March 13th E-News
A Lenten Blessing: Rough Translations “Hoping against hope, he believed.”
- Romans 4:28
Hope nonetheless.
Hope despite.
Hope regardless.
Hope still.
Hope where we had ceased to hope.
Hope amid what threatens hope.
Hope with those who feed our hope.
Hope beyond what we had hoped.
Hope that draws us past our limits.
Hope that defies expectations.
Hope that questions what we have known.
Hope that makes a way where there is none.
Hope that takes us past our fear.
Hope that calls us into life.
Hope that holds us beyond death.
Hope that blesses those to come.
-Jan Richardson in Circles of Grace
NEWS AND UPDATES
Annual General Meeting - Apr. 19th
All members and participants in our congregation are welcome to attend TGUC’s upcoming AGM, and hear more about the ways Trinity-Grace lived out it’s vision and mission in 2025, as well as ways you can become part of that vision for 2026!
SUNDAY SERVICE
Sunday, March 15th - 10:30am
4th Sunday in Lent
National Affirming/PIE Sunday!
Guest Speaker: Pearl Wong - “My Rainbow Journey”
Presider: Rev. Sandra Nixon
Affirming attire welcome - wear your “true colours”!
FOR YOUR ATTENTION & ACTION
TGUC’s Pledge as an Apartheid Free Community includes “… to join others in working to end all support to Israel’s Apartheid regime, settler colonialism, and military occupation”
One way to do this is to support Boycott and Divestment Actions, part of BDS.
During Lent, we will provide examples of both successful and on-going BDS campaigns. This week:
Ongoing - Hewlett Packard (HP)
According to the Palestinian BDS National Committee, “HP-branded corporations play key roles in Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. They are complicit in Israel’s occupation, settler colonial, and apartheid regime. They provide computer hardware to the Israeli army and maintain data centers through their servers for the Israeli police.” Learn More
The BDS movement understands that the Israeli regime of settler-colonialism, apartheid and military occupation against Palestinians derives its strength primarily from the complicity and support of governments, corporations and institutions.
BDS Goals:
(1) end corporate and institutional complicity;
(2) influence the policymaking level to ultimately end state complicity in Israel’s system of oppression.
Ongoing - Microsoft
According to the Palestinian BDS National Committee, “Microsoft knowingly provides Israel with technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), that is deployed to facilitate grave human rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity (including apartheid), as well as genocide.” Learn More
UPCOMING AT TGUC
ONGOING
FARM 2 PLATE MARKETPLACE
Every Thursday 5:15-6:00pm.
Support local farms! TGUC is the Pick Up location - order online
For more information click here
RECOMMENDED
Vancouver Tellers: Sunrise, Sunset Sunday March 15, 7-9pm (Doors at 6:45) @ Trinity-Grace
Dedicated to the art of storytelling in all it’s forms. Over 40 years and thousands of stories. Come join the Vancouver Tellers for storytelling, tea and treats!
Sliding Scale admission - $20 - $15 - $10
For more information click here.
“Peace is Possible” with Elizabeth May
Saturday, March 21, at 7 PM
1806 W 15 Ave.
Canadian Memorial United Church warmly invites the wider community to the next instalment of The Centre for Peace Talks with Federal Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, OC MP.
This event is free. Donations are welcome. Click here to reserve your spot!
Queer Theology series:
Deconstructing Bad Theology
What happens when the theology you were handed does more harm than good?
Whether you are in the middle of your own deconstruction, walking alongside someone who is, or simply curious about what Queer Theology has to say, this series is for you!
On April 10 at 6138 Student Union Building, UBC, join a conversation with Dr. Samah Jabr on solidarity, responsibility and practice in contexts of political violence
Doors at 6:30pm, program at 7:00pm. All proceeds go to support mental health initiatives in Palestine.
Dr. Samah Jabr is a Palestinian psychiatrist serving communities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank and former Head of the Mental Health Unit at the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Dr. Jabr integrates her medical expertise with her activism, often addressing the psychological impact of occupation, historical trauma, and war. Read more about Dr. Samah Jabr’s work.
Keynote speakers include: John and Samuel Munayer (Palestinian Christian theologians), Sarojini Nadar (South African feminist biblical scholar) and Carmen Lansdowne (Indigenous scholar and United Church minister).
May 14-16, 2026 - "In the Shadows of Genocide: Palestine, Settler Colonialism, and an Ecumenical Call to Action."
Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg
Join this three-day gathering of reflection, dialogue, and action in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine and the role of Western churches and global faith communities.
This event builds on the Palestinian “Call to Repentance” issued in October 2023 and will actively engage the Kairos Palestine II document.
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Queer Family Camp: Friday May 15 - Monday May 18, 2026
The first-ever camp created specifically for Queer families. Only a 20 minute water taxi ride from Horseshoe Bay, you and your family can unplug, unwind, explore the wonders of nature, have all your meals taken care of, and experience the magic of camp in a community that truly sees you!
Registration is now open!