Pilgrimage – Day 1

2018 Father’s Day

Neighbourhood Consultation Session

Neighbourhood Consultation Session – Wed. June 13, 7 p.m., Visions United Church

You are invited to attend a consultation about the future of the church building owned by Visions United Church of Canada, and formerly known as Stilesville United, located at 1270 Gorge Road.

Visions United has outgrown the church building. To meet our growing needs and ensure sustainability, Visions is seeking a partnership with another like-minded organization, potentially at an alternate location. We’re exploring the possible future of the current church property without a congregation operating the facilities.

We know that for many this building represents many fond memories and a place of community gathering. We want to hear from you to understand your thoughts and concerns.

If the building is not to be part of Vision’s future, we want the community to understand the path forward and we want to understand what it means for those who have an attachment to the building.

We are looking to explore all possible uses of the property including:
- Partnership ideas to share the property with Visions United
- Interest in community ownership of the property
- Potential listing and sale of the property

This decision to seek a partnership and different location was not made lightly. The decision of what to do with the property and building will not be made lightly either. We understand it has the potential to affect people who live in this area.

Please join us in conversation:
Wednesday, June 13, 7 p.m. at Visions United Church, 1270 Gorge Road
Light refreshments will be served.

Sincerely,
The leadership of Visions United Church

Hat Day!

Wear or bring a hat! May 20, we celebrated our Family of Faith on Mother's Day, also known as Christian Family Sunday.

Everyone was invited to wear (or bring) a hat - any hat that tells a story of you. Maybe it's a hat that was given to you... maybe it's a hat you wear running or fishing or gardening... maybe it's a nursing cap or grad cap, a ball cap or hockey helmet... maybe your hat has a logo that means something to you like your workplace, or favorite sports team or special place you visited... maybe you just like hats!

We will celebrate the diversity of our family of faith with our hats and the stories they represent.

Dover Cemetery

Ban Single Use Plastic Bags

The origins of the idea was a member of the congregation who felt that we should consider a ban on plastic in our community. During Lent, the congregation was asked to give up single use plastics. This led to the idea of approaching City Hall with a Petition. Visions United members brought their petition to Moncton City Council on Monday May 7, 2108.

It calls for a Ban on Single Use plastic bags. The CBC was there and filed this report: Plastic Bag Ban

Moncton City Council advised us this issue will be on the agenda of the Tri-Communities meeting (Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview) on June 13th, 2018. Let's join our voices to let our officials know we support a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags. One small action can make a difference!

The Giving Tree

Celebration in Portugal for new $10 banknote

On International Women’s Day, seven Canadian women in Portugal celebrated the new $10 banknote design, featuring civil rights champion Viola Desmond on the front and the Museum on the back. Pam Harrison met with her friends to usher in a new chapter in Canadian history. They gathered with their old $10 bills and as the reveal of the new banknote design was happening in Halifax, webcast around the world, they tossed their bills to the sky.

“A great day for women, and wonderful recognition for the Desmond family to know their beloved sister and aunt made positive change possible,” said Harrison, who is a Museum member.

2018 Easter in Portugal

Here are pictures from Easter in Portugal. They decorate the streets (4,000 Steps on my Fitbit) and this is the parade route from the church. Several families go to the fields and collect flowers in the moon light and come sunrise they decorate the streets with very special designs. It really is something to see.

At the church the men and boys gather with beautiful flower arrangements on broom sticks. They will carry them through the streets and walk over the flowers. One man will shout in Portuguese CHRIST HAS RISEN and everyone responds- alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. This will last until the parade finishes (approximately 2 Hours). They also hoist the Flower Torches high in the air while they are shouting.

They carry the cross, the lamb, the statue of Mary, and it finishes with a band. It appears like there may be a little competition for the group with the most decorated torches. Some of them were very impressive. I was told that there may be a family group, a group from work, maybe a soccer team, etc.

The original Torches used to have candles and then was a shortage of wax so the started just using flowers.

LordMayer of Coventry

This is the LordMayer of Coventry and me standing on a stage where Shakespeare performed at least seven times .
Here is the stage with a very large tapestry ( 16 high x 40 ft long) and tells a Royal story. Looking the other way, note the items on the ledge
The ceiling was beautiful and all of this dates back to 1342, so it is very old.

Pam was at the Rotary Peace Conference. The theme was Preventable Diseases and Peace. It was held in Coventry because of the Coventry Cathedral's story of reconciliation after the war.