FEBRUARY EDITION
2020
WEEKLY Sun
Quick Calend ar
9am-10am Bible Study 10am-11:30am Sunday Worship 11:30 Refreshments
pg 17 pg 17
Tues 10am-12pm Pastoral Team Meeting Wed 10am-12:00am Refresh, Women's Group
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Thur 12pm-1pm Lunch Together
pg 17 pg 17
7pm-8:30pm ESL Café
1pm - 2pm Bible Discussion
pg 17 pg 17
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UPCOMIN Feb. 2
Family Art Activity
pg 7
Feb. 7 Feb. 14
Youth Event: Blizzard Retreat
pg 11
Youth Event: Girl's Bible Study
pg 10
Feb. 16
Youth Event: Boy's Bible Study
pg 10
Feb. 23 Feb. 28 Feb. 29
Congregational Meeting
pg 18
Youth Event: Art and Bake Sale Prep
pg 11
Neighbourhood Potlucks
pg 7
See more on last two pages or online on our Events page at www.springgardenchurch.ca/events.
Delve submissions are due Feb. 18th. 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
Caring and Healing Beyond Cure 3
Thank-You Note from a Soldier 6 What's New with SGC 6
Community Corner Discipleship Ministries
Spring Kids 9 Spring Youth 10, 11
Family Art Activity Neighbourhood Potlucks 2020 Church Directory Art and Bake Sale Greeting and Ushering
7 7 7 8 8
Resource Centre
Resource Recommendations
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More Info
How to Give 15 Leadership Directory 15-16 Weekly Calendar 17 Upcoming Calendar 18 Colour and Draw Your Own Comic 12
Our Values (back page)
Design, Cover, Contributor & Editor: Dale Forder Contributors: Sam Lee Victoria Shipmaker Jeremy Ranasinghe Karen Cassel Copy Editors: Greg Kay Karen Cassel
Digging a little deeper into Spring Garden
Features
Caring and Healing Beyond Cure by Sam Lee
I really enjoy fixing things. I like solving problems, working through complex situations, and I want to make things better. This can be a positive thing when there are problems that need solving but it can also be detrimental when it comes to people. Yes there are times when people do need help and will ask for solutions for their problems, but there are many times where what the person really needs is not a fix to a problem but rather a listening ear, someone who just cares. This is hard for someone like me who wants to help people in their suffering. I came across a section from a book on Henri Nouwen, talking about the difference between cure and care.
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Caring means “first of all to be present to each other” in a manner that conveys a healing presence. A heart that truly cares is willing to “offer one’s own vulnerable self to others as a source of healing”. This is what it means to participate in another’s pain, to be in solidarity in suffering as well as to share
in the other’s experience of brokenness. However, caring is not to be equated with cure. In fact, “one of the great riches of caregiving is that it embraces something more than simply a focus on cure.” Care, for Nouwen, is uppermost, far above cure. For “cure without care is as dehumanizing as a gift given with a cold heart” We can always express care, but cure is not something we can guarantee to anyone. But each time we claim our gift of care, “we can become a true source of healing and hope. When we have the courage to let go of our need to cure, our care can truly heal in ways far beyond our own dreams and expectations.” I love this idea of caring versus curing. It helps us to understand that our primary call with others in their suffering is our presence. As we are “with” others, we can show care to our brothers and sisters. Yes cure is something we hope for and desire but more than that, we can become the presence of Christ amongst their sufferings. Isn’t this what Jesus did with us? Why come and be with us when He could have solved all of our problems from up above? Isn’t He powerful enough to just fix us? Jesus has shown us that He cares about us more than just curing us. Because we are His beloved, He comes to be with us and lives in us. I think this is why we call “Pastoral Care,” Pastoral Care and not “Pastoral Cure.” It is not our job to fix or heal people, our job is to care for others. This call is not limited to “Pastors.” It is a call to all people that we care for one another in love. Isn’t this what it means to love your neighbour? It is to care for that person with our presence. This is the gift that we all have in us to share with others: being with the other person. I shared in one of my sermons about how one of my closest friends from high school died this past summer. Jin and I found out that she had only a few days to live and tried to go and visit her as much as possible. In one visit, Penny told Jin that when we were in high school, she didn’t know how to help me but what she tried to do, was to just be there for me. She would call me and make sure I would go to school and would spend time with me because she knew I needed people who cared for me to be around me. I would not be who I am today without her presence in my life. She and my others friends were family to me. They kept me going when times were hard. They helped me find my way. 4
As Penny was lying in her bed dying, I knew that I could not fix her or cure her. All I could do was to be there for her. To spend her last moments together. Laughing together, eating together, crying together. I will always cherish those several days of us being with one another. It helped me realize that even in her dying, that her presence, was a gift to me. I know that she felt that way about us being there with her. I want to invite you to reflect on this passage below in light of what you have read. Spend some time praying through what God may be saying to you through the passage. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NRSV) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4 who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. 6 If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation. Reflection Questions 1. When you see someone in need, what is your first reaction? 2. What does it mean for you that God consoles us in our affliction? 3. How does Christ’s suffering give us consolation? 4. How can you go beyond the temptation of cure to care? 5. How can you help be part of a community that shares this gift of care with others? 6. Is there an action or a shift that God is calling you to?
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Thank-You Note from a Soldier
I am excited to pass on a thank-you we received from one if the soldiers who received a gift box from our Morale Mail project: I wanted to express my sincere thanks for the Christmas package I recently received from Spring Garden Church. I am a Naval Reserve Officer from the Toronto area currently deployed in Latvia since late April for Operation Reassurance and am redeploying to Canada in February. This was my first Christmas away from home and the thoughts, prayers and gifts you have given are very touching. I am also Baptist and a church goer so it’s extra special for me. -J Cliff and Victoria Shipmaker
NEW at Spring Garden!
If you have been to Spring Garden recently you may have noticed this already, but the city has cut down two large trees and trimmed two others. It was really nice to see the one dead tree off of Kenneth go. Now how can we make the newly exposed area look good?
Have you been to our website lately? I am slowly updating it. We now have an Events page, but the newest update is to our Sermons page. It now has more information, more visually pleasing and more ways to find what your looking for. Keep an eye out for more changes to our website in the future. Have you noticed the changes to Delve this year? I have toned it down to a cleaner look, though I had fun with this edition with the comic book theme. I will be sharing with you more changes that have been and will be made in later Delve editions. Please let me know if there is anything you think could be improved. Dale Forder, Office & Communications Administrator
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Life in and around Spring Garden
Community Corner
Family Art Activity
Sunday, February 2, 2020, 11:45pm Creativity can help to open up new ways of understanding each other. Come with the whole family to doodle, brainstorm, and learn to solve problems together with kindness and cooperation. No art experience is required. Practice flexible thinking and bring home an encouraging reminder. Join us in the Youth Lounge - a light lunch will be served. Parents, guardians and children aged 3 to 12 years old. Led by Amelia Bowler, artist and behaviour therapist. at ameliabowler@gmail.com. Please sign up at: https://www.springgardenchurch. ca/upcoming-events/2020/2/2/family-art-activity
Neighbourhood Potlucks
Saturday Evening, February 29, 2020 We know that life is busy which can make it hard for us to get to know each other. That's why we are organizing Neighbourhood Potlucks. Sharing a meal together is a great way for us to get to know more of the people who we see on Sundays. Please sign up below to either attend or host a potluck on Saturday, February 29, 2020. We will group people by neighbourhood where possible. Everyone is welcome! Link: https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/upcomingevents/2020/2/29/neighbourhood-potlucks
2020 Church Directory 7
Pick them up at the Welcome table.
Art and Bake Sale Sunday, March 1, 2020
Each year, our youth group has run an Art and Bake sale, to raise money for a cause that we are closely connected to. Last year we were able to raise almost $1000 to help people coming out of the sex industry! This year we are adding something to make this event even better! Staring February 2nd, 2020, we will be taking orders for speciality baked goods, made by people from our congregation. There will be a menu available at the welcome centre, as well as someone who can help take orders. On March 1st, after worship, we will be holding our annual art and bake sale where you will be able to pick up your ordered baked goods, as well you can purchase, other baked goods and art to raise money for Fight4Freedom. All of the proceeds from this sale will go to Fight4Freedom and their work with survivors of human trafficking. Please join our youth on March 1st to help put an end to human trafficking!
Greeting and Ushering We have some new Greeters and Ushers to assist and welcome people to church on Sundays. We thank-you for the help we receive in collecting the offering and guiding people to the different areas of the church. If you would like to help us by learning about how to use the elevator, take collection or to provide materials please let us know. Victoria text 647 444 9320 Victoriashipmaker@gmail.com
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Partnering with Families and Singles
Discipleship Ministries
Spring Kids ROOMS IN OUR BASEMENT DROP OFF
Nursery (0 - 18 months) Purple Toddler/Pre-K (19 months - 3 years) Orange JK / SK Yellow Grade 1 Blue Green Grade 2 & 3 Blue Grade 4 & 5 Blue Red Grade 6-12 Youth Lounge Here is an overview of what we will be talking about on Sundays for Spring Kids.
Jr Curriculum: Peace
In this series, children will learn that when we are afraid or worried, Jesus gives us peace. Children will discover that we can experience peace in every situation through Jesus, and that we can be peacemakers in the world around us. “Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace…” James 3:18
Elementary Curriculum:
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PICK UP
• • • •
God God God God
is is is is
Strength Powerful Victorious Sovereign
Spring Youth January Recap:
One of the highlights from January was our Jr High winter retreat, Avalanche. We had 7 youth attend Avalanche, and it was a really fun weekend. Over the weekend, we had some great conversations about who God has created us to be, and how He can help us be that version of ourselves. Here is what's happening this February!
Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings: February 2, 16th - We will have our worship gathering for youth in grades 6-12. Following the children’s blessing, youth will move to the youth lounge to continue in worship. February 9th, 23rd Sunday Upstairs - Youth are either in the large worship gathering, or serving in other areas in the discipleship ministry. To serve in the discipleship ministry area, please contact Jeremy (jeremy@springgardenchurch.ca) for placement.
Youth Life Groups: Life Groups will be held February 14th for the girls and February 16th for the boys. For more information for “Boys Life Group” e-mail Jeremy (jeremy@springgardenchurch.ca) For more information on “Girls Life Group” e-mail Kaitlyn (Kaitlynrenaa@gmail.com) 10
Youth Events:
February 7th-9th: Blizzard Retreat **Registration Has Ended** - Youth in Grades 9-12 who have already registered for the retreat will leave on the Friday and return on the Sunday. More info will be sent out closer to the event. Youth who are not participating in the retreat are encouraged to join the upstairs gathering on the Sunday. Youth desiring to serve must connect with Jeremy before February 2nd 2019. February 28th: Bake Sale Prep -We will be meeting to prep and create art and baked goods for our fundraiser on March 1st. We will be raising money for the ministry Fight4Freedom is involved with. We will be selling baked goods as well as projects created by the youth and others in the church. For more information please e-mail Jeremy. Cost: $5 Time: 5:30pm - 9pm
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://tinyurl.com/SGCYouth
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Colour and Draw Your Own Comic
Christmas Eve Worship Gathering
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Recommendations
The Resource Centre
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)
Invitation to a journey: a road map for spiritual formation
by M. Robert Mulholland
In Invitation to a Journey, Mulholland helps Christians new and old understand that we become like Christ gradually, not instantly. Not every personality is suited to an early morning quiet time, so Mulholland frees different personality types to express their piety differently. He reviews the classical spiritual disciplines and demonstrates the importance of undertaking our spiritual journey with (and for the sake of) others. This revised edition was expanded by Ruth Haley Barton with a new foreword, spiritual practices and study guide, to provide spiritual direction for individuals and groups seeking spiritual companionship for one another on the journey of transformation.
Emotionally healthy spirituality: it’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature by Peter Scazzero
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Can Christians grow spiritually while remaining emotionally immature? Scazzero believes the answer is no---our souls and psyches are inextricably linked! Readers will find seasoned advice on how to slow
down and develop a truly transformational relationship with Christ. You'll learn to identify unhealthy spirituality, grow through grief and loss, and more.
Overcomer. DVD Basketball coach John Harrison's high school team is crushed by the closing of the town's largest employer. Hundreds of families move, leaving him running a struggling cross-country program. But then he meets Hannah and begins helping this unlikely runner attempt the impossible in the year's biggest race. An inspirational movie for the whole family.
The least of these. DVD As the social fabric of life in rural India unravels in the 1990s, journalist Manav encounters local Australian missionary Graham Staines (Stephen Baldwin) illegally proselytizing leprosy patients. He investigates his work, and a horrifying tragedy ensues---but the heart of their story beautifully illustrates the power of love, hope, and forgiveness to overcome hate.
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Directories and What's Happening
More Info
Leadership Directory PASTORAL TEAM
416.223.4593
Greg Kay Co-Lead Pastor
Ext. 224 gregkay@ springgardenchurch.ca
Sam Lee Co-Lead Pastor
Ext. 227 samlee@ springgardenchurch.ca
Jeremy Ranasinghe Children and Youth Pastor
Ext. 223 jeremy@ springgardenchurch.ca
Dale Forder Office & Communications Administrator
Ext. 221 daleforder@ springgardenchurch.ca
Spring Garden Church
112 Spring Garden Avenue, Toronto ON M2N 3G3 www.springgardenchurch.ca office@springgardenchurch.ca Prayer Line
Tel 416.223.4593 Fax 416.223.6126 416.223.4038
Giving is one of the ways in which we can
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.
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DEACONS Krysten Cameron Vice Chair, Worship
Sam Chaise Finance
Martin Dewar
Community Life, Refreshment
Monica Kim
Pastoral Care, Membership
Joanne Laing Missions
Shannon Loewen
Chair, Children & Youth
Jeff McGee
Adult Discipleship
Peggy Moore Property
416.399.0493 krystencameron@hotmail.com 437.925.2813 sam_chaise@yahoo.com 416.229.2695 martin.dewar@sgbc.ca 604.710.3224 monicakim2000@gmail.com 416.617.6582 joannelaing@gmail.com 647.202.0701 shannon.loewen1@gmail.com 416.493.2102 jeff.mcgee@sympatico.ca 416.225.2406 peggylouisemoore@gmail.com
ELDERS Anne Barron Garth Barron Darlene Boyd
416.724.9329 anne.barron020@sympatico.ca 416.724.9329 garthbarron@sympatico.ca 416.385.2483 darlene.boyd@gmail.com
Koon Wah Leung Clem Lee
416.225.7092 koonwleung@gmail.com 416.508.7355 crazymonkeyfamily@gmail.com
Brad Sider
647.200.6853 ​bradsider@yahoo.ca 16
What’s Happening
Weekly
Life in Spring Garden
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Sundays 9am - 10am
Sundays 10am - 11:30am
Held in the meeting room. Everyone is welcome, bring your Bible if you have one.
PASTORAL TEAM MEETING Tuesdays 10am - Noon
We meet in the meeting room every Tuesday. Please pray for us for wisdom and inspiration.
Join us as we reflect on the type of generous living we are called to as stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Children and Youth go downstairs. Communion will be held on the 1st Sunday of the month.
REFRESH
Wednesdays 10am - 11:30am
Friendship, care & spiritual growth for women; child care provided. Please see more on our Events page.
ESL CAFE
Wednesdays 7pm - 8:30pm
We meet at Spring Garden Church in the East Lounge. A place to practice your English and meet new friends.
LUNCH TOGETHER Thursday 12pm - 1pm
Eat and Share some laughs and conversation with others and words of prayer. West Lounge. Text or call Victoria @ 647 444 9320
BIBLE DISCUSSION Thursday 1pm - 2pm
Bible Study that is open to the church and our neighbours. victoriashipmaker@gmail.com Text or call Victoria @ 647 444 9320
You may find more info at springgardenchurch.ca, in the welcome brochure or call us at 416-223-4593. 17
What’s Happening Life in Spring Garden
Upcoming FEB
2
Family Art Activity
FEB
7
See page 7.
FEB
FEB
14
16
Youth Life Group Females See page 10.
FEB FEB
29 6 28
MAR
1 6
Youth Event: Blizzard Retreat
FEB
23 6
Youth Event: Bake Sale Prep See page 11.
See page 11.
Youth Life Group Males See page 10.
Congregational Meeting 11:45 am--More details to follow in coming weeks
FEB
29 6
Neighbourhood Potluck See page 7.
Art and Bake Sale See page 8.
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 you eye on our Events page at: www.springgardenchurch. ca/events.
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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 We believe in a God who knows came to save the world, not to us, and who desires to be known. condemn it. Therefore, as we Therefore we embrace a journey are continuously receiving the of faith that requires us to gift of God’s grace, we seek to constantly strive for a personal, grow in that grace and extend it intimate and transformative to others. We strive to define knowledge of God. We strive ourselves by what we are to be led by God’s Spirit in for, not what we are supporting and encouraging one against. 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.