January 11th, 2010
Hey TCF! Welcome back from the break, those of you who are just trickling in on the last weekend possible! With classes starting up again, it is no surprise that TCF is getting underway this week! Starting with our first event of the semester, a guys and girls night, you can be sure that we'll keep you busy until school begins to take over your life! It is important that you note two things. First, there will be activities for a number of Fridays in a row to kick off the semester, so you should check out the schedule of events below. Secondly, because we're trying to lay out the foundations for how TCF will look next year, you should also be aware of the Vision Casting schedule that will be happening alongside the events schedule. We have been having an amazing series of conversations as an executive about where we feel God is leading TCF, and we want to be as open and communicative as we can be concerning the changes that we think will set TCF off on the right foot. Bear with us, folks. This is bound to be a busy but purpose-filled semester. Between retreat, Christian Awareness Week, Vision Casting, and our year-end Formal you can bet there will be plenty to keep you occupied and enjoying God's body at Trent! In Christ, -Ben  Opening Sequence
Angelic Laughter: Divine Reflection: Inspired Word: Psalm 118:1-9 (ESV) 1 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, 5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; 8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD News TCF Events Because we're getting back into the swing of things with TCF, the start of the semester is going to have a little bit of a different schedule. The first Open House of the new year is coming up next Friday, January 15th, and will be held in two different locations. The reason for this is that we are going to be having a guys/girls night, with the girls gathering at one spot and the guys at another. Each group will be watching movies and spending time building one another up. The guys' night will be held at 229 Edinburgh Street in the upper apartment -- My House! There will be an e-mail reminding everyone, but to get in to the house you simply come in the side door and up the stairs. The girls' night's will be held at 188 Dublin, which is Cheryl, Katrina, and Jenn's house. After this, we will be having a Coffee House the following Friday, January 22nd. This will be much the same as the Coffee House last semester, so if you want to perform anything, please contact Sarah and Shoshanna to let them know. This will be held at 7 PM in the Otonabee Commons, and will consist of various people performing as the group mingles and enjoys some refreshments. This time, we'd like to open it up to the group to bring some refreshments. If you're willing to volunteer to bring something, let the organizers know! The final weekend in January will then be our Winter Retreat. Because of the size of this, it's getting a dedicated header below, but what this means is that all three of the weekends in January will have something on. After this point, we will be moving back into the every-other-Friday routine we had for Open Houses prior to the break. Sarah and Shoshanna's e-mails are um_i_forget_@hotmail.com and shoshanna.duke@gmail.com, respectively. Hope to see you out! Vision Casting As was said above, alongside the events schedule we're going to be running a series of Vision Casting events to keep you informed about what the Executive is picturing for next year. We will be having a series of minor meetings that will help inform TCFers and answer any questions they have, as well as hopefully enabling us to get more of a feel for how TCFers would like to see things carried out, as well! The first night that will be important in this regard will be the same night as the Coffee House. At the Coffee House, there will be a 20-minute presentation about the Executive's vision for this semester, and, more importantly, for the course TCF is headed in the next couple of years. We have been discussing this intensively as a group, and we really feel like things are starting to shape up as far as moving into a format that will replace the old Small Groups format that was the staple of TCF in past years. The second night that will be important is on Friday, February 5th. That night will be a Question and Answer night for those who are confused or curious about certain aspects of the Vision we present on the 22nd. Between the 22nd and then, we will be asking you to write us e-mails if you have suggestions for a new path for TCF, and this night will hopefully be fairly laid-back, with a block of time set aside to be as clear as possible about any worries individuals might have. As we move deeper into February and March there will be the annual election of our executive, another question and answer night, and some e-mail updates to keep everyone posted about the goings on. So keep tabs on this heading to make sure you're on board with the future of TCF! Winter Retreat Yes, another semester means another TCF retreat! An annual event, the Winter Retreat is a fantastic snow-filled weekend at Shalom on the Lake, and involves a chance to consider a topic of study while bonding with other TCFers in a smaller group environment. There will be hockey, sledding, winter sports, and other fun activities, as well as quieter reflection and learning times. All of the meals for the weekend will be provided, but because of this and accommodation costs the cost for the weekend will be $60. If you really want to come, but aren't able to foot the bill, we always set aside money for our members who need it. Sarah and Shoshanna will help you work that end out if you send them an e-mail. We encourage everyone to come out if they are capable, because this is really a highlight of the school year for those who attend. Because we're all old enough and experienced enough, the learning and conversations that take place on the retreat are breathtaking and spiritually packed, in a way that high school youth retreats aren't able to be! For those who are coming, we will be meeting at the Bata Library steps at 6 PM on January 29th, and returning in the late morning of January 31st. All cheques have to be in to Sarah and Shoshanna by January 22nd, at our Coffee House event. If you are planning on coming, consider firing them an e-mail. Also, we desperately need cars to transport people to and from retreat. If you are able to provide a vehicle, you will be compensated for gas! Please e-mail us ASAP if you're willing to do that for us!!! Sarah and Shoshanna's e-mails are um_i_forget_@hotmail.com and shoshanna.duke@gmail.com, respectively. Church in the Caf The first Church in the Caf of the new year will be taking place on Sunday, January 31st. We will be meeting in Lady Eaton Cafeteria at 8 PM, although the time and location are subject to change - meaning, keep an eye on the Weekly! Derek Green of Braidwood will be speaking. He was supposed to at an earlier date but ended up sick, so we're happy he's willing to give it another shot! Wanna be a Communications Coordinator? This being my final year at Trent, I'm afraid it's time that the Communications Coordinator mantle be passed on to a newer member within the group next year. The position is a bit time-consuming, but if you're decent with computers, a good communicator, and willing to add a bit of work to your schedule every week, helping out in this way is an incredibly rewarding experience! Because of the technical nature of the job, it is a little less open to election than most of our executive positions. While many spots on the team are filled via a year-end vote, the next communications coordinator will need to have spent a decent amount of time with me personally learning the ropes of the position. For this reason, I'm putting this announcement out there for those who are interested right now, in order that we can meet a handful of times to pass on the information and skills required. There is some technical skill required, but you don't have to be a computer major to get the position. In fact, I'm a political studies major -- I have zero official training in computers. But the position entails doing some HTML work and also some use of Flash, so you need to be able to learn these things if you don't know them already. I'm very eager to teach, so hopefully someone out there is eager to learn! If you're interested in the position, please fire me an e-mail at my personal address, pure.canuck.blood@gmail.com. I'm looking forward to working with you, whoever you are! Church Ambassadors Needed: One of the goals for TCF this year is beginning to form closer connections with many local churches in Peterborough. Chris Conboy, our church liaison, has been chosen to work at increasing communication between TCF and Peterborough churches, and has been hard at work coming up with ways that we can helpe people get plugged into places that they feel comfortable. He recently asked me if I'd be able to send out an e-mail asking veteran TCFers to perform a connection role to help out with that goal! If you're willing to represent your church for the TCF community, please speak up! I've included Chris as a CC in this e-mail, so all you have to do is hit reply all and it will go to the both of us. The goal is to have a list of people throughout Peterborough who we can use as contacts, and hopefully within the next week or two so that new students are able to get plugged in as soon as possible! If you are able to help, e-mail myself (Chris) at conboychris@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for your participation, and may God and his church be strengthened through us! Testimonies and Prayer Requests: Have a testimony (a short life story detailing some faith experience) or a prayer request that you would like to put before the community? If so, please contact us via email at trentchristianfellowship@gmail.com so I can send it to the group! If you wish it to be anonymous or to have only your first name sent out, just say so! Bigger World
Theology on Tap The first ToT of the school year is coming up on January 19th, from 7:00-10:00 PM at Splice! Check out the Facebook page here for more details! Inductive study on John: Andrew Hutchinson, a member of Ferndale, would like to invite Trent students to join in an inductive study of John. Here's a description of the study: This year at Urbana (www.urbana09.org), students will be studying John 1-4; in preparation for this, I (Andrew Hutchinson) am interested in having an inductive scripture study of John. Anybody (whether you are planning on going to Urbana or not) who is interested in being a part of a scripture study of John 1-4 is very welcome to join. The hope is to have the study Sunday afternoons starting at 3:00PM. As reading week is coming up for many, I'm not sure what week we'll start; depending upon availability, we might wait until after reading week to begin. We should be able to finish John 1-4 before exams, and if people are interested, we could continue studying John after Christmas. AND in case you're interested, I enjoy baking, so don't be surprised if there are fresh cookies available at the study! Anyway, if anybody is either interested in the study or simply has questions or wants more details, please feel free to email me at andrewhutchin@trentu.ca. Opportunities to Serve: Our community needs people to serve, and as Christians it gives us a great opportunity to live out the Gospel! These groups don't require any skills or training beforehand, just a willing heart. If you want any more information, or if you've got other opportunities to serve, contact John MacMillan: jhamacmillan@gmail.com Peterborough Northumberland Victim Services needs volunteers. You can help as a front-line crisis responder, or as support for victims going to court. Either one is a great chance to minister to victims of crime or family disputes, who need emotional support. To get involved, or for more information, email pnvs2@bellnet.ca, or call 748-0324. The Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre needs volunteers for its 24-hour crisis line. They provide support to anyone who's been the target of sexual assault, harassment, or other victimization. To get involved, or for more info, email ksacvolunteers@nexicom.net or call 748-5901. NOTE: KSAC is currently taking female volunteers ONLY. Men, if you want to support victims of crime, talk to PNVS above. Volunteer @ the Bridge: Hey there TCF people! I am the After School Program Coordinator with Youth For Christ Peterborough and I am looking for volunteers to work with kids ages 8-13 on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday afternoons, starting in October. It's a great opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to kids in Peterborough who really need it. There will be organized games and activities, a tutoring/homework help component, opportunities to cook with the children, and time to share the gospel with the kids in creative ways. If any of these areas interest you, or if you have a passion for kids and for serving Jesus in a tangible way, please get in touch with me. These children need role models like you to take an interest in their lives and point them to the hope that is found in Christ. My number at home is (705)742-7471, and my e-mail is godsgirls13@hotmail.com. Your sister in Him, Melanie Shepherd Community Advertisements Looking for a Room: Responsible Trent student, Nicholas, looking for a room. For reference call Joan at (613) 389-0920.
Closing Words I hope you have enjoyed this edition of the Trent Christian Fellowship Weekly Newsletter. If you have any requests for content to go within the Weekly, please feel free to contact us at trentchristianfellowship@gmail.com. As always, if you are in need of confidential help, you can contact our community care at tcfcommunitycare@hotmail.com. Please specify "for male" or "for female" in the subject header if it is something you wish to have addressed by someone of a specific gender. For an archive of all of our Weekly Newsletters, click here. Thank you for your interest in the Trent Christian Fellowship. May God be glorified through us all. In Christ, -Ben (TCF's Communications Coordinator). |
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2010.01.11 |