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Highlights of Our Life and Work
October 16, 2020
 
Here is the latest news from our community of faith.  During these times of physical distancing, we want to be intentional about staying connected, so please continue to send in your photos, prayer requests and uplifting messages to share with the congregation. They will be included in our weekly Friday emails.  We are not alone...

Deadlines for Announcements 

Please email announcements to   office@peninsulaunited.com or call 604-531-2979 and we will include them in our weekly email. 

 

The deadline for the Friday email is Wednesday before noon.

Your Ministers are Here for You
Although Janice and Bruce cannot do home visits at this time they are happy to speak with you by phone, especially if you are struggling with anxiety, health or family crises.
 
Janice: 604-531-2979 ext.2 or 778-980-8310 janice@peninsulaunited.com

Bruce: 604-531-2979 ext 3 or 604-992-9183 bruce@peninsulaunited.com


Janice is on vacation and will return on Tuesday, October 27.
In This Issue
Worship this Week
Sunday Online Worship
October 18, 2020 - Longing for Intimacy
 
This week Rev. Bruce invites us to reflect on the iconic conversation between Moses and God in the wake of a crisis. How do we respond to the suffering, losses, and disappointments in our lives? Our Longing for Intimacy contains a powerful remedy. 
 
Scripture Reading: Exodus 33: 12-19
 
Sermon: Longing for Intimacy
 
 
For Scripture Reading, Hymns and colouring pages - Click here 
 
We hope you can join us for our after Worship Virtual Coffee Hour on Sunday at 11:00 am.
Photo: Stuart Lyster
(11 am Sunday Morning)
Regardless of when you watch the service, you're welcome to join us for a Zoom coffee hour at our usual time 11am on Sunday.  We meet altogether using Zoom and then move into break-out rooms of four or five people.  
 
There's always room in Zoom!  Come and give it a try.   

Click here to join us via zoom video on your computer.
 
Don't forget you can join us by phone!  Here's how:  
Call 778-907-2071
Enter meeting ID:  893 1783 8813
Then enter password: 2979 
 
Need Help getting connected to Zoom!  Click here.
Local Acts of Practical Reverence
You will have noticed the new banners which have been adorning worship space the past few weeks.  


 

These were created last year for the Season of Creation.  As an act of practical reverence they were made of recycled material from the Thrift Shop.  Thanks to our fabric artists:   Heather Hardman, Claudia Semaniuk, Vicki Warren, Helen Virgo, Debbie Pearson, Pat Logie, Barbara Lutes, Marilyn Dyer.  Thanks to Val Thorner, Marilyn Dyer and  Ken Hembroff for installing them this year.  


A Rocha Environmental Centre

Volunteers are the back bone of A Rocha (the Rock), and as they are located in S. Surrey at 192 & 16th, there are different ways in which you can support their work in sustainable ecology, including:
  • Purchasing produce during the growing season either by signing up for a weekly box or shopping at their twice weekly market.
  • Signing up for one of their outdoor Explore events.
  • Getting your hands dirty by undertaking a variety of outdoor activities, depending of the season.
  • Assisting with administrative tasks, donating money OR, if you have an area of particular expertise, offering your skills remotely.
To learn more or to get involved:
Highlights
Friday October 16, 1pm - Opening Worship & Celebration of Ministry will be streaming live on the PMRC YouTube channel. The link is here:


All Saints' Worship, Nov. 1, 2020 

We will be remembering the saints of Peninsula United Church who have died since Nov. 1, 2019 in our on-line worship. 
There will undoubtedly be others in your family or close circle of friends who aren't part of PUC  who have died in the past year.  We would like to include those folks in our All Saints' worship service by lighting a candle and saying their name. If you would like us to remember these beloved ones during our on-line worship please email us their name, the date of their death and their relationship to you.  

We would appreciate receiving that information by Oct. 23.  
Email: office@peninsulaunited.com


Congregational Meeting
November 8, 2020 (Time to be confirmed)

You will recall that our usual June congregational meeting to elect members of the church Council was postponed due to concerns around Covid 19 and the restrictions placed on gathering in person. Your Council is now making plans to hold a congregational meeting for this purpose and other current items of business. We invite you to participate!

Because we are still limited by Covid restrictions, this meeting will not look the same as it has in the past. We are working on a hybrid model - a combination of a limited number of participants present in the Sanctuary at the Crescent site (Covid protocols, including facemasks, will be required), plus additional folks participating on-line, via ZOOM technology. We're still in the planning stages for this meeting, and will update you in the weeks to come. The meeting will be held Sunday, November 8th, start time to be confirmed but it will be around the usual coffee hour. *Please understand that this does not mean that the Sanctuary can reopen for regular worship services at this time.*

Our Covid Safety Team has determined how many people may be safely in the Sanctuary with safe physical distancing, including moving into and out of the building with appropriate spacing. We encourage those who are comfortable with technology to participate live on ZOOM, leaving the limited Sanctuary seating for those who are not. Either way, pre-registration will be required to enable us to allot the seating, and to enable the technology required. Registration is not yet open - instructions will be provided in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your patience as we figure this out, together. 
Directory Update

Thank you to all who helped in gathering information to include in the new phone directory which we hope to have ready at the beginning of next month!

Clean water!

  

When we visited Tierra Nueva 2 years ago this month, we saw the poor condition of the system that had enabled our families to collect buckets of clean water twice a week. Accessing  water has been a challenge over the 24 years of our relationship.
 
In the past we provided a hand pump, we funded the unsuccessful digging of 3 wells and have hiked to a water source 45 minutes down hill, then back with a heavy bucket.
 
So it is with great excitement that we announce the provision of water filters! Fundahmer delivered them last week and conducted a how to session.
Clean water is a basic human right.
Hallelujah y gracias a Dios! 
Looking for that special gift for someone that has everything?
 
Everyone enjoys delicious Purdy's Chocolates for Christmas!  Delicious Georgia Browns, Yummy Hedgehogs, Gift Boxes,  stocking stuffers and even no sugar alternatives.
 
Purdy's catalogues and order forms will be available at the church office or call Teri Lydiard 604 538-6352. Or, you can order online 
 
All profits will go towards our church. Return your order with cheque payable to Teri Lydiard by Sunday November 22nd, and your items will be available after November 29th --no mall panic required
Here are other ways PUC is connecting with one another

Are you missing meeting up with your PUC friends? Here are a few ways you can keep in touch in addition to following worship on YouTube.
Blackie Spit to Dunsmuir Gardens and Back  
Friday, October 23 at 1:00 PM
 
Led by Dorthe Davison at dorthedavison@gmail.com
 
Contact the leader if you would like to join a group of 4 for a one hour "Walk" on trails where it will be easy to physically distance, followed by a half hour "Talk" at a picnic table where it will also be easy to physically distance. We will go rain or shine. 
Photo: Stuart Lyster
(11 am Sunday Morning)
Regardless of when you watch the service, you're welcome to join us for a Zoom coffee hour at our usual time 11am on Sunday.
   
Click here
for more information.
    Tuesdays at 7:30 am, 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.   The chairs are spaced 6 ft. apart in a large circle to ensure everyone's safety during the pandemic.   Bring your own coffee or other beverage should you wish one.  
For more information email or call Rev. Janice.  
 
To learn more about Centering Prayer watch this 8 minute introduction video by Thomas Keating.
gettingtoknowyou"Getting to Know You": This week's invitation!

Do you remember that song from "The King and I"?  "Getting to know you, getting to know all about you, getting to like you, getting to hope you like me".
 
Let's try an experiment to help us get to know one another better at Peninsula United Church.  
 
Open your church directory, find your name and 
count forward 56 names from your name in the directory and give that person a call to simply get to know them better.  Remember to introduce yourself and ask if this is a convenient time to call.  It may be that some are not able or interested in being part of this getting to know you experiment. Don't take it personally. Call someone else instead. Let's give it a try and see what happens.


#1 - 1381 George St.  
White Rock, BC  
V4B 2L1
ThirdSpace

What's New at ThirdSpace?

Click here to find out!
 


ThirdSpace Cookbook Is Complete!

***Our amazing ThirdSpace Digital Cookbook!***
Thank you to the members of our community that shared their recipes, and, the attached memories to make this amazing capsule.

Big thank you to Robyn Garland for all your heartfelt work in putting it together so beautifully!


ThirdSpace, make yourself...some yummy food!
Volunteers Needed for ThirdSpace
As we continue to explore and plan ways we can gather safely and comfortably, we are looking for volunteers.
 
If you are interested in volunteering in some way - in a socially distant, and safe manner. Please contact Nikkie 
 
Click here to learn more about volunteering duties at ThirdSpace
 
We still do not have immediate plans at this time to gather in the physical space. Volunteers would be expected to follow ThirdSpace Safety Protocols in place.
every Wednesday at 10:30am
We will be meeting outside in a physically distant manner!

Click here for more information and for details on how we will meet safely.

Topic October 21: Bring a memento/memory from high school to share (yearbook, playbill, trophy, etc.)
 
If the weather is not accommodating, we will be meeting via Zoom.
Join us on Zoom click here.
Meeting ID: 959 3657 1745
Password: 0822   
 
Or you can also join us by phone. Here's how:
Call 778 907 2071, enter meeting ID: 959 3657 1745, Password:0822 
Every Friday 10 - 11 am
   
Meeting ID: 999 4167 9678
Password: 0822
or you can also join us by phone.  
Here's how: Call 778 907 2071, enter meeting ID: 999 4167 9678, then password: 0822
 
Click here for more information. 
More News
News from Affirming Ministry
What's in a name? Research has found that usage of their chosen name resulted in a 29% decrease in suicidal ideation and a 56% decrease in suicidal behaviour among youth.

(Research Brief: Gender-Affirming Care for Youth, The Trevor Project)
Stewardship Seconds
October 18: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

"All we have" can be a little or a lot. There is always a way to reach out to our neighbour.
Covid-19 Safety Protocols at Peninsula United Church
During the Pandemic our Covid-19 Safety Team (Kathy Matusiak, Anna Paton, Lee Chamberlain,
Carol Monaghan and Nikkie Ripka) continues to ensure that safety procotols are in place.
  
 
 
Click here for information about access to office and church buildings during COVID-19 restrictions.
Your Generous Gifts are More Important than Ever
 
Click here  for information on how to continue your offerings during this changing time.
Other Opportunities for Worshipping Online
To find other opportunities for worshipping from the comfort of your home click here.

Please let the office know if you found other worship sites that you would like to recommend.
 
Our congregation has purchased an "All Access Pass" - a new initiative from Naramata Centre in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   What does this mean for you? 
Click here to learn more.
 
Click here  to check the Naramata website for upcoming Fall retreats. 
      
If you need the discount code or have questions, feel free to give Barbara Gregg a call  604-649-4926.
News from the Wider Church and Community
TedX Semiahmoo Secondary
Oct. 17-18
An opportunity to support a new student led initiative that seeks to enhance community connection and provide a channel in which the voices of our local youth can be heard.

Eight aspiring youth speakers from all across the lower mainland are scheduled to deliver high-impact talks that address a diverse range of topics offering solutions and insights that are novel and practical. One example is Meha Sidhu who will be speaking about her experience of living with alopecia and how it led her to reform and expand her understanding of beauty.

For more information on the speakers and how to connect with TedXSemiahmoo Secondary click here.

Affirming Celebration at Trinity Memorial United Church Abbotsford
 
Sunday, October 18, 2020 7 - 8 pm on Zoom
Join us as we celebrate our membership with Affirm United. We will sing our joy. Guest speakers include The Rev Blair Odney, president of the Pacific Mountain Region, Pam Rocker of Affirm Connection, and others.  Rev. Bill Booth and the Affirm Ministry team will lead the event. 
 
Meeting ID: 833 2768 0299, Passcode: 33737
One tap mobile
+16473744685,,83327680299#,,,,,,0#,,33737# Canada
+16475580588,,83327680299#,,,,,,0#,,33737# Canada
 
You may RSVP or just arrive online.
Phone 604 853 2591
 
Click here http://affirmunited.ause.ca/ for more information about Affirm United.
Click here https://www.trinitymemorialuc.com/ for more information about Trinity Memorial.

Starting Wednesday November 4th at 7 pm. 
See the poster for more information. 
If you would like to join us please send an email to register with Susan Draper (graceful@shaw.ca) and look for a copy of this book at your local bookstore or library.. 
Susan Draper and Janet Gray will co-facilitate this book club.

 

First United Annual Report

 

First United has  just released their 2019 Annual Report.
Click here to read the report.


Pacific Mountain Regional Council
Click here to see what's happening in the Pacific Mountain Region  of the United Church of Canada during Covid-19 physical distancing measures.

Reminders
Prayer Ministry Requests:
During the Corona Virus Pandemic, since we are no longer placing written requests in the sanctuary Prayer Box, 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.
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.
 
Peninsula UC Office :604-531-2979

ThirdSpace Office: 604-385-0822 
 
Click here for information about access to office and church buildings during COVID-19 restrictions.