Page 8 - Presbyterian Connection, Spring 2024

8 SPRING 2024
VST Sunday
PRESBYTERIAN
By yaxšiqimł (Natika Bock) on the Traditional and Unceded Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc within the Secwépemcúl’ecw. The Secwépemc maintain a spiritual and reciprocal relationship with the land, water, air, animals, plants and all things needed for life. Natika is a Master of Divinity student at Vancouver School of Theology/St. Andrew’s Hall and is a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in New Westminster, B.C.
VST (Vancouver School of Theol- ogy) Sunday is an annual event in which the VST community of stu- dents, staff, faculty and alumni are invited into local churches to rep- resent VST by preaching or leading worship and/or being available to share resources and VST swag— the pens are always a hit!
VST Sunday 2024 took place on Jan. 28. This year, there were
38 sermons delivered by the VST community, and another 14 churches that agreed to share our promotional and educational ma- terials. Of the 50 or so participat- ing churches, seven were Presby- terian while others were different denominations, and most of these churches were centralized within the Greater Vancouver Area. We also wanted to include the multi- tude of church communities out- side our typical VST catchment, so we directly reached out in re- quest of prayers for the day. So, why do we do this?
The purpose of VST Sunday is threefold. First, it’s a statement and a reminder for the VST com- munity that we exist for the ser- vice of God’s church and for the world that God loves. Second, to remind participating churches that they play a vital role in the spiritual-theological formation of
VST students. Finally, VST Sun- day is a way to encourage con- gregations to come alongside us on this theological journey as we are forming and being formed into thoughtful, engaged and gener-
ous Christian leaders.
This VST Sunday, I preached
at Hills of Peace Lutheran Church, located on the unceded and ancestral homelands of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc within
the Secwepemcúl’ecw (Kam- loops, B.C.). Like the rest of us who chose to participate, when I said yes, it was with enthusiasm! I said “Of course,” before the reality and enormity of the win- ter semester set it. I said “Yes!” without payment or the benefit of a letter grade enhancement. I enlisted because I like visiting other churches; I tend do better when Christ-serving is interactive and embedded in direct practical experience; and I’m interested in pursuing new worshipping com- munities that are rooted in dia- logical liberation, holacracy and decolonial love.
This year, as I prayed and re- flected on my sermon, I had a strong sense to speak on the Gospel of Mark and inclusive lan- guage. On this VST Sunday, I was glad to be able to pass along a message from our Reconciler to those who have been praying on it for some time.
E’er embosomed and lullabied by our Mother of All, hear what the Spirit is saying.
Connection
The Rev. Jane D. Gingrich, pastor at Hills of Peace Lutheran Church, and Natika Bock.
presbyterian.ca
Diversity Award in London
By Kathy MacDonald, Office Administrator, Oakridge Presbyterian Church in London, Ont.
The Mission and Outreach team at Oakridge Presbyterian Church in London, Ont., was recognized by the City of London with a Di- versity, Race Relations and Inclu- sivity Award.
On Nov. 28, the Rev. Tim Ar- chibald and members of Mission and Outreach attended a recep- tion and ceremony at London City Hall for the presentation of the awards. Four other organizations were also recognized. The Rev. Tim gave an address highlight- ing our congregation’s ministry, and our partnership with 12 other agencies (including Oneida Na- tion of the Thames, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Mission Services, Ark Aid and SW Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre) in distributing dry soup mix and
Folashade Fadiya, Sook Chang, the Rev. Dr. Tim Archibald (back row), Diane Staines, Lois Lake, Mayor Josh Morgan and Doug Jamieson.
volunteering to feed the hungry. tributed through OPC’s ministry. leadership in helping to establish to God for opening these doors In the past year, over 180,000 Special thanks to Doug Jamie- our partner relationships. And for us to serve and be Good News servings of soup have been dis- son and Sharon Deebrah for their most especially thanks and praise for people in our city.
HELPFUL ONLINE RESOURCES
For Members, Treasurers, Presbytery Clerks & Clerks of Session
Available for download at: presbyterian.ca/pensionandbenefits/helpful-resources
Your Group Benefits Plan Booklet
Pension Plan Booklet
Treasurer's Guide to Pension & Benefits Automatic Withdrawal Program
Administration Guide for Presbytery Clerks & Clerks of Session