Delve An
Of
Intersection
Faith
And Life
December 2014
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Features The Broken Story Sweet Treats and a Smile Catching the Swing in Kenya Why Have Intergenerational Worship? Departments
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Resource Centre
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Information Contact Information Community Corner Calendar
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Cover Art by Erin Bonney, Joanna James, Charlotte Simpkins & Gene Tempelmeyer Contributors: Karen Cassel Greg Kay Sam Lee Geoffrey Moore Kevin and Joyce Richardson Margaret Sutton Copy Editors: Greg kay Gene Tempelmeyer
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The Broken Story — an art experiment in perspectives This advent season we are journeying towards the birth of Jesus through contemplating different perspectives of who the Messiah would be—specifically Mary’s, the Magi, Zechariah’s, and the angel Gabriel’s. Part of this journey in our communal worship will also be hearing one another’s stories of who the Messiah is and surprising ways he has come to us this year. We (the creative team—Colin Chapman, Erin Bonney and Greg Kay) decided to try a visual experiment playing with the way various perspectives come together to give us a fuller and deeper understanding and experience of who Jesus is. This is true of the different voices we hear in scripture, but also true of how when we express our experience of Jesus with each other we continue to paint a fuller picture of Jesus for one another in and through community. It was our thought that in different artists creating the same thing, by bringing themselves to it—their perspective, their skills, their preferred artistic medium—we would see a richness of diverse creative interpretation.
So, we took a colouring page of the Nativity scene, cut it in 4, and gave the 1/4’s to 4 different artists, asking them to create the image in their own way but (if possible) sticking to the same ratios (in this case approximately 5:3).
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We gave Charlotte (daughter of Mary Simpkins) the top right and she used markers.
We gave Gene Tempelmeyer the bottom right and he used water colours.
We gave Joanna James the bottom left and she used acrylic on canvas.
We gave Erin Bonney the top left and she used pencil.
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We were amazed by the quality of the artwork we got back! We encourage you to come up on the platform sometime to look closely at the art so that you can enjoy the workmanship. And not only that, when we put them all together to re-create the original picture, we got this beautiful image of the nativity from 4 different perspectives. This Advent season, let’s share together our own stories of Jesus, enriching one another’s faith as we paint a beautiful mosaic of who Christ is together.
Greg Kay
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Sweet treats and a smile. . . that’s Mary Thiele Mary began worshipping with Spring Garden about 10 years ago at the invitation of her daughter and son-in-law [Michele & Jay McIntyre] and began attending the Thursday Bible Class. From an early age Mary learned about God from her parents and school. But this was just head knowledge until her, then, 14 year old daughter introduced her to a personal relationship with God. Mary’s walk with God has intensified since her baptism, here, in September, 2013. Her awareness of God’s gifts in her life has led her to become involved with the Discipleship ministry as an umbrella leader where she helps prepare and organize material for leaders. She has a wonderful heart and relationship with children. She listens, encourages and makes sure the children are a priority. If you need a listening ear Mary is the one you want to talk to. Her quiet confidence makes her approachable to both children and adults. Her gift of service and organization are evident on Sunday mornings where you will find Mary making coffee and arranging food. Her engaging personality and warm, welcoming smile make all - children, newcomers and attendants - feel welcome. This woman of service and prayer is a warrior for the Kingdom of God. Margaret Sutton 6
Christmas/New Year Holidays Church Office Availability
From Dec 22 to Jan 4, the church office will be closed during statutory holidays and some of the pastoral team may be on vacation. Please forward your administrative requests to Suzanna before Dec 18 if possible. The office front desk will be available with reduced hours. Margaret Sutton can be reached for emergencies at 647-867-9065. The prayer line will still be available during the holiday weeks. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Financial Update – Urgent Our 2014 Budget is $519,000. As of December 1st donations are $423,692, leaving $95,808 to be given in the last 4 weeks of 2014. Please give over the next 4 weeks as the Lord leads! Thank you. Geoffrey Moore Treasurer.
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Eva’s Community Celebration: a Coalition of the Willowdale Collaboration Network
Contact either Jesse James: 647-835-8062 or Ian Brinksman: 647-963-7292
4th Annual Eva’s Community Celebration – Operation: Good Thing and Celebrate & Skate – December 18th, 2014 Over the past four years, the Willowdale community has worked together to provide holiday gifts and cards for 143 homeless youth, housed in two local youth shelters: Eva’s Satellite and Eva’s Place. This fourth year we are aiming to assemble SIXTY-FIVE holiday gift bags, providing necessary hygiene items and personalized holiday cards to each youth in both shelters.
Will YOU help a homeless youth? There are TWO main ways you can still help: 1. Join the Willowdale community to assemble gift bags for youth on the streets in Toronto at Church In Toronto. a. Date: December 13th, from 5:30-8pm b. Snacks and refreshments provided! 2. Join the Celebrate & Skate event at Mel Lastman Square to celebrate the holiday season and meet some of the remarkable youth at Eva’s Satellite and Eva’s Place! 8
a. Date: December 18th, from 6:30-9pm b. Starbucks and Pizza Pizza providing free dinner and refreshments! c. A very limited supply of free rental skates will be provided For more information about these ways of engaging in the Eva’s Community then please contact either Jesse James or Ian Brinksman (Jesse: 647-835-8062, & Ian: 647-963-7292), or willowdalecn@gmail.com, or www.facebook.com/wyocn. For more information about Eva’s Initiatives, who coordinates both shelters called Eva’s Satellite and Eva’s Place, then please contact Eva’s Initiatives: (416) 977-4497, or info@evas.ca, or www.evasinitiatives.com. For more information about “Operation: Good Thing” or Light Patrol then please contact Light Patrol: 416.383.1477, or lightpatrol@youthunlimitedgta.com, or www.lightpatrol.ca. For event information go to: www.facebook.com/wyocn
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Catching the Swing in Kenya…
Yes, we are both here! Joyce arrived in September the night before our 31st wedding anniversary and a month after our 30th year with SIM. Thank you for preparing, sending, supporting, praying and encouraging us along the way. We thank our Father in heaven for the privilege of living these many years both in Nigeria and now in Kenya.
Catching the Swing of things at home: • Moving across the yard from a house to an apartment • Shuffling furniture around, do the curtains fit the new space? 10
• Where did the coffee table go and the bookshelf? That’s missionary life – stuff routinely gets mixed up when one is off-site! • A compound full of new couples and children – and they are the best looking kids!!! Come and See!
Catching the Swing of things at the Counselling Centre • Catching the week of EMDR training by experts from Germany i.e. trauma therapy skills training • Setting up office and reviewing procedures before seeing clients • Meeting ‘old’ & new friends – Kenyan, American, British, German, Korean, American-Chinese – with much excitement
Catching the Swing of things in Theological Education • Kevin’s role these days is academic advisor to several students • He awaits his course load for January 2015 • In the meantime, he is the first editor to work on the translated version of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by D. Whitney into the Hausa language for the church in Nigeria – yes, that is not an error! Kevin did this type of work for many years when we lived in Nigeria.
Catching the Swing of things on Nairobi Streets • Men beating the sofas and chairs early in the morning • Cows wandering carefree across major roads • Speed limit throughout the city – 50 km/hour • Speakers blasting music 12 inches from your ears while travelling by matatu (public transport) 11
Catching the Swing of things in SIM Kenya • Praying much about persecution in Nigeria • Praying about many ministries: a) to M* people, children, street children, Chinese, East Indian, b) trainings across Kenya – teacher training, cell group training and pastors’ training Kevin and Joyce Richardson - with much appreciation for your prayerful concern for us here in Kenya and our former home in Nigeria
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NEW Church Parking Lot Parking Pass Due to the increasing number of vehicles illegally parking in our church parking lot, the church office will be administering parking passes in 2015 to better manage our parking situation. If you are a church staff, member, or ministry partner who regularly visits the church building during office hours (Mon – Friday, 9 – 5pm) for more than 2-3 times a month, please come to the church office during the month of December to register for an annual parking pass. If you need occasional use of the church parking lot, please drop by the church office on the day of your visit/use to receive a day parking pass. A day parking pass can be obtained from any of the pastoral team. No parking pass is needed for evenings (after 5pm), weekends and holidays. Please display your parking pass on your dashboard every time you use the church parking lot during office hours. Please ensure the pass is clearly visible from the outside. The parking lot will be regularly patrolled and the authorization to park will be recognized only by the displaying of a valid parking pass. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping manage our church parking lot. 13
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Boom Basketball League For the third year in a row, Boom Basketball League will be starting in January! Know a young person between grades 5-12 who likes to play basketball?? Then have them register as a Boom player (for FREE!) at http://boombasketball.ca. The Boom Basketball League begins on January 17th, from 10am12pm, and will continue every Saturday until the Boom 3-on-3 Tournament on April 25th! This year we have hired two local, basketball-loving young people as our Boom Basketball Coordinators: Lead Coordinator: Michael Antwi, studying Youth Ministry at Tyndale University, member of MoveIn in the Flemingdon Park patch, and volunteer with the MoveIn-Youth Unlimited basketball outreach program in Flemingdon called “Roots”. Assistant Coordinator: Jolene Awuku, captain of the OFSAA AAAA Earl Haig Sr. Girls basketball Team, beloved young adult at Spring Garden Church, and young leader with Youth Unlimited’s “Revolution(s)” program. If you are interested in more information then please contact Mike Mackneer (Bayview Glen Alliance Church - mikem@bayviewglen.org) or James Brooks (Tyndale University College - jbrooks@tyndale.ca). 15
Recomendations From The Resource Centre
Books This month we are featuring books and resources for parents Parenting Is Your Highest Calling and 8 Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt, by Leslie Leyland Fields As a mother of six, author Leslie Leyland Fields knows firsthand the insecurities and questions that come with rearing children. In this provocative book, she explores with refreshing honesty the myths that can lead to unrealistic expectations and distract us from God’s purposes for our children and for us. Fields highlights the transforming biblical truths that release parents from the grip of mistaken assumptions. Fresh, provocative insights will lead you to a deeper understanding of God and yourself– an understanding that lifts the weight of guilt and fear and frees you to love your children as God intended.
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Spring Garden’s online library catalog can be accessed at springgardenchurch.ca/library
If you know of books or DVDs that you’d like to recommend to the resource centre, please contact Karen Cassel karen.cassel@bell.net
Age of Opportunity: a Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens, by Paul David Tripp Paul Tripp uncovers the heart issues affecting parents and their teenagers during the often chaotic adolescent years. With wit, wisdom, humility and compassion, he shows parents how to seize the countless opportunities to deepen communication, learn, and grow with their teenagers.
Learning About Sex, complete set Each book in the series helps children (and adults, too) see sex as a gift from God to be used responsibly. In a positive, Christ-centered manner, the Learning About Sex series helps teachers, parents, pastors and doctors cultivate open and honest communication about sex, present accurate, age-appropriate information, and explain physiological and sociopsychological aspects of sex. There is a separate set of books for girls and for boys, in age groupings.
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Why Have Intergenerational Worship? Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me”. Are we doing this on Sunday mornings? Do we let our children come to Jesus in our worship gatherings? Is worship a time for us, as adults, to enjoy the experiences that fit our needs and apply to our lives? How can our worship be a place in which we invite and encourage our children to come to Jesus? As a church we believe that worship isn’t just for adults. We need to think outside the box. We need to be open to noise and doing things that we night not like. Would we be willing to do that so our children can come to know Jesus better? Would you do something different on Sunday
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mornings that you do not necessarily like but that would bring our young people into a closer and truer relationship with Jesus? The question we need to ask ourselves isn’t how does our worship gatherings meet my needs but rather how can it meet the needs of another? After all, we are called to consider the needs of others before that of our own. To be honest, it is easier for us to worship separately from our children. We can have our own time, do our own thing, listen to sermons that apply to adults. But is this what worship is about? Is it about us or is it about God? Is it about what we get out of worship or is it about being part of a community of God’s people worshipping the one who deserves our praise? God invites us to enjoy this time together as a community. Being a disciple of Jesus calls us to do things that are not easy. We are called to be stretched, to let go of our own desires, and to seek to be a community of all ages and stages. The community of God isn’t just the adults or just the children, it isn’t just the married or the singles, it isn’t the seniors or the young adults. The church is all of us worshipping together, being challenged to think of the needs of the whole community and not just ourselves. Like anything worthwhile in life, this will take time and effort. I am encouraged by our desire to be more integrated. I encourage us to do life together; one that includes all generations of Spring.
Sam Lee
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Pax Christi Chorale Winter Nights: December 5, 6 & 7, 2014
WINTER NIGHTS : Saturday and Sunday, Dec 6 and 7, Pax Christi Chorale, soloists and orchestra present three Christmas Cantatas. Bach, Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 62; Stephanie Martin, Winter Nights; Bach, Christmas Oratorio Part II, with orchestra and all those oboes. Saturday Dec 6 at 7:30 pm Sunday Dec 7 at 3:00 pm. Soloists Michele Bogdanowicz, Sean Clark and Doug MacNaughton in beautiful Grace Church on the Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto. For more information, check our website, http://www.paxchristichorale.org/winter-nights/ 20
Leadership at Spring Garden Pastoral Team Gene Tempelmeyer, Pastor genetemp@springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 222 Greg Kay, Worship Pastor gregkay@springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 224 Margaret Sutton, Pastoral Care/Seniors margaretsutton@springgardenchurch.ca Ext. 226 Sam Lee, Pastor of Discipleship, Ext. 227 samlee@springgardenchurch.ca Suzanna Lai, Church Office and Communications Manager Ext. 221 suzanna@springgardenchurch.ca
Deacons Anne Barron - Missions Marion Cameron - Worship Mary Ellen Hopkins - Finance Koon Wah Leung - Discpleship Ministries Mike Penner - Community Life/Board Secretary Derek Prinsloo - Chair Matt Silver - Adult Ministries/Membership Judy Tranter - Pastoral Care Jim Turner - Property
416.724.9329 416.491.8542 905.731.0492 416.225.7092 416.227.1840 647.349.4610 416.391.5479 416.229.0494 416.512.1360
Elders Garth Barron Darlene Boyd Cindie Chaise Jennifer Moore
416.724.9329 416.385.2483 647.345.2476 416.786.8727
Spring Garden Church T 416.223.4593 112 Spring Garden Ave. F 416.223.6126 Toronto ON M2N3G3 www.springgardenchurch.ca office@springgardenchurch.ca
Prayer Line 416.223.4038 ext1
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Community Corner
Life around Spring Garden
Ordination Celebration for Pastor Greg Kay Ordination Celebration on Sunday Dec 7th @6:30pm Children (and their sounds!) are welcome. There will be some art supplies for them available in the back corner to help keep them engaged. There will be a free-will offering taken up in support of The Dale Ministries (cheques can be made payable to Parkdale Neighbourhood Church), plus as we will also be celebrating Greg’s 40th birthday there will be cake and desserts! An Invitation To Life Group Facilitators The Life Groups Committee would like to invite you to join us for a breakfast meeting on Jan 10th from 8:30-12:00. We would like to share with you some curriculum ideas for future studies, and we will be “test-driving” one of them by going through one session together. There will also be time to share about what is happening in our groups, and to pray together. It would be good to have each group represented, so if you are a facilitator and can’t make it, could you please arrange for someone in your group to represent the group? Food and childcare will be provided. RSVP to: garthbarron@sympatico.ca 22
What’s Happening Life in Spring Garden
Weekly Tuesdays 2:00 pm - Pastoral Team meeting 7:00 pm - ESL Café Wednesdays 9:45 am - Refresh Women’s Bible Study Thursdays 1:00 pm - Thursday, Adult Bible Class will hold their closing Advent Service in the Prayer Room December 18th at 1 p.m. All are welcome. Bible Study will resume on January 8, 2015 Sundays 9:00 am - Morning Bible Study: meeting room - ESL Bible Study: basement 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship (communion on the first Sunday of the month)
This Month Sunday, December 7th - Greg Kay’s Ordination celebration - 6:30pm (pg. 22) Sunday, December 14th - Light of the World - 6:30pm (pg. 14) Thursday, December18th - Eva’s Celebrate & Skate (pg. 8-9) Wednesday, December 24th - Christmas Eve Worship - 7:00pm
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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 center. 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.
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