Open Letter to Highview Community Church

Dear Friends,

Right Now

Since arriving home from the cottage I have been surprised by the wonder of the gift of our pond across the way.  It’s not like I didn’t know it was there, or even that I haven’t made use before of this quiet spot right in our own backyard.  It’s just that, this August, the continuing warm weather and my very rested self have combined into waking early, and sneaking off for sunrise moments overlooking the still water. 

With our church building silhouetted in the background, this makes for a good ‘conversation piece’ with God.  In those misty conversations, God continues to encourage me regarding all of you.  Over the past year or more, I sense a growing steadiness about our forward movement and inward deepening as a community of faith.  This steadiness is punctuated with high moments of celebration and joy, and honest moments of pain and loss amongst us.   In all of it, I honestly cannot express enough what it means to me to be given the honour of serving alongside all of you, ‘doing life’ and walking together through this kingdom adventure He’s so generously invited us to share with Him.

It is truly my hope that even in these last few days of summer, every single one of us is finding the space to be still and refuelled, and to press our souls up close to the Creator of everything summer offers.  September is coming, however, and it’s full of opportunity!

This September

Of course you won’t want to miss the Tailgate Party happening Saturday, September 8^th.  Go online (www.buildingbiggerhearts.ca) to catch all the details for this first annual, fundraising event focused on moving forward in our Property Expansion Project.  I can almost smell that hot asphalt now!

We are eagerly looking forward to Sunday, September 9^th when the regular schedules begin again, so to speak, in our fall-is-here Canadian rhythms.   It will be a happy morning of worship and connection, and the beginning of our first-of-the-season series “What Still Matters”.  This will be an important time of re-envisioning and aligning our focus on the four basic components of why we do church:  Loving God, Loving People, Going and Growing.  

Wednesday, September 12^th, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m., will be our first Family Chat of the season.   You’ll have the chance to get to know Dr. Bill Webb a little better and ask questions about his Ministry To Younger Churches initiative, and Highview’s connection there.  We’ll be talking about the implementation of our new safety and protection policy at Highview, as well as giving some sneak previews of what’s coming for the season in terms of Sunday morning teaching. [Hint:  If you wanted to get a head start on memorizing the Ten Commandments, go for it.  The challenge will be for all of Exodus 20:1-17.]

God’s good gift of our beautiful partnership with 17 used-to-be orphans at Hot Springs keeps us travelling half way around the world at least once a year.  The 2013 Thailand Team will be raising separate funds from our neighbouring community with our second annual Garage Sale, Saturday, September 15^th.  Anyone having goods to donate, please bring them to the church September 11 and 14 (9 to 9) or September 12 and 13 (9 to 5).  All monies raised will go to team expenses or the ESL Day Camp.

Throughout the Season

In so many ways, our Children are our Most Valuable Kingdom Treasure.  Over this season their priority will be expressed in a variety of ways including:

• The implementation of our new Plan to Protect, with opportunities for the whole church to heighten our awareness through training (September 22 or 27). 
• The re-opening of our Bedrock Toddlers room and full-morning program to celebrate the graduation of several babies from the Pebbles Nursery.
• The inclusion of our school age children of Cornerstone Program in the first 15 minutes of the worship service upstairs.  This is a one- season-only plan meant to appropriately respond to current demographics and broader church needs.  More information will follow to ensure we have a common understanding of expectations that will allow for an inclusive, distraction-free worship time for all. 

As always, my time away this summer included much praying, journaling, consideration of the season just past, and an overview of the remainder of the Five Year Plan.  In all of that two words best express what I believe God wants me personally to give attention to over this coming season.  Love and Align, has become the anchoring words for my own growing and leadership over the next several months.  I don’t know if that sounds simplistic to you, but I have the feeling I’ll be digging deep and listening hard as I explore more what they mean for us this year.

So…it truly is my prayer that the Lord would direct all of our hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance as we finish out this summer and head into a brand new season together.  Can’t wait to see what God’s got in mind as we cooperate with His Spirit in grace and truth.

Your pond-sitting pastor,

Ruth Anne