Announcements

Explore the meaning of life. The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening manner in 10 thought-provoking sessions.

 

It’s low-key, friendly and fun! More than 10 million people worldwide have already completed the course. These courses run in churches, homes, workplaces, pubs, prisons, military bases and school campuses. Join us on the journey of discovery!

 

The next course begins Sept 29th 6:30 – 9 pm at Barrhaven Fellowship CRC. Please contact Andrea norg at bfcrc@magma.ca or (613) 825-7512 to register for the course. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

SMALL GROUPS: We are planning our annual Small Group kick-off for Sunday, October 4 from 6:00 to 7:00pm at the church. This kick-off is an opportunity to regroup, talk about small groups, invite new members, choose material, and maybe switch up the groups a bit. And of course share some dessert together. We would like to encourage all the current groups to try to meet at least once in September (small group Sundays will be on September 6 and September 20). At your meeting discuss any ideas you might have, plans for the year, what is working, what isn’t working, whether or not you want to change up the group, materials you may want to study, etc. It would be nice if someone very brave from the group would share the results of the discussion with the bigger group on October 4.

 

For those not in a Small Group and want to find out all about the great things you are missing by not being part of a small group – please come out on October 4!! Please feel free to contact Lorraine Lemyre at llemyre@eds.ca or Ray Buisman at raybuisman@rogers.com for more information.

 

CHILDREN'S CHURCH: Fall is quickly approaching and we are working to get ready for children's church. If you are interested in volunteering as a teacher, helper, music leader, or substitute please contact Renee Gray (renee.gray@sympatico.ca) or Laura Perreault (elle.perreault@gmail.com).

 

GEMS: The new GEMS season is fast approaching and as mentioned at the end of last season, we are still in need of a few new counselors! We are planning to change the starting time from 6:30 to 7:00 and then be done at 8:30 instead of the previous 8:00, in order to accommodate counselors who also work outside the home. (These time changes will be coordinated with the Cadets, and have yet to be confirmed.) We realize this raises an issue with the 7 year olds who already have a hard time staying awake through GEMS. With the limited amount of space and time slots available at the church for GEMS and Cadets, as well as the difficulty getting counselors, we would also like to raise the starting age to 8 (grade 3). By raising the starting age to 8, we also eliminate problems transporting girls to off site events due to the car seat laws.

 

The past 2 years have been more difficult for myself and the other counselors because I also had a group, as well as the club coordinator position. This was extremely stressful for all of us since I could not do much of the prep work or be as organized as I have in the past. When the club coordinator does her job well, the counselors jobs also run much more smoothly. Preparation time is reduced, stress is reduced, and the counselors become a team that shares with and encourages each other and the girls. If you would like more information about what is involved in being a counselor, or are interested in a Saturday morning information session, please contact me as soon as possible. Being a GEMS counselor does indeed require time and commitment, but our Abba Father blesses us more than we can imagine when we willing share our hearts and our talents with his children…and when we remember to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present (y)our requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. (this year’s theme verse).

 

Our theme this year is “PRAYER – no worries”. Join the counselors in prayer concerning the upcoming season. Pray that the need for counselors is filled and continue to pray for us and the girls throughout the year. Pray that we all learn to put our worries aside and allow God to do his work through us and in us.

 

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to know more about GEMS, please contact Jane Mulder at mulderjane@hotmail.com.

 

FRIENDSHIP CLUB: You are invited to come and participate in the Friendship Club of Ottawa. The Friendship Club is a ministry designed specially for members of our community with cognitive impairments. If you are interested in being a participant or a volunteer, please contact Michelle Horst through the office at Calvin Christian Reformed Church (613-225-2889 #4).

 

When: Friendship Club starts on September 22nd and runs every other Tuesday.

Time: 7-8:30 pm.

Where: Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 1475 Merivale Rd.

 

DAY OF ENCOURANGEMENT: Eastern Ontario. Come join us at our very own Day of Encouragement - a day of worship, an inspiring theme, a good selection of workshops, fellowship, encouragement and good food - brought to you by your deacons and youth leaders. The aim is to support all those who wish to love their neighbour in word and in deed. It will be held at Calvin CRC in Ottawa on Saturday, September 19, 2009. For program details see our pamphlet (if not already there, coming soon). Early bird registration is $20. Register with our registrar: Wined Klein at (613) 228-9693, e-mail at dayatcalvin@yahoo.ca. For more information contact Paul Steiginga 613-823-2201.

 

FOOD CUPBOARD: The Food Cupboard is still looking for an additional dispatcher. While they have had an influx of new volunteers the position of dispatching is proving more difficult to fill. Basically the individual would need access to a phone and would track the incoming orders for pick up and arrange drivers for the delivery orders. There is some potential lifting but this can be delegated to other volunteers if needed. If you are interested at all or would like more details please contact Peter Oegema.

 

THRIFT STORE OPENING: The BFM (Bibles for Missions) Thrift Store opened for business on Monday, August, 24. The store is quite large allowing us to offer a wide selection of merchandise including: clothing, household articles, furniture, books, various knick-knacks etc. All of our personnel are volunteers. If you would like to become a volunteer (4 hour shifts per week), please contact the store at 613-288-1996. Training will be provided.

 

If you would like to donate good quality items, please deliver them to the store during business hours which are 10:00 am to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. We will pick up large furniture or appliances if you are unable to deliver them. Please call the store to make arrangements. The store is located in a former Bingo Hall located at 1545 Merivale Road. You can access the parking lot by turning east off of Merivale between Cora's Restaurant and the Ultramar Gas Station.