First’s Got Talent
We will be hosting a potluck dinner and talent show on Saturday February 8 at 5:30pm. Everyone is invited to join in on the potluck and watch some of the fabulous talent our church has to show.
We are looking for anyone with talent to be a part of our talent show. If you sing, dances, play an instrument, are a comedian or anything else you think is a talent, then we want to hear from you! If you would like to sign up with a talent, please see us at the welcome table after church or contact Judy Valks at [email protected] or at 250-862-0712.
~Rachel Anweiler
Congregational Knowledge Exchange!
The Education Core Ministry would like to invite you to an all ages event – a Congregational Knowledge Exchange – on February 9 after church in the hall.
If you are interested, please see Suki Vernet to fill out a questionnaire of knowledge you can share (for example – how to write in cursive, speak in another language, play checkers, all the words to “twinkle twinkle,” etc. ) and knowledge you would like to learn (for example, how to play cat’s cradle, tie a tie, canning advice, etc. ).
You will be matched with another member of the congregation and will meet on February 9 to connect and exchange your knowledge. Please contact Suki Vernet with any questions. [email protected]
Saving Jesus Redux
You don’t have to spend much time watching the news or trolling social media to encounter people who use Jesus to justify their words or actions. Sports figures, celebrities and politicians talk about Jesus like he’s a best buddy or mascot or secret power. The Jesus they know is always on “their side”. But how can this be? How can Jesus be pro- and anti- such trigger issues as abortion, gender rights, war and the like? Is Jesus a weapon of the Christian Right or a tool of the ‘spiritual but not religious’ Left?
“We’re having a culture war and Jesus happens to be one of the weapons tossed
about by both sides.” — Amy-Jill Levine
“Saving Jesus Redux” will be offered on Tuesdays from 1:00pm to 2:30pm starting January 7, and on Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 8:30pm starting January 8, and finishing on February 19. Even if you missed the first five episodes, come anyway!
Christmas Season Services & Events
Join us this Christmas Season for services celebrating the birth of Christ and the coming of the new year! There will be services every Sunday in December, a time of reflection for the winter solstice, two services on Christmas Eve, and a community dinner to welcome the new year!
December 21, 3pm: The Longest Night: a time of quiet reflection walking the labyrinth.
December 22, 8:30am and 10am: Regular Sunday worship services.
December 24, 7pm: Christmas Eve Family Service.
December 24, 11pm: Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion.
December 29, 8:30am and 10am: Regular Sunday worship services.
January 1: New Year’s Day Dinner. All are welcome, volunteers are needed! Check the events page for details!
Sparkle Tour
“It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas”. One of the things that gets me in the Christmas spirit is to drive around and look at the wonderful Christmas light displays.
The Pastoral Care Core Ministry is pleased to once again organize the “Sparkle Tour”. People are picked up between 4:30 and 5pm, driven around the city for about an hour and then taken back to the church for hot spiced apple juice and shortbread cookies. Thank you to the congregants that have volunteered to be the “Drivers”.
Now we need to identify the “Riders”. If you would like a go for a drive at night and see the lights, whether you have mobility issues or you just don’t drive at night anymore, please sign up at the Welcome Table after church or call the church office during business hours at 250-762-3311.
~ Pat Totton
Film Screening: The Doctrine of Discovery
The Doctrine of Discovery: Stolen lands, Strong Hearts is a film about a devastating decision, made over 500 years ago, which continues to profoundly impact Indigenous and Settler people worldwide. Pope Alexander VI ruled that the lands being discovered by European explorers at the time were “empty” land and its millions of Indigenous inhabitants were “non-human”.
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission released 94 Calls to Action in 2015, with many of them referring to the Doctrine of Discovery and calling for its repudiation. This film will be very informative for anyone wanting to move on the 94 Calls to Action.
Thursday, December 12, 2019
6:30pm to 8:30pm
First Mennonite Church, 1305 Gordon Drive, Kelowna
Admission is free but donations will be accepted at the door. Registration is not mandatory but to help us plan for seating and refreshments it would help if you could register on Eventbrite: https://doctrineofdiscovery-stolenlands-stronghearts.eventbrite.ca
You “Can” and We Did!
Thank you to your generous response to the food shelf campaign in October! We asked the congregation: “Can you help us fill this cart?” and you did! Each week the cart was in the Hall for people to drop off canned and non-perishable goods. In all we collected 34 cans of vegetables/fruit and beans, pasta, toilet paper, boxed macaroni and cheese, 20 cans of ravioli/chilli, peanut butter, tea, 20 cans of tuna, granola bars, rice, oatmeal and more!
In October Kelowna was ranked the 17th most expensive city to rent an apartment in Canada according to a national rental report. Kelowna was one of five BC cities, ranked only behind Vancouver, Burnaby, Westminster and Victoria. For many on meagre incomes or assistance this means 80% or more is spent on housing. Our Food Shelf helps those who can not afford groceries.
Handbell Boot Camp
Are you interested in trying out handbells? Have you rung in the past, are interested in joining the Alleluia Ringers or the Grace Notes, but it’s been a while and you need a refresher?
?Handbell Boot Camp is a one-day program for learning the basics of ringing, and preparing one piece for the service the next morning. If you have basic music reading skills and are interested in taking part, mark Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 on your calendar and contact Nikki Attwell at 250-707-3375 or [email protected] to sign up.
Decorate the Church
The season of Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for Christmas. To begin we invite you to join us to “make the house ready”—to help decorate the sanctuary, trim the tree, and enjoy a time of fellowship—on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1st.
Stay after church for a sandwich. Lend a hand decorating, enjoy a cup of warm apple cider or making a craft. This is a great way to meet others in the congregation of all ages!
