Some of you may have heard that there are strange things happening on the internet these days called Zoom-bombing. Basically, this are bored and/or angry people having too little to do and just determined to “upset others.”
But it can be disturbing, or frightening, or disgusting to have someone break in to what you think is a private event and disrupt it. (Remember this can also happen if we are meeting in a building—someone comes in and acts inappropriately!). SO, to try and reduce the chance that this will happen we are making a few changes, as recommended by Zoom specialists.
To join the worship service, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/586245135 and put int he 6-digit password distributed in the First Word email newsletter on Saturday.
When you click on the link (or phone in) you will be put into a welcome/waiting room. This is the new feature for security. I will be able to see your “ID/Name” and will click a button on my computer that will let you “in” to the service – just like our greeters make you welcome to worship at church! Microphone
Microphone: Please have your microphone MUTED once you enter the “worship service” – this will keep the confusion to a minimum.
Video: Keep your video ON as you enter the “worship service” – this will allow us to wave at one another, and to see each other – a great joy.
Other Changes: We learned so much last week. Here are a few changes you will discover:
Prayer Requests: We are going to use the Chat feature to gather prayer requests. Just before the prayers of the people we will send out a typed message asking for names and concerns to be included in the prayers for today. Please type in your requests.
If you cannot type, wave your hand and we will unmute your microphone so you can speak your requests.
Coffee Hour: There were a lot of people frustrated with the chatter last Sunday cutting off what they wanted to say—it was a little like listening to all of us talk at once. We have learned that we can cut down on that, and give you a chance to have coffee/tea/juice and conversation with just a few people—like being at a table in coffee hour. To have this happen, my program will put you into a breakout group of no more that 5 or 6 people and you can each chat to one another. BUT – I do not have control over whom you get to talk with, so be prepared to meet one another, to share your name, etc. as if you were first-time friends – or be surprised to meet someone you have seen but never talked with.
I know this is a lot to take in – and we will all be a little confused – but for safety and more effective time together, let’s try it and make this work! And remember, God is also present in the electrons and even the internet – always, God is with us, we are not alone.
Grace and peace,
~Bob Wallace
First United and COVID-19
/in News /by Graham ZellTo do our part to help counter the spread of COVID-19, First United has adjusted our worship and outreach practices to promote physical distancing while maintaining social contact and community support as best we can.
The church building is closed to the public for the foreseeable future. We are awaiting the advice of the BC Government before reopening the building and resuming normal worship, outreach, and community services, which will fall under Phase 4 of BC’s Response to COVID-19.
We are maintaining social contact and community support by hosting online meetings every Tuesday and Friday, and online worship services every Sunday. Please subscribe to our First Word newsletter to receive the weekly links to these online gatherings.
Grace and peace to you all.
Online Worship April 5 , 2020
/in Sermon /by First UnitedPlease Join Us For Worship on Palm Sunday
/in News /by Graham ZellSome of you may have heard that there are strange things happening on the internet these days called Zoom-bombing. Basically, this are bored and/or angry people having too little to do and just determined to “upset others.”
But it can be disturbing, or frightening, or disgusting to have someone break in to what you think is a private event and disrupt it. (Remember this can also happen if we are meeting in a building—someone comes in and acts inappropriately!). SO, to try and reduce the chance that this will happen we are making a few changes, as recommended by Zoom specialists.
To join the worship service, click this link: https://zoom.us/j/586245135 and put int he 6-digit password distributed in the First Word email newsletter on Saturday.
When you click on the link (or phone in) you will be put into a welcome/waiting room. This is the new feature for security. I will be able to see your “ID/Name” and will click a button on my computer that will let you “in” to the service – just like our greeters make you welcome to worship at church! Microphone
Microphone: Please have your microphone MUTED once you enter the “worship service” – this will keep the confusion to a minimum.
Video: Keep your video ON as you enter the “worship service” – this will allow us to wave at one another, and to see each other – a great joy.
Other Changes: We learned so much last week. Here are a few changes you will discover:
Prayer Requests: We are going to use the Chat feature to gather prayer requests. Just before the prayers of the people we will send out a typed message asking for names and concerns to be included in the prayers for today. Please type in your requests.
If you cannot type, wave your hand and we will unmute your microphone so you can speak your requests.
Coffee Hour: There were a lot of people frustrated with the chatter last Sunday cutting off what they wanted to say—it was a little like listening to all of us talk at once. We have learned that we can cut down on that, and give you a chance to have coffee/tea/juice and conversation with just a few people—like being at a table in coffee hour. To have this happen, my program will put you into a breakout group of no more that 5 or 6 people and you can each chat to one another. BUT – I do not have control over whom you get to talk with, so be prepared to meet one another, to share your name, etc. as if you were first-time friends – or be surprised to meet someone you have seen but never talked with.
I know this is a lot to take in – and we will all be a little confused – but for safety and more effective time together, let’s try it and make this work! And remember, God is also present in the electrons and even the internet – always, God is with us, we are not alone.
Grace and peace,
~Bob Wallace
Saving Jesus Redux
/in Event, News /by Graham ZellYou 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!
Worship February 28 , 2021
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3-QDPP8P_A/
Amalgamation Proposal
/in News /by First UnitedWell there has been exploration and work around possible amalgamation for a year now. As you know the Steering Team and Working Groups have been hard at work the last few months having conversations and gathering information from congregants and staff. Tracy Leader and I want to thank those on the Working Groups for all their work to date. Drum roll ………….The Amalgamation Proposal is now complete and a final copy is available to everyone and attached. The Amalgamation Proposal, other documents completed by the Working Groups and the Exploration Proposal will be available on the church website.
We will be setting up some Information Sessions in March to answer any questions you may have. We will also be setting up a Congregational meeting late March to vote on accepting the Proposal.
In the meantime if you have any questions about the Proposal or particular sections please feel free to reach out to:
Steering Team:
Tracy Leader: [email protected]
Tami McMurphy: [email protected] 250-450-9609
Governance:
Tanya Burke: [email protected] 778-478-7221
Terry Welsh: [email protected] 250 868-0711
Worship and Music:
Elenore Wieler; [email protected] 778-478-7287
Nikki Atwell: [email protected] 250-707-3375
Community Ministry (Outreach)?:
Shirley Piedt: [email protected] 250-764-3073
Susanne Marentette: [email protected] 778-940-5770
Staffing:
Darlene Cockerill: [email protected] 250-450-9609?
John Whitehead: [email protected] 250 707-1381
Property and Investments:
Ernie Park: [email protected] 403 680-5655
Beryl Itani: [email protected] 250 763-7656
Finance and Budget:
Jodine Ducs: [email protected] 778 754-1669
Michel Marentette: [email protected] 604 365-1777
Intergenerational Ministry (Children, Youth and Families)
Suki Vernet: [email protected] 250-868-2519
Joa Lazarus: [email protected] 250-763-8023
Here you can find the document:
Live in the Sanctuary Service , February 21 , 2021
/in News, Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3OADg4MIop/
Transfiguration Sunday and Valentines Day , 2021 Service , with Rev. Bob Wallace and Rev. Cheryl Perry
/in News, Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3GJY–oWJY/
Online Service February 7 , 2021 5th Sunday after Epiphany
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3xwlg9ItKs/
Worship 4th Sunday after Epiphany
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3rcHstQweU/
Becoming a Network
/in Bulletin /by Tanya PritchardJan. 24 , 2021 Service with Rev. Bob Wallace and Rev. Cheryl Perry and the cast of thousands
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/3dY0NBvbdv/
January 17 Worship with Rev. Cheryl Perry and Rev. Bob Wallace and guests
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/34vgQzDlmS/
BAPTISM SUNDAY with Rev. Cheryl Perry on Jan. 10 , 2021
/in Sermon /by First Unitedhttps://fb.watch/2Xc0mXbnqn/