Month: November 2015

Third + Bird Christmas Craft Sale

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This weekend commences the annual Christmas Craft Sale by Third + Bird! We have more vendors than years past, meaning the sale will be lengthened to two weekends! This is a time to support many local vendors and crafters as well as supporting the Nepal women’s co-op. We have had more cookie bakers baking for Nepal than ever before. 100% of the funds earned from our cookie table, raffle table, and Nepali table will be supporting the Nepali women’s co-op.

What a great opportunity to continue supporting not only Nepal, but also young entrepreneurs starting their local businesses. So get your craft on! Join us at 782 Main Street beginning this Friday, November 27th, till the 28th, AND on December the 5th! We will see you there!

Entrance fee: $3 (Kids under 12 enter for free!)

Cookies for Nepal

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Hi Everyone,

I was so moved by how a few people from our drop in community responded to making cookies for Nepal that I wanted to share it with you.

Gordon (aka “Blackie”) and Georgina came to all three cookie sessions.  They were so wonderful and engaged.  We worked hard for a good three hours each Friday.  These two told me that they have never made cookies before!  I don’t know if that’s true, communication is interesting, but I think it’s likely.  There’s something about this that shakes me a little.

Anyway, Kenny also came one week.  Kristin Dahl came the first week.  And Richard Sinclair came twice.  He only missed the last session because of a doctors appointment.

They worked really hard!  They also paid a dollar each time they came.  And they talked about how good it was to be able to do something to give to Nepal.  It was beautiful to me.

Another highlight: One of the requirements to attend was that you had to be sober.  The first week Blackie and Georgina told me that they were walking up Main in the morning and some friends had invited them to have a drink.  They said, “No.  We’re going to make cookies today.”  They came sober every week.

My heart could burst.

In the end, 200 cookies were made.  But I have a feeling this was about more than that.

~ Jessica Williams

Flatlanders Inn Update

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For those of you who were not in the Downstairs Gathering last Sunday, this little update is for you.  There have been changes in Flatlanders Inn.

Tara

Tara

We want to welcome Tara Glowacki as our new Flatlanders Inn Administrator!  Tara began working on a part-time basis last week.  We’re excited for the passion, connection and expertise she brings to the position.  Welcome, Tara!

We have also had some changes to the Leadership Team.  Jeff & Amanda Leighton have been around a long time and are founding members.  Laura Dahl has recently finished a prospective Leader phase and we’re excited to have her as a full-on Leadership Team member!  Ian & Jessica Williams moved in a year ago to explore what living at Flatlanders was like.  Together, we’ve been feeling like they should be exploring what being leaders in Flatlanders looks like.  So we’ve invited them to be prospective Leadership team members.  This is a 6 month process which is meant to see if it’s a good fit for them.  Andy Wood is also on the Leadership team and provides pastoral oversight.

 

Kelly & Brendan Dvorak have recently moved out after having lived and led in the community for the last 5 years.  They’ve been a tremendous blessing in so many ways.  We sincerely thank them for all they’ve done and the ways they’ve opened their lives up to those who have called Flatlanders Inn home these past years.  While community living with people who are at risk of homelessness always has challenges, the past season has been more difficult than normal.  It’s a sad and hard departure.

On Sunday, we prayed for the current team.  They appreciated it and felt the love and support of the church family.  Thanks for that!

More info on Flatlanders Inn.

A Gift: The Light That Leads Us Home

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The first Sunday of the Advent season is November 29.  Advent is the official beginning of the “worship year” in the Christian calendar.  It is a season of preparation and waiting for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah.  We celebrate his first coming – our Saviour, born in a manger.  We expectantly look for his appearance in our lives today.  And, our hearts are drawn to the future as we long for his final returning when he comes again.
TLTLUH Cover

There are many stories that compete for our attention and allegiance in this season.  There is only one Light, one real story, that has the power to transform our lives and our world.  This is what we’re reaching for.

This year we are going to enter the true story of Christmas together.  We have a small devotional gift for you!  It’s a little booklet entitled “The Light that Leads Us Home”.  It contains weekly scriptures and a short thought you can read by yourself, or with others.  We will be handing them out this Sunday, November 22.  You can get one from an usher or at the info table.  If you’re going to be in the kid’s area, Jodi will distribute them to you.  Our hope is that they will enrich this season of preparation for you and those you celebrate with.

Blessings as we enter this season of waiting, anticipation and preparation together!