Category: New Vision Notes

Thur May 4 2023

1. Christ is risen!
2. Christ is risen indeed!
3. This Sunday May 7 we celebrate the first anniversary of the Al Zahra family’s arrival in Canada together with the Al Zahra family! This will be a joint interfaith service with our partners in the project, Rockville United Church of Rockville Maryland. We’ll both be in-person connected to each other by zoom and with everyone who joins our zoom gathering. A time of hospitality will follow the worship gathering. We’ll be gathering in Rockville United’s Zoom room. You get there by following this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81437132585
4. SAVE THE DATE: On Saturday June 3rd at 7:30pm, A La Mode Choir (this is Martine’s choir that did the gospel concert back in the fall) will be presenting a concert upstairs in the Music Hall. Prepare to set sail at our choral concert filled with treasures! Sea Shanties, folk songs, moving ballads, and of course some laughs will delight the senses and inspire the adventurer in you! Tickets will be available after services throughout May. Thanks for your support!
5. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign wrapped up this past Sunday April 30. Now it is your turn…if you have yet to return your response card, please do so in the next few days.
6. The campaign team has tried to reach everyone who regularly contributes their time, talent and money to New Vision. Remember, a completed response card with no change in level of your financial commitment is itself a positive response – a thank you to God for this place of belonging.
7. You can mail your response card to New Vision United Church, 24 Main St. W., Hamilton ON L8P iH2 to the attention of Erick Feltham, Treasurer.
8. May is Asian Heritage Month. We’ll mark it every Sunday of May, with leadership from within our Asian circle of members and participants. We’ll have our Sunday May 28 worship gathering focussed on the themes of the Month. This year’s pan-Canadian theme, “Continuing a Legacy of Greatness,” emphasizes the rich, diverse, and historic pathways that have laid the foundation for Asian communities in Canada to thrive.
9. Another exciting New Vision event occurred at the end of last week: the congregational in-person consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry. The Saturday morning concluded with a provided lunch and donation basket for the meal. You will be invited to into the consultation as the results of this initial meeting begin to be made use of.
10. Here were our goals this past Saturday: a) To remember the story of New Vision United Church and, in that remembering, to both grieve what has not come to fruit and to celebrate what has, and b) To imagine what our story could become and, in that imagining, to generate real, actionable options, for the life of New Vision United Church in the coming year. (This gathering will collect these possibilities for the further work and decisions of the New Vision United Church Council, who will invite the entire community of faith into shared action.)
11. We will celebrate Pride month with the rest of the United Church on the first Sunday of June. We are pleased to have Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch join us and speak to us that day. Councillor Kroetsch accepted our invitation to speak on some Sunday during our anniversary month of June. Sunday June 4 was most convenient for him.
12. June is Wesley Urban Ministries’ Case for Kids month. The annual walk takes place on Sunday June 4 in the early afternoon. For more info on giving the Case your support, go to wesley.ca/caseforkids
13. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
14. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
15. 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.
16. Christ has risen indeed! Alleluia!

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Thur Apr 27 2023

1. Christ is risen!
2. Christ is risen indeed!
3. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign wraps up this Sunday April 30. The team has tried to reach everyone who regularly contributes their time, talent and money to New Vision. This Sunday please remember to bring your completed response card to place on the offering plate. And remember, a completed response card is itself a positive response – a thank you to those who have given us leadership in this first campaign we have ever done as New Vision United Church. Every response to God’s love at New Vision is something for which I am thankful.
4. If you are not able to attend our worship gathering in person this Sunday, or you are attending on line, you can mail your response card to New Vision United Church, 24 Main St. W., Hamilton ON L8P 1H2 to the attention of Erick Feltham, Treasurer.
5. As well, if you are reading this edition of New Vision Notes, and you are not among New Vision’s identified givers (whom the team hopes to have connected with directly either Sunday morning or by mail), please accept the team’s invitation to make a special one-time donation to the campaign using our Canada Helps account.
6. Another exciting date arriving at the end of this week: the congregational in-person consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry Saturday April 29 in the morning concluding with a provided lunch and donation basket for the meal. We will meet in the Southwest Lounge with doors opening at 9 am and the event commencing at 9:30 am through lunch at 12:30 pm.
7. Here are our goals this Saturday: a) To remember the story of New Vision United Church and, in that remembering, to both grieve what has not come to fruit and to celebrate what has, and b) To imagine what our story could become and, in that imagining, to generate real, actionable options, for the life of New Vision United Church in the coming year. (This gathering will collect these possibilities for the further work and decisions of the New Vision United Church Council, who will invite the entire community of faith into shared action.) Our facilitator will be The Very Reverend Richard Bott.
8. Several exciting activities in the weeks ahead…
9. On Sunday May 7 we celebrate the first anniversary of the Al Zahra family’s arrival in Canada! This will be a joint interfaith service with our partners in the project, Rockville United Church of Rockville Maryland. We’ll both be in-person connected to each other by zoom and with everyone who joins our zoom gathering. A time of hospitality will follow the worship gathering.
10. May is Asian Heritage Month. We’ll mark it every Sunday, and with leadership from within our Asian circle of members and participants, we’ll have at least one Sunday gathering focussed on the themes of the Month. This year’s pan-Canadian theme, “Continuing a Legacy of Greatness,” emphasizes the rich, diverse, and historic pathways that have laid the foundation for Asian communities in Canada to thrive.
11. We will celebrate Pride month with the rest of the United Church on the first Sunday of June. We are pleased to have Ward 2 Councillor Cameron Kroetsch join us and speak to us that day. Councillor Kroetsch accepted our invitation to speak on some Sunday during our anniversary month of June. Sunday June 4 was most convenient for him.
12. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
13. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
14. 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.
15. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.
16. Christ has risen indeed!

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

hurs Apr 13 2023

1. Christ is risen!
2. Christ is risen indeed!
3. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign begins this Sunday through to Sunday April 30. Wonderful Easter season activity!
4. After worship on Sunday April 23 we will have a provided Called to be the Church lunch – a thanks around the table for everything and everyone at New Vision and some insight into the impact we make as a faith community. Plan to attend and please RSVP for the lunch here.
5. Another not-to-be-missed date: Put on your calendar the congregational in-person consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry for Saturday April 29 in the morning concluding with a provided lunch and donation basket for the meal. We will meet in the Lower Hall.
6. Our consultant lead for the consultation is The Very Reverend Richard Bott, minister, consultant and past moderator of The United Church of Canada.
7. It would be helpful for planning purposes if you could respond to Helen Bradley with your plan to attend the consultation or not. Click here to email Helen. The planning team will have more to share in the upcoming weeks.
8. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
9. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
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. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.
12. Alleluia!

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Thurs Apr 6 2023

1. New Vision will hold a Maundy Thursday service and Tenebrae this evening, Thursday April 6 at 6 pm in the Southwest Lounge (in the former youth centre). This will be an agape meal and footwashing service followed by the Service of the Shadows, a recollection of all the events of the passion of Jesus from the Mount of Olives to his burial.
2. We will not be holding a Good Friday service this year.
3. Our Church Council team has now firmed up a congregational consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry for Saturday April 29 in the morning concluding with a provided lunch and donation basket for the meal. Our consultant lead for the event is The Very Reverend Richard Bott, minister, consultant and past moderator of The United Church of Canada.  It would be helpful for planning purposes if you could respond to Helen Bradley with your plan to attend the consultation or not.
4. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign will take place over a fortnight in the latter part of April (April 16-30). Plan to attend and stay after worship on Sunday April 23 for the Called to be the Church lunch – a thanks around the table for everything and everyone at New Vision. Please RSVP for the April 23 lunch here.
5. Our generosity is our grateful response to God’s vast generosity in our own lives. God’s generosity inspires us to participate in God’s mission in the world. As disciples of Jesus, this is how we make a positive difference as individuals and families—in our own community through the mission of our congregation, and across our country and around the globe through the Mission & Service of The United Church of Canada.
6. One of our Called to be the Church campaign objectives is to have five New Vision participants share a “why I give” story – either in writing or as a presentation at one of these three services. If you are any of able, willing or ready to share a “why I give” story, the team would be very happy to hear from you. You can do so by connecting with George MacCuish.
7. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
8. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
9. 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.
10. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you this evening, or see you Easter morning!

Rev Ian

Fri Mar 31 2023

1. This Sunday is Palm Sunday – fronds, slips and sharing in the last supper as Triumphal entry into Jerusalem turns into Holy Week.
2. New Vision will hold a Maundy Thursday service and Tenebrae on Thursday April 6 at 6 pm in the Southwest Lounge. This will be an agape meal and footwashing service followed by the Service of the Shadows, a recollection of all the events of the passion of Jesus from the Mount of Olives to his burial.
3. We will not be holding a Good Friday service this year.
4. See you Easter Sunday!
5. Delta United Church (another Affirming ministry in Hamilton) is holding its first rummage sale since 2019 this Saturday  April Fool’s Day.
6. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign will take place over a fortnight in the latter part of April (April 16-30). Plan to attend and stay after worship on Sunday April 23 for the campaign lunch – a thanks around the table for everything and everyone at New Vision.
7. Our generosity is our grateful response to God’s vast generosity in our own lives. God’s generosity inspires us to participate in God’s mission in the world. As disciples of Jesus, this is how we make a positive difference as individuals and families—in our own community through the mission of our congregation, and across our country and around the globe through the Mission & Service of The United Church of Canada.
8. One of our Called to be the Church campaign objectives is to have five New Vision participants share a “why I give” story – either in writing or as a presentation at one of these three services. If you are any of “able, willing or ready” to share a “why I give” story, the team would be delighted to hear from you. You can do so by connecting with George MacCuish.
9. Our Church Council team has now firmed up our congregational consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry for Saturday April 29 in the morning concluding with a provided lunch and donation basket for the meal. It would be helpful for planning purposes if you could respond to Helen Bradley with your response to this invitation to attend the consultation. The planning team will have more to share in the coming weeks.
10. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
11. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
12. 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.
13. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Fri Mar 24 2023

1. Thanks to everyone who made PIE Day such a success. Lots of great suggestions for living our Affirming ministry and life.
2. New Vision will hold a Maundy Thursday service and Tenebrae on Thursday April 6 at 6 pm in the Southwest Lounge. This will be an agape meal and footwashing service followed by the Service of the Shadows, a recollection of all the events of the passion of Jesus from the Mount of Olives to his burial.
3. We will not be holding a Good Friday service this year.
4. Delta United Church (another Affirming ministry in Hamilton) is holding its first rummage sale since 2019 on April Fool’s Day.
5. A Church Council team continues to work on arranging a congregational consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry. If Threshold Partners could hold Saturday April 29 and Saturday May 13 open those organizing the event would much appreciate it. They are aiming for an event on one of those two Saturdays. They have now ruled out April 22^nd.
6. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign will take place over a fortnight in the latter part of April (April 16-30). Plan to attend and stay after worship on Sunday April 23 for the campaign lunch – a thanks around the table for everything and everyone at New Vision.
7. We continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
8. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
9. 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.
10. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Fri Mar 17 2023

1. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
2. Get your pie baking recipes and apron ready for this Sunday! We will celebrate United Church National PIE Day celebrating our Affirming Congregation (public, intentional, explicit). Bring a pie or tarts of any shape or description to share after church. Sweet or savory, warm or cold, all celebrations are better with food! We look forward to a special PIE Day Worship Gathering (Public, Intentional, Explicit).
3. New Vision will hold its Maundy Thursday service and Tenebrae on March 30 at 6 pm in the Southwest Lounge.
4. Delta United Church (another Affirming ministry in Hamilton) is holding its first rummage sale since 2019 on April Fool’s Day.
5. Our Called to be the Church stewardship campaign will take place over a fortnight in the latter part of April (April 16-30). You will hear more soon.
6. A Church Council team continues to work on arranging a congregational consultation on adjustments to make to our mission and ministry. If Threshold Partners could hold Saturday April 22 and April 29 open those organizing the event would much appreciate it. They are aiming for an event on one of those two Saturdays.
7. With contagious COVID sub-variants still spreading in Hamilton, we encourage you to get the fourth vaccination now available to all adults. We will continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
8. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
9. 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.
10. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Thur Mar 9 2023

1. Get your pie baking recipes and apron ready! But not for this Sunday. We will celebrate United Church National PIE Day celebrating our Affirming Congregation (public, intentional, explicit) on Sunday, March 19. Bring a pie or tarts of any shape or description to share after church. Sweet or savory, warm or cold, all celebrations are better with food! We look forward to a special PIE Day Worship Gathering (Public, Intentional, Explicit).
2. A reminder that this Sunday our clocks “spring forward” an hour, which means you’ll need to arrive in-person or by zoom for our Lent 3 worship gathering an hour earlier than you did this past Sunday.
3. New Vision will hold a Maundy Thursday service and Tenebrae on March 30 at 6 pm in the Southwest Lounge. More details to follow
4. Delta United Church (another Affirming ministry in Hamilton) is holding its first rummage sale since 2019 on April Fool’s Day.
5. With contagious COVID sub-variants still spreading in Hamilton, we encourage you to get the fourth vaccination now available to all adults. We will continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
6. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
7. 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.
8. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Fri Mar 3 2023

1. A solid 2023 annual meeting was held this past Sunday. Thanks to all for their participation and contributions.
2. Next step will be an internal consultation gathering among Threshold Partners and friends of New Vision in the next month or so. The Church Council is looking at possibilities here but would like everyone to be thinking about a Saturday morning. The Council will share more when they find the resource person to give leadership.
3. Get your pie baking recipes and apron ready! We will celebrate United Church National PIE Day celebrating our Affirming Congregation (public, intentional, explicit) on Sunday, March 19. Bring a pie or tarts of any shape or description to share after church. Sweet or savory, warm or cold, all celebrations are better with food!
4. Anti-Racism & the United Church Workshop Tuesday, March 7, 10:00 – 11:30 am. THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER! This workshop is open to anyone who is ready to engage in honest conversation about racism in The United Church of Canada. This workshop is brought to you by Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils, and the three regions have covered all costs. Part 2: Antiracism for the UC: Tuesday, March 7, 10:00-11:30 am with Alcris Limongi. Alcris Limongi is part of the Center for Christian Studies in Winnipeg team as Program Staff/Educator. In the past she has been the Racial Justice, Gender Justice and Sexual Minorities Program Coordinator at the General Council Office, and she has served in congregational ministry. Her life experience between marginality and privilege in different ways, combined with theological education, and a commitment to justice, helped her develop what she calls, “the gift of her brown eyes” to the church. If you have any questions about this workshop or your readiness to participate in it, contact Thérèse Samuel at tsamuel@united-church.ca.
5. With contagious COVID sub-variants still spreading in Hamilton, we encourage you to get the fourth vaccination now available to all adults. We will continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
6. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
7. 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.
8. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian

Thur Feb 16 2023

1. On Monday, February 6, a series of powerful earthquakes struck southern Türkiye (Turkey) near the border with Syria. The quakes caused extensive damage and loss of lives. At time of writing, the death toll has surpassed 40,000 people, and thousands more are missing. The winter weather makes the situation even more dire for people who are without shelter, warm clothes, blankets, water, and food. Some of the people affected by the earthquake were already displaced by conflict. Today, people need emergency shelter, blankets, mattresses, clean water, food, and hygiene items. We join Mission & Service partners the Middle East Council of Churches, ACT Alliance, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, and the Humanitarian Coalition to show tangible support for the people of Türkiye and Syria. You can be a part of these efforts by donating now. To do so on-line, go to the UCC secure donation page
2. Stories of Diaspora: Unlocking and Empowering Our Youth: 3 Generations of Black History Come Together featuring a Civil Rights Activist, a Peace Activist, and a Ugandan Dance Troupe – February 27 2023 at the MacIntyre Performing Arts Centre. For more info follow this link. 
3. Anti-Racism & the United Church Workshop Tuesday, March 7, 10:00 – 11:30 am. THERE’S STILL TIME TO REGISTER! This workshop is open to anyone who is ready to engage in honest conversation about racism in The United Church of Canada. This workshop is brought to you by Antler River Watershed, Horseshoe Falls and Western Ontario Waterways Regional Councils, and the three regions have covered all costs. Part 2: Antiracism for the UC: Tuesday, March 7, 10:00-11:30 am with Alcris Limongi. Alcris Limongi is part of the Center for Christian Studies in Winnipeg team as Program Staff/Educator. In the past she has been the Racial Justice, Gender Justice and Sexual Minorities Program Coordinator at the General Council Office, and she has served in congregational ministry. Her life experience between marginality and privilege in different ways, combined with theological education, and a commitment to justice, helped her develop what she calls, “the gift of her brown eyes” to the church. If you have any questions about this workshop or your readiness to participate in it, and/or you wish to register for it, contact Thérèse Samuel at tsamuel@united-church.ca.
4. The 2023 Annual Meeting is scheduled for the Sunday after the Sunday coming, February 26^th, the first Sunday of Lent. Please place this on your calendar and come attend in person if you can! If you remember, bring a bag lunch. We will meet in a hybrid way.
5. Speaking of Lent, for those of you making plans for the Lenten season, both the print and the ebook versions of the 2023 United Church Lenten devotional, Good Courage: Daily Reflections on Hope are now available! Good Courage offers honest testimonies from people who have had the courage to follow their hearts, to hope against hope, and to faithfully work toward a better world. In this new book, you will find inspiring examples of practical and courageous hope in the midst of despair that deepen your spiritual experience of resurrection and new life. Edited by the Rev. Alydia Smith, this new Lenten devotional includes daily scripture, reflections, study questions, and prayers for individuals or groups. When you purchase the softcover edition of Good Courage, use code PLANAHEAD to receive one free 2023 Canadian Church Calendar! (Note: You must have both Good Courage and the 2023 Canadian Church Calendar added to your cart for the discount to apply to your order.) Offer valid while supplies last.
6. With contagious COVID sub-variants still spreading in Hamilton, we encourage you to get the fourth vaccination now available to all adults. We will continue our current in-person gathering approach: i) we will form the circle again in the lower hall, distancing the seats by a metre for the time being. ii) people may join the circle if they are willing to wear a mask.
7. The reason for the masks is that we will allow ourselves to sing, and masking reduces the distance air we expel travels with the increased effort singing.
8. 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.
9. You can also call in to the gathering on the telephone. Call 1 647 374 4685, 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.” If you can only connect by video on your computer with no audio, you can use the phone connection for audio and the computer connection for visual.

Hope to see you Sunday again, or for the first time –

Rev Ian