May 2019
Quick Calendar WEEKLY Sun
9am-10am Bible Study 10am-11:30am Sunday Worship & Refreshments
pg 21 pg 21
Tues 1:15pm Pastoral Team Meeting Wed 10am-11:30am Refresh Women's Group
pg 21
Thur 12pm-1pm Lunch Together
pg 11 pg 11
7pm-8:30pm ESL Café
1pm - 2pm Bible Discussion
pg 21 pg 21
UPCOMING May 10
6pm-9:30pm Youth Taco Night
pg 15
May 12
3pm-8:30pm Single Mom's Dinner
pg 9
May 24 May 26 May 26 May 26 May 31 June 2 June 15
Girls Youth Life Groups
pg 14
Feedback Cafe, After Worship Gathering
pg 10
Plant and Pray for our Community Garden
pg 10
Boys Youth Life Group
pg 14
6pm-9:30pm Youth Archery Tag
pg 15
Bike Blessing & BBQ
pg 22
Community Yard Sale
pg 9
See more on page 21-22 or on our Events page at www.springgardenchurch.ca/events.
June's Delve submissions are due May 20, Victoria Day Monday. Delve submissions are due on the MONDAY before the LAST Sunday of each month. To submit for the next issue of Delve, please e-mail: delve@springgardenchurch.ca
Features
3-8
Not Just a Colouring Page 3 Our Journey 5 We Are the Yeast 7
Community Corner
9 - 12
Share God's Care: Serving Opportunities 9 Feedback Cafe 10 Plant & Pray for our Community Garden 10 Lunch Together 11 Bible Discussion 11 Pastors and Administrator Office Hours 12
Discipleship Ministries Spring Kids 13
Spring Youth 14
Resource Centre
13 - 15
Youth Events 15
17 - 18
Resource Recommendations 17
More Info
19 - 22, 16
Leadership Directory 19 Weekly Calendar 21 Upcoming Calendar 22 Colouring Page 16
Our Values back cover
Cover, Design, & Editor: Dale Forder Contributors: Sam Lee Sam Chaise Lily Cheng Karen Cassel Victoria Shipmaker Copy Editors: Greg Kay Karen Cassel
Digging a little deeper into Spring Garden
Features 3
Not Just a Colouring Page by Sam Lee
“
Why don’t you give out a colouring page to keep the children busy?” This is the first question that comes to mind when we think about how to keep our children involved in worship. “At least, it keeps them busy right?” Although we have been tempted to fill the morning worship gathering with colouring pages, we have intentionally stayed away from it because we believe that children and youth are important in worship. Worship is not something that is just for adults but rather is for the whole community of God. Young or old, single or married, every generation is welcomed and is needed if we are to declare that our God is a God of community and love. So why are we introducing a colouring page? Well it’s not just a colouring page. We (Dale more than Sam) have spent time creating a worship listening page as a way to encourage the children to be more engaged with what is happening in worship. We hope that the children may use the new worship listening page as a way to be more engaged in worship than to just keep them busy. This is within our desire to help our young people to see the morning worship gathering as a time for them and not something that they have to endure until they head downstairs. We believe that the presence of children (including infants) are important in our worship. We believe that even if our children are not always engaged, God has “prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants” (Matthew 21:16). Their presence in our worship gathering is a small step in discipling our children. We know that it takes more than a worship listening page to disciple our children, but as we continue to raise our children, these small steps can become habits that will help them meet Jesus. We encourage you as
parents and adults to see the time of worship with our children as not only a way to disciple our children but as a way for us to be the community of God. "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
4
Our Journey Update from the Interim Management Committee by Sam Chaise When I was in my 20s, I went to Europe with a friend for two months. We were travelling on the cheap and in that pre-Internet age would usually arrive in a new city without having any accommodation pre-arranged. It was a bit stressful to not have everything set up in advance, but it was also more exciting as we learned what we needed to know when we needed to know it, on the fly. Have you thought about the difference between a ‘trip’ and a ‘journey’? Usually we use the word ‘trip’ when we know exactly where we’re going, how we’ll get there, and how long we’ll be gone. In contrast, we use the word ‘journey’ for something more extensive, where the experience of getting there is more important than the actual destination. Over the last year SGC has been on a journey, which began when Gene Tempelmeyer told us that he planned to retire in 2019. We are still on that journey. So far there have been lots of conversation, prayer, questions, possibilities raised, and wondering about how God was leading us. Throughout there has been the sense that we are being led, even if the pathway and 5
destination weren’t always clear. We’ve realized that we’re on a journey, not a trip. The entire SGC leadership and congregation are invested in this journey, of course, but it was important to establish a smaller group that would give special attention to this transition time, on behalf of SGC’s leadership. This group is the Interim Management Committee, and I’ve had the privilege of chairing this group, which includes Lesley Alexander, Shannon Loewen, Cheryl Chapman, Greg Kay, and Sam Lee. I’ve been grateful for the huge amount of work these folks have undertaken to guide us on the journey. It’s been so encouraging to have Lily Cheng join the staff team for this time, and I hope you’ve been able to welcome her and her family to SGC. A few weeks ago we did a survey to get input from you, the congregation, and the results we got were very positive. We’re using the results as a baseline set of data, and later this year will seek your input again. It’s also been great to see Sam and Greg engage their new roles as Co-Leads. Our hope and prayer is that God is speaking to us and shaping us through this transition time. When I think back to my European experience, what I remember now are the unexpected things that at the time were stressful but eventually became great stories. Maybe that will happen to us at SGC, or is already happening. During this time of journeying, it’s important for us to be honest, loving, clear, and engaged with one another. God speaks to us in the midst of conversation, listening, and silence, and we need to engage in all three. If you have any thoughts or questions, feel free to talk to Greg or Sam or any member of the Interim Management Committee.
6
We are the yeast by Lily Cheng Jesus also used this illustration:
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” - Matthew 13:33 My heart is full of gratitude for the way our church body hosted guests and families from the neighbourhood for Easter Brunch and the way in which our volunteer teams served at the We Love Willowdale Community Dinner on the one year anniversary of the Toronto Van Attack. My prayer is that we would be the yeast described in Matthew 13:33. Yeast is small but mighty in impact when kneaded into dough. According to FineCooking.com yeast not only causes dough to rise, it also strengthens the dough and gives it flavour. This is a wonderful analogy to how we can be agents of change that bring the flavour and strength of the Kingdom to the world around us. One family in North York Moms said:
“The whole event was fantastic and filled with warmth, our sincere thanks as a family for making our first North York event and visit to the church such a great one.”
7
Similarly, the We Love Willowdale Community Dinners brought us another opportunity to serve our neighbouring community. It was amazing to see such a diverse group of people come together to share the joy of being neighbours and the pain of why we were gathered. It also moved me to know that sprinkled into this group of neighbours was our Spring Garden team, listening, serving and caring for our community. Being yeast in the dough, doesn’t mean getting everyone into our church building. Rather, it is being agents of transformation wherever God calls us to go. May God continue to lead us individually and corporately into opportunities where we can continue to share God’s love. Many thanks to all the volunteers who served at these events.
8
Life in and around Spring Garden
Community Corner
SHARE GOD'S CARE Serving Opportunities
Please consider joining us in sharing God's care to our community. Please sign up on our website (events) or contact Lily: lilycheng@springgardenchurch.ca
SUNDAY, MAY 12 3pm - 8:30pm Single Moms Mother's Day Appreciation Dinner
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 7am-2:30pm Community Yard Sale (various slots available)
ONGOING OPPORTUNITY:
Spring Garden Community Garden
Bring finger foods for refreshment time (reimbursements available) and help clean up esther.penner@sgbc.ca 9
Feedback Cafe
Sunday, May 26th after the Worship Gathering SGC is in a time of transition and the Interim Management Committee wants to give lots of opportunity for feedback and conversation. Many of you completed the survey we distributed in late March, and your next opportunity for feedback is on Sunday, May 26th. There'll be snacks to fuel your brain as you are seated around a table that is hosted by a facilitator who will ask questions to get your input. SGC is a congregationally-governed church and so we want to make sure we hear from you, the congregation! No need to register -- just show up! We expect that at the most it will go for 45 minutes, but feel free to come and leave earlier if you need to.
Pack a lunch and meet by the welcome desk after coffee time. We will begin our time in prayer over our garden and then we 12:30-1:30 will plant our vegetables. Kids are welcome to participate.
Plant and Pray for our Community Garden Sunday, May 26,
10
Lunch Together
Thursdays, 12pm - 1pm On Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 pm we have a chance for people to meet, talk and have lunch together. This is a great time to share some laughs and conversation with others and we usually end with some words of prayer. This time is open to anyone from our neighbourhood and though currently comprised of women, it welcomes men too! If someone is looking for a place to practice their English please let them know! Tea and coffee is provided, lunch is brought by the participants. Contact Victoria Shipmaker at: victoriashipmaker@gmail.com
Text or call Victoria @ 647 444 9320
Bible Discussion
Thursdays, 1pm - 2pm On Thursdays from 1 pm to 2 pm we have a Bible Study that is open to the church and our neighbours. Our topics come from the people who participate and the discussion is based on our understanding of the Bible. Our approach is to explore the context of different Bible passages and ask lots of questions about what the passage meant when it was given and how it applies today. We share our own experiences and questions and sometimes find answers. We often leave with more questions which require thought and prayer. Weekly participation is not necessary - come when you can. This is geared to anyone with an interest in getting more familiar with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and is open to anyone of any background. Contact Victoria Shipmaker at: victoriashipmaker@gmail.com
11
Text or call Victoria @ 647 444 9320
Pastors and Administrator Office Hours The Pastoral Team, made up of our Pastors and our Office and Communications Administrator, are thankful for the opportunity to serve in this faith community, and so in order to be as accessible as possible, our general office hours are below. Due to the nature of ministry, the pastors are in and out of the office at varied times depending on the week, as well as regularly working evenings and weekends. The days and times below do not represent all of our work hours, they are simply the hours we are most likely to be in or around the building; they are not guaranteed hours where we will be free for random drop-ins, as we may be offsite or in a meeting. Because of this, if you are looking to meet with one of the pastors, we highly recommend you e-mail or call in advance so we can be sure to be available when you arrive. Our contact information can be found on page 19.
Sam Lee (Co-Lead Pastor) Monday-Thursday 9-4* Greg Kay (Co-Lead Pastor) Monday-Thursday 10-5* Jeremy Ranasinghe (Children and Youth Pastor) Monday 9-5 Tuesday 12-6* Thursday 12-5 Lily Cheng (Community and Missions Pastor) Monday-Thursday 9-4* Dale Forder (Office and Communications Administrator) and General Office Hours Monday-Thursday 9-3:30* Off Friday - Sunday *Please be aware that we have our weekly team meetings on Tuesdays from 1:15-3:30pm. This is an important time of team building and ministry planning for us, therefore none of us are available during this time period. 12
Partnering with Families and Singles
Discipleship Ministries
Spring Kids ROOMS IN OUR BASEMENT DROP OFF
Nursery (0-18 months) Toddler/Pre-K (19 months - 3yrs) JK/SK Grade 1 & 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 &5 Grade 6-12
PICK UP
Purple Orange Yellow Blue Blue Green Blue Red Youth Lounge
Here is an overview of what we will be talking about on Sundays for Spring Kids.
Toddlers – SK: Community In this series, children will learn that they are a part of the church, and that they matter in it! Children will be reminded that Jesus is Lord and he loves them, and he has a place for them in his church. “Encourage each other and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1
Grades 1-5
13
• Remember and Celebrate • God is Love • Jesus is Salvation • God Redeems
Spring Youth April Recap!
April was a busy month with the Lent and Easter seasons, but we did get a chance to play some laser tag on the 12th. The kids and leaders had a great time together facing off against each other in teams. While it was a fun night, I felt as though there needed to be a short lesson on humility‌ so I won Here is what's happening this May!
Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings: May 5th, 12th, 19th- We will be having 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. May 26th: Sunday Upstairs- Youth are either in the large worship gathering, or serving in other areas in the discipleship ministry. (Please e-mail Jeremy about potential areas to serve)
Youth Life Groups:
Life Groups will happen on May 24th for the girls and 26th for the boys. For more information email Jeremy 14
Youth Events: May 10th: Taco Tuesday on a Friday!- Our annual taco night will be May 10th. We will meet at Spring Garden to make taco stuffings, eat, hang out and play some games. Time: 6:00pm-9:30pm Cost: $5 May 31st: Archery Tag: We will be meet at Spring Garden and leaving for Battlesports Inc. to play a couple rounds of archery dodgeball. Time: 6:00pm-9:30pm Cost: $15 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
15
Draw & Colour What You Think We Should Plant in Our Garden
By Dale Forder
16
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)
Life of the beloved: spiritual living in a secular world
Henri Nouwen. 248.4 NOU
Initially written for a Jewish friend, Life of the Beloved has become Henri Nouwen’s greatest legacy to Christians around the world. This sincere testimony of the power and invitation of Christ is indeed a great guide to a truly uplifting spiritual life in today’s world.
Abba’s child: the cry of the heart for intimate belonging
by Brennan Manning. 248.4 MAN For everyone who has failed, stumbled, or missed the mark, Manning has good news: God loves and accepts you as you are! In this updated classic, he encourages less-than-perfect Christians to replace pretense with truthfulness and rejoice in the grace of the one we call "Abba, Father."
17
The Passion of the Christ DVD This film focuses on the last 12 hours of Jesus' life and begins in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after the Last Supper. Betrayed by Judas, He is then arrested and taken within the walls of Jerusalem where the leaders confront Jesus and his trial results in condemnation to death.
The women of Easter: encounter the Savior with Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene by Liz Curtis Higgs
With unforgettable insights and powerful life application for today's women, Liz Curtis Higgs delves into the biblical text to help us view Easter through the eyes of three women named Mary, each of whom has a life-changing encounter with Jesus: Mary of Bethany, who prepares the way for the Lord’s burial when she anoints His feet and fills the air with her perfume; Mary of Nazareth, who remains by His side from His first breath to His last, her loyalty unwavering; and Mary Magdalene, delivered of seven demons, who bravely supports her Teacher through His darkest hours, then proclaims the glorious news of His resurrection What a trio. What a Savior!
18
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
Lily Cheng Community and Missions Pastor
Ext. 226 lilycheng@ 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 Telephone Fax Prayer Line 19
416.223.4593 416.223.6126 416.223.4038
DEACONS Sam Chaise
647-968-5065 sam_chaise@yahoo.com
Adora Chui
905.962.3897 adora.chui@sgbc.ca
Martin Dewar
416.229.2695 martin.dewar@sgbc.ca
Lesley Daniels
416.806.5373 dr.ldaniels@gmail.com
Joanne Laing
416-617-6582 joannelaing@gmail.com
Shannon Loewen
647-202-0701 shannon.loewen1@gmail.com
Peggy Moore
416.225.2406 peggylouisemoore@gmail.com
Esther Penner Doug Willson
416.227.1840 esther.penner@sgbc.ca 416.221.0450 doug.willson191@gmail.com
ELDERS Garth Barron Darlene Boyd Cheryl Chapman Joanna James Brad Sider
416-724-9329 garthbarron@sympatico.ca 416.385.2483 darlene.boyd@gmail.com 416.222.6963 cheryl.chapman@live.ca 647.928.0862 jo.april.james@gmail.com 647.200.6853 ​bradsider@yahoo.ca 20
What’s Happening Weekly SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Sundays 10am - 11:30am For the season after Easter we will be going through the series "Being Beloved". 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 may be provided if necessary. (see page 10) Contact Tanya Salituro @ 416-222-4662
Life in Spring Garden
SUNDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY Sundays 9am - 10am
Held in the meeting room. We are continuing our study of Matthew's gospel. Everyone is welcome, bring your Bible if you have one.
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.
PASTORAL TEAM MEETING Tuesdays 1:15pm - 3:30pm
We meet in the meeting room every Tuesday. Please pray for us for wisdom and inspiration.
LUNCH TOGETHER 12pm - 1pm
Eat and Share some laughs and conversation with others and words of prayer. Text or call Victoria @ 647 444 9320
BIBLE DISCUSSION 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 21 welcome brochure or call us at 416-223-4593.
Upcoming MAY
Youth Taco Tuesday on a Friday!
10
6pm - 9:30pm See page 15.
MAY
Single Moms Mother's Day Appreciation Dinner
12
3pm - 8:30pm See page 9 about volunteering!
MAY
Girl's Youth Life Group
24 MAY
See page 14.
Feedback Cafe
26
Join us after the worship gathering during snack time to eat and give your feedback about our transition. See more on page 10.
MAY
Plant & Pray for our Community Garden
26 MAY
26 MAY
31 JUNE
2 JUNE
15
12:30pm - 1:30pm After snack time or Feedback Cafe, join us to pray and to work in the garden. See page 10 for more information.
Boy's Youth Life Group See page 14.
Youth Archery Tag 6pm - 9:30pm See page 15.
Bike Blessing & BBQ
After our intergenerational worship gathering, join us outside for a BBQ (bring picnic blanket or chairs). Bring your bike for a blessing and short bike ride around the neighbourhood.
Community Yard Sale
Times may change, check our events page below. To volunteer, see page 9. Also read more about it on our events page online: http://www.springgardenchurch.ca/events.
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 http://www. 22 springgardenchurch.ca/events.
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.