“The Joy of Giving!”

               What Joy!   I see it on their faces.  I hear it in their voices.  I feel their excitement as they speak of how their lives have been blessed through their efforts to bring joy and hope to others in the community.
    A ten year old boy, in this 4th Annual ‘Toy Drive’,  has collected another 500 toys this year. These toys, distributed through Anselma House, will bring joy and hope to less fortunate children in Waterloo Region throughout the year.  His eight year old sister, in her second Annual ‘Towel Drive’, collected 80 towels this year for a Women’s Crisis Center.  The selfless commitment of these children is an inspiration to many in the church and community. 
    The congregation’s Young Peace Makers have made their annual visit to a Retirement Home.  There is great joy throughout the room as the 5-9 year olds interact with the elderly.  The elderly residents seldom see children, so the singing, snacks, jokes, gentle beating of drums and the gift of a child’s simple handmade craft bring deep pleasure to the residents. The children are a blessing of joy to the YPC leaders and to the Retirement Home residents.
    Volunteers from the congregation arise very early on Wednesday mornings to assist with a ‘School Snack Program’. This simple gift of time helps to bring the nourishment for learning required by some 25-30 students each day. There is joy in working together to support this community endeavor of expressing love & compassion for children in the neighborhood. 
    In September the congregation began to bring their generous donations of toys, toiletries, school supplies and clothing items to fill shoe boxes for ‘Operation Christmas Child”.  The congregation joined together to fill another 81 boxes this year. These simple expressions of generosity that will put smiles on the faces of children in far away lands who we will never meet.
    The Christmas tree in the foyer is again decorated with hats, mitts and scarves. These gifts will be gratefully received by ‘Out of the Cold’ clients. The congregation’s on going Food Collection continues to be needed and appreciated by families who receive food hampers from the Chandler Mowat Center.  
    There truly is joy ~ in being ~ a community of Christ!

            “If you truly would be Community of Christ,
then embody and live the concerns and passion of Christ.”   D.&C 164 9d

Ruth Black.
Kitchener Congregation.
November, 2015

That is the Life We Choose

Community of Christ Sings #205 (adapted)

"When senseless violence takes those we love,
When cruel death strikes childhood's promise down,
When wrenching loss becomes our bitter bread,
We know O God, You leave us not alone.

When unexpected crisis takes those we love,
When those with loathing all their hate impart,
And grief becomes the fabric of our days,
Dear God, You do not stand from us apart.

Our faith may flicker low and hope grow dim,
Yet You, O God, are with us in our pain,
You grieve with us, and for us, day by day,
And loving presence near, always the same.

In an excruciating week of personal, community and global loss, the ever redeeming reality felt within, is that our lives are bound to one another in sacred community and trust that love prevails. In a knowing faith we resolve to live into an inner peace that spurs courageous action to be carriers of hope to a shattered world. 
God bless our collective resolve to be a blessing for others that rises above the pessimism, doubt and hate. Onward we prevail through unconditional kindness, through compassion and blessing; for... that... is... the... life... we...choose !!

submitted by Kerry

O Lord Hear my Prayer

 

"O Lord, hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer. When I call answer me. O Lord hear my prayer, O Lord hear my prayer. Come and listen to me." At this time of world sorrow I feel we all collectively yearn, express and raise these heartfelt words from deep within to the Holy Mystery sensed when we pray these words. Shalom my friends.  CCS#192

A Taize Community contemplative prayer hymn. Taizé is a monastic community located in Taizé, France, founded in the 1940s. There is an ecumenical emphasis at Taizé, which says the community “wants its life to be a sign of reconciliation between divided and separated peoples.” Amen

submitted by Kerry