This Sunday we will meet for a Simple Gathering. As it is a long weekend, we are entering into a restful style of worship, allowing our many volunteers to have a Sunday of refreshment and rest.

We will meet at the picnic tables and playground area behind Chandler Mowat Community Centre where children can enjoy playing together and adults a time of fellowship.

A light snack will be available.

We DO NOT have access to CMCC and will NOT have access to washrooms. There is a Tim Horton’s and MacDonalds close by if needed.

Next Sunday we will meet at 10:30 at CMCC for a time of worship through song, scripture and a message.

With great thanksgiving we celebrate that The City of Kitchener has chosen The Gathering Church as a recipient of their Growing Neighbourhoods grant. The Gathering will receive $7,000.00 to support our Community Suppers and our new High School Student suppers. We are so grateful for the City’s trust in us and generosity as we continue to seek to share God’s love and resources with the Chandler Mowat community.

Summer is here and for some this means a change of rhythm and some time of vacation.  At church this means our worship gatherings look different as people are on vacation or summer work means they cannot be at church.  Kid Zone takes a break. Snack Attack has ended for this school year. There are many ways to stay connected as a church over the summer.  You could plan a play date with another family, host a backyard bbq or simply enjoy popsicles together. Sending an email of encouragement or connecting by phone helps to keep us connected. Praying for the church, the Chandler Mowat Community and summer camps like Hidden Acres is a way to support these communities. Let’s continue to be the church to one another in this summer season.

“Come Summer With Me”

Come summer with me, Lord;
summer deep down in my soul;
restore my faith in summer’s time,
in rest, in joy, in play, in you…

Summer in my heart, Lord,
and dwell there
as if time would never end,
as if all time were children’s time, eternal time
when school is always out and joy is ever in…

And let others summer in my shade, Lord,
and share whatever summer’s peace is mine to give,
whatever summer’s light is mine to shed,
whatever summer’s warmth is mine to share…

Good God of every season and every day this week,
come summer with me, Lord, and let the child in my heart
spend this summer in your love…

Amen.

(A prayer by Fr. Austin Fleming)

From July 2^nd to 5^th, Mennonite Church Canada is hosting their summer gathering at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate.  Evening sessions are open to the public and you are welcome to join in times of worship, hearing speakers and gathering with the broader church community.  July 2 and 3 from 7:00 to 9:00.   More information can be found here Gathering Session Links - Mennonite Church Canada

As a church, we have been asked to pray for this gathering.  For God’s Spirit to move and equip the church.

Long Weekends at The Gathering

This summer we will continue to offer rest for the many people who serve on Sunday mornings.  On Sunday June 29^th and Sunday August 3^rd we are offering a Simple Gathering.  We will meet at 10:30, outdoors at CMCC, at the park and picnic table area.  Lemonade and a light snack will be served.  The children are invited to play while the adults enjoy a time of conversation.  Please not that we will not have access to CMCC on these Simple Gatherings.

Sunday August 31^st is our Jubilee Sunday.  We offer this Sunday as a time of rest, reflection and anticipation of the new beginnings in September.  We will not meet for morning worship.

The Gathering has reserved cabins and campsites at Hidden Acres Camp for a weekend of church camping, fellowship and worship the weekend of August 22 to 24.

In the past, this weekend has been a time of playing, enjoying creation, building up our relationships and worshipping God in the great outdoors.

To help us plan, would you please let Catherine (catherine@gatheringchurch.ca) know if you plan to attend. This can be a tentative plan. Having a general sense of numbers will help us with our reservation at HAC.  Please let Catherine know by May 12th.  

Once again this year, we will join as a faith community to offer new back-to-school clothing for the children of Chandler Mowat.  We’re grateful for Jenny-Lee’s leadership and commitment to leading us in blessing the children in this meaningful way.

This year we’ll pack and deliver the clothing on SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7^th.  Please save the date to join in this time of expressing God’s love to many.

The refreshment table team is looking for a few new volunteers to help starting in September. This would be on a rotation every 4-6 weeks. Please let Laura (lauraannally@gmail.com) or Catherine (catherine@gatheringchurch.ca) know if you're interested. 

Gathering Summer Camp
August 22 to 24

Women's Retreat
September 26 to 28
HAC

Our Vision and Care team members serve the church through offering prayer, care and wise leadership around our vision.  The Vision and Care team members are:  Marlene Hoekstra, Frank Hoekstra, Gloria Lebold, Doris Maiolo, and Alisha Nafziger.

The Leadership Board brings prayerful leadership to our faith community, meeting monthly to ensure we fulfill our mission and vision and faithfully oversee the many areas of ministry of The Gathering.  The members of the Board are: Wazir Ally, Clare Lebold, Craig Nafziger and Chris Pot.

• E-transfer to donations@gatheringchurch.ca.
• Cheque or cash in the white donation box at CMCC.
• Online through the donation button on our church website. (Part of your donation will cover processing and admin fees.)
• Please contact Marlene Hoekstra if you would like to arrange an alternate way of giving (click here).

Click  here for the regular MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) Newsletter.

Please submit any bulletin announcements for next week to Ruth at office@gatheringchurch.ca by Thursday at noon.