WHO WE ARE

Our Vision

Mission / SHUC logo / Ministries / A Glimpse Back / Symbolic Windows

“God calls us to be the church — to celebrate God’s presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.” (New Creed, United Church of Canada)

Mission

We seek to love above all the mystery who is God and to love local and global neighbours as ourselves, while sharing in God’s persistent, self-giving love to make the world whole. We are committed to making a creative difference in the Spirit of Christ, open to partnership with all people of goodwill.

The SHUC logo:

The descending dove symbolizes God’s love for the world through the Holy Spirit.

The circle represents the world

The cross signifies self-giving love and the triumph of life over death. It identifies SHUC as a community seeking to make a difference in the Spirit of Christ.

The four quadrants represent the four core dimensions of SHUC’s life and work

A similar image is seen in the sanctuary’s Great East Window

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Four Core Ministries of SHUC’s mission are:

Celebrating: Encountering God and each other gratefully, joyfully, prayerfully. Our celebrations also take the form of lunches, suppers, and social gatherings where we live in communion as a community of hope.

Learning: Growing and maturing in knowledge, skill and wisdom as people of God. Retreats, workshops and learning programs enhance awareness and learning.

Reaching Out: Making the love of God real for people near and far by word and deed. The Mission & Service Fund of the United Church is our direct link to places where God’s love is made real — our support of First United Church Mission and other organizations makes a difference in Vancouver.

Caring: Being a welcoming and loving household because Christ’s Spirit dwells among us. We share each other’s joy and sorrow, successes and failures, strength and weakness, sickness and health.

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A Glimpse Back

SHUC was born in very simple beginnings. An out-building on the grounds of what is now Shaughnessy School was the first place SHUC folks gathered in 1923. It started with opportunity for children to learn — a tradition that continues to this day. Gradually the desire for a full-fledged congregation and a building inspired people.

In 1927 the Church Hall was built and first services began by the end of the year. As the congregation grew, more space was needed. A gym was added. After World War II young families sought out the church as a place for worship, learning, and community activities. A new building was planned. In 1954, the new sanctuary with a huge lower level for Church School was dedicated.

For the rest of the twentieth century, the congregation experienced the joys and challenges of being a Christian church in Canada. The beginning of the twenty-first century sees the congregation renewing its vision and re-committing itself to being a vital sign of God’s presence in the community and world. As a 75 year old congregation, we trust God to lead the way.

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Symbolic Windows

The Great West Window represents the powerful operation of God’s Spirit by employing the Biblical symbols of wind and fire. The dark and forbidding tones outside the main current of divine action make us uncomfortably aware of the presence of evil in the world. But the cleansing and purifying power of the Holy Spirit is so clearly in evidence that the total impression of the window is encouraging. The central cross symbolizes the faith of the Christian in the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness. The Great West Window is a gift from Mrs. Patricia Phillips in memory of her aunt, the late Miss Carrie Aross. It was designed and produced by Max Ingrand of France.

The Great East Window’s central panels symbolize the basic tenets of the Christian faith as set forth in the Apostle’s Creed — the Hand of God; the Lamb of God; the Descending Dove; the Ship; the Bread, Wine and Fish; the Anchor; the Palm Branches; and the Cross and Crown. The Alpha and Omega above the cross-arm are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet and stand for the beginning and the end. The Great East Window was designed and produced by Max Ingrand of France, with funds provided through a bequest of the late Mr. F. J. Dawson.

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1550 West 33rd Avenue,
Vancouver, BC V6M 1A7
Canada SEE MAP

Tel: 604-261-6377
Email: admin@shuc.ca