September is Membership Month!

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1 September 2003 Issue No. 88 Editor: Pete Ages Inside: AGM Reports Highlights 2 Christopher Bekkering Memorial 3 Sunshine Auxiliary 4 Golf Tournament Updates 4 Edgar Wierstra Retires 5 Completely Puzzled 5/7 Rehoboth Camp What is it Like 6 Joyful Noise is a Blast! 7/8 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) September is Membership Month! The Rehoboth Board of Directors has set a goal to increase the Membership Base by 10% every year. This year s goal is to reach 5,000 memberships and $125,000 in individual donations! We need your help to reach our goal! Our volunteer Contact Persons will once again be recruiting volunteer canvassers to solicit memberships and donations from thousands of Rehoboth supporters from across the Province. Please respond generously when a volunteer contacts you regarding the Rehoboth Membership Drive in your congregation. YOUR MEMBER- SHIP DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We are often asked, Why should we become a member of Rehoboth? Your membership, along with your prayers, can and does affect government decisions when Wally Mulder, CEO/Executive Director, negotiates funding for programs that support the individuals who live with disabilities served by Rehoboth Christian Ministries. If you are not contacted by one of our volunteer canvassers this fall, please take a few minutes to fill in the form on the back page and send it along with your membership fee and donation to: Rehoboth Christian Ministries, Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta, T7Z 2J7 or log on to our website at - and use the Donate Here link to make your contribution On- Line. It is truly a blessing to see that as Rehoboth continues to grow and expand its services, our membership base grows and expands too! This is only possible through the grace of God and the continuing, faithful support of God s people throughout the province. *Individuals under the age of 18 are eligible to become Associate Members without voting privileges. There is a Time for Everything There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

2 Page 2 September 2003, Issue No. 88 FINANCIAL POLICY Spending of funds is confined to Board approved programs and purchases. Each gift that is designated toward an approved program will be used as designated with the understanding that when any given need has been met, designated gifts will be used where most needed. All gifts are acknowledged and receipted with a tax-deductible receipt. REGIONAL NEWS Three Hills Fundraising Banquet will be held January 31, 2004, with a performance by the Joyful Noise Choir Annual General Membership Meeting Report Highlights Rehoboth Christian Ministries AGM was held on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at the Stony Plain Training Centre. Agenda items included: Audited Financial Report for the year ended March 31, 2003 Revenue: $9,459, Expenses: 9,288, Excess: $ 170, The excess of revenues over expenses will be used to retire a portion of long term capital debt and to replace several vehicles in our programs. A portion will also be designated for retention as reserve working capital. We are truly grateful for the generous support of the Christian community in assisting Rehoboth in meeting the daily needs of individuals who live with disabilities. 2003/2004 Operating Budget Revenue: $9,302, Expenses: 9,302, Excess/deficit: 0.00 The expense budget includes provision for $125, in Capital Projects and $221,000 in additional debt reduction. The reason the budget amount for revenue is less than last year s actual amount received is due to receipt of one time funding in 2003 which was not budgeted in Election of Board Members Elected to the Board of Directors for three-year terms: Walter Noot (Incumbent) Edmonton Otto Salomons Lethbridge Barb Slomp Edmonton We welcomed Otto Salomons and Barb Slomp as first time Board members, and recognized the six years of service on the Board by Elly VanAlten of Edmonton who retired this year. Employee Service Awards Rehoboth recognized 63 employees for having completed Two Years of service; 25 employees for having completed Five Years of service; 4 employees, (Janeen Sharrun, Judith MacCallum, Sandra Allen of Stony Plain and Cory Schwab of Calgary), for Ten Years of service, and Sigrid Schlick-Miklos of Coaldale for Fifteen Years of service. We congratulate and thank these dedicated employees for their continued commitment to Rehoboth Christian Ministries. Gifts Gratefully Received Memorials: In memory of Mrs. T. Van Roon In memory of Mr. Tom Close In memory of Mr. Christopher Bekkering In memory of Mrs. Berna Vos In memory of Mr. Gerrit Luimes In memory of Mr. Bart Folkertsma In memory of Mr. Timothy Soodsma In memory of Mr. Dick Pietersma In memory of Mr. Laurence Hall In memory of Yvonne Thompson Estate of Helen Frances Baughman Estate of Pita Van Dam Groups/Clubs/Societies/ Business: United Way of Calgary Atco Pipelines Employee Fund St. Francis Community Ministries Donation for Stony Plain Outreach Program Leder Western Hoe Down proceeds for Stony Plain Garden Project Leenstra Family Reunion The Buwalda Family Reunion Oudman Family Reunion Ebenezer CRC Vacation Bible School Walter W. Kubitz Professional Corporation United Way of Alberta Capital Region K-Jay Electric Ltd. Sunshine Auxiliary - Coaldale Mr. & Mrs. Club Bethel CRC - Lacombe Ladies Auxilliary Immanuel Christian School Christian Stewardship Services Lethbridge Christian Women s Choir Sunset Feeders Ltd. Lands Happy Marts West End CRC Edmonton Sunday School Counsellors at Rehoboth Camp Ministry Church Donations: Edson-Peers CRC Covenant CRC Edmonton Nobleford CRC Taber Canadian Reformed Church Trinity Reformed Church Lethbridge Brooks CRC Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church West End CRC Edmonton Emmanuel Reformed Church Neerlandia Maranatha CRC Edmonton Trinity CRC Edmonton Inglewood CRC Edmonton Grace Reformed Church Leduc Iron Springs CRC Glad Tidings CRC Edmonton Orthodox Reformed Church Edmonton Taber CRC Covenant CRC Calgary Bethel CRC Lacombe Faith Fellowship CRC Fairview Hope CRC Stony Plain St. Albert CRC First CRC Red Deer First CRC Edmonton Bethel United Reformed Church Calgary Providence Canadian Reformed Church Edmonton Burdett CRC Immanuel Canadian Reformed Church - Edmonton

3 September 2003, Issue No. 88 Page 3 Many years ago, a former staff member sent me a poem that I keep on my desk and read often. I d like to share that poem with you now. A SPECIAL CHILD A meeting was held quite far from earth! It s time again for another birth Said the angels to the Lord above, This special child will need much love. His progress may be very slow, Accomplishments he may not show. And he ll require extra care From the folks he meets down there. He may not run or laugh or play; His thoughts may seem quite far away. In many ways he won t adapt, And he ll be known as handicapped. So let s be careful where he s sent, We want his life to be content. Please, Lord, find the parents who Will do the special job for you. They will not realize right away The leading role they are asked to play. But with this child sent from above Comes stronger faith and richer love. And soon they ll know the privilege given In caring for their gift from Heaven. Their precious charge, so meek and mild, Is Heaven s very special child. God blessed John and Helen Bekkering with a very special son, Christopher John. They soon realized what a special gift they had been entrusted with, and cared very well indeed for this beautiful child. John and Helen in turn blessed Rehoboth, by allowing Chris to be part of our family for the past 16 years. In that time, Chris and his family have touched the hearts and lives of Rehoboth staff, clients and supporters in more ways than we could have imagined, or begin to express. Christopher Bekkering Christopher came to Rehoboth when we were just starting out in this region, and many of us were just learning the tasks that God had chosen for us to do. Chris and his family were patient, and we learned from each other. We learned about joy, and laughter, about challenges, and worries. We made mistakes and Christopher forgave us. We made more mistakes and Chris laughed with us and at us. Christopher brought many gifts to Rehoboth. He brought his amazing spirit, his curiosity and fascination with life, his sense of humor, and that wonderful, wonderful, wide smile! We watched him grow from a beautiful little boy into handsome young man. We cherished his happy smile and his indomitable spirit. In working together with Chris, our Rehoboth Christian family and the Bekkerings have become intertwined. In our hearts, we feel that Christopher was OUR special child too, our loss is that of a family member, and it is a deep, deep loss that we feel. Christopher will be missed by the roommates that shared his life; David, Sean, and Andrew, and by the staff who were devoted to him, some for many, many, loving years. God sent Rehoboth some of His very best servants to support Chris and his family, and we are grateful to God for all of them. We take comfort in the knowledge that Chris knew he was one of Gods special children; you could tell by that smile that he knew. He knew by the love given generously and unconditionally by his family. He knew by the quality of staff that God sent to support him. He knew by the smiles and hugs that returned his own smiles and hugs. Christopher is in Heaven now, and we know the angels are rejoicing that he has come home to his Heavenly Father. We thank God for the time that Chris was part of our lives, and for the joy and love that he brought to us. Thank you, John and Helen, Carisa, Matthew, Kathryn and Steven for sharing your precious gift with us, and for letting Christopher be part of our Rehoboth family too.

4 Page 4 September 2003, Issue No. 88 COALDALE Sunshine Auxiliary Lethbridge Serve 2003 Project We were most fortunate to be included in the first Lethbridge Serve Project from July 28th to August 1st. 56 young people from Canada and the U.S. traveled to southern Alberta to work voluntarily for various agencies. Not only were we inspired by their commitment and work ethic, we were the beneficiaries of their labour! We now have a lovely interlocking brick pathway in our newlyestablished client garden, and a beautiful fence at one of our Residential homes. Our Sunshine Auxiliary has outdone themselves this past year with their good works, and for this we are extremely grateful. They were most successful in planning and carrying out fund-raisers, which included: Fall Bazaar; Christmas Pancake Breakfast; BBQ at our May Open House; and Annual Pork Roast in June. In addition to all those functions (whew!), they held a work bee to complete a MAJOR renovation in our Woodshop, which has provided a light, bright environment for our clients and staff. Some, but not all, of their other labours includes: extensive electrical work on our cold frames lovely aprons were sewn for our clients work on the watering system in the greenhouses paneling; fencing; tiered shelving constructed on carts; aluminum signs constructed by Mal Visser arranged for the donation of a forklift from Mr. Albert Hummel of ADM, Animal Nutrition Division, in Lethbridge; purchased many items for our Vocational Cen tre; plus for each one of our Residential Homes. A sincere thank you from all of us to this dedicated group of individuals: John and Helen Bekkering; Lou and Willie Dykslag; Wanda and Johan Knol; Otto and Barbara Salomons; John and Lena Schalk; Hans and Rita Van t Land; Mal and Phyllis Visser. A generous donation of a forklift for the Coaldale Program came from ADM of Lethbridge. Mr. Albert Hummel (second from the left in the front) presented the key to the woodshop crew. Golf Tournament Updates Stony Plain Thanks to the 144 golfers, and the sponsors listed below, who made the 13th Annual Christian Credit Union Rehoboth Golf Classic a huge success! Rehoboth was presented a cheque in the amount of $19,000! A special thanks to the 8 volunteers and the Golf Committee for all your hard work in preparing to make this event happen! Many thanks to the Major Sponsors: Alberta Deck Shop, Aleman Greenhouses Ltd., Christian Credit Union Ltd., Coronet Electric Inc., Legal Freight Services, K-Jay Electric, K.V.R. Electric and Supreme Steel Ltd. There were 24 hole sponsors, 4 hole-in-one sponsors and Winterburn Vending, Van s Deli who sponsored Wally s Cafè. A golf tournament would not be the same without prizes and a big thank you to all those donors. Coaldale May 31st was the date of Coaldale s annual Rehoboth Golf Classic; this was the first year that we had to turn away golfers so get your entries in early next year! The full slate of 144 golfers enjoyed a great day of golf and raised in excess of $25,000 for our organization. Kudos to the members of the Golf Committee for their bountiful efforts. We were blessed with many, and extremely generous donations including five platinum sponsors ($2000 each): Aleman Greenhouses of Redcliff; A and A Houweling of Coaldale; Green Prairie International (John VanHierden) of Lethbridge; T. F. Farm Ltd. (Henry Bekkering) of Taber; and Yippees Spuds Ltd. (Lloyd Ypma) of Grassy Lake. A sincere thank you to all for your participation and ongoing support.

5 September 2003, Issue No. 88 Page 5 Edgar Wierstra Retires STONY PLAIN On September 6, 1988 Edgar was employed by Rehoboth Christian Ministries to work as a Direct Service Worker supporting clients in our greenhouse and market garden. Throughout his long tenure with Rehoboth, Edgar became known as the gentle man who exhibited a God given ability to nurture both plants and clients to their fullest potential. Edgar was also well known for his green thumb. He soon became a favorite Rehoboth Ambassador at both the Edmonton and Neerlandia Dutch Markets where his excellent advice and gardening tips were welcomed by many Rehoboth supporters. Edgar was also very skilled Left to Right: Sally Leder- Board Rep, Joanne (wife) Rob Van Doesburg Stony Plain Advisory, and Edgar in the area of woodworking and willingly shared his knowledge with our clients to create wonderful wood products to sell to members of the community. Prior to Edgar s retirement, he worked as a Production Worker in our Vocational Service area where he assisted in ensuring that produce and products were available for our Spring and Christmas sales. We fondly remember his Boerenkool lunches, which he happily spent all morning preparing along with the clients. Staff and clients looked forward to sharing fellowship while enjoying this delicious hot lunch. Edgar s last day as an employee of Rehoboth Christian Ministries was March 31, The afternoon was spent sharing memories, humorous stories, hugs, laughter, and tears as clients, their families, staff (both past and present), and numerous members of our Board and community joined Edgar for an afternoon farewell celebration of his fifteen years of dedicated service to Rehoboth Christian Ministries. Completely Puzzled Manufacturing A division of Rehoboth Christian Ministries Get all your Christmas shopping wrapped up early this year. Completely Puzzled Manufacturing has a unique selection of gifts that uses your photos to make: Puzzles Mugs Mousepads Plates T-shirts A gift for that somebody who has everything. Visit our website: or come into our store at: Avenue, Stony Plain, Alberta Call toll free : REGIONAL NEEDS Coaldale The Coaldale Vocational Centre is always in need of volunteers to assist with outdoor work and now also with weaving skills. We continue to ask for donations of cotton sheets; in addition, we could use more refrigerators for our upcoming tomato season. Please contact us at if you are interested in volunteering or have any donations to make.

6 Page 6 September 2003, Issue No. 88 Rehoboth Camp What is it Like? Chapel time As many of you may wonder what it is like at Rehoboth Camp, I will try to give you an overview of what happens during an average camp week. Since I was privileged to be a volunteer Counsellor for a week of camp for adults, please look over my shoulder and enjoy a busy week at the Rehoboth Gull Lake camp site! Rehoboth Camp is the only camp in Alberta where handicapped campers spend time with Counsellors on a one-to-one basis. This is important since not all campers are 'high-functioning' campers. Some are severely disabled, some are blind, and some need constant care and support. The Counsellors, after having arrived a day early, are introduced to each other, and then trained for the different situations which may arise. All Counsellors are matched up with campers, and it is the Counsellors' task to make the camp week as pleasant as possible for all campers. As Rehoboth has "Christian Ministry" in her logo, an important part of the camp week is the time you spend together in Chapel and in devotions. Not all campers are Christians and it is Rehoboth's ministry to regularly listen to the Good News! All Counsellors and campers are divided into six groups who are, each in turn, responsible for a variety of tasks, like preparing to open the meal with song, reading and prayer, like doing dishes, cleaning the bathrooms, sweeping and cleaning the cabins for the group of campers who arrive the following week, etc. Each day is fully scheduled from early morning till midnight, and often by the end of the day the Counsellors are more than ready for bed. At the end of the week some are quite exhausted, but they have the thrill in their hearts that they made a difference in the life of someone else, who faces far greater challenges! Each day there is Chapel time in the morning, usually some time for crafts, and sometimes a scheduled outing to the swimming pool in Lacombe, or a ranch close to Red Deer. At the ranch you get to ride in a wagon, or you can even ride a horse in the corral! A big favourite is the pool, where almost everyone participates, and where of course you need to be on-the-ball to ensure that all goes without incident. In the afternoon there is a little time to rest, snack-time and other activities. After supper there is time to sing together (there's lots of singing during the camp week!), crafts or other activities, and then it is time to get ready for bed. The campers are prepared for bed shortly after 9 pm, and at 9:30 pm most are in their beds, and have said their prayers. From approx pm the Counsellors gather together to go over the day, discuss difficulties or matters of rejoicing, and then have devotions. After that your sleeping bag feels mighty good. All in all, to be a Counsellor for a week is something I heartily recommend! And boys and girls, when you are under 16, you can help as Counsellor in Training, where, together with someone else, you can look after a camper. At Rehoboth Camp, we laugh, we listen, we sing, and sometimes we cry, but most of all we live before the Lord as His children. We are loved by Him who made us. Because He loved us, we also love those around us, especially those who face special challenges. It has been a great joy to be at camp for a week, and I plan to come back again DV. Will you please pray for those who are handicapped in any way? Remember that we are to love them, not just during a camp week, but all through the year! Submitted by Bram Vegter, Camp Counsellor Adult Week 1 Just friends

7 September 2003, Issue No. 88 Page 7 Joyful Noise is a Blast! Especially after 25 years Make A Joyful Noise Unto The Lord (Psalm 98) By Rein Selles At the time of the Choir s 20th Anniversary in 1998, there were a number of people who wondered if I would put the music stand into storage, hang up the blue ties and finally retire. And, to be honest, I had my own doubts about having the choir continue. With the benefit of hindsight, however, I can now say it was important that Joyful Noise continued its ministry with children. Here are some of the events and blessings we experienced together over the past five years: We were able to participate in the opening of Rehoboth s new office and workshop facilities in Stony Plain. We helped Rehoboth Christian Ministries celebrate 25 years of God s blessings to the Association. The children were invited to perform in the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Christian Credit Union at the Winspear Centre. The choir undertook their first opera assignment at the invitation of NUOVA in the production of Amahl and The Night Visitors at Perhaps the most important outcome of the last five years is that the choir s fund-raising efforts, together with supporters throughout Alberta, created a new accessible playground at Rehoboth Camp. Thank you to everyone for sharing that vision with us! Continued on page 8 ^ The Choir welcomed Alice Kos and Shannon Brink, former choir members, as accompanists. We welcomed the first child of the second generation of children in the choir. We celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Rehoboth s Calgary operations. the Winspear Centre last Christmas. 118 children participated in the choir during the past five years. There was so much interest in choir in 2003 that the choir had to expand to 55 and ask nine children to wait a year. Do you want to have your Christmas gifts wrapped up early this year? Check out this special offer... Get a 10% discount on all puzzle orders over $ Coupon is valid September 1, 2003 to November 15, Completely Puzzled Manufacturing A division of Rehoboth Christian Ministries

8 Page 8 September 2003, Issue No. 88 Join Us in Celebration! Edmonton The choir will hold a 25th Anniversary Celebration Concert on Friday, November 7, 2003 at West End Christian Reformed Church, Edmonton 7:30 p.m. All former choir members are invited to join us! Special guests (choir alumni, Voce Humana) will join in celebration with the choir! Lethbridge The choir will also be celebrating in Lethbridge! A joint celebration concert will be held in Lethbridge on Saturday, November 29, 2003 the Lethbridge Men s Choir will join us! Please watch for announcements in your church bulletin as to where the concert will be held. I am thankful to God for allowing the children to be a ministry together with Rehoboth for the past 25 years. Do I have any doubts this year about continuing the choir? I only need to think back on the past five years to realize how many more ways we can still make a joyful noise to Him. Celebration Calendar The Celebration Calendar, created by local artist, Heather Hemphill, is still available for sale. They make great Christmas gifts! The cost is $15.00 all proceeds from these calendars will form part of a legacy that Rehoboth Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Church Attending: Special Cause: $ Membership: ($10.00/membership) $ Donation: $ Joyful Noise is a Blast! (Continued from page 7) Christian Ministries can use to help celebrate that God has made room for everyone in his creation. The Celebration Calendar is available at all Rehoboth locations or, you can order on-line at /2003 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bert Kamphius - President 52 Quesnell Crescent Edmonton, AB T5R 5N9 John Bekkering - Vice President #34 Laurentian Place Lethbridge, AB T1K 4G1 Mike Vos - Secretary A Avenue Edmonton, AB T6J 3B4 Walter Noot - Treasurer 7 Lorne Crescent St. Albert, AB T8N 3R5 Peter Van Polanen General Alternate Box 41, Site 7, RR 7 Calgary, AB T2P 2G7 Jane Brouwer Avenue Lacombe, AB. T4L 1T8 Tony Bouma Brook Park Blvd. SW Calgary, AB T2W 2P7 Sally Leder Range Road 271 Spruce Grove, AB T7Z 1G9 On-Line Auction Please note The on-line auction of the three original paintings is being extended the closing bids need to be received by midnight, March 31, Gerry Loonstra Ave Red Deer, AB T4N 3H5 Marianne Penner Box 122 Three Hills, Alberta T0M 2A0 Otto Solomons th Street South Lethbridge, AB T0L 0V0 Barb Slomp Avenue Edmonton, AB T6M 2P6 Annie Visser R.R. 1 Busby, AB T0G 0H0 Wally Mulder CEO/Executive Director Office: Avenue Stony Plain, AB T7Z 2J7 wally.mulder@rehoboth.ab.ca Kelvin Van Dasselaar Director of Operations kelvin.vandasselaar@rehoboth.ab.ca