|
Happy Friday Everyone! Here are a few updates I want to share with you today,
|
|
First, as you know we are reopening for in person services this weekend! Those without internet, or who struggle with technology, can call the office (642-8060) Wednesdays between 9am and 3pm to register. Then, online registration will open on Thursdays starting at 9am, first come first served. We are able to accommodate 100 people in our worship centre and 30 children (ages 3-12) in our RiverKids zone. So, if you are wanting to attend, you can register today
|
|
I am really excited that Tony Dickinson is offering a summer class. The study is based on NT Wrights popular book, Surprised by Hope which deals with questions about heaven, the resurrection, what happens when we die, do we go straight to heaven, and why does all this matter for how we live today. It will be an online group, starting Tuesday, June 28 at 7 pm and run for 6 weeks. Space is limited, so register soon from our church webpage. |
|
|
The summer students have been working so hard these past few weeks recording all the content for our online Summer Camp. It looks like a Hollywood set around the RiverKids area, as sets are being created and painted, there are cameras and lights and a steady stream of volunteers coming in and getting dressed up in fun costumes to record different parts. Watch for more updates from Amy this Sunday.
|
|
|
|
Pic: summer students Ella Wang & Spencer Hetherington doing recording
|
|
|
As part of that camp, we are collecting food items for the North End Food Bank. If you would like to participate, please feel free to drop off donations at the church office between 8:30 and 4pm.
We are going to have Baptisms this summer! If you have made a commitment to follow Christ, but have never been baptized, we’d love to have a conversation with you! Please reach out to one of the pastors if you’d like to learn more.
Finally, someone asked me the other day, “What is going on up at the church?” and I realized most people don’t see all the activity going, so here are examples from the last few weeks
- Trustees were in mixing up cleaning solution and stocking masks and gloves
- Marlee and our Community Outreach summer student were at RiverCross Mission putting arrows on the floors, assessing capacity for rooms, and putting up new signage
- Volunteers from our bus ministry were meeting to figure out how to ensure a safe bus ministry.
- Heather Bell Williams drove from St Stephen to invest in our summer interns by doing some leadership training with them.
- The Deacons have been putting together a plan for our return to in-person services as well as working to bring Rob Parent and Jan Cameron back to work.
- Jan had a group of 20 volunteers for a “practice run” last Sunday morning to get ready to welcome people back to Sunday worship.
- Volunteers are working away in our gardens at Forbes Drive, come and see their work!
- A group of volunteers have been working with Amy (RiverKids Director) for weeks, assembling packets to go out to each child registered for our Summer Camp, and strategizing for their pickup
- Volunteers from our finance team have been working to track giving, which typically came in on Sundays, and now is coming daily through the mail and online e-transfers.
- Christian Education met to determine what a kid’s ministry will look like as we reopen for services
- The Pastoral Search Committee (11 people) has been meeting weekly.
- Pastor John and volunteers are hosting weekly outdoor gatherings, one at Main Street and one at Crescent Valley
- Baptismal classes have been taking place
- There were meetings to plan new LifeGroups for the fall
- Summer students have been designing and creating sets for the Summer Camp! They bring so much energy and fun to the building!!
- We made a short video to help prepare people to re-enter our facility on Sunday’s
- New curb work was done (sorry to everyone who parked in that rocky spot by Pastor Joe’s office!)
- And of course, our faithful volunteers who oversee the recording and production of our Sunday services, set up, recording, editing, mixing sound, layer the lyrics on the screen to prepare the Sunday YouTube broadcast.
These are just a few ways you are continuing our ministry at RiverCross, and it has been so exciting! We are so grateful for everyone’s dedication as we find ways to be the church. Saint John needs us to find creative ways to continue our ministry! I am so proud of our staff, board members and volunteers for the incredible amount of work they have undertaken!
Where the river flows, life abounds!
Pastor Rob
|
|
|
|
|
