Dear Friends, 

We have all watched in shock and incredulity the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces this week. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine violates international law, and indeed turns back the clock to a time when any state could resort to war at their discretion and acquire territorial and other gains by military conquest.

The events in Ukraine touch a deep chord in my own life. Twenty-two years ago, I visited my parents' homeland of Lithuania and met my cousins for the first time. As we shared meals and conversation we rejoiced at the gains the country had made in 10 short years since shaking off the oppressive yoke of the Soviet empire. Now, my cousins and their fellow citizens fear the worst -- that after Ukraine, they may be next. They fear their hard won liberty and democracy is once again threatened, not by communism, but by Kremlin's kleptocratic ruler.  

As a Christian, I know that the freedom Christ came to bring is not enshrined in any political system. At the same time, Christian faith recognizes that the abundant life Christ came to bring is threatened under an unjust social order. That is why I welcome the opportunities that have been offered by the BC Synod this week to come together as the Body of Christ and pray for Ukraine. I also commend to you the invitation from the Lutheran World Federation to register for the Ash Wednesday Morning Service of Prayer and Solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Please scroll down the newsletter for the invitation and details on how to register.  

Even as we condemn the unlawful violation of international law by Russia, we have an obligation to come to terms with another story of conquest--that of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas-- and the historical role the Church played in that conquest. Through the Doctrine of Discovery issued in 1452, the Church specifically sanctioned and promoted the conquest, colonization, and exploitation of non-Christian territories and peoples. Hundreds of years of decisions and laws continuing right up to our own time can ultimately be traced back to the Doctrine of Discovery—laws that invalidate or ignore the rights, sovereignty, and humanity of Indigenous peoples in Canada and around the world.

I am grateful that our Synod's Journey to Reconciliation Group is making a study of this Doctrine available to us during Lent. Because we will not be hosting our own midweek Holden Evening Prayer services, this year is the perfect time for all of us to join in this Zoom study. Each Thursday in Lent will begin at 7PM with a short service of Evening Prayer (Vespers). This will be followed by a short break before launching into an hour long study and small group discussion. If you have friends or acquaintances who are interested in learning about Reconciliaton they can join the study at 7:30 without having to participate in the worship service. And if you can't block out all six weeks, you can participate as your schedule allows. There is no requirement to participate in all six weeks. Scroll down the Newsletter for all the details in a separate post.

In closing I look forward to seeing many of you this Sunday at our Service of Word and Prayer, and I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Phil. 1:3).

Pastor Vida

I would like to say thank you to everyone who came and participated in Sonja's baby shower! She was so pleased and overwhelmed by the wonderful gifts and good wishes she received. What a great way to kick off in person services again. I would like to extend my appreciation to Lin Parkinson for her gift of making functions very special. We had such a good time planning and setting it all up!

~ Shelley

You can view more pictures on our "members only" page. Password - gloriadei22# https://www.gloriadei.ca/pages/for-our-members

Lenten Evening Prayer and a Study on the Doctrine of Discovery

We have 2 new groups renting from us beginning the first week of March. The first is the North Shore Wrestling Club who will be using the hall on Thursday afternoons from 3:30 - 8:00pm and Saturday mornings from 8:00am -12:15pm.

The second group joining us on a weekly basis is the North Vancouver Rotary Club. They will meet on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00pm.

On March 16th we are once again hosting Canadian Blood Services. 

You can always check the calendar on the website to see what is booked at any time. 

Vita Retreat - March 4 and 5 

Two Christmas cards came in the mail today. We were puzzled, "From whom could they be?" As we opened them up and began to read, we were touched to discover  that they came from the two of the seniors who received our Christmas hampers. We post an image of one of the notes here. If you would like to read the other one, both thank-you notes are on the bulletin board across from the office.  

~ Shelley and Pr. Vida