December 2021
Quick Calendar WEEKLY Sun
10am Sunday Worship Online & In-Person (http:// pg 21 sgcworship.eventbrite.ca/) Spring Kids & Youth Discipleship after the Children's Blessing
Tue Wed Thur Thur
10am-12pm Pastoral Team Meeting
pg 21
10am Refresh, Women's Group
pg 21
10am Bible Discussion
pg 21
8:30pm Evening Prayers - Online
pg 21
UPCOMING Dec. 3
YOUTH: Movie Night
pg 16
Dec. 9
YOUTH: Guys Life Group
pg 15
Dec. 10
YOUTH: Sr High Girls Life Group
pg 15
Dec. 12
Light of the World
pg 12
Dec. 13
YOUTH: Jr High Girls Life Group
pg 13
Dec. 15
Card-making with Toronto City Mission – Willowtree
pg 8
Dec. 18
Youth Christmas Party
pg 15
Dec. 19
Blue Christmas Service
pg 7
Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Gathering
pg 8
See more on the last pages or on our Events page at www.springgardenchurch.ca/events. Delve submissions are due Dec. 27th. Delve submissions are due on the MONDAY before the LAST Sunday of each month. To submit for the next issue of Delve, e-mail: delve@springgardenchurch.ca
Features Stories of Hope and Healing 3 | Finances @ SGC 6
Community Corner Light of the World 7 | Blue Christmas Service 7 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Gathering 8 Advent Giving Card-making with Toronto City Mission – Willowtree 8 Christmas Dinner at Matthew House 9 Christmas Gifts for Women Leaving the Sex Trade 9 Donate Items for the Refugee Families Arriving in Canada from Afghanistan 10 NeighbourLink Events 11
Discipleship Ministries
SGC Kids: (In-Person) Worship Gathering 13 Spring Youth 14 | Youth Events 15
The Resource Centre
Resource Recommendations 17
More Info How to Give 19 Life Groups 16 Leadership Directory 19 Weekly Calendar 21 Upcoming Calendar 22
Our Values
(back page)
Design, Cover & Editor: Dale Forder Contributors: Abby Davidson Jeff McGee Jeremy Ranasinghe Karen Cassel Lily Cheng Copy Editors: Greg Kay Karen Cassel
Stories of Hope and Healing by Abby Davidson
On November 23rd , about 25 people gathered in person at Spring Garden Church and online to watch the documentary “The Survivors” by Armstrong&Co Films. This is the story of ten survivors from the Cree Nation of Misstissini, Quebec. Misstissini is about a 13 hour drive north east from Toronto. The documentary follows the journey of a man named Roderick, currently the pastor of Faith Bible Chapel, as he visits the three residential schools he attended and shows his family where he spent most of his childhood. We also heard the stories of nine others as they spoke about the trauma they endured in residential schools and how it affected them and their families into adulthood. One woman shared about her sister who died suddenly from illness she came down with at the school. Her parents weren’t notified until she didn’t return home for the school break. A man shared about losing his twin to suicide and how that prompted him to share about the abuse he experienced in a residential school with his family for the first time. One man remarked that although the schools he was in were run by churches, he never once heard the message of the gospel. All of the women and men who shared their stories are at different places in their healing journeys. Some spoke about forgiving the people who hurt them. Other about finding healing and wholeness in Christ. In every story their resilience came through. As hard as it was to listen to these stories, I believe it’s something we all need to do. Most of us are aware of what happened at the residential schools in Canada. “The Survivors” documentary gave faces and names to those stories. It also showed us that the legacy of residential schools lives on and affects not just those who attended the schools, but their children and grandchildren as well. Between the documentary and the Q&A session after, I had a question answered that I have wrestled with – How have so many residential school survivors held on to faith when the Church is 3
responsible for much of their pain? One of the women featured in the film answered this question. She said as she learned about who God is, she realized that it was not God that had wronged her, but people. Many of the other Survivors shared similar experiences of realizing God’s love for them as they were and coming to know his forgiveness and grace. Another topic that was discussed after the film was that of discerning your own cultural expression of Christianity. This seemed particularly relevant for us as a church given the series we just finished on unity in diversity. A question we all need to wrestle with is how much of my faith is based on the Bible and what is based on my culture? And the next question is how has my interpretation of the Bible been influenced by my culture? These are difficult questions to unpack. They require a posture of humility and the willingness to learn from people who come from a different culture than your own. I’m reminded that reconciliation isn’t a new thing. This was God’s plan from the beginning. We read in Ephesians 1 that God wants to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. Hearing these ten stories from women and men who have lived through residential schools and still found healing and hope, it’s clear that Christ is at work in their lives and in their communities. While they may have not heard the gospel growing up, as adults they are living examples of how beauty can come from ashes and life from death. It was an honour to listen to their stories. The filmmaker put together a list of resources for those who are interested in learning more. They are included after this article. If you have any questions or would like to view the documentary, please get in touch with me.
What’s Next? Pray For Reconciliation across the nation
Learn Continue to educate yourself on Indigenous culture, issues and history 4
Give Share your resources with Indigenous communities and organizations
Vote For leaders who care about our Indigenous brothers and sisters
Speak Share what you’ve learned in your circles and eliminate offensive terms and stereotypes from your vocabulary
What to Watch • • • • • • • • •
Indian Horse, 2017 Clouds of Autumn, 2015 We Were Children, 2012 NFB We Can't Make the Same Mistake Twice, 2016 NFB Our People will be Healed, 2017 Rhymes for Young Ghouls, 2013 We Were Children, 2012 RISE: The Urban Rez, 2017 Mistissini Healing, 2017
Where to Give • • • • • • • •
First Nations Child & Family Caring Society of Canada fncaringsociety.com The Indian Residential School Survivor Society irsss.ca Water First waterfirst.ngo Doulos Ministries doulosministries.org
What to Read • • • •
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94 Calls to Action Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese When we were alone, by David Alexander Robertson I am Not a Number, by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer
• Residential Schools With the Words and Images of Survivors, by Larry Loyie, Wayne K. Spear and Constance Brissenden • They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School, by Bev Sellars • Fatty Legs: A True Story, by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton • Broken Circle: The Dark Legacy of Indian Residential Schools: A Memoir, by Theodore Fontaine • Dear Canada: These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens, book by Ruby Slipperjack • The Inconvenient Indian, by Thomas King • In Search of April Raintree, by Beatrice Mosionier • The Break, by Katherena Vermette
Finances @ SGC To meet our 2021 expenses, we need $17,000 in givings per week until year-end. There are many ways to donate, including securities such as stocks and mutual funds. Please prayerfully consider your contribution as 2021 winds down. To give please go to: https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/giving Blessings; Jeff McGee; Deacon of Finance
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Life in and around Spring Garden
Community Corner
Light of the World 2021
Dec. 12 @ 6:30pm Join us in person or online for an evening of Christmas fun! We will begin with having a singalong and other fun indoors, followed by hot drinks and food outside. Spaces for the indoor portion are limited, so don’t forget to register. To join in person or online, go to: tiny.cc/lotw
Blue Christmas Service
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Dec. 19 @ 4pm, In-person and online. Christmas is a time of celebration but for many it can be a difficult time. A Blue Christmas Service is a worship service for those feeling particularly burdened during this season, whether from losing a
loved one, facing hardships or grieving for another reason. This will be an honest space where we gather to acknowledge our grief and hear about the consolation found in God's love. To watch online or register to come in person, go to: tiny.cc/ bluechristmasservice.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Join us on on Christmas Eve, from 7pm to 8pm for a Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship gathering.
Advent Giving
Throughout the year, the Church observes different seasons. Lent is the time leading up to Easter and is often a time for practicing giving up or abstaining from something in order to remember Christ’s sacrifice. Advent is the time leading up to Christmas and is often associated with chocolate calendars. Since Lent is a time for abstaining, I like to think of Advent as a time for radical engagement – engaging with God’s story and sharing his love and care with others. Over the next few weeks as we anticipate Christmas and all that it brings, we have several opportunities to engage with our community and those who are in need of a welcome. You can choose to spend time with kids, cook and deliver food, collect clothing items or give a financial gift. Please pray over the opportunities below and see how God is leading you to give this Advent.
Card-making with Toronto City Mission – Willowtree About Willowtree:
Willowtree is a community just north of Spring Garden with about 600 residents, 58% being children and youth. Most households are led by single moms. This past summer, 4
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members of Spring Garden started a penpal program with kids living in Willowtree. It was a great chance to connect with the community and start building relationships. How you can give: Did you know that during the week, Toronto City Mission holds an after school program for kids living in Willowtree here in our church building? On Wednesday, December 15 from 4:305:30 you are invited to come and make Christmas cards with the students. We will also be starting up our penpal program with Willowtree again. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with Abby by December 12th as there is screening required.
Christmas Dinner at Matthew House About Matthew House:
Matthew House exists to inspire hope, restore dignity and empower ndependence for refugee claimants. Matthew House Toronto was founded by Anne Woolger when she was a member of Spring Garden Church. They provide housing for refugees who arrive in Canada and have no where to go. In addition to providing the necessities, they foster cohesive networks, offer quality services and connect refugee claimants to community resources. How you can give: Can you help provide Christmas Dinner for the refugee claimants living at Matthew House? We are looking for people who can prepare chicken breasts, roasted potatoes, vegetables and Christmas cookies for 10-15 people. It will be delivered on December 23rd. Please get in touch with Abby by December 15th if you are able to contribute something.
Christmas Gifts for Women Leaving the Sex Trade Arise Ministry
ARISE Ministry is located in Toronto. They empower individuals involved in the sex trade to reclaim their lives. Through providing outreach, case management, and spiritual care, helping relationships are established, hope is fostered, and 9
futures are reclaimed. During COVID, Arise is collecting gift cards to give as Christmas gifts to the women involved in their program. You can purchase a gift care to Sobeys, Metro, PC and Walmart. The suggested amount is $25. Gift cards can be dropped off at the church anytime before 20th.
Donate Items for the Refugee Families Arriving in Canada from Afghanistan
Canadian Connections is a grassroots organization that came together this past summer to help the many Afghan Refugees who have arrived in Canada after fleeing the Taliban. Many families are living in hotels while they await permanent housing and they arrived here with very little. Here are the current needs for these families.
• New or gently used winter coats, snow suits, hats, gloves and boots • New socks and underwear or other clothing (All sizes) • Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, pads, tampons, etc.) • Start up Kits for families moving into homes: Lysol, dish soap, hand towels, etc. You can put together a gift package with a note or drop off any of the above items at the church before Dec. 20th. Please speak with Abby if you would like more information or what to donate.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS (NeighbourLink) Give or receive some joy this Christmas As the holidays approach, many families find it hard to celebrate due to challenging circumstances. NeighbourLink North York has already registered over 100 families, several of whom are single moms who have fled abuse, along with families impacted by Covid and isolated seniors in need of encouragement. Please consider signing up to sponsor a Christmas Hamper that will bring some joy and support to a family in our community. A large majority of our recipients live in Willowdale, while the rest live across North York. For further details, please visit: https://www.neighbourlink.org/christmashampers2021. There is also a form to sign up to receive a hamper if this is a season where you need some encouragement.
The 2nd Annual We Love Willowdale Christmas Walking Parade & Market Join Karaoke Santa and spread some joy in the heart of Willowdale as we walk through the heart of Willowdale together. You can also shop our special Willowdale Christmas Market with some unique vendors - including Wayne, our homeless neighbour who makes beautiful keychains and lanyards, as well as The 98 - a line of clothing designed by youth from our community. DATE: Saturday, December 4 TIME: Market - 4-6pm, Parade - 6-7pm, Live music throughout the evening. Join us with reindeer antlers, an ugly Christmas sweater, or simply your Christmas spirit! View Venders: https://christmas2021vendor.eventbrite.ca/ Join the Parade: https://christmasparade-market.eventbrite.ca/ 11
Volunteers Needed This holiday season, NeighbourLink North York is running two Food Bank dates, a Christmas Hamper program along with a Christmas Parade and Market. We need volunteers to help us spread joy and hope in our community. Please sign up here: www. neighbourlink.org/volunteer. Students are welcome and can receive volunteer hours.
NeighbourLink North York Neighbours Helping Neighbours November We all hope we can lean on friendly neighbours when we encounter a difficult season in lives. Join us in building a caring community together. Over the past year NeighbourLink North York has: • Started a monthly food bank, feeding 500 individuals during our first Thanksgiving kick-off • Provided mobile food support to those who cannot get to a food bank • Distributed over $45K in food to neighbours in need • Connected 50 youth from an under-resourced area in our community to employment training and opportunities • Mobilized over 70+ student volunteers • Encouraged 74 Single Mothers with gifts, cookies and flowers on Mother’s Day • Hosted 31 youth from an under-resourced area in our community in a weekly drop-in arts program Please consider including NeighbourLink North York in your yearend giving. We cannot support our neighbours without the help of neighbours like you! Annual Report: https://publuu.com/flip-book/7463/15184/page/1 Donate: www.neighbourlink.org/donate 12
Partnering with Families
Discipleship Ministries
SGC Kids: Family Registration Forms: In order for us to provide our ministry to the children of our church, we require new registration forms to be filled by their family every year as part of our policy to protect. Please fill out our form through this link: http://tiny.cc/SGCFamilyRegistration
Kids (In-Person) Worship Gathering As of September 2021, we have resumed InPerson Worship in our children’s ministry using new regulations to help keep everyone safe from the spread of Covid-19 and it’s variants. For more information on registering or the structure and flow for Sunday mornings, please use the following link: http://tiny.cc/SGCKidsWorshipInfo
Online Resources For Home To help serve your family better, we have uploaded all our SGC Kids’ curriculum online. The following link can be used to access our curriculum and to use at home, as well as find info pamphlets for following up with kids on what was discussed during their worship on Sunday mornings. SGC Kids Curriculum Link: http://tiny.cc/ OnlineCurriculum Here is what we will be talking about on Sundays:
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Joy To The World: What are your go-to Christmas traditions? It’s amazing how different all of our Christmas celebrations can be, especially when you take into account how Christmas is celebrated all over the world. This month, we’ll be reminded what
a universal gift Jesus is, and how Jesus brought good news, joy, and peace on that very first Christmas so that the whole world could know God!
Advent 2021 As we are now in the Advent season, if you missed the chance to sign up for our SGC Kids’ Advent Pack, we have added the printable content online to serve you and your family better. To access our Advent 2021 content (devotionals, activities/colouring pages) please use the following link: http://tiny.cc/SGCKidsAdvent
Spring Youth Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings: December 12th, 19th, 26th - We will be having our regular worship gatherings for youth in grades 6-12. Following the children’s blessing, youth will move to the youth lounge to continue in worship. Due to limited space, youth will need to register their spot (preferably with their family) through http:// sgcworship.eventbrite.ca and selecting the correct add-on. December 5th, 2021 - Youth are encouraged to join us in the main worship area. Youth who would like to serve in worship either through music, tech team, children’s ministry or another area should speak with Jeremy. 14
Life Groups: Our youth life groups will begin meeting this month, and we are excited to provide 3 areas for our youth to meet in person, Jr High Girls (Grades 6-8), Sr High Girls (Grades 9-12), and the Guys Life Group (Grades 6-12). Here are the days we’re meeting as well as who to contact: Jr High Girls: brittni@sgbc.ca -Mon., Dec. 13, 5:30-8:30pm Sr High Girls: Kaitlyn.ranasinghe@sgbc.ca -Fri. Dec. 10, 6-8pm Guys Life Group: Jeremy@springgardenchurch.ca -Thur., Dec. 9, 7-9pm
Youth Events December 3rd: SGC Youth: Home Movies - We will be meeting at our building to plan and shoot our own movies. Youth will be split into 2 groups to make original movies together using only basic equipment and props available in the building. We will also be making our own pizzas for dinner. Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm Cost: $10 per person ($5 for additional members of the same family) December 18th: Youth Christmas Party - It is a tradition that each year (excluding 2020) we have a Christmas Party Potluck. We are asking our youth to bring their favourite home meal that we can share and enjoy together. Included in the festivities are a Pink Elephant gift exchange and a classic Christmas movie. Time: 5:00pm-9:00pm Jr High Youth Retreat: January 14th, 15th, and 16th, 2022 We have partnered up with our friends from Immanuel Baptist Church, and together we're having a joint retreat for youth in Grades 6 - 8. Each day we will be meeting at a different location (all within a close radius of each other) and participating in some games, times of worship, and will cook and have meals together enjoying our time. Cost: $60 (subsidy available) 15
Registration Link: http://tiny.cc/SGCYouthRetreat Staying Updated: To stay up to date on what is happening for your youth, please visit our google calendar which has all our planned events. http://tiny.cc/YouthCal
Life Groups
Life Groups are a place where we do life together in a community centered around the gospel. They are designed for you to pursue spiritual growth, community and mission together. We offer Life Groups so everyone can have a place to belong. Life Groups are Kevin & Suzanna small gatherings Sunday afternoons, of people who Every other week form a community. At 112 Spring Garden Ave. Group members Scott & Kate share life Sunday evenings together through Every other week friendship, learn ONLINE from the Bible and Anne & Garth other resources, Monday evenings pray for and give Weekly support to one ONLINE another, and Jeff & Phyllis participate in Wednesday evenings God’s mission Weekly together. They ONLINE are safe places David Webb where you can Thursday evenings meet new people, Weekly discover your gifts ONLINE & at 112 Spring for service, grow Garden Ave. as a follower of Jesus, and have a lot of fun together. Groups gather in homes or online throughout the week. Each group is as unique as the people in it. No matter where you are in life, there is a Life Group for you. Please email Abby at abbydavison@springgardenchurch.ca to join or for more information.
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Recommendations
The Resource Centre
Inspired: Slaying giants, walking on water, and loving the Bible again, by Rachel Held Evans If the Bible isn't a science book or an instruction manual, then what is it? What do people mean when they say the Bible is inspired? When Rachel Held Evans found herself asking these questions, she began a quest to better understand what the Bible is and how it is meant to be read. What she discovered changed her-and it will change you too. Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible's most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture's mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God's loving and redemptive work in the world.
The Berenstain Bears and the joy of giving
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In The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving, Brother and Sister Bear can't wait for Christmas and all the presents they'll open. But during the Christmas Eve pageant, something special happens! The Bear cubs learn a very valuable lesson about the joy of giving to others. Picture Book
Roadmap to reconciliation 2.0: moving communities into unity, wholeness and justice, by Brenda Salter McNeil, 234.5 MCN This book gives an overview of the biblical basis for racial reconciliation and pushes us towards true and lasting answers. We can see the inequality, we understand the problems, but are we ready to rise up in faithful action? Based on her extensive work with churches and organizations, Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil has created a roadmap to show us the way with gospel-centered, wholistic, spiritual answers.
Countdown to Christmas: advent thoughts, prayers and activities, by Susan O’Keefe 242.33 OKE This is a collection of daily scripture readings, meditations, prayers and seasonal activities for children in grades 4-8.
Jesus be in my Christmas, by Sarah Hornsby 242.33 HOR Jesus, Be in My Christmas is a unique devotional to help you herald in all the glory of the season with twice-a-day readings--one for morning and one for evening--for all four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas.
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Directories and What's Happening
More Info
Leadership Directory PASTORAL TEAM
416.223.4593 Ext. 224
Greg Kay Co-Lead Pastor
gregkay@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 227
Sam Lee Co-Lead Pastor
samlee@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 223
Jeremy Ranasinghe Children and Youth Pastor
jeremy@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 226
Abby Davidson Pastor of Missional Discipleship
abbydavidson@ springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 221
Dale Forder Office & Communications Administrator
daleforder@ springgardenchurch.ca
Spring Garden Church
112 Spring Garden Avenue, Toronto ON M2N 3G3 www.springgardenchurch.ca Tel 416.223.4593 office@springgardenchurch.ca Fax 416.223.6126 Prayer Line 416.223.4038
Giving is one of the ways in which we can
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respond to a generous God. We give because it is a part of our discipleship and an act of worship. Please give as you feel led. For more information please go to our website at: https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/giving.
DEACONS Krysten Cameron Chair
416.399.0493 krystencameron@hotmail.com
Ben Reynolds
Children\Youth Discipleship & Property
Martin Dewar
Community Life & Missions
Debbie Tempelmeyer
Adult Discipleship & Pastoral Care
Scott Moore
Vice Chair & Secretary
Jeff McGee Finance
bereynolds@gmail.com 416.229.2695 martin.dewar@sgbc.ca 905-301-2323 tempelmeyerdeb@gmail.com 647-227-5465 scottgmoore@mac.com 416.493.2102 jeff.mcgee@sympatico.ca
Cheryl Chapman Worship
cheryl.chapman@live.ca
ELDERS Anne Barron Gonzalo Librado
416.724.9329 anne.barron020@sympatico.ca 416.435.9691 gonzlibrado@gmail.com
Margaret Sutton margaretsutton242@gmail.com Koon Wah Leung Clem Lee
416.225.7092 koonwleung@gmail.com 416.508.7355 crazymonkeyfamily@gmail.com
Myrna Frost
416.225.4986 mfrost2254986@rogers.com 20
What’s Happening Weekly
Life in Spring Garden
LIFE GROUPS - Connect for Community
ALL WEEK LONG
Together through bible study, prayer and sharing. Meet online and possible in-person. Please email abbydavidson@ springardenchurch.ca for more information or to join one.
y
Sunda
ay Tuesd ay d s e n
Wed
rs u h T
day
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
10am
Join us Sunday mornings as we go through a series called 'Advent: A Time of Refreshing'. Join us in-person by signing up at: http://sgcworship.eventbrite.ca/. Streamed at: www. springgardenchurch.ca
PASTORAL TEAM MEETING
10am - 12pm
We are meeting on Tuesday. Please pray for us for wisdom and inspiration.
REFRESH 10am - 11:30am Friendship, care & spiritual growth for women. Contact Jen Chrystman or Faith Holwyn for more info.
Bible Discussion
10am - 11:30am
Join us as we learn and discuss different stories about God and His people. See more on page 9.
EVENING PRAYER
You are invited to a virtual time of liturgical prayer. Please see here.
8:30pm
SGC COMMUNITY - Facebook
A group to encourage each other, share resources, connect, etc. Find us through groups in Facebook.
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If you would like to receive a weekly e-mail update on what’s happening in Spring Garden, please visit the SGC website (www.springgardenchurch.ca) and add your email address on our home page to subscribe to our weekly e-mail. Also keep your eye on our Events page at: www.springgardenchurch.ca/events.
What’s Happening Upcoming Dec
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Life in Spring Garden
YOUTH: Movie Night See more on page 16.
YOUTH: Guys Life Group See more on page 15.
YOUTH: Sr High Girls Life Group See more on page 15.
Light of the World See more on page 7.
YOUTH: Jr High Girls Life Group YOUTH: Retreat See more on page 15.
Card-making with Toronto City Mission – Willowtree See more on page 8.
Youth Christmas Party See more on page 15.
Blue Christmas Service See more on page 7.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Gathering See more on page 8.
Jr High Youth Retreat See more on page 15.
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Our Values We believe in a humble God who came not to be served, but to serve. Therefore we engage in sacrificial and active service to those around us. We strive to be good stewards of God’s gifts and talents by serving one another in humility. We aspire to regard others as higher than ourselves, which liberates us to creatively take risks in serving others for God’s glory. We believe in a God of grace who came to save the world, not to condemn it. Therefore, as we are continuously receiving the gift of God’s grace, we seek to grow in that grace and extend it to others. We strive to define ourselves by what we are for, not what we are against.
We believe in a God who knows us, and who desires to be known. Therefore we embrace a journey of faith that requires us to constantly strive for a personal, intimate and transformative knowledge of God. We strive to be led by God’s Spirit in supporting and encouraging one another in working out our faith.
We believe in a creative God. Therefore we are open to expressing our faith in new and creative ways that reflect the beauty and complexity of our creator. We are called to use our creative gifts in worship and service as we engage with our world. We take joy in the diversity of gifts that allow us to delight God and participate in His ongoing story. We believe in a triune, relational God who calls us to come together as a diverse community of believers. Therefore, we want to walk together, supporting one another physically, emotionally and spiritually. We strive to be a welcoming, inclusive family that goes through the joys and the trials of life together, acknowledging that God uses this community to deepen and mature our faith.
We believe in a God who loves this broken world and wants to reconcile us to Himself. Therefore we are commissioned by Christ to go out into the world, meeting the holistic needs of the local and global community. God calls us to participate in a redemptive work that he has already initiated; in humility, we will partner with others to work alongside and chase after Him.
We believe in a God who is our centre. Therefore where we are on the journey is less important than that we are moving towards a deeper relationship with Christ. We believe and participate in God’s redemptive work in all people, which gives us the freedom to come as we are, and to accept others as they are.
We each are on a unique journey to become who God has created us to be.
