The Grapevine. Charleswood Mennonite Church Newsletter April) Photo credit: Ridham Nagralawala (StockSnap.io)

Transcription

1 The Grapevine Charleswood Mennonite Church Newsletter / # 04 (April) April) Photo credit: Ridham Nagralawala (StockSnap.io) T his issue of The Grapevine is focusing on the small groups that have formed in our church. We have reports from six of them. They take different forms but respond to the encouraging words of Jesus when he says, Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew18:20) Titus Guenther on behalf of the deacons asks for a review of the various groups that are presently operating in our church. Helmut Harder, in a short devotional reminds us not to fall into the temptation that violence offers. Thanks to all who have submitted items.

2 The role of small groups in the church Deacons, in our monthly meetings, have been wondering about how our congregation s 10-or-so small groups are doing? Are they helping CMC to better be the church? Are the groups meeting regularly; do you feel your group is working? Do your meetings serve to foster fellowship and promote deeper connectedness? And even if the answer is Yes, perhaps you d like to exit your group and join a different one to widen this connectedness and get to know others in our church better. Deacons are charged (in our Constitution) with accompanying small groups at CMC. So we want to check in with you soon likely by talking with coordinators to get feedback. Depending on what we learn, we will propose some options for small groups next September: Open up your group (without feeling like a deserter ) and re-configuring with others in a new small group Continue in your group unchanged; if it ain t broke, as the saying goes Form new small groups with folks who exited, who wanted a change and/or folks who have not been in a small group before Form new small groups with folks, all of which have not had the joy of regular small group meetings and would like to try it We are aware that some of you channel your need for fellowship into coffee hours at Tim Horton s on Sunday mornings; into attending a book club or perhaps Adult Sunday School; into mixing at CMC s potluck meals and such. We shall respect these options. However, if you are not in a small group, we invite you to think about joining an intentional fellowship group that meets regularly. Pastoral Care & Deacons is hoping to talk to small group leaders shortly so as to get you all thinking about how these groups are serving us to be the church, how they could be strengthened and improved upon. We ll probably come back to you with further announcements and sign-up sheets, etc. Titus Guenther (chair), for Pastoral Care & Deacons Send in your stories, reflections, Raisins, etc to Rudy Friesen or Les Zacharias for the next issue of The Grapevine. 2 Editors: Rudy Friesen (rudynruth@mymts.net) Les Zacharias (lmzax5@gmail.com)

3 Small Groups at Charleswood Mennonite Church Group Spokesperson: Peter Peters Our group has been around since the establishment of our church fellowship groups. I would characterize us as a group of people who like to talk and enjoy the moments of joyful fellowship. Evelyn Peterson would say: "I would say we have been focusing on fellowship and getting to know each other." We talk about meaningful trips one has had---different people situations, exotic foods and foreign hospitality experiences. We have shared joys and challenges within our families. Overall, we have gifted and talented children but we also have our struggles. We have marvelled how Laura Friesen could remain so positive even while Henry no longer could make any verbal comments, John and Edna transported us to various artists displays in southern Manitoba one day. We have tested the quality of food at Ahn's restaurant in Selkirk. Of course we have solutions to many political situations, and good theological answers for problems within the conference. On one occasion we even planned a complete church worship service. As Evelyn would say: "And that definitely fosters community and an increased sense of belonging." Our group meets in our homes, either in the afternoon or evening. Over the years two persons have passed away, some have left for valid reasons, others have joined us by invitation. Our group of 9 to 11 people has most frequently met on a Thursday. Group Spokesperson: Marlene Permanand Our small group has been meeting since 2011, with some departures, add-ins and returns. We meet on average about every six weeks, all year round, and usually on a weekend day/evening. We take turns hosting and planning the gathering. Currently we are a group of six couples. It has been a great way to get to know each other better. Sunday mornings fly by so quickly! One member mentioned it has been a point of connection both with her spouse and with members of the church community. Together we share the inevitable joys and sorrows of life, and offer support to each other as needed (emotional, practical, hugs, visits, prayer, whatever). Laughter seems to come pretty easily, too. Game nights, sharing, potlucks, travelogues, trips to the cottages and spectacular food make it very enjoyable, but the highlight is likely participation in small group discussion on a variety of topics--biblical/spiritual, BFC, secular, noteworthy news events and so much more. We are made up of different personalities, for sure, and have some divergence of opinion, but this makes for thought provoking, yet meaningful sharing of ideas and concerns. If you are not participating in a small group, we'd heartily recommend it! 3

4 Group Spokesperson: Vanessa Wiehler Our fellowship group has been together since the fall of 2013 and has primarily been about fellowship and breaking bread together. I have enjoyed squeezing around the various tables in our different homes, as well as around a few campfires. These gatherings have been a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better and to eat delicious foods. To me community is an integral part of the church and while Sunday mornings are a great time to chat briefly with others, fellowship groups provide another opportunity to build deeper connections with others. Group Spokesperson: Juniper Giesbrecht Our small group consists of six families. We try to get together at least once every month. The families take turns hosting at their houses and sometimes we go for lunch after church. Each meal we have a theme such as the strangest meal from your childhood or foods that end in the letter O like tacos or nachos. Once the kids cooked and did a book themed meal. We made cheese and have had hot dog roasts outdoors. We started meeting around three years ago, and look forward to the upcoming years. Group Spokesperson: Lynette Wiebe In some discussion, our small group determined that we have been together for an indeterminate number of years. We came to the conclusion that it was around the time Eric and Kathy Fast returned from Africa one or two terms ago. (Our group doesn't seem to be caught up in historical record keeping- but rather in existential relational excellence.) We are composed of Mildred Schroeder, Eric & Kathy Fast, Wendy & Ron Dueck, Peter & Elsie Rempel, Moira Somers & Jean-Louis Brunelle, (sometimes Levi and Didier), and Ernie & Lynette Wiebe. We get together regularly about every 4 to 6 weeks to visit, eat, support each other, discuss issues, celebrate our joys, grieve losses, and share in the lives of the people who have become so dear, and so import to each of us. On occasion we have special gatherings like spending a day at Peter and Elsie's cottage, or planning a supper together and taking the bus to attend a Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra concert (which we will do on May 25th, to enjoy Dan Wiebe's orchestral arrangements of Royal Canoe's performance there - go Bucky Driedger!) Around the table we find ourselves taking the time to connect and converse. We make food to nourish our bodies with friends who nourish our souls. In the time shared we celebrate Gods nearness, and when we are troubled we lean on each other, which helps us bring God closer. We are thankful for our small group, and cherish the time together. Best group ever! 4

5 Group Spokesperson: Rudy Friesen The Accountability Small Group This group grew out of the Peace and Justice Sunday school class in The class had been studying our responsibility towards environmental and financial/investment issues. The question was raised whether some people might want to take this a step further. A dozen people agreed to meet as a small group and continue these discussions. One of the first things our group did was to open our books and look at our personal financial resources and spending patterns. We also looked at our consumption of fossil fuels and other energy sources reflecting on our carbon footprint. We are a fairly organized group. During the school semester we meet in each other s homes every three weeks at 3:00 p.m. usually on a Sunday. During the summer months we meet once a month for barbecues. We open with a devotional, and then spend up to an hour and a half going around the circle sharing important aspects of our life. The half to three quarters of an hour before our potluck dinner we spend studying a theological type document or a chapter in a book. Currently we are working our way through Barbara Taylor s book called An Altar in the World. Through our sharing we have become quite close to each other, rejoicing in victories and accomplishments and empathizing and consoling when health and personal issues discourage us. It feels very much like a care group to which the church calls us. So far we have had only one activity outside our homes. One Saturday we took an inner city walk which included a visit to Thunderbird House, the sweat lodge site, the Vineyard Church, the Indian Metis Friendship Centre, Gunn s Bakery and Neechi Commons. Presently our group consists of Vern and Sheila and Megan Klassen-Wiebe, Kenton Lobe and Julia Derksen (Sophia and Simon), Val and Mike Smith (Alayna and Laurel), Dan and Esther Epp Tiessen, Gord Janzen and Linda Enns, Gord and Carolyne Epp-Fransen, Ruth and Rudy Friesen. Group Spokespersons: Agnes & Harry Huebner Our group started around 2008 with nine people. From the beginning this was intended as a friendship group, meeting regularly approximately every six weeks. Over the years our group has changed in size and today it consists of twelve people. To date the group has met mainly for visiting, support, discussion of various topics and of course food. We take turns hosting in our homes with potluck lunches, suppers or dessert and coffee. Outdoor barbeques are a special treat in the summer. Birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions are often celebrated with lots of fun and laughter. On occasion we have gone bowling, seen a movie, read and discussed a book, relaxed in a hot tub or played indoor and outdoor games. Once we went to a cottage for the day and once to a garden acreage. Sometimes only the women in the group get together for coffee. 5

6 On Not Falling Into Temptation by Helmut Harder Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Matthew 26:41 Several months ago I offered a reflection on Genesis 2 that suggested a way of understanding the tree of temptation in the Genesis story. To eat of "the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" means to commit violence (to sin) against God and God's creation. We see an important example of this in today's Lenten reading (Matt 26:36-46). When facing the reality of his undeserved death by crucifixion, and fearing that his disciples would be tempted to join the advancing army of Jesus' aggressors, Jesus tells his followers rather to "stay here" in the garden. Do not join the evil-minded army that is bent on havoc "Watch and pray" lest you too "fall into temptation." In other words: Stay the course of non-violence with patience. Await further directives from God. This is no time to escalate the inevitable spiral of violence that has been set in motion. Resist the temptation! "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matt 26:52). These are telling words to the disciple who could not resist the temptation to attack the servant of the high priest, and sever his ear. Raisins ~ Anya Snider graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from CMU on April 23. Her major is in Communications and Media. Congratulations! ~ Chris and Rachel, Miriam, Jonah and Marcus Huebner will be returning home from their sabbatical study and travels in the Middle East, the Netherlands and Croatia on May 1. Welcome home! 6