Fanfare
 

Shrove Tuesday is March 8, 2011
Why not attend Siloam's Pancake Supper?

February 2011

A Message From
Rev. Sheila Macgregor

 

 

 Sheila

February 16, 2011

Dear Friends,

There are some changes afoot at Siloam: new programs and courses of study, some new directions from our Outreach, Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning committees, and even a new face on our staff! This month we are delighted to welcome Marilyn Flanigan as our Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator. Marilyn brings with her considerable experience as a Sunday School Coordinator and Teacher, who also runs a home based childcare program and is the mother of three lovely little girls. She comes with both fresh ideas and tremendous enthusiasm,  and we trust that she will be a great asset to our ministry to children and youth. While this is a short term position to allow us to begin our search for a new permanent Minister of Children, Youth and Young Families, we are grateful to have Marilyn to guide our Sunday School during this interim period. Special thanks to Tracey Brown, Sonja Guenther-Green, John Little and Margaret Smith for serving on the committee that has brought Marilyn to Siloam.

With the changes happening in our Sunday School leadership, it seems appropriate to comment on change in general. It’s true that we respond to some changes better than others. Some changes we embrace wholeheartedly; others we fear. One thing is sure: nothing stays completely the same. Change is a natural part of life.  As author and Youth Minister Kenda Creasy Dean writes, "Nobody knows this better than our young people. They live in a world where the latest smart phone is  obsolete every eighteen months,  information is instantaneous, and parents change on weekends. The one constant in the postmodern adolescent's experience is upheaval. Truth changes daily. The signature quality of adolescence is no longer lawlessness, but awelessness. Go ahead, youth say to the church. Impress me. When everything is true, nothing is true. Whatever."

The word "whatever" sums up the world of our youth very well. Dean argues, for example, that this word probably found its way into the vocabulary of our young people because the truth they seek has no name - like all the "no name" products that are on the market these days. As she writes, "...we live in a world that considers truth too relative to specify. The comics brought us mutant "X Men" and  "X Women"; consumer thinking brought us X brands and X spouses; pop culture brought us X Files and Generation X."

Of course, new generations and new labels have come along since Generation X made its debut. Generation Y, also known as the Millennial Generation, Generation Next, the Net Generation, and Echo Boomers, is the next generation. Then there is Generation Z, also known as Generation I, the Internet Generation, dubbed Generation @ by New York columnist Rory Winston and "Digital Natives" by Marc Prensky.  X, Y, and Z: it's all Greek to this aging Baby Boomer! But here is something hopeful to think about.

In the early church, the Greek letter "X" (chi) referred to Jesus Christ. The present generation of young adults is neither the first nor the last in search of "X." Paul recognized this quest in the Athenians, who went as far as to erect an altar to "an unknown god":

“What you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. . .The One who is Lord of heaven and earth. . . made all nations. . . so that they would search for God. . . . God will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom God has appointed, and of this we are assured because God raised him from the dead.” (Acts 17:23 31)

As Dean writes, "We all seek 'X,' God's Truth beyond relativity." We all pray that our young people will encounter God's truth for themselves. And so it is good to welcome Marilyn to Siloam this month. We trust that she will not only provide interim stability to our Sunday School, but will also bring with her some creative ideas to help our young people as they grapple and struggle to discover the truth we all seek.

Blessings to all of you - whether you are pre-World War II, post-War, Baby Boomer,
Generation X, Y, or Z!

Rev. Sheila Macgregor,
Lead Minister and Minister of Worship & Pastoral Care

 

YouthAtSioam

 

Sunday, February 20th

Hello Siloam United Church Families!

My name is Marilyn Flanigan and I'm looking very forward to getting to know you and your families as the Interim Christian Education Coordinator.

There are a number of opportunities for our youth to grow their relationship with Jesus, within the walls of this building, as well as the world around them.  These opportunities can be engaging and thought-provoking, and can also be a whole lot of fun!

The next few months promise to be full of activities for all ages of the Sunday School classes.  April 8th and June 3rd are the next PA Days for the Elementary Schools. Details on the programs that Siloam is offering those days will be available soon.  Please continue to check your bulletins for information on other events, for all ages of the Sunday School, as plans become more firm.

It's key that we all keep in touch, so with that in mind, my email is flanigans@execulink.com, my phone number is (519) 461-1539, and you can find me on facebook, under Marilyn Dufton-Flanigan.  Siloam will also be setting up a facebook page shortly – be sure to 'friend' us!

I'm excited to let our adventures begin and to meet you and your family!

Blessings,
Marilyn

 

Seeking Spirit
Saturday, March 5, 2011 - 7:00 to 9:00 pm

The theme is "Seeking Yourself". Learn about your personal strengths as we explore the topic of multiple intelligence with Anita Elworthy.

Why not join us as seek to understand. All ages are welcome.

For more information, contact cynthiamackinnon@rogers.com or brianmackinnon@rogers.com

 
Coming Events and activities

 

Siloam's Annual Pancake Supper

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 - 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Pancakes with real maple syrup, sausages, and beverages. Free will offering and food donations to the ELUCO Food Cupboard.

 

 

Part 2 - BEGINNINGS: THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

Starting Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm

A video‑based study of Christian spirituality with Rob Weber that introduces and explores spiritual "habits of the heart" in a fun informal way. A follow‑up to Beginnings: An Introduction to Christian Faith, individuals can also join this group without having completed the former study.

"The Spiritual Life" centers on a series of questions, one per session:

•Where is the Spirit in Spirituality? (Introduction to the Spiritual Life)
•How much am I willing to risk? (The Spiritual Habit of Courage)
•What is most important to me? (The Spiritual Habit of Loving)
•Can I find balance in a whirlwind world? (The Spiritual Habit of Centering)
•What do I want to be when I grow up? (The Spiritual Habit of Simplicity)
•How do I keep my possessions from possessing me? (The Spiritual Habit of Giving)
•How do I get ahead? (The Spiritual Habit of Serving)
•Can I go deeper without going under? (The Spiritual Habit of Trusting)
•What can I do with my doubts? (The Spiritual Habit of Questioning)
•Can a change in me change the world? (The Spiritual Habit of Engaging)

Each session begins with a meal. Participants then view a 20 minute video in which Rob Weber explores the week's topic through story and Scripture.