Saturday night don't forget to change the time on your clocks. If you don't you will be late for church on Sunday morning.

Services at St. Columba's Church Port Hardy

(for details on a particular service see our events list here)

March 2 Morning Worship led by Robet Fyles 10:30 AM

March 5 Ash Wednesday Service led Rev. Sheila Cook at 5:00 PM
(Apologies for not getting the newsletter out prior to the service yesterday)

March 9 Morning Worship with Communion led by Rev. Bob Gilbert 10:30 AM
(Don't forget the time change)

March 14 World Day of Prayer Service (featuring Cook Islands) 7:00 PM

March 16 Afternoon Worship with Communion led by Rev. Sheila Cook 3:00 PM

March 23 Morning Worship led by Rev. Bob Gilbert 10:30 AM

March 30 Morning Worship led by Robert Fyles 10:30 AM

This article contains time sensitive information.

In early June 2025 it will be the United Church of Canada's 100th Anniversary. This spring leading up to the actual commemoration there are a number of events and items celebrating this event.

Broadview Magazine, the 195 year old publication which started as a publication of one of the denominations who formed the United Church of Canada, is celebrating with a special commemorative June 2025 issue with many centennial articles. If you would like to purchase a copy of this special June edition (if you don't already subscribe) the cost is just $5.00 (prefer cash). Please give money to Judy Fyles to add your name to the order. Deadline for this is the beginning of April. For more information click here. The page also has information on some of the articles that will be included in the special issue.

In addition Broadvew will be adding a tribute page listing all the names of people who who are named when anyone makes a tribute donation to Broadview until March 15, 2025. There is more information on the page link noted just above. Of note, you can only name one person per donation, but the donations do not have a set amount, and you can donate as many times as you wish. You can donate online or by phone 1-800-936-4566 Ext. 230.

Traditionally observed on the first Friday in March, World Day of Prayer is a global, ecumenical movement of Christian women joined together to observe a common day of prayer. Women (and men) from the churches in Port Hardy are invited to gather together for this yearly event. This year St. Columba's is again hosting the World Day of Prayer worship service on Friday March 14, 2025 (as the first week of March is the busy start to Lent). The service will start at 7:00 PM. 

This year, the host and writing country is Cook Islands, with "I Made You Wonderful" as the scripture theme. Join us for a service of worship, learning, prayer, singing and fellowship. Everyone is welcome.

Join us in person at St. Columba's in Port Hardy for a Lenten bible study facilitated by Rev. Bob Gilbert. The 5 week study starting March 18 at 2:00 PM will feature a talk by renowned theologian John Dominic Crossan "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World." After viewing the video (about 1 hour) there will be time for discussion.

Some information on the study: This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil.

If you are unable to attend, you may be interested to subscribe to the course and participate at home. To register go to the following link: Paul the Pharisee. Note: Rev. Bob has already paid for small group access.

The first annual Bishop's Dinner took place on February 5th, 2025 at the Inn at Laurel Point. The purpose of the dinner was to build relationships across the diocese, delve into Bishop Anna's vision for a bright future, and explore the life-giving ministry thriving within the Islands and Inlets.

Bishop Anna's talk was about Trust inspired by the book and podcast by Rachel Botsman. Our speakers from our ministries in the North, The Rev. Sheila Cook and Robert Fyles, shared thought provoking stories from their work in our churches in Port Hardy, Port McNeil and ‘Yalis (Alert Bay).

Photos of the event (including Sheila and Robert), can be found by clicking on the Read More button below and viewing the photos on our website.

Diocesan Book Club 
Thursdays from 12-1:15pm via Zoom

March 6- Week 1: Introduction to Katherine Keller with John Thatamanil
March 13- Week 2: Dis/Closures of Democracy and Earth with Brendon Neilson
March 20- Week 3: Power and Its Alternatives with Allen Doerksen
March 27- Week 4: Love-tangles of Theology with Juli Mallet 

Apologies that this didn't get out before (and the first was earlier today)

Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent in the christian church. While the service traditions date back to the 11th century, the tradition of receiving ashes as an outward sign of repentance dates back thousands of years. The ashes used during the Ash Wednesday liturgy are derived from burning palm crosses from the previous year's Palm Sunday liturgy. The ashes are placed on foreheads in the sign of a cross by a priest. These words are often spoken: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  

While yesterday was Ash Wednesday you are welcome to watch a short Ash Wednesday sermon with Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee, click on the link below.

Image courtesy of West Vancouver United Church

“Lord, have mercy!”

My goodness, do I ever feel that prayer on this Ash Wednesday. These are dizzying times, to say the least. Like you I’m sure, I feel sidelined and rather powerless as I refresh (unhealthily perhaps) the ever-changing headlines. 

But what worries me most these days is the local, lived impact of this seemingly endless drama. What happens when people don’t have a place to put their anxiety, their anger, and their feelings of hopelessness? What happens when people try to reclaim agency in their own way, emboldened by the bluster and hubris of myopic leadership.