WEBSITE          EVENTS          NEWS          I'M NEW          FIND US          ABOUT
Highlights of Our Life and Work
October 23, 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   [email protected] 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 [email protected]

Bruce: 604-531-2979 ext. 3 or 604-992-9183 [email protected]

Janice is on vacation and will return on Tuesday, October 27.
In This Issue
Worship this Week
Sunday Online Worship

Acorns in the Fall
 
October 25, 2020 - Servants of Hope
Join us for worship as we reflect with Rev. Bruce on our call to be Servants of Hope, working toward a future we may never see. 
 
Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 34: 1-12
 
Sermon: Servants of Hope
 
 
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 produce market Tuesdays 10 -6  or Saturday 10 - 4.  Market closed December 19..
  • 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
Medjoul Dates
Order Now: Distinct, Unique, Medjoul Dates
We are pleased to offer Medjoul dates for a second season. Sales of Palestinian Medjoul Dates helps to support Palestinian producers and workers in the Jordan Valley, where plantations date back more than 6000 years. Price per box is $20.

Email your order and include the following information: name, contact number, and number of boxes you would like to purchase.

For more information click here
Fabric Wanted
If anyone has any fabric, particularly themed fabric - Christmas, Valentine's, St. Patricks Day etc. - the Nitelights would be happy to take it off your hands.  We will be making double sided masks as a fundraiser.  They'll be for sale just in time for the Christmas season, along with Christmas Cakes and some other surprises.   
 
Please contact Val Weinert 604-536-6576 or Kathy Cross 605-535-4921 if you have any fabric you would consider donating.  Thanks.
Mission & Service Update
During September, the sum of $8,732.58 was donated to M&S by our congregation.  This included a UCW contribution of $200.00 in memory of Rebecca Irwin. 

Our M&S goal for 2020 is $60,000.00, and to date we have received a total of $56,518.85 which includes contributions from the UCW of $1,200.00. 

Our gifts make a better world possible and bring hope for the future.  Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.


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: [email protected]

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  -  November 8, 2020, start time 11:30 a.m.
 
You are invited to participate in a Congregational meeting on Nov. 8th, starting at 11:30 a.m. (this meeting is in place of the usual ZOOM coffee hour).  The purpose of this meeting is:
  1. to elect members of the church Council (postponed from last June);
  2. to appoint a "Notice to Reader Engagement" for our 2020 financial records;
  3. to receive a motion from our Affirming Ministry task group - "That PUC become an Affirming Ministry in the United Church of Canada";
  4. other information or business that may arise. 
 
Respecting Covid19 precautions, this meeting will be held online on ZOOM, with a very limited number of in-person seats available in the Sanctuary at the Crescent site.  Covid protocols will include mandatory face masks, hand sanitation, distanced seating, self-assessment screening questionnaire. In-person attendance is also subject to public health advisories at that time.  Link here for full information.
 
ADVANCE REGISTRATION for the meeting is REQUIRED for all participants, whether in-person or on ZOOM. Register Oct.26-Nov.5, by phone or email to the church office.  Link here for full information.
 
Please follow the link to read full information on this meeting.
 
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!
New Water Filters
Tierra Nueva Anniversary Celebration

  

On October 24 the families in Tierra Nueva will celebrate the anniversary of being on their land. It was a condition of the peace accords ending the civil war in 1992, that those who worked the land were entitled to farm it for their own family, not the wealthy landowners.  Even though soldiers tried to chase them away, they knew their rights. This is the very land to which they received title after we helped them purchase it. In the photo they are holding the new water filters provided by FUNDAHMER. 
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.
Wednesday October 28 at 10 AM
Led by Janet McIntosh  

Contact the leader if you would like to join a small group (up to 6) for a one hour "Walk" followed by a half hour "Talk". It will be easy to physically distance on the trail and afterward at the picnic area.  
We will go rain or shine.
 
Recent Walk and Talk: 
Dorthe Davison and Jo-anne Tobey-Fisher on the trail at the Semiahmoo Fish and Game Club
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 back 48 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!

Topic for October 28: What is the most useful gadget in your life?

Click here for more information and for details on how we will meet safely.
 
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
LGBTQIA2 - the list seems to grow all the time. What does it all stand for? Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans-gender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Aromantic, and Two-spirited. It's not that the world is changing, we're just becoming more aware of the amazing variety God created among us.
Stewardship Seconds
October 25: Twentieth-First Sunday after Pentecost

When we are gone, what legacy will we leave? Will it be one of generous giving from God's abundance, or one of hoarding and fear?
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 protocols 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 about Peninsula's All Access Pass
 
Click here  for a list of some of the fall and winter courses and retreats
 
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
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 ([email protected]) 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.

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.