GOOD TIDINGS
DECEMBER 2014
DUNBAR HEIGHTS UNITED CHURCH
…where meaning, justice and belonging meet
December Worship
Image: vwierenga.blogspot.com
Figure 1Annuciationblog.com
Dunbar Heights United Church
Rev. Dr. Richard Bott
3525 West 24th Avenue, at Collingwood
Vancouver, BC V6S 1L5
Tel: 604 731 6420
[email protected]
www.dunbarheightsuc.ca
December 7th at 10am
3rd Sunday of Advent
Communion
Baptism
JOY
December 14th at 10am
4th Sunday of Advent
LOVE
December 21st at 10am
1st Sunday of Christmas
Children’s Christmas Pageant
All Ages Service
December 21st at 7pm
Community Carol Service
December 24th
4:00pm Children’s Service
7:00pm Family Service
11:00pm Candlelight & Communion
Service
December 28th at 10am
2nd Sunday of Christmas
Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
December 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MUSINGS FROM REV. RICHARD..................................................................................................................................... 3
DECEMBER NEWS FOR DHUC......................................................................................................................................... 4
NOTES FROM COUNCIL.................................................................................................................................................. 11
PASTORAL CARE.............................................................................................................................................................. 12
SOME GROUP UPDATES ................................................................................................................................................ 14
DECEMBER DHUC MEETINGS ...................................................................................................................................... 16
WORSHIP COMMITTEE NOTES ................................................................................................................................... 18
NEWS FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY........................................................................................................................ 21
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS ............................................................................................................................. 22
DHUC Vision Statement
We are an involved and connected community…
Seekers, questioners and believers at various stages on the journey.
We are nurtured and challenged by the presence of the Spirit to find depth and meaning for
our lives and to engage our neighbourhood near and far in living lives of justice.
Seeking to follow the way of Jesus, we dare to live God’s hope in our time and context.
Our greatest gift is our multi-age community in which we treasure our roots and heritage
and embrace the wisdom of the new.
All are welcome and each one enriches our whole to continue God’s unfolding story in our
midst.
Dunbar Heights United Church
....where meaning, justice and belonging and meet.
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Seeking to follow the way of Jesus,
we dare to live God’s hope in our time and context.
MUSINGS FROM REV. RICHARD
S
happen if we took the time to
remind ourselves that this moment
is the most important moment we
are living? If we took the time to
remind ourselves that this moment
– not the past ones, not the ones
yet to come to fruition – is the only
moment that we can live in, and
that this moment is the moment
that God is with us, and we are with
ometimes I think that Advent – in
just about any church – feels like
what it must have felt like in
Boston last week.
Snowed under.
As congregations, we come to this
time of year with a great deal of
excitement. Quite often, it’s one of those
times when we see people we don’t
regularly see – family coming from other
places, neighbours checking us out, people who are
wondering about the religious part of the
Christmas, all dropping in. So we work to make our
preparations and celebrations as welcoming, as
various and as numerous as is possible. Here at
Dunbar Heights United Church we’ve got our
Advent Event, two performances of Handel’s
Messiah, a spaghetti fundraiser, a Carol Sing, a
multitude of outreach projects and three Christmas
Eve services. That’s alongside of our regular Sunday
morning worship gatherings, Godly Play, Healing
Pathways, Choir, Stitch and Chatter, Contemplative
Meditation, not to forget all of the ministry that
happens through the work of the Church Council
and its committees – and more that I’m sure I’ve
missed! When we add in the other parts of our
lives, the meals and gatherings, the concerts with
children and grandchildren and neighbours, the giftgathering and gift-giving (and on and on…), I
wonder how we get to January each year!
God?
What would happen if, in our gift-making or our
gift-buying, we took just a moment to pray for the
person for whom we’re making or buying the gift?
What would happen if we took a moment to pray
for the person standing behind the service counter,
or the person in the line in front of us, or the one
behind?
What would happen if, this Advent, we took to
heart Jesus’ invitation to “love God – and love your
neighbour as you love yourself,” to do something as
simple as committing to smile at everyone we’re
talking to, or to sincerely thank them for the service
they’ve given you?
What would happen if, this Christmas, we looked
at every baby in every parent’s arms or in their
buggies and strollers, to see the love of God and the
presence of Christ, alive in their cries and laughter?
Perhaps we’d see, not just in the in-between
places, but in all of the things that we’re doing to
celebrate that Emmanuel is born again.
Perhaps that’s something we need to think
about. Is there something we need to do to make
sure that our preparations and celebrations are
blessedness, rather than busy-ness?
God-is-with-us.
Blessed Advent and blessed Christmas!
Christ’s peace - Richard
What would happen if before each of our Advent
and Christmas events, each of us took a moment to
pray, “God, help me to be completely here, with
you and with those around me.” What would
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We are an involved and connected community…
DECEMBER NEWS FOR DHUC
COFFEE CLEANUP
December 7th: STUVWXYZ
December 21st: DEFGHI
December 14th: ABC
December 28th: JKLM
Just a reminder… please take notice of the letters posted in the Bulletin each Sunday for
“Coffee Clean-Up”. If your last name begins with any of these letters listed, you are encouraged
and welcomed to help with the cleaning up afterwards. Thank you to all of you who give your time.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT DUNBAR
KNOX/DUNBAR MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Knox/Dunbar Men's Breakfast Group will gather again on Saturday, Dec. 13th at
7:30am at Dunbar Heights. All men are welcome to join us for an unstructured time of
food, fellowship, and conversation. For more information please contact Pat Burns at
[email protected].
POSTMODERN CAMERATA
Postmodern Camerata’s third concert at DHUC is Christmas Glory, featuring Vivaldi’s
Gloria and J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (part 1), on Sunday, December 14th at 4:00pm.
The group includes vocalists Alexandra Hill and Clinton Stoffberg, who have performed
as soloists in previous DHUC concerts (among others, Bach’s St John Passion and the spring
performance of Mozart’s Requiem). More information about the group and its members
(including short videos and ticket information) can be found at: www.postmoderncamerata.com.
JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP FUNDRAISING DINNER
DHUC’s Junior Youth Group meets the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month after school,
and welcomes all children in Grades 4 through 7. On Sunday, December 21st they will host
a fundraising dinner with all proceeds donated to First United Church Misssion. Please join
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them at 6:00pm for a tasty meal of spaghetti, garlic bread, caesar salad and dessert, and stay for the DHUC
Community Carol Service at 7:00pm! Tickets are $10 and may be purchased from any Youth Group member
or from Cathy Cryder. Please contact Cathy at [email protected] for more information.
REVEREND. RICHARD'S REFLECTIONS NOW ON THE WEBSITE
Reverend Richard and the Worship Committee have worked hard with software to make
Reflections delivered on Sunday available on the website by Monday at noon, in both audio
and written form. You'll find the link on the entrance page, in the bar on the left under
Worship.
KEEP THE CENTENNIAL SPIRIT ALIVE
There are two plans to keep us in the Centennial spirit. The first is to answer the request of
at least one member who would like to sign one of the new chairs. Find Barbara or
Maureen in coffee time on the first three Sundays of December and autograph your chair
or chairs!
There is one more major plan, and that is to produce a Centennial 2014 Book to document the defining
moments of Dunbar Heights and the United Church of Canada and the celebrations of this year. Work has
not yet begun to put this together, but much of the material is available. The aim is to have the book
available soon in the new year. Friends of DHUC will be able to place orders for the book when it is
completed.
Dunbar Heights United Church Nativity
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WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
MESSIAH CONCERT RECEPTIONS
We are hosting receptions for the choir, musicians, the congregation and guests after each
of the Messiah Concerts. The performances are on December 5th at 7:00pm and December
6th at 2:00pm. The Worship Committee appreciates any assistance you are able to offer
with the receptions, such as:
•providing finger food sweet or savoury, purchased or homemade
•assisting with set-up at 5:00pm on Friday or 1:00pm on Saturday
•assisting with clean-up following either reception
If you are able to help out, please speak with Barbara Johnson after Worship, or contact her at
604-733-2785 or [email protected]. Thank you!
M&P NEEDS YOUR INPUT
Your Ministry and Personnel committee wants to hear from you in preparation for the
required annual review of Rev. Richard's ministry with DHUC. Questionnaires are available
in print form after worship and in the office during the week. Please place your completed
responses in one of the envelopes Sheila has made available in the office, seal it and place
it in the brown envelope, also available in the office. There is also an online form you can fill out. You will
find that link prominently placed on the entrance page of the website. When you have completed your
responses there, please remember to hit the "Submit" button on the bottom. That will send it to the
website where it will be gathered. If you have any questions, please talk with Arthur, Jill, Jean or Maureen.
Thank you.
THE CASSEROLE BRIGADE
…is a tangible expression of our Christian faith, offering the hospitality of food when it is
most needed. In giving and receiving, there is a blessing. Over the past two years or so,
volunteers of the Casserole Brigade have provided food for members of our congregation
on many, many occasions and the recipients have been very grateful for our help. With winter
now here, along with its cooler temperatures, rain, and winter illnesses we expect need for warm, healthy
casseroles to rise again. If you would like to know how you can help please talk with Vivian Urquhart by
phone at 604-738-6671 or by email at [email protected]. Also, if you are aware of anyone in need of support
please pass that information on to her.
VOLUNTEER LITERACY TUTORS
One-to-One provides literacy tutoring to children in elementary schools during regular
school hours. Trained volunteer tutors work with students identified by their teachers as
needing a boost in their literacy skills. Typically, each student spends approximately 30
minutes twice a week with a volunteer tutor. Children chosen for the program often
receive little or no literacy support at home. One-to-One provides an opportunity to
practice their reading in an environment where it is okay to take risks, make mistakes, and learn at their
own pace. The work is fun and very rewarding! One-to-One provides thorough training and ongoing
support to all their volunteer tutors. This is a tremendous opportunity to truly make a difference.
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FIRST UNITED AND DUNBAR HEIGHTS UNITED
First United wants gently used towels, water bottles, bike locks, mugs and personal care
products. Last month we were able to take these down to First. Also in the collections that
went down to the First United Thrift Store were gloves, hats and scarves, warm jackets and
sweaters and men’s pants and shirts.
You can place your donations for First United in the two marked cupboards in the kitchen. Thank you,
for your generosity.
DHUC Community Outreach for First United
Image: www.firstunited.ca
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UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
WOMEN’S ADVENT SERVICE AT RYERSON UNITED CHURCH
Ryerson United will host a Women’s Advent Service on December 2nd at 7pm. They invite
women to join them for an evening of poetry, silence and song enhanced by the choral
group Convivia singing medieval chants and melodies. Refreshments are offered following
the service. Donations will be accepted for WISH, an organization supporting women who
work on the Downtown East Side. RSVP’s appreciated to [email protected], or
604-266-5377, ext. 104.
CHILDREN AND THE CHURCH
Registration is now open for Vancouver School of Theology’s 14th bi-annual ecumenical
event in this series. This time the topic is Storytelling and the Spiritual Lives of Children.
Join Haida storyteller, Kung Jaadee, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Brokenleg (Lakota) as they
explore with us the power of storytelling and its unique place in the spiritual lives of our
children. A morning storytelling performance and keynote address, and a wide variety of
afternoon workshops will stimulate, engage and delight participants. For more information, see the poster
on the bulletin board, or go to the VST website page: http://www.vst.edu/main/prospectivestudents/continuing-education/children-and-church.
IMAGINE RETREAT FOR CHILDREN
Registration is now open for this United Church of Canada supported popular children’s
retreat. This is a time for children to get together, enjoy the outdoors,
make new friends, and eat, play, sing and worship together. The 2015 event is February
20th–22nd and will be held at the Stillwood Retreat Centre near Cultus Lake.
You can find more information on the poster on the bulletin board, by going online to
www.imaginechildrensretreat.ca or by calling the retreat co-ordinator, Mary Nichol, at 604-763-4201.
DHUC Centennial Picnic
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NOTES FROM COUNCIL
The principle of our Strategic Ministry Plan is
worth re-stating. Our congregation decided in
November 2011 that we would raise funds to
allow us to work toward being part of a vibrant
congregation on the west side of Vancouver. The
longer-term vision was that the ideas we had for
changes to worship, to spiritual
formation, to our music
ministry, to pastoral care and
hospitality, could only be
fully realized with a larger
base of members.
A WELL DEVELOPED TOLERANCE FOR
AMBIGUITY. Some suggest great innovation
and change often follow from uncertainty;
although we all prefer the opposite condition. I
would say our staff and council members'
patience is being tested these days by the
slower than expected pace of
discussions with West Point
Grey. We are in an uncertain
state. Our tolerance for
ambiguity is being tested.
We said in our Strategic
Ministry Plan that "...we
are open to all possible
outcomes." This is a very
liberating idea. Now may be the
time to think of possibilities other than
the idea of two congregations deciding on your
place or mine. We have a good story to tell — a
clear vision, a well considered plan, vibrant
ministries of worship, children, youth and
families, outreach and music — I believe we
would be welcomed by many of our neighbouring
congregations.
MUSIC AS OUTREACH.
The Centennial Choir sings
Handel's Messiah on Friday
evening, December 5th and again
at an afternoon concert on Saturday,
December 6th. We are asking folks to reserve so
that we can control the numbers. We were
oversubscribed for the Mozart Requiem. Follow
the links on the entry page on
http://www.dunbarheightsuc.ca/.
As a choir member my view is happily biased but I
have been very humbled by how pleased many
are with the music at DHUC. We have some new
worshippers with us who come as a result of the
music. More than that, some council members
are pleased that we have a good message to
deliver to the broader community through our
great music program.
I would like to encourage members of our
congregation to make a point of worshipping
occasionally at other United Churches on the
west side. We will not count absences against
anyone's attendance record! The perspective and
ideas gained while worshipping and visiting with
other United Church folk could add significant
"grist to the mill" as we continue on the path setout in our Strategic Ministry Plan.
Mark Paetkau, Council Chair
[email protected] 604-730-9035
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PASTORAL CARE
The Pastoral Care Team meet last month to
gather in fellowship to explore the direction and
needs of Pastoral Care for Dunbar Heights
United Church. It was a wonderful celebration of
the pastoral events and caring offered in the
past, and an imagining of pastoral care in the
years to come. As we looked at the passing of
time it seemed fitting to open with a liturgy
celebrating the seasons of time and God’s
presence in the rhythm of our daily living; God’s
presence in those ordinary moments of time,
that in fact are made extraordinary by God’s
light. We welcomed the light of Christ, God’s
love into our presence. We recognized that in
Creation’s presence there is time for all things.
After gathering in worship we explored and
celebrated the many ways the Pastoral Care
Team has responded to the needs of the
congregation. We celebrated the generosity of
the team as they share their gifts of talent and
love. We celebrated the generosity of the many
congregation members who provide pastoral
care through the making of casseroles, driving
others to and from church, through phone calls
and cards to one another – Blessings of
Bethlem’s light that shines in each of us.
We recognized the unique pastoral offering
of each activity and the rhythm of shifting
needs.
We wondered about the shifting needs of
Care Givers. We rejoiced for the many
wonderful Care Giver teas we had shared
together; a gift of pausing in the business of
their day to gather around a shared table of
love. We wondered what are the needs of Care
Givers now. We thought about our many seniors
and wondered if the time had come again for a
different kind of tea – perhaps a monthly
senior’s tea time – a time of fellowship and
entertainment for all who wish to gather?
Perhaps we can offer an exercise or walking
group?
For everything there is a season, and a time for
every matter under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
And we read:
Time is such an elusive thing and I find
myself constantly wanting to control it...
Sometimes my mind and feelings are far into
the future while I am living in the present
moment. At other times, I am clinging onto
the present and not wanting to go forward. If
it’s a difficult situation, I want to hurry and
get it over with. If it’s a happy moment, I
want to hug myself and not let it go.
We recognized a growing need for driving
assistance. Some congregation members are
unable to attend the Sunday morning service
and other community events due to lack of
access to a vehicle, or the inablility to drive. If
you are able to help with driving please leave
your name with any member of the Pastoral
Care Team or at the office. The Team will work
closely with you to support your offer of
assistance. We envision a team of regular
The wise voice of the author of Ecclesiastes
tells us that there is a time for everything.
Each event and experience has some wisdom
to give us if we are open and attentive to
what it is offering to us. The present moment
is what counts. Nothing else. Here is where
our wisdom happens.
Joyce Rupp, Inviting God In (p. 147)
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volunteers sharing in this opportunity. This will
be a wonderful gift of time, and an opportunity
to deepen your relationship with another
member. Your help is needed.
December 2014
wonder with us. We invite your thoughts and
hopes and ideas as we discern God’s call to live
in the light of hope and in the sharing of God’s
renewing love.
In our gathering we wondered about God’s
call to love and care. We asked ourselves: In
what new ways are we being called to best
serve the pastoral needs of our church? As we
prepare to gather in celebration of the coming
of Christ into the world, we invite you to
On behald of the Pastoral Care Team
Linda McLaren, RN BSN, Pastoral Care
Minister
Seniors Teas, Caregivers Teas, Casserole Brigade, Pastoral Visiting, Communing In
Presence, Find Your Sacred Center Services, Soul Tending, Newsletter Articles,
Emergency Contact Sheets, Driving Support, Participation in SWG forums and
workshops, Prayers, Service Participation
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SOME GROUP UPDATES
CONTEMPLATIVE MEDITATION
On December 2nd Contemplative Meditation will not meet at Dunbar Heights. Instead we travel to Ryerson
United Church for a Contemplative Women’s Advent Service. Gather at DHUC at 6:35pm if you would like
to carpool to the 7:00pm service.
Other upcoming meeting dates to remember are:

December 9th and 16th will be regular Contemplative Meditation evenings, 7:30-9:00pm in the
Library.

There will be a two week break during Advent/Christmas.

We will resume regular meetings on January 6th, Epiphany!
HEALING MINISTRIES
Healing Ministries sponsored a very successful Healing Pathway Phase II Where Two or More Gather, here
at DHUC. Of the twelve registered, seven were from the Dunbar practice group. Lorraine Struyk was the
instructor, with Ross White as instructor-in-training. Other Dunbar folk involved included Judith Ann
Donaldson as instructor assistant, and Jill Parker, Mary Ann Mutter and Susan Burns as logistical support.
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This is the second formal Healing Pathways training session hosted by Dunbar Heights this year. Our
practice group now consists of over 20 practitioners, over half of whom belong to Dunbar Heights. Others
come from other local churches and from the general community.
For December the group will gather for a potluck dinner and discussion on December 1 st. Then,
December 15th will be an open session for any seeking a healing boost during Advent.
SENIORS WORKING GROUP
The successful public information session on Aging in Place was held at Dunbar on October 19th. Almost 90
in attendance! Speakers included Monique Davidson of Vancouver Coastal Health, Christine Stardom of
ASK Friendship Centre and Joanne Haramia of Jewish Family Services Association.
Stay tuned to hear about more current and lively public information sessions for seniors and their adult
children and support people.
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Our greatest gift is our multi-age community in which we treasure our roots
and heritage and embrace the wisdom of the new
DECEMBER DHUC MEETINGS
Committee Meetings
Spirituality & Group Meetings
WORSHIP COMMITTEE usually meets on the 2nd
Sunday of each month, at 12:00 noon in the
Lounge. This month’s meeting is December 14th.
STITCH & CHATTER meets every Thursday at
9:00am in the Ethel Todrick Room.
HEALING MINISTRY usually meets on the 2nd
and 4th Monday of each month, at 7:30pm in the
Sanctuary. The meeting on the 4th Monday is
open to the community. The December
meetings are adjusted to accommodate the
holidays and will be held on December 1st and
December 15th.
FINANCE COMMITTEE usually meets on the 2nd
Tuesday of each month, at 7:00pm in the
Lounge. This month’s meeting is Tuesday,
December 9th.
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE usually
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at
7:00pm in the Library. The next scheduled
meeting is December 10th.
CONTEMPLATIVE MEDITATION meets every
Tuesday at 7:30pm in the Library. No meetings
December 21st or 30th.
COUNCIL usually meets on the 3rd Wednesday of
each month, at 7:00pm in the Ethel Todrick
Room. The next scheduled meeting is December
17th.
PASTORAL CARE TEAM will meet at a time and
place to be announced.
UNIT 3 usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of
each month at a place to be announced.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE will meet on Thursday,
December 11th in the Lounge.
CHOIR PRACTICE is every Thursday at 7:00pm in
the Sanctuary.
Advent at DHUC
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We are …
Seekers, questioners and believers at various stages on the journey
WORSHIP COMMITTEE NOTES
THE SEASON OF ADVENT – A TIME OF WAITING AND PREPRATION
During Advent we use the colour blue, the colour of the night sky just before dawn, the time of
anticipation of the light of a new day.
ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES and EVENTS
th
December 5 and 6
th
December 7th
Messiah Concerts
Receptions following
3rd Sunday of Advent
December 14th
4th Sunday of Advent
December 21st
1st Sunday of Christmas
December 24th
Christmas Eve Services
December 28th
2nd Sunday of Christmas
Friday 7:00pm
Saturday 2:00pm
Advent Worship
Communion
Advent Worship
Christmas Pageant 10:00am
Community Carol Service 7:00pm
Service for the very young 4:00pm
Family Service 7:00pm
Candlelight Communion 11:00pm
Worship Committee leading worship
LECTIONARY READINGS* for ADVENT and CHRISTMAS
December 7
th
Isaiah 61.1-4, 8-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24
December 14th
Psalm 89.1-4, 19-26; Luke 1.26-38
December 21st
Jeremiah 31.7-14; Psalm 147.12-20; John1.10-18
December 28th
Isaiah 61. 10-62.3; Matthew 1.18-2.14; Psalm 148;
Galatians 4.4-7
*The lectionary readings may not correspond exactly with the themes of the service, but are
presented here for your time of personal reflection.
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HANDEL’S MESSIAH
The Centennial Choir with Chamber Orchestra will present two performances of
Handel’s Messiah: Friday, December 5th at 7:00pm and Saturday, December 6th at
2:00pm. Please reserve your tickets at dunbarheightsuc.ca.
MESSIAH RECEPTIONS
We are hosting a reception for the choir, the musicians, the congregation and guests
after each of the Messiah Concerts. If you are able to help with:
 providing sweet or savoury finger food, purchased or homemade
 set-up at 5:00pm on Friday or 1:00pm on Saturday
 clean up following each reception
please speak with Barbara Johnson or contact her at 604-733-2785 or [email protected]. Thank you!
SOUND SYSTEM
The installation of the new sound system is now complete. In addition to speakers in
the sanctuary, there are speakers in the balcony, narthex, and chancel area. We are
now able to record the service so the Reflections delivered each week can be made
available on the DHUC website, in both audio and written form. The link is on the
entrance page, in the bar on the left under Worship. Print copies will be available
outside Reverend Richard’s office on Wednesday.
THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship Committee meets on the second Sunday of each month. The members from the
congregation are JudithAnn Donaldson, Janey Cole-Morgan, Lynn Hitchen, Ed Geppert, Cecilia Bernabe
and Barbara Johnson (chair). The Ministry staff members are Rev. Richard Bott, Cathy Cryder, and Greg
Caisley.
We welcome and respond to any feedback we receive from the congregation. Please let us know
your thoughts about worship at DHUC. It is very helpful in the planning of future services.
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NEWS FROM THE
CHURCH LIBRARY
The book Jill Parker has chosen to review this
month is from the Christianity section of the
Library. Thank you, Jill, for acquainting us with
the books in our collection.
The Soul of Christianity-Restoring the Great
Tradition.
by Huston Smith
main body is in three parts: The Christian
Worldview, The Christian Story, and The Three
Main Branches of Christianity.
The Christian Worldview blueprints, in point
form, the understanding that the background of
the Christian story is its two-tiered world of
heaven and earth. ‘Without an upper storey the
ultimacy of an Infinite God …makes no sense.’
The Christian Story is the story we read in the
New Testament, and the first thousand years
after that. This, to Smith, is when the Good
News was spread, when Christianity was
growing and its basic structure as a church was
formed. In The Three Main Branches of
Christianity Today, Smith summarizes the beliefs
and creeds, strengths and weaknesses of the
Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox
Church and the Protestant Churches.
This book is a cry from the heart. All around
him, author Huston Smith sees a disillusioned
and broken world. For this, Smith blames the
lure of the Scientific Age, begun in the 16th
century, which has derided the Christian World
view. Science concentrates on material evidence
as proof of existence. As God couldn’t be seen,
then God was not. In Smith’s words, Absence of
Evidence = Evidence of Absence. Material gifts,
therefore, became more important than
spiritual gifts and self became most important of
all. Now, however, there is a growing sense of
unease that perhaps Science does not have all
the answers for or about life. Although
Secularism and Individualism have seemed to
provide all that is needed for this life, it has now
lost its sense of direction. In his book Smith
strives to help restore Christianity to its
traditional soul, as it was forged in the first
millennium after Christ.
It is always interesting to read opinions of
others, for every author opens new windows of
reflection. Throughout, Smith seeks to prove
that the Age of Enlightenment was anything but
unalloyed joy, and that Christianity has suffered
due to our blind acceptance of the wonders of
Science. He mourns the loss of the Soul of
Christianity and its mysticism, but takes heart in
the sense of spiritual seeking that is rising once
again.
Smith asserts that time is running out for us,
and the apocalypse is on our heels. He has not
written a scholarly treatise – he wants ordinary
people to read, ponder and become God’s
people once more. His book is not large, but it
contains a Preface, a Prologue, an Introduction
to the main body of the book, and a coda. The
Reviewed by Jill Parker
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
December 2014
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
MAGEE SECONDARY SCHOOL
SENIORS TEA
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH
1:00PM
6360 Maple Street
In addition to tea and seasonal
refreshments, there will be a
varied program of music by the
Senior Band, the String Orchestra
and the Magee Chamber Choir.
This is a free event offered to members
of our community.
RSVP to the school is appreciated
604-713-8200
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE RADIO SHOW – PACIFIC THEATRE
Wednesdays through Saturdays, December 5th – 30th, Pacific Theatre at 1440 West 12th
Avenue. It’s Christmas Eve in a wartime New England town. Faced with a lifetime of
dreams deferred, George Bailey sets out to throw himself from a bridge until an angelin-waiting shows him what might have been. This is a holiday classic brought to life as a
live 1940’s radio broadcast. Shows are at 8:00pm with a 2:00pm matinee on Saturdays.
For more information please go to www.pacifictheatre.org.
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES – VANCOUVER CHAMBER CHOIR
Friday, December 19th at 8:00pm at Ryerson United Church. This is the centenary of
poet Dylan Thomas’ birth and the Vancouver Chamber Choir will again give their
signature performance of this beloved classic. This year it will be brought to life by the
Welsh actor Russell Roberts, and will include Jon Washburn’s Twelve Carols for a Dylan
Thomas Christmas. For more information please check the VCC website at
www.vancouverchamberchoir.com or Ryerson’s at www.ryersonunited.ca/music/ryerson-concerts-3/
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
December 2014
Dunbar Heights United Church
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
November 30
10:00 Worship
11:40 Wreath-making
December 1
9:30 Yoga
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Healing Ministry
7:30 Monday Step
7
10:00 Worship
Communion Sunday
14
10:00 Worship
12:00 Worship Ctte
4:00 PMC Gloria
Concert
21
10:00 Worship
All Ages Service
Children’s Pageant
6:00 Jnr Youth Outreach Dinner
7:00 Carol Singing
8
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Monday Step
15
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Healing Ministry
7:30 Monday Step
22
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Monday Step
28
10:00 Worship
11:40 Path Group
Wednesday
2
3
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
4
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
4:30 Junior Youth Grp
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Messiah Dress
Rehearsal
5
9:30 Yoga
7:00 Messiah
Concert& Reception
6
9:00 Basketball
2:00 Messiah
Concert & Reception
11
12
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Karate
7:30 Van City Singers
Rehearsal
13
7:30 Men’s Breakfast
9:00 Basketball
10:00 Karate
10:00 Pageant
Rehearsal
7:30 Van City Singers
Concert
19
20
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
9:30 Yoga
6:30 Beavers
9
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
7:00 Finance Ctte
7:30 Cont Meditation
8:30 Basketball
10
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Dance/Jazzercise
6:30 Beavers
7:00 Soul Tending
7:00 M&P Meeting
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
TBA Unit 3 Mtg
TBA Outreach Ctte
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
16
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
7:30 Cont Meditation
17
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Dance/Jazzercise
6:30 Beavers
7:00 Council Meeting
18
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
4:30 Junior Youth Grp
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
23
24
4:00 Children’s
Worship Service
7:00 Family Worship
Service
11:00 Candlelight
Worship Service
8:30 Basketball
29
7:30 Monday Step
December 2014
30
31
8:30 Basketball
23
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Karate
1:00 Pageant
Rehearsal
25
CHRISTMAS DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
6:30 Lifeline
January 1
NEW YEARS DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
6:30 Lifeline
26
27
January 2
January 3
BOXING DAY
OFFICE CLOSED
Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
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December 2014