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Ministers Musing
When I think about what I’m doing with my life now, where I’m living, how far away I am from my biological family, the incredible strangers who have become my chosen family … never, not once in any dream or imagining in all my growing up could I have pictured this lived reality.
What about you? Did everything in life unfold exactly as you thought it would?
And, when you really think about it … isn’t it kind of exciting that some of the parts of your life that you consider to be completely well suited to you now, you could never in a million years have planned.
The concept of anticipation isn’t just about waiting for something. It’s also about the unexpected. Even when we anticipate every detail it may not happen as we planned, as we anticipated, even as we wished or hoped for. Sometimes it will be better and sometimes it will be … well … something we have to get used to.
As soon as the angel Gabriel leaves Mary, Mary gets up and heads off to visit Elizabeth. It’s a delightful passage we’ll hear this Sunday about the unborn babies jumping and kicking about in Mary and Elizabeth’s wombs … like some big blessing or foretelling … like God is at work and they don’t quite know what to anticipate or expect, but they’re ready for it.
May that be true for us this advent season too!!!
Julie
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Hi everyone,
Many of you will know that we have been holding Wendy Grant in love and prayer. Wendy died yesterday afternoon peacefully surrounded by the love of her family and dear friends. As sad as it is to lose Wendy, she journeyed this final stage of her life with dignity, grace, and such a deep sense of gratitude.
Many of you will have been part of the circle that supported Wendy, Chris and their family over these last 7 months. I have been in awe of the tender care and deep spiritual and practical commitment you have shown. I have heard community health people attest to having never seen anything quite like the kind of support Highlands offered Wendy. You have been a blessing beyond measure.
As you can imagine, Chris, Pippa and Wendy’s family and community are now processing losing her, and your ongoing prayerful support is needed. I will meet with them in the next day or two and will let you know of an opportunity to celebrate and give God thanks for her.
Wendy was a deeply committed Highlands person. She was on the Leadership Board, in Spirit Singers, active in the Saturday Lunch program, and joyfully supportive of the whole spectrum of ministries at Highlands. Her pastries and pies were legendary! She chaired the Search Committee that called me to Highlands. We will miss her dearly. We are grateful for her. We know that love is stronger than death, and trust God to embrace her in a life that is bigger than we can imagine.
Blessings, Will
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Denise Robb, newer member of the Highlands family, died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones Sunday November 27th. A small service was held in the church. Ongoing prayers are welcome for her partner Sharon, sister Cynthia and niece Leigh.
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Children Youth and Families Event
This Sunday 4th of December at 9am rsvp only to Allie |
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Advent Appeal 2022
First United Church Community Ministry
First United Church Community Ministry Is on the frontlines in the Downtown East Side. They operate from a harm reduction perspective to meet their community’s needs and provide essential services, connection, and healing. They provide essential services to meet the most basic human needs like food, shelter, clothing, and saving lives by reversing overdoses and providing harm reduction supplies. Community connection is vitally important. Part of their work is making sure people don’t fall through the cracks by helping them stay connected to their loved ones, important services, and to justice. Through their ministry they foster healing and nurture social and psychological needs like belonging, love, and self-esteem through spiritual care.
Highlands has supported First United for many years with volunteer and financial support. Please help us to continue this support so that we may bring joy, hope, and love to many desperate people especially during this Advent season
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Senior Youth Event
Sign up HERE for the Senior Youth Even to Capilano Suspension Bridge. |
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Small Group Connections
Calling all creative crafters!
Join us for a session of creating Highlands own Christmas Cards.
Time and Date Tuesday, 6th between 1 and 4 pm of December in room 201 at the church. To join the fun contact: Pam Hollington at pamelahollington@gmail.com or Ann Echols
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Lights Up Production 2023
"Auditions for "LIGHTS UP!" will take place at Highlands on Sunday, December, 18, 2-5pm in the Highlands gym, and Monday, December 19, 6:30-9pm in the sanctuary.
Are you considering auditioning, but don't know what to expect? It's actually very simple...
First, you will complete an information form.
We will then teach everyone a song together and you will be asked to sing a very short section by yourself.
Then we will teach the whole group a short dance and you will be asked to repeat it with a small group.
That's all that you have to do. If you choose, you will be given the chance to sing a musical theatre song of your choice. Please make it no more than 32 bars long, and choose the sections that best showcase your vocal abilities. A pianist will be provided: please bring sheet music or an accompaniment that can be played through the speaker provided (male mini-jack will plug into phone or dongle).
Rehearsals through January will be Sunday afternoons and Monday and Tuesday evenings. Wednesday evenings will be added in February and the last two weeks will be almost every day. You will only be required at rehearsals for numbers in which you are cast for the first few weeks, but after we put the show together you will be required at all rehearsals.
We look forward to working with you in this production!
Doug and Gill, for Carolyn and Geordie and Joy.
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Seniors Christmas Event
Join us for our annual and much loved concert and singalong with members of the Higher Ground choral group, led by Janet Warren! On December 7th please RSVP to Colleen Blair or call the Church Office 604-980-6071.
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Highlands Hampers 2022
Please help us help the needy this Christmas. As in past years these hampers will be in the form of gift cards. Please donate via PayPal using the QR code in the 'present' above. Another option is to drop donations of cash or cheques to the church office during office hours or place them in the locked mail box in the north carpark entrance. Our goal is to deliver these hampers between the 15th and the 20th of December.
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Camp Fircom News
CAMP FIRCOM'S ONLINE AUCTION
IS ON RIGHT NOW!
The Auction closes Sunday, December 4th at 8pm.
Please join in and add your bids!
Camp Fircom of The United Church of Canada sits on the southeast corner of beautiful Gambier Island, and is accessible by a 20 minute water taxi from Horseshoe Bay.
Our mission is "to create communities of belonging and experiences to grow on" and we are in recovery mode after three difficult years of the Covid19 pandemic. In 2023, Camp Fircom will be celebrating its Centennial Year!
Thanks for supporting our wonderful camp community!
Online Auction Link found at: FIRCOM.CA
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Christmas Shopping at Highlands
Gifts that Give Twice!
These are gifts that keep on giving: because you are giving to someone close to you as well as giving something to someone who really needs it.
You buy something that supports one of Highlands' partners; or maybe you make a donation instead of buying a physical gift.
Some ideas:
Buy a Multifaith Calendar: "Building Our Future Together"
Almost all the holidays of almost all the world's faiths explained!
Supporting the ministry of the Multifaith Action Society. At the Action Table or call Simone: 604 987 2595
$15 each or 2 for $25.
Donate to First United Church Community Ministry:
First United's vision is a neighbourhood in the Downtown Eastside where everyone's worth is celebrated and all people thrive. For information about First's work and about donating visit https://firstunited.ca/donate-now.
Gifts with Vision:
A Giving Catalogue from the National United Church.
Help change the world! Booklets available at the church or online: https://giftswithvision.ca/
Donate to Artesana:
The Artesana Collective, our long-time partner in Guatemala, works with imprisoned women and supports their children. You can donate to Artesana through CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev); More information here: https://www.highlandsunited.org/OutreachandSocialJustice
Leaflets available
Buy a Veggie Bag:
Ev Leskiw has sewn lightweight cloth bags to use and reuse when you buy produce. Save the oceans from plastic bags!
Donate to Camp Fircom:
Camp Fircom relies on donated funds to create incredible experiences for kids and families of all backgrounds and financial means. Your donation can give a "Campership", Visit
https://www.fircom.ca/ and click DONATE, or call 604 662 7756
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Healing Pathway
The Healing Hands ministry will be offering sessions at 12:30pm and 1:15pm on the second Wednesday of the month. If you'd like to book a session, please call Lorraine Elliott at 604-985-4502.
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Biodiversity: Warnings and actions
A new report this week warns us that more than 2,000 wild species face a high risk of being wiped out in Canada.
So we are hoping to see significant action at the UN Biodiversity Conference taking place Dec 7-19, 2022 in Montréal. Governments from around the world will come together to agree on a new set of goals to guide global action through 2030 to halt and reverse nature loss. Nature is critical to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals and limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Adoption of a bold global biodiversity framework that addresses the key drivers of nature loss is needed to secure our own health and well-being alongside that of the planet.
Stopping the use of fossil fuels
The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a proposed international agreement to end all new exploration and production of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas), and phase out existing production of fossil fuels to reach the 1.5°C global climate target.
Read about its progress in this recent CBC article, and see the list of many governments, organizations and individuals who have endorsed the concept (including the Districts of North Vancouver and West Vancouver).
Climate Change Cover-Up by Big Oil and Gas Exposed!
Albertan Geoff Dembicki researched oil and gas company documents and interviewed climate change victims in writing his new book, The Petroleum Papers: Inside the Far-Right Conspiracy to Cover Up Climate Change. As investigative journalist Dembicki reveals in this explosive book, the decades-long conspiracy to cast doubt on climate change and keep the oil flowing would turn out to be one of the biggest reasons for the world's failure to stop the climate crisis. In this excellent interview he shares his findings.
His book is available in all local libraries.
"The petroleum industry is guilty of a Big Tobacco-style public cover-up, according to this vivid exposé."-- Publishers Weekly
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Shelter to Home
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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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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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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:
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.
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."
************** "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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