Category: New Vision Notes

1. New Vision is now beginning to look at our goals for our recovery as Phase 2 in the Province’s recovery from the social and economic shut down takes hold in Hamilton. One thing that we notice is that the recovery time could be an extended time of learning what can be done or not done to contend with the novel coronavirus. Only as the world comes to some new stability around it can we begin to think about a period of return and know what full activity might look like in a return.
2. Our intention is to enter into long term development as beloved community as early as is practical in the return period. This intention will inform our decisions and actions through the recovery period we are now entering.
3. Church Council has struck a team to lead us in this. Team New Vision is Helen, Dixon, George and Ian. Feel free to reach out to them or to Council Chair Bob Marentette with any concerns or comments or questions.
4. They will be informing you of the steps we are being invited to take by means of the New Vision Notes, the New Vision website and our Virtual Worship Gatherings.
5. This past Sunday the Threshold Partners met in a Zoom meeting after the worship gathering. They voted to make my ministry with New Vision a call. This is church language for permanent rather than contract-to-contract ministry. The Regional Council has approved this change of terms in our relationship. As soon as is practical we will have a celebratory worship gathering to recognize this development.
6. Tomorrow evening from 6 to 7:30 pm, you can watch “Hamilton Mutual Aid” streamed live. COVID-19 has illuminated many ways that racism, colonization, capitalism, ableism, as forms of violence intersect to harm people and communities, yet it has also opened a window to imagine and create communities where we collectively care for each other. To join, get your FREE ticket online: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hamilton-mutual-aid-webinar-tickets-107735166784?ref=estw.
7. New Vision’s sixth anniversary worship gathering takes place this Sunday June 21. Our guest speakers will be coordinators and physician consultant of our Resting and Hygiene Centre for People Sleeping Rough. The New Vision Choir and Music Leader Martine have collaborated with others in the New Vision faith community on a special musical presentation. We will be recognizing the Indigenous Day of Prayer.
8. Home baking individually wrapped is being highly appreciated by the guests at the Resting and Hygiene Centre! Keep it coming!
9. The first concert in The Music Hall at New Vision’s Virtual Concert Series takes place tomorrow evening as well, and will be streamed live on the Music Hall Facebook Page. Please follow this link to learn more about DJ Shub of A Tribe Called Red, grandfather of the Pow Wow Step. You can also watch a DJ Shub music video, Black Snakes, here.
10. New Vision Virtual Worship is experiential, participatory, image-rich and collective, just like worship in person at New Vision! Join us on Sunday mornings 10:30 am week to week during the Covid-19 emergency by clicking here. If you want to put the link someplace easy to find each week, here it is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/782292511. Please share it with others and invite them to a “different” kind of time on Zoom from the usual.
11. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone toll free. Call 1 855 703 8985, then, when prompted, input the Meeting ID 782 292 511 followed by the # sign. Ignore the prompts for Participant ID and Password. You are in when the recorded voice says, “You are in the meeting.”

Hope to see you Sunday ~

Rev Ian

1. New Vision Virtual Worship is experiential, participatory, image-rich and collective, just like worship in person at New Vision! Join us on Sunday mornings 10:30 am week to week during the Covid-19 emergency by clicking here. If you want to put the link someplace easy to find each week, here it is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/782292511. Please share it with others and invite them to a “different” kind of time on Zoom from the usual.
2. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone toll free. Call 1 855 703 8985, then, when prompted, input the Meeting ID 782 292 511 followed by the # sign. Ignore the prompts for Participant ID and Password. You are in when the recorded voice says, “You are in the meeting.”
3. This Sunday is our annual Pride worship gathering. The Affirming Committee has put together a rich service for us that includes videos, special music, an inspired play and a from-the-margins service of the table. Not to be missed!
4. Come join worship this Sunday with a beverage and bread (or substitute) nearby to participate in communion. And as well this Sunday, please dig out a candle you can light in your space as a sign of our pride in our diversity of tones and hues when I light the New Vision diversity candle. Following this Sunday I hope to begin it passing around the community so that each week another person has it and lights it doing our virtual worship gathering from their space.
5. The Pastoral Care Committee has prepared a COVID-19 spiritual care resource. Many thanks to Erin for giving shape to this. You can download it by clicking on this link.
6. Martine our Music Leader is asking everyone to please consider taking a picture or quick video of themselves (15 seconds or less) sharing a message of hope, resilience and/or faith to make part of the New Vision Choir’s anthem for our 6th anniversary on Sunday, June 21.

This could look like:

* you holding up a sign you’ve made with a meaningful word, quote, or picture (just make sure your text is dark enough and big enough to be seen) – think of James’ rainbow picture as an example, or it could be a colloquial “we’ve got this”, or a (short, quickly readable) quote from the Bible (or perhaps the reference if it is longer!), or a song lyric, or your own personal mantra, or… (your choice!)
* you waving at the camera (wave, peace sign, “I love you”, smiling)
* creativity very much encouraged
*anything you like!

If you are sheltering in place with others, you could choose to do a family/group submission or solo submissions. (Pets 100% welcome). The choir will only present the composite anthem in our worship gathering that Sunday unless they receive permission from those who submit to post it more widely on the internet. Deadline is Wednesday June 10.

1. The Music Hall at New Vision is launching its Virtual Concert Series during Hamilton Arts Week. The first concert will take place on June 18, and will be streamed live on the Music Hall Facebook Page. Please follow this link to learn more about DJ Shub of A Tribe Called Red, grandfather of the Pow Wow Step. You can also watch a DJ Shub music video, Black Snakes, here.
2. Wesley Urban Ministries is fundraising for Case for Kids through June in place of the annual walk that typically takes place this coming Sunday with a challenge to us to find activities by which we can raise awareness and funds. You can find out more here.
3. Home baking individually wrapped is being highly appreciated by the guests at the Resting and Hygiene Centre! Keep it coming!
4. Volunteers needed. In an ongoing effort to support the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Hamilton, New Vision Church has opened its doors as a rest/hygiene centre for folks. This has been a much-needed resource to support people in accessing private washrooms, have a snack indoors, and decompress.Here are some details:

* The centre is open daily from 5pm-9pm, and will serve as a place where up to 10 folks at one time can use the washroom, practice hygiene, have some snacks, coffee, etc. (max 1 hour stay if at capacity)
* This will also serve as a mini screening centre (with protocols in place if someone screens positive)
* 4-5 volunteers are needed at a time to screen guests at the door, provide refreshments & keep things sanitized after every use
* Training will be provided, and PPE will be worn (masks, gloves, etc.)
* To express interest please follow this link and fill out the form.

Hope to see you Sunday ~

Rev Ian

1. This year Case for Kids, Wesley’s fundraiser for its children and youth programs, is going to be run slightly differently, as COVID-19 continues to challenge our community. Instead of their usual Walk, Run, Ride at Bayfront Park on the first Sunday of June, we’re invited to get creative and inspired to carry on the spirit of Case for Kids and raise money as a team or individual during the month of June! You can register as an individual or part of a team and choose a fitness challenge, virtual baking, crafting, book club, relaxation or any other ideas on Sunday June 7 or during the month of June. For more info, follow this link.
2. New Vision Virtual Worship is experiential, participatory, image-rich and collective, just like worship in person at New Vision! Join us on Sunday mornings 10:30 am week to week during the Covid-19 by following this link. If you want to put the link someplace easy to find each week, here it is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/782292511. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/782292511
3. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone toll free. Call 1 855 703 8985, then, when prompted, input the Meeting ID 782 292 511 followed by the # sign. Ignore the prompts for Participant ID and Password. You are in when the recorded voice says, “You are in the meeting.”
4. Last Sunday we were treated to New Vision Players and New Vision Choir contributions. The New Vision Player’s skit will live forever in the memory of those who participated in our virtual worship gathering last Sunday. You can enjoy the New Vision Choir’s anthem again or for the first time at this You Tube link. Thank you all!
5. #iso (in search of) a lawn mower to borrow to mow the lawns at the New Vision Holton Ave property. If you can lend us one on some sunny day soon, please contact Dan Peace dgpeace1@gmail.com.
6. #iso of volunteers to do a clean-up of the Holton grounds. We’ll be observing proper social distancing. Contact officeadmin@newvisionunited.org.
7. There will be a Threshold Partners meeting following the worship gathering on June 14. If you are a Threshold Partner, you will be receiving a separate email in the next few days from Bob Marentette, Council Chair, calling the meeting and providing access info.
8. Not sure if you are a Threshold Partner or not? Email revian@newvisionunited.org.
9. Zoom will force Zoom users to download and install a security upgrade beginning after midnight this Saturday, May 30. The upgrade is required to significantly increase the security of the Zoom network and its meetings. It is not optional. You can download and install the upgrade now (and save the headache that you risk Sunday morning as you wait for it to download and install at the time of our worship gathering) by following this link  and scroll down till you come to the download link.
10. Upcoming worship gatherings: this Sunday, Pentecost!; June 7, Celebrating Pride; June 21, New Vision’s 6^th Anniversary.

Hope to see you Sunday at our virtual worship gathering ~

Rev Ian

This day in Holy Week is named after the commandment Jesus gave his followers to love one another. (Latin, “mandere,” became “Maundy” in English). Typically New Vision recognizes this day with a meal in commemoration of the last supper Jesus had with his disciples.  We share in a communion meal, we engage in washing each other’s feet, we then participate in a “service of the shadows” in which readers recount the passion and crucifixion of Christ, where, after each reading, we extinguish a candle until there is one left, and that last one taken out of the room (now in darkness), to be returned after a time of silence, as a sign of the resurrection.

In that spirit I am sharing with you this week a Resurrection Craft for Easter.  It is a craft that will enable you to reflect on the death of Jesus as well as on Jesus’ resurrection.

Just like last week’s palm-waving craft, if you are interested in this craft, please improvise and accept what you can do with supplies you have on hand and what you can’t do. It can be fun just doing something like this craft based on what you do have within reach.

It is a strange season in our lives in community. I encourage you to allow the Easter weekend that begins tomorrow to be a time of refreshment and quiet. If you are able to join me for a brief Good Friday virtual worship gathering tomorrow morning at 10:30 am you can do so by clicking on this link. New Vision as a gathered community will also be available to you on Sunday morning at our regular time of Sunday virtual worship here.

For phone-in connection, you can call 1 647 374 4685. This is a Toronto area number. If you don’t have a phone plan that covers Toronto as a local call, you might incur long-distance charges. Please determine this before calling. When phoning in to this number you will be asked for the meeting ID. For Sunday (every Sunday) it is 782-292-511. For Good Friday, it is 215-888-027.

New Vision has joined Caremongering Hamilton by putting New Vision’s lower hall and kitchen to use as the movement’s operations centre. Caremongering Hamilton will begin operations at 24 Main W on Easter Sunday. For more information about Caremongering and how its world-wide beginnings occured in Toronto, and quickly spread to Hamilton, read this BBC article. CHCH covered the local initiative in a March 26 news story. Here is the on-line stream for the CHCH story.

Holy Week blessings ~

Ian

New Vision celebrates its fifth anniversary this Sunday. Our theme will be our responsibilities as treaty people with the first nations of this land.

We have had some excellent experiences over the last few weeks. Thanks to the Affirming Committee for a tremendous Pride Service on the first Sunday of June. Our guest speaker was Sean Cullen of Rainbow Mentors.

Shawn organized and produced Rainbow Stories for Rainbow Families in the Music Hall on the following Saturday afternoon, June 8. This was a well-attended event. The story tellers were great, the stories…they were rainbow.

Last Sunday afternoon saw another well-attended event – New Vision’s first experience of the Kairos Blanket Exercise. The exercise brings home the mostly bad history between first nations and settlers, and the tentative initiatives in the last few years to repair and reconcile and heal. The exercise was a lead-in to our anniversary service this Sunday.

This Saturday, June 15, is Pride in the Park. It will be held for a second year at Gage Park. Come enjoy the afternoon with many booths, and events, and food offerings. New Vision will be there again with a drop-in-and-sit-around booth from 12 pm to 5 pm.

If you can person the booth during any of that time, please come find the booth and you will be most gladly welcomed to do that. If you can’t do that, just come and enjoy the festival, and drop by and say hi.

See you Sunday, if not before ~

Rev. Ian

Lent has stolen upon us, like shadows tumbling down a mountain valley as the sun falls below the mountain tops.

This Sunday we’ll hear poems by peace activist and American Trappist monk Thomas Merton as part of our Jazz Vesper series in the Music Hall. I’ll be reciting the poems, joined by the Clark Johnston Trio, featuring James Brown on jazz guitar. 4:30 pm and pay what you may.

The Parish Collective in collaboration with the United Church’s EDGE presents “What is Love: locating love in the places we inhabit” in the Music Hall on Wed, Mar 20 at 7 pm. Tickets $20 The evening will consist of music, poetry and stories. New Vision’s Dixon Challoner and Helen Bradley will be among the evening’s storytellers, recounting some moments in the origins of New Vision. I hope you can make it.

See you Sunday, for Lent 2, at 10:30 am ~

Rev Ian

New Vision met for part 2 of its annual meeting last Sunday and unanimously resolved to begin a social enterprise ministry through the establishment of a business trust.  Church Council Chair Bob Marentette, re-elected on Sunday, had Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet” play in the first part of our meeting (held Feb 10). In his report to the annual meeting he wrote, “No more baby steps.”

We’ll all learn more about this as we go along, and pitch in and contribute and participate. Thanks to all who accepted nominations to positions and committees for the upcoming year. We are blessed.

This Sunday is the last Sunday after Epiphany. It is known as Transfiguration Sunday. This coming Wednesday, March 6, Lent 2019 begins. New Vision will have an Ash Wednesday service on Mar 6 at 7 pm in the upper narthex. Erin Poole will be leading that service. All are welcome.

The following Sunday is the First Sunday of Lent. Rev. Miriam Spies will be leading worship and breaking open the word.

I am away on a brief vacation next week for a week. I will be in worship with you this Sunday.

See you Sunday ~

Rev Ian