Highlights. the presence of God. August 26, 2018

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1 Highlights August 26, 2018 the presence of God In magnificent temples or cathedrals, in ancient forests or mountain tops, in tiny country churches or in fields of dreams - wherever we are, we can find God and God can find us Edgemont Blvd. North Vancouver, BC V7R 2P1 Ph: churchoffice@highlandsunited.org Rev. Will Sparks, Lead Minister

2 Help us discover the next steps in our journey A message from the Five Year Ministry Planning Group. As part of our data gathering, the Five Year Ministry Planning Group, has identified entities external to Highlands for whom we have a few questions. We are looking for help from the congregation to make some introductions. Do you have a connection with one or more of the following: Silver Harbour Seniors Activity Centre s Leadership Team North Vancouver District Mayor or any Councillors North Vancouver City Mayor or any Councillors West Vancouver Mayor or any Councillors If so, we would appreciate if you contact Margaret Currie at margaret.currie@shaw.ca or speak to her at church. Thank you, from the Five Year Ministry Planning Group! Will Sparks, Ardis Nelson, Sheila Stanway, Bill Dyer, Jessica Keefe, Colin Madill, and Margaret Currie A Message from our Flea Market Sorters Sorting will happen as usual on Tuesday, August 28 so we hope to see lots of you there. If you haven't been part of the sorting team up to now maybe you can consider joining us on Tuesday morning. Please note the following date change - due to the start of the school year and a very heavy demand for parking there will be NO SORTING on Tuesday September 4. Instead, for those who are able, we will be sorting on Wednesday, September 5. This change is for the one week only.

3 If you ve taken a physical first aid course, you ve learned the skills needed to help someone experiencing a sudden illness or injury. People can also have mental health crisis, and it is important that more Canadians know how to provide help in these situations too. What you can expect from this course: Gain the confidence and skills to engage someone with an emerging mental health problem or in a mental health crisis; Greater recognition of mental health problems; Decreased stigma; and Improved mental health for yourself

4 NEW Coming up Soon Highlands is grateful to have received funding from the ProVision Fund of Vancouver Burrard Presbytery to support two areas of new ministry: 1) volunteer training and development, and 2) mental health awareness and support. The purpose of this work is to build capacity in staff, volunteers and congregation members to companion one another in the ages, stages and challenges of life and to build confidence in understanding and supporting those with mental health challenges. Knowing how to listen compassionately, respond effectively and refer appropriately are skills each of us can develop, and will benefit not only the Highlands community but our village and neighbourhoods as well. Additionally it is hoped that training will help decrease the stigma around mental illness in children, youth and adults, and ensure that the church is a safe and supportive place. As the first steps in this new work we are offering the following three events early in the fall. 1) Mental Health First Aid (see poster in this newsletter) Sept 21 23, MHFA is an evidence based program of the Mental Health Commission of Canada. In partnership with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, Highlands is pleased to be able to offer at a reduced cost of $135.00/person (regular cost in the community is ) if you register by Sunday September 16. Some financial assistance is available. Space is limited for this course and participants MUST attend all 12 hours to be able to receive certification. Please see the poster in Highlights for details and registration information. For more information on the content of this course go to

5 2) Volunteer Training Workshop 1 Listening from the Heart Monday Sept. 17 6:30 9:30 pm. This training workshop is free to anyone volunteering in a Highlands caring ministry: youth group leaders, seniors volunteers, hospital visitors, circles of accompaniment coordinators, Saturday Lunch helpers, Healing Pathway practitioners, ESL teachers. It will be facilitated by a team consisting of Susan Hogman, Cheryl Irwin, Tanis van Drimmelen, and Sandi Parker, and will be an experiential workshop designed to help people really listen effectively and compassionately when supporting those with whom they come in contact. Space in this workshop is limited to 12 participants. 3) Making Sense of Anxiety Wednesday September 26, 6:30 8:30pm with Dr. Deborah MacNamara For parents, grandparents and those who care about and connect with children and teens. As many as 20% of children and teens qualify for an anxiety disorder diagnosis, making it the most common mental health issue today. Anxiety can take many forms including obsessions, compulsions, phobias as well as other perplexing behaviours. We cannot treat something we do not understand, and making sense of anxiety is fundamental in making headway. Dr. MacNamara ( macnamara.ca/) will bring a fresh and promising perspective to one of our most troubling human problems. Cost $10.00 (for up to two adults within the same family) Child Minding included at no extra cost - please let us know if needed on registering. To register or inquire about any of these programs, contact Sandi Parker sandi.parker@highlandsunited.org or ext 23

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7 Highlands United Church is featured in the August edition of the Neighbours of Edgemont Magazine. This summer, a number of folks worked with Grace Cameron, Editor of the magazine, to assemble a wonderful article about Highlands called: Giving it up for the Earth. The article highlights our efforts to implement energy saving and environmentally friendly equipment and deliver programs to educate children and adults about ways to care for our planet. The full article is available on our website A special thanks goes to Judith Walker who wrote the original article for the magazine. Pictured below is the cover of the magazine what a great looking bunch of people!

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