3255 Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver, BC V7R 2P1

Ph: 604-980-6071 churchoffice@highlandsunited.org www.highlandsunited.org Rev. Will Sparks, Lead Minister

Highlights February 25, 2018

Into the wilderness we go, with Jesus after his baptism,

and with the Scouts who have gathered at Highlands

for their yearly service.

We explore finding a quiet centre in the wilderness.

Highlands Upcoming Events and Programs

This list does not include rooms booked for outside rentals (Guides, AA, Alanon etc).

Highlands Event Calendar can be viewed on our web site at: www.highlandsunited.org

Sunday, February 25 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcoming Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:15 am Coffee & Hospitality, Welcome Space 11:45 am Re:Sound Rehearsal, Choir Room 12:00 pm Music Man Rehearsals, Sanctuary and Room 201 3:30 pm Music Man Orchestra Rehearsals, Choir Room Monday, February 26 10:00 am Highland Quilters, Choir Room 1:00 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry, Choir Room 7:00 pm Music Man Rehearsals, Sanctuary 7:30 pm Badminton, Gym Tuesday, February 27 9:00 am Flea Market Sorting, Lower Hall 9:30 am ESL/ELL Class, Room 201/202 7:00 pm Music Man Rehearsals, Sanctuary 7:00 pm HUGG Group Special Speaker Series, Lower Hall 7:00 pm Guitar for Fun, Storage Area 7:00 pm Book Circle, Library Wednesday, February 28 7:30 am Men’s Breakfast, Eighties Restaurant 12:00 pm Healing Hands, Choir Room/Chapel 7:00 pm Music Man Rehearsals, Sanctuary and Room 201 Thursday, March 1 9:30 am ESL/ELL Class, Room 201/202 12:30 pm ESL Speakers Group, Room 201 5:30 pm Thursday Dinner, Gym 6:00 pm Genesis Too Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary 6:30 pm Refugee Committee Meeting, Room 202 6:30 pm God’s Free Spirits Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room 8:00pm Spirit Singers Choir Rehearsal, Sanctuary Friday, March 2 10:00 am Friday Fiddles, Room 202 7:00 pm Peter Rollins: Pints and Parables, Sanctuary Saturday, March 3 9:00 am Peter Rollins Uncommon Transformation, Sanctuary, Gym and Lower Hall 1:00 pm Saturday Lunch at North Shore Neighbourhood House Sunday, March 4 9:30 am Coffee/Tea in the Welcoming Space 10:00 am Sunday Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:15 am Coffee & Hospitality, Welcome Space 11:30 am HUGG Meeting and Potluck, Room 202 11:45 am Re:Sound Rehearsal, Choir Room 12:00 pm Music Man Rehearsals, Sanctuary and Room 201 3:30 pm Music Man Orchestra Rehearsals, Choir Room 5:00 pm Youth Oscars Event, Welcome Space

Uncommon Transformation March 2-4

A Weekend with Peter Rollins

Co-sponsored by Highlands United

Church and Leadershift

of BC Conference

Want to get your Spiritual Fire fed and

fearlessly explore your faith? Join us for a

weekend of great events with Irish

philosopher, story-teller and radical

theologist Peter Rollins.

The weekend begins with Pints and Parables on Friday evening,

continues on Saturday with a full day workshop, and ends with worship

on Sunday morning. This event is open to all ministry staff, lay leaders,

youth, young adults, contragational saints, mustics, poets and the

curious. It combines theology, philospphy and music to take you on a

journey into your faith. Peter’s gift to make you question, re-examine

your assumptions, look at the bible in another way, and engage your

own faith.

Pints and Parables

Friday March 2, 7pm – 10pm

With music by West My Friend

Cross the threshold and be transformed by the dissembling power of

story, music and spirituality. Author, philosopher and verbal magician

Peter Rollins takes us on a journey of story, questioning and alchemical

musings based on the Parables that will transform and challenge you.

At turns funny, poignant, irreverent and shocking, parables cut into us

with surgical precision, reaching deep into the hidden recesses of our

soul, operating on those parts of our being that more direct speech

can’t touch.

West, My Friend’s music is often described as indie-roots to chamber-

folk. A better description might be “just plain beautiful.” West My Friend

has an acoustic blend of instruments and four-part harmonies that

challenges the conventions of popular music.

Expect great live music, good brews from Steamworks Brewery and

great conversation with friends!

Building on Fire: Finding the spiritual way of life

in uncertain times

Saturday March 3, 2018 9:30am-4:30 pm

After you chuck out dogma, certainty, and rigid understandings about

the Christian faith, what emerges next? And can we uncover a faith that

will change the very way we live our lives?

Join writer, philosopher and revolutionary storyteller Peter Rollins as we

strip away old concepts and

reveal a surprising vision of how

Christ-followers and the church

can live out a life-affirming Way

that just might change the world.

Prepare to explore how

Christianity can be an active

practice or “Way” of being in the

world, and what that would mean

for your relationships, work and

your agency in the world.

Working with the very fabric of

our lives, which are full of

uncertainty and change, we will

dive deep into our faith and in our

own brokenness and troubles to

uncover what this wild and

surprising Way might lead us to

do and be.

For more information and to register, send an email to:

churchoffice@highlandsunited.org or will.sparks@highlandsunited.org

Highlands Special Registration for the “Uncommon Transformation” Event w/ Peter Rollins

Now Open

Forms are available in the Welcome Space

Adults $50

Youth and Young Adults (up to 30) Friday Night $25

Bursaries available. Talk to Sandi Parker or Will Sparks

Highlands Online is looking for Livestream hosts

Are you always on your phone during church? Do you wish you could

worship in your pajamas? Well here is your chance to do both of those

things, judgment free!

Highlands is looking to recruit between 5-10 people who are interested

in “hosting” our online chat during service broadcasts on Sunday

morning. This job can be done from home or from the Highlands

Sanctuary, all it requires is a mobile device/laptop and internet access.

You would be responsible for welcoming our online viewers via the text

box, inviting prayer requests, introducing our online offering and

engaging in any sort of conversation our online congregation offers up.

We are looking for a commitment of one Sunday every 6-8 weeks

depending on the number of people interested.

Training will be provided.

Please contact Andria Irwin at Irwin.andria@gmail.com if you, or

someone you know, might be interested.

Scout Hot Dog Sale

After church service,

Sunday, February 25th

All proceeds go towards Highlands

Saturday Lunch Program...

Thanks for your support!

Hello Highlands Families!

Just wanted to let you all

know that immediately

following worship this

Sunday (FEB 25th) , there is

an amazing family

opportunity. We have a

special treat for all ages in

the form of a Puppet

Presentation and

Preview.

Come down to the gym for

the annual 15th

Capilano

Scouts Hot Dog Lunch,

with proceeds benefiting the

Saturday Lunch program,

and then stay for a FREE

preview of “Robin and the Timeless Forest,” and a close up look at

puppets, puppetry, and staging. Talk with the puppeteers and see how

marionette puppets bring characters and stories to life. This is going to

be awesome, I hope you can stick around after church!!

Give it Up for the Earth from the Highlands United Growing

Greener Team (HUGG), formerly the

Climate and Environment Action Group

So far, we have 50 pledge leaves on our

tree, and 6 cards to be sent to our

Environment Minister. It’s not too late to

add yours!

We are privileged that Tzeporah

Berman has agreed to speak at

Highlands this coming Tuesday evening.

She’s had a long career in the

environmental movement – from

leadership in blockades in Clayoquot

Sound in the Eighties, to promoting negotiations between

environmentalists and top executives of multinational corporations, to

membership in the Climate Leadership Team appointed in 2015 to

make recommendations to the BC Government.

This is the first presentation of our series on Fighting Climate Change!

See next page (blue poster) for more details.

“If we harness the opportunities inherent in

addressing climate change, we can reap

enormous economic benefits .”

-- Ban Ki-Moon, Former UN Secretary-General

***Deadline extended to Sunday February 25th

***

Six seats remaining !!

Join us for a mid-week matinee performance followed by an Aussie Pie Guy pie and beverage of choice in the theatre lobby. The fabulous Saxalamode Sax Quartet will play your favorite jazz tunes to the sensuous tangos of Astor Piazzolla, from Charlie Parker to Count Basie, Duke Ellington and big screen movie ballads.

Date & Time: Wed, March 28 noon, doors open at 11, seating: 11:30

Where: Centennial Theatre at 23rd and Lonsdale in North Vancouver. Access to the parking lot is from 23rd St. Level entrance access is from the North parking lot, through the doors facing Lonsdale Ave.

Transportation: Participants who are able, should drive directly to the theatre. If you are willing to pick up someone who needs a ride, please indicate this when you sign up. If you would like to attend and cannot arrange transportation, please check with Colleen.

Cost: $22 covers the concert, lunch and your choice of beer, wine or soft drink.

Payment and Tickets: is due by February 21st and should be labelled to the attention of Colleen Blair. Cheques can be made out to Highlands United Church. Space for lunch at the theatre is limited so sign up early to avoid disappointment! Please collect tickets before Sunday March 25th, either at the church office during office hours or on Sunday after church from Colleen. Tickets that are not collected in advance will be available at the box office on the day of the performance, labelled “Highlands United Seniors”.

More info? Speak to Colleen Blair 604-980-6071 ext 27

Centennial Theatre’s Play, Pie & Pint featuring Saxalamode - The Passionate Sax

Want Your Donation to Highlands to Go Farther?

The Highlands United Church Heritage Fund ended 2017 with a value

of just over $180,000, which represented an annual growth of 7.6%.

The earnings of the fund (and only the earnings) are available as a

durable and long-lasting source of money for long-term projects.

That means your donation can help Highlands for years and years.

Presently, last year’s earnings of $12,564, together with previously

earned amounts, are available to support projects that add significantly

to the longevity of Highlands, its vitality as a congregation,

and its impact on the community.

The Heritage Fund committee will report quarterly to the Highlands

congregation on donations and earnings as we receive updates

from the fund’s professional managers,

Connor, Clark & Lunn Private Capital Ltd.

We encourage you to consider making a lasting gift now, or to include a

clause in your Will leaving a bequest to the

HUC Heritage Fund.

Gift for Highlands

A

2017 Charitable Donation Tax receipts

are available for pick-up in the Welcome Space.

Questions? Speak to Jon Carrodus

or contact Carol in the Church Office.

Props needed for

The Music Man show:

A three-prong Pitchfork - American

Gothic style (Grant Wood) like the

one in this photo >>>

If you have this type of pitchfork or

know where we can borrow one,

please speak to Maureen Flynn

or Doug Irwin.

In addition to the above, the

crew still need 3 ‘old’

suitcases. See photo for

size and style we’re looking

for. Suitcase needs to big

enough to sit on. We will

reinforce if the case isn't

strong enough to sit on and

can return in same condition

as received.

New in the HUC Library

The HUC Library now has three of Peter Rollins' books for you

to borrow.

The Divine Magician: The Disappearance of

Religion and the Discovery of Faith -- Rollins

writes boldly of his vision of faith of the front

line of theological innovation. This book offers

hope for those

seeking a depth

and density in life.

The Idolatry of God: Breaking our

Addiction to Certainty and Satisfaction -

- This book tackles the need for laying

down our certainties and honestly admit

our doubts to truly identify with Jesus.

Readers will open up to a more loving and

active relationship with Christ.

Insurrection: To Believe is Human, To

Doubt, Divine -- What does it mean when

the Son of God cries out, 'My God, My

God, why have you forsaken me'? Rollins

faithfully wrestles with that question in

Insurrection.

New donations to the HUC Library

The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path

to Higher Creativity

by Julia Cameron -- A inspiring book on

the subject of creativity and an

invaluable guide to living the artist's

life.

The Book of

Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for

Healing Ourselves and Our World by

Desmond & Mpho Tutu -- Archbishop

Desmond Tutu, and his daughter, offer a

manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us

to realize that we are all capable of healing

and transformation.

New and Selected Poems: Volume

One by Mary Oliver -- Oliver's

perceptive and brilliantly crafted poems

are about the natural landscape and the

fundamental questions of life and death.

"Do you love this world?" she interrupts

a poem about peonies to ask the

reader. "Do you cherish your humble

and silky life?" She makes us see the

extraordinary in our everyday lives, how

something as common as light can be

an invitation to happiness.

Senior Youth Event: Oscars Night

Sunday, March 4th (starts at 5 :30pm)

It's that time of year again folks: time to dress up, make

fancy appetizers and cast your ballots for the Best of the

Best. You bring and appie to share, and we will roll out

the red carpet for our annual fun Sr. Youth Event!

Please RSVP to Allie so I know how much sparkling

punch to make!!

Summer Camp Registration opens

March 15th.

This year at Highlands

we are pleased to offer

FIVE summer camps:

1) Super Hero Central - Discover your Strength in God (July 9-13)

for kids in Kindergarten to Grade 6

2) Musical Theatre Boot Camp (July 16-20) for Grades 4-12

3) Eco Art Camp - Visual and applied arts with a focus on

environmentally sustainable and responsible materials (July 23-27)

for Grades 4-12

4) Musical Theatre Camp (July 30-Aug 3) for kids in Kindergarten

to Grade 4

5) Holy Elements! A journey through the bible with a focus on stories

about Earth, Wind, Fire and Water (Aug 7-10) 4 days, for kids in

Kindergarten to Grade 6

Watch for more information in the Highlights in the coming weeks.

A Message from First United Church in

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

CHANGES TO FIRST UNITED’S DONATION REQUESTS

Due to the permanent closure of the Thrift Store, First United will no

longer be accepting any household items and most clothing. The Rev.

Jim Hatherly has sent a message to all our supporting congregations

with more information. Thank you for your support!

Highlands Shelter to Home Program

is in need of the following items—many needed for March 1st:

kitchen tables and chairs

couches

easy chairs

love seats

dressers

bed-side tables

coffee tables

end tables

queen and double beds

kettles, toasters, coffee makes, comforters or duvets of any size,

pots, pans, sets of dishes and cutlery all needed.

Please call 778-331-8465 if you can offer any of these items.

COMMUNITY EVENTS