September 2021

Livestreaming and In-Person Worship | Children, Youth and Family Programs | Outreach updates | Spiritual Nurturing Programs

Arts Committee

Heather Swallow, Chair

• Arts has provided one canvas for the welcome area at the Memorial Centre and is looking at textile arts to decorate the work hub. Sanctuary enhancements are on hold while we get used to livestreaming.

• Special days that Arts may be able to assist with include the Blessing of the Animals on St Francis Day on the lawn, All Saints on October 31, and Remembrance day on November 7.

• A discussion was held regarding continuing Arts on the Lawn through the fall and winter, and what it would take to keep us comfortable and boost attendance.

Children Youth and Family Committee

Irene Griffiths, Chair

• Regular events for children and youth have commenced.

• The Nursery is in operation on Sunday mornings with two caregivers in place.  The Nursery area also accommodates the children of choir members before worship.
• Godly Play has also commenced on Sunday mornings for children aged 3 and older. Each Sunday we need both a storyteller and a doorkeeper, who welcomes each child into the space.
• Both youth groups have begun meeting, each with two leaders.  The senior group (Gr. 7 -12) meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, and the junior group (Gr. 4 - 7) meets on Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 8:00pm.

• We still need more people to assist with Godly Play this Fall, especially doorkeepers, and are finding ways to invite congregation members into this ministry.
• We hope to have an online registration form for all programs up and running soon .
• The CYF committee is organizing our next Operation Hearts Together event for the week prior to Thanksgiving.  This our third such event, in which families assemble treats and cards to deliver to a senior member of the congregation. 

Finance Committee

Julie Poznanski, Chair

• No report for September

In Reach Committee

Sally Ball, Chair

• No report for September

Outreach Committee

Patricia Alexis, Chair

• First United: The first of our three yearly fundraising campaigns will start in October.

• Springhouse: Gift cards were purchased and delivered($800) for families who have students returning to school. Ten pillows were delivered with ten more to come

• Truth and Reconciliation: Information regarding the purchase of orange shirts for Every Child Matters was posted in the newsletter. The federal government has chosen September 30th as the official day for Truth and Reconciliation recognition.  

• Refugee Committee: Sponsoring an LGBTQ person is going forward. Hassan/Minilas are doing well. Hassan is working part-time and going to school. Minilas is looking for an English program that has daycare. Baby Lulu is healthy and doing well.

• Affirm: It is the first anniversary of Affirm at PSUC on September 19. Casper was a speaker during the service and he coordinated an afternoon educational event via Zoom.

• Racism against Muslims: A picnic was held in Burnaby by a local Muslim group. Maggie and Jean attended to show our support

Ministry and Personnel Committee

Jacqueline Kelly, Chair

• No report for September

Property Oversight Committee

Mark Mikulec, Chair

• No report for September

Spiritual Nurture Committee

Chris Epting, Chair

• The Library Committee is pleased to announce that the Featured Author Series will be starting this fall through the newsletter.  The first two author is Karen Armstrong.

• Invitational Coffee is coming up and members will be invited to join a Zoom Coffee Hour.  Date to be announced.

• Parenting Group.  10 Principles of Spiritual Parenting.  Starting Thursday night October 14 and ending with an in-person party the week before Christmas.  By Zoom 8:00-9:15

• Questioning faith:  Friday afternoons starting October 1  in-person in the sanctuary.  Using the book Days of Awe and Wonder by Marcus Borg. 

Trustees 

Doug Smart, Chair

• No report for September.

Worship Committee

Merrilee Thompson, Chair

• Review of SummerSpirit - Generally positive comments from committee members

• In-Person Worship protocols

• A positive experience for many – wonderful to be together and see real people!
• There was 100% compliance with mask-wearing.
• There were some difficulties with people staying in their seats prior to the service.
• People appreciated the opportunity to drop off offerings in the narthex.
• Prayer requests can be sent to one of the ministers by 9:00 am Sunday morning for inclusion in the Prayers of the People (this to be included in the Saturday mail-out).
• We are having difficulties finding people willing to be greeters and counters. Greeters and counters are essential to staying safe within the Covid guidelines and may impact worshipping together.