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Birthday WishesSpring is here, and so are our wonderful April birthdays! Happy Birthday, and God bless you! 4 – Heather Haughn 9 – Max Kotsireas 13 – Riita Wrede 14 – Dawn Siegal-Saunders 17 – Lois Grierson 22 – George Haughn 25 – Isabelle Kotsireas 25 – Lin Parkinson 25 – Louis Kennedy (Melora’s Son) 30 – Noah Assam |
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Easter Egg Decorating WorkshopSAVE YOUR ONION SKINS and Join us for our third annual Easter Egg Decorating Workshop. This year we will try something new - dying eggs with natural dyes produced with onion skins and patterns using parsley, cilantro and other soft leaved herbs or plant leaves. Save your onion skins - (both yellow and red) to bring to the workshop along with 3-4 raw eggs. We will also use old pantyhose nylons to wrap the eggs in. You can read more about the process at Olga's Kitchen - https://www.olgainthekitchen.com/natural-easter-eggs/# |
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Report from Finance CommitteeNEWS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE: As presented at the AGM, the finance committee have been monitoring the performance of the Gloria Dei Memorial and Legacy investments. In consideration of the disruption in markets resulting from tariff challenges, it is the intention of the committee to move all assets now held in both Canadian and US equities into a guaranteed “Money Market”. It is also planned to re-enter the US & Canadian equity markets in 6 equal monthly installments starting 1 month from initial transfer. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Al K., Ken J., or Gaire. |
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Lenten Freewill Offering for CLWR and Harvest ProjectThere are three traditional Lenten mainstays: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Almsgiving, one of the three, usually translates into extending charity. But almsgiving is not mere philanthropy. Almsgiving is a form of prayer, because it is “giving to God.” It is also an act of love because it allows us to step outside ourselves and focus on the needs of others. In a time of growing global crises and overwhelming cuts to international development funding by the United States, as Christians we need to live our values of Gospel centred compassionate action. Funding to programs delivering life-saving aid have been cut, including to many with Canadian affiliates such as the CLWR and the Canadian Food Grains Bank. (the CLWR and Canadian Food Grains bank are both partners of the Humanitarian Coalition.) Because of the drastic cuts many more people will go hungry and some will starve. The Lenten call to almsgiving is an opportunity for us to help fill the gap. It means making the needs of other people your own. We have designated the next two Sundays, Lent 5 and Passion Sunday to take up a freewill offering for CLWR as well as the local charity The Harvest Project. Please prayerfully consider how much God is calling you to give. Matthew 25: 35-40 provides us with the pattern for Christian living given by Jesus: I was hungry and you fed me, |
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"Our Father" Small Group StudyOur small group study on the Our Father continues this Sunday after the morning worhsip service. "Prayer is at the heart of Christian spirituality. The scriptures invite us to pray without ceasing." Join us for this 4 week group study as we delve into the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. We will be using the chapter on the Our Father in revised and expanded book, Praying the Catechism as our guide. The book was authored by Rev. Don Johnson and revised in 2021 by Bishop Susan Johnson with updated language and fresh examples and questions for us to ponder. |
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Spring Clean Up DayMark your calendars! Bring your energy, and a spirit of community. |
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Calendar of EventsSaturday April 5, 1-3PM - Ukrainian English Conversation Circle - we need more English conversation partners Sunday April 6 - Installation of Church Council at 10AM Worship Service Saturday April 12, 1-3 PM - Easter Egg Decoration Workshop, using natural dyes from onion skins Sunday April 13 - Passion Sunday liturgy - with dramatic reading of Jesus' Passion Thursday April 17 - Maundy Thursday Soup Supper, 6:00PM followed by Holy Communion Service and Stripping of the Altar Friday April 18 - Good Friday, 3:00PM - Outdoor Stations of the Cross through Murdo Frazier Park (weather permitting) Sunday April 20 - Easter Sunday, 10AM - the Resurrection of Our Lord 10AM worship Service Saturday April 26 - Outdoor Cleanup Day, 9AM - noon
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Watch Party with Palestinian pastor Munther IsaacLast Sunday some of us were privileged to hear a talk by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, a Palestinian Christian pastor who served a parish in Bethlehem. He is the author of an important recent book: Christ in the Rubble: Faith, the Bible and the Genocide in Gaza. In this book he explores how theology has been used to justify and support colonialist claims by Israeli Zionists and their Christian supporters in the West that devalue and delegitimize the right of Palestinian people to exist. He discusses the present genocide of Palestinians that is presently taking place in Gaza and in the West Bank in Isreal. “It is one thing to say that Jews have a historical and religious connection to the land, something that cannot be denied, and a completely different thing to use this as justification for colonialism and the displacement of Palestinians”. The painful truths that Dr. Isaacs presents reveal the complicity, even in statements made by progressive churches, in the use of different standards in assessing the violent acts of Palestinians and Israelis in the present conflict. It is important for all of us to be aware of these issues. A similar talk by Dr. Isaac is available on line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imnnIv-9rgk - Jim Berger |
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Housing Search for a wonderful coupleDid you know that Lin Parkinson is Gloria Dei's representative on the Regional Refugee Sponsorship Team (R.E.S.T.)?
She sends us this request to spread the word to help this couple find a suitable home.
If you, or someone you know can assist, please see the details below. R.E.S.T is seeking housing for a couple on a very tight budget.
Housing request:
A newlywed couple we are well acquainted with needs secure, perhaps long-term accommodation. Ideally, a place where they can make a home.
Regional Refugee Sponsorship Team (R.E.S.T.) can provide references.
We have known these folks for nearly 10 years - clean, honest, non-drinking, non-smoking, responsible and hard-working.
He: A blind Canadian citizen, training at VCC to build his marketable skills.
She: An able new arrival Canadian Permanent Resident moving here from UK. She will be taking courses and finding work to support the couple.
Needed: One-bedroom apartment, accessible to a blind individual (without tripping hazards, non-standard or unusual features creating dangers for someone who can't see them). Home must have easy access to clear sidewalks.
Location: Near a major transit hub or on major bus routes - Surrey, Burnaby, New Westminster, Vancouver, North Vancouver all acceptable. Access to recreation centre, shopping and other amenities is important.
Rent: Maximum available is $1000/month, including utilities.
Please contact: Cynthia Bunbury at - cbunbury57@gmail.com
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Mapping the SacredRituals ground us. They remind us that the sacred is not far off but woven into the ordinary—the lighting of a candle, the deep breath before speaking, the quiet moment before stepping into the day.
What daily practice holds meaning for you? What small ritual helps you feel connected, anchored, and present?
Maybe today is an invitation to notice—to turn a simple act into a sacred one.
Thank-you to Pastor Kevin Powell
Check out more reflections at Mapping the Sacred Facebook Page - which explores the intersections of spirituality, discernment, and sacred spaces. Guided by the wisdom of Rev. Tom Harris & Lutheran pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin Powell, you will find reflections on faith, community, and discernment to inspire personal & collective transformation.
you can also find them on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/mappingthesacred.bsky.social
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Your Smile of the Week |
