January 25th, 2010
Hey everyone! This is it! The big week of Winter Retreat has arrived! Although there's lots going on aside from this, there's no doubt that this upcoming weekend will be one to remember, and will dominate the schedule for those who are coming! From Friday to Sunday, it will be filled with spiritual reflection and encouragement of our brothers, and so we ask that your prayers will be there to support us if you're not going. As well, there is an upcoming Church in the Caf this Sunday, which we'd invite you to check out. John Macmillan's English Practice Group has also gotten going again, which is worth checking out, and we're already beginning to look for Christian Awareness Week volunteers for the week of March 1st. Coffee House, by the way, was excellent. Thanks to everyone who performed, and we'd ask everyone to keep on praying for TCF - this is going to be an awesome semester! In Christ, -Ben  Opening Sequence
Angelic Laughter: Divine Reflection: Derek Green, an elder at Braidwood as well as our speaker at Church in the Caf this upcoming Sunday, shared with me an article by Paul Washer entitled "A Word to the Young." It's challenging and serves as a reminder for us as youth that we need to be aware of the big picture. To read it in PDF format, click here. Thanks to Derek for sharing the link, and I'd encourage everyone to come out this Sunday if you're able to make it! Inspired Word: Philippians 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. News 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. 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! Derek will be speaking on 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, and as he is always concerned with carefully seeking Biblical Truth, you can count on it being a solid sermon. Be there! Vision Casting The Vision Casting and Coffee House went very well, and I'm glad that people seemed to understand the ideas that we presented. That being said, we don't want anyone who is feeling the least amount of confusion to hide it, so we'll still be going ahead with our Vision Casting schedule for the rest of the semester. On Friday, February 5th, we will be hosting a Question and Answer night for those who are confused or curious about certain aspects of the Vision we present on the 22nd. If you have anything you want to ask or suggest before then, feel free to fire us an e-mail. If you'd rather talk in person, we will be available at 7 PM in the Otonabee Commons on the 5th, and the goal is to have an easy-going atmosphere with suggestions and questions being discussed as a group, rather than in rigorous defense of our position. 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! Christian Awareness Week: Volunteers Needed! Christian Awareness Week is coming up this semester. Started last year as a move to discuss with Trent students what Christianity is all about, it caught on immediately and was destined to repeat itself this year. John Macmillan will be heading it up with his leadership team, and as such we're already opening up the request for volunteers! CAW will take place the week of March 1st. If you're able to volunteer even an hour on any day that week, please let Chris Conboy know, as he is responsible for recruiting volunteers. There will be opportunities that are more burdensome, like volunteering at the blood clinic or manning one of our booths, and there will be other opportunities - like handing out hot chocolate! - that are a little easier. So if you want to get involved, even if you're not sure you can commit a lot of time, please fire Chris an e-mail at conboychris@gmail.com. New Communications Coordinator (in training) As I advertised in previous e-mails, this is my last year at Trent, and as such I have been aiming to find someone who wants to be the Communications Coordinator next year. Well, after a semester with no sign, I am pleased to announce that Sam McIntaggart has stepped forward, and will be training as the new CC for the rest of the year! You can expect to get some e-mails from her in all eventuality, and she will be trying her hand at the Weekly soon enough, so be sure to be on the lookout for some good content from your Communications Coordinator to be! 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
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 The English Practice Group started up again this Monday, the 25th. Meetings will be held on Mondays at 8 PM in OC 206. If you want to learn more of the English Language through reading scripture, or if you want to volunteer to help people learn, contact John. 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. 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. 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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2010.01.25 |