Delve June 2016
An
Of
Intersection
Faith
And Life
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Features Spiritual Exercises for Misguided Affections 3 Syrian Refuge Update 16
Spiritual Exercises for Misguided Affections
Departments Financial Update 9 Resource Centre 10 Discipleship Ministries 14
Information Contact Information 19 Community Corner 21 Calendar 23 Cover & Design: Clement Lee Contributors: Karen Cassel Greg Kay Suzanna Lai Sam Lee Jeff McGee Geoff Moore Copy Editors: Greg Kay Suzanna Lai Gene Tempelmeyer
Delve submissions are due on the LAST MONDAY of each month. To submit for the next issue of Delve, please email: delve@springgardenchurch.ca 2
Through June and July the focus of our Sunday morning worship gatherings will be on those things in life that draw our affections and attachments, leading us away from God and each other, and the opposite virtues which lead us into the life of freedom and detachment which God desires for us. As we enter into and journey through this series, there are a few spiritual practices that hopefully may be helpful to us in our engagement with God throughout. For those of us who are not familiar with the idea of spiritual exercises, simply put they are tools, techniques, practices, or disciplines that we can use to help us be open to hearing and responding to the voice of God. It is important whenever we begin to think about techniques of prayer to be aware that these are not techniques for forcing God’s hand and manipulating Him into speaking to us. As Jesuit priest Thomas Green writes in his book Opening to God, “there are no such techniques. God is the Lord of the encounter, and we cannot turn him on like a water facet” (pg. 63). We are not able (nor should we really want) to manipulate God into communing with us, as if He is indifferent about us until we go after Him. In fact the opposite is true—our very desire to pray is a sign that God is already speaking with us. “The desire to pray is itself a clear sign of the Lord’s presence. We cannot reach out to him unless he first draws us” (19). If you want to pray but feel you don’t hear from God or know how to open yourself to him, be encouraged! The very desire to pray comes from God and it is his own initiative to be in communion with you. If you, as I often do, don’t want to pray, but you want to want to pray, be encouraged! Because that “want to want” comes from God already pursuing you. If you don’t even want to want to pray, even still, be encouraged! For God loves you, pursues you and whenever you’re ready to be open to him, he is right there waiting. Whenever you’re ready. 3
Understanding that God is already drawing us and our role in prayer is to open our hearts to him is central to the use of spiritual exercises, for God stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. The exercises/techniques of prayer are simply ways that help us open our hearts and minds to God, so that we are able to hear his voice and open the door of our hearts to him (Rev 3:20). With this in mind, although there are a vast number of spiritual exercises, there is one in particular that seems very useful for our specific upcoming series. It is called the “particular examination of consciousness”. Big name! A 16th century priest name Saint Ignatius, founder of the Jesuits, wrote what is called “The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius” and in it he sets out what many today call the Prayer of Examen. In its most basic form it is an examination of our past day; a way of inviting God to look back over our past day, giving Him thanks for the good things, giving to Him those things that were hard, and seeking forgiveness for places where we sinned. The most common use of the Prayer of Examen is what Ignatius calls the “general examination”, which means a general look at your whole day. At the end of this article I have given a few versions of that prayer. The “particular examination” is slightly different, though rooted in the general examination. The particular examination is a method of prayer that helps us when we have what Ignatius calls a “disordered affection” (what Gene will be calling “misguided affection” in our series—things for which we have affection, love or attachment that do not have the proper place or order in our lives which push God out of the centre) that we want to be free of, or a virtue that we want to develop in our life. Examples of disordered affections could be something like your car, house, a relationship, a habit, behaviour, or fault where if you are so attached to or affectionate about it that you give it a place of honour above God or others. If you are anything like me, you may have a number of “disordered affections”, and the thought of trying to work on all of these faults and unhealthy patterns is too overwhelming and discouraging. 4
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When I do try to work on all of my faults at the same time, I last a day or so and then in discouragement simply quit, more displeased or ashamed with myself than before I began. This is where the particular examination is helpful. Sometimes called “divide and conquer,” the idea is that instead of spreading yourself thin and trying (and failing) to do everything, you focus on one misguided affection at a time. The particular examination is a way of opening ourselves up to God who helps us to know ourselves and our patterns and what unhealthy attachments we have, so we can seek specific forgiveness and healing from God and resolve to work alongside him, patiently and hopefully. One of the beauties of this of course is where it takes us. This is not some depressing masochistic act of focusing on our brokenness for the sake of guilt, but to find true freedom in God. Quoting again from Thomas Green, “freedom from something is worthless unless it is freedom for something else. If we seek to uproot all merely natural desires, it is only in order that we may be truly free to love. In fact, we can only love truly when we are free of pride, ambition, lust, and other self-centered desires natural to sinful humanity… True love makes a [person] indifferent to all competing desires” (81). May we all by the grace of God be drawn deeper into the love and freedom which we were created to receive and to give. Preparation for Prayer: Coming to Quiet Our role in prayer isn’t to make God speak, but to dispose ourselves to God—bringing ourselves to a place of stillness in which we are able to hear the voice of God. This is an essential place to begin all of our listening to God, though the forms and ways it happens are different for everyone. Here are a few ideas and considerations: 1. Physical space: find a quiet place where you won’t be distracted by people, music, phones, etc. 2. Think holistically: we are physical beings, so be aware of your body. Sit/kneel/stand in a position that is comfortable but also 6
attentive (i.e. you don’t want to be uncomfortable, but you don’t want to fall asleep either!). Be aware of how your body is feeling and if you’ll be distracted by it (hungry? Need to use the bathroom? Clothing uncomfortable?) 3. Quiet your mind, body and spirit: There are many ways to do this. Here are a few ideas, keeping in mind that these are tools for inviting the Spirit of God to lead you. Focus on your breathing and bring it to a calm rate; repeat a simple prayerful phrase over and over so that other thoughts don’t distract you; hold something in your hands that has some spiritual or calming meaning to you (e.g. cross, smooth stone, prayer beads); be aware of stress/anxiety in your body and picture your body calming, part by part. The Particular Examination (adapted from The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius) 1. Morning Resolve: first thing in the morning, before you even get out of bed, ask God for the grace and strength, and resolve in yourself, to guard carefully against the particular sin or disordered/ misguided affection which you are seeking to correct or improve in yourself. 2. Lunchtime examination: after lunch, ask God for the grace to recall where you have fallen into the particular sin or disordered/ misguided affection and for the grace to avoid it in the future. Then prayerfully go through the events of your day so far with gratitude for God’s presence and work, seeking forgiveness for where there was struggle and failure, and asking for grace as you move into the rest of your. 3. Bedtime examination: after dinner or at bedtime do the same as after lunch, asking for God’s grace in recollection and prayerfully going through your day with gratitude, seeking forgiveness and grace moving forward. This is also a good opportunity to be specifically aware of if there were patterns of when you most struggled. 7
Two Simple General Examens (from sacredspace.ie)
Spring Garden Baptist Church Monthly Financial Update
In the presence of my loving Creator, I look honestly at my feelings over the last day, the highs, the lows and the level ground. Can I see where the Lord has been present?
For: April 30th, 2016 (4 months)
How do I find myself today? Where am I with God? With others? Do I have something to be grateful for? Then I give thanks. Is there something I am sorry for? Then I ask forgiveness. Ignatius’ General Examen (adapted from James Martin’s The Jesuit Guide to (almost) everything) 1. Gratitude: recall and savor those good things from your day for which you are thankful. 2. Ask for grace to “know my sins”: Being aware of our sins is not meant to be a weighty thing that traps us in guilt, but a grace by which we can see our need for God and open ourselves more to his leading, love, healing and forgiveness. 3. Review of your day: run through your day, start to finish, with an attentiveness to what made you happy, stressed, sad, etc, recalling everything (sights, sounds, feelings, tastes, textures, etc). 4. Forgiveness: Ask God for forgiveness of your sins, and receive his forgiveness. 5. Grace and Resolve: Resolve to “amend your faults”, understanding that it is only by God’s grace by which this can be done.
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Greg Kay
/Week 2016 Budget
$530,000
Year To Date
Actual
$10,192 Budget
For 4 Months - April 30th, 2016 Donations & Other Income $127,794 $176,668 Expenses (167,382) (176,668) Cash Shortfall to Budget (39,588) 0 Donation Shortfall to Budget: $176,688 $127,794 = $48,874. Cash Position at April 30th, 2016 was $46,714. Note: • We soon enter the summer months which are always lower in donations. Please try and plan your donations accordingly. • Donations are to April 30th, 2015 were $134,296, compared to $127,794 in 2016. 9
Recomendations From 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
Books God’s not dead 2, by Travis Thrasher (based on the movie) Can hope survive in Hope Springs? Teacher Grace Wesley is on trial for answering a student’s question about Jesus. Her unionappointed attorney doesn’t believe in her cause. But reporter Amy Ryan does, having found faith while battling cancer. Who’s really on trial…Grace…or God?
21 Ways to connect with your kids, by Kathi Lipp In 21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids, author and blogger Kathi Lipp coaches parents on how to develop a relationship with their children by creating daily habits that can be done even in the midst of hectic days. By doing one simple thing each day for three weeks, kids and parents can “connect” with 10
one another. Some of her ideas are family fun nights, love notes, and letting kids know what you like about them. Written in her usual warm style, this book will assure parents that they can do something to create a positive rapport with their child/children.
They say we are infidels: on the run from ISIS with persecuted Christians from Iraq and Syria, by Mindy Belz (Biography) They Say We Are Infidels shines light into the Middle East through stories of everyday people who refuse to be silenced. This fascinating book is a great read for anyone looking to learn more about the complex dynamics at play in war-torn Iraq and Syria. Learn where these terrorists came from, what can be done to stop them, and what they’re doing to the Christians who’ve lived in the Middle East for generations. 11
For Young Readers Let’s learn about Psalm 23, by Catherine DeVries
things. And they don’t like it one bit! Through this unlikely friendship, children will discover that no matter how new or fearful their circumstances, God is always with them. Just as Little Seed and Little Fox learn to trust that the Farmer is good and kind, children will also learn to trust God.
Encourage your preschooler to learn about Psalm 23 with the illustrated board book, Let’s Learn about Psalm 23 by Catherine DeVries. Join five-year-old Jackson for an exciting day on his Grandpa’s farm to gather eggs, feed baby lambs, and learn Psalm 23. With colorful art and an engaging story, bestselling author Cather DeVries invites children to learn about animals and, in the process, the meaning of Psalm 23. Recommended for ages 3 to 5 years.
It will be Okay: Trusting God through fear and change, by Lysa TerKeurst Growing up brings change, and change triggers fears. How do kids learn that in the midst of these uncomfortable times, they don’t have to be afraid? Little Seed and Little Fox are facing fears, changes, and brand new 12
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Discipleship Ministries - Partnering with Families
Registration is filling up. Please register by visiting our website at www.springgardenchurch.ca
Discipleship Ministries Volunteer Appreciation Lunch Sunday June 26, 11:45am
Spring Youth
Without the help of our 55+ volunteers, our ministry to children and youth would not happen. We want to invite all those that are involved in our ministry and their families to an appreciation lunch after church on June 26.
Spring Kids Reel Family Time CBOQ Event Saturday June 25, 9:30am at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughn - Register by June 10 CBOQ (Canadian Baptist of Ontario & Quebec) Children & Family Department is hosting a private viewing of the movie Finding Dory. It is an event to gather families and to provide resources to encourage faith conversations. You can find the registration link through our website.
Lego Spring City & Learn 2 Ride Day Camp - Registration Now Open! July 18-22, 2016 Event Timing: 9:00am-12:00pm for Half Day 9:00am-3:30pm for Full Day 14
Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings: June 5th - Intergenerational Worship June 12, 19, 26 - As usual we have our regular worship gathering at 10am in the main sanctuary, followed by our Sunday program for the grades 5/6 group and a gathering for youth in grades 7-12 in the youth room after the Children’s Blessing.
Youth Events: Friday, June 10 - Dale Ministries Walk Youth will be given an opportunity to experience the neighbourhood of Parkdale Village and the ministry that is being done there by one of our mission partners, The Dale Ministries. Time: 6pm-9pm Cost: $10 includes food Friday, June 24 - Year End Party A night to celebrate the end of another school year and the start of the summer season. The youth group raised $200 for the Making Ends Meet auction and will be making the auctioned dinner. Time: TBA Cost: TBA Life Group Meetings - June 3, June 17 Please speak with Sam & Jeremy for more information
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Syrian Refuge Update The joint fundraising event on May 26 at Blythwood Road Baptist Church was a success. There were about 100 guests comprised of members from both congregations and the community. A retired Canadian citizenship judge and Syrian refugee himself from 40 yrs ago, explained the history, causes and impacts of the current Syrian refugee crisis. The Syrian Refugee family, who is sponsored by Mimico Baptist church, told their story of being displaced in Syria for 2 years, followed by 3 painful years in a refugee camp in Lebanon. They have been in Canada only 5 weeks and are very thankful to be in safely Canada and are thrilled with the welcome, support and acceptance they have received. The middle-eastern food was very savory and added to the atmosphere. The silent and live actions were also a successful and netted a profit of about $7000. A big thank you to all those who attended, donated auction items and assisted with setup and cleanup. A special thank you goes to the SGC Creative Team who decorated the gym in a middle-eastern theme. By late May we have raised about $32,000* which represents about 80% of our goal. Once we reach our goal of $40,000, we will submit our Sponsorship application to CBOQ and the Canadian government. We request your continued prayer and financial support for the mission opportunity to demonstrate Christ’s love. Donations can continue to be made in person at the Syrian Refugee Care information table in the lounge or online at http://syria.sgbc.ca. *Note: The official May 2016 financial statements from SGC and BRBC were not available at time of writing. 16
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Leadership at Spring Garden Pastoral Team Gene Tempelmeyer, Pastor Ext. 222 genetemp@springgardenchurch.ca Greg Kay, Worship and Mission Pastor Ext. 224 gregkay@springgardenchurch.ca Margaret Sutton, Pastoral Care/Seniors Ext. 226 margaretsutton@springgardenchurch.ca Sam Lee, Pastor of Discipleship, Ext. 227 samlee@springgardenchurch.ca Suzanna Lai, Church Office and Communications Manager Ext. 221 suzanna@springgardenchurch.ca Jeremy Ranasinghe, Discpleship Ministries Assistant jeremy.ranasinghe@springgardenchurch.ca
Deacons
Register your child or children today for Willowdale’s premiere cycling day camp: Learn-2-Ride Day Camp! For more information and to register go to: http://goo.gl/forms/CmSVruWiOw Contact: Jesse James, jjames@yugta.ca or call 647-835-8062
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Anne Barron - Missions and Worship (Acting Chair until June) anne.barron020@sympatico.ca Marion Cameron - Membership and Board Secretary marion.cameron@sympatico.ca Mary Ellen Hopkins - Finance mehopkins@sympatico.ca Koon Wah Leung - Discipleship Ministries koonwah@lycos.com Gonzalo Librado - Adult Ministries gonzalo.librado@sgbc.ca Derek Prinsloo derek.prinsloo@sgbc.ca Judy Tranter - Pastoral Care judytranterassociates@gmail.com Jim Turner - Property jim.turner@sgbc.ca
416.724.9329 416.491.8542 905.731.0492 416.225.7092 416.229.2695 647.349.4610 416.229.0494 416.512.1360 19
Community Corner
Elders
Garth Barron garthbarron@sympatico.ca Darlene Boyd darlene.boyd@gmail.com Cindie Chaise cindie.chaise@sgbc.ca Barrie Porter barriep91@gmail.com Corinne Sutton-Smith blestfoods@aol.com
Life around Spring Garden
416.724.9329 416.385.2483
Annual Meeting - Sunday June 19, 2016 @ 12:00pm
647.345.2476
There will be a brief Annual Meeting after worship gathering on Sunday June 19. The purpose of this meeting is to receive our annual reports and vote to fill the positions of various lay leaders including Elders and Deacons. Nominations to these positions are now posted around the church building. The 2015 audited financial statements are also available at the back of the worship hall. We hope to see you at the annual meeting!
416.829.4210 416.615.1763
Spring Garden Church 112 Spring Garden Ave. Toronto ON M2N3G3
T 416.223.4593 F 416.223.6126 www.springgardenchurch.ca office@springgardenchurch.ca
Prayer Line 416.223.4038
2016 SGC Community Directory Update We are now updating our 2016 SGC Community Directory. Please visit the directory spreadsheet posted in the lounge to ensure your personal/family and contact info are correct. You can make changes or add your contact info either in person at the lounge or online at www.springgardenchurch.ca. Last day to enter your contact info to be included in the 2016 directory is Sunday June 19. Thank you!.
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What’s Happening
Getting Into Fitness Free Workout Session Date: Saturday, June 18th, 9:30 - 11:30 am Location: Spring Garden Church West Lounge Facilitated by Independent Beachbody Fitness Coach: Corinna Smith Looking for a fun way to get fit and feel good? Come join us for a free workout and fitness program demonstration. Bring your gym clothes and be prepared to sweat, challenge your body, and feel rejuvenated through the Fit Club Workout designed by Team Beachbody. Whether you’ve never exercised before or you consider yourself to be an expert, why not come out and join us for a great time of getting healthy?
Life in Spring Garden
Weekly Tuesdays 2:00 pm - Pastoral Team meeting Wednesdays 10:00 am - Refresh Women’s Bible Study 7:00 pm - Groove Dance Group Thursdays 12:00 pm - Adult Bible Class Sundays 9:00 am - Morning Bible Study: meeting room - ESL Bible study: basement at the southwest entrance 10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship (communion on the first Sunday of the month) If you would like to receive a weekly email update on what’s happening in Spring Garden, please visit the SGC website (www.springgardenchurch.ca) and add your email at the bottom of our home page to subscribe to our weekly update
This Month
Sunday June 19 - 12:00pm: Annual meeting (pg. 21)
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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. 24