Christmas Dinner Stories
January 6, 2012 by Steve ·
STORIES and REFLECTIONS from Christmas Day Dinner at St. John’s Kitchen:
Highlights for me include:
- The number of volunteers who came up to me and thanked us for the
opportunity to serve and be with the team. There were a number of people who
would have spent the Christmas morning alone had it not been for the time
with us. - Generosity. People from all over displayed tremendous generosity. We were
blown away. More than ever I am convinced that people keenly desire to serve
others. We simply must find new ways for people to serve others! - The number of guests who sought me out to thank me for the fact that we
served lunch. Often meals like this are taken for granted but many really
were appreciative of what we did and the way they felt valued.
Jeremy
We were really happy to be able to serve at the St. John’s Christmas dinner. This was our second time making, decorating and serving cookies.
I gave some cookies to an older woman with a walker, and then talked with her for a while. I offered to get her lunch, and then asked if I could eat with her. She was very sweet (and very hungry). As we talked, we realized we had a common connection – two of the neighbourhood girls who babysit for us are daughters of her late nephew. Talk about a small world! Chatting with her was such a pleasant way to spend Christmas lunch.
Our kids, 8 and 4, also have a great time there, and we’re hoping this becomes a part of their normal Christmas celebration.
Thanks for allowing us to serve with you.
Bethany, Greg, Lydia and Nathan
We loved seeing you all there! Working alongside of each of you…loving others…was a great way to celebrate Christ’s birth!
There was a guy who parked himself right inside the little corner of cookie decorating and organizing. He was surrounded by a bustle of activity and had a front row seat for all this action. I asked him if he preferred to move and he indicated that he was right where he wanted to be. He said that
he enjoyed watching us do our work, both adults and kids alike. He often watched and smiled and occasionally engaged us in some type of conversation. He appeared to be totally relaxed and happy being with us.
I ate lunch with a woman who said she was “all alone” in life. She heard about today’s dinner and decided to come despite having little money for gasoline for her car. She said “this is where I want to be with all of YOU today”. The way she spoke to us, engaged us in conversation felt like we
were her family for that morning.
I noticed a number of guests would watch the children and had contented looks on their faces. Once I came over to quiet down our kids, who were being a bit loud, one man said, “Don’t worry, I’m keeping my eye on them”. Even the gruffest of guests seemed to grow tender and protective as
the children played nearby.
Teresa and Dan
Running & Reading 12.1.11
December 7, 2011 by Steve ·
Cedarbrae Running & Reading Club
We are preparing now for Winter Celebration, an event run by Start2Finish. Kids and leaders travel together by bus to Toronto for a special happening with all the other clubs – movie, games, food! Our R&R kids will also have the opportunity to compete in the “Word of the Day Challenge” for a pizza party for our club. This is a big event for many of these kids, who get really excited when we drive past the airport on the 401! Thank you for your support for these kids and our coaches.
Corrie Ballantyne
Running & Reading 11.24.11
November 30, 2011 by Steve ·
Cedarbrae Running & Reading Club
Due to the limitations of the school gym, we have had to limit the size of the program to approximately 40 kids. This has been a hard decision to make since there are many more kids who would benefit from and love to be part of our Running & Reading Club. This only reinforces the many needs of these kids and that we must continue to find creative ways to help and support them. Who knows if in a couple years we are able to run TWO independent Running & Reading programs at Cedarbrae!
Corrie Ballantyne
Sunnydale Connect Nov. 21, 2011
November 22, 2011 by Steve ·
As the warm weather has pushed us indoors for most of our events for the next few months, we have had to find some new event ideas! This week we had Nicole, one of our leaders who spent 4 months in India this summer, tell us a bit about her experience and the country itself. 2 of our youth were going to contribute to the evening with their multi-cultural experiences as well however, unfortunately at the last minute could not be with us for the evening. We ended the evening with some samosas from the local Indian store, some group games and socializing. More events like this where we share our cultures/backgrounds are coming up!
-Katelyn Bearinger
Running & Reading Nov. 17, 2011
November 20, 2011 by Steve ·
Cedarbrae Running & Reading Club
Running & Reading Club is well underway! and I am very excited to tell you that we have a great group of kids and a fantastic group of volunteers this year. Our core group of volunteers continues to grow, with at least 10 returning from last year. Their commitment is what holds this program together, and I cannot thank them enough for all their help. We also have a significant number of Junior Coaches (high school age) who are very dedicated and showing very promising leadership skills.
Corrie Ballantyne
Community…
October 29, 2011 by Steve ·
Katelyn writes…
In October we (Sunnydale Connect) spent 2 evenings on an art project that let us explore our creative sides!
We each created a mask by moulding each youth’s face with plaster and then after it had dried, we decorated with paint, glue, feathers, and more.
We closed our night with an inclusive conversation about building community, the importance of a positive atmosphere at Connect, and how we can create this each week.
A display board at the community centre shows our thoughts on what feels comfortable and what makes us feel uncomfortable.
Sunnydale Connect Rides for Refuge
October 14, 2011 by Steve ·
Together, 23 members of the Ride Team raised over $4,600 ! Way to go Team!!!
Goals reached!
October 2, 2011 by maureen ·
LCA riders reached their goals yesterday in the Waterloo Ride for Refuge. Congratulations to each one; gratitude to all sponsors — our $10,000 goal has been reached! Way to go!!
Where’s Jeremy… blog #1
August 25, 2011 by Steve ·
Friday
I have been challenged to write about my current venture. My resistance is high, seeing, experiencing and then digesting requires a couch; communicating requires more than I might be capable of. Who will listen anyway? What can I say?
I pursue an abiding passion to right wrongs, to see justice, to help people navigate through life. Programs, systems, strategies all play a role. But real change comes as individuals encounter one another in ever deepening relationships. People engaging one another.
I sit on the plane with my traveling companions, Bryan and Francis. Byran is a 31 year old accountant, a fellow marked by sincerity and loyalty, Francis, 28, a big hearted engineer. Each desiring to discover their niche and contribution. Our plans will take us to Kenya and then Zambia. Our objective is to learn and discover, and if possible, assist. But what do we know? In a few hours we will land in a world none of us have ever encountered before. The country of Kenya with its varied history has long held an appeal to me.
Saturday
Today we encountered a truly remarkable school, perched half way up the hillside looking out over a sprawling settlement. This elementary school seeks to provide hope for community transformation. And hope beyond.
Piled one upon another, railway transport cars serve as an adequate home for 140 students. Built on a model of total sustainability, the leadership of this school has established vegetable gardens, a small herd of milking cows, a well to capture methane gas from the cattle manure, water recycling, and a fish pond.
Outside of our car windows, the world simply flows by in an every changing kaleidoscope of life; farmers swinging their hoes into rich red soil, herders following behind mooing, jostling cattle or bounding goats, town markets bubbling with activity, each stall carefully arranged to show its multi-coloured wares, pottery piled pyramid like.
And people – walking, cycling, cavorting, waving, staring, jostling — always people – swinging machetes, balancing loads on their heads, always people – life abounds.
Just a few days ago, we left behind the world of stock markets and uncertainty. Commentators in serious tones relating doom and fear. Fortunes teetering on the verge of collapse, it seemed. But the people who make up my movie reel today know nothing of that world or the uncertainty that can reach into each corner of our lives with a strangling grip. They go about their days as those before; farmers farm land, herders herd goats, mothers nurse newborns, men gather in circles, chatting. Today is today. “Today”, a wise teacher once said, “has enough trouble of its own. Let tomorrow alone, deal with today.”
Where’s Jeremy???
August 18, 2011 by Steve ·
Today, Jeremy, Bryan Bauman & Francis Bauman are on their way to Kenya Africa. Jeremy is intent on blogging his way through this journey and has promised to email updates regularly to us. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming news!