Giving at Christmas

True to form, it's the first mail day after Halloween, and my mail box is full of gift catalogues. There are all kinds of ways I can give to help the needy and tell my family "I did it for you!" ...instead of buying you a present. Who does that and doesn't buy a gift, too?

Don't get me wrong, I know that people are more generous this time of year and the charities need to capitalize on that. I also believe helping the less fortunate is something we should be doing all throughout the year.

My thinking about Christmas gifts is what can I make that is meaningful and wonderful without spending any money? If you have thoughts on that, let me know!

Reviving Ophelia... thoughts before the Adopt A Youth launch

I've just started reading Reviving Ophelia by Dr. Mary Pipher, and it's making me realize how important this Adopt A Youth program we're launching next week is. She quotes the African proverb that states "It takes a village to raise a child." Do you see the Godly truth in that? I know I want my daughter surrounded by adults other than myself who are also teaching her that it's ok to be herself, and not to conform to peer pressure. I see many adults, myself included, who don't take the initiative to take children, adolescents, teens under our wings. We are concerned, sure, but what do we do about it? I hope that we can present this program as something that will capture the imagination of the adults; one that gives them the opportunity to do something where they've felt unsure about what their part could be. I hope that it inspires our church to live as the church, concerned for one another. I know that does happen in lots of ways already; I hope this is the catalyst for many more good relationships and for the strengthening of many of our adolescents.

A New Role

I am happy to announce that I have transitioned over the summer to a new role at the church. I'm still half time, but I will be the "Coordinator of Worship Arts and Communications". I'll write you the long version someday soon, but for now, here's a brief on the new job description: "Creative Arts" - I'll be doing work on the Sunday morning services - there are lots of people who have a part in that, and some of the key people are not at our weekly staff meetings, so besides the creative brainstorming, I'm going to try to streamline the process of how that all comes into being. It works fine the way it is now, but maybe it can work better this way... Here's hoping! "External Communication" - I'll be the content person for the website - we've got a great IT guy who can make pretty much anything happen with that, so I'll be trying to keep it up to date and keep it changing and make it more user friendly. "Internal Communication" - I'll be helping out with the different communication pieces that are needed, and hopefully cover in some areas that are not being done yet. These things, along with the different projects like the Core youth leader training, Adopt A Youth, and the Kickoff@KBK will keep me busy. I hope I stay on top of all the work and am still able to be a creative force for good around here! So that's the scoop on what I'll be doing. I'm excited to have some new challenges in front of me, and the kind of things I like to do, too. How amazing to have a job tailored to your gifts and strengths. And combine that with the hours that leave me free to be home with M? Must be working for a God who cares. Amazing.

$3 Worth of God

I read this in my textbook last night - it was about 2 pages before I started nodding off. I flipped down the corner of the page so I'd remember to share it with you. "I would like to buy $3 worth of God - not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup or warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine. I don't want enough of God to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant. I want ecstasy, not transformation. I want the warmth of the womb, not a new birth. I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack. I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please." (Wilbur Reece) Wow. How many of us think that way without realizing how wrong it is?

Thank you Souls...

Thank you Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission for allowing us to serve you. May the work we did hauling garbage, painting over graffiti, and prepping for paint be an encouragement to you and help you as you prepare the building to be a place of ministry. Thank you BS, DK, CS & CS, RS, KJ, MB, JC and whoever else came from Westhill to participate with the larger chruch body. Your sacrifice was noticed and appreciated. God is good and is doing wonderful things in our city!

I can't help you!

Someone said something to me this week that really stood out. Across the Lewvan from my house is a Bible School that very generously allows me to borrow books to use when I need to work on papers for my own schooling. I had been there the other day and picked out a few books for this next monster of a paper, and the librarian had stepped out for a moment; another teacher tried to help me out, but I was just a community member - I'm not surprised she couldn't figure out the system. That was no big deal, I would just go back later. A few days later I went to rescue my books from cluttering the shelf behind their desk, and waited a few minutes for the librarian, who was nowhere to be seen. The library was full of students, and then their teacher showed up, walked over to me with a shake of her head and before she even got to the desk said, "I can't help you!" I immediately felt guilty for putting her in a position of such anxiety! I didn't expect her to know how to use the system; maybe she might have known the answer to a simple "Do you know when the librarian might get back?" which, yes, would have been helpful. I felt sorry for this lady who maybe I just caught at a bad time, but who apparently didn't know that TRYING to be helpful even if you couldn't actually help makes life quite a bit nicer for the people in your path. Moral of the story: A smile and a "Can I help you?" goes a long way. Even if you don't work there.

JUNE

Here's the mass email I just sent out to everyone on our young adult list. If you are not on it and would like to be, email us at westhillcc@hotmail.com. 7 PM, Saturday, June 6 & Sunday June 7 Comedy Night!!! The youth mintrip fundraiser is always great - lots of laughs are guaranteed. We're going Saturday; tickets are still available for both nights. Let me know if you want me to save a ticket for you. Tickets are $10 and that includes dessert. Friday Evening, June 12 & all day Saturday, June 13 LADIES - GIFTED & CALLED It's a ladies retreat / seminar that will be well worth taking in. The course is designed to help you understand your giftedness and calling from God; to give you tools and confidence and competence. See new possibilities, be alert for new ministry needs, creatively come up with new ways of doing traditional ministries... $40 - let me know asap if you want to come so they don't cancel for lack of #'s. Saturday, June 20 (9:30 start) City Wide - come and SERVE - hang out with friends and new friends. Make a difference in North Central by helping get Soul's Harbour Rescue Mission's new building ready for ministering in the core. Dewdney & Athol; lunch will be provided. Wednesdays WWF - Westhill Wednesday Frisbee Ultimate Frisbee at the Legislative Buildings. Bring a friend. Run around. Meet at 7 PM in front of the Leg (east side). Carolyn PS - I have a lead on a full time summer job as an office assistant in a ministry setting. Call me if you're interested in the details. 775-1616