Wednesday night Spirit Circle at First United Church, a large "homeless" shelter in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside -- come join us

Dear friends,

   Wednesday evenings at the First United Church – Vancouver’s largest “homeless” shelter -- have been lovely – sharing sacred space together, opening our hearts, raising our spirits, singing, talking, listening.  We’re planning to gather again this week.

   We’ll gather at 7 at the First United Church, 320 East Hastings, in the Downtown Eastside.  We’ll settle into seats in a circle in the dining hall near the totem pole.

   We’ll light a candle.  I’ll lead a simple wordless chant.  It’ll settle us down, bring us together and make a wide open space for Spirit to fill.  Rev. Sally McShane, the minister of First United, will offer a scriptural reading and some words of reflection and prayer.  And then, we plan to sing a very beautiful hymn familiar to many of us, Sally’s absolute favourite, to the melody of “Ode to Joy”.  (That says a lot about Sally.)

   After more singing, we’ll turn our attention to each other in a talking circle, sharing our own thinking and feeling about ourselves as the possible core of a newly living, vital congregation at First United.  This week’s question is going to be why some people say they are “spiritual” but not “religious” – and how we see ourselves in that regard.

   We’ll close with a song of blessing and farewell at 8:30 – and stay to informally mingle, talk, hang out and get to know each other a bit until about 9 when we need to free up the room for the folks who will be sleeping there.

   I hope this is helpful.  If you have questions, suggestions or comments, please feel free to call or write to me.

David

Rabbi David Mivasair, MSW
Chaplain, First United Church
(604) 681-8365
www.firstunited.ca
@RabFirstUnited 

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