The Health and Wellness Ministry in our church takes a realistic look at the health issues and challenges facing many in our congregation. In addition, it is a reminder to celebrate the strengths and resources of our church community as well as those available outside our walls.
Ann brings over 30 years of nursing experience, and a specialized interest in community and geriatric nursing to her position at First†Met. Through one-on-one and group meetings, information sessions, workshops, discussions around specific issues, and close cooperation with Pastoral Care, our church offers support and practical assistance within a spiritual context through the many of life’s challenges.
Frances Pollet’s goal is “to reach the highest levels of performance standards in a variety of choral repertoire.” This goal is expressed in the artistry of the church choir, the Pringle Bells and the First†Metropolitan United Vocal Ensemble. In addition, she and the First†Met Music Team inivte a variety of guest artists, from within the congregation and in the community, to participate in worship and music events.
Fran has been Minister of Music and Organist at First†Metropolitan for several years. Previously, Fran was Director of Music at St. Matthias Church for 18 years, Music Director for Grassroots Theatre Company for seven years, and coordinated and directed the Empress Hotel’s Christmas festivities for an equal length of time. In 2007, she resigned as music director of the Linden Singers, the choir she helped found.
Most recently, Fran has introduced and led monthly Celtic worship sessions based on the liturgy and music developed by the Iona Community at First†Metropolitan. Fran is very well-known and respected in the Victoria music scene and is an executive member of Music United (formerly the United Church of Canada Association of Musicians), a diverse association of people passionately committed to furthering the cause of music within the United Church of Canada.
When Metropolitan United Church and First United Church joined together in 1997, it marked the amalgamation of two historic congregations in Victoria, one with Presbyterian roots, the other with Methodist and Congregational roots. The United Church of Canada, founded in 1925 by these three denominations, was at the forefront of the ecumenical movement in Canada. Together we bring over 300 years of mission and service to the life of Victoria, with a ripple effect that has literally gone out around the world. As strong winds of change have blown through society at the beginning of the 21st century, so the Spirit encourages us to become a fresh and vital community of Christ at the heart of the city.
A process church uses a bottom-up organizational structure. It is much more intentional about encouraging every member and adherent in the congregation to share their spiritual gifts to enrich the worship and service life of all.
The Ministry Teams seek to draw on people’s spirituality and wisdom to help formulate church policies. To that end, anyone who wishes is invited to make their comments and suggestions known to the Council Executive that meets regularly each month or directly to one of the Ministry teams. One person may have an exciting idea for Sunday evening services, or another wants to encourage more interesting liturgy and a third has a vision of outreach in the neighbourhood. Ideas and concerns may also be brought to the church council which meets four times a year.
Team leaders and ministerial staff can help put flesh and blood on these bare-bones visions and bring together other interested and enthusiastic members of the congregation to make these ideas a reality. Teams are encouraged to be as creative and proactive as possible within the scope defined by the congregation’s mission, values and vision. In this way, we hope there will be a continual "bubbling up" of fresh, new ideas to enliven all aspects of our church life.
First†Metropolitan United Church is a large, active community that reflects its calling to love, honour, worship and serve God through programs that reach inward to foster spiritual growth and outward to help meet the needs of our neighbours and others in the world beyond. It is through the contributions of you, our members, adherents and friends that we can live out that calling.
Whether it is your regular or one-time financial contribution or your skill as a musician, singer or performer, your friendly smile to greet newcomers, your warmth and empathy, your aptitude as a baker, cook or gardener, or your ability to type, photocopy, write or create graphics, you can share your gifts with other members of First†Met and the broader community by:
Contributing financial support to the church. Many of our members use offering envelopes or Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) which have the benefit that your givings can be recorded and a donation receipt issued for Income Tax purposes (see the Note, below for more information) at the end of the calendar year. To receive offering envelopes or inquire about PAR, contact Carol in the church office at 388-5188, ext. 223.
Participating in our Stewardship Campaign "Strengthening First Metropolitan" to allow us to maintain the wide array of programs we presently offer, add new programs to serve urgent, emerging needs within the church and community, and update our church facility to meet existing and emerging needs.
Volunteering your time assisting with services, with hospitality or with one of the many activities within our church community and in the broader Victoria community.
Considering a gift to the church through your estate or a life insurance policy. For more information see the First†Met Foundation page.
Note
Under the Income Tax Act, a taxpayer is entitled to a tax credit in respect of donations made to a number of organizations. Gifts of $200 and less will produce a tax credit at the rate of 17%. If gifts exceed $200 in a year, the excess will give rise to a credit at the rate of 29%. The credit rate is multiplied by the amount of the gift/donation and the product is then deducted the tax otherwise payable. The value of the credit is effectively increased by about 50% when provincial tax is taken into account. (from the Canadian Book of Charities, 2004)
Starting Sep 13, 2009, underground parking will be available for those attending the 11:00 am Sunday service. An attendant will be there to let you into the lot.
First Met publishes Newsletters which contains information about our congregation and what we are doing – or hoping to do. It is available in PDF format or for viewing in a booklet format.
