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We are very sorry to have to postpone today’s Sinixt Workshop due to illness. We look forward to rescheduling soon.

Castlegar United Church is pleased to present at workshop on Sinixt Culture and History with Lori Barkley, Staff Anthropologist for Autonomous Sinixt on Saturday, January 29 from 2-3:30 pm. Participants are recommended to do some reading in preparation: explore the website https://bloodoflifecollective.org/ , read the book “Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way” (Maa Press ISBN 978-0-9685302-8-3) available at bookstores and libraries, and an additional pdf article is available by emailing office@castlegarunited.ca . This workshop is made possible in part by a grant from Heritage Credit Union.
For Zoom link please message us.

As of December 26, 2021, in-person attendance for worship services is temporarily suspended. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel for Sunday Worship and other special services. This decision was made based on information provided by the Pacific Mountain Regional Council (PMRC) of the United Church of Canada and is not a result of any government regulation. In a letter, PMRC Executive Minister Treena Duncan shared:

“Dr David Keegan, a committed United Church member, Alberta doctor and professor at the University of Calgary, reached out to me to offer some wisdom and guidance for the church. He is calling on the United Church in Western Canada to be leaders in the fight against Omicron.

“He said, “I suggest that UCC has the opportunity to save many lives, prevent hospital admissions and long-term disability, and to focus on the social justice and life orientation of Jesus by switching to online services for Christmas/Christmas Eve. Let’s give the gift of life this Christmas.”

“Dr Keegan goes on to say:

• “For anyone unvaccinated or partially vaccinated (or even for some who have two shots), Omicron is a severe threat to life and health, just like the previous variants.
• Omicron spreads incredibly rapidly, even with measures such as those in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.
• Omicron (and all COVID) is airborne, which has been known for over a year, but which many governments have been loathe to acknowledge.
• Omicron’s doubling time is moving at a record pace.”

Even with our new policy at Castlegar United Church requiring proof of vaccination for in-person attendance, the Church Board decided that the safest course of action would be to temporarily suspend in-person attendance until such a time as the infection rates slow down.

If you feel a deep spiritual need to attend in person and are finding online attendance not life-giving for you, please contact Rev. Robin. A small number of people are still needed for online production, including both technology help (YouTube and Projection operators), as well as a few people to simply provide congregational voices for the responsive readings and hymn singing.

Effective Dec 12, 2021, proof of vaccination will be required to attend indoor worship and other indoor church-sponsored gatherings at Castlegar United Church for all over the age of 12. Alternatively, you may present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior.

As per BC Government requirements, masks/face coverings must be worn during worship as well.

Those who choose not to be vaccinated are welcome to join us for worship services online and are also welcome to come to the Sanctuary for private prayer and reflection during regular office hours when the Sanctuary is not in use by others, with appropriate face coverings and social distancing. If you are struggling with technology and access to online worship services, give us a call and we will do our best to help you.

If you have proof of vaccination and do not wish to have to show it every time you come to worship, we offer preregistration in which you may opt to have your name stored on a list for future services, so you only need to show your proof the first time you come.

If you have been vaccinated but do not have your official proof of vaccine code, again, give us a call and we will do our best to assist you navigating the government system for getting yours.