December tends to be a time of reflection for me.  The framing of Advent reminds me to cultivate a spirit of waiting and stillness. And with that comes waves of gratitude.  I truly feel honored and blessed to have the opportunity to serve with New Direction.

In the last year, we have been blessed to connect with so many new people!  Our Gathering groups have grown and run regularly in Toronto, Mississauga, and now Kitchener.  Beth, our Director of Community, has spent her first three months building relationships and serving in quiet but crucial ways.  Our retreat drew 80 people with about 40% being first-timers.  We invited people to four Relevant Engagement events to connect with over 220 people.  And the Epic Road Trip we just finished in November brought us to 15 cities, offering 24 events to nearly 1000 people.  We hope that many of these connections will bear good fruit in nurturing generous spaciousness in many churches and families.

On the resource side, it has also been an amazing year for the ministry.  My book finally came out, "Generous Spaciousness: Responding to Gay Christians in the Church."  (Hint: this could make a great Christmas gift - order here)  It is humbling to think that the message of generous spaciousness is in the hands of 1000's of people in many countries on several continents.  We also completed a new video project that we released in August called, "A Church Conversation" which would be perfect for church leadership teams to view together.

Every year has joys and sorrows.  This year it was a great joy to welcome Beth and Danice to the New Direction team.  There's nothing like 21 days in a van together to see how you work and relate to one another.  I can honestly say that I feel blessed and very grateful for the staff that God has given New Direction.  For the last three years, Wes Patterson has been more than a co-worker - he's been a much-loved colleague. Together, we dreamed and planned and saw key projects come to fruition.  Being from the U.S. however, has caused three years of uncertainty and frustration in trying to maintain the paperwork needed for Wes to work in Canada.  After another recent application was denied, it has become clear that the best decision is for him to return to the U.S. Wes will be sorely missed by so many who love him in our community.  And while I hate to see him go, I am looking forward to the ways that God is going to use Wes in a new ministry context.  If Wes was an encouragement to you, would you take a moment to send him an encouraging note as he prepares for this difficult transition?  

As you can see, it has been a very intense time this fall. There is much to be grateful for and much to reflect on.  i have learned in my 13 years serving New Direction to always be open to the ways God surprises or moves in unpredictable ways. I couldn't have predicted all that happened in 2014 and I don't know what 2015 will hold. But I do know that I can find my rest in the unforced rhythms of grace that our loving God offers. 

As you encounter each day in this Advent season, might you find the space to cultivate stillness and might that stillness give way to receptivity and might that receptivity allow you to experience Emmanuel - God with us!

Shalom,

‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ ~ Isaiah 9:6

---

She said yes
   having done nothing to earn His favour
       having nothing to offer
            except a willing spirit, an open womb
barely a teenager
   barely holding back fear
     brimming with unasked questions
          before this humble God
                who needed her collaboration...
We, too, have found some of your good gifts
     so weighty and awkward to accept.
Emmanuel, God-with-us,
   come dwell in us.
      Form us into people
         who know how to receive you in freedom.
 
She was condemned
   having done nothing to deserve this shame
       the disgrace, the scandal of the day
          the whispers, the glances, the sly half-smiles
sexual outcast
     loose and dangerous girl
          powerless to defend herself
            much less defend this mischievous God
                who broke all his own rules...
We, too, have been the topic of gossip,
     misrepresented, rejected, accused.
Emmanuel, God-with-us,
   come dwell in us.
      Form us into people
            who know how to endure with courage.
 
She had no proof
    no witnesses, no chapter and verse
        to validate the strange divine encounter
             that left her pregnant with hope and fear
waiting in darkness nine lonely months
    grateful for one friend
         who believed and called her blessed
               frustrated at this quiet God
                  who doesn't always reassure us we're right...
We, too, have craved certainty,
     but faced lingering doubts.
Emmanuel, God-with-us,
   come dwell in us,
      Form us into people
         who know how to wait with faith.
 
We pray as Mary prayed:
    Turn our world upside-down.
          Lift up the humble, extend your mercy.
              Emmanuel, God-with-us,
                    Be formed in us.
 

 

Just over 3 years ago I was pretty naive about what joining the New Direction team would mean. It's been an adventure and journey beyond my wildest expectations with road trips to multiple coasts, encountering friends and folks on journeys that I never fathomed, and getting to be a part of a growing and life giving community that embodies a reflection of Christ I've longed to see my whole life.

My hope and love for the church is stronger now than its ever been before, and my cynicism and resentment are much softer voices in my mind and heart. My perspective has been so enriched and broadened, it's a very different lens than it was even just three years ago. It has been such a privilege, joy, honor, and life giving and healing experience getting to serve as part of the New Direction team.

Thank you for being my community. Thank you for the laughs and the tears. Thank you for demonstrating unconditional love. Thank you for your vulnerability and embracing my vulnerable (and the awkward) moments. Thank you for the hope you've instilled in this weary heart. Thank you for showing me what Jesus looks like.
 

Thank you to everyone who supported our trip!

$2233 - Resource Sales
$2034 - Conference Fees
$4422 - Donations
$8689 - Total Trip Revenue
$3995 - Total Trip Expenses
+$4694


the team in Lacombe


Generous Spaciousness Conversation in Vancouver

New Direction Gathering groups offer the opportunity to connect with others for worship, prayer, dialogue, and mutual encouragement. The dream was a safe and spacious place for followers of Jesus who felt marginalized or limited in the church. A place where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning folks could connect with other friends and allies. A place where Jesus would be central and where love for Christ would transcend other differences or uncertainties. 

The Toronto group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. The Mississauga group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.  And we are excited to announce that a new Gathering group has begun in the Kitchener area. The group will be meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Friends of the ministry also have a regular group gathering in Windsor. If you would like information about any of these groups or if you would like to discuss starting a group in your area, please contact Beth.  

a time of worship at the Christmas party

We are so looking forward to connecting with many of you at our annual retreat Thursday evening, March 5 through to Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2015. We are adding a day this year by starting the retreat on Thursday evening. This decision was based on feedback from last year's retreat.  However, if you can't get there before Friday evening, don't worry - there will be space for you.  This year we are also at a new location. Elim Lodge is approximately 2 hours northeast of Toronto.

Registration is now open!
March 5 - 8: $285 early bird (until January 31) $299 regular
March 6 - 8: $215 early bird / $229 regular
Registration closes on February 28, 2015

We are currently accepting workshop applications. Contact Wendy for more information.
Stay tuned for more details!!


friends from previous retreats