BREAKFORTH

This January 30 to February 1 (a Friday to Sunday), we are heading to Edmonton to take in "the largest equipping and renewal conference in north america." Breakforth is a great experience that we've taken in a couple of times over the last bunch of years, and I would highly recommend it. You can expect - a great road trip with young adults from the church - to worship like you've never worshipped before - great speakers that will challenge you - seminars that you can choose based on what interests you. The cost is roughly $350. $139 for the conference (if we have 5 or more and register by Nov. 12) $50-100 for the hotel (depending on how many rooms we need) $50 for travel (more or less; depending on what vehicles we end up taking) $75 for food (also subject to change - you know how much you eat!) Check out their website, look at your calendar, talk to your boss, and then let us know that you can come. To get in before the deadline, and because it does sell out, I will need your registration by SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9 at the latest. I hope that you seriously consider this.

This weekend's activities...

Yes, this is the same as the email you just got, so if you read that, then you can just vote on the poll and scroll down to see what you've missed! This Friday night is a big shiny fun event! PHOTO SCAVENGER HUNT! Meet at the Church at 730 - we'll carpool and keep the driving to an hour, then meet up at a friend's house to check out the photos, judge the winners and snack and laugh. Bring a digital camera if you have one (we'll need one per car) and the cord to attach it to the TV to show the photos. I hope you can come! ******************** This Sunday is the Young Marrieds Potluck - RSVP if you're coming so we know if we'll fit into Stef and Tyler's place! ******************** Other opps - Saturday (Oct. 25) is the KBK Fall Supper, out at the camp. Seatings at 1:30 and 4:30. Tickets $5. Monday night (Oct. 27) is the YFC fundraising Banquet. 630 PM at Celebration Lutheran Church. Email James Clifford (james@yfcsask.ca) for tickets ($10). ROAD TRIP TO SASKATOON (Wednesday Oct. 29) - Look below for details on this!!! ******************** Communication... Looking for some feedback as to how to best spread the word about our events and goings-on. Currently, this here lovely email fires off your way every week or two with all the details. We also have a website (blog) that you can check for all the details, and the church has a website that links to our blog. Details are also published in the church bulletin every week. How do you find out what we're up to? Any suggestions on this? I am really encouraged by the number of emails I have added to our mailing list in the last couple of months - have you noticed these new faces around? Come on out Friday and let's welcome some new friends and re-connect with the old. ******************** Hunger for Change Wednesday, October 29th - CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries) is putting on a seminar in Saskatoon about the World Food Crisis. Check out the Blog - there are links and more info there. I have talked to a number of people that I thought might be interested, but I'm opening it up to everyone - please join us! There are more spots available in the van. We'll leave the city at 4:00 - the seminar is 7-9, and we'll be home by midnight. Small changes on our part can make a difference across the world - come with us and help figure out what our part is. ******************** To connect / RSVP / ask questions: phone Carolyn - church office 775-1616, home 522-2421, or cell 533-6580 email westhillcc@hotmail.com or carolyn@westhillchurch.com our website: http://www.westhillyoungadults.blogspot.com/ ***bookmark this so you know where to go to be in the know!!!***

HUNGER

Are we really facing a 'global food crisis'? What obligation do we as Canadians have to change our lifestyles and advocate for change which will lessen the suffering of the global poor? I joined END HUNGER FAST and am going to FAST FOR CHANGE next Thursday, October 16. You are welcome to join me. "Imagine... if every Christian in Canada made a small change toward ending hunger - both spiritual and physical hunger. Fast for Change aims to help people and churches reflect and consider small changes that affect three areas of our lives: the daily practice of eating, the spiritual health of our faith communities, and justice for the hungry all over the world." I am going to go to the HUNGER FOR CHANGE workshop up in Saskatoon on Wednesday, October 29. You are welcome to join me. The objective for these workshops "is to inform and lead to transformative actions. The world is now challenged to work as a global community to sustain the environment and meet the needs of the poor. These workshops will challenge anmd encourage participants to find ways to make a lasting impact both locally and globally." The first item (Fast for Change) is just for your information, although if you want to participate, please let me know! We can plan something or simply share stories. The Hunger for Change workshop, however, is something I would like to do with YOU. I have room for 7 people to join me going up to Saskatoon to take in this seminar, and then I would like us to plan an awareness event for the rest of the young adults. Please join me. Together we can make a change.

Details!

The POTLUCK has a HOME! Stef and Tyler are our gracious hosts for the evening of Sunday, October 26. This is a potluck for young married couples - you can RSVP by leaving a comment, emailing westhillcc@hotmail.com or calling me (Carolyn) at 775-1616, then we'll get you the address and details. Costume Party! Passing on an invite from Jennifer and Justus - they are having a costume party on October 31 from 7-11 PM and you are all invited. Again, RSVP and get the address. Jennifer writes: "Everyone has to dress up or you may be forced to wear one of Justus' old ones. I warn you now, he has a lot of tights!!! Delicious appies will be available. (appies is a kelowna word for appetizers). There will be a prize for the best costume!!!" Event Change: Instead of having a progressive supper on the 24th, we are going to do a photo scavenger hunt. Fun fun! This will accommodate all you who won't know until the last minute and then want to bring friends. Meet at the church at 7:30, then we will go somewhere after to show the photo and judge the winners. Anyone want to host? We just need a decent sized living room and TV that we can plug cameras into. Friday, October 24. Plan to be there! Red-Eye Road Trip to Edmonton! Students (up to age 22): There is still room on this October 24-26 trip. Talk to Byron to get your spot.

Who we're connected to...

I just added some links at the side - do a little browsing and see who we are a part of. I've got our church site on there, plus our denomination's site (That's the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada, formerly known as the Baptist Union of Western Canada). Canadian Baptist Ministries is our missions organization; they are over not just the CBWC, but also the other Canadian Baptist denominations (Atlantic, Ontario & Quebec, and French). Finally, Carey is our college and seminary. They are located on the UBC campus, and because we have a sattelite campus here at Westhill, you can take classes from there in person here. Did you learn anything new? (If you did, comment! If you didn't, comment!)

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.