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GOOD TIDINGS
MARCH 2015
DUNBAR HEIGHTS UNITED CHURCH
…where meaning, justice and belonging meet
March Worship
March 1st at 10am
2nd Sunday of Lent
Communion Sunday
DENIAL
March 8th at 10am
3rd Sunday of Lent
INTERROGATION
March 15th at 10am
4th Sunday of Lent
CRUCIFIXION
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
March 22nd at 10am
5th Sunday of Lent
DEATH
March 29th at 10am
Palm Sunday
All Ages Service
JESUS’ TRIUMPH?
Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MUSINGS FROM REV. RICHARD..................................................................................................................................... 3
MARCH NEWS FOR DHUC ................................................................................................................................................ 4
NOTES FROM COUNCIL..................................................................................................................................................... 7
CENTENNIAL AND ARCHIVE UPDATE ......................................................................................................................... 9
MARCH DHUC MEETINGS ............................................................................................................................................. 10
WORSHIP COMMITTEE NOTES ................................................................................................................................... 11
WORSHIP NOTES FROM REV. RICHARD .................................................................................................................. 14
NEWS FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY........................................................................................................................ 19
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 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
B
y the time you have a chance to
read this, we’ll be well and truly
into the Season of Lent 2015 – the
choirs will be preparing to share
with us Bach’s version of the Passion
story as shared by St. John, the banners
will be changed, and our worship
gatherings will have turned a bit more
reflective. We will, slowly, wind our way to
Jerusalem, to the cross – and beyond.
congregation are baptised Christians –
people who have made a commitment to
follow in Christ’s Way. Perhaps we, in The
United Church of the 21st century, need to
see Lent as a time to assess, evaluate, and
do some “fine tuning” of our lives as
Christ’s people. Lent could be a time for us
to re-center ourselves as children of the
Creator, and as disciples of the Christ.
I’d invite you to ask yourself the following
questions:
But we don’t want to get there quite yet. This is
a task that needs to take time. This is a trip that
needs some focus, and some wandering. For us,
who know the culmination of Jesus’ story, Lent is
the epitome of Emerson’s words, “Life is a journey,
not a destination.”
-
So, how are you joining Christ on this journey,
during this Season of Lent?
-
Traditionally in the Christian church, Lent has
had a couple of purposes. It’s been a time of
penance – a time for individuals to take stock of
their lives, to reflect on the places in which they
know they are not living up to Christ’s call to “love
God, and love your neighbour as you love yourself,”
to turn around (repent!), and to live differently.
Many Christians have seen this as a time to give up
something that represents excess in their life, or to
give up something that acts as a barrier in their
relationship with God. But Lent hasn’t only been a
time of penance. It’s also been a time of education
and preparation. In the early church, new converts
to The Way would take a long period of time to
prepare for their baptism – often as long as a year.
The weeks before Easter were often considered to
be a time for intensive work in the baptismal
candidates’ spiritual work, prior to their baptism.
Instead of “giving up” for Lent, they “took on.”
-
-
-
am I living Christ’s love in a way that shows
compassion for others and for myself;
am I in regular conversation with God (also
known as prayer) about things in my life and
in the world;
am I regularly joining with others to worship
God;
am I in regular conversation with our
spiritual ancestors, by reading their
experiences of God in scripture;
am I in regular conversation with other
people about their faith-life, and about my
own;
am I doing what I am able to serve others –
with my time, my talent, and my treasure?
Is there one of these that seems to be the most
out of balance? Why not start your Lenten rebalancing there?
If you’d like help to develop your Lenten rebalancing plan, please feel free to contact me:
[email protected] or 604-731-6420.
Christ’s peace on The Way!
Richard
Many, if not most, of the folks in our
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March 2015
We are an involved and connected community…
MARCH NEWS FOR DHUC
“Good Tidings” is usually distributed on the first Sunday of each month. It is available in the church or on
the website during the month of issue.
COFFEE CLEANUP
March 1st: DEFGHI
March 15th: NOPR
March 29th: ABC
March 8th: JKLM
March 22nd: STUVWXYZ
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 HEIGHTS
KNOX/DUNBAR MEN’S BREAKFAST
The Knox/Dunbar Men's Breakfast Group will gather again on Saturday, March 14th at
8:00am here at Dunbar Heights. Good food, fine fellowship, all men welcome. For more
information please contact Pat Burns at [email protected].
WHERE TWO OR MORE ARE GATHERED
Calling all seniors and others: A Time to Study, a Time to Gather. Rev. Richard and Linda
invite you to join them on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 1:00-3:00pm
for a time of short worship and reflection. You will discuss scripture from the prior
Sunday and explore the meaning of the scripture story for us today: In what way is God’s
word reaching out to us? Can these ancient words offer life giving meaning in today’s
world? The study will be followed by a time of community as the group enjoys tea and conversation. The
March gatherings are on March 4th and 18th in the lounge.
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THRIFT SALE
The office has been fielding calls from members of the neighbourhood for weeks, asking
when this popular event will be held this year! So prepare to purge your drawers,
cupboards, closets, bookshelves, and basements, and tell all your friends and neighbours:
The Annual DHUC Thrift Sale is on April 25th, 2015. Due to space limitations at the church
we cannot accept donated items for the sale until Sunday, April 12th. Please see the event information
entry on page 8 of this newsletter for all the details on when, what, and how to donate your items.
Questions? Please feel free to contact Penny at 604-736-0070 or Jill at 604-222-9766.
Thrift Sale 2014
photos: www.dunbarheightsuc.ca
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March 2015
WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
CAN I GIVE YOU A LIFT?
There are members of our congregation who could use a “lift” to attend Sunday morning
services and other church community events. If you are able to help out with driving,
please leave your name with a member of the Pastoral Care team. The team will work
with you, providing you with all the information you need. If you have a car and feel you
can support someone in this way, it will be a wonderful gift of your time, and an
opportunity to deepen your relationship with someone you may not fully know. If you can only help out
occasionally, we still wish to hear from you; your name will be added as an occasional resource, and we will
contact you as needed.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF BC
The March 2015 edition of the First Link Bulletin in now available on the Pastoral Care
bulletin board, and on the Alzheimer Society of BC website. The bulletin outlines the
programs and workshops the Society is offering in March and April. To access the bulletin
online please go to First Link Bulletin.
SANDY’S 30TH BIRTHDAY AND OUTREACH FUNDRAISER
Everyone is invited to join Sandy at her birthday party/fundraiser for the HomeStart
Foundation, an organization that picks up and delivers quality used furniture to those in
need. There will be a presentation about the HomeStart Foundation and the work of the
DHUC Outreach Committee, activities for children, spiritual practice stations, appetizers
and dessert, and a silent auction. This will be an opportunity to showcase DHUC to those
who normally don’t go to church and all guests are welcome.
If you can help out by supplying food, assisting with set-up or clean-up, or providing donations for the silent
auction please contact Sandy at [email protected] or 604-726-5326. Donations to the HomeStart
Foundation can be made at the event by cash or cheque, or at any time online at
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/sandys-30th-birthday-fundraiser/.
DHUC Outreach in Action!
photos: www.dunbarheightsuc.ca
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March 2015
NOTES FROM COUNCIL
 The Council believes the next
step is to approach other
congregations with a clear
statement of who we are, and
our desire to plan together the
creation of a new vibrant
ministry on the west side of
Vancouver.
Thanks to all who attended our
Annual Congregational Meeting
on Finance Matters, March 1st.
The Finance Committee's
comprehensive and well-written
report on 2014 results and the
2015 budget were approved. The
report is available on the website at
http://www.dunbarheightsuc.ca/pages/ACMFin
ance2015.pdf. The report highlights vibrant
ministries and the effective use of the funds
from our Behold campaign to grow our pastoral
care, music and children, youth and family
ministries.
There was broad agreement with these
statements although the prospect of leaving this
place and what is comfortable, known and also
vibrant, challenges the faith. Council will now
consider a Prospectus designed to explain to
other congregations who we are and our sense
of how we can work together. The draft
prospectus concludes with these words:
The report also makes clear that we will be
seriously challenged to continue our present
level of activity once the Behold funds are
exhausted. In fact we would need to add 40
families giving at the annual average of current
supporting households, about $2,500, to replace
contributions from Behold funds.
”We seek a congregation with ministerial
and lay leaders who believe that their view
of the future and our view of the future can
mesh into new possibilities for Christ’s
ministry through The United Church of
Canada in this part of Vancouver.
The second part of the ACM focused on
responses to the Council's wish to confirm the
objectives of our Strategic Ministry Plan
approved in 2011. We asked those attending
the ACM to express their degree of agreement
with these four statements:



We seek to meet with people who are ready
to dive into these possibilities, with the clear
hope that we will be able to come together
as a new, excited, vibrant community of
faith."
We continue to believe that the people of
Dunbar Heights United Church want to
be part of a vibrant congregation on the
west side of Vancouver.
The primary way that a vibrant
congregation on the west side of
Vancouver will come into being is
through amalgamation.
If an amalgamation is to take place, it is
highly probable that the people of
Dunbar Heights United Church will need
to leave this building.
It is now Council's task to continue to execute
the plan for the future as set out in our
approved Strategic Ministry Plan. We will
consider which other congregations to begin
discussions with and the best ways to engage
and encourage.
If you have questions or concerns please
speak to me or to Rev. Richard or to any
member of the Council.
Mark Paetkau, Council Chair
[email protected] 604-730-9035
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March 2015
Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
CENTENNIAL AND ARCHIVE UPDATE
IN OUR 101ST YEAR
ONGOING WORK HERE AT DHUC
Our Centennial year is behind us, and we had a
wonderful celebration. Many of you took part in the
events of the year: the February Launch Luncheon, the
April Trivia Dinner, and that old-fashioned picnic in July;
the celebratory events of our October Weekend.
Remember concerts on Friday night, and Saturday and
Sunday afternoons; our busy Saturday Open House; and
for Sunday’s returning ministers and friends who joined
us for worship and a luncheon that no one wanted to
leave.
Thanks to all who contributed to and took part in making these events great community-building and memorystirring times. We also thank the many who helped by working on pictures and documents in the archives, setting
up displays at the Open House, contributing to the purchase of our new chairs, and organizing, leading and
performing in the concerts.
A CENTENNIAL BOOK
We are nearing completion of a Centennial Book that honours those who have loved Dunbar Heights United
Church through 100 years. Thanks to those who have contributed information about groups you were part of.
During the next few weeks, Lynn Hitchen is doing most of the work to get it ready for print; Lorna Clare, our
church librarian, has offered to proofread the book before we send it away for printing. We thank them both.
When it is completed, you will have a chance to look at our library and archive copies of the book and order one
for yourself if you like.
THE ARCHIVES
All of the material left in the archive room in the basement has been sorted and boxed in solid storage boxes.
There is still some final organizing to do and we have a plan for what and when new material will be added to
those boxes. That has been a very satisfying task and one which garnered us praise from the BC Conference
Archivist when he came to our October Open House. We are happy things are in good order now. Here’s an
interesting thing we discovered — behind the 1950 cornerstone for the sanctuary building is an urn containing
memorial pictures and papers. Council is considering taking a look! Won’t that be fun!
OUR STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
There is one project we’d like to complete, that is to record an account for the archives of each stained glass
window in the sanctuary and the narthex. There is some information in the Trustees files, but we would like the
kind of personal insights that come only from people who know the people and the stories. We appreciate Jill
Parker’s generous offer to write up those stories. So, if you know something about any one of the windows —
knew the person the window is dedicated to; know how the subject/image was chosen for a window; know how
the funds were raised; know the artist who did the work, any details — please speak with Jill.
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
Our greatest gift is our multi-age community in which we treasure our roots
and heritage and embrace the wisdom of the new
MARCH 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. The next meeting is March 8th.
STITCH & CHATTER meets every Thursday at
9:00am in the Ethel Todrick Room.
FINANCE COMMITTEE usually meets on the 2nd
Tuesday of each month, at 7:00pm in the
Lounge. This month’s meeting is March 10th.
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. March meetings are on
the 9th and 23rd.
MINISTRY & PERSONNEL COMMITTEE usually
meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, at
7:00pm in the Library. The next meeting is
March 11th.
CONTEMPLATIVE MEDITATION meets every
Tuesday at 7:30pm in the Library.
PASTORAL CARE TEAM will meet at a time and
place to be announced.
COUNCIL usually meets on the 3rd Wednesday of
each month, at 7:00pm in the Ethel Todrick
Room. The March meeting is on the 18th.
UNIT 3 usually meets on the 2nd Thursday of
each month at a place to be announced.
OUTREACH COMMITTEE usually meets at
5:00pm on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The
March meeting is on the 12th, in the Lounge.
CHOIR PRACTICE is every Thursday at 7:00pm in
the Sanctuary.
www.dunbarheights.ca
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March 2015
We are …
Seekers, questioners and believers at various stages on the journey
WORSHIP COMMITTEE NOTES
THE SEASON OF LENT
MARCH WORSHIP SERVICES
st
2 Sunday of Lent
March 8th
3rd Sunday of Lent
March 15th
4th Sunday of Lent
Communion Sunday
“What’s in a name?”
Denial
“How Then Shall I Live?”
Interrogation
Crucifixion
March 22nd
5th Sunday of Lent
Death
March 29th
Palm Sunday
All Ages Service
Jesus’ Triumph?
March 1
nd
EASTER SERVICES
March 29th
April 2nd
April 3rd
April 5th
Palm Sunday, All Ages Service
Maundy Thursday, Seder Supper in Gym at 6:00pm followed by Worship
Good Friday, Service at 10:00am
Easter Sunday, Communion, Flowering the Cross
EASTER PERFORMANCES
April 3rd
April 4th
St. John Passion at Dunbar Heights United Church, 7:00pm
St. John Passion at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church at 7:00pm
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March 2015
MARCH LECTIONARY READINGS*
March 1
st
Genesis 17.1-7, 15-17; Mark 8.31-28
March 8th
Exodus 20.1-17; John 2.13-20
March 15th
Ephesians 2.1-10; John 3.14-21
March 22nd
Jeremiah 31.31-34; John 12.20-32
March 29th
Psalm 118.1-2,19-29; John 12.12-16
*The lectionary readings may not correspond exactly with the themes of the service, but are
presented here for your time of personal reflection.
ST. JOHN PASSION
Join the Dunbar Heights United Voices (previously known as the Dunbar Heights
Centennial Choir) and The Postmodern Camerata for a joint presentation of J.S.
Bach’s St. John Passion this Easter weekend. This dramatic masterpiece depicts a vivid
account of Christ’s suffering, death, and burial.
There will be two presentations. The first is an intimate performance at Dunbar
Heights United Church on Friday, April 3rd at 7:00pm. The second is a full cathedral
experience at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church on Saturday, April 4th at 7:00pm. Reservations are
strongly recommended, and you may reserve by going to www.eventbrite.ca and searching “Passion@”
to find our performance registration page. Suggested donations of$25 will be accepted at the door.
THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE
The Worship Committee has been receiving some very thoughtful feedback about recent services. We
appreciate this feedback as it helps us to plan meaningful worship services. All feedback is discussed at
the Worship Committee meetings each month. If you have thoughts you would like to share with us
please speak to one of the committee members. They are: Ed Geppert, Janey Cole-Morgan, Lynn
Hitchen, Judith Ann Donaldson, Cecilia Bernabe, and Barbara Johnson (chair), and ministry staff Rev.
Richard Bott, Cathy Cryder, and Greg Caisley.
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March 2015
WORSHIP SERVICE ATTENDANCE
Thank you to Nigel Cole-Morgan for compiling these statistics.
Average Attendance - 10:00 am Service
Month
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
3 yr avg.
2014/15
July
64
70
71
67
65
August
62
54
54
58
61
September
90
107
78
99
89
October
97
103
99
100
116
November
103
103
78
103
107
December
97
123
104
110
105
January
80
93
85
87
84
February
109
102
85
106
March
91
97
84
94
April
115
94
118
105
May
91
107
77
99
June
82
110
84
96
YEAR
90
97
85
94
Average Attendance for Past Ten Years:
Average Attendance - 10:00 am Service
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
85
2004/05
2006/07
2008/09
2010/11
13
2012/13
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WORSHIP NOTES FROM REV. RICHARD
This month, we began the 40
days (plus 6 Sundays) of Lent.
Lent has long been a
penitential season in the life
of the church – one in which
followers of Christ are called
to take a deep look at their
lives, to recognize those
parts in which they are not
following God’s call, to talk
with God about it, and to
turn their lives around (or
repent). Because of this
reflective season, many of our prayers
and much of our music have a more
somber note.
It Be” (VU506), while the music
we sing as we prepare to
listen to the scriptures is “Be
Still and Know” (MV 77). The
text of the second piece
comes from Psalm 46, and
the music from the Iona
Community in Scotland. The
response to the Benediction
& Blessing is “Lead Me, Lord,”
the text from Psalms 4 & 5,
and the setting by Charles
Wesley. We’ve changed the
www.dunbarheightsuc.ca lyric back to its original “Lord,” rather
than “God,” for this season, to help us in
our reflections on being followers of Jesus.
The colour of the season is a deep purple –
a rich, and historically royal colour – reminding
us of the robes that were placed on Jesus when
he was mocked by the Roman soldiers.
As well, for the season of Lent, we’ve
returned to using the King James’ Version of
Jesus’ prayer. This is the version that many of us
who grew up in English speaking churches
would have learned as children. It is written in
the beautiful and lyrical, “Early Modern English”
of the Jacobian era (the period just following the
Elizabethan era). As a liturgical writer, I find the
rhythm and flow of this version of the prayer
Jesus’ shared with his disciples fits with the
rhythm of the Lenten season.
When people enter the worship space, prior
to worship, they may notice that the Christ
Candle is lit. In some Christian denominations –
especially those of our Orthodox, Roman
Catholic and Anglican siblings – there is always a
light shining in the worship space to remind us
of Christ’s ongoing presence. As well this
season, there are six purple candles surrounding
the Christ Candle. These candles come from a
tradition known as Tenebrae. Rather than
lighting the Christ Candle, as we usually do, this
season we will be snuffing out one candle each
week, as we come closer to Good Friday, when
we commemorate Christ’s death.
As a side note, I’ve been asked why we use
versions of Jesus’ prayer other than the King
James’ Version, especially when so many people
know this version. There are a few reasons for
changing the translation that’s used. While rote
(or memorized) prayers can be helpful in our
prayer life in that they can give us words to
“jump start” our prayers, there is also a danger
that the words become sounds without
meaning. In fact, in the gospel according to
Matthew, just before Jesus gives the disciples
Our Service Music (the music that is
repeated through the Season) supports the idea
of reflecting on our lives, and offering them to
God. The offering music is “Take My Life and Let
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
his prayer, he says, “When you pray, do not
heap on empty phrases (or babble; or vain
repetitions – depending on translation) as the
Gentiles do. They imagine that the length of
their prayers will command God’s attention.”
(Mt. 6.7-8) One of the ways to make sure that
we are still hearing what we’re saying to God as
we say the words’ of Jesus’ prayer, is to use
translations and musical versions other than
what we’re used to. The second reason? While
many people know the King James’ Version, not
all do. We have more and more people coming
to Dunbar Heights United Church who are new
to the Christian faith, and people coming for
whom English is a second language. Using
language that is “Christian jargon” (when was
the last time any of us used “hallowed” or “art”
(as a verb) in our everyday conversation?), sets
up an exclusionary barrier that isn’t necessary.
Finally, one of the principles that I have been
taught around ministry with children is to
support them in finding the holy in the
everyday. It strikes me as odd that we would
want to teach them a prayer that is so core to
our faith only in a language that isn’t theirs. The
King James’ Version of Jesus’ Prayer is
important, and will be a regular part of our
worship services – but so will other versions.
(I’m looking forward to the season of Easter,
March 2015
when we’ll be singing the setting that Jim
Lindenberger wrote!)
The final note is about the use of the screen
vs. the use of printed orders of worship. While it
is true that we’ve been moving to the screen
being the primary tool for communicating the
text and flow of worship, we’ve tried to make
sure there are other ways to access that
information, as well. We’ve added more
information to the front cover of the
Announcement sheet, so that people will know
where we are in the service. (As well, we’ve also
enlarged the “Worship Ribbon” on the left side
of the screen.) For people who find that they
would prefer the printed version, there are
copies of the “Large Print / Leaders’ Version”
available from the ushers. Please, feel free to
get one of those copies, if it would help you in
your worship time.
Worship Notes will come out at the
beginning of each season, in the
Announcements Sheets and in Good Tidings. If
you have a question you’d like addressed here,
please let me know.
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
United in Prayer Day
Saturday, March 21, 2015
“The Mystery of God”
Please join us as we celebrate the 23rd Annual United in Prayer Day with our worldwide network of
Contemplative Outreach. For the first time, other contemplative groups will be invited to share the
day, including Richard Rohr’s Centre for Action and Contemplation, the Worldwide Community of
Christian Meditation, Shalem, and the Contemplative Society. We will experience the joy and gift of
being united in prayer and united in silence
The focus of the day will be on Centering Prayer in community, lectio divina and personal reflection.
The day will also include a short DVD presentation: “The Mystery of God” by Father Thomas Keating.
Time:
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm Registration and refreshments at 9:30 a
Program begins promptly at 10:00 am
Location:
First Lutheran Church
5745 Wales Street (at 42nd Ave), Vancouver, BC
Lunch:
Simple lunch of soup and bread will be provided with some
gluten, dairy-free and vegetarian options.
Donation:
A contribution of any amount is appreciated to cover costs of facility
rental, presentation material, lunch and other refreshments.
Suggested amount: $25
Please note the day is not entirely a silent retreat. Opportunity will be given to respond to the
presentation and to connect with others in quiet conversation at lunch time. For those wishing to
maintain inner and personal silence during lunch, there will be tables designated for silence. We
suggest you wear layered clothing. You may also wish to bring contemplative tools (notebook,
pencil crayons, etc.) to assist in your self-directed time.
Please email or call Jan Miko at [email protected] or 604-261 2651 if you wish to attend or have any
queries. This information is also available on our website: http://www.cogv.org
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Dunbar Heights United Church Monthly Newsletter
March 2015
NEWS FROM THE
CHURCH LIBRARY
We are please to have several newly donated
titles to our church library:

Feisty and Fearless by Janice Meighan
(this book about Lois Wilson was
reviewed by Jill in October 2014)
in “Biography and Autobiography”

Escape From Tibet by Nick Gray
in “Contemporary Literature”

Prayers for Life by Rev. S. R. Copeman
in “Prayer & Spirituality”

Chief Seattle in “Intercultural Ministry”
Heart of Christianity. We learn about God and
the relationship with Israel from the Bible. From
Jesus we learn about God as a person. Jesus
shows us the heart of God – that God’s love and
compassion can be present in us, and how that
can change the world.
Borg calls the traditional way of worship the
earlier paradigm. This is the literal
interpretation of the Bible – follow the rules and
be rewarded with Heaven at the end of life. The
emerging paradigm is a newer, less literal
understanding of the Bible, and more of a
metaphorical, historical and sacramental library,
resulting in a relational and transformational
way of faith.
This month’s book review is
The Heart of Christianity
by Marcus J. Borg
Marcus J. Borg has written several books
questioning the state of Christianity today –
questioning dogmas, doctrines and stories from
the Bible which he and many others inside and
outside the Church feel are no longer viable. He
is, however, a committed Christian, and in this
book he sets out his views on re-discovering a
life of faith – and how we can be passionate
believers today. Marcus Borg is showing us the
“vital elements of Christianity” that we need to
know in order to find and experience the Heart
of Christianity.
There are two introductory chapters: a
Preface, “What does it mean to be Christian
today?” and “The Heart of Christianity in a time
of change.” These are followed by two main
sections: Part One: Seeing the Christian
Tradition Again (with chapters entitled Faith,
The Bible, God, and Jesus) and Part Two: Seeing
the Christian Life Again (with chapters called
Born Again, The Kingdom of God, Thin places,
Sin and Salvation, The Heart of the Matter, and
Heart and Home). All the chapters have ‘Heart’
subtitles, setting out Borg’s suggestions for
routines and practices which can transform our
faith and love of God and each other. This is a
book which is written clearly, in today’s
language, set out in a fashion which can be
easily understood, and its hopes realized.
Borg begins by roughly dividing Christians
today into two main groups – those who believe
in the traditional beliefs and ways of worship in
the Church, and those who may believe some,
but not all, of the rituals, creeds and doctrines
which have been taught. Borg calls these
different ways of seeing Christianity
“paradigms” and classifies them as the earlier
paradigm and the emerging paradigm. For both
paradigms, God, the Bible and Jesus are the
Many thanks to Jill Parker for this review.
19
Dunbar Heights United Church
Sunday
Monday
1
10:00 Worship
11:15 Soup Sunday
12:15 ACM
2:00 Lenten
Challenge
2
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Monday Step
7:30 Rangers
8
15
10:00 Worship,
2:00 Lenten
Challenge
22
10:00 Worship
11:40 Path Group
2:00 Lenten
Challenge
29
10:00 Worship
Palm Sunday
2:00 Lenten
Challenge
9
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Jazzercise
7:30 Healing Ministry
7:30 Monday Step
10:00 Worship
12:00 Worship Ctte
1:00 Gym, Outside
Rental
2:00 Lenten
Challenge
March 2015
Tuesday
Wednesday
3
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
7:30 Cont Meditation
9:30 Yoga
1:00 Two or More
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
6:30 Beavers
10
9:30 Yoga
6:00 Sparks
7:00 Finance Ctte
7:30 Cont Meditation
Thursday
4
Friday
5
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
4:30 Junior Youth Grp
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
11
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
TBA Unit 3 Mtg
5:00 Outreach Mtg
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
19
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
4:30 Junior Youth Grp
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
16
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:30 Monday Step
7:30 Rangers
17
9:30 Yoga
6:00 Sparks
7:30 Cont Meditation
18
9:30 Yoga
1:00 Two or More
4:00 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Council Meeting
23
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Healing Ministry
Open Session
7:30 Monday Step
24
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
7:30 Cont Meditation
25
9:30 Yoga
2:00 Senior’s Tea
4:00 Dance/Jazzercise
6:30 Beavers
7:00 Soul Tending
30
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Dance/Jazzercise
7:00 Scouts
7:30 Monday Step
7:30 Rangers
31
9:30 Yoga
4:00 Karate
6:00 Sparks
6:30 Cubs
7:30 Cont Meditation
9:30 Yoga
1:00 Two or More
4:00 Dance/Jazzercise
6:30 Beavers
1
20
6
9:30 Yoga
10:30 Lenten
Challenge
4:30 Karate
12
9:30 Yoga
4:30 Jazzercise
7:00 Soul Tending
7:00 M&P Ctte
Saturday
7
8:00 Godly Play
11:00 Gym, Outside
Rental
13
14
8:00 Men’s Breakfast
Group
20
21
27
28
10:00 Karate
th
1:00 Sandy’s 30 /
Outreach Fundraiser
3
4
10:00 Karate
7:00 St. John Passion
at St. Andrew-Wesley
9:30 Yoga
10:30 Lenten
Challenge
9:30 Yoga
10:30 Lenten
Challenge
26
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
9:30 Yoga
10:30 Lenten
Challenge
2
9:00 Stitch&Chatter
4:30 Junior Youth Grp
6:00 Maundy
Thursday Supper &
Worship
6:30 Lifeline
7:00 Choir Practice
GOOD FRIDAY
OFFICE CLOSED
10:00 Good Friday
Worship
7:00 St. John’s
Passion