Heads up: St. A's will be closed on Monday for Family Day, which means there will be NO Mindfulness Meditation on Feb 16.
That program will resume on Feb 23.
This weekend, join us for Taizé: a contemplative service built on song and silence. The Taizé tradition is ecumenical and reflective, encouraging a deeper connection with God (and each other).
Sun., Feb. 15
4:00 pm
in the Sanctuary
(Please enter and leave in silence.) See you there!
#FYI On Feb 2, Broadview Magazine hosted a very timely (and well-attended) Broadview Live event.
United Church minister and Broadview contributor Christopher White was joined by former MP Charlie Angus and former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy for a conversation on democracy under pressure, the rise of fascism and Canada’s place in a rapidly changing world.
You can watch the full recording on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHUE5TymBXU
ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY
Wed. Feb. 18 at 6pm
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent -- the period of reflection and preparation before Easter. The wearing of ashes is considered a sign of repentance, sorrow, and mourning, an appropriate way to begin Lent.
Rev. Judith and Rev. Eric will be offering a 30-minute prayer liturgy at 6 pm on Web. Feb. 18 at which we will receive the sign of ashes. Please gather in the chancel area of the church just before 6 pm.
#BHM2026
This Black Heritage Month, why not find a new read from a Black author? After all, stories are how we nurture empathy: there are few better ways to live a day in someone else's shoes than by hearing a story from their perspective.
The Vancouver Public Library has a list of books by local Black authors, and the North Vancouver District Public Library has a list of books by Black authors for children. Check them out!
vpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/80402800/1575304029
nvdplib.ca.iiivega.com/library-list/showcase/247e3b21-c9c1-4aa8-8a87-60d5e53bef58
*
📷 from Communication Coordinator Sarah's library, a selection of books by Black authors. Some Canadian (like Jael Richardson's "Gutter Child"), some from Vancouver authors (like Jillian Christmas, top of the pile), all really good.
Starting the call for donated stuffed animals for our annual Teddy Bear Picnic! The big day isn't until June 20, but we're putting a call out now: if you have new or gently used teddy bears (or other stuffed animals) that you would like to donate, we'll have many many kids looking to adopt a new friend.
You can drop off your teddy donation at the church office during the week, or at worship on Sundays.
Thank you!
Join us this Sunday, Feb 8 at worship, where vocalist (and activist) Morning Star Trickey will celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth with us.
10am, in person or livestreamed on YouTube. (Visit our homepage, top right corner, for the YouTube link: www.st-andrews-united.ca.)
See you there!
*
📷Robinson Recalde on Unsplash.
FREE community lunch and bread ministry. All are welcome!
Doors at 11:30, lunch at noon.
St. A hosts an Emergency Weather Shelter for unhoused folk on the North Shore, run by the @lookoutsociety, in our Friendship Room. The shelter, which will run to April 15, is called when the weather requires it.
*To find out if the shelter is running, please call the Lookout Society at 604-255-0340.*
Thank you to all those who donate men's underwear, Tim Horton's gift cards and other needed items -- and to all the volunteers who help prepare the space!
Still looking for some folk to join St. A's Ministry & Personnel Team. It's a commitment and a bit of work, yes, but it's also an amazing chance to meet others, form community, and strengthen and support those who lead (and who will lead) St. A.
M&P members:
- are active members of the congregation
- have experience in leadership, human resources, etc are helpful
- have effective interpersonal and communication skills
- are of diverse backgrounds and life stories.
If interested, please reach out to the office to be put in contact with the St. A's Board. Thank you!
Yesterday was the start of Black History Month in Canada. This year, the 30th anniversary of marking the month, has the theme "Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations -- From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries."
#BHM2026 is a time to learn about, celebrate and honour the legacy of Black Canadians. We'll be sharing some resources here for that throughout the month, and will be celebrating the month at worship as well.
🤎🖤❤️
The cherry blossom tree outside St. A's is blooming!
Keep an eye out for this, and other natural wonders (big and small) as you are out and about these days. Sometimes spending a moment with a new bloom, or watching a small bird, or marveling at how the tree canopy looks against the sky can replenish your hope--and the more hope, the better.
This Sat, Jan 31, St. A's will be hosting a celebration of contemplative poet-monk Thomas Merton -- and the Thomas Merton Society of Canada, which is wrapping up after 25 years of building community around Merton in Canada. (An article about the TMSC will be coming in the next St. A's newsletter).
Sat. Jan. 31
5 - 8 pm
There will be second-hand Merton books, we have many to give away! Please join us and share some memories over music (jazz, of course), poetry, nibbles, and wine. See you there!
Today! A hot meal catered by @alovingspoonful, with gratitude to Sharing Abundance.
Doors at 12:45pm, lunch at 1pm.
$2, max. capacity 80 folks.
Coldest Night of the Year is coming!
Walk with First United on Feb. 28th from 4 – 7 pm to show you care about ending poverty in the downtown east side and demonstrate your belief in the power of dignity, belonging and justice. Or call First United if you would like to support a team instead of walking. The walk starts and finishes at 312 Main Street, with both a 5 km and 2 km route.
For more info, please contact Will Goldbeck, Event Director at First United, or visit cnoy.org/location/vancouverdtes
#FYI: Rev. Judith's email has been hacked. Please know that she (and any St. A staffer) does not and would never send an email asking for VISA gift cards. if you get an email like that, please ignore it.
A few tips for cyber safety:
- Check the address of who sent the email. If you don't recognize it, don't open it.
- Never click on links in emails you aren't sure of. (Best practice: never click on links in emails period. Write the URL into a new browser window yourself instead.)
- If you aren't expecting an email from the person at the time you get it, and if the email content is coming out of nowhere, it's better to ask the person directly before opening the email.
Thanks!
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This Sat, Jan 31, St. A's will be hosting a celebration of contemplative poet-monk Thomas Merton -- and the Thomas Merton Society of Canada, which is wrapping up after 25 years of building community around Merton in Canada. (An article about the TMSC will be coming in the next St. A's newsletter).
Sat. Jan. 31
5 - 8 pm
There will be second-hand Merton books, we have many to give away! Please join us and share some memories over music (jazz, of course), poetry, nibbles, and wine. See you there!
Have you visited Highlands United Church's new Thrift Store?
Hours: Thurs. to Sat. from 10 am to 2 pm
*(free 2-hour parking under Thrifty’s—enter via Ayr Avenue).
You can drop off your new and gently used donations on Saturday mornings between 10 am and noon. The Drop-Off Centre is located in Highlands’ main parking lot.
PS: Jan 29-30-31 they're having a big clothing sale (all white tags will be half price). Check it out!
Congregational #FYI: St. A's Board will be setting the date for the next Annual Congregational Meeting shortly (likely for sometime in March). Stay tuned for info about that.
Thanks!
📷 from a few winters ago.
All are welcome at our free, weekly community lunch and bread ministry today: doors at 11:30, lunch served at noon.
Thank you to the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, and the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program for their generous financial support.
And thank you, Cobbs Bread, Westlynn Bakery and the Salvation Army for the weekly food donations.
Grateful for everyone involved in these filling & fulfilling meals!