See other needs at Bethel following this week’s feature!
Follow Up – Advent Conspiracy
Loving God Passionately, Serving Others Significantly
Love all, Spend less, Give more, Worship fully
Remember the Advent Conspiracy, from back before Christmas?
If you don’t, or are new to Bethel, the general idea was:
-“Conspiring” to SPEND LESS, GIVE MORE, LOVE ALL and WORSHIP FULLY
- Focusing on relationship and solidarity, not just photogenic charity
- Considering what God is calling you, individually, to do year-round:
We had a list of ideas for you to consider, including local and global initiatives (like building relationships with people in poverty within Kingston, contributing to the Salvation Army Food Baskets, purchasing a goat through World Vision, etc)
Updates from 2009 Christmas Season
- 15 children from the North end of Kingston received Christmas gifts, through the North Kingston Community Health Center program
- several mitts, hats and scarves have been passed out to people on the street, through Peer Support Kingston
- Approx. 30 food baskets were provided through the Salvation Army
- Many other individual initiatives that we may never know about on this side of heaven… It is these relationships and lifestyle changes which will have the most lasting impact.
However, this is NOT a “project” that we have successfully completed.
This is an initiative that is on-going, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. But….
HOW??!!
1. Build relationships
- Talk to people on the street
- Get involved (see the back table for a list of places to learn and serve).
- Let stereotypes dissolve into friendships
- Pray for the people that you’re getting to know
2. Inform your self
- learn about the issues facing people in poverty (locally and/or globally)
- read up on pertinent issues
- check out these great internet resources:
- Citizens for Public Justice website – http://www.cpj.ca/
- Center for Social Justice website – http://www.socialjustice.org/
- Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives website – http://www.policyalternatives.ca/
- KAIROS website – http://www.kairoscanada.org/en/
3. Be an advocate
- write to our City Councillors, MPP (John Gerretsen) and MP (Peter Milliken).
- join the Citizens for Public Justice, etc.
- prayerfully consider which piece of the puzzle God is calling you to work on. There are MANY issues that you can choose to focus on; affordable housing, hunger and nutrition, lack of benefits, minimum wage, addictions and mental health, inadequate Social Assistance, etc.
This is integral to our call as The Church, and also to our Bethel mission statement to LOVE God passionately and the SERVE others significantly. We can’t fully love God if we ignore His commands to seek justice and love mercy, we can’t serve our community if we don’t understand the issues that face our most vulnerable members. What a privilege we have, to see God’s Kingdom come here on earth as we “learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17).
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- Practical Assistance through St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is an organization which assists needy families and individuals with all sorts of practical needs. These include things from emergency help with utility bills and rent, to dental care, clothing and diapers. The office is located at 85A Stephen Street. All financial and clothing donations are welcome. For more information call the office at (613) 546-3333.
- Bethel Missionary Gift
Help to support our Bethel Missionaries, locally and internationally as they reach the unreached. You can direct your gift to the Bethel Missionary Committee, and they will direct your gift to a missionary who is in need of support. For more information, contact Jenny Lee
- World Vision Gift Catalogue (eg. Buy a Goat)
Through World Vision, or another organization of your choice, you can browse through an online catalogue and purchase a sustainable, life-giving gift for a family in the developing world. For more information, see: https://catalogue.worldvision.ca/Gifts/Forms/Home.aspx
- Contribute to drilling a well
This was the original idea embraced by people who began the “Advent Conspiracy”. To learn more about this initiative, go to www.adeventconspiracy.org and click on GIVE WATER at the top of the page. The agency is called Living Water.
- Small Group Challenge/Commit your Time Throughout the Year
There are many, many ways to donate your time, and give in a relational way to people living in poverty in Kingston.
URGENT NEED – CHURCH TREASURER!
Due to health concerns, Geoff Baker must step down as our treasurer. As a result, we have an urgent need to fill the position.
Some financial knowledge is a must, although Bethel uses the QuickBooks Financial software to simplify things, and some training could be provided.
If you think you could help, even on a temporary basis, please contact Carmen by e-mail or by phone at the office for details.
Thanks in advance for helping fill the important role!
Tellers needed — We still need 2 tellers who only need to help with counting the loose offering every 5th week. Anyone interested can contact Art at kart@kingston.net, or (613-389-6568).
Used Stamps – Bring in your old stamps and they will be used to buy bibles for use overseas!
Christian Salvage Mission – help them as they collect used and excess evangelical Christian literature and ship it to Christian workers in third world countries for their use. Bring in your used Christian books!
