Community Dinner
As always, the doors of McNally House swung wide open every Wednesday at 5:30pm. Everyone is welcome to a $2 (Donation) Dinner. For the next couple of weeks all of the Money Collected will go to Fruits for the Nations - an initiative to improve access to nutritious food in the northern Pikangikum community
Tumaini 2012: Faith, Hope, Kenya
Two communities, continents apart, have come together every summer for the past three years. GCM has partnered with Children of Bukati (and Dr. Cate Dewey) and sent teams of students to Kenya. Together, we spend a month standing in solidarity with the this rural community, opening up the door to primary education for over 700 AIDS orphans. This year, we’ll be doing some strategic planning with two of the school communities and participating in some of the local agricultural projects. for more information contact Jenn
Morning Worship
Worship is a joy-filled sacrifice, and getting up for 7:30am is a tangible reminder. As always, we will be meeting at the Portico (the little stone pillar structure on Johnston Green) on Friday mornings. This time of worship, which includes communion, will allow you to get to your 8:30am class or to McNally House, where we all enjoy breakfast.
Small Groups
As always, a number of small groups are being offered by GCM this semester.
SHARING LIFE TOGETHER
Wednesdays 1:30pm, McNally House This semester, we’ll have one small group that simply meets together to read scripture and share in each other’s lives. This is an opportunity to walk alongside one another in an intentional way. If you want to be a part of this group, contact Jenn. She’ll be comparing class schedules and finding a time that works for everyone.
AN EVENING WITH HENRI NOUWEN
Tuesdays, 8:30pm, 31 Kent Street Henri Nouwen has served as a pastor and a guide for many people, most of whom have only read his published works. The depth of his character and the richness of his relationship with Christ are almost beyond description. As a small group, we’ll be talking about a number of his books, reading various excerpts along the way. If you’re interested in joining this group, contact Jamie soon. We’ll start meeting on Tuesday, January 24.
ROMANS—PART II
Wednesdays, 11:30am, McNally House This past semester, a bunch of us read the first half of Paul’s letter to the Romans. It’s one of Paul’s longest and most detailed correspondence with a church. This small group will be reading its way through the second half of the letter, chapter by chapter. Newcomers are welcome—we’ll be getting started Wednesday, January 25.
FOR THE GUYS ONLY
Wednesdays, 8:00pm, Oxford Street No one is exactly sure how to describe this group, even after a whole semester. Jordan, Kai and Jamie are, once again, gathering some guys together to talk philosophically, think theologically and live life with integrity. Every Wednesday, around 8:00pm, we will be gathering after Community Dinner at Jordan and Kai’s house on Oxford Street. Contact Jordan or Kai for more details.
CRAFTING AT ELYSHA’S HOUSE
Wednesdays, 8:00pm, 86 Yarmouth #204 This is not for women only!!! It’s just another (and, arguably, better) place for people to hang out after Community Dinner. Head downtown to Elysha’s place, and you’ll be able to knit, make cards and spend the evening making crafts. Bring some supplies to share and enjoy a great time with friends. If you have any questions, e-mail Elysha
FAITH AND FOOD
Mondays, 6:00pm, Location changes weekly “When nothing else can bring people together, food is able to do it. Everyone needs it, everyone wants it. It is a very simply way of sharing and service,” thus spoke Hannah. The Bible also has even more to say about food. This small group will meet every other week (starting January 23) to cook a meal together and talk about the ethical and theological implications of the food we eat. E-mail: Rachel Wallace if you are interested in joining or could host a cooking night (assuming you live in a good location)
FACULTY & STAFF BIBLE STUDY
Faculty and Staff gather together every week to open God's Word in faith. Of course, there's also good fellowship and a lot of penetrating dialogue. This semeseter, we're going to open up some of the early letters to the Churches. All Faculty and Staff members are welcome to join us in Pathobiology 3826 every Tuesday from 12:00-1:00pm
Volunteer Opportunities...
RUN AND READ
Run and Read is an after-school program run out of a primary school on Willow Road. Those children involved in the program come from low income families or are recent immigrants to Canada. They are given the opportunity to be tutored and trained. Student volunteers help develop their reading skills and get them ready for a 5km run. The program runs on Tuesdays. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Tim
THE WELL
The last Friday of every month, Kortright Presbyterian Church will be hosting an evening where children with exceptionalities and their families can be refreshed, supported in a loving and inclusive environment and can share knowledge of community resources. Volunteers are needed to come and hang out with some fantastic kids. contact Tim, if you’re interested in volunteering.
FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The Friendship Club is a place of welcome for people with special needs. There’s worship, faith development and lots of hilarity, as volunteers and participants get together every Thursday evening. This city- wide ministry is run out of First Christian Reformed Church on Water street, just down the hill from campus. If you’d like to volunteer with Friendship Club, contact Jamie
CLOTHING CLOSET
The Clothing Closet is almost a well-known secret. Few in the city know about it, but many in the Brant and Waverly communities take advantage of it. The Clothing Closet, run by New Life Church, is an opportunity for people in those communities to pick up secondhand clothing and household items. It’s open at various times throughout the week, but Saturday is the busiest day by far. If you’d like to volunteer there on Saturdays, Jamie. You can commit to a single Saturday, a once-a- month schedule or a weekly opportunity
other Christian groups
POWER TO CHANGE
Campus for Christ has a changed their name, but not their passion for sharing the gospel! P2C is changing things up a bit this year, but their Friday night gathering still takes place at 7:30pm in Thorn1200. There’s also a host of discipleship groups in which to get involved and weekly prayer gatherings. For moreinformation, check out www.guelphC4C.com
GUELPH ASIAN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Asian or not all are welcome to join the fellowship of ACF every Monday. ACF meets every Monday at 5:30pm in UC442 for a time of Worship, conversation and fun. Check out www.uoguelph.ca/~gacf
INTERVARSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
ICVF is a dynamic Group with some new leadership. With a heart for building relationships with one another and God, this group meets regularly for Bible study and worship. For more details contact: ivcf.guelph@gmail.com
NAVIGATORS
The Navigators have a heart for mentoring, and this ministry is vital to the well-being of the body of Christ. Though the Navigators don't seem to have regular gatherings this semester, they can still set you up with a mentor. If interested contact Luch.
UNIVERSITY CATHOLIC COMMUNITY
Catholic Mass is held every Sunday in Thorn1200 at 10:30pm, but there's more to UCC the just Sunday Mass. If you want to find out by their small groups or other initiatives, contact Ania Krysciak
ECM CAMPUS UBUNTU
Campus Ubuntu is about building bridges, creating community and developing relationships, regardless of faith background. There’s a weekly gathering on Wednesdays (12:00pm) and a conversation group that meets on Thursday mornings. Contact Marty for more details.
CAMPUS ALPHA
Many of the Christian groups are working together to offer Alpha on campus. This is a great opportunity for friends that may be new to the faith. Alpha—a video-based introduction to the faith—will be starting up again soon. Stay tuned for more details.
Volunteer Opportunities
AGAPE CAFÉ
Agape Cafe is an important ministry to those living on the streets of Guelph. An adult drop-in centre run through Royal City Christian Life Centre, Agape is always in need of volunteers to serve in the evening hours. Volunteers prepare food, serve meals, assist in cleaning up and enjoy conversation with those who are there. It’s open every night except Sunday. If you are interested in helping out one evening a week, contact Michelle or Tim
