From our house to yours The staff and residents of Rehoboth wish you a Blessed Christmas

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1 DECEMBER 2006 ISSUE NO. 98 EDITOR PETE AGES INSIDE From our house to yours The staff and residents of Rehoboth wish you a Blessed Christmas 2 Christmas Celebrations 4 Three Hills Year in Review REHOBOTH OFFICES Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 (780) (Administration Office) Box 1312 Coaldale, Alberta T1M 1N1 (403) #106, Street N.E. Calgary, Alberta T1Y 5W4 (403) Box 602 Three Hills, Alberta T0M 2A0 (403) Avenue Ste Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 7T2 (780) But the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1: NIV

2 STONY PLAIN The Board of Rehoboth Christian Ministries wishes you a Blessed Christmas Rehoboth has been celebrating Christmas in the Stony Plain Region since 1980 when we opened our first residence, Brightbank. Over the years homes have opened and closed and individuals that we serve have come and gone, but the spirit experienced at Christmas has always remained special. Whether it was a celebration at Fort Edmonton Park, Vocational Christmas parties, Best Dressed House Contest or a Family Turkey Dinner at any one of the homes; Christmas has always been a special time for all of us and will continue to be for years to come. Stony Plain Region will celebrate this upcoming Christmas season along with the 49 individuals who reside in the 15 homes that we support, 47 Trainees within our Vocational Program, 25 Families in Relief Services, and 11 individuals in Outreach Services. Merry Christmas from all of us in the Stony Plain Region. Outreach Gang Singing with the Angels Rehoboth Christian Ministries Mission Statement In obedience to the will of God, Rehoboth shall convey God s love to persons with disabilities and their families by making room for them through personal support, advocacy and public education and by providing them with opportunities for personal growth and meaningful participation in society. Financial Policy Spending of funds is confined to Board approved programs and purchases. Each donation that is designated toward an approved program will be used as designated with the understanding that when any given need has been met, designated donations will be used where most needed. All donations are acknowledged and receipted with a tax-deductible receipt. 2 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

3 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES COALDALE Barb at Cotter s Cove Irene and Gilbert at Glendale Scott at Mallard Park Rehoboth-Coaldale has received many blessings over the past year, renovations to our worksite, a productive year in sales from both our greenhouse and woodshop, and the Careers Are Rehoboth (CAR) component to our Supported Employment Program, to name a few! Our greatest blessing, however, has been in people! We are so pleased to have many new people receiving services from Rehoboth, both residentially and in our vocational program. These individuals are MOST welcome, and we re really enjoying getting to know each of them! Our staff has also grown, and we have lots of new, talented and dedicated people doing the Lord s work here! Rehoboth-Coaldale is now blessed with approximately 90 staff members, who provide the very best of support to the individuals we serve! We now provide residential services to 21 people in Coaldale and Lethbridge, in 8 group homes : Chinook, Starlight, Haven, Broxburn, Settler, Stonehenge, Lafayette and Rocky Point. We provide Outreach services for 8 people, and Respite for one. Our vocational site in Coaldale is an extremely busy place, with many new faces and much work being done. Our vocational site now provides work for 32 individuals! We provide employment for a further 17 individuals in our Supported Employment Program, and 8 individuals in the new CAR program. Five individuals participate in day programs originating in their homes. The clients and staff of Rehoboth- Coaldale extend their most sincere wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! DECEMBER 2006 REHOBOTH 3

4 THREE HILLS Successful Year in Review January In the beginning God said Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. Max Lucado struck an invaluable chord when he wrote this comment: Jesus love does not depend upon what we do for him. Not at all. In the eyes of the King, you have value simply because you are. You don t have to look nice or perform well. Your value is inborn. Period. This Bible verse and the comment explaining the verse form the basis for how we at Rehoboth treat those whom we support with respect and value. Clients and Staff enjoying William Watson February Fun in February? Hard to imagine?? Not if you could have a peek at the Three Hills clients and supports on a weeklong vacation at William Watson Lodge in Kananaskis Country. They enjoyed the beauty of the spot, the fun of a sleigh ride at Lake Louise, the shopping in Banff and of course the hot and scrumptious food that was consumed. Brian Mary Rick March A time of important learning with the Three Hills fire chief on hand to teach about fire safety. And fun!! There were a lot of green folks around here on March 17 celebrating the birthdays of the month. April Easter. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God I Corinthians 1:18 Rehoboth is supporting a group of individuals who have chosen this agency because of their beliefs and values. This verse represents the central message of our beliefs and is one that we honour at our Easter celebrations. May Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Psalm 127:1 God made the way for opening a new residence in the month of May. Three new individuals moved to Three Hills looking for a residence together God provided the house, the staff, the funding and all it took to make this possible. We welcome these three new clients to our program and to our lives. June A month of celebration!! Rehoboth s 30th and Three Hills 10th anniversaries coincide. We were able to mark the occasion by hosting the AGM for Rehoboth Christian Ministries followed by a banquet to celebrate Three Hills 10th. A highlight of the evening (besides the wonderful food) was the presentation of awards to all the clients in Three Hills marking their length of involvement with Rehoboth. Making this even more special to the clients Angie at Rehoboth Camp in July 4 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

5 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES was the involvement of Richard Marz, MLA in presenting these awards. July Back to more fun and relaxation!! Several clients attended Camp Rehoboth followed by a day at the Calgary Stampede. Both were great events enjoyed by all. August A nice month to spend some time on the cool waters of Sylvan Lake with a paddle boat ride 4 hours of sailing, eating and enjoying the scenery and entertainment. September It was with sadness mixed with joy that we experienced the passing of Brenda Rashleigh from our lives into heaven. Brenda brought a testament of joy and demonstrated daily her deep love of God. All staff and clients of Rehoboth Three Hills were included as honorary pall bearers at Brenda s memorial service. We have many fond memories of Brenda and miss her presence and impact on our lives. Brenda Rashleigh October This month represents a well-loved occasion Thanksgiving. Many individuals were able to spend this time with family or with their friends at Rehoboth an enjoyable experience for all. Completion of our phone book delivery contract made us particularly thankful 12,000 phone books dropped door to door is a mighty big task and one which is a pleasure to have completed. November Remembrance Day comes to mind. Clients from Rehoboth are often involved in laying a wreath at the Three Hills service. All of us here have fathers, uncles, grandfathers and others who served our country on our behalf. December Back to celebrating!! To Rehoboth s clients Christmas means many of the following great food, parties with their friends and with families, carolling with church groups, going home for a holiday, Jesus birthday and, of course, presents. One thing that we should all practice at Christmas is summed up as follows, Bring your presence to the tree. It is with satisfaction that we complete this year - experiencing joy, sadness and difficulties, but always God s guiding presence and power. From all of us in Three Hills we wish you a warm Christmas Greeting. by Gaylene Archibald Regional Manager In Memoriam The Rehoboth family was saddened by the tragic death of employee and friend, Janina Peterson on November 11 as the result of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident several days earlier. She was 22 years of age. Janina doing what she did best with her clients Janina was employed full time in Rehoboth-Stony Plain s Outreach program and had developed long lasting friendships with both the clients she supported and with her colleagues. We ask that you offer prayers for the comforting Spirit of our Lord to be with her fi ancé John Verbeek and step children Corey, Brendan and Ashley as well as her extended family as they enter into this time of grieving. DECEMBER 2006 REHOBOTH 5

6 GRANDE PRAIRIE Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Clients and Staff in Grande Prairie CALGARY Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Clients and Staff in Calgary 6 REHOBOTH DECEMBER

7 30 YEARS REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Gifts Gratefully Received Memorials In Memory of Ms. Brenda Rashleigh Three Hills In Memory of Mr. Casey Schalk Lethbridge In Memory of Mrs. Alice Bekkering Taber In Memory of Mr. Gerhard Vos Granum Wedding In honor of Arie & Wanda Korevaar s Wedding Taber Corporations Brightview Bus Lines Ltd. Wetaskiwin Church Donations Barrhead Canadian Reformed Church Bethel CRC - Lacombe Bethel Free Reformed Church Monarch Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church Covenant CRC Edmonton Ebenezer CRC Leduc Emmanuel CRC Calgary First CRC Edmonton First CRC Medicine Hat First CRC Red Deer Grace Reformed Church Leduc Granum CRC Immanuel Canadian Reformed Church Edmonton Inglewood CRC Edmonton Iron Springs CRC Maranatha CRC Calgary Maranatha CRC Edmonton Neerlandia Canadian Reformed Church Nobleford CRC Providence Canadian Reformed Church Edmonton St. Albert Canadian Reformed Church Taber Canadian Reformed Church Taber CRC Trinity Reformed Church Lethbridge Woodynook CRC Lacombe Thanksgiving Offering Groups/Clubs/Societies - John & Sally Leder & family Hoe Down - a total of $16, was raised in support of Rehoboth Gull Lake Camp. - The Dekker Family Shalom Charitable Foundation Sherwood Park - United Way of Calgary and area Donor Choice Program - Dutch Canadian Club Red Deer Membership Campaign The month of September was designated as Membership Campaign month. We gratefully acknowledge the work of the Contact Persons and Canvassers in raising $36, in Memberships and donations from across the Province to date. Should you have been missed during this year s annual campaign and still wish to contribute your membership fee and donation, please mail it directly to Rehoboth Christian Ministries at Avenue, Stony Plain, AB, T7Z 2J7 or you can contribute via the Rehoboth website at Friesian Clock not ticking? I can restore your precious family heirloom so that it will run for generations. The intent of this project is to raise funds in support of Rehoboth Christian Ministries. Upon accepting my estimate, your payment will be made as an tax deductible donation to Rehoboth! For a free estimate contact: Morris Kool m_kool@shaw.ca Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Church Attending: Special Cause: Membership Form $ Membership: ($10.00/member) $ Donation: DECEMBER 2006 REHOBOTH $ 7

8 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Join Our Team Apply Today! Would you like to join the Rehoboth Employee Family and have meaningful employment? You can now review employment opportunities in all our regions on our website at: rehoboth.ab.ca simply click onto Employment Opportunities. Each position details the location, hours of work, salary ranges and preferred employment requirements. Find further information by clicking onto the underlined position title and attach your resume! We are blessed to serve the individuals in our care. Come join our family!!! CORRECTION Annual General Membership Meeting Financial Report I n the September issue of the Rehoboth Newsletter, the Annual General Meeting Report, point 1, indicated an excess of $622, in revenue over Operational expenses. This figure does not accurately represent Rehoboth s actual revenue/expense surplus as it does not include allocation to capital projects and reserve accounts. The actual net excess revenue over expenses for the year ended March 31, 2006 is $101, We apologize for any confusion this report may have caused BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Bekkering President Lethbridge Tony Bouma Vice President Calgary Mike Vos Secretary Edmonton Bert Kamphius General Alternate/ Treasurer Edmonton Al Brander, High River Jane Brouwer, St. Albert Marianne Penner, Three Hills Otto Salomons, Lethbridge Barb Slomp, Edmonton Annie Visser, Lacombe Wally Mulder CEO/Executive Director Offi ce: Avenue Stony Plain, Alberta T7Z 2J7 wally.mulder@rehoboth.ab.ca Rehoboth Camp Ministry is looking for Volunteer Counselors for the summer camp program. Camp Dates for 2007 Adult 1 June 30 July 6 Adult 2 July 7 July 13 Independent July 14 July 20 Youth July 21 July 27 For information or application forms, contact Pete Ages at or pete.ages@rehoboth.ab.ca Don t miss the FUN! 8 REHOBOTH DECEMBER