Church Notes: August 2020
Remember…as things gradually open up and return to some semblance of normal, to continue to be careful, respectful, and calm. 
Minister’s Update:  Hi This is a little weird! I’m the new minister at Texada United Church but I’ve lived here with my husband, Ryk Allen (and dog, Squish)  for five years. I hope over the next few weeks to be contacting people and getting to know some of you a little better. If you want to want to know more about the church, have any suggestions or ideas or  just want to talk contact me ( trollhollow123@gmail.com or 604-414-7309) and we can set up a time. 
Blessings,  Rev. Gayle Chouinard
Focus on Spirit! Every Sunday we publish a short reflection based on a scripture reading on our website with a link posted on the Texada Message Board. Check it out. 
Worship Services The United Church in B.C. is still in Stage 1 which means that there are no worship services in the church because of the vulnerability of our congregations. We hope that we will  be able to reopen for worship soon so don’t despair we will get there and will let you know via the Texada Message Board. 
Milestones: Died: Lydia Butt on July 4, 2020. Our condolences to her family and friends.
Energy Healing Sessions… are suspended due to COVID-19 concerns until further notice.
Prayer Group:  Please call Rikki Kooy, 604-243-8097 for prayers or information re prayer group.
Weekly Services:  10:30 Sundays…    ARE SUSPENDED until further notice. Please gift yourself with a short daily period of spiritual reflection and/or prayer during this time of social distancing, while we protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID - 19 . 
Please note that your donations or tithes are more important than ever right now, and can be mailed to “Texada United Church, Box 23, Gillies Bay, BC V0N 1W0.


Minister’s Office Hours:  Thursdays, at the church, 1-3 pm – Sorry you have to bring your own coffee for now and we must physically distance but the door is open. So come on in. 
Minister:  Rev. Gayle Chouinard, 604-414-7309,  trollhollow123@gmail.com
Board Chair:  Dale Rinehart, 604-486-0050 
Legion Chaplain:  Karen May, 604-413-0994
Website: www.texadaunited.ca (updating slowly, please check it out!)

 Church Notes July, 2020
Remember…as things gradually open up and return to some semblance of normal, to continue to be careful, respectful, and calm.
Minister’s Update:  This will be the last time I, Karen May, write “Church Notes”.  I am handing over my duties as the Minister of Texada Island United Church to Rev. Gayle Chouinard as of July 1, 2020.  It has been my honour and privilege to serve this church and this community for 14 years now, and I am looking forward to retirement here on Texada.
Introducing Rev. Gayle Chouinard – our new Minister!  In her own words: 
“Hi Texada. I am excited to be starting as the new minister at Texada United Church. My husband, Rev. Ryk Allen and I are United Church ministers who have been enjoying our retirement here for the past five years.  We have five children and eight grandchildren who are scattered across Canada. We feel we have been blessed to be living here and I hope that my service at the church will continue Karen’s faithful and stellar leadership.”
Blessings,  
Gayle (Rev. Gayle Chouinard, B.A., B.Th., M.Div., S.T.M.)
Focus on Spirit! My series is complete – Gayle will take a little time to figure out what she will do in terms of community outreach – please watch Texada Message Board for updates.  Her office hours will be on Thursdays, 1-3pm at the church.  Please drop in to say hello! (appropriate distancing is still in place)
Church Reopening:  Nothing definite to tell you yet, but plans are being made to have worship services resume in the near future.  Again, please watch the Texada Message Board.
Energy Healing Sessions… are suspended due to COVID-19 concerns until further notice.
Prayer Group:  Please call Rikki Kooy, 604-243-8097 for prayers or information re prayer group.
Weekly Services:  10:30 Sundays… ARE SUSPENDED until further notice.  We are complying with Public Health Authorities, and national and regional church direction, to limit our activities at this time. Please gift yourself with a short daily period of spiritual reflection and/or prayer during this time of social distancing, while we protect ourselves and our loved ones from the ravages of this pandemic.  Please note that your donations or tithes are more important than ever right now, and can be mailed to “Texada United Church, Box 23, Gillies Bay, BC V0N 1W0.
 
New Minister’s Office Hours:  Thursdays, at the church, 1-3 pm. Please call ahead if you would like to talk to Gayle – bring your own coffee, and we must physically distance appropriately for this time.
Minister:  Rev. Gayle Chouinard, 604-414-7309,  trollhollow123@gmail.com
Board Chair:  Dale Rinehart, 604-486-0050
Legion Chaplain:  Karen May, 604-413-0994
Website: www.texadaunited.ca (recently updated, please check it out!)

Church Notes June 2020
Remember… to hope for the best and plan for the worst. In these difficult times, I encourage us all to focus on what is hopeful and uplifting. As we socially, physically distance ourselves from each other, let’s make the effort to stay in touch – by phone or Facebook. We can check with our neighbours to make sure they have what they need. The Food Bank also continues to need our support at this time. A friendly smile or wave, or a “how you doing?” text message, will help us all to get through this challenging time together.
Minister’s Update:  I will be retiring at the end of June, as many of you already know.  The church is actively seeking a new Minister, and signs are hopeful that once we are able to gather for worship again, there will be someone in place to lead this congregation!  New life, new birth, new ideas – fresh energy…  It’s all good – I promise!  As we begin to reopen and can get together socially once more, I anticipate that perhaps later this month we will be able to gather for worship.  Please watch Texada Message Board for announcements regarding this.
Focus on Spirit! – check this out! I have created a new feature on our website – a virtual space where I will post material that will feed you, or poke you, or at least challenge you to pay attention to your spiritual life. I hope this will be a way to connect as a faith community during these difficult times. A fresh Reflection every Sunday! Let me know what you think…
Energy Healing Sessions… are suspended due to COVID-19 concerns until further notice.
 Shepherd’s Pie Dinner.. is cancelled for now.
Prayer Group:  Please call Rikki Kooy, 604-243-8097 for prayers or information re prayer group.
Weekly Services:  10:30 Sundays… ARE SUSPENDED until further notice.  We are complying with Public Health Authorities, and national and regional church direction, to limit our activities at this time. Please gift yourself with a short daily period of spiritual reflection and/or prayer during this time of social distancing, while we protect ourselves and our loved ones from the ravages of this pandemic.  Please note that your donations or tithes are more important than ever right now, and can be mailed to “Texada United Church, Box 23, Gillies Bay, BC V0N 1W0.
 
Minister’s Office Hours:  Wednesdays, at the church, 1-3 pm. Please call ahead if you need to talk to me – bring your own coffee, and we must physically distance appropriately for this time.
Minister:  Karen E. May, 604-413-0994
Board Chair:  Dale Rinehart, 604-486-0050
Legion Chaplain:  Karen May, 604-413-0994
Website: www.texadaunited.ca (recently updated, please check it out!)