Tangled in strands of white christmas lights
T h o u g h t f o r t h e w e e k
Each year I've had my tree up and Christmas decorating done on November 12th. My husband makes me wait until after remembrance day before I throw the switch and light up the neighborhood! However this year with my work schedule things have been delayed a bit... actually a lot and here I am in December decorating for Christmas! Getting the outside lights done was not too bad as we decided to go 'hydro friendly' buying new LED lights, and doing them BEFORE all this wonderful white stuff & temperatures started falling.
The inside however has been a bit of a chore. Normally I carefully take down my lights in January, winding them up individually then bagging them in a zip lock before packing them away. Yes a bit neurotic however it makes it really simple the next year when I'm taking them out (don't want anything to spoil my festive mood). Well last year I guess I wanted to test myself and packed them away in one big string... not really sure what I was thinking. I'm assuming I tried to be careful and not just throw them in, however somehow over the course of the year the lights, while packed away in the basement, wound themselves into a ball with knots and twists all over! I'm sure you have all been there.
I spent countless minutes unwinding the many strings of 100... getting all the cords back into a straight line, checking the flyer about 5 times thinking "wouldn't it just be easier to buy a new pack... aren't they on sale this week"! But no I got each string untangled then began to put them on the tree, after carefully wrapping each branch individually being sure to cover every part of my tree I plugged them in... yes your right I had forgotten to check them ahead of time, and yes you guessed it, about half of my tree didn't light!
It only takes one bulb in the long string of 100 to be burnt out or broken to effect the rest of the lights. It's like us... in our churches and on our pastoral staff teams. It only takes one person on the team to be burnt out to effect the whole staff and ultimately the whole church. In this season of "good will" it seems in our churches we have more of a "high-stress" approach to December. Lets take the time to be the peacemaker, be the encourager, be the servant to all, in both our attitude and actions. It takes time to find that burnt out or broken light in that long string but once we do it lights up beautifully! Lets be the light that makes our pastoral team shine this season.
"Let us not become weary in going good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up"(Galatians 6:9)
Check out Psalm 148 today and let you heart be glad for we serve a Great GOD!
kidZvillage District C O N F E R E N C E - March 2nd and 3rd, 2007, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle in Hamilton, Ont.
Things are really taking shape and God has been good. We have secured a location, the conference will be at Bethel in Hamilton on March 2nd and 3rd. Most of the speakers have confirmed and they are as excited to take part and be with you as I am to have them. They come from other parts of Canada, as well as the US, some even from right here in the WOD.
Some interesting tidbits that you may want to keep in mind as you are planning your budget etc for 2007... We are having a kidz in ministry track, something that you can bring your kidz lead team to, have them ministered to, encouraged and equipped to better leaders in your church. We are putting together resource packs for each of them to take away so they will be ready to share what they have learned on Sunday!
I have also just confirmed a Parenting Track at the conference and I would encourage each of you to take the time to advertise to the parents in your church. Laura Viavada, an amazing speaker for Growing Kids God's Way and wealth of knowledge is coming to train parents in their parenting and marriage responsibilities. It promises to be a time of encouragement and training for parents in need. As well Priscilla Cochrane of SOAR Ministry will join the parenting track and talking about bulling as its a huge and growing problem for our kids in schools today.
There will be exciting workshops for all on different ministry ideas, both visionary and practical. Its going to be a great time growing together as a group and closer to God. Thanks for marking it on your calendar and planning to attend with your whole team. We are offering discounted group rates this year... encouraging you not to come alone but bring your ministry team, your parents and kids with you!
Pre-Conference Intensives will also be offered in the area of Creation vs.. Evolution, Children's Ministry in Canada, Ministering to kids with ADD/ADHD and Light up Canada, Public School Ministry. These workshops will be 3 hours in length and happen before the conference on Friday. Plan to come early and attend one of these great topics... you will come away informed and blessed by these fabulous speakers! Keep you eyes open for more information, posters and registration details to follow.
C H A R A C T E R C O N N E X - January 15th, 2007 Glad Tidings in Burlington 10:00 - 1:30 (pizza lunch provided)
Character Connex is coming to Ontario... finally! Check them out on the web at http://www.characterconnex.com Its an exciting program that can only be purchased after training is complete. It gives you all you need to perform in a public school assembly. The program is DVD driven, and based on character traits. Product will be available at the training seminar. There will be time to practice an assembly and see how easy it is to do. Jason Nobel is the director and an excellent trainer in this area. You will be inspired! Plan to come and bring along a couple of others that are interested in joining you in this great adventure! Don't just consider staff, this may be an area for stay at home mom's, people who are in other area's on ministry on Sunday but have a heart for outreach and kids... The cost for the training is $35.00 for the 1st person and $20 for each additional person from your church. We are holding the training at Glad Tidings in Burlington. Please contact me at the district office to register mailto:pmcarthur@wod.paoc.org . Provide me with Names of Participants & Payment information BEFORE JANUARY 5th as flight arrangements need to be made etc. for the character connex team. After I receive your registration I will then send you back a confirmation to use for receipting purposes. FYI we need at least 40 people to register in order to continue with the training.
See you there!
If it bears His name it deserves our best!
Pam