Programs

St. Andrew’s -Wesley Church looks to initiate and present different programs, which invite you to explore and share your own Christian story – wherever you may be on that journey. Some are weekly like Disciples Bible Study, some are monthly. Some last a few weeks others last a few months. It is the purpose of the church to have a choice of programs that encourage spiritual growth and will help you along your Christian journey.

Young Adults

If you are a Young Adult, yearning for community and a place of connection to get to know other Young Adults of Faith, you are so welcome to join us for this new ministry group at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church. This ministry is geared for those who fall between the ages of 20 and 40 to gather for fun social events with others who share a common faith and connection. We hold monthly events, gather for random lunches following the service on most Sunday’s (meet at coffee time following church), and are working hard on welcoming the many people of our generation who enter this church each Sunday morning.

Check us out!

Calendar of Upcoming Events:

Events

Sept – Dec - Thursdays
Kundalini Yoga begins again in the Salons on Thursday evenings, 6:30-7:45 pm. By donation. Bring yoga mat and a blanket. Tea and conversation to follow the class. Open to all abilities and all ages. With instructor Adpurkh Laura Stobie. September 17-December 17. </div>
September 27.09:
Lunch out after church and a bike ride around the seawall and Stanley Park. Meet at Coffee time. Bike rental is possible on Denman Street $6 an hour. Meet at the church following the service.
October 10.09: -
Second annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner and Gratitude reflection. At the Church, 6:30 pm. Bring something to share. Turkey and the trimmings provided. Come and be grateful.
October 23.09: -
Check out FUSE at the Vancouver Art Gallery with us. The Vancouver Art Gallery transforms into THE place for art, music and live performance in the city. Since its inception in July 2005, thousands of Fuse-goers have converged at the Gallery for this unique adult event. Live performances in the Gallery spaces, DJs, eclectic Gallery tours and unexpected surprises! Tickets are $19. We anticipate having free tickets for at least some folks. Meet us at the Church at 8 pm, parking provided, and we’ll walk over to the gallery together.
November 6.09: -
Dinner and Theatresports. Meet at The Foundation, 2301 Main St. at 7 pm. Theatresports at 9:30 pm on Granville Island. We’ll carpool there from the restaurant.

tickets: $11.50 students, $15.50 regular admission.

Taize Services at the Church first sunday of the month at 7 pm,
Night of Praise Service, third Sunday at 7 pm!

ALL ARE WELCOME, BRING A FRIEND!

For information and to rsvp for any events or for any pastoral care concerns please contact group coordinators:

Curt Allison Curt.Allison@ExpressPros.com 604.805.1841
Doris Kizinna ellenkiz@hotmail.com 604.341.2724

check out www.wondercafe.ca, the united church website for this generation

Men's Breakfast Club

An opportunity for men to come together to talk about the intersection of faith, work, family, relationships, and personal life, and to do so over a morning breakfast. It's relatively early... at 7 am... to accommodate those who have to head out to work right after. Breakfast provided. At the church, in the Salons, 1018 Nelson St. (Parking underneath, via the back lane... Parking Passes will be provided.) Beginning on Thursday, September 24th; and then on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of October and November ( Oct. 8th and 22nd; Nov. 12th and 26th), and then again on the 2nd Thursday of December (Dec. 10th) If possible, please contact the office to say you're coming -- helpful information for the breakfast makers. :) (604-683-4574; office.staw@telus.net.) ALL MEN ARE WELCOME.

HEALING TOUCH MINISTRY

Healing touch is an energy-based approach to healing. It is non-invasive, economical, effective and helps to promote relaxation, reduce pain, manage stress, speed healing, and increase a sense of well-being. The Healing Pathway is an educational programme, with developmental phases, that is designed to train and mentor people in developing the gift and skills of healing hands within the Christian tradition. The “textbook”, Healing from the Heart, is in our church library.

When: second Tuesday of each month
Time: 7:00pm
Where: St. Andrew's-Wesley Salons
Leadership: Judy Capes
For more information, click here

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care is a personal commitment to provide care and support as needed to those who share in the life of the congregation of St.Andrew's-Wesley United Church. To keep in touch with those participating in the Church, there are regular contacts by volunteers. Concerns or needs or suggestions are passed on to those concerned. Clergy are always available to assist.

Programs of welcome are regular features for newcomers. The purpose is to express God's love and care for each person and to welcome them into the life of the Church.

Book Club “Opening the World”

You are welcome to join this lively group which has been reading together for five years. We meet on the last Wednesday of most months at 2 pm in the Balfour Salons of the church. The Vancouver Library provides book club sets, which are available at the meeting. About 12 of us enjoy a wide-ranging discussion about the book and world issues which it presents. Bring your own tea or coffee; treats are provided.

Wed. Sept. 30 - Report on one book you enjoyed this summer.
Wed.Oct. 28 - "The Clothes They Stood Up In" by Alan Bennett
Wed. Nov. 25 - "Theory of Clouds" by Stephane Audeguy
Wed. Jan. 27 - your choice
Wed. Feb. 24 - "Late Nights on Air" by Elizabeth Hay
Wed. Mar. 31 - "Swallows of Kabul" by Jasmina Khadra
Wed. Apr. 28 - "The Cellist of Sarajevo" by Steven Galloway
Wed. May 26 - "One Last Breath" by Stephen Booth

Call Lois Keebler for more information (work) 604-736-6441.

Reel Spirituality /Movie Night

A series exploring the links between spirituality and movies movie night

On Friday nights throughout the year new or provocative movies chosen by the minister are either shown at the church (if on DVD) or the group gathers to attend them in a nearby cinema. Afterwards at the church there is a spirited discussion, exploring questions of meaning and purpose in the film. Refreshments are available. The community will be invited to attend: so bring your friends!

Coming Attractions

Coming up this fall is a series of films related to St. Andrew Wesley's "A Celebration of World Religions". From Sept. 15 to Oct. 24, there will be a Wednesday evening presentation on Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. On Friday evenings, we will be showing a film connected to the faith.

Sept. 17 - Hinduism
Sept. 24 - Buddhism
Oct. 1 - Sikhism
Oct. 8 - Judaism
Oct. 15 - Islam
Oct. 22 - Christianity
On Nov. 12, we will be showing "A Serious Man" by the Coen brothers, in connection with the Vancouver School of Theology's course "Exploring Pain and Suffering", which is offered at St. Andrew's Wesley Church. We have been invited to attend an inter-religious dialogue on the biblical character of Job, which uses "A Serious Man" as a springboard for discussion on the following Monday.

Doors open at 6:30 pm at 1018 Nelson St.
Parking passes available at the desk. Admission by donation.

Are you interested in volunteering to help make these evenings happen? Positions are available: Projection Crew, Box Office, Concession Stand, Casting, Programming, Art Department, Publicity. Volunteers can earn free passes to the film festival. Please let Lois Keebler know if you can help, by email (lkeebler@shaw.ca), at the box office desk on Sept. 25, or at the information table at church.

Check the weekly bulletin for updates, or phone the office.

We are looking forward to seeing you at some, or all, of these thought-provoking films and sermons.

Leadership: Lois & Conrad Keebler, Mark Boyter, Dolly Nesbitt, & Gabi Sharp

The Word is Out

Gay & Lesbian Spirituality for Today:

Join us for a relaxing evening of food, fellowship, and sharing of Christmas moments in our life with other gay and lesbian people of faith. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know the members of this exciting, growing group within our community.

For more information, please contact Curt Allison at 604-687-5856 or 604-805-1841.

Leadership by Curt Allison.

Last Tuesday of the month

The Stitching Circle

All levels of knitters, crocheters, quilters, and needlework artists are invited to join the Stitching Circle for two hours of camaraderie where projects are shared, ideas are exchanged, and help and advice cheerfully given. When sessions resume in September we will continue to work on personal projects, prayer shawls and the group will be finishing items for the Fall Craft Sale. Meetings are held on alternate Thursdays in Marnie's Room from 1 to 3 p.m.

The next meetings will be held on September 9th and 23rd, October 7th and 21st, November 4th and 18th, December 2nd and 16th.

***** A warm welcome is extended to all stitchers! *****

For more information call Marjorie at (604) 682-1585.

Valentine Celebration of Love

FEBRUARY 7....Our annual Valentine's Celebration of Love will be held in the salons after church. Lunch will be served. Our special guests will be the couples who are getting married in 2010 and those who were married in 2009. We warmly welcome couples of all ages and stages to attend. After lunch, Kathryn Ransdell and Tim Scorer will lead an inspirational and informative workshop on communication in relationships. Follow-up workshops will be held on March 21& May 16.

To register please sign up at the Information Table after church today or phone Jim and Gwen MacLean-Cruickshank at 604-926-3218 or email them at bayview@bayview-bb.com

This is a perfect opportunity for new couples and couples who have been together longer to meet and learn new insights!