Hey All,

We'll be gathering at the Schultz residence at 10:30 am this Sunday. Doug will be leading us in a discussion from James and Scott will facilitate us in worship.

The Pointen's are away in Edmonton celebrating their anniversary and Pauline is in Winnipeg catching up with friends at a women's retreat...so Godspeed to you guys as you travel and enjoy some R & R. We pray for peace over Scott and the kids this weekend!

There is a single mom and her kids in our neighbourhood who are in need of some beds for the kids, so if you're aware of some beds that are available let us know so we can get them to her.

See you all on Sunday!

Tim and Esther

Hey All,

Just a heads up that we'll be meeting this Sunday at 10:30am at the Schultz residence. Bring your lunch along if you'd like to hang out afterwards. Our friends Mac and Joanne will be joining us. It was great to have our friends the Kungs with us last week and hear a little of their story. We look forward to seeing who God adds to our family circle this year.

This weekend is the Pointen's anniversary, and it sounds like they're getting away for a romantic weekend...so Happy Anniversary, Paul and Shari. Man, I can still remember that day and thinking what a fine couple you were. Thanks for the privilege of officiating at your wedding and allowing us to be a part of your lives all these years. We love you guys!

Our family went to the Bowness Community meal on Weds. night and had a great time connecting with some of our Bownessian community. I sat with a first nations gal and her daughter. They were sitting at the far corner of the room and though I didn't feel like it, I felt prompted to just go sit with them and welcome them. They had just moved into the Bowness from Morley. I asked her why she left and she said she had to get away from a 'bad' relationship. Again I realized how small yet big a thing it is to just 'be' with people and to make them feel like they are welcome and belong.

Another guy named Fraser shared with me that evening how he used to live on the streets, but now has been sober for almost a year, and has a place of his own. He then shared his suffering of the last couple of years. Both his mom and common law wife have recently passed away. Inspite of all the pain, he has chosen to live and get his life back on track. I felt honoured that this man who barely knew me would be so free to share his story. I also recognized that all of us are looking for someone who will simply listen to us. So often I am to busy to listen or feel like I have to have answers to people's problems which are often so over whelming. Yet in reality all we are looking for is someone who has the time to listen and that listening is one of the most powerful ways to show care or be missional which simply means to be and do what Jesus would do...so the lessons for me out of the evening are to keep learning to be a better listener and to embrace people by welcoming them and making them feel like they belong! I can do that by just showing up and taking that first step of welcoming those on the outside! By the way, it turns out that Fraser and the aboriginal gal had met 10 years earlier, though they hadn't seen each other since.


Tim

Hey All of you Sojourners,

Here is a tentative schedule for this Sunday's gathering and then forms of gathering and 'missional living' for September:

• This Sunday we'll gather at the Schultz's at 10:30 am. Bring your "Tangible Kingdom" and we'll discuss Chapter 4 on the U-Haul.
• September 5th we'll gather at the Pointen's and Scott, would you facilitate us in a discussion around Chapter 5 from the Tangible Kingdom. Doug would you have something for the kids, and Shari would you lead us in some worship and communion?
• September 12th: Would it be possible to meet at your place, Scott and Pauline? Doug, if you would prepare to lead us in a discussion from James that would be great.
• September 19th: We want to gather with Doug's Iranian friends who are close to the Kingdom and want to experience what church is like. Doug, will get us more details on this.
• September 25th, yes I know a Saturday, is when we will be gathering with some other communities across the city who are part of the forming Mosaic for a Potluck, missional stories, worship and communion. More details coming on this.

Other gathering and missional opportunities are the Weds. night supper for the community of Bowness, the women's group on Thursday, the boys getting together for beer, wings, and accountability, and on Tuesday nights starting September 21st, if you or anyone else is interested I'll be starting The Discovering Your Dream course -this basically a discipling/mentoring course-both to be discipled and to give a framework of how to disciple others. Let me know if you or anyone you know would be served by this course.

Peace on you All,

Tim and Esther

Esther, the boys, and I are back from our quick odyssey down to Oregon where I officiated at my niece's wedding. The wedding was alot of fun and we really enjoyed have some real summer weather down south. . .like 90 +F.

We were wondering, Paul and Shari, if we could meet next Sunday at the farm. If the weather is warm enough we'd love to check out your swimming hole. Scott, I was wondering if you would lead us in a discussion of chapter 4 from the Tangible Kingdom?

A few of the simple missional communities that Esther and I have been connecting with and coaching would like to come together for a gathering called the Feast. The tentative plan for this is Sat. Sept. 11th though we may bump to Oct. due to the challenges of planning something like this over the summer months when all good Canadians migrate to the mountains or elsewhere to enjoy the great outdoors. More details on this to come!

We would like to try again at having church with Doug's Iranian friends who are very close to the Kingdom, especially the sister who is visiting from Iran. The plan is to do this on Sept.19th so mark that on your calendar.

Sometime in Sept. we are also working towards a block party with some of our neighbours here in Bowness. We haven't finalized the date yet for that.

Guys, it would be good to get back in to a regular time of meeting. What would work best for you all...Sat. mornings...an evening?

That's all from the Schultz clan for now.

Upcoming Events

Hey All You Fine Folk,

Here is a heads up on what is happening in our community the next few weeks:

• Had a great time at the Pointen ranch on Sunday with the sharing, encouragement, discussion from James, watching the World Cup-so sorry Pauline about the Dutch- and target shooting-thanks so much Paul and Shari for being great hosts.
• This next Sunday Esther and I will be away in Penticton at the National Vineyard Conference for 5 days. Doug Rempel will be facilitating a gathering of our community on Sunday if anyone is around so please get back to him if you want to gather.
• On Sunday July 25th, we could meet at our place or the Kolochuk's. Beth, would you be willing to facilitate a discussion from Chapter 3 of the book "Tangible Kingdom"?
• The back packing trip is going ahead from July 29th or to August the 1st. If you are interested in coming, I need to know by July the 24th. We will get more details out to those who are going.
• Worship and Prayer for Breakthroughs on August 8.

A praise item from our end is that we got approved for a grant to do our roof which is a major faith booster for us. Now we're praying in the $2000 for our soffit and fascia that needs to be done. Esther and I would appreciate prayer for protection over us as we travel to Penticton on Sunday. The kids are staying with friends and Joel is staying with my parents- so pray for health and protection over them as well.

Tim and Esther

Holland in the semi finals of the soccer world cup.

Wow, what a game! Tim and Esther and Michael came over to our house to watch Holland play soccer against Uruguay. 3-1 for Holland! We won! Some of our dutch friends were here as well. Love the color Orange these days. Love Holland, love celebrating sports and having fun yelling and being happy!

Hup Holland Hup..! See you all this Sunday at Sherrie's house! 12.30 pm.. the finals..

Gathering This Sunday

We'll be meeting this Sunday at the Schultzes at 10:30am. Please bring your Tangible Kingdom book and make sure to read chapter 2 as we'll discuss it together. If you want to stick around and barbeque you are welcome to do so and try out our new barbie that we just received thanks to airmiles. A couple of upcoming events:

• Next Weds. if you would like to join Doug at the Community meal in Bowness let him know
• Next Sunday, July 11 we will meet at the Pointen farm at 10:30am and after some sharing and teaching from the book of James, we'll watch the final of the World Cup
• Every Weds. at our Lady of Assumption School soccer fields in Bowness there is family soccer for anyone interested. It starts at 7pm and is alot of fun
• There will be a backpacking trip from July 29th to August 1st in the Highwood country for any dads and sons or daughters.

I had a good trip to Winkler, Man. so thanks for all your prayers.

See you all Sunday or somewhere in between.

Tim