Church of the Good Shepherd Kitchener

03/27/2014

Coming up at COGS:
Let’s face it, religion has a bad name these days. Too often it’s about
one group of people trying to get the rest of us to think and act the way they do.
Sometimes that group may even try to coerce us, or threaten us with hellfire!
But that’s wrong and, what’s more, it’ll just never work – and why?
Because that kind of thing directly contravenes a law of Divine Providence!
So this Sunday, come find out how God defends our freedom of thought and action
and maybe, just maybe, we can give religion it’s good name back!
AND
Ella has prepared a lovely piece by Debussy for our musical reflection
and she’s looking forward to seeing the children
so she can help them learn their special song for Easter.
PLUS
The April Tender is out, so for all of you who don’t receive it via email, be sure to
pick up your copy and learn about all the exciting events coming up!

It’s all happening this Sunday, March 30th, starting at 10:30am.
Sing, pray, learn, and grow – see you there!

And here are some thoughts about prayer . . .
People often wonder whether prayers are ever answered. Does prayer “work”? We say what we say, and then what? Well, here are some suggestions for a more active approach:

Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers: A Few Ideas

Try to go a whole week without spending any money. If you have to, barter or beg a little to make it through.

Hold a Baby Goods Exchange for parents to bring toys and clothing their kids have outgrown and trade them.

Join a Bible study led by someone with less formal education than yourself.

Attempt to repair something that is broken. Appreciate the people who repair things for you on a regular basis.

Defy complacency and flout despair. Believe that you can do something, right now, right here – even if you take only a baby step.

Mow your neighbour’s grass.

Create a directory of spiritual mentors and help folks find them.

Practice radical hospitality, which includes the willingness to be a guest.

03/13/2014

Coming up at COGS:
Talk about “born-again Christians” and, uh, well, the reaction can be a bit mixed.
But wait a moment . . . do we really know what “born again” means?
Why does Jesus say we have to be born again? Is that true for Swedenborgians, too?
And what has all this to do with “the first law of God’s providence”?
Come this Sunday to explore how we as Swedenborgian Christians understand this issue,
in Part 2 of our Lenten Learning Series, “Divine Providence: The Big Picture and You!”
PLUS
It’s also St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, so be sure to wear something green to church!
We will be saying a famous prayer of St. Patrick’s and be sure to look for
some green goodies at our Coffee Hour!
AND
With Ella away this week, we are delighted to have Jeannie with us to offer
some very special music – and please remember to bring the children!

It’s all happening this Sunday, March 16th, starting at 10:30am.
Sing, pray, learn, and grow – see you there!

And in honour of St. Patrick . . . . . the saint (ca. 423 – 493 AD) who is famous for using the shamrock to teach about the trinitarian nature of the divine and for driving the snakes out of Ireland, here are some blessings:

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way –
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you.

And getting real about our faith . . . . . like St. Patrick, who was so deeply moved by the suffering he saw amongst the Irish people that he freely chose to give his life in service to them. In the writings he left us, Patrick was always the first to acknowledge himself to be uneducated, a simple countryman, a poor sinner, despised by many, of no account in the world, and so on. Yet none of that kept him from being called, or from answering the call, to “follow me”.

Theologian Richard Rohr puts it this way, in a piece he calls “Time to Grow Up”:

It seems to me that it is a minority that ever gets the true and full Gospel – in any denomination. Most of us just keep worshiping Jesus and arguing over the right way to do it. The amazing thing is that Jesus never once says, “Worship me!” whereas he frequently says, “Follow me” (see, for example, Matthew 4: 19).

Christianity is a lifestyle – a way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established religion (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain throughout most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is one’s personal Lord and Savior or continue to receive the sacraments in good standing. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on earth is too great.
Yes And . . . Daily Meditations, 2013

03/09/2014

Today we had a meeting to discuss our web presence. We haven't been doing much here recently, Jean's been busy and the director for "Message" has three young children and a job that takes him to the other side of the world every couple of weeks, so we apologize for that, but we are going to try and do better. Are you all comfortable with the Church's page being associated to Jean's other Facebook account? Or should we move it to stand alone? Would you follow us if we moved it? Any and all comments are greatly appreciated!

02/24/2014

March 2nd is the Pancake Lunch at COGS. $5 per person and $15 per family. All you can eat!

02/21/2013

Annual General Meeting this Sunday!

11/29/2012

It's that time of year again! The 5th annual Shepherds Christmas Market this Sarturday!

11/29/2012

08/26/2012

Enjoy a walking meditation on a lovely, hand-painted labyrinth patterned after the great labyrinth in Chartres cathedral. This contemplative practice leads you to the sacred centre, into the presence of the Spirit, and then returns you out into the world again.

07/27/2012

Asia Nelson od Pranalife Yoga is running summer yoga sessions Mondays 9:30-10:30am, starting this coming week (July 30) through to the end of August. We'll be flowing through backbends, forward folds, twists, lunges, flight fundamentals and lots of creative core work in our big, gorgeous space.

Where: Church of the Good Shepherd - 116 Queen St. North, Kitchener (@ Margaret and Queen, across from Centre in the Square)

How Much: $15 to drop in or $60 when you sign up for all 5 sessions from now until the end of August

Who: You, and everyone you bring with you! It's a big, gorgeous, wood-floored space, so SHARE this info and get a crew doing summer yoga with you.

Can't wait to see you all there!!

06/10/2012

JOIN the ARCHETYPES WORKSHOP
What is it? A summer-long creative workshop exploring one’s inner landscape. Will involve journaling, drama, and storytelling. Approximately 10 sessions, meeting once a week, for 90 minutes. Professional class costs more than $400. As this is my first time running it, the cost is donation only. Time TBD based on participants’ schedules. Limited to 7 participants.

The Archetypes workshop will be accessing the right brain, and calling up inner characters through drama and story-telling. It is experiential, creative, and deeply affecting.

You will leave the program with a much deeper self-understanding, more compassion for the human journey overall, and a beautiful love story.

Where? Harmonia Centre for Life and Growth
How? Contact Alison Longstaff: [email protected]

05/23/2012

Reviewing Church of Good Shepherd, ministers and officiants, ceremony location, chapel services in The K-W Wedding Ring.