I find it interesting how 1 person talks to 1 person, and then that can start a whole chain of events. A couple of months back, Kylie Portaccio was at a board meeting to discuss our preschool starting up, and she happened to mention to me about the Alison Neighbourhood Community Centre. She was talking to Courtney who runs the centre and relayed some info about the neighbourhood where CV is planted. I was intrigued. I contacted Courtney and set up a meeting. I met her and learned lots about the demographics of the area, what they are doing, and light bulbs began to come on as to how we could partner.
So I had Courtney come to our Leadership Team Gathering in mid-September to chat with us about our neighbours...more ideas began to flow from that.
Yesterday, the Community Centre was having a party to celebrate the clean up and restoration of the tunnel at the end of Elgin St. There were around 10 folks from CV there - really cool. And the networking that took place and connections with the neighbours was even better. Ideas were flowing and it's so great to be a part of this neighbourhood. Take a walk around and thank God for planting us here. What a huge blessing!
Check them out at www.alisonneighbourhood.org
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
God Wants to Meet with Us
Hi CV. This morning I had the opportunity to emcee the services, since Scott and Rob were both away at the men's retreat.
I want to tell you an interesting thing that happens to me every time I have the mic and stand in front of all of you. Whether I am up there to speak or just to make one announcement, or whatever, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of intense longing and love - And I know it is the Lord's heart for you all. The feeling is something like how much he longs to meet with us, with each of us. It is intense - it's longing and love and compassion and both a bit excited and teeny bit sad at the same time, like when you want something and you love it but you can't quite get enough of it either. You may have noticed that often when I am up there I am trying not to cry as I share. And that is why. I am overwhelmed with this feeling of how much Jesus loves us, how much he longs to meet with us, and that he is waiting for each of us to invite him - to tell him that we want Him to be involved and to meet with us. It is beautiful and intense and it gets me every time!
So come to church next time with that in mind - that Jesus is waiting for you, wanting to meet you wherever you are at, intensely longing to connect with you and love you and give you some of himself.
I want to tell you an interesting thing that happens to me every time I have the mic and stand in front of all of you. Whether I am up there to speak or just to make one announcement, or whatever, I am overwhelmed with a feeling of intense longing and love - And I know it is the Lord's heart for you all. The feeling is something like how much he longs to meet with us, with each of us. It is intense - it's longing and love and compassion and both a bit excited and teeny bit sad at the same time, like when you want something and you love it but you can't quite get enough of it either. You may have noticed that often when I am up there I am trying not to cry as I share. And that is why. I am overwhelmed with this feeling of how much Jesus loves us, how much he longs to meet with us, and that he is waiting for each of us to invite him - to tell him that we want Him to be involved and to meet with us. It is beautiful and intense and it gets me every time!
So come to church next time with that in mind - that Jesus is waiting for you, wanting to meet you wherever you are at, intensely longing to connect with you and love you and give you some of himself.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Prophetic Picture- Sept 20 2009
Patrick shared this picture with the elders this summer. They discerned that it would be important to share with the church and have the church prayerfully consider it.
If people have words, pictures, prophesies for the church put it in writing and approach the elders who will consider it and get back to you as quickly as possible.
thanks.
Vineyard DAYS
So I have finally got up the website for Vineyard Days. Nov. 6,7. I had a bit of trouble cause it actually meant making a webite for the ontario region. At some point I hope it will look cool, but at least it is functional.
THE GREAT NEWS is we are hosting the other vineyards gathering here. I always feel like I have family coming when we get together like this.
Mark it on your Calendars
AND
if you have space to billet someone please let me, donna, or reception know. We want everyone to come who wants too.
THE GREAT NEWS is we are hosting the other vineyards gathering here. I always feel like I have family coming when we get together like this.
Mark it on your Calendars
AND
if you have space to billet someone please let me, donna, or reception know. We want everyone to come who wants too.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Vineyard Days Nov 6,7
Hey we are hosting a conference for Ontario Region here in Nov.
Nov 6,7 2009
It’s better Together
Ontario Vineyard Churches gather in Cambridge this November for a worship, teaching, and loads of practical seminars. This conference answers the question, ‘why do training alone when we can do it together?’ Partnering with Vineyard National Development groups we are offering seminars for every person in your church-from parents, to theology professors, from worshippers to board members.
Highlights- worship with leaders from across Canada (worship to be by leaders from the National Worship Development group and may include: Monique Tute, Kris MacQueen, Adrian Wilson and friends)
- Daniel Schuster- the Vineyard’s landlocked surfer who loves the poor will be sharing his journey at JLYS and Epic.
- Training for- children’s ministry, small groups, mercy ministry, worship leaders
- A special Children’s program- preschool to grade 4 (Saturday only)- Super Book Olympics
Cost for weekend $40 and evening sessions free
*register in advance for child care
**to make the conference feasible, we are offering billets (first come first serve)
Key note speakers
Daniel Schuster - SpeakerCalgary, AB. Canada
Daniel Schuster spends a large portion of his day along the dirty streets of the ‘Beltline’ in Calgary, AB. As the director of a family centre in the inner-city (JLYS), what you’d find him doing most days is hugging his friends on the street and speaking ‘life’ over them. What you’ll hear from him, are stories of what love does as it leaks out into the lives of broken people. Daniel belongs with his lovely wife Jennifer, and together they have three crazy boys who do the best job possible of creating all sorts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…and bloodshed.
John Wright- will be sharing about creating leaders who develop leaders. Many of us have figured out how to lead something, but the next hurdle is passing leadership on to new people, even a new generation. Sharing from scripture and from his leadership experience, John will help identify the skills necessary for stewarding new leaders. Has a long list of credentials, head of the board for Vineyard Canada, Pastor of Guelph Vineyard, and Leadership coach for CEOs through his work with Eagle’s Flight.
It’s better Together
Ontario Vineyard Churches gather in Cambridge this November for a worship, teaching, and loads of practical seminars. This conference answers the question, ‘why do training alone when we can do it together?’ Partnering with Vineyard National Development groups we are offering seminars for every person in your church-from parents, to theology professors, from worshippers to board members.
Highlights- worship with leaders from across Canada (worship to be by leaders from the National Worship Development group and may include: Monique Tute, Kris MacQueen, Adrian Wilson and friends)
- Daniel Schuster- the Vineyard’s landlocked surfer who loves the poor will be sharing his journey at JLYS and Epic.
- Training for- children’s ministry, small groups, mercy ministry, worship leaders
- A special Children’s program- preschool to grade 4 (Saturday only)- Super Book Olympics
Cost for weekend $40 and evening sessions free
*register in advance for child care
**to make the conference feasible, we are offering billets (first come first serve)
Key note speakers
Daniel Schuster - SpeakerCalgary, AB. Canada
Daniel Schuster spends a large portion of his day along the dirty streets of the ‘Beltline’ in Calgary, AB. As the director of a family centre in the inner-city (JLYS), what you’d find him doing most days is hugging his friends on the street and speaking ‘life’ over them. What you’ll hear from him, are stories of what love does as it leaks out into the lives of broken people. Daniel belongs with his lovely wife Jennifer, and together they have three crazy boys who do the best job possible of creating all sorts of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness…and bloodshed.
John Wright- will be sharing about creating leaders who develop leaders. Many of us have figured out how to lead something, but the next hurdle is passing leadership on to new people, even a new generation. Sharing from scripture and from his leadership experience, John will help identify the skills necessary for stewarding new leaders. Has a long list of credentials, head of the board for Vineyard Canada, Pastor of Guelph Vineyard, and Leadership coach for CEOs through his work with Eagle’s Flight.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Love Incarnate
So I am reading Jean Vanier this aft...after a great morning of worship! And this part is so great I have to tell you, because it is about us at CV.
Jean writes "L'Arche (his organization of group homes for the mentally handicapped) is special, in the sense that we are trying to live in community with people who are mentally handicapped. Certainly we want to help them grow and reach the greatest independence possible. But before 'doing for them', we want to 'be with them'. The particular suffering of the person who is mentally handicapped, as of all marginalized people, is a feeling of being excluded, worthless and unloved. It is through everyday life in community and the love that must be incarnate in this, that handicapped people can begin to discover that they have a value, that they are loved and so are lovable." (bold and italics mine)
This is what we want to do at CV - to 'be with them' before 'doing for them'. And when we do that, they become a part of us, and we are all changed into the image of Jesus. And then together we 'be with' the next person, and the next...He is Emmanuel - God with us. May we reflect Him, every day.
Jean writes "L'Arche (his organization of group homes for the mentally handicapped) is special, in the sense that we are trying to live in community with people who are mentally handicapped. Certainly we want to help them grow and reach the greatest independence possible. But before 'doing for them', we want to 'be with them'. The particular suffering of the person who is mentally handicapped, as of all marginalized people, is a feeling of being excluded, worthless and unloved. It is through everyday life in community and the love that must be incarnate in this, that handicapped people can begin to discover that they have a value, that they are loved and so are lovable." (bold and italics mine)
This is what we want to do at CV - to 'be with them' before 'doing for them'. And when we do that, they become a part of us, and we are all changed into the image of Jesus. And then together we 'be with' the next person, and the next...He is Emmanuel - God with us. May we reflect Him, every day.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tour to Windsor
Kate, Genevieve and I went to Windsor to preach and lead worship. We had a great time. Here are some photos:
Here is Ed, pastor of the Windsor vineyard. You might be interested in knowing the Windsor is the oldest vineyard in Ontario...
When we walked in the front door this is the scene. A pile of bottles ready for the next water giveaway. Now if you talk to people who have been through windsor, you know that giveaways play a huge part in the ministry of the Vineyard. Not only have they been faithful in practical demonstrations of God's grace for 20 years. Now that is faithful.. What was really cool is I meant 2 people who had been saved because of this simple ministry. Everything works.
Here is Ed, pastor of the Windsor vineyard. You might be interested in knowing the Windsor is the oldest vineyard in Ontario...
When we walked in the front door this is the scene. A pile of bottles ready for the next water giveaway. Now if you talk to people who have been through windsor, you know that giveaways play a huge part in the ministry of the Vineyard. Not only have they been faithful in practical demonstrations of God's grace for 20 years. Now that is faithful.. What was really cool is I meant 2 people who had been saved because of this simple ministry. Everything works.
God bless, Ed and Marnie and the rest of the Windsor Crowd.
Amen.
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