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The Witness Blanket ExhibitionAn opportunity to engage with the tangible legacy of the Residential School era. - Saturday, January 27, 2024 Last night, Marcia, Tanya, and I attended the opening reception of the Witness Blanket exhibit at the West Vancouver Library. Each of us experienced the evening in our own way, but we were all struck by the gracious words of greeting given by Squamish elder, Skwetsimeltxw Willard Joseph, and flute player Arnie (Lek’hoosh) Leon of the Sts’ailes Nation. The audience was mostly Caucasian, and as white non-Indigenous residents of Canada, I thought about how much work we still need to do to repair the the harms that were done. And yet, Arnie's words to us were, "Don't blame yourselves." Instead, he thanked us several times, for being there as witnesses - a sign of our willingness to walk the path of reconciliation. The generosity of his spirit - which he also shared through his music - will stay with me for a long, long time. After taking some refreshments we walked along the length of the exhibit, studying and reading the direct reproductions of the artifacts of the original woven Witness Blanket. The story of one family was particularly heart-wrenching to read. On the morning a mother and father were packing a few belongings for their children before taking them to the residential school as they were instructed to do, the mother wondered out loud whether to pack a couple of family photographs for her two young children to help them remember their family. The father, knowing what lay ahead, replied, "No - the nuns will only take them away." The exhibit runs until March 10, and all are welcome to take free, self-guided tours of the Witness Blanket during regular Library hours. You can also visit www.witnessblanked.ca for an interactive online exploration of the items and stories carried by the Witness Blanket.
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Lenten Book Study
From Pastor Vida: Most of us prefer to avoid rather than face conflict, or get into the messy work of searching for the underlying issues that contribute to it. This is especially true when the conflict is taking place many thousands of miles away. It is easier turn away, and keep living our comfortable privileged lifestyles, rather than take the risk to inform ourselves, which may then lead to an ethical obligation to do something. Avoidance was my default position toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until October 7, 2023. But Hamas' brutal, terrorist attack and atrocities against innocent civilians, followed by Israel's disproportionate response seemed to bring the world to an inflection point, and I could no longer simply look away. As a Christian, I have a responsibility to grapple with world events and their implications in light of my faith. And as a pastor, I have a responsiblity to encourage the congregations I serve to do the same. It is in this spirit, that I invite you to join in community to study Walter Bruegemann's book, "Chosen? Reading the Bible Amid the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict." J. Nelson Kraybill, in his review of the book writes:
Let's together explore the "more" over four Thursday evenings in Lent, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:30PM. The book is available as a Kindle edition for $8.79. If you would like a paperback edition for $27 which includes shipping from the USA please let Pastor Vida know. We will meet via Zoom. If there is a group of us that wants to meet in person at the church, others can join via Zoom, and we can meet in a hybrid format. The dates again are: Feb. 22, 29, March 7, 14 with an optional 5th session on March 21. All sessions at 7:30PM. Zoom link will be sent closer to the date.
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Please Remember these Important Dates
February 3 - Global Missions Sunday, with video sermon by National Bishop Susan Johnson February 10 - Start of Winter-Spring ESL Conversation Circle for Ukrainian friends. We are always in need of English conversation mentors/partners. Please let Pastor Vida know of your commitment over the seven consecutive Saturdays that we are meeting. If you know of a friend who would like to join us (they don't need to be from the church) please invite them. February 11 - Transfiguration Sunday February 13 - Pancake Supper and Silent Auction Fundraiser for CLWR and our Ukrainian Ministry. We are looking for donations for our silent auction. Deadline to bring items is next Sunday, Feb. 4. February 14 - Ash Wednesday - Time of Service to be announced February 18 - First Sunday in Lent February 22 - Lenten Book Study - online via Zoom |
An Invitation to Celebrate with Highlands United Church
Rev. Julie Lees, the "newish" pastor serving Highlands United in Edgemont Village, has invited our congregation to join them in their celebration of becoming an Affirming Congregation - to be public, intentional and explicit with its welcome, especially to the LGBTQ2A+ Community. Date and time are in the image. Feel free to wear bright colours! |
Words for War - New Poems from Ukraine
He Says Everything Will Be Fine
by Lyuba Yakimchuk Translated from the Ukrainian by Anatoly Kudryavitsky |
We are praying for. . .
In our Intercessory Prayers, this Sunday, we will pray Nobel Laureate and Ukrainian human rights activist, Oleksandra Matviichuk whose Center for Civil Liberties won the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. If you know of other persons working for peace and the protection of human rights that you would like us to add to our intercessory prayers on Sundays, please speak to Pastor Vida. |