Broad View United—Arbutus 2625 Arbutus Rd Victoria BC V8N 1W4 250-477-2715 [email protected] Inside This Issue… CYYA - Kid’s Zone - Youth Group - Young Adults - Parents & Tots Playgroup Intercultural Ministry - Intercultural Workshop - Basic English Convo - Art Program COVID POLICY - FALL 2021 What’s Happening - Start Up Sunday - Worship - Program Brochure - Thrift Store News - Fairway Market Cards BVU Family Picnic 2021 - Small Group Ministry - TRC - Orange Shirts Thank you Carol Turnbull & - Surplus Pat McKay for the photos - Staff - The Lower Hall - Permits - Organ Story - Stained Glass Windows - Armitage - St. Aidan’s Story New Programs - Exploring Grief & Loss - Contemplative Spirituality - Monthly Community Meal Outreach - Shelbourne Community Kitchen broadviewunited broadviewunited @cadbayuc BUILDING A BRAVE COMMUNITY As we move out of summer and into the fall, we do so with some trepidation. While we had thought we might be moving into stage 4 of relaxed Covid restrictions, we find ourselves in a different place; so as a church we are once again pivoting. BUT, we are not in the same place that we were last fall and for that we can give thanks. Those who have been vaccinated will have more opportunities to engage in some of our offerings, including worship, this fall and we are grateful that the majority of our congregation is vaccinated. As we discerned what our focus and theme might be for this coming Pastoral Year (Sept 2021 – June 2022) the concept of building community and our identity as Broad View United was at the front of our minds. But how would we define what kind of community this is? We had talked about creating “Safe Space “ in our visioning process: a supportive place where diversity and inclusion are affirmed and honoured without fear of judgement. However, this spring when Nadia Boltz Webber was preaching at the regional meeting, she introduced many of us to the concept of “ Brave Space “. What is a Brace Space? It’s a place where we can come with our scars and our wounds, hold each other accountable, learn from both the experience of others and our shared differences to come to a place of new understanding. This recognizes that such spaces can be hard and uncomfortable at times but they move us to a new way of being. It is our hope this year that we can talk about how we hold Safe Spaces and Brave Spaces together and in tension at times. We believe it is important to do both. Some years ago the concept of “Holy Manners” was introduced by the moderator Marion Pardy. It is in using these holy manners that we honour the spirit and personhood of one another as we seek to understand and appreciate the differences that we embody. Such a place acknowledges that the diversity is what creates this wonderful pattern of sacredness and embodiment of God. This year we will be working intentionally as community at BVU to create safe and brave spaces. At times it will be joyous. At times it will be hard. But mostly it will be sacred. I know and trust that we will bring our best selves to the process as we continue to discern our way forward. I want to end with the poem written by Micky Scott Bey Jones, that inspired the notion of “brave space” Together we will create brave space Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” We exist in the real world We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds. In this space We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world, We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere, We call each other to more truth and love We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. We will not be perfect. This space will not be perfect. It will not always be what we wish it to be But It will be our brave space together And We will work on it side by side CYYA children, youth, young adults KIDS’ ZONE THANK YOU to everyone who was able to join us at the picnic on Sunday Aug 29th. It was a great success and so very nice to be connecting with the kids again, and their adults! We will be starting up our children’s programs on Sunday, September 19th during the 11:00am service. Typically, we have the Crèche for babies and toddlers, a group for 4 to 6 year olds, a group for Elementary aged kids and a group for Middle School kids. We are still working out the details of following Covid safety protocols with these programs and will keep you informed as it is finalized. YOUTH GROUPS Typically we have had 2 Youth Groups- Senior Youth for High School students gathering every second Sunday evenings and Junior Youth for Middle Years students gathering every second Friday evening. These gatherings are full of fun, food and friendship! In the past, there has been a youth group for students in grades 4-6. These groupings are based on the number of youth in each age group that are interested in attending and the day/time that works best for the majority. Please send me an email if you have a child/children in any of these age groups that might be interested in joining also include the day/days of the week that could work for your schedule. I will then contact you once I have an idea of the numbers. Thanks. [email protected] YOUNG ADULTS (aged 19 -30ish) We are going to start gathering in person on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 12:30pm (after the 11:00am service) for lunch on Sunday, September 19th. Please bring your own lunch. Refreshment and dessert will be provided. You do not need to pre-register. Just show up. Please contact me if you have any questions! [email protected] PARENTS & TOTS PLAYGROUP IS BACK! Welcome to parents/caregivers and children aged from infant to 4 years old! We will be playing together on Wednesday mornings starting October 22nd from 9:30am-11:30am in the hall at the Arbutus Site. You do not need to pre-register, just show up! Adults will have to wear masks and you will have to bring your own snacks and drinks. We will not be having a circle/song time BUT the gym will be full of toys and trikes and lots of room for kids and their adult to run and play and socialize! Intercultural Ministry IPAB (INTERCULTURAL PROGRAM AT BROAD VIEW UNITED) New season, means new excitement for those who are open to integrate with the intercultural community in different dimensions. While keeping the ICaB-BE (Basic English) online for Thursday afternoon weekly, we are inviting everyone to explore your art sense together in the coming season, starting Sep 24th for 5 weeks on Friday evening at the Arbutus campus. More detailed information and registration will be provided on the BVU website and in the program guide soon. The IWaB (Intercultural workshop at BVU) will be a part of the education program, please stay tuned for more details on the BVU website and in the program guide. For those who are interested to connect with the intercultural community, please join our Facebook private group: IPaB – Intercultural Program at Broad View United (Victoria, BC) https://www.facebook.com/groups/197818341820589 COVID POLICY FALL 2021 I suspect we are all disappointed that instead of entering step 4 of Covid opening up we are moving backwards into a more restricted step 3. So, what will that mean for worship and for our programs and gatherings this fall? WORSHIP: We are offering both in-person worship and on-line worship. Online Worship: When attending on-line worship you are free to set your own Covid guidelines. Our hope and expectation is that those who are not double vaccinated will attend on-line. Those who are showing any symptoms of illness are asked to attend online. Both the 9:30am and 11:00am services will be available online via live stream. In-Person Worship at both the 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services: 1. Masks are mandatory at all times for all people ages 12 years and older 2. Social Distancing of at least 3 feet is required 3. Two vaccinations are expected so everyone can feel safe 4. Hand sanitizing upon entering is a benefit offered to everyone 5. Air purifiers will be running before, after and between services along with open doors and air exchange fans. 6. People who are ill and/or showing symptoms of a pending illness are asked to stay home and participate in the services on-line 7. Worship leaders will be masked except for when they are speaking. When not speaking they will be masked. 8. Song and music leaders will be masked except when they are leading the singing. They will be socially distanced to lead singing Children under 12: • All children over the age of 3 will also be asked to wear a mask for both worship and for their participation in the children’s programs. Children 3 and under are exempt from this request. • Hand sanitizers will be available for use • Any children experiencing or exhibiting any sign of sickness of any type are asked to stay at home and not attend in person. Groups and Meetings (i.e. everything that is not a worship service) • All persons are mandated to be wearing masks and to be double vaccinated for study groups and meetings.