Join us on January 12 at our 10AM Worship Service as we welcome new members into the life of our community. We'll continue our celebration with cake and coffee following the service.  

At its June 2023 Special Convention, delegates passed a Resolution on Peace and Justice in Palestine and Israel. The resolution reaffirmed the commitment "of our churches to the pursuit of peace with justice for all in Palestine and Israel." As part of that commitment the resolution encourages churches to

"provide safe spaces in Canada for conversation and collaboration in pursuing truth . . . and to pursue possibilities for greater interaction with Palestinian Christians and those of the Muslim and Jewish faith who see a just peace in the region."

Guided by this resolution which encourages our Church to take concrete steps to live out the gospel values of compassion justice and peace, we have invited Shadia Qubti, a Palestinian Christian and scholar to speak to us about the struggles Palestinians face living under occupation.  We will have a potluck lunch immediately following our morning service and then settle in to hear Shadia's presentation with time for questions. 

Shadia Qubti is a Palestinian born and raised in Nazareth. She worked in faith-based peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives through local and international organizations in Israel and Palestine for 15 years. Prior to coming to Canada, Shadia studied International Relations and English Language at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, as well as Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Action at Trinity Dublin College in Ireland. She has worked for over 10 years in policy initiatives and peacebuilding in various organizations, both local and international, working with both Palestinians and Israelis. As a Palestinian Christian, she is particularly focused on amplifying the voices and perspectives of women and other minorities in various ways, one of which was in the Women Behind the Wall podcast. Shadia recently completed a second MA degree in Interreligious and Indigenous Studies at Vancouver School of Theology, where her thesis presented - "A Theological Conversation between Palestinian and North American Indigenous Understandings of Land." Shadia is currently working as the Community Engagement Animator at Trinity Grace United Church in Vancouver, Canada. 

USE of the COMMON CUP SUSPENDED UNTIL EASTER

We re-introduced the common cup in Advent. However, due to an increase in respiratory illnesses such as influenza and RSV throughout the province, as well as a possible increase coming in Covid-19,  we have decided to suspend the use of the common cup until Easter.  And please remember - 

 - if you are ill, please stay home and take care of yourself. 

TURNING POINT BASKETS

 - there is new cohort of women at Turning Point and Lin and the basket fairies will be purchasing and putting together more "comfort baskets." We need a few more funds to come it to cover the cost. So please consider supporting this ministry of compassion and solidarity. 

As we receive the news of the Prime Minister of Canada's decision to step down, our National Bishop, Susan Johnson offers this prayer.

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Canada. Check out this helpful post from the folks at McMaster University's Optimal Aging Portal on how you can take action to promote brain health at every stage of life.