Balloons, flowers and a circle of friends singing "Happy Birthday" greeted Pastor Larry as he came out onto the patio outside his residence last Saturday. Friends from Gloria Dei were joined by retired colleagues Pastors Sylvia and Paul Schmidt and Pastor Hergy and Trudy Hergesheimer. Pastor Larry reflected on a long life well lived and paid tribute to Ruth, his late spouse for being his guiding light.

After enjoying birthday cupcakes, and another chorus of "Happy Birthday,"  Pastor Vida invited everyone to share something of what their relationship with Pr. Larry has meant for them. The party would have gone on much longer, if it wasn't for feet and hands becoming chilly from the cold. Nevertheless, everyone went away glad that we found a way to celebrate the occassion in spite of pandemic restrictions.

If you have news to share (and we all do!) all you have to do is call Pastor Vida or Shelley at the office.  We would love to hear from you. 

As most of you probably know by now, our wonderful Music Director, Sonja is having a baby in the middle of March and it's a girl! So on February 20th, which is our next in-person service (Public Health Orders permitting), we are going to have a baby shower for her after the service. There will be refreshments and all are welcome. If you think of it could you RSVP to the office 604-988-5838 or email gloriadei5838@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

You are invited to bring a gift of your choice, or if you would like to donate money towards a larger gift you can do that through the office. Sonja is also registered with babies r us online. We look forward to seeing you and celebrating this joyous occasion with Sonja.

When I enter a church, I am filled with a sense of reverence and awe.  While I listen to the music or even play the music myself, I often feel that I am praying -- praying without using words.   Music helps me express what is in my heart. 

When I am not able to attend a worship service or, in present days, see a service online, I play a recording of music that helps me worship. Praying with music is different from praying with words, but I think they have the same result. 

They both draw us closer to God. 

Pat Shaw

When: 7:00PM - 8:30PM Thursday in Lent starting on March 3rd.

What: Lenten Evening Prayer followed by a study on the Doctrine of Discovery

Who: All interested in starting or continuing their journey of reconciliaiton with their Indigenous sibilings both as an individual and as a church

Organizer: the Journey Towards Reconciliation Group of the BC Synod

Registration: register here to receive the Zoom link -  https://bit.ly/3IQ3peDh

Join us for Lenten Vespers and a study on the Doctrine of Discovery. As part of your Lenten Spiritual Practice join us on Zoom starting March 3rd at 7 pm as we worship together and take an in depth look at the Doctrine of Discovery, a document that has shaped western attitudes towards indigenous people for the past five centuries. Organized by the Journey Towards Reconciliation Group each evening will start with a 20 minute Lenten Vespers (Evening Worship) led by different congregations in the BC Synod. Then a short break before we dive into a one hour discussion with video on the Doctrine of Discovery. Come to one or all of them. This is a great chance to start or continue your journey of reconciliation with your indigenous siblings both as an individual and as a church. 

Check out this introductory video clip to learn more - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhezcVydARE

Doctrine of Discovery video content used with the permission of the Anglican Church in Canada.

Offerings Options:   As we enter our 3rd year of Covid 19, our members continue to support our parish financially, using the following methods:

1.      Cheques mailed or dropped off at the church office

2.     PAR monthly deposits

3.     Canada Helps  

Some members have asked if there is any other way of contributing their monthly offerings, and we are pleased to inform you that we have “e-transfer” available with our banker Blue Shore Financial. Those members who have online banking, the following procedures must be initiated:

1.     Sign in to your online account

2.     Go to products and services

3.     Set up a recipient e-transfer account for: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, gloriadei5838@gmail.com

4.     Enter the amount of offering

5.     Enter the payment date

6.     Click on send  

“It’s just that easy” to send your offerings and is an immediate financial assistance for our parish. Thank you for your continued support of Gloria Dei’s mission in the community. 

February is Black History Month in Canada.  Did you know that there is a historical connection between Vancouver’s Lutheran Church and Hogan’s Alley?  

Hogan’s Alley was part of the ethnically diverse East End, centred between Prior and Union and Main and Jackson. It was home to much of Vancouver’s Black community and was a popular cultural hub before mid-twentieth century urban renewal schemes and the Georgia Viaduct Replacement Project demolished many of its buildings.

The African Methodist Episcopal Fountain Chapel, was located in the neighborhood at 823 Jackson Ave. The Black community, under the leadership of Nora Hendrix (yes, she was Jimi Hendrix’s mother, and featured in the 2014 postage stamp above) had purchased the building from the Scandinavian Lutheran Church c. 1921, and it became the spiritual home of Vancouver's Black community.

Located in their own neighborhood the church allowed community members to walk to worship services without facing prejudices and discrimination. It was the only church purchased by people of African descent in Vancouver. The church was abandoned in 1972  following construction of Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaduct. From 1985 to 2008 the building once again was home to a Lutheran Congregation - the Basel Hakka (Chinese) congregation.