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���������������������������������������������������������������� Bishop John Shelby Spong entitled one of his recent books The Christian Church Must Change or Die. We at Steveston United Church have certainly been through some significant changes since the Easter edition of our church newsletter was published.

Firstly, Suzi Petersen, our part-time office secretary has resigned. Her last day was September 24th. Suzi has given 5 ½ years to her secretarial duties at Steveston United. She has always produced wonderfully creative and much appreciated work for the church. We will certainly miss her. If you want to say goodbye to Suzi and sign a farewell card, a time of refreshment and conversation has been set up for Thursday, September 29th beginning at 10:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. Please mark this date on your calendars.

Secondly, some of you have been inquiring as to the status of the sale of the Lots 17 & 18 (east of our parking lot). We were given permission on September 06 by Vancouver South Presbytery to begin negotiations with potential bidders. On September 07 the Board of Trustees and the Unified Board met for an extraordinary meeting to deal with property matters. The Unified Board decided to offer the property to Ramlin Developments Ltd. for the sum of $570,000 net. The next step is to have the Board of Trustees present the terms of this potential sale to the presbytery for approval on Tuesday, October 04. We will also need to present our “wish list” --- how we intend to spend the proceeds from the sale. From the potential buyer’s side, the sale is subject to the City of Richmond’s approval of rezoning. Currently, this land is zoned “assembly” for church use. The buyer will be petitioning the city for a zoning change to residential. This request and approval could take 4 – 6 months. A big sincere thank you to all who have been involved in this rather cumbersome process.

Finally, on Sunday, September 11 the congregation approved the recommendation of the Joint Needs Assessment Report. Pending Vancouver South Presbytery’s approval (perhaps given September 20), I will be working part-time (20 hours per week) beginning October 01, 2005. Many of you have been asking what this means in terms of the ministry I have been engaged in at Steveston United Church over the past 4 years. The question is --- what will get left out of my current full-time ministry? Your Ministry and Personnel Committee has drafted a half-time job description that has been presented to the Unified Board. Steveston United Church’s relationship to the wider church and to the wider community will need to be addressed over the next few months.

For example, who will be responsible for the Care Facility Services that we are asked to participate in (about 1 every 5 weeks)? Who will give time to the annual advent choral service, the World Day of Prayer planning, etc? How will the security of the church building be affected by a reduction in church office hours? Such questions and many others we will face together over the coming months. And so dear friends, it seems the only real constant in our life and work together has been change itself. Remember God is calling us into God’s tomorrow. We are not alone in this. THANKS BE TO GOD.

Yours in Christ,

(Rev.) Rick Taylor September 2005

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OCTOBER 2005

Sunday, October 02, 2005 – 10 a.m. Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4(b)-14, Matthew 21:33-46 Sermon: “What Are We Looking For?” – Rev. Rick Taylor Worldwide Communion will be celebrated. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2005

The Decoration of the Sanctuary for Thanksgiving Sunday Please bring flowers, corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds and non-perishable food stuff for the decoration of our communion table and altar. Your assistance in making our worship space “a harvest home” would be greatly appreciated.

Sunday, October 09, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9,

Matthew 22:1-14 Sermon: “Run For Your Life!” – Rev. Rick Taylor A Moment for Christian Mission will be shared. / RICHMOND FOOD BANK RALLY SUNDAY PLEASE BRING: Non-perishable food items to fill our cart. See page 5 for a helpful list of items most needed.

Monday, October 10th – The church office will be closed for Thanksgiving Day.

The church staff at Steveston United wishes you a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Sunday, October 16, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 Sermon: “A Matter of Choice” – Rev. Rick Taylor It is the Sunday closest to World Food Day.

Monday, October 17th at 7:00 p.m. – Church Hall Our annual Christmas Bazaar is fast approaching!

This is the second night of planning for this major event in our church calendar.

Join us – we would truly appreciate your input!

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Sunday, October 23, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8,

Matthew 22:34-96 Sermon: “Do It Again!” – Rev. Rick Taylor The Sacrament of Baptism and Reception of New Members will be celebrated. It is the Sunday the wider church celebrates Peace Sabbath.

Please remember – before retiring on Saturday, October 29th set your clocks BACK ONE HOUR

as we return to Standard Time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 30th.

Sunday, October 30, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twenty-Third Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10, Psalm 131:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13,

Matthew 23:1-12 Sermon: t.b.a.

NOVEMBER 2005

Sunday, November 06, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twenty-Fourth Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Joshua 24:1-3(a), 14-25, Psalm 78:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18,

Matthew 25:1-13 Sermon: Rev. Rick Taylor The Sacrament of Holy Communion, Act of Remembrance. Poppies will be available.

Sunday, November 13, 2005 – 10 a.m. Twenty-Fifth Sunday After Pentecost Readings: Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Matthew 25:14-30 Sermon: Rev. Rick Taylor A Moment for Christian Mission will be shared. / RICHMOND FOOD BANK RALLY SUNDAY PLEASE BRING: Non-perishable food items to fill our cart. See page 5 for a helpful list of items most needed.

Sunday, November 20, 2005 – 10 a.m. The Reign of Christ – Last Sunday of Pentecost Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24, Psalm 100, Ephesians 1:15-23, Matthew 23:31-46 Sermon: Rev. Rick Taylor

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR SET-UP Friday, November 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

You can help in so many ways. Luncheon will be provided for all our volunteers.

Contact: Nora Medenwaldt or June Taylor for more details.

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Sunday, November 27, 2005 – 10 a.m. First Sunday of Advent Readings: Isaiah 64:1-9, Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, Mark 13:24-37 Sermon: Rev. Rick Taylor The Sacrament of Baptism and Reception of New Members. We will light the Candle of Hope in our Advent Wreath.

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���������� �����������This date is the DEADLINE for submissions to the Christmas Church Newsletter.

The Newsletter will be out on Sunday, November 27th. Please bring articles in to the church office.

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The second Sunday of each month we ask the congregation who gathers for worship to remember to bring non-perishable food items and fill our cart to overflowing. Recently, I delivered your contributions and cash to the food bank. I must say, the shelves were not looking as well stocked as they have in the past. After I signed in (to say where the food stuffs had come from), I spent a few moments with the director of the local food bank, asking how Steveston United Church could be more helpful with particular food items that seem to be in short supply. The director replied: “Our pantry always needs:

�� SOUPS – tomato, vegetable, chicken noodle, cream of mushroom �� BEANS – pork & beans, kidney beans, etc. �� TINNED VEGETABLES �� CANNED FRUIT �� JUICE �� PEANUT BUTTER �� HOT CHOCOLATE, TEA BAGS (regular and herbal) �� JELLO �� DRY PACKS – noodle soups �� LIPTON NOODLES & SAUCE, KRAFT DINNER, ANY MEAL IN A BOX, e. g. Au

Gratin Scalloped Potatoes �� RICE-A-RONI, RICE �� PASTA – 500 or 900 grams �� TINNED FISH – tuna, salmon, sardines �� TINNED TOMATOES, PASTA SAUCE �� CORNED BEEF, LUNCHEON MEAT, CANNED HAM �� CANNED PASTA, e.g. Zoodles �� CANNED STEWS

You can always drop off any extra contribution – even when it’s not the second Sunday of the month. Our cart sits outside the minister’s door as does the little blue snail (on top of the book case) for cash contributions. Thank you for your support in the past. Don’t forget to make an “over and above” contribution especially with Thanksgiving approaching.

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Statement of Income & Expenditures July 31, 2005

Income (from all sources) for month of July 2005 $ 13,850 Expenses (for July 2005) $ 10,523 Gain for the month ending July 31, 2005 $ 3,327 Year-to-Date Income (from all sources) $ 63,952 Year-to-Date Expenses $ 83,748 Year-to-Date Loss $ 19,796

Statement of Income & Expenditures August 31, 1005

Income (from all sources) for month of Aug 2005 $ 7,304 Expenses (for Aug 2005) $ 9,662 Loss for the month ending Aug 31, 2005 $ 2,358 Year-to-Date Income (from all sources) $ 71,256 Year-to-Date Expenses $ 93,411 Year-to-Date Loss $ 22,155

Submitted by: Tracey Sakai, Treasurer

����tewardship is nothing less than a complete life-style, a total accountability and responsibility

before God. STEWARDSHIP is what we do after we say we believe, that is often we give our love, loyalty and trust to God, from whom each and every aspect of our lives comes as a gift. As members of God’s household, we are subject to God’s economy or stewardship, that is God’s plan to reconcile the whole world and bring creation to its proper end.

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Name Date of Death Date of Service Kenneth James Roberts March 20, 2005 March 26, 2005 Catherine Olga Surphlis March 31, 2005 April 09, 2005 John Alan Stevenson April 27, 2005 May 07, 2005 Emiko (Amy) Greensword May 10, 2005 May 16, 2005 Edna May Wright June 11, 2005 July 09, 2005 Patricia Megumi Lowes July 22, 2005 August 06, 2005 Eugene M. Tomasky July 31, 2005 August 18, 2005 “ Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil For thou art with me.” (Psalm 23)

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� ����� !�� �Recent marr iages within the congregation’s life and work include: Adam Zimmerman to Tracy Goodman on May 14, 2005. The wedding took place at 10251 St. Edward’s Drive, Richmond with Rev. Taylor officiating.

Peter Strange to Emily Wang on June 18, 2005. The wedding took place at Steveston United Church with Rev. Taylor officiating.

Wayne Eastcott to Stefanie Odermatt on July 23, 2005. The wedding took place at Steveston United Church with Rev. Taylor officiating.

Adrian Cheung to Lani Chin on September 18, 2005. The wedding took place at the Hazelmere Golf and Country Club with Rev. Taylor officiating. Currently we have four weddings booked for 2006. Thanks to Joan Crich for her diligence and care with our brides and grooms.

�"�#$��� ��Steveston United Church welcomes in the fellowship of the Chr istian church and into the congregation through baptism. Andrew Jarryd Alan Gerow, infant son of Richard & Jacqueline Gerow. The baptism took place on Sunday, January 09, 2005.

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Ashleigh Seo Wood, infant daughter of Alastair Wood & Jeong Suk Seo. The baptism took place on Sunday, March 27, 2005. Ella Diane Easton, infant daughter of Paul & Gloria Easton. The baptism took place on Sunday, June 19, 2005.

Sean Paul Easton, infant son of Paul & Gloria Easton. The baptism took place on Sunday, June 19, 2005.

Anita Grace van Wieringen, infant daughter of John & Heidi van Wieringen. The baptism took place on Sunday, June 19, 2005.

Winston Lu by adult baptism and confirmation on Sunday, September 25, 2005. Jennifer Taylor Butcher, infant daughter of John & Tracy Butcher. The service will take place on Sunday, September 25, 2005.

A new minister was visiting in the homes of his congregation. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took a card and wrote “Revelation 3:20”, on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, “Genesis 3:10”.

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.

Revelation 3:20 begins: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Genesis 3:10 reads: “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.”

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HURRICANE KATRINA DISASTER RESPONSE � From the General Council Office United Church of Canada (September 8, 2005)

Unexpected Fury Hurricane Katrina, a Category 4 hurricane, stormed ashore the U.S. Gulf Coast 10 days ago with extraordinarily strong winds and heavy rains. Extensive wind damage and flooding occurred along the projected track of the storm from the Gulf Coast to the Ohio River Valley. Katrina first crossed southern Florida, resulting in nine deaths and extensive flooding. Then, in coastal areas of Louisiana, large sections of New Orleans and other urban areas were flooded. Property damage has been extensive.

It has taken several days to assess the number of casualties in New Orleans, and exact numbers still aren’t known. But authorities believe that as many as 10,000 lives may have been lost. While local residents and area authorities knew that Hurricane Katrina would be a force to be reckoned with, it seems that its final fury was more than had been anticipated.

So severe is the damage in some areas of the Gulf Coast that it will take months and years of recovery and reconstruction efforts. The mayor of New Orleans, for example, has said that most of the city has been destroyed. The pain experienced by those now grieving the loss of loved ones and friends, of course, can never be entirely repaired. Rescue and Relief Response Delayed Tragically, many who survived the hurricane have suffered enormously awaiting rescue, some living for days without food and water on rooftops surrounded by contaminated water meters deep. Many Americans have criticized authorities, the U.S. government in particular, for the delays. President Bush himself has referred to the levels of disaster preparedness and rescue and relief coordination as “unacceptable” and has promised an investigation. As TV and newspaper coverage over the past weekend revealed, Americans are wondering how it is possible that in a country like the United States, with its tremendous resources and capacity, a disaster response initiative could apparently go so wrong. Fortunately, over the past two days, rescue and relief operations appear to have picked up considerably. Impoverished People Bear the Brunt It seems that those most adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina are the Gulf Coast’s impoverished people. As Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners magazine has written, those most affected are “the poor who live in ill-constructed buildings, who live in valleys and plains that are the first to flood, whose neighbourhoods are dense and overcrowded, who do not have cars, or other means to evacuate, and who are the least likely to have home, or health, insurance.”

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The Rev. John L. McCullough, executive director of Church World Service, a major American ecumenical aid and development agency, said his organization “is particularly concerned about the plight of what we anticipate to be a high percentage of poor people, the elderly, and other vulnerable population throughout the affected Gulf Coast area and beyond.” McCullough added, “Stories of individuals who had to stay in New Orleans in their homes because they couldn’t afford to evacuate personify (the) crisis.” Environmental Causes According to environmental groups, the loss of coastal marshlands that buffer New Orleans from flooding and storm surges may have worsened the impact of Hurricane Katrina. In the past, the regions’ wetlands have served as a natural buffer that slows hurricanes down as they come in from the Gulf of Mexico and helps protect New Orleans from storms. Similarly, the cutting down of coastal mangrove swamps in Southeast Asia is thought to have worsened the impact of the tsunami that occurred last December.

Experts say the construction of levees along the Mississippi River Delta has hastened the decline of wetland vegetation along the coast by preventing these ecosystems from receiving the floodwater and mud that they need to survive. Joe Suhayda, a retired coastal engineer at Louisiana State University who has spent 30 years studying the Gulf coast, says in an interview with American Public Radio, “So the hurricane can move closer to the city before it starts to decrease. So in effect, the city is moving closer to the Gulf as each year goes by. America’s Wetland, a Baton Rouge organization, estimates that more than 1,900 square miles of Louisiana has disappeared since the 1930s due to development and the construction of levees and canals. This, coupled with the loss of barrier islands and stands of natural vegetation has made the New Orleans area more susceptible to storm surges. Sharon Begley, a science columnist for The Wall Street Journal, notes that studies have shown that for every square mile of wetlands lost, storm surges rise by one foot.

Global warming may only make the situation worse with rising sea levels and warmer seas that will fuel ever stronger storms. U.S. Churches Respond Churches and faith-based relief agencies in the United States are working urgently and diligently to respond to the disaster. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)* and the ecumenical Church World Service (CWS)* are two such organizations. Church World Service has launched a fundraising appeal for survivors of Hurricane Katrina. It anticipates what may be the largest U.S. relief operation in its history.

Last week, CWS’s disaster response specialists met with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials via telephone conferences, along with partners in the faith community and state Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOADs) to identify material resource needs and storm-affected areas where CWS will concentrate its efforts.

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In addition to providing emergency aid following domestic disasters, CWS specializes in assisting in the development of community-based, long-term recovery organizations that are established in affected areas to help vulnerable populations and those with unmet needs.

“With such catastrophic damage,” says McCullough. “It will be a while before we know the full extent of lives lost and material destruction, but we can be sure that recovery will take a very, very long time.”

CWS will also respond on request in other states affected by Katrina, including Florida, where its domestic disaster recovery liaisons helped more than 40 communities develop capacity in long-term recovery during the 2004 hurricane season.

The United Church has written letters to both UNMOR and CWS to offer our thoughts and prayers and moral support. How United Church Members Can Help

1. Pray: From the General Council Office, our thoughts and prayers go out to our American sisters and brothers who have been so terribly affected by Hurricane Katrina. United Church members across Canada are urged also to pray for the people who live in communities affected by the hurricane, and in particular, those who have lost property, livelihoods, loved ones, and friends.

2. Learn more: Visit both the UMCOR* and CWS* websites to stay abreast of their energetic efforts to respond to the disaster. UMCOR and CWS are large agencies with a great deal of capacity to raise funds for hurricane relief from their constituents across the U.S. Many other churches and church organizations in the U.S. are also raising funds for hurricane relief.

3. Donations: United Church members who wish to donate funds for Hurricane Katrina Relief can do so through the General Council Office. The funds will be channeled to Church World Service, a major ecumenical relief agency in the U.S. to which the United Church relates. Cheques should be made payable to The United Church of Canada and marked “Hurricane Katrina Relief”. The funds will be regarded as supragifts.

Please note: Supragifts cannot be counted as M&S Fund credits. However, they are eligible for tax receipts. Congregational treasurers may receive and receipt individual cheques and then forward one congregational cheque to the United Church. For more information please contact: Gary Kenny Emergency Response Coordinator Justice, Global & Ecumenical Relations Unit Tel: 416-231-7680, ext. 4051

Omega Bula Executive Minister Justice, Global & Ecumenical Relations Unit Tel: 416-231-7680, ext. 4037

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prayers Prayer As We Contemplate the Ravaging Work of Hurricane Katrina The following prayer was written by A. H. Harry Oussoren, Executive Minister for the Support to Local Ministries Unit of the General Council Office.

Holy and mysterious One, we look at your creation with awe and wonder, and now with terror. Yet again, we see the power of wind and water breaking through, destroying, crippling, killing. We lament the suffering, the loss, the pain, the death. We pray for your sons and daughters in the southern coast states of America. We see their desperate plight and our hearts share your compassion for them. We grieve for the loss of life-human, animal, plant, and destroyed webs that nurtured well-being and contentment. Resurrection is hard to imagine in such devastation. But death is never your last word. You keep providing signs of eternal life – as emergency and military personnel respond; as neighbours hold each other up; as faraway sisters and brothers respond with prayers with money, with deeds of concern. By your love made real, let your transforming power restore, renew, and resurrect. By faith, we know you will do this. We pray in and with Christ, the suffering and living One. Amen.