This Week. Prayers for Katie Martin. Prayer and Conversation. Snack Attack.

Gathering Church Newsletter February 14th

This Week

Join us this week on Facebook Live for as we conclude our time together in the book of Ruth. 10:30am on Facebook for worship and ZOOM afterwards for a short time of connection.

The sermon from Clare Lebold will be posted to our website Sunday morning.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3426095579
Meeting ID: 342 609 5579
Dial by your location
+1 438 809 7799 Canada

NEXT WEEK

Join us next Sunday on ZOOM at 10:30am as we begin our brand new series 'Deep calls to Deep'

There will be elements of litany, worship in song, fellowship, and prayer.

Consider preparing for Lent by gathering six stones per person in your household, which will represent their prayers for this season. These can be gathered in a bowl or large glass and placed in your home. Each of the six Sundays of Lent, as a response to the ways we are being called, we will set aside a time to consider a stone and remove it. Week to week, we will watch the vessel empty, as we dig deeper for what is essential.

Down the Line:

Keep Sunday April 4th, which is Easter Sunday, open as we hope towards an in-person meeting at Hidden Acres that is long overdue!

This Week

Youth are invited to take part in our Sunday Series at 11:30
Sunday morning.

Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/iop-uyjz-cgo

Prayers for Katie Martin and the Lichti Family

Please continue to pray for healing, strength and hope for Katie Martin (sister to Nathan Lichti and Leah Cressman). Katie was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. As a way of updating the community on Katie’s health, prayer requests and needs, the family has set up a Caring Bridge site.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katiephilmartin

...

Nathan and Natasha thank us for our ongoing prayers for their sister Katie.

Here is a website where regular updates for Katie will be posted.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/katiephilmartin

Prayer and Conversation

Steve and Catherine are available for conversation and prayer as we continue to live under restrictions. God invites us to care for and pray with one another. (steve@gatheringchurch.ca, catherine@gatheringchurch.ca)

Snack Attack Update—Good news!

Join in rejoicing that the City has deemed Snack Attack an essential program and therefore it will not be shut down for the duration of Covid 19. Church, this is good news! This is justice rolling down in the form of food security for the vulnerable. We are thankful for our City leaders who are listening to the needs of their citizens. The Gathering will continue to partner with the City and the House of Friendship in offering healthy afterschool snacks for approximately 150 children on a weekly basis.

Snack Attack resumes this week on a new day. Tuesdays from 2:45 to 4:00 we will provide snack packs to children as they return from school. This program is run outside and follows the safety protocols for Covid.

Are you able to join the Snack Attack Team? Please let Catherine know (catherine@gatheringchurch.ca)

FROM THE NURSERY: STORY AND SONG TIME

Please note change in start time from 10:00 to 10:15 on Thursday mornings.

Please join Katie and Deborah for our Story and Song Time on Thursday mornings from 10:15 to 10:35 over Zoom.

Your children are invited to sit still and enjoy the story and song or move, dance and jump.

Upcoming Story and Song Time dates are:

February 18
February 25

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79325517291?pwd=OFp4dS9HUGxEYmEweENhTFRTT0c1Zz09

Meeting ID: 793 2551 7291
Passcode: v4mcgE

If you have any questions, please contact Catherine (catherine@gatheringchurch.ca)

Do you have a favourite Right Now Media family/children’s Show?

Hey Parents of pre-schoolers and primary grade children! Do you have a favourite children’s series on RIGHT NOW MEDIA? One way of supporting each other while living under Covid 19 restrictions is to share resources with each other. If you and your child(ren) have a Right Now media series/show you enjoy, please send that to Ruth (office@gatheringchurch.ca) and we’ll put together a family resource for the church.

Have you moved in the past six months?

We would like to keep our church directory up-to-date. Please send your new address and/or phone number to Ruth (office@gatheringchurch.ca)

Attitude of Gratitude Facebook Group

Dear Gathering Church,

Please receive the words of Paul and Timothy from Philippians 1:

"Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart." (and a heart that misses you).

As we continue to live under Covid 19 restrictions on these cold winter days, our desire is to continue to build one another up—to be encouragers of one another.

We long for the day when we will meet together but until then we want to invite you into a shared experience of gratitude. You are invited to join our new Attitude of Gratitude Facebook Group. Sharing what we are grateful for both lifts our faces towards God in thanksgiving and also encourages those around us.

We hope you will join this two week adventure that began today.

Please let Rachel Morton know that you would like to join this group by sending her an email: rachelkatmorton@gmail.com or if you are already friends on Facebook, just send her a direct message. She will then add you to the group chat.

Feel free to join us on Thursdays. Stay tuned for upcoming groups as we journey our faith in this season.

"Gratitude is not only a response to God in good times - it's ultimately the very will of God in hard times. Gratitude isn't only a celebration when good things happen. It's a declaration that God is good no matter what happens." - Ann Voskamp

Hidden Acres Summer Camp!

Summer Camp is back at Hidden Acres which means we are looking for fantastic young people to join our staff team. If you are at least 17 years old, enjoy working with children and youth, love being outside and want to serve God and others in a safe, fun and welcoming space, then Hidden Acres is the place! For information and to apply, visit https://hiddenacres.ca/opportunities/summer-camp-staff.

Camper registration began on February 1st. For details on our plans for day and overnight camps this summer, visit https://hiddenacres.ca/programs/summer-camp.

Personal Retreats and Family Getaways

Feeling tired, burnt out or seeking space for personal and spiritual reflection? Are you looking for a space for your family to get away and connect? Come to Hidden Acres for a personal retreat or a family getaway and enjoy time in this sacred space.

For more information go to www.hiddenacres.ca
or contact the camp at
info@hiddenacres.ca or 519-625-8602.
Chris Pot, Program Director

Upcoming Events: Virtual Annual General Meeting - December 8