Thanks, Beth for hosting us last week. Your home oozes warmth and a welcoming spirit. So cool to have Emily with us and to see her freedom to share so openly. Loved watching all the kids connect so naturally. There truly was a feeling of real, not forced, community and family. We really sense that the Holy Spirit wants to work in our kids and the next generation. In moving forward we want to create space for them to express worship in their style, and be cheer leaders for them as they explore and experiment with what church would look like for them. We are brain storming about some ideas of how to do this.
Doug, it's so cool to hear how God is connecting you to your neighbours and other like minded Jesus followers in your neck of the woods in the S. E. We pray that a community of Muslims, single parents, and seekers forms around a longing to learn how to love one another and be Jesus followers...the belonging before believing way! You should check out the Carl Medearis tool called Engage. It may be the tool that you are looking for to take the next steps with some seekers without them feeling like you are trying to convert them. Mac has order the Engage tool and will be trying it out with some from his tribe.
We had a sweet time of worship with Mac and Jo's circle a couple of weeks ago. It is so rewarding to see the kids involved in singing and your daughter's passion for Jesus. A hearty amen to your groaning 'to hear the church sing'. It really happened that night. Love hearing the kids participating in the ministry time as well. Oh that Jesus would not just be a word or a theory for them or us. Esther and I long that our boys develop a real relationship of their own with God and take risks to see Him show up in the mundane and the miraculous!
So here's our rhythm for the next few weeks for you to dive into as you can:
- This weekend Esther and I will be heading down to Taber with Mac and Jo to join the Taber and beyond circle of the Mosaic that is forming with Mike and Andrea. Don and Kerstin will be coming from Three Hills as well. We'll have some Mosaic advisory team business to cover on Saturday afternoon, and then we get to have some fun...rumour has it that Mike and Andrea will be taking us to the roller derby. We'll miss not having you, Doug. For those of you that are not aware our Mosaic board is made up of Mike and Andrea from Taber, Don and Kerstin from Three Hills, Mac and Jo from Calgary, and Doug Rempel from Calgary. On the Sunday we will be diving in with the community that is forming down there. Love the green shoots of the Mosaic that are sprouting up. May the Father water and guard over them! Thus this Sunday there will be no Close2Home gathering.
- Next Friday, October 28th from 10am - 3pm we are hosting a day retreat at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre. It costs $50 for the day including lunch. If you want to join us let me know. It will be a chance to prayer, sleep, be in silence and be introduced to simple forms of prayer. We hope to do these one day retreats 6 times a year alternating between a Friday and a Saturday depending on what works for folks
- On Sunday the 30th we will meet at our place @ 10:30am for a time of worship and discussing or applying the words of Jesus.
- Nov. 5th is possibly another Worship Circle at Mac and Jo's. Will let Mac confirm if this is a go
- A heads up that on March 2-3rd we will be having a Missional Training event with Carl Medearis called Simply Jesus...so get these dates on the calendar. In the next couple of weeks you will be able to register and get the early bird special. Go to www.themosaicnetwork.net and click on the event page to register. If you haven't heard of Carl get his book Speaking of Jesus: The Art of not-evangelism. It will be a family friendly event for kids 5 and up. Duane and Laura will be doing a work of art in the main sessions over the two days with the kids...yippee!
Well that's enough stuff for now.
Peace on you all,
Tim and Esther
