Hopeful Stories
Each week Pastor Peter or a member of the church takes the time to share a story about how Hope is being shared in their life or in the lives of members of our community. Please check back each week as each Hopeful Story is posted. You can also check out our new blog hopefellowshipcourtice.blogspot.com for updates.
January 29, 2012
Before services and between services there are always joyful noises in the foyer of the church. That’s awesome. Lots of chatter. People grabbing the opportunity to catch up with each other. A happy, hopeful scene!
In the sanctuary, however, worship starts promptly at 9 or 11. Why? We want to honour your time, and, more importantly, we want to honour the Lord with meaningful words and songs that bring us into His presence.
For our ushers, the joyful noises in the foyer and the worshipful sounds in the sanctuary present a conflict. Without quenching the excited spirits of those who are just plain happy to see each other again, how do you protect the start of worship? It’s not fun to shush folks with a stern look and a finger pressed against pursed, disapproving lips. And yet, it’s very disturbing for worshipers when the opening words of welcome and the pastor’s greeting are lost in the din of constant traffic streaming in.
The solution? The GUS team (greeters, ushers and security), and the ushers in particular, have been instructed to close the doors at the moment worship begins and to keep them closed until people have been invited to shake hands and share hugs or share hands or shake hugs or whatever it is we’re invited to do with each other after the pastor gives the official greeting, you know, the words that go, “Grace to you and peace, etc.”
What this means, of course, is that those who are late will be held back in the foyer for several minutes at the start of each service.
Now before you conclude that we’re being rude, ask yourself about your experience at a place like Massey Hall or the Shaw Festival. At these venues, concerts and plays start on time and doors are kept closed until an appropriate moment. After the first song, for example. Or during a particular scene in the play, approved by the director of the play.
We love happy sounds in the foyer and know that they can not be contained. But by closing the doors when worship starts, those who seated themselves on time can prepare their hearts for worship and then shake some hands and share some hugs with those who are fashionably late.
If you’re a latecomer, please understand and be kind to the ushers until they open the doors so that you can continue making a joyful noise inside the sanctuary.
- Pastor Peter
January 22, 2012
I called Emma to get an update on all the clothes and goods that they received from our church family last Sunday for the flood victims in the Philippines, including those in her extended family. When I asked how she was doing she said, “The sun is up and I’m good.”
It took two vans to bring all the donated clothes and goods to their home. Since then they’ve been steadily sorting and packing. Emma estimated that they are going to be able to send at least twelve boxes to the Philippines. To save space, they are shrink wrapping the contents and carefully taping the boxes with red construction tape. “Hopefully no-one will tamper with the box, or the box will explode,” Emma laughed.
The boxes, shipped from Scarborough at a cost of three for $150, will be sent to four trustworthy persons well known to Emma's family: a niece, a government counselor doing relief work, a cousin who is a children’s aid worker, and a pastor who was one of Emma’s former classmates. If nothing goes wrong, the boxes should reach the Philippines in six weeks and these four persons will then distribute everything to those in need.
Last Sunday’s offering for “Philippine Tropical Storm 2011” was also very hopeful. Together we raised $4487.89; this week a couple of people dropped off checks that still need to be added to the total by the counting committee. “That’s a large amount when it goes there,” Emma observed, mentioning the need for water, tents and other supplies. The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee will disburse these funds. “Giving even $25 to a flood victim in Philippine allows that person to buy locally and help address his or her immediate needs,” I was told by Wayne de Jong, the CRWRC’s executive director. “The Christian Reformed Church in the Philippines will assess the needs and see that the money is distributed fairly.”
Emma admits that she, like most of us, is shy about asking for help. But her husband, Jerry, reminded her that, “to experience the grace of God you have to experience the humble act of receiving.”
Today she is really grateful not only for Hope Fellowship’s help, but also for the opportunity for her family to do something positive for those who are trying to rebuild their lives in her homeland.
- Pastor Peter
January 15, 2012
Three years ago (almost to the day) I had the opportunity to visit Mindanao with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC). I visited projects and met with people that we are supporting with our offering today.
While in Mindanao I visited two CRWRC initiatives that I consider to be hopeful. One was the relocation of houses from a flood prone area near a river to a flood protected area on higher ground. When I was there CRWRC had constructed 30 homes and planned to build 1,000 in total. As you can expect, the homes built near the river were built by people who had no other options and they were no more than wooden shacks with dirt floors. The new homes are simple but are sturdy and much safer from the flooding that regularly occurs.
I also visited with a group of village development workers who travel throughout the area helping communities assess their resources and plan for improvements. The work of moving poor communities forward is an important one, however, what struck me was the work they are doing to bring peace to the region. CRWRC has hired a mediator and he is bringing together a number of different groups in to try to bring peace on a small scale. In any given region he may be meeting with communist rebels, government agents, various tribes, Christians and Muslims.
Finally I had the honour of worshipping with the Christian Reformed church in Butuan, also on the north coast of Mindanao, like Cagayan D'Oro. This is a small church of perhaps 50 people who worship in a covered space. They have been through much already but continue to worship God and work to help their neighbours. While I was there they preached on Matthew 22:37-40 and particularly about living in community. They too are living extricably linked lives within their church and with their neighbours.
- John
January 8, 2012
The next New Members Class is set to start this Wednesday, January 11, from 7-8 p.m. It will run for eight sessions and focus on everything you need to know to be a follower of Jesus and a member of Hope Fellowship Church.
Have you been thinking about taking this class? Do you feel something nudging you to take your faith more seriously? Are you ready to make a public stand for Jesus and to strengthen your sense of belonging at Hope Fellowship Church? If so, this class is for you.
Perhaps you have been away from the Lord and the church for a while, and it’s time to re-affirm your faith. Perhaps you have never been baptized, and it’s time to take the plunge. Perhaps you have been baptized as a child and it’s time to profess your faith and make a stand. If any of these scenarios describe you, this class is especially for you.
The hopeful news is that seven persons have already signed up and several others are considering it.
I love teaching this class because it gives me the opportunity to get to know the participants in a small group setting. I love the class because we get to talk together about the Bible, the church and the Lord.
The most important decision God asks us to make is the decision to accept Jesus’ invitation to “Follow me.” Every other decision – social, academic, business, lifestyle – is shaped by this place to stand. That’s why I consider the New Members Class, next to preaching and pastoral visits, to be one of the most important and worthwhile things that God has called me to do. I hope that you agree with me that preparing to profess your faith publicly is of utmost importance.
So sign up today at the Info Centre. Or call the office this week (905-571-6004). And make 2012 the year that “you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’”
- Pastor Peter
January 1, 2012
Angels and demons in hand to hand combat. A red dragon waiting to devour a newborn infant. A standing ovation for Christ’s victory over Satan. Not your typical Christmas Eve service! But those were some of the elements that made Christmas Eve at Hope Fellowship both disturbing and powerful.
There was more. Dramatically lit banners. Musicians, soloists, a choir. And a packed house that was fully engaged.
Special events like this don’t just happen. Behind the scenes, liturgists plan the content and flow of the service. Visual arts people carefully decorate the stage. Everyone rehearses until everything is ready. Then the Holy Spirit takes all the pieces and weaves it into a unified whole.
In the days that followed, people sent some very encouraging comments to each other about this unique service:
“Hey! I just wanted to thank you all for your involvement in the service last night! A lot of prayer and vision went into it and it only came together so beautifully because everyone worked together so well. I really appreciate everyone who sang and played for the choral ensemble! It was so much fun and so beautiful--the soloists sounded great, the guitarists were really cool, the drama was intense. The message fit in really well too.”
“All parts of the service were beautiful, meaningful and so well put together that it was obvious the Lord’s hand was in the planning. Thank you, Amanda and Andrea, for your hard work in coordinating the service.”
“Nice job, well done and very meaningful! I appreciate all your efforts in making it happen.”
“Wow. It was a blessing for our family to be able to attend such a meaningful, beautifully done, service on Christmas Eve! We are thankful to God for such depth in the pool of talent at Hope and impressed at such obedience in use of all that talent in service to Him. The music was well-chosen. The singing and liturgy beautifully done. The message, in word and dance, was powerful. The visuals were dramatic. The sound and lighting made it come alive. Tricia and Megan, I LOVED the effect of the lights behind the banners! So much combined to make it a complete experience!”
Speaking personally, I can’t thank God enough for those who used their time and talents to help all of us worship Christ the new-born king in such a memorable way!
- Pastor Peter
December 25, 2011
Some people know that I lost my big sister, Karen, when she was only 36 years old. She was my mentor and one of my best friends. I admired the way she raised her kids, served the people around her and clung to her faith, no matter what life threw at her. We talked on the phone every night, hung out every chance we got and shared pretty much every detail of our lives with one another.
She never complained once about her illness, never gave up hope that she would be healed and she never missed an opportunity to show her gratitude for one more day on Earth, with the people she loved. She “sucked the very marrow out of life” until that last afternoon, when I asked God to take her, because I couldn’t watch her suffer, and His answer was a merciful “yes”.
I am here at Hope Fellowship because of her faith. I wanted to belong to a community of saints that could hold to their beliefs, even if they didn’t see the signs and wonders that I was accustomed to seeing. I also knew, the very first time that I worshiped here, that this would be my spiritual home. Every song that was sung was one that she had taught me. I am desperate to see Heaven partially because of my need to see her and my grandmother again.
What most of you don’t know is that Karen’s birthday was on Christmas Eve. Now I could make my mind up to be miserable every year at Christmas time, because she’s no longer here to share it with me, but what good would that do?
I read somewhere that the measure of pain we feel corresponds to the depth of love we felt. But to keep feeling bad to prove that I loved her makes no sense. Karen loved Christmas and she would feel horrible if she knew that I let the fact that it was her birthday ruin it for me. She’s in Heaven and she’s fine! She’ll be there waiting for me, when it’s my turn to go. There’s no point torturing myself because she isn’t here to celebrate with me. I will remember her always! And I’ll celebrate her favorite time of year in the way she would have wanted me to… with laughter and games and lavish love.
I’ll probably always get a little teary eyed when I receive a poinsettia at Christmas, because they were one of her favorite flowers. (They marked the beginning of the best season of all and I bought her one every year of my adult life.) But mine won’t be tears of sorrow… No, more like tears of homage; remembering a life well spent and a love deeply appreciated. Thankful tears… for I had the best big sister in the whole world and now I have this token to remember her by, and this day that will always mark her time here on Earth.
- Heidi St Jean
December 18, 2011
Looking for Jesus in the "Beams of Light"
You may be like me at this point and find yourself asking "What's so merry about Christmas?" You may find yourself or someone you know experiencing one of the dark storms of life such as a bitter divorce, loss of a job, loss of a loved one, or dealing with a dreaded disease like cancer. There are so many storms people face that seem to become magnified at this time of year. Sure, we go to church and put on a brave face, but in reality we have lost sight of the "Star of Bethlehem". We have become like the disciple Peter, so focused on the storm that we begin to sink rather than keep our eyes on Jesus. A couple of well-meaning friends gently reminded me of this fact the other day.
If you are in that place, where you have lost sight of the Star, then join me in finding Jesus in the "little" or the "beams of light", as I like to call them. An example of a "beam" happened on Monday of this week when I was with my mum at the hospital for her CT scan. I was sitting in the waiting room, after my mum had been taken in and a lady named "Doreen" sat down beside me to drink her "special drink" (required for the CT scan). She said to me that she just wanted to thank me and my mum for making her latest round of chemo more bearable. I asked her what she meant, since she goes to Peterborough for her chemo.
She explained to me that she was in the waiting room with us at the last CT scan 8 weeks ago when my mum brought laughter into the room with her actions (which are better spoken about in perons.) Doreen went on to explain how she listened when I was telling someone else about my mum and how it's the 7th time that cancer has invaded our home. (My mum's on Round 4 and I've had it 3 times.) Doreen told me her story and although we had no direct contact, we had brought laughter and a beam of hope to help her through her latest chemo.
That was a "beam of light" for me. It was a small and gentle reminder that, in spite of the darkness of the storm, Jesus can be found in the "little". So, to those of you who, like me, are waiting for your Christmas miracle and/or wondering how you are ever going to make it through this season, here's my advice. Remember, that our Hope arrived in a tiny Heavenly bundle, in a little town called Bethlehem. He is in the midst of the storm with His hand reaching out. So, look at the "beams of light" which may come in many forms such as words from a friend or words shared with a complete stranger. Find the "beams of light", grab hold of them, and let's ride throught our storms together on the hem of our Master's garment.
- MJ
December 11, 2011
Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, announced a fundraising effort to benefit a local charity. Beginning this week, Colin Carrie will be wearing the "12 Ties of Christmas" on the last 12 sitting days in this session of parliament and putting them up for auction.
On November 25, 2011, while giving a speech in the House of Commons, Colin Carrie created a stir on-line for wearing a Christmas tie in November.
"Apparently many people on-line thought that it was far too early for a Christmas tie," joked Colin Carrie. "I thought it would be a good idea to not only have a bit fun with it, but also raise money for charity in the process. Over the next 12 sitting days, I will wear some unusual ties and put them up for auction. Who knows, in the process maybe I might even supplant Don Cherry as the man known for his unusual ties."
The money raised from the auction will be donated to The Refuge Youth Outreach Centre in Oshawa. Dan Carter of Channel 12 CHEX Durham has volunteered to host the online auction on their website and will post the tie of the day and name the sponsoring business. To submit bids, you can email Channel 12 at mike.green@corusent.com or Colin Carrie’s office at colin.carrie@parl.gc.ca or you can visit www.refugeoutreach.com for daily pictures.
"I’m going to do my part and put my reputation as a sharp dresser on the line," joked Colin Carrie. "My on-line detractors will now have the opportunity to not only dress like me, but also raise some money for charity as well."
December 4, 2011
Preachers, called to proclaim a life-changing gospel, often wonder if lives are actually being changed by their messages. Their worst fear is that their words have no impact. Their greatest joy is to hear that someone was prompted to action by something they said.
I’ve been wondering, for example, if my “ten apple” sermon about giving and saving has had any measurable results. At Thursday’s congregational meeting, it was gratifying to hear that overall budget giving has increased somewhat and that seven more households submitted a pre-authorized debit form (HopePAD) in November.
I also wondered if last Sunday’s challenge to attend last week’s congregational meeting would make any difference. Here, too, there was a slight increase. Fifty-five or so people showed up for an exceptionally creative meeting, instead of the usual 40-50. These results, in the area of giving and attendance, encourage me to keep believing that honest and direct challenges do make a difference.
Recently, however, someone responded to one of my messages in a way that was especially encouraging.
On October 16, I preached a sermon about the Christian’s ambition, based on I Thessalonians 4:11. It says, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands.” As one of my sermon illustrations, I showed a cap with MYOB printed on it and had some fun imagining a Christian t-shirt using this verse from the Bible to tell people to mind their own business.
So what did we find in our church mailbox recently? You guessed it. Two black t-shirts featuring the large letters “MYOB”, the entire verse from I Thessalonians 4, and a picture of a hand hefting a hammer. It was awesome. Marja and I are now looking for the perfect opportunity to wear them in public. In the meantime, an anonymous person has not only made me laugh out loud but also reassured me that someone is listening. And that does a preacher’s heart good!
- Pastor Peter
November 27, 2011
Cindy De Jong www.calvin.edu/news/archive/advent-a-waiting-time
The word Advent points to coming—something arriving. And what we’re centered on during Advent is the coming of Christ. It’s a season of four weeks leading up to Christmas preparing for Christ’s coming…It really points to three comings. It’s not just Christ coming at Christmas when the Word became flesh … but it’s also preparing for Christ coming again. It’s this heightened awareness of the in-between time that we’re in—the already, but not yet. Christ has come already, but the kingdom has not been completely fulfilled yet until his return. Then there’s a third coming, which is Christ coming into our hearts.
Darkness and light are strong themes of this season. It so often happens that there are really hard things going on in people’s live during November and December. When you’re looking forward to the coming of Christ, instead of just thinking about the celebration of Christmas with all the gifts and so forth, you get this stronger sense of comfort in the dark times than if it’s all just about buying presents for each other. Because Christ’s coming again is what gives us hope, even if we’re sick or if we’re at the bedside of someone who’s dying. If it’s not just about “Joy to the World” only, but also “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” then you’re given more comfort and peace and hope.
There are illnesses and accidents throughout the year, but because we really just want to be happy and be with our families, maybe the grief weighs on us differently at this time than at the other times of the year. But I think in some ways there’s more space for it, for worshiping through it during Advent. So many Advent messages, like “Comfort, Comfort Ye My People“ speak so directly to a people that are longing for a Saviour to come and lift them out of darkness into light.
The season of Advent takes place in the four weeks before Christmas. This year the first Sunday of Advent is November 27. You are invited to read stories of love enacted, to hear what Scripture says about doing justice with love—to let love orient your Christmas season. Starting on Nov. 27 the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and the Christian Reformed Church’s Office of Social Justice are providing a devotional series for Advent called “Greater Love”.
November 20, 2011
Last week I had the privilege and pleasure of conducting a double symbolic wedding in the Dominican Republic. We’ve known this was coming for three years ever since I officiated at the wedding of Devonne and Jenn. Back then, they had approximately ten wedding guests and expressed the hope of renewing their vows in the Caribbean in the presence of family and friends from the Islands. Jenn’s sister, whose extended family also lives in the Caribbean, decided to renew her vows, too. It turned out to be a hugely emotional experience, especially for Devonne’s mother who had not seen her son for five years and had never met her new daughter-in-law and two grandsons.
There was one glitch. On the morning of our departure we examined our e-ticket and discovered that I had depended on a month old e-mail that said we were flying out at 3:15 p.m. whereas a more recent itinerary said that our flight was leaving at 10 a.m. This was heart-stopping news at 7:15 a.m. on a Friday morning when I thought I had enough time to finish some work at the church.
Faced with rush hour traffic and still wondering which departure time was correct, we doubted that we would make it to Pearson International to board a 10 a.m. flight. But we had to try. So we raced out of the house and hit the 401 praying. Then a miracle happened. The traffic was unexpectedly light and we were reduced to a crawl only twice, at Yonge Street and then again by the 400. But each time we quickly picked up speed, allowing us to reach the parking lot of the Double Tree Hotel in 50 minutes!
As we parked, the airport shuttle pulled up. “I thought I’d come to this end of the lot to see if anyone needed a ride,” the driver said cheerfully. We explained our dilemma. He said, “I know a short cut.”
At Terminal 1 we raced inside. The check in area was deserted. We ran to the counter where two airline employees asked, “Are you Peter and Marja Slofstra?” We said yes and showed them our conflicting itineraries. Sounding like the host of The Amazing Race, one of them said, “You are the last two to arrive.” They quickly checked our baggage and urged us to race to our Gate. We had made it with only seven minutes to spare!
After the wedding, we told Devonne and Jenn about our mad rush to the airport and the miraculous way that God had parted rush hour traffic for us like he parted the Red Sea for Moses and the Israelites. Devonne’s immediate response was to say, “Man, that’s a hopeful story!”
And that’s why I’m telling it here.
- Pastor Peter
November 13, 2011
Wow! We did it! Over 150 people were fed a delicious, well-balanced meal for only $2. (Thanks to a few extra tips, we stayed within our means.)
We thank God for the blessings of:
- 150 guests
- 15 volunteers to prepare, serve, and clean up
- 15 crock pots full of home-made, donated, delicious spaghetti sauce
- 18 tables decked out and ready for our guests
- 1 café area filled with guests awaiting their meal
- 21 loaves of garlic bread
- 18 heads of romaine lettuce
- 15 kg of pasta
- cold drinks, hot drinks, and a sweet chocolate to finish the meal
If you missed out on this experience, stay tuned for round two!! With a few more hands on deck, we may try another creative $2 dinner in the New Year.
Get Connected in November
So that’s what the spaghetti dinner was all about. Giving people a chance to sit down and continue the conversation that may have began on a Sunday morning after Worship.
Getting Connected at Hope is about building relationships. As new and old attenders begin to share meals together, participate in activities, and engage in meaningful conversation, we have the potential to walk closer and closer to Jesus. Out of this close relationship with Jesus comes the desire to be His hands and feet for one another, as well as to those who may not even know Jesus.
This month, consider getting connected with a small group. There is still space for you in a Sermon Application Group or other study group. We have competent leaders and hosts who are looking forward to entertaining guests in their homes. Contact Pauline Kaldeway at congeg_life@hopefellowship.ca today!
November 6, 2011
Every November since 1921 Canadians have worn poppies. This red flower symbolizes the lost lives and blood of our soldiers. In the past and present they have fought for innocent victims in countries around the world and also protected our freedom here in Canada.
This past Tuesday evening we stood on the Holt Road Bridge for the repatriation procession of Master Cpl. Greffs. While waiting I looked up and saw all the comments and signatures that cover our Support The Troops flags. Once again I was reminded of how much we needed and felt your support and prayers for Michael and our family while he served in Afghanistan.
During our years of going to the bridge we have met many military family members. Many of them have seen and appreciated the yellow bow on the flag post in front of our church. One day last spring I arrived at the bridge earlier than usual. There was a lady who I'd never seen before, standing alone. She asked me about all the writing on our flags. I explained. With tears in her eyes she opened the flag that she had been clutching tightly in her hands. The writing on her flag stated her husbands name and the date of his death. We hugged. She went on to say how she was new to this area. She was feeling very isolated and really missing her military community and friends.
I shared this experience with our small group and some of my church friends. We prayed for her and her two children. May 18th was the 1st year anniversary of her husband’s death. As I pulled up in front of their home, the family had just returned from the military base in Petawawa after attending a memorial service for her husband. She was overwhelmed and very touched when I presented her with flowers and a card from people in our church that she didn’t even know. I told her that we all had been praying for her and her family. We wanted them to know that there were people in her new community thinking of them and aware of their great loss.
I encourage you to pin on a poppy and if you can, take the time to watch or attend a Remembrance Day Ceremony. When you see the Veterans, young and old, they want you to know that they are not in attendance for personal recognition or accolades. They are there to remember their brothers that did not return home with them. They are honouring those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
- Annette
October 30, 2011
When the expansion of our church was being planned back in 2005, one idea that received unanimous support was a well designed nursery area. In addition to Sunday services, one of the possible uses discussed was a weekday nursery school to provide a place for community parents to confidently leave their children in a nurturing environment.
While plans for our own nursery school have yet to move forward, we will have the opportunity, starting Monday October 31st, to welcome many more children into our church as part of our latest rental. Renee, the owner of an established community nursery school run out of the Courtice Clubhouse, contacted us to see if they could use Hope Fellowship for up to 12 months while they work on establishing themselves on their own property in Courtice. Renee is a longtime friend of Nicole Broersma and had talked with her before we finished construction. She recalled that we were building an addition that would include a large nursery area so she approached us in July and we’ve been working since then to sort out the necessary details and approvals with the various government agencies.
The program starting on Monday will involve our Youth Room and Room 127 being used before (6-9 am) and after (3-6 pm) school. Our Preschool room will also be used during the day for a smaller nursery school program for younger children.
To accommodate the needs of these activities, we’ve made some room for toys and equipment and will move some items out of sight during the week. We’ve also agreed to some renovations to our old kitchen in the East Wing and have designated it a Peanut Free space. We ask for your cooperation in keeping any peanuts or peanut containing products out of that room. As well, Renee has asked to create a small fenced playground at the east end of the building so that she can provide some fresh air for her charges in a secure environment.
While the approval process and preparations have been challenging at times, we’ve been able to both support Renee and learn a bit more about hosting a nursery school in our building – knowledge we can tuck away in case we need it ourselves in the future.
- Chris Ritskes
October 23, 2011
Every year our youth leaders try to find a retreat that they can attend with our students. Our aim is to help our youth in their Christian walk and to spend time with them in a setting outside of regular youth programs.
This year we chose to go to the Anchor Retreat. This retreat was geared for grades 7 to 12, the first time all our youth were able to go together. On Friday, Oct., 14 six leaders and 34 students headed to Cambridge.
The speaker at this event challenged those listening to become attractive Christians by 1. being yourself, 2. being hospitable and 3. being intentional. After listening, people broke off into small groups to discuss what they had heard and how it might apply to life back home. In addition to small group discussions there were also break out sessions, where we discussed ideas like this: “Even when people were not open to Jesus at first, they were very open to a meaningful journey with a meaningful human being who has met Jesus, and maybe that is where you come in.” As well there was an opportunity for students who felt they needed prayer to stand up in the large group session and for those around them to pray for them—a beautiful and moving experience.
But the weekend wasn’t only about learning—there was other fun too. Everyone dressed up for a hoe down square dance. There was an Amazing Race where teams were challenged to turn a box into a mode of transportation and move their entire group from one spot to another in the vehicle they created. We enjoyed a camp fire and games, and great food also enhanced the weekend experience.
The leaders who gave up their weekend to spend time at the retreat were excited by it. They thought it was great to spend time with “’their” youth in a different place, and also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other leaders.
So does the experience end with handing the students back to their parents on Sunday afternoon? Not at all! There are already discussions about how the three ways of being an attractive Christian (be yourself, be hospitable and be intentional) will look at both RAD for grades 7-8 and HSM for grades 9-12. It will be exciting to see how what we learned gets used in our every day life.
- Alice Brink & Evelyn Oudyk
October 16, 2011
At the end of our morning services, the invitation is often given to seek prayer from the prayer partners who make themselves available for this. Each Sunday, a few people accept the invitation.
Are people actually helped or even healed when others pray for them? One person, who wants to remain anonymous, gave us permission to share his experience.
“I was all set to ride my bike in the Ride To Conquer Cancer. But one week before the ride, I was experiencing lower back pain that was not going away despite massage therapy or seeing a chiropractor. I was consumed with anxiety. I decided to go for prayer following the Sunday service, and three or four ladies laid their hands on me and prayed for healing.
“I felt the spirit moving in me. I felt shaky. It was something I had not experienced for a long time. I do remember that I had that same feeling when I took an Alpha course years ago.
“After these prayers there was a significant opening and my anxiety was gone. I was then able to return to the massage therapist and the chiropractor where I received the total healing I needed so that I could do the ride. This was definitely an answer to prayer.”
Thank God for those who were willing to pray for this cyclist on that particular Sunday! His hopeful story about their effective prayers re-enforces one of our core values, namely, that prayer is central to the life of this church.
Right now we need more prayer counselors on Sundays. If you are comfortable praying with people, or would like to become more at ease through practice, please contact Connie or Jackie, who head up our prayer ministry.
In Acts 8, a sorcerer named Simon tried to buy the ability to heal from the disciples. After Peter admonished him, the man repented and simply said, “Pray to the Lord for me” (Acts 8:24).
Thankfully, there were people ready to pray when the cyclist uttered these same words in June. Let’s make sure that there will always be prayer partners available on any given Sunday when others come with this request.
- Pastor Peter
October 9, 2011
Over the last few years, you may have seen the words “Ten/Ten” in our weekly schedule. This refers to the leadership preparation group that Marja and I have led for the past five years in our home.
By now, 42 people have gone through this course. Many of those who attended have found their way into various volunteer positions at Hope Fellowship. This certainly ranks up there for me as a reason to be grateful to God on this Thanksgiving weekend.
The name is obscure, so let me explain what it means. The first “Ten” refers to the number of years we have pledged to invest in this mentoring adventure, while the second “Ten” refers to the maximum number of people who can attend each year.
In the beginning, we studied a textbook about discipling. For the last three years, however, our discussions have focused on a workshop I developed for the Day of Encouragement called “Leadership Traits and Traps.” It highlights seven characteristics of excellent Christian leaders and four things that can undo even the best leaders.
Personally, I love the conversations that take place at our home bi-weekly on Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. It’s both enjoyable and meaningful to share whatever wisdom we have gained about leadership in our lives and ministry, and to learn from the experiences of those who attend. Today, I am excited about meeting the next group of Ten/Ten participants for Year 6. Is this your year to be one of them? If so, I can’t wait to have conversations with you about traits like commitment and compassion or traps like unrealistic expectations or unresolved conflict.
There’s a sign up sheet at the Information Centre and, hopefully (this is a hopeful story, after all), ten people will register and join Marja and me in our home for refreshments and a dozen conversations over the next six months, starting Tuesday, October 18.
TenTen, anyone?
- Pastor Peter
October 2, 2011
Rev. John De Vries, a retired CRC minister from London who has served as a chaplain in both penal and psychiatric institutions, promoted restorative justice at Tuesday’s Classis Quinte meeting in Bowmanville. As part of his presentation he told the delegates a personal story involving himself and a seventeen year old driver who struck and injured him two years ago.
The police said he could charge the young man with careless driving. The injuries had really impacted his life. But did he really want to take the driver to court or even sue him?
After an internal battle, he chose the restoration route and met with the young man in a Tim Horton’s. There, John talked about the accident’s impact on his personal goals, the young driver expressed his remorse, and they agreed on a fair resolution.
John de Vries is not the kind of person who draws attention to his achievements, so in his address to Classis Quinte he did not elaborate on his blocked personal goals. But I think that I know at least one.
John, you see, is an exceptional Masters marathoner with an amazing running streak. Between 1994 and 2009 he ran the Boston Marathon an unbelievable sixteen times in a row.
Imagine his personal frustration when his streak at the world’s oldest and most prestigious marathon came to such an abrupt and unfortunate halt. Nevertheless, he chose the restorative practices route over the legal route. And today he is glad that his new “friend” will be able to submit a record-free application to medical school, thanks to God’s restorative ways.
But what about the Boston Marathon and his running streak?
This spring, John De Vries placed fourth in the 65-69 age category. His time was a phenomenal 3:22:19. According the The Banner, “this was De Vries’s 17th year running the marathon since 1994. He missed only the 2010 race because of injury. This year’s training included running the hills of Rwanda while on a trip there with his restorative justice work.
“As the Bible says, it is important to ‘finish the race,’” says De Vries, “Running is a metaphor and picture of life—it is important to endure and finish well.”
How true, whether you’re struggling through a marathon or trying to repair a relationship.
- Pastor Peter
September 25, 2011
There's an old joke that gets kicked around sometimes that says, “If you do something twice in the Christian Reformed Church, it's a tradition.” I think an event trumps “tradition” when it becomes “the way we do things here at Hope Fellowship.” That's what the week of prayer and fasting is: the way we do things.
When Hope Fellowship started, we did not begin the church season with a week of prayer and fasting. At the beginning of a new season all the workers in the church were “commissioned” to their tasks during a service.
However, Hope Fellowship did not thrive at its inception. In fact, four years into being a church, we were gasping for breath to stay alive. The body had been severely fractured.
A group of people was appointed to lead the church through a process of confession and re-dedication to our allegiance to Christ and to our mandate as His church. We had been brought to our knees, literally and figuratively. We searched out God's will for Hope Fellowship through prayer and fasting at the beginning of a new church season. When we opened our eyes again, we had been rejuvenated! We were committed to repair the considerable harm that had been caused, and we were prepared to stand up and be a healthy church, committed to our Lord Jesus Christ and prompted by His Spirit.
The process of that re-dedication made us realize that every church year should be started with an earnest seeking of God's will. That's how the week of prayer and fasting became “the way we do things at Hope Fellowship.”
So this September, we prayed. Every evening from Monday to Friday, people gathered in the atrium of the east wing to give thanks to God for who He is, and for allowing our church body to share in His work. On at least four of the five evenings, the circle of chairs had to be expanded and expanded as many joined in earnest petition for God's blessing on various aspects of ministry at Hope Fellowship and for all the people who are involved in them. Yes, we likely prayed for you, too, maybe not by name but by your involvement in this body. I bear witness to the fact that every aspect of the work of this church was bathed in prayer for a whole week.
- Bernice Baker
September 18, 2011
Twice, Marja and I have volunteered to work with Disaster Response Services of the Christian Reformed Church, first in Grifton, North Carolina and then in Munster, Indiana. In both places, severe flooding had displaced people and destroyed homes. In both instances (2003 and 2010), it was immensely satisfying to help rebuild people’s lives. In both volunteer experiences, we came on the scene long after the floodwaters had receded.
Now an urgent appeal has come to us from DRS, informing us that there have never been so many disasters and requests for assistance from so many communities all around the US and Canada. Because of Hurricane Irene, they need volunteers who can work for a week or more in North Carolina and Patterson, NJ. Their job will be to clear downed trees, tarp damaged roofs, gut flooded homes and provide emotional and spiritual support. In the meantime, DRS continues to send reconstruction volunteers to places hit by tornadoes this summer.
So … If you are an individual who could help for a week or more, or if you could recruit a small group from our church or circle of friends, we need to hear from you...ASAP!
Neither I nor DRS can tell you where, when, and how you would be deployed immediately or in the coming months when you are available. But once DRS knows what your skills and availability are, you will be used to meet these pressing needs. Therefore, this week, please contact our Service and Outreach Zone Co-ordinator, Heidi St. Jean, or Marie, the area DRS Co-ordinator about your availability. You can also contact DRS directly by e-mailing drs@crwrc.org or calling 800-848-5818.
If you need a reference, use me. This is an urgent opportunity to make an immediate and significant difference in people’s lives.
I only wish that I could go right now!
- Pastor Peter
September 11, 2011
The two bases of the twin towers of the World Trade Center have become twin memorial reflecting pools. Enormous curtains of water flow through carefully spaced weirs into the footprints of the original twin towers, and the names of all those killed by terrorist attacks in 1993 and 2001 are engraved on the bronze parapets surrounding the pools.
The architects, Michael Arad and Peter Parker, have named their 9/11 Memorial “Reflecting Absence”. Indeed, the constant flow of water into these two voids will help visitors reflect on the huge loss and the great absence that resulted from the collapse of the towers ten years ago today.
Hope Fellowship has a small but unique connection with this Memorial. The consulting firm that advised the architects about the mechanical, structural, aesthetic and maintenance aspects of the waterfalls is Dan Euser Waterarchitecture Inc (DEW Inc). Dan Euser is an expert on water behaviour whose water features have won awards in major cities in Canada and the U.S. The huge man-made waterfalls in New York City’s harbour, for example, were also engineered by him.
Dan Euser is a graduate of Toronto District Christian High School and a member of the Richmond Hill Christian Reformed Church. I remember riding on the same Christian School bus with him when we both lived in Willowdale and attended TDCH in Woodbridge.
When I learned that he had become an international water feature design consultant, I called him up and asked if he was willing to advise us on Hope Fellowship’s water feature. At the time his backyard was filled with a twenty-seven foot high mock-up of one of the corners of the water walls that ring the 9/11 Memorial. But he took time out of his busy schedule to come to our church and share his expertise for free. Now, whenever I see or hear the water flowing in our lobby, I remember the “Danny” connection between New York’s Memorial Plaza and our comparatively small water feature, a connection that seems especially meaningful today. As part of your 9/11 anniversary reflections, take a moment to read Jesus’ words on our water feature.
- Pastor Peter
September 4, 2011
Piria Shukuru walked for one and a half hours to reach the food distribution site in Oiti, Kenya. The young mother of three small children and five teenagers was happy to do it.
“Before the food arrived, the situation was bad. There was no food in the markets and we had to travel far to buy food. This food [from CRWRC] is keeping us strong,” she said.
She needs her strength. Piria, like many in her community, is a herder who makes her living through livestock. While she is used to the nomadic lifestyle of moving to new locations to find water and pasture for her animals, this year is different. Traditional sources of water have dried up. She now walks nearly 20kms to find the nearest source of water.
“When we do start to move the animals, where should we go?” she wonders. “Everything has changed.”
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is helping families like Piria’s. Early in August, CRWRC provided 175 metric tonnes of maize and 35 metric tonnes of peas to 3,500 Kenyan families at seven different distribution sites as part of its East Africa Drought response.
Many parts of East Africa are experiencing the worst drought conditions of the past 60 years. More than 10 million people are affected – especially in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. Through funding commitments from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, ACT Alliance, Canadian Churches in Action, and other organizations and the generous contributions of churches and individuals, CRWRC plans to provide $9 million in emergency aid between August and December 2011. This response will include food supplies and drinking water, as well as fodder for livestock. This essential aid will reach 112,000 Kenyans, 22,200 Ethiopians and 10,800 Somalis, for a total 145,000 people. (Full story at crcna.org)
As part of the Christian Reformed Church of North America, we have opportunity to give to Christian Reformed World Relief Committee to help women like Pirea. CRWRC is partnering with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) to receive a 4-to-1 match from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for the food aid portion of our response. There is an additional opportunity for a 2:1 grant from the East Africa Drougth Relief Fund.
August 28, 2011
It’s the last week of summer. Well, not according to the calendar, but the rhythm of our lives will change dramatically in just over a week Judging by how often the phone has been ringing in the church office the last couple of weeks and by how many people I’ve actually seen during the week, you are making the most of the last weeks of summer.
Even though it seems calm and peaceful, the ripples are starting to make themselves felt in the quiet that is August in a church building. Some of the new ministry season schedules are showing up in the office, and our zone coordinators and ministry leaders have been praying, working, planning for the new season for a good part of the summer.
Once Labour Day and the first four days of school are past, we will hit the ground running at Hope Fellowship. September will be an exciting start to the new year! Sept. 11 we will have a special service to remember 9/11. Our annual Week of Prayer and Fasting, (Sept. 12-16) where we come together as the Body of Christ to seek his will for our church family, is a wonderful way to start the year. We come together for one hour a day to pray for the ministries and ministers of Hope Fellowship. If you think an hour is too long to pray, you should come and see how short it really is! Come support your leaders in prayer (out loud or in your heart, God hears both).
After we spend five days in prayer together we will have a party! Sheila Dykstra is “home” from West Africa and we will celebrate with a special dinner (Sept. 17). Sheila is bringing some special gifts from West Africa which we will auction off, she will share about her work, and we will get to try some West African food. It will be a wonderful celebration that you won’t want to miss.
And as if that’s not enough, we are also planning a REV UP service for Sept. 18, another special service you won’t want to miss.
And that’s just the preparations for our new ministry year. After all that, we start with regular programs for our children and youth, our small groups and so much more. Check out the newsletter on Sept. 4 and 18 for ways you can be involved.
I’m looking forward to this new season. I’ve enjoyed the quiet, but I’m also looking forward to hearing from you and seeing more of you! I’m also looking forward to serving God together with you in this new season he has given us.
- Evelyn Oudyk
August 14, 2011
I’m always eager to see who will join the New Members classes each year. A bit anxious, too, as I wonder if anyone will come out. In that way, I guess I’m like the host of a party, hoping that the guests will show up.
The New Members Class is designed to meet the needs of those who are transferring to our church from other denominations, as well as those who have not yet professed their faith or been baptized. For that reason it covers not only some basic theology, the church calendar, the books of the Bible and a couple of Reformed statements of faith, but also information specific to the Christian Reformed Church in general and Hope Fellowship in particular. At its conclusion, the participants share their testimonies and either re-affirm their faith in Jesus or make a public stand for Him for the first time in their lives.
The best part of the New Members Class is enjoying a small group experience for seven weeks and getting to know each other better in the process. For many people, it has been this class that made them feel more connected to others at our church. On Sundays I often notice former classmates greeting each other, still maintaining the ties that were forged during our sessions.
In a church like ours, with its beautiful diversity, it is important to be united by the same mission and vision. The New Members Class is a wonderful opportunity to respectfully discuss issues and perspectives that have the potential to divide us.
If you have not been baptized yet, please attend this class. If you’ve wandered away from the Lord or the church for a time and want to recommit to God, please come to this class. If you have been waiting for the opportunity to publicly profess the faith that has always sustained you, please come to this class. If you are transferring from another church or denomination, please attend this class.
Oh yes, we begin on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. If this Fall class doesn’t work, there’s a Winter class that starts on January 18 and a Spring class that begins on March 21. You can register at the Info Centre or by calling the church office.
- Pastor Peter
August 7, 2011
Every year for the last five years a group from our High School Ministries has travelled to Toronto to serve at the Seeds of Hope Day Camp, sponsored by Youth Unlimited Toronto in the Jane & Finch area. This year we had eleven students and Jake returned for his 5th time, as an adult leader this time. The students from previous years remember us and greet us with big hugs and smiles and we are excited to see how they have grown since we last saw them.
Our youth were well prepared to lead the worship and teaching times using drama and games. The theme of the camp was “Living by the Spirit” and focused on how the Holy Spirit changes us, guides us and helps us to make good decisions. After the Big Group time, the students were divided into small groups, which our youth were also expected to lead. Transition time was difficult and one particular group labelled “especially challenging” tried the patience of the leaders sorely. As I entered the classroom where this group was running riot, there was an air of utter chaos. Seeing the need for help and that the leader from Seeds Of Hope was not offering any solutions at the time, I ran and got the hand held interactive game called “BOP IT”. This game is advertised as the game you “Bop, Pull, Shout, Twist your way to victory”. After 15 minutes of getting everyone settled down and rearranging the desks in a circle, the leaders and kids were ready to play. And play they did. It was amazing to see the transformation as each of the kids, along with the Hope Leaders, settled down and took turns to participate and cheer each other on to victory.
After camp, we shared where we saw the Holy Spirit at work that day and one of the Hope youth leaders said that the she was thankful for the BOP IT game and the relief it gave their group as they were able to sit and play as a small group and get to know each other better. It was also decided then that the youth would re-jig their classrooms by moving their desks into circles which would promote the small group experience and keep everyone focused. God is always with us in the big things and in the small things. Who knew that a simple game would transform a time that started with frustration and confusion into a time of encouragement and direction?
- Alice Brink
July 31, 2011
“Did you see the new sign?” I asked someone after it was installed. “What sign?” the person replied, despite having just driven past it into the parking lot.
“What are people saying about the new sign?” asked Rick James after his company added the LED message board. We had to tell him that over the weekend no-one had made any comments to the staff.
So let me ask you. “Did you see our new sign when you pulled into the parking lot today? Do you like it?”
I certainly do. I like the updated version of our church logo. I like the fact that it is illuminated and visible for miles. I like the size of the street numbers “1685”. I like the different boards that currently advertise our service times and the counseling agency and will advertise Hope Field and another ministry in the future. I like the way the sign matches the design and colour of our facilities. And I especially like the fact that we can type in messages from the comfort of the office, instead of ducking under raised glass and fumbling with letters in the cold or the heat, hoping that there are enough “E”s to form a sentence that makes sense. How far we’ve come. In South Oshawa, we had a hand made sign pointing the way to G.L. Roberts High School. At Dr. G.J. MacGillivray Public School in Courtice, we had professionally made “sandwich” boards that we placed at key intersections. At our present location, we constructed the large wooden sign that still stands alongside the road. And now we’re blessed with a professional sign that lets people know not only what’s happening in our church but also the time, date and temperature.
In the Bible, there are many references to signs. Signs of the Covenant. Signs of the times. Miraculous signs. Warning signs. Everlasting signs. Signs from heaven. Even a sign written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. All signs pointing people to God and to His Son, Jesus.
That is the ultimate purpose of our new sign, too. If it helps people to come to a place where a living relationship with Jesus Christ can be initiated or strengthened, then the expense of the sign will have been worth it.
So, did you see the sign? Do you like it?
A visiting pastor did. The Purolator guy does. And so do the youth who met at the church to prepare for the Seeds of Hope Camp in Toronto.
We hope you like it, too.
- Pastor Peter
July 24, 2011
On Tuesday, volunteers from Hope Fellowship’s Run/Walk Group helped two staff members of The Refuge stuff race kits for those who participated in yesterday’s Durham Quarter Marathon. Two and a half hours and eighty laps around the table later, seven hundred boxes were ready for distribution. Each kit contained coupons, advertisements, fridge magnets, nibbles, breath mints, magazines, race fliers, a bottle of water and a map of the route.
In previous years, we filled plastic bags. This year, we were surprised to find ourselves stuffing boxes instead. Someone had come up with a brainstorm, suggesting that registrants be challenged to return the boxes filled with items that homeless youth could use. Things like toques, gloves, deodorant, toothpaste and socks. What a great idea! Not only were we stuffing race kits; we were also distributing donation boxes.
Stuffing race kits for The Refuge has proven to be a perfect fit for our Saturday morning running and walking group. Like the other small groups at our church, we wanted to add a service component. What better way than to help organizers of a local road race raise money for a ministry aimed at helping homeless youth!
On July 23, weather conditions for race day were far from ideal. After all, hot and sunny may be nice for spectators but not for runners. But the conditions for helping others were perfect as board members, volunteers, police officers, runners, walkers, spectators and Oshawa’s youth connected with each other in ways both visible and invisible. Just imagine the chain of different hands that brought the donations, packed the boxes, picked up the race kits, filled and returned the boxes, and finally opened them only to discover that Christmas had come early.
Our Saturday morning small group is called Run and Walk With Hope. We welcome you to run or walk 5 k with us through the
