wmbchurch.ca STAY CONNECTED. FEBRUARY 2017 Thanks for picking me up! I m the monthly newsletter, designed to help keep you in the loop about what s going on around WMB ways to connect with others, serve our church family and our community, and grow in your faith journey, wherever it finds you. CONTENTS Sundays at WMB...2 Connect + Serve...4 Staff News...8 Family News...9 Features: Discover SHAPE...3 Pancake Dinner...7 Eat, Connect + Learn...7 Coldest Night of the Year...7 WMB s 50 th Anniversary Celebrations....8 Waterloo Region Worships...9
Imagine being invited to a party a big party, filled with all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All of them showing up unique yet, somehow, better together. But it would be a strange gathering. There would be people welcoming and people listening and people praying and people cleaning and well, the list is a little too long to name them all. Everyone has a gift. Everyone has a call. And we are all asked to respond. So let s go to the party, walk in the front door and discover the beauty and challenges of the body of Christ. Grab a name tag at the door what s your gift? February 5: Hello, My Gift Is Weird February 12: Hello, My Gift Needs Yours February 19: Hello, My Gift Is Boring February 26: Hello, Our Gift is Unity (Communion) Dig Deeper WHAT S YOUR GIFT? Find a link to a free online spiritual gifts assessment at wmbchurch.ca/messages/ #current-message DISCOVER SHAPE: Want to go deeper in exploring how God has uniquely made you for service in the Kingdom? Come to our two-part Discover SHAPE course after services on Sundays, February 26 and March 5. Get the details on page 3. GET THE MESSAGES ONLINE: Current and archived message audio and notes are available on our website at wmbchurch.ca/messages Speaker's Corner Throughout our January series that explored the person of the Holy Spirit, we heard many personal stories of God sightings God at work among our church family. Do you have a God sighting story to share? Following services on Sundays, February 5 and 12, you ll have the opportunity to tell your story via video. Watch for them in our September series! 2
Sunday Mornings at 9am + 10:45am DISCOVER DISCIPLESHIP SERIES Our hospitality teams are here to help you! For assistance, approach a greeter, usher, Welcome Centre host or Info Desk volunteer. The Welcome Centre and Info Desk are located near the main entrance in the foyer. Nursery care (0-36 months) is provided during both services. Check in on the main floor. Preschooler care (3-year-olds) is provided during both services. Check in downstairs in the Lower Auditorium. Kids Ministry (JK-Grade 6) meets during both services. Check in downstairs in the Lower Auditorium. Jr. Youth (Grades 7-8) meet in the Youth Room at 9am. Sr. Youth (Grades 9-12) participate in our Sunday services in the sanctuary. The Morning Glory Café, just off the Foyer, is open 8:30am-12:30pm. During communion, gluten-free crackers are provided in the centre of the bread plate for anyone requiring this option. The Prayer Room (Room 213 behind the Chapel) is available for private prayer. The Library Resource Centre is located down the hall to the right of the Chapel. Discover fiction, non-fiction and media for all ages. It s open 10-11am and 12-12:30pm. Support WMB s short-term missions by using GO Cash Cards for everyday shopping needs. GO Cards are available for purchase on Sundays at the Info Desk and weekdays through the Church Office. Discover SHAPE Sundays, February 26 + March 5, 12:15-3pm, WMB Chapel After examining the Holy Spirit in our January message series and spiritual gifts throughout our February series, what better time is there to discover your SHAPE? God has given you Spiritual gifts, a passionate Heart, Abilities, Personality and Experiences which work in harmony for His Kingdom s sake. Join us for a Cheerful Spoon Soup lunch and learn how God has gifted you through this two-part course. Register at the Info Desk on Sunday mornings or via email to Gareth Goossen, Pastor, Seniors Ministry, at garethgoossen@wmbchurch.ca by Sunday, February 19. Upon registration, you ll receive a spiritual gifts assessment to be completed before beginning the course. 3
Connect + Serve TUESDAY MORNING BREAK Tuesday mornings, 9:30-11am Tuesday Morning Break is a community group for women of all ages to enjoy fellowship, Bible study, prayer and refreshments. Child care is provided. CAREGIVER SUPPORT EDUCATION SESSIONS Four sessions: Fridays, February 10 and 17, March 3 and 10, 10am-12pm, WMB Portable WMB s Linda Flemming will be instructing the course Addressing the Unique Role of the Caregiver, a course she introduced in the fall. Those interested in this four-session course are welcome to sign up at the Info Desk. WORKSHOP: OVERCOMING NEGATIVE PATTERNS IN RELATIONSHIPS Thursday, February 16, 7-9pm, Chapel This practical workshop hosted by Barnabas Missions will help you identify and deal with common patterns that interfere with any significant relationship (e.g. with a partner, family member, school, church, workplace) with a focus on healthy boundaries and overcoming co-dependency. This is a free workshop (free-will donations will be accepted), and all are welcome come, and invite a friend to join you. Facilitated by Christian counsellors and public speakers Bob and Helga Edwards. WORSHIP & ARTS For more information about Worship & Arts ministry opportunities, contact Shawn Branton, Director, Worship & Arts, at 519.885.5330 X224 or shawnbranton@wmbchurch.ca WORSHIP TRAINING EVENT Saturday, April 1, morning Are you currently a worship leader, or are you interested in serving on a worship team? Save the date for this morning of worship, training, prayer and vision casting with other WMB leaders. More details to come! INTERCESSORY PRAYER Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm, Room 210 Join a group of WMBers on Tuesday evenings as we pray for the Holy Spirit s direction in our lives, in the life of our church and in our community. KIDS MINISTRY FEBRUARY OFFERING PROJECT During February, our offering will support the WMB Coldest Night of the Year team, Chilled & Thrilled @ WMB. Sponsor the team financially or, better yet, sign up to walk as a family! WUMBA KIDS CAMP Registration is NOW OPEN for summer day camps! We re excited to announce that we ll be offering Wumba Kids Camp over six weeks of the summer. You may register online at goo.gl/b6wgzb or pick up your registration form(s) on Sunday mornings in the Lower Auditorium or at the Info Desk. YOUTH MINISTRY SR. YOUTH MISSION OPPORTUNITIES INFO NIGHT Tuesday, February 7, 7-8:30pm Join us for an information night for students and parents to learn about summer mission opportunities for Youth entering Grades 9-12, including the Wumba Kids Camp LIGHT program and SOAR Montréal. For more information, contact Greg Reed, Pastor, Generational Ministries. SOAR Montréal application deadline: March 5 WUMBA LIGHT application deadline: April 2 4
SENIORS MINISTRY Seniors Ministry seeks to meet the social and spiritual needs of mature adults 60+. Contact Gareth Goossen, Pastor, Seniors Ministry, at 519.885.5330 X231 or garethgoossen@ wmbchurch.ca for more information about the following opportunities. COFFEE, GAMES & CONVERSATIONS Friday, February 10, 7-9pm, 63 Ravenswood Road, Breslau Come to Gareth and Gayle Goossen s home for coffee, games and conversation! Sign up at the Info Desk. SLICING AND DICING SERVICE DAY Thursday, February 16, 8:30am 12pm Come serve with Ontario Christian Gleaners for the morning. Meet at WMB for rides, departing at 7:45am and arriving back by 1pm. Sign up at the Info Desk. SENIORS MINISTRY LUNCH Thursday, February 23, 10am-1pm, WMB Chapel Join us for lunch and hear from Mike Strathdee of Abundance Canada (formerly Mennonite Foundation of Canada) who will speak to us about end-of-life planning and leaving a legacy to help advance the Kingdom of God. Suggested donation: $5. Sign up at the Info Desk. JOSEPH AND THE TECHNICOLOR DREAM COAT Sunday, March 19, 7pm, Dunnfield Theatre, Cambridge This is an opportunity to invite a friend to join you in seeing Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat by Drayton Entertainment. Tickets are $42/person (HST included). There are only 24 spots available (including 1 or 2 wheelchair spots). Sign up at the Info Desk by Sunday, February 19. Check out these great opportunities for adults and youth to share Jesus with local kids at WMB s summer day camps! WUMBA KIDS CAMP Wumba Kids Camp is a full-day camp for kids entering Grades 1-6 in September that takes place at WMB over six weeks throughout July and August. Through activities like outdoor games and splash days, crafts, baking, music and workshops, kids explore all kinds of fun while learning about God and His great big love for us. We are currently accepting applications for the roles of Program Coordinator (one 12-week paid position); Staff Team (six 9-week paid positions); and Leaders in God-Honouring Training (volunteer role for students entering Grades 9-11). Download the applications at wmbchurch.ca/ connect/kids/#wumba for further information about each role. VICTORIA HILLS SOCCER CAMP At Soccer Camp, instructors teach kids entering Grades 2-6 soccer skills through fun drills and games, and staff lead a Bible-based, characterbuilding storytime. Soccer Camp will take place mornings, August 21-25, at Victoria Hills Community Centre/Gzowski Park. There are lots of opportunities for teens and adults (Grade 7 and up) to help out, from leading a soccer team, providing snack, helping with set-up and take-down, and helping with registration. To learn more and get involved, contact Mary Ellen Tierney, Director, Barnabas Victoria Hills 5
Connect + Serve CONTINUED YOUNG ADULTS MINISTRY WMB.YA wmbchurchyoungadults Connect with our community of young adults, loosely ages 18-25, as we seek Jesus together. Stay current on all things YA by following us on social media. Contact Darren DeMelo, Pastor, Young Adults Ministry, at darrendemelo@ wmbchurch.ca to learn more about or to sign up for the following opportunities. SUMMER MISSION OPPORTUNITIES ACTION Ontario April 30 June 9, 2017 ACTION is an exciting sixweek discipleship training program and mission internship alongside a longterm global missionary team. Young adults 18+ are invited to apply to participate in this experience. Contact Darren or visit mbmission.org/action to learn more. Wumba Kids Camp Apply to WMB s Wumba Staff Team for the summer! See Serve at a Summer Day Camp on page 5 for details. SUNDAY NIGHT GATHERINGS Sundays, February 12 + 26, 7-9pm, WMB Chapel For our revolving-door community, this is our central gathering. Seeking the Lord together is our primary purpose and deepest joy. Everyone is welcome. POTLUCK + WORSHIP WITH SENIORS MINISTRY Sunday, March 5, 5pm, WMB Chapel Bring some food to share, and join us for dinner, worship and story sharing across generations. BARNABAS VICTORIA HILLS For more information about the following opportunity, contact Mary Ellen Tierney, Director, Barnabas Victoria Hills, at 519.885.5330 X232 or maryellentierney@ wmbchurch.ca WINTER FUN DAY Saturday, February 11, 1-3pm, Victoria Hills Community Centre/Gzowski Park, 10 Chopin Drive, Kitchener You and your family are invited to connect with our Victoria Hills community at Winter Fun Day! Enjoy hot chocolate and treats, board games, ball hockey, ice skating, sledding, snow soccer and more. Better yet volunteer! Contact Mary Ellen if you can help out. BARNABAS LOCAL OUTREACH For more information about the following serving opportunities, contact Stefanie MacGregor, Director, Barnabas Local Outreach, at 519.885.5330 X241 or stefaniemacgregor@ wmbchurch.ca GUYS CONNECT Guys Connect is a Barnabas Missions initiative where a team of WMB men spend time and build relationships with a small group of youth from a local low-income neighbourhood. They hang out, play games and show the youth that they care about them. Interested in helping out? Contact Stefanie. DRIVERS NEEDED Barnabas Missions has opportunities for you to help make it possible for kids and adults in our local community to attend Barnabas programs at WMB Church by providing transportation. This allows people to become familiar with our church building and begin to feel like they can belong here. Commitment is flexible. If you have some evening availability, contact Stefanie. 6
PANCAKE DINNER You re invited! Continuous serving from 5-6:30pm $5/person Invite a friend or a neighbour to join you at Pancake Dinner on Shrove Tuesday! Enjoy scrumptious pancakes and sausages and connect with people in our community. Proceeds support WMB s short-term missions. There will be a gluten-free option available. Can you help out? We re recruitng volunteers to set up, decorate, welcome guests, serve dinner, bus tables, and clean up after the event. Contact Michelle Knowles, Director, Global Outreach, if you can serve. Six community and skill building evenings at WMB Church Wednesdays, March 22 April 26, 6-8pm Intentionally connect with people from our community over a delicious dinner (just $2/person) and a fun, free workshop. Choose from a variety of workshops for participants ages 3-99. We ll provide free childcare for kids 0-2. Invite friends to join you! Invitations are available at the Info Desk. Learn about the workshops and register for yours at wmbchurch.ca/eatconnectlearn Walk with us in the Coldest Night of the Year, a fun, family-friendly walking fundraiser that raises money for the hungry, homeless and hurting in 100+ communities across Canada. Funds raised by the WMB team support our long-term local partner Ray of Hope in downtown Kitchener. Saturday, February 25 coldestnightoftheyear.org WALK: Join the Chilled & Thrilled @WMB team. Register online or look for a representative in the foyer on Sunday mornings to sign up. GIVE: Go online to sponsor the WMB team or an individual walker. 7
Staff News We re excited to celebrate with Karen West on February 12 as she marks 20 years on staff with WMB! This is an exciting milestone for Karen, and it comes at a time when she is also celebrating a new stage of life as a grandma. In order to re-prioritize some of her time, Karen shifted to a half-time role beginning on January 9. We re pleased that we ve been able to restructure other staff roles to see this happen as we greatly value Karen s leadership on our team and to our congregation. Karen will remain as the Associate Lead Pastor, focussing on oversight and training of our pastoral team, assisting Chris in working with the Leadership Board, and teaching on Sunday mornings. This year, WMB turns 50! You re invited to join in our celebration of 50 years of vision. Anniversary festivities will take place Paul Chin has accepted a half-time position as Director, Missional Engagement, taking on the remaining 50% of Karen s role. In this role, Paul has joined the Senior Leadership Team, and his responsibilities are focussed on oversight of the missions staff (Barnabas Missions, Global Outreach and Refugee Ministry) as well as giving oversight to WMB s Discover Discipleship series of courses. OCTOBER 14-15, 2017 Mark these dates on your calendar, watch for details in coming weeks, and help spread the word! We re pleased to welcome Sarah Whyte back from maternity leave. Sarah has resumed her role as Director, Home Groups, and also serves on the Preaching Planning team. TAKE NOTE 2016 tax receipts for charitable donations will be ready for pick-up beginning Sunday, February 12. You ll find your receipt in your church mailbox if you have one. Otherwise, visit the table beside the Info Desk to pick yours up. 8
Family News WE CONGRATULATE and celebrate with: Travis and Courtney Van Rootselaar on the birth of baby girl Elyse Annora on December 22. WE OFFER OUR CONDOLENCES TO and pray for: Denise and Matt Fretz and family on the passing of Denise s dad, Theodore Kloostra, on December 29. Janette and Gord Bogart and family on the passing of Janette s stepfather, Pieter Teeninga, on December 26. Conny and Rolf Adomeit and family on the passing of Conny s sister, Lony Juche, on January 19. PRAY FOR OUR STAFF and pastors and leaders from across Ontario who will be attending Ontario Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches events this February. Pray for great leadership, unity and engagement as these leaders participate in: MB Denominational Training: February 21-23 Pastors and Leaders Day: February 24 Annual Convention: February 24-25 PRAY FOR WENDY HUYNH, a WMBer serving on mission in Denmark, February 17-26, during her Reading Week. Wendy will be involved with outreach activities with Power to Change Ministries. Waterloo Region WORSHIPS Friday, March 3, 7pm Saturday, March 4, 7pm Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly One region, one Church, one passion: JESUS. You re invited to celebrate with the big C Church of Waterloo Region at two nights of worship and prayer. For over a decade, this annual event has built up the local Church in unity, love and our common mission of reaching the city with the good news of Jesus Christ! wrw.ca facebook/wrwnetwork 9
Get in Touch STAFF Profiles and contact information for Pastors, Directors and Operations staff can be found at wmbchurch.ca/staff. Staff email addresses are their first and last names @wmbchurch.ca (i.e. firstnamelastname@wmbchurch.ca). Contact the Church Office at office@wmbchurch.ca Senior Leadership Team Chris Stevens Lead Pastor Karen West Pastor, Associate Lead Kim Knight Director, Operations Greg Reed Pastor, Generational Ministries Shawn Branton Director, Worship & Arts LEADERSHIP BOARD Profiles and contact information for Leadership Board members can be found at wmbchurch.ca CONNECT ONLINE wmbchurch.ca Learn about WMB Church, contact staff, browse the events calendar, listen to current and past messages, interact with the Prayer Wall and much more on WMB s website. WaterlooMB Like our page to find out about upcoming events, view and share event photos, and track with our current message series. @WaterlooMB Follow us to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and message series. Paul Chin Director, Missional Engagement WMB Church 245 Lexington Road Waterloo, ON N2K 2E1 519.885.5330 wmbchurch.ca