Advent

Here it is the first week of Advent. What is Advent you ask? It is the time of waiting, the time when we wait in the dark for light to come again. In less metaphorical terms it is the time of waiting to celebrate the birth of Jesus. I do like the image of dark - it is so very dark this time of year - and the coming light. This does bring the reflection on the dark parts of our world and our own lives. We live with these dark moments all year - struggling with bullying, struggling to fit in, struggling to be yourself while trying to be like everyone else, struggling to understand all kinds of things in our world. Advent is one of those times we can look at those moments and name them for what they are. But Advent also brings the light, the hope, the good news of abundant life. Knowing of the hope that is coming gives us the power to name the dark parts and in naming them to release the hold they have over us and in shines the light. Can you name the darkness and let in the light?

This November I will be taking a group of youth ages 12 years (grade 7) and up to Evolve your Faith: A gathering of Junior Youth, Senior Youth, Young Adults, their Leaders and Ministers in BC Conference of The United Church of Canada. Come with us to Vancouver for a weekend of faith, community, and fun. Be the Church in a great big way for Evolve 09.

Evolve your self: Spend time in STREAMS for Junior Youth (grades 7-9), Senior Youth (grades 10-12), Young Adults (18-35) and Youth Leaders learning about yourself and exploring your faith. Sign up for workshops that inspire you, and take part in some inspiring and creative worship and music with rEvolve - they are amazing. Seek to explore your own evolution as a person of Faith.

Evolve your community: come celebrate this new gathering in the United Church of Canada that brings together our community in the spirit of connection, learning and Faith. November 13-15.09Shaughnessy Heights United Church1550 West 33rd AvenueVancouver, BC Registration begins at 3:30 pm on Friday

Sliding Scale: pay what you can between $125 and $150!Includes all costs for the weekend including your travel if you are from outside of the four lower mainland Presbyteries! It’s a sweet deal. If you register after Nov. 1 cost is $150. Registration deadline: Nov. 9.

click http://www.scribd.com/doc/19832740 to down load the the brochure and registration.

Upsidedownieness

Greg was thankful for upsidedownieness tonight, after all the majority of the youth group happened with most youth hanging upside down! Our first night back was remembering what amazing friends we have at youth group and how cool it was to see everyone after what seemed like years not months. But back to the upsidedowniness. All of that upsidedownieness has made me think about how being different can feel like being upside down in a world that is right side up. Sometimes being different can be about the little things like helping out your teacher at school or saying you aren't going to throw your garbage on the ground because you want to be kind to the earth. When you do something really different like believe in God, stand up for the uncool kid, or tell an adult when others or doing something totally risky like drinking then you can feel really upside down. The trick is to feel ok about a decision even if you feel upside down. Really who is to say upside down is the wrong way up? Me, I'm going with Greg - I'm thankful to God for my upsidedownieness - it feels pretty good and I know God loves me for it!

Welcome Back

Here it is September all ready.... what happened to you this summer? I travelled places, saw things, met people, and became part of history! Sounds exciting doesn't it? Well my biggest and most exciting thing this summer was attending GC 40 - that is General Council 40. This was the 40th national gathering of the United Church of Canada and this year it was in Kelowna, BC. I was able to go as a commissioner which meant I was one of the hundreds of people who came to do the work of the church including deciding who would be the next moderator (leader) of the United Church of Canada. There were also children, young teens and youth who participated in GC 40 and two of them were from our youth group! Maia went as a young teen and Sean went as a child at council. They both had memorable experiences and I am sure you will hear more about them through out fall! One of the impacts being at GC40 has had on me is seeing how incredibly diverse our church is and how many young people - from children to young adults - who are involved in our church. It is so great to see how decisions can be shaped, informed and created as a result of the unique culture that those under 30 have. It is so great to know - to really see that culture valued. You are the church - we are the church and together we can impact one another and our world. See more GC 40 Stuff: On the web - http://gc40.united-church.ca/ On Flicker - http://www.flickr.com/photos/31483287@N05/sets/72157618003059304/ On Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/uccgc40?gl=CA&hl=en

Whirl Winds

Really they are tornadoes - you know those moments in life when you get picked up twirl led around and then dumped out again to find out out if you are still in the same vicinity as you were before. When life becomes a whirl wind what do you do? How do you stop spinning? how do you figure out where you are? Well like tornadoes we can't always control when they come and how fast or far they will spin us. What we can do is head for cover and pray! God is the one who sits at the center of the storm where the clam is so praying is holding onto the centre and God can give you clam. The other thing I rely on is my family - I mean my biological family and my church family. No matter where I land they all come looking for me, welcome me back and let me know I was missed. I guess that is how I survive the storm - I have help. How about you?

Wanting and wishing for the new....

Waiting for the new things? Maybe wishing for the new thing - like spring flowers - is making us miss the new in front of us. Maybe we need to focus on the present moment and find the new in this moment. Maybe it is finding God in the moment that will help to see the new... or is it the other way around?

Celebrate someone - the whole someone...

I have been watching a TV show called Monk. It's a show all about a detective who has obsessive compulsive disorder and a number of phobias.  All of Monk's flaws create such a great character and really his flaws accentuate his brilliance.  I love watching this show because it makes me feel normal (really what is normal anyway!) but also because it shows that flaws are not the only part of a person. Although Monk is odd people accept that in the same way they accept his brilliance.  So when you think about someone to celebrate, yourself or someone else,  think about about the whole person accepting the flaws and the brilliance equally - all of them are what makes a great character!