Home arrow Minister's Update arrow VPC Minister's update for week leading up to Aug. 9, 2009
VPC Minister's update for week leading up to Aug. 9, 2009 PDF Print E-mail
VPC Minister's Update for Week Leading to August 9, 2009

Here is some of the news of our life this week:

On the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day …. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. Genesis 2:2-3


Summer must be as close as we get to the seventh day when God rested. Summer is a special time when fish jump in the lake and long afternoons transform days into blazing sunsets.

May God bless you with rest and renewal these summer days!

I returned from a 3-week vacation this past week renewed and re-energized. Thank you to all who provided the means and the blessings for me to have this time. THANK YOU to Bob and Myrna Stark for offering their hard work during my absence. It give me peace of mind to know that such loving people are caring for the needs that arise in the pastoral charge when I am away.

This past Sunday I was at St. Andrew’s and Green Ridge. It was good to see the St. Andrew’s choir together again filling the sanctuary with song and passion. I miss you and look forward to choir practices that begin again at 7:30 pm on September 9/09 (you can’t forget the date…it’s 09/09/09).

On Sunday Green Ridge United welcomed wee Evelyn by baptism, into the membership of the holy catholic church, and particularly as a member of Green Ridge United Church. She yawned and she looked for food as she was baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. But her eyes opened wide when the Clerk of Session, Clifford Hunter took her around the sanctuary to meet her people (She clearly likes you Green Ridge!). Bless you Evelyn.

I will be leading worship at Dominion City United Church on August 23 and August 30th (besides St. Andrew’s).

It is one week since Winnie Nisely died (it feels like months!), at the age of 96. She was a tough lady. But she was also a hard-working, intelligent, grateful, generous, and amazing tough lady. Green Ridge United Church was full to the brim on Tuesday at her funeral service. And it was also full to the brim with love for Winnie. One member of the congregation said, “It is hard to see another old pioneer die.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Winnie’s family.


Pastoral Prayers:

· Our thoughts and prayers are with Maurice Paley, and all those who are in hospital. Also our thoughts and prayers are with our shut ins.

· We pray for those affected by the fires in British Columbia.



I will be away (someone said, “Again?”). Yes, again. I have been elected to be a Commissioner at the 40th General Council of the United Church, along with 381 other Commissioners from across Canada, and we are meeting at this time in Kelowna. There will be many people in the media there so watch for us on the evening news. I plan to send daily updates to Liz Forrestor to upload onto the Valley website at www.valleypastoralcharge.org . News will also be posted on the official General Council site at http://gc40.united-church.ca Joey Dearborn from St. Andrew’s is also attending as a part of the Youth Forum. Joey can enter into any discussions and comment at the mic on any issues. However only Commissioners hold a vote. In other words Joey can influence voters. The theme of the General Council is “Down to the Potter’s House”. And I hope the Potter’s house isn’t too hot with the recent fires in Kelowna. I heard it is smokey (I don’t have allergies---yet!) but the threat has subsided. I will be bringing my laptop to Kelowna and as long as the internet is working I will be checking my emails at the end of each day.


Pray for PEACE! Work for JUSTICE! Sing for JOY!

Barbara


As always, I am grateful for your comments, questions, and suggestions in anything you read here.

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