U Matters
This week Monte, Dan and I joined a 3-hour UK-based course called ‘Difference.’ Immediately we were aware of the “difference” as the course went until midnight in our time zone. Dealing with differing opinions, different thoughts and different points of view can be challenging.
The Psalmist wrote,
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133
Three verses - one entire chapter in the book of Psalms sends a clear message - it is good and pleasant when God’s people live in unity and when we live in unity, we will receive a blessing.
Unity is not always easy. We do not always agree. Unity is not uniformity. It is how we convey our differences that is critical. Archbishop Justin Welby stated, “Reconciliation is not the ending of all difference but the transformation of how we deal with difference.”
Part of dealing with ‘difference’ is remembering our commonality. As believers we have a common starting point. Bonhoeffer stated, “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.” (Life Together) We are joined together in a community because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We live for Christ’s purposes not our own, we live according to His word, and we live in community through and in Jesus Christ. Christ is our unity. Christ brings us together, and together we worship, learn, serve and grow in His likeness.
My hope is that as we are confronted with differences, we will continue to maintain the unity through the bonds of peace and walk in the light receiving God’s richest blessings. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) and “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” (1 John 1:7)
Blessings, Pastor Michele
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS:
Annual General Meeting: June 27th starting at 7:00PM at the METHODIST INTERNATIONAL CHURCH. We want to ensure that every member of our Church can come to the AGM and vote for our new leaders (including the Senior Pastor), we have therefore taken the decision to relocate the AGM to the MIC where we can be sure of fitting everyone in. Due to the covid-19 restrictions we have very limited capacity at Sunlight Tower and we do not want to have to turn anyone away. Please remember that you need to attend the AGM to vote, so please try to come to hear all about what has been happening over the last year and to vote for our new leaders. We look forward to seeing you there.
- Sign up HERE to join a neighbourhood-based group
- Questions? Look HERE or reach out to .
Missions:
We are holding regular Kindness Walks around Wan Chai, reaching out to bless the poor in our neighbourhood. The next Union Church walks will be on June 28th after the 11:15AM service and then July 12th after the 9:45AM service. If you would like to find out more about Union Church's Kindness Walks, please contact the Missions committee.
We are also inviting our congregation to join ImpactHK on their weekly Kindness Walks in Wan Chai on Wednesday evenings. Please contact or sign up online HERE.
Inner City Ministries focuses on helping the ethnic minorities and their families in Hong Kong. One special group of people that Inner City Ministries help are recovering drug addicts. After a year of rehab, many of these individuals cannot find employment, and they quickly slip back into drug abuse. If you know of any job opportunities that are open to hiring rehabilitated individuals, please contact emmanuel@
Another exciting opportunity is to volunteer and help in their children’s program. Learn more about how to keep kids safe or to mentor them at innercityministries.org/
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. Seeking sewing instructor - they are looking for a volunteer sewing instructor who can help train beginners in sewing and develop some new ReStore products. Please email
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
Missions Night – June 26. This week we are going on a Kindness Walk! Youth are invited to join us at Union Church this Friday, and we will be breaking into a couple of groups. One group will be participating in a Kindness Walk around Wan Chai (Max 10 participants) while the other will remain at Union, read scripture and discuss the Church’s responsibility to the poor. We will then regroup and debrief together!
What: Kindness Walk and Discussion
When: All youth are invited to join us at 6PM. The Kindness Walk team will depart Union at 6:30PM. After they return youth will regroup and debrief together. Dismissal will be at 9PM
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.
NO Sunday Youth Group – June 28. There will be no Sunday Youth this week, as it is Graduation Sunday for upcoming Children’s Ministry graduates and graduating Seniors. Youth are invited to the 11:15 service to welcome new Juniors and pray for graduating seniors!
Graduating Seniors
This Sunday we are sending off 5 Graduating Senior High Youth! Many of them have been with Union Church since they were young children, and have grown up together and with other Youth. Join us in celebrating and commissioning these Youth as they head off into the next great chapter of their life!
Sebastian Caldwell
Elise Bland
Michael Landes
Olivia Appel
Jess Fox.
Kingdom Kids
We will be paying tribute to all of our Sunday School Teachers and our core volunteers for their dedication and love towards our Children's Ministry. Our Sunday School Teachers comprise of parents, young adults, LTS students and youth who volunteer their Sunday mornings to minister and care for our children. On behalf of all the children, parents and Union Church family, we would like to say ‘A BIG THANK YOU’.
CRÈCHE:
Ruby Herico, Cristina Yangkin, Michele Navarro Bergabenia, Arleen Teves, Kris Tine
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Jessica Hexter, Kathy Foley, Anna Isaac, Philip Savio, Jessica Leung, Elizabeth Pang, David Tong, Rachel Ye, Julia Hu, Grace Sadsad, Lester Sadsad, Lian Chiu, Aquin Dennison, Carli Luxton, Joseline Chia, Mandy Wong, Simon Chiu, Maurice Yeung, Jefferson Cheung, Patrick Wong, Nicole Li, Kathleen Ting, Lindy Fok, Tariq Dennison, Alia Eyres, Koon Wee, Brad Landes, Langh Cin Kim, Ling Naing, Mungdang, Britta Tellvik, Caleb Tellvik, Abigail Lee, Joy Tan, Giselle Lee, Kathy Leung, Vonny Sagita, Pastor Ruth Tablada, Jeannie Cho.
Sunday School Senior Student’s Graduation
This Sunday at the 11:15AM Service, 25 of our Senior Sunday School children will be graduating from Sunday School into the Youth Group. Join us as we celebrate this important milestone with them and please extend your best wishes and prayers for these amazing children.
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Andrew Allison, Audrey Yip, Ashley Lam, Chenuthi Mallawaarachchi, Christian Li, Ella Leia Wee, Guinness McKenzie, Heeyue Ng, Jack Fletcher, James Cai, Jensen Chu, Joshua Chu, Keith Pang, Lauren lam, Louie Li, Marie Demuynck, Memphis Wong, Minni Kember, Natalie Wong, Nathaniel Ushe, Olivia Cho, Pippa Chen, Princeton Lam, Sally Shek, Zoe Johnson.
CRECHE & SUNDAY SCHOOL ARRANGEMENTS for Sunday 28 June 2020 and until further notice
Creche Center will be open with restricted capacity. For children aged 3 years old above, Veggie Tales Movies will be shown in rooms 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
3-5 years old students: Fruit of the Spirit Bible study, starting this Sunday via Zoom, from 10.45 am - 11.15 am.
6 years old and above students: Books of the Bible study, every Sunday via Zoom, from 10.45 am - 11.30 am.
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 reason, 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 CHILDREN 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".
"Lessons From A Father" Dan Tupps.