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Earth Day
This past year has provided many examples of the urgent need to take bold action to protect God’s Creation. From floods and wildfires to record-breaking heatwaves, we have seen climate-impacted weather events across North America and around the world. We have heard the warnings from the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the concerns coming out of the most recent UN Climate Change Conference, that the global community is not doing enough to mitigate further impacts. With so many overwhelming challenges, it can be tempting to despair. Our Christian faith, however, offers hope for new possibilities and resurrection. God’s Creation is a sacred gift that we are invited to share in, and to care for. Indigenous communities around the world are at the forefront of efforts to protect the lands they hold sacred. As followers of Jesus, we are called to do our part in sustaining the life of the Earth we all share, to be active in caring for our shared home. We are also called to stand with those who have been made particularly vulnerable to the impact of this ecological crisis because of colonialism, institutionalized poverty, and systemic racism. Partners in low-lying coastal areas, island nations, and arctic regions have been sounding the alarm about the drastic impacts of climate change in their communities. We recognize this leadership and commit ourselves to working in solidarity toward our shared goal of renewing and sustaining the life of the Earth. As we recognize Earth Day this year (Friday, April 22), let us be hopeful in the face of grief and despair. Let us be committed in our actions in the face of extreme weather events and climate anxiety. Let us demand accountability from our elected leaders in the face of unprecedented challenges. Our faith recognizes the importance and the power of community, of people working together toward a shared vision. We can each take individual steps towards addressing our ecological impact, however we can only fully address the need to mitigate the current crisis we find ourselves in together.
Please join us in reflecting on the ways we can take action together to tackle the challenges we face. As you reflect, please pray with us: God of Creation, give us hope for the new life we know is possible. Renew our commitments to one another, and to the Earth we share. Help to shoulder our burdens so that we may continue to walk in the ways that you have called us, together; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Ringing the Bells for UkraineSunday, April 24, 2022 On Pascha (Easter Sunday on the Julian calendar) we are joining with churches across Canada to ring our church bells in solidarity with the Ukrainian Bishops of Canada as a sign and celebration of hope. We will have coffee and fellowship after our 10AM service and then we will gather in the courtyard just before noon to pray and to ring our bell in solidarity with the people Ukraine. This is an initiative of the Canadian Council of Churches together with the Ukrainian Bishops of Canada. You can read more here
For more infomation visit: http://gloriadei.ca/events/ringing-the-bells-for-ukraine/2022-04-24
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Prayer Vigil for Peace in Ukrainewith guest, Fikre Tsehai, senior policy advisor with Canadian World Relief - Friday, April 22, 2022 Each Friday, at 7:00PM as we gather in prayer for peace, we pray for Ukraine and the world. This Friday, April 22nd, Fikre Tsehai, the Senior Policy Advisor with Canadian Lutheran World Relief, will provide a brief prayer and reflection on the Ukraine crisis during the vigil for peace 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). Due to previous vigils being Zoom bombed, we cannot provide the link here. Please send an email to gloriadei5838@gmail.com for Zoom link and passcode, or phone Pastor Vida, phone number in the Church Directory. The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens peace in Europe and indeed the whole world. Situated as we are across an ocean and continent, we may feel helpless as we watch cities being bombed and civilians fleeing for safety. But there is something we can do. We can come together to pray. Some of us may question whether prayer does any good. But regardless about how we feel about its power, prayer is an expression of our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. When we engage in prayer we preserve our own humanity as we intercede for members of the human family suffering under this brutal and unjust war. For those of who cannot join, you can pray for Ukraine during the week. Light a candle and pray for Ukraine in these or other words. O Lord our God, look down with mercy on the Ukrainian people. Protect and save them from the unjust aggressors who seek to subdue them. Give them strength and courage to defend what is good, right, and holy. Keep them safe from harm and provide for all their needs, both temporal and spiritual. Grant them steadfast trust in your mercy and protection. Hear our prayers, O Lord, and deliver us from distress, for You are merciful and compassionate and love all whom you have made. ToYou we give glory: Creator, Redeemer and Sustainor now and forever and ever. Amen. For more infomation visit:
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Church Family NewsGood Things Happen in Threes! We extend our congratulations to Jason Assam who bcame a Canadian Citizen in March! And in April, Jason was interviewed for two positions and was offered both. He accepted one and is now working as Assistant Environemental Officer in a permanent role at MetroVancouver. Way to go Jason! |
Cleanup Day
Last reminder regarding cleanup day this Saturday beginning at 8:30am. We will be concentrating on outside so bring your gloves and tools!
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Community ConcertThe Gathering of Eagles - a Collaboration between the West Vancouver Youth Band and the Eagle Song Dancers When we hosted Rev. Deacon Rennie Nahanee last year, Pastor Vida asked him, "In our efforts at reconciliation what practical steps can we take?" Deacon Rennie said, "Attend events hosted by or featuring First Nations. Don't just come alongside us in protest marches, but support us by supporting Indigenous businesses and attending our events." In light of Deacon Rennie's exhorations, we want to bring to your attention a concert next week on April 26 at 7:30 PM at the Chief John Mathias Centre, on the Squamish Reserve - 110 Capilano Rd. The concert is a collaboration between the West Vancouver Youth Band and Spakus Slolem, the Eagle Song Dancers. The Gathering of Eagles is a three movment work which features songs by Squamish Nation elder Bob Baker which have been re-imagined by composer Robert Buckley. You can read the full story in this link at the North Shore News . Admission is by donation but you need to register as seating is limited. Register at www.wvyb.ca/event |
Easter, Passover, and Ramadan Coincide this YearWhat do Christianity, Judaism and Islam have to offer People Distressed by War In a rare conjunction, three major holidays of the three Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are occurring at the same time this year. The Jewish people will commemorate the last 2 days of Passover beginning this evening before sunset and ending after nightfall on April 23. Western Christians are already in the season of Eastertide, while Orthodox Christians will commemorate Good Friday tomorrow. And Muslims are in the middle Ramadan, a season of fasting and prayer which began on April 2 and ends on May 1. This shared Ramadan, Passover and Easter is an invitation for us to get to know our neighbors, whose religion may be different but whose faith calls on all of us to treat our neighbors with love and respect. You can read about what we lose when countries lose religious diversity - https://preemptivelove.org/our-work/ Following are some reflections on the War in Ukraine from religious leaders of the three traditions excerpted from an excellent piece by Douglass Todd, the migration, diversity & religion writer at The Vancouver Sun. “The joy and faith we have in Jesus Christ will provide consolation and hope, even in the face of this terrible war and uncertain circumstances. . . Orthodox Christians in Ukraine will be singing Easter hymns this week even in the midst of bombs and great danger . . . They will not be singing alone, because Orthodox Christians all over the world will be lifting their voices.” ~ Rev. Matthew Francis, Orthodox priest - Holy Apostles' Orthodox Mission, Chilliwack Jewish tradition has long taught that “nation shall not raise sword against other nations.” ~ Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, Schara Tzedek Synagogue, Vancouver “Ramadan is for thinking of how we can ease the pain of others. When one of us is affected, we’re all affected.” ~ Vancouver Muslim Farida Bano Ali, former head of the women’s council of the B.C. Muslim Association. Image credit: Lees McCrae College |
Thought of the Week
Bring awareness to the many subtle sounds of nature -
the rustling of leaves in the wind,
raindrops falling, the humming of an insect,
the first birdsong at dawn.
Give yourself completely to the act of listening.
Beyond the sounds there is something greater:
a sacredness that cannot be understood through thought ..
~ Eckhart Tolle ~
Artist Jennifer Lommers
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