i’ve been thinking… wellington square€¦ · spiritual curiosity and hunger has remained the...
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March 9, 2014
wellington square
Secret & Silent But … Serious “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them… when you give… pray… fast, do not be like the hypocrites.” — Matthew 6:1-16(NRSV)
I’VE BEEN THINKING… …that there are astonishingly diverse
opinions and practices of spirituality today. The religious landscape has changed, while spiritual curiosity and hunger has remained the same.
Stats Can reports that, in the last 30 years, the fastest growing category of reli-gious practice (BY FAR!) is “No Religion”. It has grown from 6% of the population in 1981 to 24% by 2011. Meanwhile, minority religions (Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Bud-dhism) have only grown from 3% to 6%, and most of that growth is from immigration.
“More and more people, whose grand-parents were Christians, have no idea what we Christians are even talking about.” Many people once sat through a church’s Sunday School or confirmation class but it did not ‘take’.
But what many researchers are now discovering is that “when a society’s once-predominant traditional religion loses influ-ence, the people do NOT usually become less ‘spiritual’. Other religious and philosophical options walk in and compete for the people’s attention and devotion”.
All of which leads me to think that Wel-lington Square has a great opportunity. Some people may have been bored or burned by a church in their past; and many others (under age 40) have never had a healthy religious experience. So they are spiritually hungry and yearning. All over the world churches that take seriously their role in serving and reaching their society tend to thrive –even if their faith is ‘banned’ as it was for decades in Russian and China. The churches there thrived.
happenings Communion Sunday Collection for the Crisis Care Fund | Today we invite you to contribute to our Crisis Care Fund — a vital resource used with prayerful discernment by your ministry team. It allows us to provide care and hope for those in our wider community as they cope with some of life’s harshest realities. We pray that you will contribute generously. Baptism | The sacrament of baptism will be celebrated on Sunday, March 16, and Sunday, May 11. Please contact the office for information. Fellowship Lunch | Join us for lunch on Sunday, March 16 at 12:15 in St. Paul’s Hall. Tickets $10 each. Women of Wellington | Mon. March 10, 1:30pm in the Pritchard Room. Video of Abigail. Topic: Dealing with Conflict in Relationships. All women welcome. Rock Your World III – the 3rd version of a great night of music, dancing, prizes and fun with friends! Our talented bands will rock out hits from 8pm till the midnight hour. Held at the Polish Hall, 2316 Fairview on Friday April 25. The 255 attendees from last time will tell you – this is a blast! Pro-ceeds to support ministries at the Square. See Jeff Weir for tickets and info!! Memorial Easter Lilies | will be sold on Sundays, April 6 and 13 at WSquare.
New Members | Have you been around Wellington Square for a while now and feeling comfortable enough to belong? We’d love you to officially join this congregation on Sunday, June 22. A welcome and orien-tation session will be led by Orville and Katie on Sat. June 21 morning for anyone previously baptised and confirmed (in any Christian church). Please let us know by contacting the church office. Property Team | are looking for some talented individuals to call on when help is needed with the maintenance and upkeep of our building. We currently need extra hands to work on putting windows in the GraceLand classroom doors, building and putting up shelves, and repairing storage carts. If you can help, please contact Dee Glover or Mark Wignall at [email protected] or contact the church office. Spiritual Care | Does the fear of saying the wrong thing or finding yourself in an awkward situation hold you back from sup-porting others in their time of need? Then this seminar is for you! Please join us for a seminar on Spiritual Care by Rev. Moe Anderson on March 24 at 7pm in the McMillan Room. Moe's new book, Spiritual Care encourages members of faith commu-nities to provide spiritual care to their mem-bers through the challenging but rewarding experience of visiting. Rev. Anderson is the Spiritual Care Professional to the Critical Care Program at the University Health Net-work, Toronto Western Hospital.
adult faith ministry
Vision | to grow a prosperous, vibrant ministry together that glorifies God and equips His people to live out the great commandment and the great commission. Mission | to create a loving, kind atmos-phere where God’s people are cared for and the marks of discipleship are lived out. Welcome! Equip! Send!
small groups
to help us go deeper Do you have an idea for a new small group? Please contact Joy Magwood so that we can discern together where it may fit into our Adult Faith Vision and Mission.
Lenten Devotions are available at the Connection Point table in the foyer today. Wellington Square Chapel will be open Wednesdays during Lent for prayer | March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16 from 12noon-1pm and 8-9pm. Thursday at Seven | Men’s Bible Study – Lenten Series: “Experiencing the Passion of Jesus” by Lee Strobel and Gary Poole. Thursdays 7-8am, 855 Brant Street. Contact Bruce Magwood [email protected] Joyful Spirits | Our next gathering will be at the home of Rene Kraus on Thursday, March 20 at 7pm. Please bring your bibles and be prepared to discuss Session 4 “Trust – The Bridge to Joy.”
CAP | Have you ever considered Spring Cleaning your Finances? CAP Money Course might just be the solution you are looking for. This FREE three week basic budgeting course will provide valuable life tested tools to budget, save, spend. The material is relevant from students to retir-ees. A recent participant of the course said, “Before the course I was a little overwhelmed, but after it I am feeling more confident that my finances can be managed well.” Course starts Thursday, April 24 at 7pm. Sign up at Connection Point between services on Sunday or email Tony Wilson at [email protected] Celebration of Discipline | A 13-week DVD course with teaching by Richard Foster, to help Christians experience authentic transformation through engage-ment with classic spiritual disciplines. The course covers: the Door to Liberation, Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Sim-plicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Con-
fession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. Thursdays, March 20 to May 15, 2014, 7 to 9pm in the McMillan Room. Participant guide $10 Maximum of 12 students. Contact Penny Bailey at [email protected] OR sign up at the Connection Point on Sunday. Saturday Men’s Breakfast | We had a great hot breakfast and good fellowship and 19 guys enjoying a talk by Ted Vance. Next Event: April 5, 2014, 8.30-10.30am, Speaker: Rev. Peter Cowley Topic: Why bad things happen to good people. Cost $5 Adults, $3 Seniors. RSVP to Barry Hills bhills@wsquare or join the mens ministry facebook group to sign up.
Our purpose is to provide a fun, safe and friendly place where we learn about God’s love.
To ensure safety for all, please sign your child in/out. Please ensure that you have completed a participant form for each child. 2013/14 forms available on web or in GraceLand reception.
GraceLand’s March theme: Love God, Love Others GraceNotes Choir | practice Sundays 10.30 to 11.00am in the McMillan Room GraceLand Dancers | practice Sundays 11.00 to 11.30 in the Grade 1&2 Room It is important to attend all practices! (Note: No practices during March break!) Moms & Tots | Every Tuesday 9.30 to 11.00am (not meeting during March break) How can GraceLand spread sunshine to others? Please refer to full page flyer for more information >>>>>>>>>>>>>
children’s ministry Footsteps Library this week’s pick The Imam’s Daughter
by Hannah Shah
It is a true story which
takes the reader through
the harrowing events of
Hannah’s life. Along the
way this Muslim girl’s life is touched by
various Christians who give her a glimpse
of what it means to truly know God’s love
and acceptance. The story of how she
ultimately comes to embrace the Christian
faith is a compelling story.
welcome!
We’re glad you’re here today. We’re a
group of people learning what it means to
be followers of Jesus. We welcome and
encourage you to share your life with us
as we journey in faith together. We
provide opportunities for study, serving
and growing deeper in our relationship
with God.
We believe that by working together,
sharing our faith and our lives, we can
accomplish much more than we could
individually. With God’s help and the
power of the Holy Spirit, we believe we
can transform our community and our
world as the hands and feet of Jesus on
earth.
If you’re ready for us to get to know
you, please fill out a yellow “Welcome”
card from the pew and bring it to the
Connection Point table in the foyer, after
the service. We hope you too will find a
place of belonging here, and share your
life and faith journey with us.
youth ministry Rockpile | grades 7&8ers 1st & 3rd Wed nights 7-8:30pm Mar 19 | Rockpile Edge | high school youth 2nd & 4th Wed nights 7-9pm
Mar 26 | Edge Lazer Tag! Details to come Fusion | Final Friday of the month fun night for all youth! Come on out March 28 from 8-10pm for fun, friends, and more! Loving Life | A fun evening that teaches basic needs for growing up! Still interest-ed? Talk to Linda Scott. Youth Mexico | On Saturday, March 8, 30 fun-filled and excited youth and leaders headed on their way to the eastern coast of Mexico for a week filled with compas-sion, faith and love. Thank you to the Wel-lington Square community for all of your support and help to get us to this point and continue to pray for our youth and leaders as we meet with Rhonda Elgersma and her team down in Ensenada, Mexico. Pray for our families: the Moran Velazco Family and the Curiel Saldaña Family. Keep our youth in your thoughts as they witness a very different lifestyle than the one they are accustomed to. And think of the fabu-lous leaders who have offered their vaca-tion time to work alongside our youth and families on this amazing experience! God is good! … to bring unity to all things in Heaven and on earth under Christ. — Ephesians 1:10
friday community
Thank you to our committed friends from various faith groups, organizations and plac-es in the community who continue to sup-port the Friday Night Community in so many ways. This past Friday at the monthly Gath-ering, friends explored the message that re-gardless of what we do or have done, we can be secure in God's love. Although we strive to hear the voice of truth, at times we hear the doubt, negative com-ments and voices from the past.
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me, reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed The waves they keep on telling me Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!' "You'll never win" But the voice of truth tells me a different story, and the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory" Out of all the voices calling out to me I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Most Needed Items: *children's lunch snacks (fruit cups, apple sauce, crackers and cheese, granola bars *sour cream and yogurt sized containers *decaf coffee, salad dressings, salad top- pings (pickles, olives, beets, croutons) *desserts for Friday dinners *men's shoes size 13 and 14 W *men's winter boots size 9,10.5w,13 & 14w *women's winter boots size 8 wide *men's winter jackets size XL and 2XL *men's pants size 40 and 42 & XL tops *tall bookcase & crock pot
For more information contact: [email protected]
outreach HAHFA Malawi Mission Our next mission is being planned for May 2015 for 16 days. Planning begins early to save, book time off and prepare. The team should be in place by June 2014. Inquiries are welcomed, if you are being called or nudged! An Info session was held on Saturday Feb 8th to gain some understanding of what mission in Malawi has looked like these past 8 yrs. Information was shared about: - relationships with partners on the ground (pastors and Emmanuel Int) - history of the WS’s connection in this mission field - on-going and past projects - medical requirements, costs - team participation and preparation etc. Working alongside Malawians we have experienced their faith and hope that God will respond to their needs. We have witnessed the healing powers of Christ as blind have received sight and lame walk. Our faith and trust in God’s mighty pow-ers have increased through their witness. You maybe called if you have a heart for service; a willingness to be used by God to reach out to our caring, humble, Christ- filled friends, walking alongside them, affirming their humanity and standing in solidarity with them. For more info: [email protected]
Wellington Square Chapel will be open Wednesdays during Lent for prayer | March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16 from 12noon-1pm and 8-9pm.
Lent is traditionally a time to reflect, repent and receive God’s forgiveness. It is also a time of spiritual growth. One of the ways to grow spiritually is to give up our attachments to things of this world. To guide you in what to give up or add for Lent, see the list below. Remember to allow your decision to be root-ed in prayer and strengthened in Christ!
Consider giving up: a favourite TV show | radio (all the time, or a certain time of day) | social media sites | gossip | bad language | procrastination | judgmentalism | criticism | complaining | comparing yourself to others | arguing | frivolous shopping | chocolate
Things to add: get up early to pray | be intentional about your time – make a sched-ule (with prayer featuring prominently) and stick to it | save your change and give it to a charity | write letters to shut-ins, grandpar-ents | volunteer at community dinner, soup kitchen, shovelling snow | give someone a compliment every day! | take someone to lunch every week (a senior, a lonely neigh-bour, a son or daughter) | join a Bible study group | 20 minutes of spiritual reading daily | list 5 things you are grateful for each day | listen to Christian music while you drive | go to an art gallery or botanical gardens and rejoice in the beauty | journal | pray with your family | encourage those around you daily or weekly | be a better friend
Holy Week and Easter Memorial Easter Lilies Will be sold April 6 and 13 at WSquare.
Palm Sunday Combined Choir Service @ 8pm at
Port Nelson United Church
Maundy Thursday, April 17 Communion Service @ 7pm at
Port Nelson United Church
Good Friday, April 18 9am Worship Service at Wellington
Square with Children’s Ministry (Nursery to Grade 3)
Church walk through the downtown area, starting at 9.45am from Wellington Square United Church (under the canopy facing Caroline St), pausing for prayers and hymns, ending at Port Nelson United Church
11am Worship Service at Port Nelson United Church with Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey, and the combined congrega-tions and choirs of the downtown churches
Easter Sunday, April 20 7.30am Sunrise Service at the
Compass, Spencer Smith Park
9am and 11am Worship Services at Wellington Square
Medieval Fall Fair
Saturday, October 4, 2014 Outside Trunk Sale/Breakfast: 8:30am
Official Opening: 9:00am Closing: 2:00pm
All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. -- Romans 8:28
Wellington Square’s Medieval Fall Fair will include: Trunk (Yard) Sale, Ye Old Print Shoppe (Book Sale), Silent Auction, Christmas Shoppe, Deli, Artisans/Vendors, Gourmet Shoppe/Candy/Jam Cupboard, Bake Shoppe, Garden Shoppe, Children’s Activities, Noon BBQ, Jester’s Court Lunchroom, Craft Shoppe, Live Entertainment, and more! WE NEED YOUR HELP! Volunteers, Coordinators for Shoppes, Trunk/Book Sale Donations, Medieval Costumes, Etc. Please prayerfully consider where you can lend a hand to make this Fall Fair a great celebration of Wellington Square. Contact Carol-Ann Ruwhof 905-634-4260 or Jennifer Kiers [email protected] for more information.
Save the Dates for Anniversary Weekend | Plan to join us in celebrating on Saturday, May 3, 2014 for our Anniver-sary Dinner in St. Paul’s Hall … watch for more details soon. Sunday, May 4, 2014 is our Anniversary Worship Service at 10am with Guest Preacher Rev. Drew Maxwell.
Trivia Night
Saturday, March 29, 2014
The date is fast approaching! Get your tickets and your group together soon. Fun and fellowship for all! 1. Tickets on sale on Sundays or from
the office Monday to Friday. 2. Tickets are $20 per ticket (we will
issue tax receipt for $15) or $120 per Team of 6 3. If you do not have a Team we will make up a Team for you 4. Build a multi-generational Team for Success 5. Players can range in age from 12 to 112 and no experience is required 6. Trivia Night March 29, 2014: Registration begins at 6:30pm Competition starts at 7:00pm sharp Evening wraps up approx 10:00pm 7. Trivia questions range from easy to hard and cover all topics under the sun 8. Be a sponsor, contact Bruce Martin [email protected] 9. Donate door prizes: wine, chocolates, beauty products, candles, flowers, kitchen, household, auto, gardening gifts, etc. contact Carol Ann Richardson [email protected] or Sharron Martin [email protected] Fun … Fellowship … Fundraising Our Church in Action!
Tel 905-634-1849
Email [email protected] Web www.wsquare.ca
Office Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9am - 4pm 2121 Caroline St, Burlington ON L7R 1L7
Ministerial Team
The Rev. Dr. Orville James (ext. 19)
The Rev. Katie Southon (ext. 14)
The Rev. Tom Chire
(Voluntary)
Brian Vickers, Evan Smith
(Ministry Candidates)
Children’s Ministry (GraceLand)
Heather Mackey (ext. 21)
Youth Ministry
Caitlin Belanger (ext. 15)
Adult Faith Ministry
Joy Magwood (ext. 23)
Outreach and Mission Ministry
Roni Beharry (ext. 11)
Music Ministry
James Bretzler (ext. 20)
Administration
Beth Rose/Catherine Wagg (ext. 10)
Finance
Ruth Ferry (ext. 16) in Wednesdays
Custodians
Randy Taylor (Weekdays) (ext. 12)
Karlene Phillips (Weekends)
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For a glimpse of next week’s topic, “The Woman at the Well”
read John 4:5-42.
So I would like us to make this an intentional goal. I think our church has a great opportunity to reach spiritually hungry people who have no practicing connection to God. Some can barely name the church their family doesn’t go to.
While we don’t force faith on any-one, we can be cheerfully honest that we believe in God, that following Jesus is essential to our daily living, and that all of that (Faith) makes a positive differ-ence in our lives.
I’m reading some experts about this- and I’m hoping to share some of the positive ideas with our leadership team and with you. I think we can help a lot of people if we keep growing to be a church that ‘Knows Christ AND Makes Him Known’. “The church is more likely to be a local movement if its people are inviting pre-Christians people from their friendship and kinship networks, if the church has a range of outreach minis-tries, if the church identifies and reaches receptive people who are ‘looking for life,’ if the members are involved in world mission far beyond the local com-munity.”
Wellington Square is already doing much of that, and poised and ready to do more.
With love, ORVILLE