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A breath of fresh air…

Ursula Andrade2020-03-26T15:42:33-07:00March 26th, 2020|

Photo taken by Rev. Dan Chambers

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St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
Suite 100, 1022 Nelson Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6E 4S7

T/ +1 604 683 4574

(Parking available off the lane. Free parking for Sunday services. Wheelchair accessible.)

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As we head into the season of Pentecost and the en

As we head into the season of Pentecost and the end of our series on The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, I have been mulling the question that I think will be part of our contemporary culture for a long time: why be religious? The new atheist movement that produced writers like Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins has been fairly quiet again and maybe that is the feature of a pandemic: people are not in the mood for more uncertainty but I doubt it is a question that will be going away. Part of the issue for me has that this discussion is always framed poorly. Religion is not only a set of ideas, it clearly is not a proof-tested field of science, nor it is a belief system that requires detaching from reality, and yet that is often how it is framed by the new atheists writers. It’s true that Religion certainly has been responsible for terrible things and if we are following a faith path, we are going to always have to wrestle with and atone for our history. But Religion also helps us experience the sacred, honour life, explore mystery and understand more deeply how we are connected to each other.

Marcus Borg argues for a different approach to viewing Religion and it’s function in our lives. Religion, says Borg, functions as a sacramental act, or if that is too fancy a term, let’s call it a ritualized way of trying to experience the Sacred. The world’s enduring religions, like Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism bring us wisdom from the ages, traditions, rituals and teachings that give us clear ways to engage with the sacred and not just have to wait for “thin space” moments like a gorgeous choir or a sky filled with stars. The practices of religion: from singing to reading sacred text, from baptism to bar mitzvah, from meditation to serving the community meal, are rituals that help us re-orient our lives around what is essential and beyond the personal. This Sunday, let’s explore this question together and continue to reclaim what is at the heart of our faith.

Continue in comments below 👇🏼

(Service link in Bio 👆🏼)

If today’s glorious weather doesn’t make you n

If today’s glorious weather doesn’t make you notice that summer is on its way, we don’t know what will! 😃

Now is the time to get registered for this summer’s COVID-safe @campspiritbc camps for ages 6-11.

#campspirit2021 #unitedchurchofcanada #vancouverkids #summer2021 #kidscampsvancouver

All Ages Games Night on Zoom Thursday, May 20 at 7

All Ages Games Night on Zoom Thursday, May 20 at 7pm. Our Junior and Senior Youth invite you to join us for a time of fun and community as we connect over games and laughter. #standrewswesleyunitedchurch #allages #communityfun #stawchildrenyouthandfamilies

What can you do about climate change? Check out a

What can you do about climate change? Check out a new initiative launched by author and policy analyst Seth Klein to see ways to get involved in the social change we need to protect this planet for future generations. www.climateemergencyunit.ca #sethklein #climateaction #agoodwar #bethechange #creationcare #climatechange #climatecrisis

On this first day of National Nursing Week, we bow

On this first day of National Nursing Week, we bow with gratitude and respect for the amazing people who put their lives on the line for the good of others. Thank you! Keep safe and abundant blessings to you all! #WeAnswerTheCall; #stillspeaking; #uccan; #pacificmountainregion; #nurse; #standrewswesley; #stpaulshospital; #revdanadventures

Mother’s Day is always a challenge for a ministe

Mother’s Day is always a challenge for a minister. I remember one year being told, “Next Sunday I’m bringing my MOTHER to church – the music and sermon better be good, and all about sainted mothers… and oh yes, keep it short, because we’re going out for lunch after.” Then, another voice -- “I’ve asked my son to come with me to church on Mother’s Day – please make it interesting, and easy-going… and oh yes, keep it short, because we’re going out for lunch after.” But then a different voice said, “I hope you’re not going to go on and on about Mother’s Day next Sunday – I will probably be in tears the whole time; I just can’t get used to my mother not being here anymore.” Which made me think of all the grief that can accompany Mother’s Day – memories of my own Mum, who died eight years ago last month, and I still miss her; and of all those mothers who have lost children, and how you never “get over it,” although you do learn to live with it more gently; and what about women who wanted to be mothers, but for any number of reasons, that didn’t happen? And how about all those people whose relationship with their mother might be charged, strained, less than perfect? (“God gave us families so that we don’t have to fight with strangers.”)

One year I decided to ignore Mother’s Day altogether, aside from an opening greeting during announcements, and I followed the United Church recommendation that we call the 2nd Sunday in May Christian Family Sunday instead. Well, that didn’t work out so well either.

So this time round I’m going to try and cover all bases… huge gratitude for mothers; but also, acknowledge the inevitable grief. On the one hand, “sainthood” (now that I have three daughters I have a better idea of what I put my Mum through); on the other hand, family dysfunction. And through it all, lots to say about love and God, trying to pull this “secular” holiday into a deeper spirituality. In fact, I want to say that God gave us families (and congregations too) so that might learn to love. (Check out the Scripture reading for this Sunday: I John 4: 7-21 – the word “love” is used 21 times in 15 verses.)

Continue in comments below 👇🏼

May 3 to 9 is Mental Health Week and 2021 marks 70

May 3 to 9 is Mental Health Week and 2021 marks 70 years the Canadian Mental Health Association has been raising awareness with a focused week in May. Check out www.mental health week.ca for resources, toolkits and to learn more about their theme “Name it, don’t numb it. #GetReal about how you feel.”

Tomorrow, Friday May 7th is National child and youth mental health day. FamilySmart,an organization supporting families, is offering resources and a zoom session on Friday. Go to www.may7icare.ca. Be gentle with yourselves! And remember you are not alone!

Follow these great organizations below for great mental health support resources:
@familysmartcda
@cmha_bc
@foundry_bc
@keltycentre

#standrewswesleyunitedchurch #getreal #mentalhealth #may7icare #icare #stawchildrenyouthandfamilies

Today, May 5th, is National Day of Awareness for M

Today, May 5th, is National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2Spirit people.

“Indigenous women and girls are five times more likely to experience violence than any other population in Canada and this violence tends to result in more serious harm.”

#MMIW is real and devastating. The women, girls and 2Spirit people in our communities are sacred and deserving of love and safety. Protect our sisters. ✊🏽

Repost + artwork by @morning.star.designs

In process: the Reconciliation Wall at St. Andrew’s Wesley will feature a cedar house post carved by Squamish Nation artist, Xwalacktun, O.B.C. This engagement with the ongoing work of reconciliation will include story, song, reflections and, when restrictions are lifted, feasting. Stay tuned for an opportunity this summer to see the house post, meet Xwalacktun, and enjoy a carving demonstration. #xwalacktun; #truthandreconciliation; #orangeshirtday; #irsss; #RedDressDay; #uccan; #reconciliationmatters; #pacificmountainregion; #stillspeaking; #standrewswesley; #allinthistogether; #revdanadventures

Join us for an Online early Mother’s Day Celebra

Join us for an Online early Mother’s Day Celebration with guest artists Karin Plato and Chris Gestrin.

Reflections by Rev Gary Paterson

Premiering 4pm, Sunday May 2nd.

Link in Bio 👆🏼

#jazzvespersathome #mothersdayjazz #vancouverjazz #coastaljazz #karinplato #chrisgestrin

@karinplatomusic @chrisgestrin

I had a childhood friend who was very bright but d

I had a childhood friend who was very bright but devoid of common sense. One boring summer day when we were about 10, we discovered a bee hive in the hole of a tree. My friend (no really, this was not my idea) thought it would be an interesting experiment to see how the bees would respond if he threw a dirt-clod into the bee hive.

We found out.

They didn’t like it.

We ran.

This Sunday we’ll be kicking the proverbial theological bee hive and talk about those emotionally laden words, “sin and salvation”. I realize I may need to run away after the sermon to escape the angry bees, but I hope not because of course the intent is for us to understand these words anew and appreciate why they remain part of the theological structure of Christianity lo, these many years. They point to something real and, I believe, life-giving.

If the mere mention of “sin and salvation” irritates, fortunately for you the service also includes a beautiful Godly-play story by Jen, heart-opening prayers by Rhian and rousing music with Will and Geordie.

I’ll also be present with Gary for the Zoom Coffee after the Sunday morning service (around 10:55) and look forward to further exploration of the theme.

May your weekend be light on the sin and heavy on the healing balm of salvation!

Keep well, keep safe, keep in touch,
Dan

YouTube service premiering Sunday at 10am. Link in Bio 👆🏼

#heartofchristianity #revdanchambers #standrewswesleyunitedchurch

Oh the controversy! Let’s settle this once and

Oh the controversy! Let’s settle this once and for all: is this a babbling brook or a singing spring? Let your voice be heard in the comments below... Vote, and vote often! #hopesprings; #allinthistogether; #stillspeaking; #pacificmountainregionucc; #standrewswesley; #uccan; #revdanadventures;

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