"Building Community in 2010" in Regina
Friday evening we were given a "pail of stuff” and directed to create a church from marshmallows, spaghetti, lasagna, rice crispy squares and candy.
On Saturday evening we pulled character's names from a hat, dressed in costume and in teams of four acted out modern day parables.
F L O W Weekend – Saskatoon
We were a bunch of animals Friday evening as we started with a speed mixer activity that had everyone trying to figure out what animal was on a label on their back without asking obvious questions.
Saturday morning we watched the movie “August Rush” in various homes. (I highly recommend that you watch it.) After lunch we participated in a car rally/scavenger hunt that incorporated visiting members of the congregation with taking pictures at various landmarks and completing tasks such as hugging a fireman and buying a snack/meal for a stranger. Each carload had the same basic activities to complete and specific visits to make. As we finished the activities, we met at Diefenbaker Park for a BBQ, and then headed back to the church for a campfire and testimony time.
Sunday morning we gathered to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation as Daisy Decker became a member of the Community of Christ. After a snack break we met for the Communion Service and then continued in fellowship with a potluck lunch.
Many thanks to Darrell and his team for a wonderful weekend – we laughed, we cried, we discussed, we shared, and we were encouraged to “listen to the music that is all around us” – and we were blessed.
By Cori McLean
Our Fall Music Writing Contest Just Got Bigger!
You didn’t think we’d leave all you poets and lyricists out did you? This contest is really exciting because absolutely anyone can enter – and I hope you all do.
Brian Gibson, the multi talented musician, writer and mentor to so many of us, has generously donated one of his original music pieces. All you have to do is add the lyrics.
Here is the sheet music:
Here is a link to the recorded music click on “song competition band track”.
And here is how the contest will work:
All music will be submitted to me and given an anonymous file number before it is passed on to Brian Gibson. Brian will then choose the lyric which he feels best expresses his music.
The winning lyric will be sung and recorded at a professional studio!
And don’t forget about our other contest…
Calling all musicians … do you have a knack for plunking out your own catchy tune on the piano, plucking some original sounds on the strings or working the music on any other instrument? We’re looking for a new music bed for our weekly video teaser. The music must be original, should be 45- 60 seconds in length and recorded in a professional or semi professional studio.
Tip - Most high schools have great studios these days. Remember this is a backtrack so a voice must be heard over top of it.
Have fun with it, all styles are welcome from Rock to New Age to Jazz.
Send me your samples in MP3 format to debra@communityofchrist.ca
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes
But wait…we wouldn’t ask you to enter these contests just for the glory would we? Well the glory is pretty great, but so are these nifty jackets the winner of each contest will receive!
This high quality jacket will quickly become your favorite and will wear well for years to come. Soft micro-fiber exterior is a cream/taupe color with navy accents. The name Community of Christ is embroidered in navy blue on the left front.
BEER TEAM SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
Seven years ago Elder Shonnet Allen of the Chilliwack, BC branch was diagnosed with breast cancer. After she recovered from treatment, Shonnet, her family and some friends decided to participate in the Fraser Valley CIBC RUN FOR THE CURE to raise money for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and have continued to do so each year.
Shonnet’s maiden name is ‘Beer’ and every year the ‘Beer girls’ come up with a creative name for the team. This year 19 were on the BEER BABES, BOYS AND BUDDIES team. In 2009 and again this year, the team was the top fund-raising team in the ‘Family and Friends’ category.
The team raised $8,506.00 this year and Shonnet’s Aunt, Joan Welch, was the top individual fund-raiser both in 2009 and again this year. No record has been kept of the total amount collected by the team, but in the last six years, Joan has raised an impressive $25,613.00 for the Foundation.
Most of the team attend the Chilliwack congregation and on Run day, which is always the first Sunday of October, attendance at church is pretty sparse, but it’s all for a good cause!
The good news is that Shonnet is cancer-free and the Foundation benefits from their efforts.
World Accord 30th Birthday Presentation
Help build 3 schools, check out the presentation to see how you can donate.
Women’s Retreat - “Many Cultures, Many Gifts…”
$40 November 5 - 7, 2010
Community of Christ, Chilliwack, BC
Guest Ministry: Karen Waring from Independence, MO
Includes:
Snack on Friday night
Breakfast, lunch, supper on Saturday
Breakfast, lunch on Sunday
Gift Bag
Not Included:
Accommodation (Some billeting is available. There are also very reasonable rates available at local hotels/motels)
Registration:
Please register by October 31 by contacting Bonnie Levitt
Phone: 604.792.1023 or Email: bjlevitt1@yahoo.ca
Highlights:
Games and snacks on Friday night
Updates on the church’s activities in other countries
A variety of activities on Saturday afternoon from which to choose
Sunday morning worship with the Chilliwack Community of Christ
“Children Cry, We Respond!” is the theme of the 2010 Peace Colloquy to be held October 29-31 at Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri. Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea and co-founder/executive director of Central Asia Institute will accept the 2010 Community of Christ International Peace Award and deliver a keynote address on Friday, October 29, at 7:30 pm. The ceremony will be webcast live. His mission has been to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The weekend will also include a prayer retreat, junior/senior high youth retreat, children's program, and a large variety of workshops. Other keynotes include Carol Greta, attorney for the Iowa Department of Education, "Children, Bullying, and the Church's Response," and Dala Al-Waheidi, executive director for Free the Children, Toronto, Canada, "State of the World's Children."
Register online now at www.CofChrist.org/peacecolloquy.
Special Prayer request from Nepal
Nanda Malla is pastor of the Kathmandu congregation in Nepal. Beginning about 10 years ago the congregation is now around 400 people in membership and the largest urban Community of Christ congregation in Asia. In addition there are now four rural congregations. Nepal for some years has suffered a civil war, the king has been deposed, and the Maoists who have support in the rural areas have now become part of the political process. They are the strongest party in Parliament but do not have an overall majority. There is no strong government. In addition Christians are illegal in Nepal which is a Hindu kingdom. Nanda and the congregation have had difficulties over several years with the Maoists in Kathmandu.
On September 11 four young men on motor bikes came to the church service armed with weapons to threaten and perhaps kill Nanda unless he handed over church property documents. Further visits and threats have been made. Fortunately they have missed Nanda each time. They appear to be a Maoist gang seeking money from the Malla family and the church. Nanda has not endorsed the Maoists (or any other political party) and they seek his public support. One or more members of his family could also be kidnapped and held to ransom.
Nanda came to the International Council and Field Leader Meetings after these initial threats. In consultation with SOS, an organization that looks after the welfare of church employees abroad, a decision was made for Nanda to stay at present in the USA (on his 6 month visitor visa) and to get his family to safety. Muna and the four children arrived in the Philippines early on Saturday morning local time and are being looked after for the present by church members (names withheld for security reasons).
Prayers are requested for the Nanda Family at this very difficult time as we seek to discern the next steps to take. Please also remember the Community of Christ congregations in Nepal which are now without two of their key shepherds. nandamalla@hotmail.com
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