OCTOBER

We're not rushing into anything here, (I like the fall to last as long as possible!) but I wanted to post the things coming up in October so you could get them on your calendar. We have something for each of our groups this month: Young Marrieds - there will be a potluck early in the month (possibly the 14th? I will let you know when I have the place confirmed... any volunteers to host?) Students (younger young adults) - Byron is taking the Senior High youth and the young adults up to the age of 22 to Edmonton for a RED EYE trip, leaving October 24th at 4 PM and returning late in the afternoon on the 26th. The cost is $125 which includes transportation, accommodations, breakfasts, snacks and a choice pass to either the World Waterpark or Galaxy Amusement Park. Get a registration form and your money to Pastor Byron asap to reserve your spot - seats are limited! Registration forms are on the youth and young adult bulletin boards - the youth one is in the hall by the fellowship room and the young adult one is downstairs. Twenty-Somethings (older young adults) - Progressive Supper on Friday October 24th. Young Families - there is a Harvest Party on Wednesday, October 29 here at the church - come and help out as the kids take in the fun. It's something the whole family can enjoy together.

The Bible

Jeremiah 9:23-24 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast boast about this: that they understand and know me..." And how do we know him? Well, reading the Bible is a pretty good way. The Bible is our source and authority and one of the primary ways we know God. Only 4% of people read their Bibles daily - there are more Christians than that. (Ok, so I don't know where that stat is from - Those last two sentences were from my class notes from this past weekend, and I wrote 'blog this!' beside them...) I've been reading through the Canadian Bible Society's Daily Bible Reading Guide this year, and recommend it as a really great way to read every day - you get a chapter or managable amount each day, and it works through much of the Bible, moving around through it. I like that I don't have to decide what to read next or what system to use. I usually read it out loud while the kid eats breakfast; sometime we talk about it, sometimes not. But it's routine, and it's a good habit. God promises that his Word will not return void. Reading it means I am more likely to hide it in my heart and actually live by it. On the link above you'll find three options to get this reading guide. They can send you daily emails with the Scripture for the day, you can download and print off the reading list, or you can ask them to send you a guide to use. I will look into getting some to have on hand, and get a bunch of 2009 ones, too, in time for us all to start off the new year on the right foot together. Please add a comment if you want to commit to reading the Bible every day, or if you already do - maybe it will encourage someone else to get on board.

Bye Vave!

There is going to be a farewell party for Vave on Friday night at the Stu & Gloria Clifford party house at 6:30. They are BBQing, so please RSVP! And bring something (drinks, salads, desserts...) Vave is leaving us to continue on his world tour - if you haven't met him yet, then that's all the more reason to come to the party! (RSVP here or at westhillcc@hotmail.com or call Jon or his parents... also let us know if you need the address.) Vave at the retreat this weekend, and Vave when he was here in February 2006.

Retreat Photos

This past weekend out at Katepwa Baptist Kamp. Good times were had by all. Fall 2007's Retreat Fall 2005 Fall 2002 Fall 2001 And another one from 2001

For the LADIES

Girls Only at these ones: Girl's Night Out - Thursday, September 18, 7 PM at my place (4031 2nd Ave). One of our young adults, Christan Johnson, is starting up a party lite business, so we're giving her a chance to practice on us, and giving ourselves an excuse to hang out and eat snacks and visit. (Christan told me the spiel will be about 20 minutes - the rest is us hanging out!) Hope you can make it! You can RSVP here or email westhillcc@hotmail.com. And the second one is A Shower for Carissa Thiessen! It's at Karen Nielsen's place (2 Rink Ave) on Wednesday next week - Sept 24th @ 7:30 PM. It's a miscellaneous shower and Karen says chocolate will be involved! :) Again, you can RSVP here or email westhillcc@hotmail.com.

Random & Coffee

1 - VOTE! on the poll -> ONE vote is pathetic participation and is enough to make a girl want to quit! -> -> -> 2 - BREAKFORTH info came today. This is something I want us to go to this year, so watch for the details on here soon. 3 - Two invitations for the ladies... I'll post the details here tomorrow... 4 - COFFEE. Were you at church on Sunday? Were you a big fan of the Ambassador Coffee Byron brought in for the kickoff? It's sticking around for the month of September for a trial, because we feel honestly that good coffee (and coffee in the narthex / lobby / entryway) will make people feel more at home, and like this is a place they could belong. It is partly about getting rid of the old bad 'church coffee' but it's about way more than just that. So if you like it and want it to stay, be sure to give your feedback!

Small Groups - Fall 08

Here's what we've got for small group options so far: Sunday nights - Potluck and Bible Study at the church, in the youth lounge. Potluck is at 6 - bring food! and study will follow from 7-830. This one is led by Jon and Treena, and starts up Sept. 21. It's open to everybody, and childcare is provided. Monday nights - This one is at the Simpson's home at 7 PM, and it's for college aged young adults. It's led by Holly and starts up next Mon, Sept. 15. There are both mens and ladies studies at the church that are open to young adults as well - both of these sound really good, and add the element of mentorship to the small group study. Men's is every other Monday starting on the 15th, at 7:30. The women's one is during the day, but which day is still being determined. As always, you can get more info by emailing westhillcc@hotmail.com.

Prayer Team

FYI - Byron and I have put together a prayer team for youth and young adults. We meet every Wednesday morning at the church from 10 to 11. (You are welcome to join us.) Since most people can't make that, we also send emails to larger prayer teams. If you would like to be on either one of those, email Byron (byron@westhillchurch.com) or I (carolyn@westhillchurch.com). BTW - Our young adult email is westhillcc@hotmail.com. If you have any questions, or want to be on the email list to get info, drop us a line there. (the cc stands for college & career. We used to have cool sweatshirts with a cc logo on them. I think Jeremy designed them. Jeremy rocks.)

SEPTEMBER EVENT - RETREAT

WHO - for all the young adults (all branches of our family tree!) WHAT - a weekend of relaxing, laughing, hanging out, games, sharing what we've been learning, hot tubbing, wakeboarding, enjoying a weekend away... WHEN - THIS Friday, September 12, 7 PM to Sunday, September 14, 1 PM WHEN DO YOU NEED TO DECIDE? - by this Wednesday. WHERE - KBK (Katepwa Baptist Kamp) out on Katepwa Lake by Fort Qu'Appelle. Let us know if you need directions. WHY - Because it's pretty much a guaranteed good time with good friends. That and the fact that it's a spiritual get away - a time to step back and take time with God and put things into perspective. HOW DO I REGISTER? - Email westhillcc@hotmail.com and let us know you're coming. Or call Carolyn at 775-1616. HOW MUCH? - $35 Bring your fee to the retreat with you. Cheques can be made out to Westhill Park Baptist Church.

World Vision

Have you been to this yet? World Vision has their One Life Experience set up in the Vic Square parking lot until Sunday. Saturday it's open 11-9 then Sunday 12-7, and it's free. Check it out this weekend before it's gone.

Why Branching Out?

Because we are branching out from what we have done before. Because Christ is the vine and we are the branches, and my hope is that we are growing and being fruitful. Because of the family tree symbolism. We have different groups or branches within our young adults, but we are still one group. We have different age groups within our church, but we are still one church family. We have different churches in the city of Regina, but we are still the one Body of Christ. Throughout our country and around the world, we are one in Christ - one family tree with one firm foundation - one set of roots. Because we are rooted in God's Word and we are branching out and taking that good news and truth with us wherever we go. Feel free to comment and add any thoughts you have on the symbolism of branching out.

WELCOME!

Welcome to the brand new blog for the Young Adults of Westhill Park Baptist Church! What you will find here: *** All the info and details on upcoming events. I will still email you the details, but bookmark this and you'll always know where to find what you need to know. *** Thoughts and musings and rants for you to read and ponder and respond to if you want. I often find there's stuff I'm learning or thinking about that I'd like to share with you, but I don't want to clutter your inbox. Come by the blog when you're browsing around and see what you think. (Or see what I think, then tell me what you think!) *** Other people's comments (and other people's posts - let me know if you have something you'd like to post for us all), invites from other young adults to events they are hosting, polls, contests...