February 24, 2006
Annual meeting
On Wednesday evening we held our Annual Meeting. It was a great evening of food, fellowship and communication.
“Living Legend” awards were given to Logan M, Debbie J and Bob H in honour of all that they do in our midst: Logan for his work with the Youth Ministry (from which he has recently stepped down), Debbie for her quiet, skilled and efficient work as our Treasurer, and Bob for all he does organising rosters, banking and serving behind the scenes on a Sunday morning.
Amy Hay was commissioned as pastor among us. Amy’s role is particularly in the areas of Youth and Worship, and we are blessed having her amongst us, and look forward to being a further blessing to our community through her ministry.
Sylvia K was voted onto the Board by an overwhelming majority. Norma P has (on doctor’s advice) taken a year’s leave from the Board.
A huge thank you to Alistair Mc and Sylvia K who organised the meal, and to the many helpers who set up, served and packed up.
Pictures here
February 19, 2006
Digestion in 2006
We are passionate; God is passionate; The task of being Christian is to connect our passions with the passions of God - these are the words which are forming and re-forming Digestion, our evening service.
We've been on a journey for the last 2 years. First we went interactive with sermons and giving a variety of ways to respond. We would often conclude with something to digest; something to take home and do. A good start, but we were moving too quickly and in a busy week, you'd often lose the practise. So this year we are making these take-homes the focus, rather than the extra.
Week one we tell the stories of some passionate people and introduce a passionate practice; Week two we explore the theology behind the practice, and encourage them to keep practising; Week three we explore a Biblical story that speaks to the practice and encourage them to keep practising; Week four we celebrate by inviting people to share what practising the practice has meant for them. Four weeks to let the practices shape our lives. Four weeks to practice and in doing so, to let our passions connect with God's passion.
We spent the last 2 weeks laying foundations. We explored how we are passionate (green cards) and how God is passionate (yellow cards). We finished by invited people to paint their hands and commit themselves to a year of practising the passions.
Tonight we introduced the first practice - discernment (here's the take home practises handout). The passion was music; the passionate stories were of Bono and Brooke Fraser and the point was to explore how we discern God in our music.
Helpful resources I have been reading and playing with over the last 6 months while shaping this up have included; Practicing Passion: Youth and the Quest for a Passionate Church
My only critique is that most of the practices do not focus on pop culture. Hence we have started by introducing discernment as the first practice, and we are inviting people to practice discernment in relation to their favourite music. I mean how theological yet practical is that; sourced in God's passion, really practical tools for living that are earthed in one's music world.
February 17, 2006
for week starting Sunday 19 Feb
Monday: This will be a week with a number of pastoral emergencies. Steve goes into the week encouraged by a lovely email; “I participate in your faith community at Opawa by entering into the worship experiences as I read [them on the internet] and agree in my spirit. Your creative use of symbol in visual and audible ways is powerful (to the soul.) Thank you for continuing to share with the rest of us.” It is amazing the way that the use of the internet is enabling Opawa to bless the world.
Tuesday: It’s a busy day at church. The pastoral staff are needing wisdom and flexibility as they deal with various community contacts suffering from excessive alcohol consumption and financial crisis. As the espresso congregation concludes in the foyer at 9:20 pm, the Sunday morning worship team gathers to rehearse.
Wednesday: Another busy evening with people everywhere; the youth are re-decorating the youth centre, Side Door are worshipping and the church finances are being discussed. The consensus is that; the Board are encouraged to set up a Home Mission ministry; the church Budget needs to express generosity and mission for those not at Opawa; equally this requires wisdom so that our mission heart is not expressed by cutting our own ministries.
Thursday: Conversational English and Crafts are underway. In the evening the Life Party happens, with 25 people gathering in the foyer to sip on lattes and sparkling grapejuice and leave cheese and biscuit crumbs. Stories of how Growth coaching has grown people are shared and God is honoured. A good number enquire about Growth Coaching and being Growth Coached. Steve and Jason talk about the Life party as an annual event, celebrating growth in people’s lives at Opawa.
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Friday: Rachel Wilson, Judy More and Elizabeth Brown are preparing to share at the Sunday service, of how they, as part of Opawa, are part of Opawa growing, blessing, birthing.
February 04, 2006
church family birth news
A son, Zachary, born to Amanda and Chris, Farran, Eloni, Jamesa, Micah Landers. All doing well.