Here comes summer...

Today, the weather was summer-like, but that will change. However, just wanted to share that our VBS (vacation bible school) is in full registration mode. Forms will be available at a special table this Sunday and henceforth in the Church Office. Also we are hoping to recruit volunteer helpers. There's lots of variety in this year's program...so think about it.

Our play is in place for the Sunday School Picnic on June 14th too. Wayne Bryant will soon be auditioning and rehearsing the children to perform a little play he wrote on the "Boy with the Fishes".

So be prepared to enjoy lots of intergenerational fun from June through August! Whoo hoo summer bring 'er on!

A real holiday weekend...

On Friday night/Saturday early, early morning, I had a little health scare. No details...just suffice to say that I realized that I needed to take a vacation from stress and worry...which meant I actually rested a lot on Saturday (Jeff's good advice. I did a wee bit of art, read a tiny bit, knitted one repeat (4 rounds) of socks and generally stayed on the couch. Then Sunday I took the day off (gasp!) You heard right I did not attend any church on Sunday. I can't believe it myself...but you know what...it was a great day. More -- in larger doses -- of what I did on Saturday, but I also made supper and it was good too. Then today it was warmer, well the wind had died down and that made a big difference. So more of the same and a little (very little) gardening thrown in. I am starting to feel like my old energetic self and also feeling very hopeful and positive...something that has eluded me for a bit...Won't go into details about that either. Just say, I am doing the "morning pages" again and getting in touch with both me and God. Not a bad thing, that.

"Give to us laughter"

Yesterday we celebrated Humour Sunday at Meaford United Church. I hope everyone left with a light heart, I certainly did. Many thanks for all those encouraging words on my children's story and reflection (some might call it a sermon). The weather was perfect too.

Today it is a "blustery day" and the rain is coming down, down, down. So... I am preparing for May 3rd when Jackie Ralph will be coming to do a puppet show on self-esteem for the Sunday School. It gives me cheery thoughts to think of all our wonderful youngsters and some of our not-so-youngsters enjoying the exuberance and grace that Jackie has bubbling out of her. Oh and anyone of any age is welcome!

I will again be in the pulpit. This time all alone as Rev. Judith is taking some well earned away time. Before Jackie goes upstairs for her time with the Sunday School, she will sing the 23rd Psalm. Just knowing that "the Lord is our Shepherd" should help us to realize how wonderful we are...

Also Jackie tells me today that she is available and willing to do a puppetry workshop with all interested. It will be toward the middle of June. Keep tuned for details. You can post a comment here and I'll get back to you with updates regularly.

Also we have chosen our VBS (Vacation Bible School) program for 2009...It is Camp E. D. G. E. We are gonna' have a blast, so get ready to register! Whoo hoo you won't want to miss out on the fun!

Feed my Sheep

Are you all looking forward to homemade soup and bread at the brainstorming Sunday School Teachers' Meeting this Saturday, January 7th? Hope so!

But there is a surprise in store. A movie. Yes, a movie. I hope you all can stay to watch a wonderful movie that the Church Rocks Youth Group will view soon.

After this Rainforest session on Love, we'll be having a special 4 week session called "Holy Hands" which I am currently designing. The youth will be discussing the
movie, so it would be great if their parents and teachers were one step ahead. And we all know how hard that is!

Looking forward to getting to know everyone a little better. See you soon!

Rollin' up the sleeves!

Well hello all.

Yesterday went very well, pretty much a blur of activity, but wonderful just the same.

I had a short meeting with Rev. Judith...we're gonna get along just great!

Jim Oliver brought in a new carpet for my office which is really attractive. A kind of Southwestern design.

Diane -- the office manager -- got me set up with instructions, keys, etc. She is an invaluable asset that I mean to cherish.

Margaret, the Sunday School teachers, Rev. Judith and I shared soup and bread for lunch...which was yummy and a perfect way to get off on the right foot.

Margaret lead the meeting with the Sunday School teachers for this session. We are using the Rainbow Forest VBS curriculum and extending each day for five weeks. It is a great curriculum with so many ideas that you couldn't possibly get through them in a day.

Then we got down to nitty gritty planning and that's when I had to get involved. Great fun!

After the meeting Margaret and I set about to cleaning and organizing. We sure put in a full day. 6 and a half hours!

Then I got to drive Margaret home and see where she lives. Easy peasy to get back onto Hwy 26 and home in good time.

It was worth it. We did accomplish enough to make a difference and it's starting to feel like home already.

What will I do?

Well, for starters, my first day is Sunday, January the 4th, the closest Sunday to Epiphany, which is significant I think. It will be a new dawning of ideas, knowledge, relationships...

My first meeting is with Margaret. We'll plan how we'd like to go about introducing this new session of Sunday School to the teachers. I think I'll listen more than talk because Margaret has been doing this for some time and she has relationships built. It won't be difficult to listen to her either. We feel like kindred spirits already.

Work that is fun is where you know that you have been placed there by God...