3255 Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver, BC V7R 2P1 Ph: 604-980-6071 churchoffice@highlandsunited.org www.highlandsunited.org Rev. Will Sparks, Lead Minister

Highlights July 23, 2017

Thanks for an amazing week!

Musical Theatre Boot Camp —Streets of the City

Highlands United Church

Highlands Upcoming Events and Programs This list does not include rooms booked for outside rentals (Guides, AA, Alanon etc).

Highlands Event Calendar can be viewed on our web site at: www.highlandsunited.org

Sunday July 23 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcoming Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary Monday, July 24 to Friday, July 28 9am-4pm Breathe it In Summer Day Camp Saturday, July 29 1:00 pm Saturday Lunch at North Shore Neighbourhood House Sunday July 30 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcoming Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary

What’s Happening in August? July 31 to August 11—Painting and Building Maintenance

• Painting crews will be in to paint the Sanctuary walls together with the three hallway walls (the Chapel/Admin hallway, the 200 wing hallway, and the hallway from the Lower Hall all the way into the gym foyer). Please be careful if you need to come to the church while crews are painting.

• A group of wonderful Highlands volunteers will gather in the Gymnasium to paint the lower walls—always room for one more! Contact Betty Chapin if you can help.

August 14-18

• During the week of August 14-18, the Church Office will be closed and staff will be away to allow for yearly building maintenance, floor washing and polishing, carpet cleaning and window washing.

August 21 to August 31

• All staff will return from holidays. Note that Colleen Blair will be away until December 1st as she is currently on vacation followed by a three-month sabbatical leave.

Also, our contractor, Brian, will be here for most of the summer climbing up and down the scaffolding at the back of the church and in the courtyard, replacing windows and repairing siding.

The Changing Shape of the United Church A message from Will Sparks:

The results of the remits are in.

Over the last 2 years consultations have taken place on significant changes to the structure of the United Church of Canada leading to a church wide set of remits. At Highlands, the Leadership Board studied the proposals and sponsored congregational forums on the two most significant ones.

The remits included:

1. Changing from a four court structure to a three council structure which would eliminate Presbytery and Conference and replace them with a regional council,

2. Eliminating the Transfer and Settlement process,

3. Creating an Office of Vocation to manage all personnel issues

4. Changing the funding model of the denomination The national office has announced that all four remits passed with a significant majority (over 80%) in all cases.

Over the next year, detailed transitional plans will be undertaken and the new structure will be implemented in the fall of 2018. The effects on Highlands will likely be minimal but it will change the way we relate with the denomination both financially and missionally. Staff at the Conference level have been informed and all positions will be effected.

Please hold the United Church in your prayers as this is the most significant change in the structure of our church since we began in 1925. We pray that the Spirit will use this time of change to create a renewed church.

BC Wildfires - Pray For Those Affected Prayer for people and all creation impacted by wildfires in British Columbia

God of Creation, We live in a world where both beauty and danger surround us. Receive our prayers for those impacted by, and living in fear of, the wildfires across the interior of British Columbia: for all who cannot find adequate food, safety, or shelter… for all who have lost their homes, churches, community centres, and workplaces… for all your glorious natural Creation that has been destroyed and is in harm’s way… for all things, places, and place that are in need of healing. We pray and ask that you help heal the pain of all affected.

Strengthen with your presence all who are numb with fear and distress.

Guide those who anxiously search or wait for loved ones.

Be near those who are grieving, and bless them with your peace. In the midst of disaster we give thanks for moments of generosity and human-kindness.

Grant tenderness, strength, and wisdom… to doctors and nurses, police and military, fire-fighters and emergency responders; to the wildlife conservationists and stewards of the earth; to all who minister to

human need in our time of distress. We gather these prayers with the assurance that you already know our needs, and are always with us. Amen.

StreetsStreetsStreets

of the Cityof the Cityof the City

Highlands Musical Theatre Boot Camp “Streets of the City”—July 17-21, 2017

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Drum is Calling Festival Immerse yourself in this nine-day festival of Indigenous and diverse arts and culture. Highlighting the festival will be stellar performances from iconic artists such as singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, PowWowStep creator DJ Shub, singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, country sensation Crystal Shawanda, northern Ontario rockers Midnight Shine, Juno Award winner William Prince, rising R&B star George Leach, genre-defying artist Kinnie Starr, literary giant Tomson Highway, and powerful spoken word poet Shane Koyczan. For a full list of performers check out our daily calendar below.

Additional highlights will include hands-on workshops and live programming inside the Indigenous housing forms built by the Kanata Festival on Turtle Island.

The inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week is the brainchild of former international model Joleen Mitten. The shows will feature the super-stars and emerging artists of Indigenous fashion design and modelling.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

A spectacular night of intercultural drumming will ignite the thunderous power of dancers and drummers from around the world and is led by renowned percussionist and cultural collaborator Sal Ferraras.

Artistic Director Margo Kane and the curators have themed each day, so festival-goers will experience something new at every return visit. From honouring Elders and Matriarchs to Youth, Warriors, and Friends, the themes bring together cultural presentations such as theatre for young people, play readings, carving and weaving workshops, literary and speaker series, and film screenings. The best of authentic Indigenous artisans, vendors and food will be on site to

nourish your mind, body, and soul.

All Drum is Calling Festival events are free but please note the following require registration:

Registration: All the activities are FREE. Indoor events at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET) and Vancouver Playhouse theatre (PT) require registration. To register for FREE click the FREE TICKETS link included in the description of each ticketed event

More info—Website: h ps://canada150plus.ca/drum/

A Message from First United Church in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

Hello friends,

CURRENT NEEDS (We are collecting items for Summer)

-Hats, Sunglasses, Summer clothes & T-shirts

-Sunscreen/after Sun Lotion-Bottled water (and the kitchen needs more forks!)

Please contact Heidi Morgan at hmorgan@firstunited.ca or by calling 604-681-8365 ext 116. Many thanks!

WALK FOR RECONCILIATION WITH FIRST UNITED

The Walk for Reconciliation is a positive movement to build better relationships among Indigenous peoples and all Canadians. This bold vision calls on every one of all ages, all backgrounds, all cultures and all faiths to come together as communities and as individuals.

On Sunday, September 24, join thousands of Indigenous peoples and all Canadians in the Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver. The Walk for Reconciliation is an invitation for all peoples to participate in the reconciliation movement.

We are walking because we want to show our commitment to the reconciliation movement as we work together to create a vibrant inclusive Canada where all peoples achieve their full potential and shared prosperity. Reconciliation starts with you and reconciliation belongs to all of us. I hope you will join us and support this movement.

Join the First United team here: https://tinyurl.com/y77kw4ts

From our Team Page, click on the ‘Join My Team’ to register.

For more info on First United Church, please contact Heidi Morgan, Community Ministry Society: hmorgan@firstunited.ca Web: www.firstunited.ca | @FirstUnitedDTES on Twitter

COMMUNITY EVENTS