Join us Thursday November 23 @ 7:00pm via Zoom

In this time of conflict in Israel and Palestine, we are once again inviting you to join us on Zoom for a prayer vigil for peace in our world.  Please join us in prayer and share this invitation with your congregations.

You are welcome to share the information regarding the date and time but ask people to contact the pastor or the church office for the zoom link - gloriadei5838@gmail.com   

We know this is a time of anxiety and deep uncertainty.  We invite you to pause and join us for a short vigil service, as we gather to light candles as a symbol of peace and pray for all those impacted by the conflict in Israel and Palestine as well as all those suffering as a result of war and political oppression.  

Come as you are, bring a candle to light, and gather with people from BC and beyond. If you have events scheduled, consider inviting those you are with to join us at 7:00pm for this short time of prayer (approx. 15 minutes). 

al Ahli Hospital

Out of 24 hospitals with in-patient capacity in the north, only one, the Anglican operated al Ahli in Gaza City, is presently operational and admitting patients. Eighteen hospitals have shut down and evacuated since the start of hostilities. The  Lutheran World Federation Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem is giving whatever assistance they can remotely to al Ahli, but as they cannot send supplies or staff there is only so much they can do. Staff from the other hospitals in the Gaza City area that have closed are migrating to help at al Ahli. Fighting and shelling continues to plague the areas surrounding Ahli Arab Hospital, yet, the hospital persists in serving its existing patients. The medical staff courageously operates amid extreme, life-threatening circumstances, jeopardizing their lives for the sake of patient care. They are treating patients in every nook & cranny including on the floor and in the courtyard. (This is the same courtyard that was bombed a few weeks ago). Here is a damage report from this bombing and from a previous one on October 9.

Augusta Victoria Hospital 

The staff at Augusta Victoria Hospital were successful in helping a Lutheran World Federation worker to evacuate from Gaza to Egypt. They had not been able to leave since the war began and now are safe in Cairo.

There are over 500 patients from Gaza who are on the schedule for treatment at AVH, but of course, getting there is currently impossible. They are doing all they can remotely and have set up a WhatsApp link for Gaza patients, but again many of these patients are scheduled for chemotherapy, radiation or dialysis which cannot be done remotely.

AVH, located on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem  continues to support many patients from Gaza who are stranded in Jerusalem. They were at the hospital for treatment when the war broke out and now unable to go home and also not allowed to move freely in Jerusalem. Many of them have heard that family members have died and homes destroyed. The social workers & chaplains from AVH have a heavy support workload.

Donations to the hospital are needed and welcome and can be made through CLWR - marked for Augusta Victoria Hospital.  

Prayers and advocacy are also needed.

This post compiled from reports from American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and personal communication from a Board member of Augusta Victoria Hospital. 

Our National Church is hosting two workshops in November to help all of us adddress racism in the Church and in Canadian society. The two workshops, will be hosted by Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the Bishop for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

These workshops are open to all ELCIC members at no charge, and are intended to be taken together. 

WORKSHOP 1 - November 30, 8:30 - 11:00AM PST

Based on awareness, this workshop

will cover topics such as common language, 

self-identity, history of racism and resistance in Canada 

Register HERE

WORKSHOP 2 - November 30, 1:00 - 2:30PM PST

This second workshop is based on knowledge, 

and will cover terminology, the doctrine of discovery,

markers of white supremacy and culture, and videos onwhite privilege. 

Register HERE

From McMaster University Optimal Aging Portal:

The brain is the control centre of our body and plays a critical role in our overall well-being. It controls everything from our thoughts, learning and memory, language, visual and spatial ability, emotions, and behaviour; to our movement, senses, and bodily functions. Maintaining good brain health can help prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline and brain diseases such as Alzheimer disease or other types of dementia.

You can sign-up for 12-part series on brain health and dementia risk reduction.

What to Expect from this E-mail Series

Over the next several weeks, you'll receive 12 short emails like this one. We’re going to focus on those things that you can change to promote brain health, where there is evidence of dementia risk reduction. Many of these factors are also associated with other health benefits, such as reducing your risk of cancer or other chronic diseases.

These include the following topics:

• Hearing loss 
• Physical activity, healthy weight, and diet
• Smoking and alcohol
• Social and cognitive activity
• Traumatic brain injury
• Blood vessel health
• Depression 
• Air pollution and second-hand smoke
• Managing diabetes 
• Sleep 

CLWR Gifts from the Heart Christmas catalogue is now available — click HERE to get an early start on your Christmas list with one of these brand new life-changing gift ideas!

We don't often talk about ourselves or what we do when we are not in church on Sunday, but many of our members are active in the community. 

In this season leading up to Christmas you are invited to  Christmas Concerts with the Espiritu Vocal Ensemble on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2 at 7:30PM at Vancouver United Church. Our very own Dawn Saunders is a member! You can purchase your ticket through Eventbrite 

And if you can't wait to spruce up your home with a novel Christmas craft or artrisan creation then head over to Mollie Nye House on Nov. 25 for their Holiday Artisan Fair. When Shelley Meglauglin isn't fielding phone calls at the church office, she is busy engaging her creative side by designing and making unique ceramic tile creations - serving trays, patio tables and other treasures. They will all be on display and available for purchase at the craft sale. '