Subject: Deepen our Faith

Seeker embodies West Coast Spirituality

Owner of Vancouver’s Banyen Books urges traditional church to open themselves to change.

Article by Douglas Todd – Vancouver Sun


Seeker embodies West Coast spirituality
DOUGLAS TODD dtodd@ vancouversun. com
The Vancouver Sun
19 Apr 2010

Kolin Lymworth, owner of Kitsilano’s 40-year-old Banyen Books and Sound, had not attended a Christian church service for a long time, let alone spoken to a group of 200 Anglicans and Lutherans. Yet Lymworth was intrigued by the invitation to share his…read more…

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Spiritual Development and Nurture

Transformation through prayer image.

Our Vision:

Transformation through prayer, learning and service of many forms, thus encouraging the exploration, deepening and living of our Faith.

We offer a variety of programs throughout the year to explore our Christian heritage and deepen our faith through ongoing Bible study, movie/discussion nights, lecture series, study groups, concerts, workshops and other gatherings.

All faith events are open to all interested persons of any denomination.

The offerings change throughout the seasons, so please check our Events page for current programs.

Each Sunday, prayers of the people are offered by a member of the congregation. The following prayer, written by Terry Dance-Bennink for Sunday, August 26, 2007, is based on Jeremiah l: 4-10; Psalm 71: Part 1; Luke 13: 10-17:

Dear loving God,

How we long for freedom! We are all crippled, bent over, in one way or another, to a greater or lesser degree, and when moments of relief come our way, how we rejoice. We long for deep and lasting healing, as the woman in today’s Gospel experienced at the hands of Jesus the Healer.

Our burdens are many.

  • It can be grief – as those who’ve recently lost loved ones in a terrible fire or car crash must feel;
  • It can be pain – the pain that many who suffer from a chronic illness or an addiction must feel, being unable to “stand straight” physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually;
  • It can be anxiety caused by a craving for affection, esteem, and praise which makes us work too hard and burn out;
  • It can be resentment against someone who’s hurt us deeply, a hurt we just can’t let go of;
  • It can be anger, the anger many women feel as they continue to butt their heads against sexism in our society;
  • It can be guilt for not reaching out to help another because of our own preoccupations;
  • It can be fear, the fear that we’re just not good enough, despite our daily prayers and the good deeds we do; we’re crippled by a sense of our unworthiness.

So we pray today for deep and lasting healing. And for the wisdom to discern when and how we should build and plant, pluck up and pull down, destroy and overthrow. That’s the hard part. When is it right to call it quits and leave an unhealthy situation or relationship? When are we called to plant the seeds of a new dream in a new land, a new home, a new marriage, a new job or the new state of retirement? When should we be so bold as to overthrow an unjust policy or even a government for the sake of the planet and those who are oppressed?

We protest – not me Lord – I’m too young, too inexperienced, too old, too much of an introvert, too scared to take action. And yet You say: “Do not be afraid…I am with you…I knew you before you were even formed in the womb…and I have put my words in your mouth.”

And so we trust that we are indeed free, free to be God’s ears, eyes, and hands on this earth, and that we are infinitely loved no matter how crippled we may appear.

For this we pray. Amen.

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Women Exploring Spirituality

Date: Fourth Monday of the month,  September 2010 through June, 2011
Time(s): 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: First†Metropolitan United Church Chapel

Women  are invited to join in this spiritual sharing and growth group. This year, we are exploring Joyce Rupp’s book, The Cup of Our Life.  Rupp shares how the ordinary cups that we use each day can become sacred vessels that connect us with life and draw us ever closer to God. The cup is a rich symbol for life, with its emptiness and fullness, brokenness and flaws, and all its blessings.  Each month, we’ll engage in prayer, song, discussion, and other spiritual practices.

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