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Ministers Musing- Will Sparks
Hi everyone,

The day is finally here! Tomorrow, weather willing, we will gather at our beloved Highlands church for services to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Plans, practices, preparations, all have taken place. Star has shifted overhead. Angels, shepherds, Magi, all know their lines (I think). Greeters are ready, even eager, to welcome anyone seeking a warm and joyful place to worship. I think we are ready.

And in all this readiness, God must smile, not just because of the weather but because all the preparing in the world does not make the birth happen. Preparing is good. Like preparing soil for planting, preparing lesson plans for learning, preparing dinners for sharing, all the ways we work to set the stage for the things we love to happen, they happen, and the magic, the beauty, the wonder that we long for is that illusive other ingredient that no preparation can manufacture.

The mystery of love is partly found in the preparation, but is also something that is given, noticed, and celebrated when it happens.

So in all that you do this Christmas: in all the gatherings, celebrations, calls to far away loved ones, giving and receiving, may you make room for the unexpected, the spontaneous, the mysterious. May God come to you not because you are ready but because that is what God does. And may you be open, aware, receptive. May love be born again, and may you know it. Please see below for all our Christmas service times.

Blessings, Will

 

Christmas Eve 4pm Service- In person.

Christmas Eve 7pm Service- Live Stream

Christmas Eve 10pm Service- Live Stream

Sunday Service - Christmas Day 

Sunday Service - New Years Day 

In person service - No livestream 

ELL 2023 Registration

In January, we are running the following ELL Classes:
  • Beginners Class – in person in Room 201 at the church -  Thursday afternoons 1-2:30 beginning January 19.
  • Intercultural Conversations on Zoom – Tuesday mornings 10 – 11:30  beginning January 17 
  • Speakers Group Thursday mornings 10 – 11:30 on Zoom beginning January 19.
All classes are $40 and you can access the registration form by clicking HERE or the poster above.

Christmas Card Donation

Do you have left over Christmas Cards to give to the North Shore Shelter?
Donated cards will be given to the residents to send to their friends and families. Please place your card donations in the box at the church office or in the narthex. 
Thank you Bonny Ball 

Soup-er Sundays 

11:30 on the 8th of January for more information email Wendy @ interculturalministries@highlandsunited.org

Seniors Christmas Event 

Capilano Bridge Youth Event 

Lights Up Production 2023


 

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

Committee Notices 
 

Healing Pathway 

The Healing Hands ministry will be offering sessions at 12:30pm and 1:15pm on the second Wednesday of the month. Next session 11th of January 2023. If you'd like to book a session, please call Lorraine Elliott at 604-985-4502.

Shelter to Home

Upcoming Events

Opportunities to Connect

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! 

Highland Book Circle

All are welcome whenever a particular book catches your interest and/or your schedule permits.  We are a Circle not a Club!  
 
Date:  Monday, January 23rd (4th not last Monday for this month only)
Time:  7:15pm
Place:  Faith Formation Room at Highlands United Church (the front door will be open until at least 7:30pm)
 
If you have any questions, please call Phyllis at (604) 328-6428.

 
Cloud Cuckoo Land (2021) by Anthony Doerr
Traces the preservation of the ancient story of Aethon, who longs to fly to a paradise in the sky.  The main settings are a library in besieged Constantinople five hundred years ago, a modern library in Idaho and an inter-stellar ship in the not-so-distant future - "a magnificent tapestry of times and places that reflects our vast interconnectedness" 
 
**************Multiple copies of Cloud Cuckoo Land are available from the Book Club sets at the NVDPL*************  

Thank you
Phyllis

Thank you Capilano Builders

Capilano builders did an amazing job making our patio safe and reinstating our access ramp in time for our busy Christmas Season. They were professional, efficient and we would recommend them for any of your building needs. 
Please note the office will close for the Christmas break. Office Closes at 3:30 pm on the 23rd of December and will re-open at 9 am on the 3rd of January. Open hours for the first week of January will be Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 2:30 pm. 
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 a pastoral care emergency outside of office hours please call
Julie Lees on 604 738 3708 after the 31st of December
call Colleen 604 862 4574
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