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from the director...
What a whirlwind season! We are overdue with updating you on the happenings of the ministry – but so grateful and excited to share highlights and upcoming events! When people say, “How’s it going with New Direction?” I usually say that the ministry is growing by leaps and bounds ….. but we need to continue to build a stronger regular financial support base. Check out the announcement of our new “Summer Drive” campaign – and please consider how you might support our work to nurture generous space!
Shalom,
Isaiah 43:18,19 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
generous space in tumultuous times
Bombarded. That’s the word that might best describe the influx of opinions and reactions that I’m navigating with Christians, non-Christians, gay, straight, transgender, cis-gender, young and old. Caitlyn Jenner. Supreme Court ruling. Denominational conversations. Social media rainbow-ized. Families disagreeing. Fears arising.
Perhaps some of you are feeling the same way. Too many blogs to read. Too many views to process. Too much emotion. It can be exhausting.
In the midst of all of this hub-bub, generous spaciousness offers clear priorities and wisdom for the road ahead.
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We cultivate unity in diversity recognizing the impact that has on our public witness.
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We acknowledge that Christians deeply committed to the Scriptures and in good conscience come to different conclusions on the question of same-sex relationships.
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We engage the tensions in diversity as the opportunity for spiritual growth.
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We understand this to be an interpretive matter knowing that no one is a perfect interpreter.
The way of generous spaciousness seeks to defuse and deconstruct fear and anxiety around these matters. We believe that God is bigger than our disagreements, God is faithful regardless of our struggles, and God will sustain the people of God through this tumultuous time. Generous spaciousness calls for courage, integrity, and solidarity with those on the margins. And we support and encourage those who step out, in their particular context, to declare God’s love for ALL people.
New Direction is working with the church to embody the core values of generous spaciousness:
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Humility ~ Might I be wrong?
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Hospitality ~ Whose voices are missing?
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Mutuality ~ How will I encounter God in the other?
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Justice ~ How can I help dismantle the barriers preventing others from flourishing?
In our Generous Space groups, we are cultivating communities that are shaped by these same values. Times of dialogue focus on deepening our relationship with Christ rather than arguing or trying to convince one another of particular theological positions.
While many were debating theoretical ideas, our community was cooking meals for a transgender friend recovering from surgery; sharing requests and praying for each other; supporting each other through depression; encouraging those looking for housing and jobs; celebrating engagements and marriages; planning events; and connecting for food and laughter.
We believe generous space is a way forward that will humanize and extend respect to all those willing to engage in dialogue at the intersection of faith and sexuality.
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summer drive
Summer is typically a lean time for donations... so it's a perfect time for a fundraising campaign, right? In the last year we've lost some donors who perceive us to be too inclusive, and we've made a lot of new contacts who may be unaware of our financial need. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we have the opportunity to match your financial gifts over the summer, up to $6000. In this "Summer Drive," we hope to raise $3000/mo. in committed/regular giving, and another $12,000 in one-time gifts. For every new monthly donor (or increase in monthly giving), their first installment will be matched, and 25% of all one-time gifts will be matched. Visit our donation page to donate today, and in the comment box, please type the words "summer drive" so that your funds will be matched! Thank you!
come camping with us!
We're excited to announce New Direction's first Generous Space CampOUT, a camping trip we're planning over the August Long Weekend (Jul. 31-Aug. 3). Brian Walsh & Sylvia Keesmaat, two professors and theologians, are welcoming us to their farm in Lindsay, ON, where they practice sustainable permaculture. We look forward to tenting and cooking together, swimming, hiking, campfires, hearing from Brian & Sylvia, and more! Register today!
our new admin coordinator
We are very excited to welcome John Moulton to the staff of New Direction! John will be with us one day a week, picking up administrative pieces we've struggled to juggle since Wes' departure. John has been part of the Toronto Generous Space group since it started two years ago, and has recently taken leadership of a prayer ministry within the group, hosting prayer walks in the Church/Wellesley village. John, it's great to have you on the team!
volunteer team from Generous Spaciousness Retreat
GS retreat 2015
This past March was our third annual Generous Spaciousness retreat. We welcomed 85 people to Elim Lodge, mostly LGBTQ+ Christians, for 4 days of worshiping, listening to wonderful speakers, bonding in community groups, participating in workshops, and enjoying games, meals, and movies together. Check out Chad's experience of the weekend here, and be sure to book off April 28 - May 1, 2016 for our next retreat, which will take place at the YMCA camp near Orillia, ON!
Diane Marshall speaks to parents about trust
parents' event
Last month, we hosted "Parents Loving their LGBTQ+ Kids," our first event specifically geared toward parents. 30 family members participated, including a couple of siblings. They spent much of the day in small groups, finding solidarity in shared experiences. After the event, one parent said, "It was wonderful and so helpful. For one day we could let down our guard and really share." Equally exciting was the opportunity to have six LGBT youth spend the whole day with Danice, our Youth Coordinator, while their parents participated in the event. Many of the youth had never met other LGBTQ+ Christians until that day, and it was great to witness some supportive friendships forming as they told each other their coming out stories. We're hoping to host a similar event in the eastern part of the GTA this fall - check our website for updates as we plan!
Celebrating communion at the GS retreat
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