U Matters
Last Sunday 12 of us went on a Kindness Walk throughout Wan Chai, the second walk in the area in a few months. The group was a mixture of staff and missions committee members and although it was raining, we were both encouraged and challenged. It was encouraging to see the warm welcome that a glass of water, a banana and a smile can bring. It was encouraging to see how relationships can be formed and how willing people were to welcome us. It was encouraging to hear that the two children on our team had been counting down the days before they could go on another kindness walk (they went on the first).
It was also challenging. Challenging to see the working poor - people who are working but their wages are so low that they have created ‘houses’ on the streets. Every day we see evidence that we live in a broken and hurting world. The Psalmist wrote, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free.” Psalm 146:5-7
God gives us hope and because we have hope we are encouraged and challenged through God’s word to share that hope with others. There are many ways we can share that hope and we trust you have found opportunities.
If you would like to be involved in Union Church Kindness Walks, we encourage you to let our missions team know. We will be having these walks twice per month, immediately following the 9:45 and 11:15 services. (10:50 and 12:30) All welcome (including families), walks are approximately one hour and in groups of 10. In fact, a group departs this Sunday at 10:50. Please let our team know if you are interested and consider joining this mission - it’s what we are reading about in the book of Acts.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” Helen Keller
Blessings, Pastor Michele
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS:
Congratulations to Catriona Woodrow and to Mung Dang. Catriona has just graduated with an MDiv in Theology and Mung Dang with an MA in Diakonia from Lutheran Theological Seminary. We rejoice with you.
AGM: June 27th starting at 7:00PM in the Sanctuary.
Nominations for COM members and Trustees will close on Sunday 14th June at 8:00PM. If you wish to nominate someone, please collect a form from the Church office. You will need their agreement and a seconder. Please return the form to the office.
Sunday Worship: We are delighted to announce that the Government has given permission for Churches to worship in person. This Sunday, 14th of June we will hold four services: 8:45AM, 9:45AM, 11:15AM and a 3:00PM for our Filipino congregation. Please note that there are conditions to allowing us to worship together. The following criteria must be met: reduce to 50% capacity on the floor, temperature check on arrival, wearing masks, no food or drink allowed and we will keep a record of attendees. Please arrive in plenty of time to sign your health declaration (or download it HERE and bring it with you). We are restricted in numbers please consider joining the 8:45AM service if you are able. Please note we will stream the 9:45 and 11:15 services at the Hotel Indigo if we surpass numbers. You are also welcome to worship from home, we will be streaming the 9:45AM and 11:15AM services via our website, app, Facebook page and YouTube.
World Refugee Day is on! We are pleased that the live event is planned to proceed on 20 June (Sat) at Kowloon Union Church, 4 Jordan Road, Kowloon, 3-5PM. We hope to see you all there.
Please check our website and your email for latest news.
Upcoming:
- Sign up HERE to join a neighbourhood-based group
- Questions? Look HERE or reach out to .
Missions:
If you would like to find out more about Union Church's Kindness Walk in our neighbourhood, please contact the Missions committee.
COVID-19 has hit the Philippines hard! Union Church is raising funds to help ICM and the poor in the Philippines. HK$300 supplies 1000 meals. Please consider giving generously using the QR code and specify: "ICM".
Sons & Daughters, our neighbours in Wan Chai, share God's love with the women and men of the red light districts throughout Hong Kong.
-They are looking for a manager for their drop-in centre and volunteers. For more information, or to apply, please send an email to
-They are looking for volunteers for their Outreach and Drop-in teams. If you're interested, please email .
-They are also in need of food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, electronics, and board games. If you're able to make a donation, please see the items needed at: https://forms.gle/ZDzeekPP2Nhdpekg6
Connecting:
The Marriage Course: please contact Joanna Yau for more details.
Pastoral Care Support, if you are looking for some support and prayer please let our staff know. Contact Ministry leaders directly or admin at: or call 6225 5042.
Small Groups
Meeting as a small group in this time is challenging, but the support from each other is more important than ever. There ARE online options - please reach out if you need help figuring this out! If you aren't currently in a group, we encourage you to try it out. There are groups for women, men, couples, day-time, night-time, etc. Interested? Contact Monte Peterson.
Young Adults
Game Night! June 19 at 8:00pm. Come and join us for some exciting board and card games. For more details contact Dan Tupps:
Friday Youth Group – June 12. We are back at Sunlight Tower this week. Youth are invited to join us at Union Church this Friday for a NERF Battle! Youth will divide into teams for different game modes and are welcome to bring their own NERF equipment.
What: NERF Battle
When: All youth are invited to join us at 6PM. Juniors (11-13) will be dismissed at 8:30PM. Seniors (14-18) will be dismissed at 9:30PM.
Details: There will be no dinner provided, so please make plans to either eat before or after. Youth are required to wear masks, and there will be guidelines on distance between youth when seated etc. All youth will also be asked to sign a Declaration of Health form when entering.
Sunday Youth Group – June 14. All Youth are invited at 11:15 to join Hunter and leaders at 2/F Indigo Hotel as we read through the weekly scripture and discuss together!
Kingdom Kids
CRECHE & SUNDAY SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS for Sunday 7th June 2020 and until further notice:
Creche Centre will be open with restricted capacity. For children aged 3 years old above, Veggie Tales Movies will be shown in room 2&3 with strict hygiene measures and in accordance with the government guidelines. We greatly appreciate your understanding and kind cooperation as we gather and worship God responsibly.
ONLINE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Senior Students (10 years old and above): Fruit of the Spirit Bible study, every Saturday via Zoom, from 4 - 5 pm.
6 years old and above students: Books of the Bible study, every Sunday via Zoom, from 10.45 am - 11.30 am.
3-5 years old students: Kingdom Kids Sunday edition, through Union Church website, app and Facebook, at the end of the 9.45 am and 11.15 am service.
Sunday School 2019/2020 Registration & Zoom Link to Online Sunday School :
All children enrolling in our Sunday School and Creche Center MUST BE REGISTERED by filling in and signing the Registration Form HERE. For safety reasons, only children officially registered in our Sunday School program will receive the Zoom link to our Online Bible Study. For more information, please visit Union Church's website or contact us at or 21010414
Stephen's Ministry
A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support to people going through a crisis or a difficult time. Please contact Pastor Michele if we can help ( )
Fertility & Pregnancy/Infant Loss Support Group - Struggling and could use some fellowship, friendship and support? Contact Sonia Lee.
Family in Need (FIN)
If you would like to help support our family in need ministry, which helps people monthly with basic needs, please mark your envelope "FIN".
"Serving 2 Masters?" Pastor Michele.