New Vistas is a series of ‘lunch and learn’ forums for older adults in Victoria, B.C.
Older adults are invited to explore spiritual issues from an interfaith perspective and connect with like-minded souls in a peaceful, scenic setting. It’s an opportunity to make new friends and renew old friendships through lively dialogue and over a delicious hot lunch at the church.
More than 65 people attended the inaugural program in Spring 2007 series on such topics as Becoming a Wise Elder, Forgiveness, Coming to Terms with Death, and What’s Your Story? Tools for Harvesting Life. Since then, the program has been offered each Spring attracting many participants from our congregation and the broader community.
Check the events page in January for dates and topics. For more information, contact Ann affey at (250) 388-5188, Ext. 233.
Discover Your Spiritual Style Two-Part Series
Sundays Sept 11 & 25
~ 12:45 – 2:45 pm
Led by:
Leanne Benoit & Allan Saunders
“Why is an experience spiritual for one person but not another?”
“How might I nurture my spiritual life?”
“What are my growing edges?”
Our spiritual styles impact the ways in which we make meaning of our lives. How we think and feel, our images of God, and our (dis)comfort with being and doing all influence our spirituality. There are a variety of tools to lead us to deeper self-understanding and nurturing our relationship with the Sacred. In the introductory session, we will use the Spirituality Wheel to discover more about our spiritual styles and explore spiritual practices and resources. In the second session, we will look at spirituality models such as the Enneagram and Myers Briggs and how they can be used to expand our spiritual resourcefulness.
A light lunch will be available beforehand so please register in advance! Donations to cover expenses are welcome.
Are you suffering from depression or anxiety? Are you a couple struggling to separate or restore your relationship, Do you have issues with alcohol and drug dependency, anger management? Do you need assistance with conflict resolution or mediating a conflict?
Karl Ireland has a Master’s degree in Counselling and is a Registered Clinical Counsellor. He is a retired member of the BC Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Karl and his wife Sheila moved here from Kamloops two years ago and joined our congregation. They raised their family in Haida Gwaii and lived in Kamloops for 15 years, where Karl had a private practice in family therapy. They have three children and five grandchildren. Karl likes to work with multi-generation families and extended families.
Cost: The fee is varied according to people’s ability to pay, from 0 to $100.00 per session. Clients are given a tax deductible receipt from First Met for the fees they pay. All who wish to come for counselling are welcome.
Contact: To arrange a session or for further information, you may contact the First Met office at 250-388-5188 or speak to Karl directly at 778-433-4022.
New to FirstMet?
Come, join other newcomers for refreshments, conversation and an opportunity to meet our staff. We will be sharing information about First Metropolitan United Church and the programs we offer. Gathering follows the 11 am service and is in the Doreene McLeod Room. Contact Sharon at the Front Office (Ext 221 or office@firstmetvictoria.com ) or Merle at 250.361.0064 or email merle.nicholds@gmail.com to attend.
Tai Chi Class
(Tai Chi Chuen)
Date: Mondays and Wednesdays
Time(s): 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church
Join other men and women in learning Tai Chi to improve their inner and outer balance, while also having fun! Newcomers always welcome. Speak to Carol Halvorson (250) 386-6670 for more information. There are no sessions when the Monday is a statutory holiday. Check the events calendar for dates. Beginners and returnees welcome!
Come and feel your energy flow!
No fee but donations welcome.
The Ramblers is a group of First/Met outdoor enthusiasts who meet once a month for a walk in the woods, along a beach, or on occasion we even hike up a mountain.
Previous adventures have included walks around Thetis/Beaver Lake, Matheson Lake, treks along French Beach, a hike up Mt. Finlayson and along the Gowlland Todd trail in Highlands. We often include a stop for lunch or a light supper afterwards.
We are group-run – everyone is asked to help in the selection of trails. If you would like to join us, please notify Marg and she will put you on the call-out list. View some pictures of a recent hike.
Next Walk:
Sat. Feb.18 in Goldstream Park. Up to the Prospectors’ Trail and across the highway to the Arbutus Trail. Lots of forest hiking. A moderately difficult hike. Meet 9 a.m at the Balmoral entrance to the church. If you plan to come let Marg (mull@shaw.ca) or Rennie (250-592-9161) know before 9 p.m. on Fri. Feb.17 so that we know whom to expect.
A Walk with the Ramblers at Witty’s Lagoon
Where is the Holy Land?
Is it far from here,
a place of violence and conflict?
Or is the holy land wherever your foot steps,
on flattened grass wet with dew,
on needle-strewn paths striped by the shadows of tall cedars,
on sand that sinks and resists,
on rocks that bruise your naked feet
and splintered logs that have been weathered white in the sea?
The longest dreams
are days spent in the woods
and the holy land is here
where every step is sacred. (Edeana Malcom)
Some pictures of the walk at Witty’s Lagoon April 2011
