November Delve 2022

Creation Care Corner

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2

A place for our community to celebrate and share, encourage and inspire how we are learning to care for and connect with God’s creation in practical, livable, doable ways.

‘Creation never ceases to amaze me. I am drawn to its beauty and the mystery that it holds. While science explains a lot of it there are still so many moments when I am in awe of what God has created. One morning at the cottage everything around us was completely still. So much so the lake was like glass. I could see the reflection of the trees in the water on the other side of the lake.

As I walked to the edge of the lake I couldn’t help but be stilled and stood in silence as I soaked in the peace of the moment. Everything was quiet and it helped my mind, body, and soul be still.

I often find when I take the time to observe nature, whether at the lake or on a hike through the woods, when I slow down and breathe deeply the life of nature seeps in and brings a sense of calm and rest I don’t get anywhere else.’

‘We believe that if we love God as Creator, we will be proactive in our loving of God’s creation, so here at Spring there are many ways we try to be intentional about reducing our carbon footprint and caring for our shared property such as: Proper waste management, using recycling and green bins while also trying to limit the amount of waste created; avoiding single-use plastics such as water bottles, utensils, Keurig coffee, and pre-filled disposable communion cups; using reusable dishes and cups for Sunday refreshment time and pot-lucks. While there is more we will continue to work towards to reduce our carbon footprint, we are currently working on updating heating and cooling to smart technology to limit electricity and gas usage.’ - Greg Kay

share your experiences! E-mail a brief statement to Brenda Forder nobleb14@yahoo.ca

included in future issues of Delve.

Another beautiful picture Provided by Shannon Loewen.

What’s Been Growing On in the Community Garden?

by Brenda Forder and Colleen Stevens

The Community Garden Team is very grateful for an abundant harvest of food to share with people in our community, opportunities to build relationships, and meet and work alongside neighbours in the community.

15 weekly deliveries of vegetables and herbs were made to NeighbourLink here in North York. NeighbourLink seeks to alleviate social isolation through community events and also provides community care through home visits and referrals to support, including the distribution of fresh produce in a variety of ways. The harvests from SGC’s Community Garden were shared with Willowdale Manor, a Toronto Community Housing seniors residence.

Weekly deliveries included a selection of fresh and nutritious kale, radishes, green beans, tomatoes, chives, dill, parsley, mint, cilantro, purslane, carrots, and beets. A small group of enthusiastic and grateful seniors met the weekly delivery at their

end and distributed it to the tenants. Throughout the summer, the delivery of fresh produce was also supplemented by NeighbourLink providing 5 intergenerational events which included listening to the senior’s stories and having fun together dancing, eating, painting and playing board games. Spring Gardeners were invited to join these events. The seniors at Willowdale Manor send thanks to Spring Garden for their contribution of fresh produce. Many thanks to the numerous volunteers who contributed to the garden. There was a wide range of people involved and diverse ways that they contributed. Some individuals re-installed the edging after last year’s expansion, others bought seeds and plants, adults and kids were planting seeds together, many for the first time. Some thrived engaging with and recruiting neighbours, others weeding, watering, pruning and staking the crazy tomatoes, harvesting and delivering. We had several neighbours help with various harvest nights, as well as several children helping with planting and harvesting.

Some volunteers were helping every week and others once or twice. Whether small or large, every contribution is valued, and often came just at the right time, when that help was needed. So thank you everyone who contributed!

One favourite memory to highlight from this season was a young child who visited on one of our last harvest nights. He came with his dad just to say thank you for the joy the garden gave him this year! Full of questions about the tomatoes, he went home thrilled with fists full of marigolds.

Community

Life in and around Spring Garden

A Night Out

November 12th, 2022 from 6pm - 9pm

We are hosting a childcare event for families with kids in our community. We encourage you to sign up your children and have a night out! We will be providing snacks, drinks and entertainment for children between 4-11 years old. If you would like to sign up you can do so through the following link. For any questions please email Jeremy (jeremy@ springgardenchurch.ca)

Registration Link: http://tiny.cc/SGC-ANightOut

**Last day to register is November 2nd, 2022 - ** Cost: $10 per child

Date and Time: November 12th, 2022 from 6:00pm9:00pm

Volleyball

Come out for a night of volleyball and fun on November 12, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Please RSVP by emailing Sam Lee (samlee@springgardenchurch.ca). Where: Willowdale Christian School

Cost: $5 per person

Membership at Spring Garden Church is an option you may want to consider if you'd like to make a commitment to our faith community and have a stronger voice in decision-making. For more information about what membership means and how to become a member, please contact Esther Penner at epenner73@yahoo.ca.

Supporting Local Seniors

There are many seniors living in our neighbourhood and many are at an increased risk for social isolation and depression. We are partnering with NeighbourLink North York to support local seniors with intergenerational friendships and fun events. We will meet once a month, on Thursdays from 3:30-6pm to play board games, do art workshops or other fun and active events. We will meet at Willowdale Manor, located at 175 Cummer Ave.

The next event is Thursday, Nov. 10 and we will be doing arts and crafts and then having refreshments while getting to know one another.

Save the Date for the afternoon of Saturday, Dec. 10th for a Christmas event at Willowdale Manor!

Lunch Group

Thursday, Nov. 10 & 24th from 12:00-2:00 pm

We welcome anyone who wants to have a connection with others as we explore the Bible, and have an opportunity to share and pray together. Everyone is welcome. Bring your own lunch. Email or call for more info: Faith Holwyn Faith.holwyn@gmail.com 416 805-7529

ESL Bible Study

Sundays

We have started an ESL Bible Study for those who are new to the English language and interested in learning more about Jesus. We are offering this on Sundays at 11:40am. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. Please speak to or email Abby (abbydavidson@springgardenchurch.ca) if you would like to sign up.

Two New Life Groups

See the next page to check out a new Life Group that is meeting in Scarborough! We meet Monday evenings for dinner at 6pm and then have conversation around faith, the Bible and life.

We also have a new Life Group meeting Tuesday evenings here at the church. This will be a 6 week series going through the S.H.A.P.E. curriculum to help you live into your Kingdom purpose. Please email Abby to join a Life Group.

Small Group Sundays

November 20, at 12pm

See www.springgardenchurch.ca/events for more information.

Please email Abby: abbydavidson@ springgardenchurch.ca

Potluck Sunday

December 4, after our Worship Gathering

SAVE THE DATE, please see www. springgardenchurch.ca/events for more information as it comes out.

Life Groups

Life Groups are a place where we do life together in a community centered around Jesus. They are designed for you to pursue spiritual growth, community and mission together. We offer Life Groups so everyone can have a place to belong. Life Groups are small gatherings of people who form a community. Group members share life together through friendship, learn from the Bible and other resources, pray for and give support to one another, and participate in God’s mission together. They are safe places where you can meet new people, discover your gifts for service, grow as a follower of Jesus, and have a lot of fun together.

Groups gather in homes or online throughout the week. Each group is as unique as the people in it. No matter where you are in life, there is a Life Group for you.

Please email Abby at abbydavison@springgardenchurch.ca to join or for more information.

Kevin & Suzanna

at 1pm

other week

at Spring Garden

Abby & Bruce

from 6pm - 8pm

in Scarborough

(for 6 weeks)

from 7:30pm - 9:30pm

at Spring Garden

Jeff & Phyllis

from 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Spring Garden

Partnering with Families

SGC Kids:

Hi Everyone!

Here is what’s happening this month with our Kids Ministry!

On Sunday mornings, you’ll be able to register children for worship at the child and youth checkin area. We will have sticker name tags for our children to wear so we can get to know each other during our worship time in the basement.

Here are the age groups we have available for children’s worship on Sunday mornings:

Group Structure: Nursery & Toddlers (0 - 2 Yrs) - Orange Room

Pre K - SK (3 Yrs - 5 Yrs) - Green Room

Gr 1 - 3 - Blue Room Drop Off - Yellow Room Pick Up Gr 4 & 5 - Blue Room

For us to provide our ministry to the children of our church, we require new registration forms to be filled out by their families every year as part of our policy. Please fill out our form through this link http://tiny.cc/SGCFamilyRegistration

Behind the Scenes: A 4 Week Series on EstherThe most important part of any play is what happens “behind the scenes.” There’s lighting, wardrobe, casting, playwriting — so much has to happen perfectly to bring the production together! In the story of Esther, there is a whole lot going on behind the scenes, too. In this four-week series, kids will

discover the most important character in Esther’s story isn’t always center-stage, but can often be found behind the scenes working, helping, giving support and giving peace. (Spoiler alert: It’s God!)

Online Resources For Home

To help serve your family better, we have uploaded all our SGC Kids’ curricula online. The following link can be used to access our curriculum and use it at home, as well as find info pamphlets for following up with kids on what was discussed during their worship on Sunday mornings.

SGC Kids Curriculum Link: http://tiny.cc/OnlineCurriculum

A Night Out - November 12th, 2022 - We are hosting a childcare event for families with kids in our community. We encourage you to sign up your children and have a night out! We will be providing snacks, drinks and entertainment for children between 4-11 years old. If you would like to sign up you can do so through the following link. For any questions please email Jeremy (jeremy@ springgardenchurch.ca)

Registration Link: http://tiny.cc/SGC-ANightOut **Last day to register is November 2nd, 2022 - ** Cost: $10 per child

Date and Time: November 12th, 2022 from 6:00pm-9:00pm

Sunday Small Groups: On the third Sunday of each month, our church gathers in the basement of our building to have conversations about our faith. This is an intergenerational gathering where our kids have their own conversation about the same topic. We invite the families with kids of our church, to join us as we engage in conversations that change. Next Gathering: November 20th, 2022 Visit - https://www.springgardenchurch.ca/upcoming-events for more information.

Spring Youth

Sunday Morning Worship Gatherings:

November 13th, and 20th: We will have regular worship gatherings for youth in grades 6-12. Following the children and youth’s blessing, youth can move into our lounge to continue in worship.

November 6th and 27th - Youth are encouraged to join the adult’s worship gathering upstairs.

Youth Life Groups:

Nov 13th, 2022: Sr High Life Group - Our Sr High life group will meet in our building following the morning worship. We will gather in our youth lounge to have lunch, and talk about the life and ministry of Jesus. To ensure enough food is prepared, please email Jeremy (along with any allergy/food restriction info) to let us know!

Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Cost: $10 (Includes lunch)

Nov 25th: Jr High Life Group - Our Jr High life groups will meet in our building this month. Unlike our regular youth events, the focus on Life Groups is about living life together intentionally. We want to engage in conversations with youth about what is going on around us and the struggles we have.

Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Cost: $0 (Dinner will not be provided, but we will have snacks and treats)

Friday Youth Gatherings:

Nov 11th: Games Night - We will meet at our building to play some of our favourite games. To ensure enough food is prepared, please email Jeremy to let us know!

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Cost: $10 per youth ($5 for additional youth of the same family) (Dinner included)

Nov 18th: Craft Night - We will meet at our building to work on personal crafts and art projects together. We will have various craft options available for youth to do and a larger team project for our youth lounge. To ensure enough food is prepared, please email Jeremy to let us know!

Time: 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Cost: $10 per youth ($5 for additional youth of the same family) (Dinner included)

Fall Youth Retreat 2022:

Our annual Fall Youth Retreat is back! We are planning an overnight retreat for youth in grades 6 - 12, happening November 4-6. If you would like to register for our retreat, please do so using the link below. If you have any questions please contact Jeremy - Jeremy@springgardenchurch.ca Registration Link - http://tiny.cc/SGCYouthRetreat *Last day to register is October 27th, 2022*

Date: Nov 4-6, 2022

Cost: $85 (subsidy available) - $80 for additional youth of the same household/family

Staying Updated:

To stay up to date on what is happening for your youth, please visit our google calendar which has all our planned events. http://tiny.cc/YouthCal

One more beautiful picture Provided by Shannon Loewen.

The Resource Centre

Recommendations

As followers of Jesus we are called to welcome refugees and show them Christ’s love and hospitality. In addition to the many refugees we welcome through our doors on Sunday mornings, we are looking forward to welcoming the Risou family, a Syrian family currently in Lebanon, that we as a church are sponsoring to come to Canada. We anticipate their arrival in the next 12-18 months. Throughout the season of Advent we will be raising support for them. We also invite you to pray for the Risou family. We will have more specific ways you can support them in the coming months, but for now we encourage you to have conversations with your family and friends about refugees and how we can show them love. Our resource centre has some books that will help these conversations and help give you language and stories to talk about refugees with children. There are books for all different ages and even one for adults! May these books inspire you to give generously of yourself and your resources as you learn more about the plight of refugees.

Picture Books

Counting kindness: ten ways to welcome refugee children, by Hollis Kurman

Arriving in a new place is stressful for newcomers, especially when the newcomers are little ones. But this beautiful counting book helps

readers see the journey of finding a new home and the joys of being welcomed into a new community. From playing to sleeping, eating to reading, celebrating to learning, Counting Kindness proves we can lift the heaviest hearts when we come together.

Four feet, two sandals by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed Lina is thrilled when she finds a sandal that fits her foot perfectly - until she sees that another girl has the matching shoe. But soon Lina and Feroza meet and decide that it is better to share the sandals than for each to wear only one. The girls discover the true meaning of friendship and sacrifice. "Four Feet, Two Sandals" honors the experiences of refugee children around the world, whose daily existence is marked by uncertainty and fear.

Lost and found cat: the true story of Kunkush’s incredible journey, by Doug Kuntz and Amy Shrodes

When an Iraqi family is forced to flee their home, they can’t bear to leave their beloved cat, Kunkush, behind. So they carry him with them from Iraq to Greece, keeping their secret passenger hidden away. But during the crowded boat crossing to Greece, his carrier breaks, and the frightened cat runs from the chaos, disappearing. After an unsuccessful search, his family has to continue their journey, leaving them broken-hearted. A few days later, aid workers in Greece find the lost cat. Knowing how much his family has sacrificed already, they are desperate to reunite them. A worldwide community comes together to spread the word on the Internet and in the news media, and after several months the impossible happens—Kunkush’s family is found, and they finally get their happy ending in their new home. This remarkable true story is told by the real people involved, with the full cooperation of Kunkush’s family.

Escape to Liechtenstein, Book 1. Hans and Gretchen discover a young Jewish boy hiding from Nazi troops and decide to assist him in his escape attempt. Theme: salvation, forgiving others

The search for the silver eagle, Book 2. When twelve-year-old Hans, his father and younger sister are pursued by the Nazis from Switzerland into France, they end up helping the locals resist the Germans and rescue a downed American pilot.

The incredible rescues, Book 3. Fourteen-year-old Hans and his younger sister, Gretchen, trust in the Lord as they help Swedish diplomat, Raoul Wallenberg, save Jews from the Nazis in Budapest, Hungary, during the closing days of World War II.

12-15

Bamboo people, by Mitali Perkins

Chiko isn’t a fighter by nature. He’s a book-loving Burmese boy whose father, a doctor, is in prison for resisting the government. Tu Reh, on the other hand, wants to fight for freedom after watching Burmese soldiers destroy his Karenni family’s home and bamboo fields. When Chiko is forced into the Burmese army and subsequently injured on a mission, the boys’ lives intersect. Timidity becomes courage and anger becomes compassion as both boys discover that everything is not as it seems. Mitali Perkins delivers a touching story about hopes, dreams, and the choices that define who we are.

When stars are scattered, by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

Omar and his younger brother, Hassan, have spent most of their lives in Dadaab, a refugee camp in Kenya. Life is hard there: never enough food, achingly dull, and without access to the medical care Omar knows his nonverbal brother needs. So when Omar has the opportunity to go to school, he knows it might be a chance to change their future . . . but it would also mean leaving his brother, the only family member he has left, every day. Heartbreak, hope, and gentle humor exist together in this graphic novel about a childhood spent waiting, and a young man who is able to create a sense of family and home in the most difficult of settings. It's an intimate, important, unforgettable look at the day-to-day life of a refugee, as told to New York Times Bestselling author/artist Victoria Jamieson by Omar Mohamed, the Somali man who lived the story. Adults

The stranger at our shore: how immigrants and refugees strengthen the church, by Joshua Sherif

A gripping tale of escape from Egypt, The Stranger at Our Shore is the true story of one young man’s journey out of Islam into new life in Christ. Through his remarkable testimony, Chicago pastor Joshua Sherif calls the Western Church to reconsider the plight of the modern day sojourners in our land―the strangers at our shore and the ones living right next door―and to return wholeheartedly to its first charge: making disciples. The book examines three ways believers harden their hearts towards the stranger and suggests three practical remedies to help us begin casting a wider net for discipleship in our communities. Though any reader will be captivated by the powerful story, any believer will walk away from this book feeling less intimidated and better equipped to disciple people who are different than them.

What’s Happening Life in Spring Garden

All Through Out the Week

LIFE GROUPS

Connect for Community

Together through bible study, prayer and sharing. Meet online and in-person. Please email abbydavidson@springardenchurch.ca for more information or to join one. See more on page 12.

Sundays SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Join us Sunday mornings as we go through different series' (read more). Join us at: www. springgardenchurch.ca/live or come in-person.

Sundays or Wednesday ESL BIBLE STUDY

Are you new to the English language and interested in learning more about Jesus? We are offering this weekly lesson, you can sign up to attend either Sundays at 11:40am or Wednesdays at 7pm. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. Please email Abby (abbydavidson@ springgardenchurch.ca) if you would like to sign up.

Tuesdays

PASTORAL TEAM MEETING

We meet mostly on Tuesday. Please pray for us for wisdom and inspiration.

Thursdays

MOMS' MEET UP (at Spring Garden)

Mothers coming together for fellowship in a baby and kid friendly environment. Contact Abby at abbydavidson@springgardenchurch.ca

10am

10am12pm

10am

Nov 4-6

Nov 10

Nov

Nov

Nov

Nov

Nov 18

Nov

What’s Happening Life in Spring Garden

Fall Youth Retreat 2022 pg 17

pg 10

pg 12

Night pg 17

pg 9

Sr High Life Group pg 16

Craft Night pg 17

pg 11

pg 16

Our Values

We believe in a humble God who came not to be served, but to serve. Therefore we engage in sacrificial and active service to those around us. We strive to be good stewards of God’s gifts and talents by serving one another in humility. We aspire to regard others as higher than ourselves, which liberates us to creatively take risks in serving others for God’s glory.

We believe in a God of grace who came to save the world, not to condemn it. Therefore, as we are continuously receiving the gift of God’s grace, we seek to grow in that grace and extend it to others. We strive to define ourselves by what we are for, not what we are against.

We believe in a God who knows us, and who desires to be known. Therefore we embrace a journey of faith that requires us to constantly strive for a personal, intimate and transformative knowledge of God. We strive to be led by God’s Spirit in supporting and encouraging one another in working out our faith.

We believe in a creative God. Therefore we are open to expressing our faith in new and creative ways that reflect the beauty and complexity of our creator. We are called to use our creative gifts in worship and service as we engage with our world. We take joy in the diversity of gifts that allow us to delight God and participate in His ongoing story.

We believe in a triune, relational God who calls us to come together as a diverse community of believers. Therefore, we want to walk together, supporting one another physically, emotionally and spiritually. We strive to be a welcoming, inclusive family that goes through the joys and the trials of life together, acknowledging that God uses this community to deepen and mature our faith.

We believe in a God who loves this broken world and wants to reconcile us to Himself. Therefore we are commissioned by Christ to go out into the world, meeting the holistic needs of the local and global community. God calls us to participate in a redemptive work that he has already initiated; in humility, we will partner with others to work alongside and chase after Him.

We believe in a God who is our centre. Therefore where we are on the journey is less important than that we are moving towards a deeper relationship with Christ. We believe and participate in God’s redemptive work in all people, which gives us the freedom to come as we are, and to accept others as they are. We each are on a unique journey to become who God has created us to be.