top of page

Programs and Activities at
Pacific Spirit United Church

There are many ways that we as a church engage with each other, and also with the community outside of our congregation. Below are some of the many programs that we offer and participate with.

If you would like to receiver our weekly newsletter with more detailed information about what's going on with the Pacific Spirit Community, please email: admin@pacificspirituc.com.

Church Programs and Activities

 ​​

Centering Prayer

The Centering Prayer groups originate from Contemplative Outreach of Greater Vancouver (www.cogv.org), following the teachings of Father Thomas Keating. Each group has a similar format of personal sharing in a safe and confidential environment, 20 minutes of Silence and Centering Prayer, and a half hour book study. Each group has its own focus of study. It is an open group and welcomes drop-ins, but it is always a good idea to let us know so that we can expect you. If you have any questions or would like to attend, please email our office at: admin@pacificspirituc.com

Mondays

7pm to 8.30pm

Location: Zoom

All are welcome to join. The Monday evening facilitator is Janey Colemorgan. Please contact the office if you are new and would like to receive the zoom link.

 

Wednesdays

10am to 11.30am

Location: Varied

Wednesday morning Centering Prayer and Sacred Connection meets in the Memorial Center Library the first Wednesday of every month. Other Wednesdays the group meets on Zoom at 10 am. The group welcomes new participants. Doug Smart is the facilitator of the Wednesday morning group. Please contact the office if you are new and would like to receive the zoom link at: admin@pacificspirituc.com

Thursday

10am to 11.30am

Location: The Fireside Room in the Memorial Centre

Thursday morning facilitators are Judith Ann Donaldson, and the facilitation alternates with Jan Miko, meeting every Thursday morning from 10am to 11.30am. It is an open group and welcomes drop-ins, but it is always a good idea to let us know so that we can expect you. For more information or let us know of your attendance, please contact the office at: admin@pacificspirituc.com

Zoom Bible Group

Wednesday

1:30 -3:00 pm

every to discuss the scriptures that will form the basis for the upcoming Sunday service.   If you would like to join, please contact the church office (admin@pacificspirituc.com) to receive the zoom link to join.

Healing Pathways Ministry

What is Healing Ministry? Healing ministry celebrates the ancient art of “Hands-on-Healing” that is portrayed in both the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament. “Hands-on-Healing” is an energy-based approach to healing, working with the energy fields that surround each person. “Hands-on-Healing” can effect changes in the energy balance. These changes can be experienced on a physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual level. The goal of Healing Ministry is to restore harmony and balance to the body, mind and spirit and to allow the person to move towards further healing by awakening the body’s own healing powers. For more information, please click the link below:

Outreach Work and Partnerships

At Pacific Spirit United Church we strive to honour the ministry of justice and relationship with the wider world. Living in right relationship, as a people of reconciliation with First Nations; working with compassion sponsoring refugees; supporting mission in the Downtown East Side; working to protect the environment, attentive to God’s creation.​​

Springhouse

This shelter for women and children fleeing violent homes has been our partner for over 10 years (eg Back to School donations, Christmas gifts, ongoing donations). This is a very stressful time as residents must stay in their units, often with children. In communication with us, no clear needs have been identified at this time. They appreciate our caring and prayers. This is one of the shelters in Vancouver run by the Bloom Group.

​​

Truth and Reconciliation

Truth precedes reconciliation and we are still learning the truth about our nation’s relationship with, and treatment of Canada’s First Nations.  With other west-side churches, we have either held or participated in workshops, discussion groups, book studies, guest speakers, dialogues, and feasts. We also encourage people or arrange for groups to attend First Nations’ festivals, art shows, museum exhibits and music and dance performances.  And- following our First Nations neighbours’ admonition to do our homework before asking questions, we use every opportunity to join with them in their events.  You are welcome to take part in all of these activities!

​​

Café Justicia

More than Fair Trade coffee direct from the the Guatemala CCDA (http://cafejusticia.ca/campesino-committee-of-the-highlands-ccda) Cafe Justicia is served at coffee time following the Sunday service and is sold in bags by members of the Outreach committee. Further information is available by calling the church office or emailing development@pacificspirituc.com.  Coffee sales at Pacific Spirit United Church go directly to the farmers, an education fund for the children of the farmers, and other social justice initiatives in Guatemala as determined by the not-for-profit importing group BC CASA. 

First United Church

We continue to partner with this downtown mission who works with many other agencies to serve some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our city.  Through new “partnership circles” we are determining which area we would like to focus our work on:  a) SRO’s (single room occupancy), b)  Reconciliation, c)  Homelessness or d) Drugs, Drug Policy and Clean Drug Supply.  If you have a passion, an interest, or a calling to this work, talk to us. 

​​

How We Finance This Work

Our annual operating budget provides financial resources for overarching, ministry-wide initiatives such as Affirm, Reconciliation and Environmental Action. However, many of our projects rely on donations in response to specific campaigns at various times of the year – for example the Springhouse Christmas project, Focus on First, Refugee Sponsorship, and our Food Assistance program. Watch for these opportunities to support our many Outreach initiatives.

bottom of page