Happy Easter
An Easter greeting from our Acting Executive Director, Amanda Burrows I hope you and your family are enjoying an Easter full of rest, love and reflection. Two weeks ago, I stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director as Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne started her sabbatical. It is an immense honour and privilege to guide […]
Good Friday, from Lauren Sanders
Lenten greetings, Good Friday is the day followers of Christ remember the events leading up to Jesus’s death.We remember the good,the bad,and the ugly on Good Friday. During this pandemic, we all have known so much death, sadness, and fear. These are parts of every living being’s life, but the impacts feel deeply personal, isolating, and without […]
Working to heal
Except for my Lenten Season Series, I don’t usually address the public in FIRST’s communications. I’m the Indigenous Spiritual Care Chaplain at FIRST UNITED. I mostly work with community members and the people that FIRST serves. But with it being the Lenten Season and with Easter coming up, I thought it was important to talk […]
Carmen Lansdowne’s Upcoming Sabbatical
From March 28 through July 15, Executive Director Carmen Lansdowne will be on sabbatical for a three-month period. FIRST UNITED’s personnel policy allows for permanent leadership staff to take sabbatical after serving for five years, in line with the United Church’s policies for ministry staff. During her time away, Carmen will be taking a virtual […]
Imagine Canada Accreditation
We’re proud to announce that we’ve recently been accredited under Imagine Canada’s Standard Program. Imagine Canada is a national charity whose cause is Canada’s charities. Through their advocacy efforts, research and social enterprises, they help strengthen charities, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs so they can better fulfill their missions. The Standards Program involves a rigorous review […]
Coldest Night of the Year 2022 Recap
What a day! Ready to go! Almost there! We can do it! These were the words we kept hearing as we checked in the 140 Coldest Night of the Year participants who came out to fundraise and walk across Vancouver in support of our mission to provide advocacy, survival-supports, and sanctuary in the heart of […]
Volunteer Call Out: Spring Cleaning
We’re in need of volunteers for two upcoming shifts on March 24 and 25, and we would love for you to join us! DESCRIPTION Every spring our sister organization, First United Church Social Housing Society, helps tenants get rid of unwanted items in their units. Volunteers will help tenants by bringing the unwanted items down […]
Thank you, BC Housing
We’re grateful to recognize BC Housing as our Lead Sponsor for Coldest Night of the Year. BC Housing’s mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives and communities through safe, affordable and quality housing. They do this by working to address critical gaps across the housing continuum, which range from emergency shelters, supportive […]
Carmen Lansdowne Nominated for Moderator
We’re honoured to be able to announce that Executive Director, The Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, has been nominated as a candidate for Moderator of the United Church of Canada’s this year’s 44th General Council. The Moderator is responsible for giving spiritual leadership to all in the United Church of Canada, chairing meetings of the General […]
Black Excellence Day
Guest post by Stephanie Kallstrom, Case Planner, FIRST UNITED On this day of January 14th, 2022 (on January 15th each year or on the preceding Friday if it falls on a weekend or holiday) marks the first year that the province of British Columbia has proclaimed ‘Black Excellence Day’! It is to celebrate the outstanding […]