August 24, 2022 Announcements

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Session… meets on Monday, August 29 at 6:30pm. Please let Laura or your elder know if you have any concerns you would like the session to discuss or initiatives we should consider undertaking.

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Collaborative Ministry… The ministers of Knox, Trinity and St. Andrew’s have been meeting, talking, and dreaming for several months to consider what collaborative ministry might mean for us. We want to engage in conversations that lead to honest exploration with no foregone conclusions. We want to share ideas, dreams and possibilities – do more listening than speaking – center the discussion in prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

We know this is a conversation that must be joined by elders/leaders from each of our congregations who are committed to listening and prayerfully searching for what collaborative ministry could potentially mean.

We begin with a pulpit swap on Sunday, September 11 in which the ministers from our three congregations will each fill the pulpit in a congregation different than his/her own. Following worship that day, a picnic at the Esquimalt-Gorge Park will be an opportunity for our congregations to gather socially, to bring a picnic lunch for and maybe something to share. What a perfect opportunity to meet new friends and renew old friendships. On September 15 our collaborative conversation with elders and ministers from each congregation will occur as we gather to listen to one another, to pray and to begin to look ahead. We are at a formative stage in our transitional work as we begin to explore the possibilities of what it means to be a Presbyterian, and to be Christ-centered in a city that needs our work and our witness more than ever. Thank you for your interest and your prayers.

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Book Club… At our last meeting we made some adjustments to our reading list and meeting dates for the remainder of the year. The updated information has been posted in the hallway and on the website – click here. Our next gathering is in the Knox lounge on Saturday, September 10 at 1pm when we will discuss The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi.

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Inclusive Christians – Around the Table… is an ecumenical communion service hosted by Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Spiritual Care Providers at the UVic Multifaith Centre on Wednesdays from 5 – 7pm. The simple service focuses on reading and reflecting on the gospel, prayer, song, silence and sharing bread and wine. While this service is focused on students, all are welcome. After the service everyone is invited to enjoy a meal.  If you would like to help prepare a meal, please be in touch with Laura as soon as possible. Her dates are Sept. 21, Oct. 12, and Nov. 30.  The meal is simple – vegetarian/vegan soup, bread & butter, and salad, fruit or veggies. Thank you for considering supporting students and Inclusive Christians on campus in this way.

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Readers needed! Please let me know if you are willing and able to read scripture during worship in October and/or November. Many thanks.

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Journey for Hope!… On October 1, PWS&D is encouraging supporters to walk, run, ride or do another activity they love to raise money for the vital work we do around the world.

Currently, the world is experiencing a food crisis triggered by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts such as the one in Ukraine—and it’s only getting worse. This year, funds raised will support PWS&D food security projects around the world. For six years, PWS&D supporters have laced up their shoes to get moving and support the work of PWS&D. Previously, this was organized as Ride for Refuge.

Our local team is Together in Motion.  To join the ride – contact Laura Kavanagh ([email protected]), to join the walk – contact Ruth McCowan ([email protected]), to contribute go to this link (or speak to Ruth or Laura) WeRespond.ca/support-together-in-motion

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September Celebrations…

01     Betty Hall
02     Fiona Gow
03     Nan + Gordon Zorn
06     Ted Veenstra
15     Anne + Philip Krauss
17     Carolyn Johnson
18     Betty + Gary Hall

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Mission Moment – August 28, 2022

The Respite Ministry of St. Columba—a parish of the Presbyterian Church of Mauritius—supports families who care for people with intellectual and physical challenges by giving guardians and family members an opportunity to have a break while trained volunteers help take care of their children or dependents. Presbyterians Sharing supported renovations to make the parish more accessible, including modifying washrooms and installing ramps where there were only stairs. The Rev. Rodney Curpanen of St. Columba shared, “We are very grateful for the support extended to us by The Presbyterian Church in Canada that enriches and heightens our hospitality ministries to strangers, poor, needy and marginalized. Thank you for your partnership.”

Daily Prayers

Sunday, August 28 We give thanks for the Rev. Rodney Curpanen and the Respite Ministry of St. Columba in Mauritius, providing hospitality to the families caring for people living with disabilities.

Monday, August 29 We pray for the Rev. Stephen Kendall and his family as he begins retirement after 35 years of ordained ministry—24 of which he served as a dedicated Principal Clerk of the General Assembly.

Tuesday, August 30 We pray for a spirit of Christian stewardship so that we may give generously of our time, talent and treasure to share God’s love in our church and throughout the world.

Wednesday, August 31 (International Day for People of African Descent) Recognizing the harmful legacy of colonization faced by people of African descent, we seek the Spirit’s wisdom as we work to eliminate anti-Black racism.

Thursday, September 1 We pray for the people who gather and serve at Mistawasis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Northern Saskatchewan, and we give thanks for their mission and ministry.

Friday, September 2 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Eastern Han-Ca.

Saturday, September 3 We pray for participants of the World Council of Churches’ 11th Assembly in Germany as they engage in this unique global expression of unity.

September Social Action Spotlight

– Children’s Rights and Repealing Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada

In 2021, the General Assembly endorsed the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth. Developed by a national coalition of organizations facilitated by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), the Joint Statement provides an extensive and well-researched overview of the developmental outcomes and the destructive results of physical punishment on the mental, physical and spiritual health of children and youth. It calls for repealing Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which currently allows for using “force by way of correction…if the force does not exceed what is reasonable under the circumstances” when disciplining a child.

One of the important reasons to pursue repealing Section 43 is that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada included doing so in its Calls to Action (Call to Action No. 6). Endorsing the Joint Statement helps the church live out the commitments we made in our 1994 Confession to walk the path of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It is also in line with the commitments we have made in our subordinate standards, such as Living Faith, which asserts that justice involves seeking the best way to create well-being in every society and protecting humans, which, of course, includes children and youth (8.4.4–5).

Repealing Section 43 would help protect children and youth and create such well-being. Further research and consultation have confirmed the findings of the Joint Statement. At the same time, no peer-reviewed research or scientifically credible evidence has contradicted the Joint Statement’s findings.

What can you do?

• Visit the CHEO website at on.ca to learn more about the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, which the church has endorsed.
• Engage in study and theological reflection of the Joint Statement and the church’s endorsement of it. Educational materials are available online on the Social Action Hub of the PCC website: ca/well-being.
• Advocate repealing Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada by writing to your federally elected official.