If you haven’t seen the posters yet, here’s a heads up – there will be free BBQ hotdogs with your $2.00 per bag sale on Saturday, September 26th from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It’s our congregations way of saying thank you for supporting our Thfit Shop ministry and being a part of our community. There will be cookies and juice as well. It’s on us! See you there.
22 bags on $2.00 per bag sale
It was the last hour of $2.00 per bag day last month when a mother and daughter came in to find some treasures. You’d think it was Christmas day. They had a blast. They found the perfect clothes for each other and for themselves, and for another friend who had come in with them. They squealed with delight, laughed with joy and their love for each other was palpable. One had been ill, one had to leave a relationship quickly, along with most of her belongings, and this amazing generous $2.00 deal was just what was needed. It was a privilege to be with them.
They shopped, and shopped and shopped. With each new discovery, there was a fresh expression of delight, and I told them I wanted to hire them to just be present in the store with their infectious enthusiasm. As the clock struck closing time, they made their way to the cash register. They lined up their bags. Twenty two bags in all! Amazing! Linda helped them load their treasures onto trolleys and wheeled them out to the car. As she returned, closing the locking the door behind her, the last I heard from the parking lot was a marvelous “WOOHOO!” as the happy customers drove away.
That’s why I love working here. How fortunate I am that part of my ministry is `a ministry of presence’ – just being there to listen, to help if possible, to rejoice with those who rejoice, and to grieve with those who are grieving. I am proud of this little congregation and the wonderful dedicated group of volunteers who come from many different parts of the community to offer their time and talent at the Thrift Shop. A big “WOOHOO” to all of you!
Abundant blessings, Rev. Juanita
Advent and Christmas events
Dear members and friends of Sicamous United Church December 2014
Welcome to the seasons of Advent & Christmas. As well as our ongoing Thrift Shop ministry and Sunday morning worship, we have several ways in which we are honouring this time of year.
Starting Sunday, November 30th: The Advent Candles This year our Advent Candle liturgy will be based on the four directions and four colours of First Nations traditions – red, yellow, black and white. The liturgy is adapted from Cree elder and former United Church moderator, Rt. Rev. Stan Mckay, with a song I wrote to compliment the liturgy.
All December: The Advent Peace box For over 10 years, Canadians working for a just peace in Israel and Palestine have been purchasing and distributing Zatoun olive oil and other products as a means of advocating for economic justice for Palestinians. I have purchased an Advent Peace box from Zatoun, which includes five additional bottles of high quality olive oil. If you wish to support this venture, you may purchase a 500 ml bottle for $15.00 Just speak to me or give me a call and I will have a bottle ready for you.
Saturday, Dec 20th 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Complimentary Coffee & Cookies day: During the hectic and final $2.00 per bag sale before the Thrift Shop closes for the holidays, the congregation will be offering coffee, tea and cookies to our volunteers, staff and customers in the sanctuary. Quiet Christmas music will be playing in the background, while you rest your bones, enjoy your treats, and meet your neighbours.
Sunday Dec 21st 10:00 AM: The seven piece Black & Bluez Band will be our musical worship guests – playing favourite Christmas carols and a few special band selections.
Wednesday, December 24th 7:00 PM: All ages Christmas Eve service. Come and hear afresh in word, silence and song, the Christmas story.
Sunday, Dec 28th 10:00 AM: Spirit of Christmas Past A gentle service of favourite carols, and sharing meaningful Christmas memories.
As you go into this season, may these words from poet Joyce Rupp bless your day:
May the hope of this sacred season settle in your soul. May it be a foundation of courage for you when times of distress occupy your inner land. May you give and receive love generously. May this love echo in your heart like the joy of church bells on a clear December day.
Blessings of the season,
Rev. Juanita Austin
photos are up!
Hi everyone, check out the photo gallery for a look at the Fashion Show – a fun night and a great fund raiser for Doctors Without Borders along with food items to the Sicamous Resource Centre Food Bank. Thanks everyone, it was a great success!
Pam and Gwynith from the Resource Centre show great style
Fashion Fund-Raiser for Doctors Without Borders
Gary and Fred check out some of the great appliances at the Thfit Shop Fashion Show
What a wonderful turnout and successful evening we had with our Fabulous Fashion Show at Sicamous United Church on November 9th. With models of all ages, shapes and sizes, we featured a sampling of the many great fashions available at the Thrift Shop.
Our models included members of the social justice class from ERSS, as well as community and congregational members. Yup, we had everything from the sublime to the ridiculous.
The congregation provided coffee and treats, and folks brought food donations for the local Resource Centre Food Bank. All the proceeds from the post-show $2.00 per bag sale, plus additional financial donations, totaling a generous $800.00, was send to Doctors Without Borders for the treatment of Ebola patients in West Africa.
Thank you to Alice Duck for all your hard work organizing this project, everyone else who offered their time and talent, and the community for supporting the cause.
With gratitude, Rev. Juanita Austin (a.k.a. Second Hand Rose).
Sicamous United supports Doctors Without Borders
Jayla and Jayanna show off their new outfits from the Thrift Shop
Sicamous United Church supports Doctors Without Borders /Medecins Sans Frontieres, with a Thrift Shop Fashion Show on Sunday, Nov. 9th at 7:00 PM. We’re also supporting our local foodbank, so please bring a food offering for the Sicamous Food Bank. Enjoy the show, music and refreshments. Following the show there will be an opportunity for late-night $2.00 per bag shopping. Proceeds from the bag sale, and any over and above donations, will go to Doctors Without Borders to treat Ebola patients in West Africa. For more information call Rev. Juanita at 250-832-6385.
Thrift Shop $2 Bag Day December 20 & 21
The Thrift Shop will be closed from December 22 thru January 7, reopening Wednesday, January 8 at 10 AM. The volunteers and staff wish you a very Merry Christmas and thank you for supporting the Thrift Shop. You help us help others in the community.
Best Wishes for a Happy Healthy New Year.
Thrift Shop $2 Bag Day
The next $2.00 Bag Sale at Sicamous United Church Thrift Shop
will be held
Friday, August 30th & Saturday, August 31st
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Clothing & Shoes only
The addition to the Thrift Shop is well underway. You are invited to contribute to this project with a donation or by purchase of a square foot; Income Tax Receipts issued upon request.
Your support is appreciated!