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A Holy Week Pastoral Reflection from the President

All Posts, President's Blog

April 9, 2020

Dear Friends,

I wonder when I stopped. I wonder when I stopped saying “goodbye”. About a week ago I noticed that at the end of phone calls or physically distant conversations with neighbours and grocery clerks, I was no longer saying “goodbye”. I wonder when I stopped saying “goodbye” and instead started saying “be safe”. 

I carry with me the memory of experiencing the 1989 Loma Prieda earthquake in Marin County California. I had moved there to do Doctor of Ministry studies. One day as I sat with a small group of people in my professor’s office, I had a peculiar, uncomfortable feeling and within seconds of the onset of that feeling, the building shook. The initial hit was bad enough but then the rolling started. I swear to this day that I heard the stones in the outer walls grind together. 

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Online, Together

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed

A quick note to let you know that we’ve resumed a weekly e-newsletter aiming to connected United Church people with online offerings happening in our Pacific Mountain Regional Council Communities of Faith & Ministries. This is a temporary version of the Event Listings newsletter that many of selected to received from the PMRC Office. You can read today’s edition of Online, Together here – including submission guidelines (please read before sending submissions to Reception). 

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New PAR option, by fax, and other encouraging information from Jane

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed, Stewardship

Hi All, 
Please share as you see fit, with your leaders and communities of faith. 

This is an addition to the Generosity in Unprecedented Times letter we posted here on March 31st.

New PAR option available to forward the forms and void cheque to fax number 416-232-6003
Only 2 weeks left to apply for Seeds of Hope Grants
Mission & Service is making a difference through the COVID-19 Pandemic – see here
Information about employment for ministers, lay leaders and M&P leaders here
Imagine Canada update on how COVID-19 is affecting Charities (churches included) – excellent updates/information for Not for profits

Some highlights from the letter are:

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Written Worship for Good Friday April 10, 2020 ~ BC Native Ministries and PMRC

All Posts, COVID-19, Indigenous Ministry

Hello Everyone,

I pray that everyone, your families and communities are well and calm.  Here is the written worship that I’ve created for you, for this Good Friday. Here also is a prayer for during the COVID-19 pandemic, provided by Rev. Barry Morris- thank you for this message Barry.

Please take the time to read and reflect and send it to those that need to hear the message of Good Friday. The write up is long but meaningful.  It includes the Passion story as told by John, with prayers through the story to give support and spiritual reflection to the time of Good Friday. And prayer is a humble gift that is always needed, is always free, is always heard by our Creator. This Good Friday, reflect with the Passion story of Christ Jesus, and share with those around you the gift of prayer. And always remember Jesus’ last commandment to us, love one another.

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Postponed: 2020 General Meeting

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Our May 2020 General Meeting of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council is postponed until the Fall; the Celebration of Ministry will still be held in the late Spring, much like the years when a general meeting is not scheduled. Updates to the General Meeting 2020 information, along with details of how and when certain pieces of work and celebration will be held, will be added to the 2020 General Meeting page on our website. Please check back there for updates, and be sure to be accurately subscribed to the PMRC newsletter list: PMRC Newsletter Sign Up

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Written Worship for Palm Sunday April 5, 2020 ~ BC Native Ministries and PMRC

All Posts, COVID-19, Indigenous Ministry, News Feed

As we come to these last weeks to Easter Sunday we look forward to new ways of reflection and worship and prayer.  I have created a written form of worship for you to utilize at your convenience for this coming Palm Sunday April 5, 2020.  This is for you to use, share and celebrate and reflect with as we come closer to Easter Sunday.  Next week I will create and send you more reflection for Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  And please send to those that need the support during our time of isolation and solitude.  Create hope in each other’s lives. And may God bless you, your family, community and livelihood during this season of Lent and Easter.

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From the April 1st Online Townhall Conference – power point resource

All Posts, COVID-19

Dear friends, Treena and Jay, Executive Minister and President of the Pacific Mountain Regional Council, hosted an online Townhall Conference earlier today, with guest Erik Mathiesen. Erik is the Chief Finances Officer for The United Church of Canada. This is the Power Point slide show used in the meeting: Congregational Finances during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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Pastoral Letter to the Pacific Mountain Regional Council

All Posts, News Feed, President's Blog

Who would have imagined even a few months ago that we would be in this situation?  No in-person meetings or gatherings, no hugging, restaurants closed, self-isolation, mad dashes for groceries, line-ups at the drug store, hospitals awaiting an onslaught of sick people and our physical separation from loved ones. And who would have imagined the extraordinary expressions of generosity and creativity!? Windows covered with the breathtaking artworks of children, neighbours leaving gifts of groceries and notes at their neighbours’ doors and they may not even know their neighbours well! Phone calls just to check in, thousands of people at the same time everyday standing on city balconies clapping in gratitude for our first responders and medical personnel. Communities of Faith kindly reaching across boundaries to support one another with resources. Oh yes, and meeting after meeting after meeting via video-conference …

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Generosity in Unprecedented Times

All Posts, COVID-19, News Feed

This letter comes from the Philanthropy Unit of The United Church of Canada – shared to us in the Pacific Mountain Regional Council by Jane Harding.  As communities of faith, we find ourselves unable to gather in person due to the Covid-19 pandemic. These days, when we aren’t able to meet physically, are challenging but also heartening as our church has come together to help each other offer new ways of worshiping and reaching out to those in need. Our ministry continues; especially online. So in these unprecedented times, to help make giving accessible and easy – here are some practical, recommended, tools you can use to invite an ongoing commitment to God through the continued support of important ministries in your community of faith and the ministry we do together, through Mission & Service:

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National Prayer for Canada in the Wake of COVID-19

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This beautiful message came to the PMRC leadership, forwarded to us by leadership in the Jewish, Anglican and Indigenous communities that we have relationship with. We give so many thanks for the unifying power of compassion and grace that are holding us right now, and hope that you’ll make time for prayer, together – across Canada, tomorrow March 31st at 12:00 PDT/ (3:00PM EDT). The letter of invitation is below, and the prayer follows.

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