U MATTERS
On Saturday 21 May, we held our Annual General Meeting. It was wonderful to be together - to worship in song and celebrate communion, to highlight new ministries, to give thanks for the Grace of Giving Campaign, to hear BUFF reports and financial updates. Susan King and Julia Hu, as well as existing COM leaders, were voted in as new Committee of Management team and Jasmine Ng joined the Trustees.
I am grateful for our staff team who are stretched daily as they dig deep into creativity and service to lead in their respective ministries and for our leaders for their time, commitment, and servant leadership. I am also grateful for Pastor Ruth who has served in Hong Kong and Union Church for more than 31 years. She has been such a blessing to the church! Her faithfulness, commitment to prayer and unity has been remarkable.
On Saturday, we started the meeting with a fill in the blank exercise, "Union Church is best when." It was declared that Union Church is best when we are:
| Together | Showing unconditional love | In used by God |
| Unified | Seeing the Fruit of the Spirit | Following Jesus |
| Singing | Praying | Hearing children sing |
| Full of food | Reflecting Christ to the City | Helping others |
| Serving our city | Trusting in God | Having Fun |
| Hopeful | Leaning into God | |
| Walking in the Spirit - forgiven/reconciled | Humble |
As we think of the year ahead, may we be stretched in our faith and in these attributes. Remembering His promises - 'we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.'
In faith, looking forward to the year ahead - Pastor Michele
CHURCH IN-PERSON & ONLINE
Let's worship together in-person on Sunday, 29 May at one of the three services, 8:45am Family Communion, 9:45am Traditional Worship and 11:15am Contemporary Worship. This Sunday we are continuing with the "Lean-In" series. Please have your phones ready for scanning with LeaveHomeSafe and up-to-date vaccination status.
If you are worshipping online we will livestream the 9:45am and 11:15am services here.
Join us at a Zoom Coffee Hour - a great time to catch up online - 10:45am and 12:15pm.
FAMILY NEWS
Pastor Ruth to retire! After 31 years in ministry to the Filipino fellowship and Union church as a whole, the Rev Ruth Tablada is departing for the Philippines. She is leaving such a legacy! Please leave mementos and photos and message to Admin and give online. This Sunday is her last Sunday.
Facebook Live with Summer Youth Interns
Compassion Project - Capture Hong Kong! 1 June - 31 August: We are collecting moments you have captured in Hong Kong to create a post card calendar. 52 photos will be selected for a 2023 calendar that will go on sale in October 2022 to benefit future outreach projects. Learn more here. Thank you in advance for sharing your view of Hong Kong with us!
THIS WEEK
stART Retreat, Saturday, 28 May, 9:00am - Sunday, 29 May, 1:00pm: Creativity Ministry invites women, men and young adults to come together at a two-day retreat to experience God in new ways, being immersively present using art as companion. Come join us at the Heritage Lodge for this creative journey. Learn more - registration still open!
Kindness Walk, Sunday, 29 May: Come along and share love, smiles and treats with our Wan Chai neighbours. Everyone is welcome. We will meet in Fellowship Hall at 12:30pm. If you have questions, please contact Admin.
Wings & Fries with the Guys, Wednesday, 1 June, 6:00pm - 8:00pm: Men, we'd love to have you join us for our monthly gathering at our new venue - The Roundhouse - 29 Amoy Street, Wan Chai, seating upstairs. Only $100 for unlimited wings, fries, fellowship and more! Questions? Contact Dan Tupps.
Young Adults New Study: "Be Still", Wednesdays, 8:00pm: In this video series, we will explore creative ways we can connect with God each day, learning how to practically develop and grow habits that cultivate daily stillness in the midst of our busy and fast-paced world. Questions? - contact Dan Tupps.
Young Adults Canoe/Kayaking Adventure, Friday, 3 June: Join us for a day out on the water in Tai Tam, plus BBQ lunch. We'll meet in our G/F lobby here in Wan Chai at 10:00am, then head over together! For more details, please contact Dan Tupps.
UPCOMING
New Study: The Artist Way, starting Tuesday, 7 June, 12:30pm - 1:30pm, online: Creativity Ministry invites you to join a study that explores the Artist Way, A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. The 12-week study is open to men, women and young adults. Learn more and register.
New Men's Study: Gospel of John 13-17, starting Tuesday, 7 June, 8:00 - 9:00pm, online. How do you respond to life's trials? Hardships threaten to bring separation, sorrow and despair. But Jesus offers a better way. In daily troubles of every kind, we can seek God's comfort in confidence through faith. Men, we'd love to have you join this six-week study with Dan Tupps and Andrew Lo. Register here.
KINGDOM KIDS
In-person Creche and Children's Church, Sunday, 9:45am and 11:15am: We are looking forward to continue our learning of the fourth piece of God's Armor, Shield of Faith. Children ages 3 to 10 years old will meet in Room 2&3. Babies and toddlers are welcome to join our Creche Centre and enjoy a time to praise God and listen to some Bible stories.
Online Sunday School, Sunday, 10:30am: If your child is not able to make it to church in person, they are welcome to join us ONLINE via Zoom and learn together about the armor of God. Please email for the Zoom link.
Kingdom Kids Sunday edition - SHIELD OF FAITH: is available at the end of the 9:45am and 11:15am worship services on the Union Church website or Facebook page.
Sunday School Registration 2021-2022: Registration for the academic year 2021/2022 is open. Children ages 0-11 years old enrolling in our Creche and Sunday School programme must be registered by completing the form here. Registration forms are also available at the Children's welcome table. For more information, please visit our website or email or call 2101 0414.
YOUTH
Union Youth is kicking off its exciting summer program on 1 June. Enjoy fellowship, study, and fun all summer long. The summer program will last from 1 June to 31 August. In the month of June we are hosting a multitude of events to enjoy, with highlights such as a bowling night, the annual Amazing (G)Race, and an outreach day. To finish off the month of June we are hosting Union Youth's first ever summer camp on 24-26 June, open to ages 11-18. Expect this to be a night to remember. But wait! We are just getting started, July and August will be filled with things like inter-youth group nights, beach days, and so much more, so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the fun.
MISSIONS
Light of the World Church and Preschool, Myanmar: We give thanks that the graduation ceremony for kindergarten students at LIght of the world Preschool could be held this past weekend and was a great success. Thank you for your prayers! Please lift up Pastor Vum's brother as he undergoes radiation treatment for his cancer. And please continue to pray for safety and protection for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. Heavy fighting is predicted through the end of May. Lord, hear our prayers.
Union Church is a long term supporter of Inner City Ministries (ICM) which runs outreach programs and ministries to ethnic minority familes and kids. They are based in Yau Ma Tei and thanks to your generosity last year, they distributed 200,000 masks and 150,000 supermarket coupons to their communities, among other amazing things they did to spread God's gospel. We have just learnt that they are in need of volunteers to teach kids aged 3-9 on Saturday afternoons, just once a month. A curriculum and onsite help will be provided. Furthermore, if you or your children happen to be around in August this year, ICM will love to have you as a volunteer to help in their VBS program. Please contact Emmanuel if you are interested ( ).
Outreach to Home of Loving Faithfulness (HOLF) - Sunday, 26 June. We will share the painted birdhouses and small branches we've made and we will paint tyres for the sensory garden too. Please bring your creations back to Union for collection on/before 26 June. Register here. Transportation will be provided.
Restrictions lifting - time to Walk the Wall! ICC Hong Kong is excited to announce the resumption of Walk the Wall 2022. This crucial walkathon raises support for children in ICC's centres who have been abandoned and in their Family Partners Programme(FPP). Young people in FPP are often raised by low-income families ineligible for government social welfare. Learn more and sign up for "Walk On Your Own" or Walk the Wall Competition". Just do it!
Baptism
Are you following Jesus and want people to know? Share with others the new hope you have in Jesus through baptism. Interested and ready to celebrate? Contact Pastor Michele.
Small Groups
Stay connected and get support from your friends in a small group that is a tangible demonstration of God's love for us. Interested in joining one that is right for you? Contact so that we might suggest one for you.
Stephen Ministry
Lonely? Grieving? Going through a separation or divorce? Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care encourage and provide emotional and spiritual support during life's challenges. Please contact .
Giving
Thank you for your tithes and offerings! If you are not coming to church this Sunday, you may post a cheque payable to "Union Church", deliver it to the church office, or give online. May you be blessed as you give of your time, talent and treasure!
Prayer
These are troubling times. Sometimes we need people to come alongside for spiritual support. Would you like someone to pray with you? Simply email or WhatsApp us at +852 9182 7247. Our Deacons and prayer ministry team will respond.
Last week's sermon
"Lean-In - Anxiety & God's Power." Watch last week's message by Pastor Michele
Stay connected
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