
Julie
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Hello Highlands folks,
Highlands feels like home to me and that is a big reason why I volunteer my time and I pledge each year to support the church.
Whether I am there in person or participating online, I feel that people care about me and I am challenged to deepen my connection with God. The music lifts me up, the children running around in bare feet make me smile, and having opportunities to donate to programs locally and around the world help me to make a difference.
During this Stewardship season as we consider what Highlands means to us, I hope you can spend some time to consider how being part of this community enriches your life.
Sincerely,
Robin Rivers
Highlands member for 25 years.
Here are all the links you will need to pledge for 2023:
Stewardship Brochure
Online pledge form
Printable PDF pledge form
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Finance
Thank you for your generous support during the first three quarters of 2022.
We are seeing the impact of our now more fulsome staffing team, increased contributions to UCC as required, and have experienced some significant building and property repair and maintenance expenses this year. Highlands usual robust worship and community programming continues, and we encourage your continued strong support as we head into the fall Stewardship campaign.
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Gigantic Flea Market Sale!
The excitement is building! Your coordinating team together with many volunteers have been busy getting everything ready for our Gigantic Flea Market Sale coming up next week. Doors will open at 9:00 am on Saturday, October 15th, and we will be welcoming hundreds of people from the North Shore and across the Lower Mainland. Many of you have stepped up to volunteer by filling in the Sign-Up form and we are so grateful for your donation of time and talents. If anyone would like to help during set-up week, on the day of the sale or help us with clean up on the Monday and Tuesday after the sale, send an email to Carol Smith (designsbycarol7777@gmail.com) with your phone number and when you are available OR speak to Chris Robertson or Bonny Ball. Our team will also be available on Sunday after the church service to help with signup or to answer any questions.
Everyone who has signed up to volunteer using the Google Form will receive an email today with all the information needed for the day of the sale including name tags, parking, refreshments, cash boxes etc. Don’t forget to share the poster with family and friends.
Any questions? Contact your Flea Market Team:
· Chris Robertson at: chris.robertson@fuel.ca Phone: 604-988-5483
· Carol Smith at: designsbycarol7777@gmail.com Phone: 604-312-7211
· Jonathan Maillie at: ajmaillie@telus.net Phone: 604-929-4884
Thank you to Highlands Staff and members of the congregation for your amazing support – we are looking forward to a stellar sale!
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Please sign up here to let us know if you are coming to the dinner on OCT 20, so we can plan for quantities and special dietary needs.
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The Affirming Process
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Children, Youth & Families News
Thursday G2 (Youth choir grades 4 to 12) will meet 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the sanctuary.
Gods Free Spirits ( age 4 to grade 3) will meet 6:00 to 7pm in the choir room.
For more information please contact Allie Keir or the church office.
Sunday children's programs this Sunday, please ask your children to follow Allie after theme time.
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To Everything There is a Season
Planning for a Good Death
Wednesday, October 19th MAID
Alex Muir, president of the Vancouver chapter of Dying with Dignity, will be with us to talk about Medical Assistance in Dying. He’ll cover the history, eligibility and the limitations of the current legislation and what is being proposed in the future. The time is 10:30-noon and the cost is $5. Please arrive a bit early so that we can begin promptly at 10:30! RSVP to Colleen Blair by Monday, or call 604 980 6071 ext 227
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Coffee This Sunday
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Healing Pathway Phase 1 Workshop
Please register for this workshop via this FORM on the Lynn Valley Church website, limited space is available so register soon!
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ELL News
Sign up by clicking HERE or the poster for Intercultural Conversations and Speakers Group, for more detail please contact Judy O'Neill or Diana Bomford
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Shelter to Home
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Don’t you use a clothesline?
In B.C., strict bylaws keep many residents from drying their clothing outdoors. But a new resolution called the clothesline act was endorsed at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities meeting in Whistler. It seeks to prohibit such bylaws.
Using a clothesline instead of a dryer will
• save energy
• save on your hydro bill
• make your clothes smell nice and fresh
See this article from CBC.
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Huddle Fall Invitation
If you are curious about Highlands Huddles, or would like to join a
Huddle, now is the time! Presently we have 8 Huddles with 34 active members meeting an hour every week or two! Always room for more. Contact Ann Echols for more information.
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Companion Adventures
Have you ever wanted to go somewhere like the theater, Grouse Mountain, a restaurant or a movie but not wanted to go alone? Why not link up with others who enjoy the same activities and who would like some company. Sign up here and add your ideas, someone will be in touch either by email or phone to connect you with another person who has the same interest as you. Together we can make it happen!
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"Create or join a casual Coffee Clutch this summer"
Gather in a small group to have a coffee - either in your home, back yard, or at one of our three Edgemont Village Coffee shops.
Simply look through the directory and invite a friend or two and possibly someone new or someone you'd like to know better.
Your choice of company, time, and place.
If you are a bit shy to initiate a Clutch yet would like an invitation, please contact Ann Echols
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We Welcome All!!
- Starting in September on Mondays at 1pm in the choir room, the prayer shawl group is growing to include crafters and sewers.
- As well our prayer shawls and toques projects we are excited to included needle crafts.
- No need to be alone with your projects join our group for laughter, friendship and conversation.
- contact Joy Dancey to join the group or learn more about the projects. email- jdancey@telus.net
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HUC Book Circle
Last Monday of the Month Book Circle:
October 24th - How It All Began (2011) by Penelope Lively
- set in England
- a wry, wise story about the surprising ways that lives intersect
- the author was awarded The Booker Prize in 1987 for her novel "Moon Tiger"
Important to Note: October's meeting will be hosted by Ruth Wilson at her home at 4165 Pelly Road. Ph = (604) 986-4910
The following meetings will be held on the Last Monday of the Month either at the church or by Zoom depending on the public health recommendations at that time.
November 28th - Our Homesick Songs (2019) by Emma Hooper
- siblings in a Newfoundland semi-ghost town in the 1990s
January 30th - Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) by Anthony Doerr
- "a magnificent tapestry of times and places that reflects our vast interconnectedness - with other species, with each other, with those who lived before us and with those who will be here after we are gone."
**************Both "Our Homesick Songs" and "Cloud Cuckoo Land" are easily available from the Book Club sets at the NVDPL*************
Thank you
Phyllis
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Highlands Church Office
Opening Hours - Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm
Telephone number - 604 980 6071
Email address - churchoffice@highlandsunited.org or melissa.wilkin@highlandsunited.org
If you have an emergency outside of office hours please call
Will Sparks on 778 968 7718.
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