Passion Clusters

Much springs forth from within the congregation! We post a sampling of our events on Facebook, and most of them in our weekly e-newsletter, as provided upon request from our office. Whichever your preferred method of staying in touch, please ‘subscribe to’ either of the above.

What Is A Passion Cluster?

A Passion Cluster is a group working together to achieve a common goal that impacts our church life, our surrounding community, or the world. Members of the congregation may volunteer to initiate and lead groups at Oasis. Passion Clusters meet as needed, to provide a service on an open time line. Clusters encourage people to join together in the work of compassion, education, worship preparation, spiritual growth, hospitality, communication, friendship and enjoyment.

Look for a group where you might offer your gifts and talents to fulfill a personal passion. At the end of each description, a team’s contact name is provided. Most groups are ready for new participants!  Please request information from the Oasis office. Phone 250-770-0182.

Affirming Ministry: Providing educational opportunities for the Oasis United Church community as we live out being an Affirming Ministry congregation. Working for the full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in The United Church of Canada and in society. Read more here. Team Lead: Barb McFadyen (250-493-5530).

Benevolent Fund & Food Cupboard: Supplies food items and helpful information to those who require it in this time of low employment and economic need. We are always looking for more replenishments. Congregational members share their abundance and offer compassionate help as they are able. Non-perishables along with financial donations are always welcome. Team Lead: Doreen McLennan.

Bliss Congregational Development Fund: Accepting submissions from the congregation of Oasis for educational opportunities. The focus will be on collective learning initiatives, either through Oasis or elsewhere. By having a group of Oasis people attend the same event we hope the participants will be empowered to bring some of the information and experience back to the congregation.  Learning opportunities release new energy and open us to dream bigger for our mission and ministry. We invite the congregation to submit development-focused proposals. The Bliss Congregational Development Passion Cluster will meet monthly to review proposal submissions and to plan educational events. Please submit your proposal through the events email at oasisevents@gmail.com

Bridges: Helps us stay in touch. Each participant takes responsibility for a number of people who attend Oasis, especially those who are unable to be as involved as they would like. In this way, regular contact is made on behalf of the rest of the congregation. We say hello and offer a friendly ear. Having completed a training period, participants will let our minister know if his help is needed in any way. Meetings are held regularly to keep lists up to date and for spiritual nurture of the members. Team Lead: TBA

Card & Note: Keeps in touch with Oasis people who need a little note to let them know that Oasis cares for them and is wishing them well. Offers congratulatory wishes, condolences, as well as well wishes. If you know of anyone needing to hear from the Oasis community, please contact us. Team Lead: Brenda Kroschinsky 250-493-2832 or bdkro@shaw.ca
 
Centering Prayer: Gathers at Oasis most Mondays at 1pm. The hour begins with a check-in, and the opportunity to read, say, or think names of people and groups who may need support. The group then sits for twenty minutes in silence, holding the intent of relationship with God. Following the meditation is an opportunity to reflect and to encourage one another. As this group occasionally takes a break of one or two weeks, please check with the office regarding any date you are interested in attending. Team Lead: TBA.
 

Green Up:  The re-convened Green Up Passion Cluster was approved at the November 16, 2021 leadership meeting. Its function is to represent Oasis when collective action is requested for an environmental or social justice issue. We have eleven people who are lending their names to the Green Up Passion Cluster so that Oasis can claim group support using the Oasis Green Up signature. Team Lead: Lynn Walford (walfordle@gmail.com)

Harm Reduction: Weekly, harm reduction kits are assembled at Oasis. Thursday at 1pm. They are provided to workers who distribute them throughout the community. Chat with friends while simply gathering a number of each supply into a bag. Team Lead: Wilma Perry.

Healing Ministry: An opportunity to experience healing from the heart. A number of Oasis folks are trained and experienced in Healing Pathways, Reiki, and other energetic healing modalities. Healing appointments are available at times and on days that are mutually agreeable, at the church or in your home. 

Library: Organizes and replenishes Oasis’ lending library. Team Lead: Karen Kellerman.

Living Compassion: Monthly, this group explores how to bring compassion into our day-to-day lives. Team Leads: Nancy Wyse and Karen Coogan.

Men’s Group: Meets informally on the second Wednesday of each month at 8am for a no-host breakfast at local restaurants. No agenda, just fellowship! Team Lead: Phil Cove 250-276-7341.

Prayer Shawl: Countless knitters and crocheters extend a message of hope around the community and around the world. Those creating the shawls and those receiving them find spiritual sustenance. Patterns and lessons are available for anyone who would like to be part of this creative spiritual practice. Team Lead: Doreen McLennan.

Soul Collage: Facilitating collage as a portal to the holy. The group begins with a time of silent work, allowing images from magazines to be all that speaks to us. These are intuitively assembled on a 5×8 piece of mat board. Discussion follows, using questions which allow the collage to speak from the soul of the person whose hands arranged it. Team Lead: Karen Coogan 250-770-0182.

Zatoun: Oasis United is the Penticton Distributor for Zatoun products. With every purchase of Zatoun you support the farmers of Palestine in the struggle for their livelihood and land. Farmers are paid fair trade prices. As well, a share of the proceeds support Project Hope, an education and art therapy program for youth in Palestine. Another portion is donated to Trees of Life, a project to plant tens of thousands of olive tree saplings to replace trees destroyed by the occupation. For details, click here. Team Lead: Barb McFadyen 250-493-5530.

~Administrative Passions~

Building Maintenance: Maintaining, repairing, and landscaping the Oasis property and building, keeping it safe and welcoming for all who enter the doors. The bulk of the work was done when we first moved into the facility in 2009, and converted the neglected space into a warm and inviting area for a worship and meeting site. Our dedicated women and men who take on the jobs of upkeep are always happy to include new faces and a willing set of hands to tackle the many jobs that arise. Team Lead: Jim French 250-492-5692; Phil Cove 250-276-7341.

Leadership Team: Made up of elected members of the congregation, this group holds monthly meetings to look at decisions and direction for Oasis, and regularly inform the congregation of matters arising from the meetings. At Oasis we aim to include the congregation in the leadership of our church and encourage everyone to follow their passion as the Spirit leads them in their lives and in the life of the church. Current Members:

• Ryan Allsbrook, Member-at-Large

• Corinne Durston, Treasurer 

• Marion Boyd, Ministry and Personnel

• Karen Kellerman, Chairperson

• Brenda Kroschinsky, Ministry and Personnel 

• Margot Newton, Region Representative

• Ian McLean, Pastoral Supervisor

• Lynn Walford, Secretary

Power Point: Provides PowerPoint presentations for our Sunday Gatherings, special occasions, and meditative moments. Team Lead: Annabelle Redman 250-492-6662.

Sunday Service Leaders & Volunteers: “It takes a congregation to make a worship service.” If you are willing to sometimes help out as greeter, announcement presenter, candle lighter, scripture reader, offerings gatherer, Mission and Service presenter, passion cluster reporter, coffee maker, or pulpit supply, please reach out. Team Lead: Annabelle Redman 250-492-6662.

Trustees: Holds all property on behalf of the congregation and ensures there is a suitable place to worship and carry out the ministry of Oasis.