Announcements

April 14, 2024

Flowers are placed on the altar by Rick Enarson in loving memory of his parents, Joni & Dan.

WCC Easter Message: 2024 Easter messages can be read by clicking on the links below:

World Council of Churches       Joint ELCIC/ACC  

Thank You!: The Property Team thanks all who turned out to help with spring cleaning of the church and grounds. The type and amount of work that gets accomplished varies based on the volunteers who show up, and we’re grateful for the efforts of all who stepped up that day. There are always a few outstanding tasks available for those with a bit of time and energy…  😊

Bible Study Cancelled next Sunday – but it will resume next Sunday, May 28 at 9 am

Charity Clarity!: Council has found it helpful to clarify the purpose of two of our funds:

• The purpose of the Property Fundis to fund property considerations. This fund can be spent as required by the Property Team.

• The Special Initiative Fund (formerly known as theProject Contingency Fund) shall be for the purpose of addressing future planned projects. These funds shall only be spent on the authority of Church Council.

An Earth Day Celebration: An early Earth Day activity is happening today after the service during our coffee/ fellowship hour. The Coquitlam Park Sparks will be here, and there will be stations both inside and outside for your enjoyment. If you’re not feeling called to go outside, partake in whatever activities draw you in. You can always just mingle inside over cake and discuss with others how you connect to God through your experience of creation! If you have any pictures that speak to this, feel free to bring them to church over the next couple of weeks and add them to others that will be collected on one of the bulletin boards for all to see.

Webinar on  Social and Ecological Justice Work: Pastor Eric is inviting you to join him in a webinar on May 7th at 11:00 am to explore tools and resources around engaging social and ecological justice work. You can join him at the church to view it together. Alternatively, you can view it on your own at home by registering at this link: click here. Please let him know if you would like to join him. You are also invited to bring a bagged lunch and stay for some discussion afterwards. 

A Cultural Potluck Dinner: On Sunday, April 28th at 5:30 pm, the Good Shepherd Women’s Group (along with help from the Outreach /Fellowship Council Teams) invite you all to participate in a Cultural Potluck to celebrate the diversity of God’s people everywhere. We’re hoping that you can dive into your family recipes and cook up a pot of something that reflects where you come from, and maybe even add a card saying what it is & what its country of origin. And don’t worry about quantity either. We expect there to be lots of food. Hope to see you there! In order to set out an appropriate number of tables, please sign up numbers of people you expect to come with you.

Bess Lu Harp Concert: We have become aware of another opportunity to enjoy an afternoon concert of flute, harp and voice on Sunday, April 28th at 2 pm. Make your Cultural Potluck dishes early for dinner that gathers later that evening at 5:30 pm – and enjoy both opportunities for your enjoyment on that day! See the bulletin board poster or page 18 for all the details.

Seeking Accommodation in Coquitlam: Yvon & Michelle’s current home has been sold and they have been given notice to vacate. Yvon writes: Quiet family – Ideally, 2 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room. Needs to have a dishwasher. Also a washer and dryer- shared is OK. In addition, a parking spot, if possible. (We have furniture for the unit, except for kitchen appliances.) Reasonable rent. Can do light chores and gardening for reduced rent. Looking to move in at the end of May 2024. Thank you for your prayerful consideration. Sincerely,  Yvon and Michelle (Jaesook) 

Official Notice of the Lutheran Manor Society AGM: The 2024 AGM of the Lutheran Manor Society is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 23rd at 7 pm both in-person at the Manor’s facility (375 W. 10th Avenue, Vancouver) and over Zoom (contact Rev. Clifford Reinhardt for details at reinhardtcf@gmail.com).  Check the poster on page 17.

2024 National Worship Conference: The 2024 National Worship Conference titled ‘The Stones Cry Out: Praying with the Land’ will be held on July 18-21, 2024 in beautiful Regina, Saskatchewan. Click here for more information and to register.

BC Synod CJAG invitation: Are you passionate about addressing climate change and eager to make a difference within our church community?  The Climate Justice Action Group (CJAG) invites you to join hands in our urgent pursuit of climate justice. You can find out more here.

Rotating Church Winter Shelter: Trinity United Church in PoCo is hosting the Tri-Cities Winter Shelter in. Items always in need and appreciated are:

ï Female Hygiene Products ï Face Cloths & wash items ï Toothbrushes / pastes

ï Socks & new underwear ï Food/meal gift cards ï Bus tickets

Note that 3030 Gordon Is again not accepting donations of clothing.

Crisis in the Holy Land: The ELCIC has put together an ongoing list of updates, statements & resources regarding the current situation in the Holy Land, including information from our partners in the region. View it here.

Emergency Appeal for Gaza: The ELCIC and CLWR have joined together to respond to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.  Read about their efforts, and how you can donate by clicking here. 

Special Emergency Appeal for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL): The ELCIC invites all its members to support a special emergency appeal for the needs of the ELCJHL. Click here to donate. Read the full update on the ELCIC Appeal here. 

Compassionate Justice & Creation Care:

  • National Bishop Calls for Access for All to Quality Mental Health Care Services: ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson recently wrote to the Minister of Health to urge the Government of Canada to increase its efforts to help meet the need for quality mental health care services. Read the full letter here.
  • Pastoral Letters from National Bishop Susan Johnson: The ELCIC National Office recently released two pastoral letters. One on the subject of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia. To read it, please click here. The second letter was sent in support of the ELCJHL. To read it, please click here.
  • Joint Letter on Anti-Semitism: In a joint letter National Bishop Susan Johnson (ELCIC) and Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls (ACC) call on both churches to stand against antisemitism whenever it is heard or seen. To read the full letter, please click here.
  • 2024 Soraasli Lecture now available: The recording of Rev Dr. Chad Rimmer’s lecture from February hosted by the Synod of Alberta and the Territories is available here. Dr. Rimmer’s theological approach to natural resources and their extraction is stimulating and thought-provoking. 
  • Advocacy: Build a Federal Budget for Housing: Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness (CAEH) invites you to send a message to decision-makers in Ottawa and tell them that the 2024 Federal Budget must be the Housing and Homelessness Budget.
  • Protecting Kids Online: Help Get Bill S210 Adopted: The Sexual Exploitation Working Group (SEWG) of The Canadian Council of Churches invites you to sign a petition to help pass Bill S210. For more information and to sign this petition, please click here.
  • It’s Time to Give it up for the Earth!: Give it up for the Earth! invites you to put your eco-spirituality into action by reducing emissions, building solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, and advocating for climate justice. The national campaign runs until Earth Week in April.

Opportunities for Christian Learning:

  • Seeking a Common Word: Webinar to Inform and Inspire: Interested in initiating or continuing Christian-Muslim dialogue in your community? On April 16, 2024, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST, join for a webinar that will inspire you to strive for a deeper understanding of your neighbours and that will inform you about the resources that are available to support local conversations and collaborations. To register, please click here.
  • Online Racial Justice Workshop: If you’re looking for a way to start conversations on addressing racism in the church and Canadian society, you can join our online Racial Justice Workshop. ELCIC’s Carmen Ramirez, Assistant to the Bishop for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will hold two workshops on racial justice. These workshops are intended to be taken together. Session 1 is on May 9th from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. (ET) and Session 2 is also on May 9th from noon to 2:30 p.m. To register for Session 1, please click here. For Session 2, please click here. See the poster on page 19 for details.