BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:icalendar-ruby CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260430T185651Z UID:210-33617@bcsynod.org DTSTART:20260606T013000Z DTEND:20260607T163000Z CLASS:PUBLIC CREATED:20260422T125350 DESCRIPTION:You Are Invited\nWe invite you to continue a journey tha t began last year - a journey of connecting\, reflecting\, and growing tog ether as we explore the yearnings we share for the future of our churc h here in BC.\nThis gathering is an opportunity to:\n\nConnect deeply wit h friends in Christ from across the province
\nReflect on the initiativ es we began last year—celebrating what has flourished and learning fro m our experiences
\nGrow new possibilities rooted in the yearnings that call us forward
\n\n \nWhat to Expect\nThis is not a conference where  we sit passively. It is not a strategic planning session with deliverab les and deadlines. Rather\, it is a sacred space where we come together to listen\, learn\, and discern where the Spirit is calling us\, and to na me the concrete steps we are willing to take in response.\n \nConnect\ nWe will create ample opportunity for authentic connection—sharing stor ies of courage\, struggle\, and hope. We will listen deeply to one ano ther\, recognizing that connection itself is transformative.\n \nReflect\ nTogether we will review the initiatives that emerged from our 2025 gath ering. We will explore what has moved forward and why\, what has stalled \, and what we have learned along the way. This is not evaluation or jud gment—it is communal learning that will help us discern what to continue \, what to release\, and what to begin now.\n \nGrow\nWe will identify a nd name our yearnings—those deep desires for what does not yet exist but which we wish to bring into being. We will discern which yearnings ca ll forth enough passion and commitment to sustain action\, and we will i dentify the skills\, relationships\, and simple support structures needed to carry them forward in our congregations and communities.\n \nWhile the Synod will help convene this gathering and offer light-touch support\, th e work that emerges will belong to all of us as the body of Christ\, not to the Synod office alone.\n \nA Word About Yearning\nYearning acknowle dges that there are things that do not yet exist\, things we deeply wi sh would come into being. Yearning reminds us why we do what we do. It is more than an idea or a project\; it is a holy longing that unlocks ene rgy and invites us into co‑creation with God and one another.\n \nWhe re there is genuine yearning\, action often follows. Where yearning is wea k\, we have permission to let things go and make room for what truly mat ters.\n \nWho Should Attend\nEach congregation is invited to send up to  four representatives\, their called or interim pastor included. This gathe ring is for anyone who cares deeply about the future of our church in BC.  We especially welcome those who attended last year and those who wanted to come but could not. We encourage you to have conversations in your c ongregation on who should attend. \n \nThis gathering is for those willi ng to:\n\nEngage in honest reflection and learning
\nShare their experie nces and listen to others
\nIdentify yearnings they care enough about to support with their time and energy
\nWork collaboratively with others a cross the Synod
\n\n\nWe will gather June 5-7\, 2026\, at King of Life Lutheran Church\, Coquitlam\n\nSchedule Overview\nFriday Evening – Arri val\, welcome\, and initial connecting
(7:00-9:00 PM) \nSaturday – F ull day of reflection\, storytelling\, exploration\, and commitment
\nSu nday Morning – Closing circle (8:00–9:30 AM)\, followed by worship wi th King of Life (optional)\n \nWorship will be woven throughout our time together\, grounding our work in prayer\, scripture\, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.\n \nImportant Notes\nThis gathering builds on the founda tion laid in 2025\, but it is not simply a status report. It is an invitat ion to continue co‑creating the future of our church through Spirit‑le d collaboration rooted in genuine passion and shared responsibility. BC S ynod will cover the costs of the event (gathering program and on‑site co sts).\n \nRegistration\nREGISTER HERE \n\nRegistration deadline is Apri l 30\, 2026. We cannot guarantee accommodations after that date. \nAcco mmodation will be arranged at Executive Plaza in Coquitlam. This includes parking and breakfast. Since we have to confirm our group booking early\ , other accommodations will not be reimbursed. Travel costs will be covere d by the synod. If air travel is required\, please book your air fare earl y. \n \nQuestions?\nContact the BC Synod Office:
Email: bcsynod@elcic .ca
Phone: 604-524-1318\n \n“For just as the body is one and has many members\, and all the members of the body\, though many\, are one body\, so it is with Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:12\n \nWe gather as one body\, united in our yearning for a church that serves the common good\, bears witness to God’s love\, and creates space for all to flouri sh. LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T125350 LOCATION:King Of Life Lutheran\, 1198 Falcon Drive\, Coquitlam SUMMARY:We are One Body- Part 2 URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.bcsynod.org/events/we-are-one-body-part-2/2026-06 -05 ATTACH;FILENAME=unnamed-10.png;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dq5pwpg1q8ru0.clou dfront.net/2026/03/18/17/49/32/5a80badb-5a44-44aa-b162-1c49b01ff480/unname d-10.png END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR