Outreach Projects
Mission and Outreach Team – This Team oversees the outreach activities in the church
Caring Ministry Team - They look after pastoral care concerns in the church community.
Thrift Shop - Raises money for our First United Mission and our church
Helping the Church – Church maintenance to lawn mowing. The Administration Team oversees church maintenance. Contact Steve Macdonald if you would like to offer your services.
First United Church Mission - About 250 people sleep in the sanctuary at First United, located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The church pews have recently been replaced with bunk beds to allow more room. They provide many services for the homeless including 3 meals a day.
In addition to the proceeds from our popular Thrift Shop, there are many other fun activities which raise money and support our friends at First United. Listed below are some of the ways you can get involved in this worthwhile project:
Sandwich making at Mount Seymour United from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month. Contact the office if you can donate sandwich ingrediants or if you can help make sandwiches.
Saturday Night fellowship on the fourth Saturday of the month from 6-10 pm at First United Mission. We supply the movie,snacks and fellowship. Contact Ellen Muirhead at (604)929-9668 if you would like to partipate.
Donation & Deliveries: Food and clothing are collected at the church and delivered from 9-11 a.m. Monday-Friday. You can leave donations for First in the hallway to the right when you come in to the building.
July Summer Picnic for Downtown Eastside residents at Panorama Park
Recyclable containers are collected at the church with refunds used for Christmas celebrations at First United Mission.You can leave you recyclables in the cupboard in the hallway by the front doors.
Christmas Giving Tree - Decorate our tree with socks, underwear, toiletries etc. These gifts are taken to First United Mission and the Lookout Shelter.
World Food Day in October- The Outreach Team sells purchased food at a higher price and donates the money and food to First United Mission.
The Mission & Service Fund of the United Church of Canada - This national church program supports projects in the greater community, both here in B.C. and around the world. You can give to The Mission and Service Fund directly or by indicating on your church donation how much you want to designate to the Fund. In 2009, our congregation raised $20,000 for Mission and Service
The Lookout Homeless Shelter on the North Shore – Mount Seymour United members literally ‘sign up and line-up’ for the opportunity to participate in Lookout Brunches. On the third Saturday of every month a group of MSUC volunteers cook and serve brunch at the Lookout Homeless Shelter. If you would like to participate please contact Dilys Sostad (dsos@shaw.ca) .
Justice Project Group
This group is responsible for initiating outreach projects in our community east of the Seymour River. Currently, the group is working in conjunction with Parkgate Community services to provide services to seniors in need. For more information contact Joyce Jones or Dilys Sostad 604-929-6273
Kiwanis Care Home
On the second Wednesday afternoon of every month, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., members of Mt. Seymour United offer a spiritual service for United Church affiliated seniors who are in care at the Kiwanis Care Centre on Mt. Seymour Parkway. We sing traditional hymns, pray, read scripture and poetry. The time and message is short but meaningful and much appreciated by the residents. We welcome anyone who would like to join with us in this outreach project. You may be asked to sit with someone or turn the pages of the hymn book and generally be a friendly face. Please contact: Sue Dahlo 604-929-4697
TWECS (Third World Eye Care Society)
Kathy McKay (a congregation member) is part of a TWECS eye care team that travels to third world countries to provide eye care services to those most in need. She hopes to join the team travelling to the Philippines in Nov. once again next year. They very gratefully accept used prescription glasses for these missions. There is a collection box at the Action Table or at Kathy’s clinic (Mt Seymour Optometry Clinic- 604-929-6280). For more information, go to the website for TWECS (www.twecs.ca).
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Spend time with others knitting or crocheting shawls for those in need of prayers, blessings and comfort. Please visit www.shawlministry.com. for more information. Contact Gillian Cole if you would like to be part of this ministry.
Healing Services
Healing Touch and other modalities such as Reflexology and Reiki are offered free of charge to those in need. Contact the office at 604-929-1336 to arrange an appointment with one of our trained, volunteer practitioners.