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Happy New Year! • February Workshop • Who Is the Hero? • Kindness Bridges the Gap
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Dear <<First Name>>,
 
Here we are, at the beginning of a brand new year that's bursting with possibility. What kinds of new things are on the horizon for you this year? Here at CESLM, we're ramping up with our first workshop of the year on February 10th and looking forward to more in the coming months.
In this month's newsletter, we have details about the upcoming workshop, plus articles from VP Madeline Johnson and our President Allan Pole.
We are holding a One Day Reaching Out With English Training Workshop 
 
When: Saturday, February 10, 9:00 to 3:30. (lunch and a binder of resources included)
Where: Encompass Partnerships, 3851 54th Ave. N.E. Calgary

Workshops offered:
  • Lesson Planning (A 9:30am)
  • Running conversation classes (B 9:30am)
  • Grammar (CLB Levels and methods)
    (A 11:00am)
  • Teaching skills for employment (B 11:00am)
  • Pronunciation - including issues different cultures may have  (A 1:15pm)
  • Teaching methods (B 1:15 pm)
  • Games and celebrations
    (2:45-3:30pm — everyone)

All workshops will be offered as breakout sessions. Participants may choose from option A or B for each session time, unless otherwise indicated. A and B pairs will run at the same time in different rooms.

Cost: $60.00 per person
 
Join us to get some new ideas and meet others who are working with newcomers in our churches and communities. All are welcome, including those with an interest in working with newcomers or who are investigating starting an ESL program in their church.

Register for this event on our Upcoming Events page.

Who is the Hero?

by Madeline Johnson

madeline johnson photo

Who is the Hero in the Church-based ESL Story?  (It's not CESLM.)

The Hero?

The churches are; the Body of Christ is.

Churches/the Body of Christ—society's leaders in welcoming and accepting internationals. How the Father-heart of God is pleased!

Churches/the Body of Christ—where people care enough to find the best ways to help the stranger, with English, with getting to know the culture, with an offer of spiritual resources.

Churches/the Body of Christ—where newcomers can find a friend; where we can learn from each other.

Churches/the Body of Christ—safe places to ask questions.

Churches/the Body of Christ—together demonstrating unity so the world will believe.

Churches/the Body of Christ—rising above racism, modelling Christ's kingdom culture. 

Churches—practicing the unity now that one day we will enjoy around the throne.

CESLM comes alongside with training to help the Body credibly shine with God's love, as individually and collectively Christ-followers learn to genuinely value, help with language, and integrate the newcomer into the community. 

CESLM opens doors--church doors. The community would really miss the church that demonstrates God's love to the stranger, the church that includes the newcomer, helping them feel loved and appreciated, the church that works for a cohesive society.

Yes, the Body of Christ is the Hero. We help it.

The prayer of Jesus found in John 17 gives us our three guiding principles:

  1. All we do must be for GOD'S GLORY, not for our own. God is the Great Initiator. The vision came from Him.
  2. The world must see the Body of Christ working together—different denominations, but ONE in Christ.  See especially verses 11, 21, 23
  3. The motivation must be GOD's LOVE flowing through us. It is an avenue through which volunteers can demonstrate God's love (and be blessed).

So we ask:

  1. Is it for God's glory?
  2. Does it allow the world to see the Body of Christ as One?
  3. Is our motivation the unconditional love of God?

Kindness Bridges the Gap

By Allan Pole

When I was a boy I suffered from asthma and hay fever.  Being allergic to hay and growing up on a farm was a tough combination during the summer months.  When the air was thick with dust and pollen I would suffer through some sleepless nights coughing and sneezing.  I vividly remember my mom enduring some sleepless nights at my side setting up and filling the vaporizer, fetching me a glass of water, offering me cough syrup and just being beside my bed while I tried to relax and breathe deeply.  Isn’t it amazing how such acts of kindness can make an impression on us?

The Book of Ruth is not often studied and quoted but it carries an important message.  It is nestled in the Historical Books of the Bible that describe God’s relationship with the people of Israel and the events that shaped this relationship.  The Book of Ruth has just four chapters and the word “kindness” is used Read More...

Cooperative ESL Ministries Society is an interdenominational Christian organization of volunteers from different backgrounds who believe in serving people of all faiths and cultures.  We advocate respect, understanding, and appreciation for people of all cultural, religious, and language backgrounds.

We train, network, mobilize, and inspire hundreds of current and prospective volunteers who work directly with newcomers in Calgary.  We support church ministries and community-based programs that serve newcomers to Canada by providing a variety of services.

Would you like to serve with us?  Contact Allan Pole at al@eslcooperative.ca to start the conversation.
New census data reveals one-fifth of Canadians are immigrants and more than 7.6 million Canadians identify as a visible minority, representing 22.3 per cent.  That's an almost five-fold increase from 1981.  For more see
http://nationalpost.com/news/canada/newsalert-ranks-of-indigenous-peoples-booming-in-canada-census-shows.
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Cooperative ESL Ministries is blessed to receive support
from the Community Initiatives Program of Alberta Culture.

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