TrueCity Focus Teams

Melrose Breakfast presents:

gregreader — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:48:54 +0000

Creating a just, green future through a green economy with Environment Hamilton’s Dr. Lynda Lukasik

How do we move forward in tough economic times in a way that respects the planet and ensures a fair, living wage for
local workers? Environment Hamilton believes that a focus on greening our local economy provides a viable solution.
Come out to learn more, share your ideas and consider getting involved in EH’s GOLE (Greening Our
Local Economy)Project.

February 13th -
Breakfast starts at 9am
Speaker starts at 9:20

Melrose United Church
86 Homewood Avenue
Hamilton

Suggested donation is $10 per person

Climate Change Encounters Creation Care

gregreader — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:06:56 +0000

Luke Gascho, executive director at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Centre of Goshen College, will examine life-giving principles in the midst of climate change issues. What is the role of the church and educational institutions? How are communities and organizations already responding? Luke will present a talk, followed by discussion.

Date: Sunday January 24
Time: 4:00PM
Place: Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Road, Waterloo

For more information about Luke you can visit his webpage on Goshen College’s website: http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/about/gascho.php

Please note a revamped issue of CCC will be released in early February. If you have any stories to contribute, please contact Darren Kropf (see below). Specifically, we’ll explore the Biblical principle of Sabbath and how it can inform our relationship with creation. If you have ideas on this, send them Darren’s way!

Darren Kropf
Creation Care Program Coordinator
MCC Ontario, 50 Kent Ave. Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3R1
Tel: 519-745-8458, ext. 216 Toll Free: 1-800-313-6226, ext. 216
ontario.mcc.org/creationcare “Peace, Justice and Dignity for All People, Harmony with God’s Creation”
_Mennonite Central Committee (Ontario) (MCCO) has developed an Internet and Systems Use Policy for the protection of both the author and the recipient. This includes the right to monitor both incoming and outgoing e-mail. Questions regarding the MCCO Internet and Systems Use Policy and/or privacy practices may be directed to privacy@mennonitecc.on.ca. Because of the insecure nature of e-mail, we do not accept liability for errors, omissions or unintended effects that might arise. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and advise MCCO of your actions. Thank you._

Save Energy – Save Money!!!

gregreader — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:56:15 +0000

Just received this great news from Beatrice at Environment Hamilton:

Faith buildings are considered commerical buildings by Union Gas so if you are a costumer of Union Gas and decide to have an energy audit done on your faith building,they will pay up to 30% of the cost. This is huge.
Green Venture is at the ready to do the audit.

Having an energy audit done provides you with some basic information about current energy use in your building and the potential for more efficient usage. Its the best way to know where your building stands and how to save money in the long run.
Once you have the audit done you can quailify for retrofit grants from the government. This is a win-win situation.

Lastly, Union Gas has a program in place where faith groups can receive free energy saving devices such as the kitchen and bathroom aerators to save water, the free programable thermostats etc.

Please look at these documents: ESP 2009

Commercial Prescriptive Program Application Form 2009 – October 2009

The website www.uniongas.com also has excellent information

Please direct any questions to Beatrice – she can provide you with further contacts.

Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko
Project Facilitator
Greening Sacred Spaces
Environment Hamilton
1130 Barton St E
Hamilton, On
L8H 7P9

bekoko@faith-commongood.net
905 549 0900

Christmas is refugee story

refugees — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:53:39 +0000

“An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod.” (Matthew 2:13-15)

While he was still a young child, Jesus became a refugee. Jesus, his mother, Mary, and Joseph had the experience of being dispossessed and marginalized as aliens in a foreign land. They had to flee in the middle of the night to save their lives.

Like the experience of Mary and Joseph, the stories we hear from refugees often reflect the “immediacy” of their departure. When the rebels arrive there is no time to return to their house, or even to find their family. They just run to save their life.

The amazing thing is that Jesus understands this. This Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, take time to meditate on the fact that when Jesus chose to enter our world He came as a refugee.

What’s your Cultural Intelligence?

refugees — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:29:02 +0000

You have probably heard of IQ (intelligence quotient) or EQ (emotional intelligence quotient) but have you heard of CQ (cultural intelligence quotient)? A cultural intelligence quotient ” measures the ability to effectively reach across the chasm of cultural difference in ways that are loving and respectful” says David Livermore in his book “Cultural Intelligence- improving your CQ to engage our multicultural world” . This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to grow in relating cross-culturally. Livermore aims to help christian leaders become more multicultural people so that we might better express love cross-culturally.

On David Livermores’ blog is a link to an interesting on-line tool that actually helps you assess your own cultural intelligence. If you want to try it go to: http://davidlivermore.com/cq

Sustaining Sustainability

gregreader — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:35:03 +0000

“Eco” and “green” have become the new buzz words in marketing – and give the message that living sustainably is as easy as going to the supermarket …

You and I both know that a better solution to buying lower emission cars is to cut down on car use….. In essence, cars aren’t green.

Jody Van Dorp heads the eco-team at Redeemer University College. On Nov 17 she gave an excellent talk at the “Growing Green” evening sponsored by Environment Hamilton. She graciously allowed us to post her notes on our blog. Thanks Jody!

Click on greeningsacredspaces to read her personal and timely reflections.

Resource Assessments for Religious Buildings

gregreader — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:52:26 +0000

A presentation on Energy Audits For Religious Buildings

When: Thurs Nov 19 7:30 pm

Where: First Hamilton CRC, 181 Charleton Ave (just east of Queen) Hamilton

Thinking about having an energy audit done at your faith home or place of worship? Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton invites you to a presentation where you’ll learn from the pros about what to expect in an energy audit.

Line up includes:

Greening Sacred Spaces/Environment Hamilton screening a short version of the GSS film where you will see examples of what faith groups are doing province wide to green their sacred spaces.

Green Venture Since 1997, Green Venture has also been developing and implementing educational programming, which can assist your organization in cultivating a green culture and reduce your overall carbon footprint. Green Venture’s Certified Energy Advisor will be on hand to dispel energy myths and identify where the best value for energy investments are typically found using real life examples. Find out about why energy audits are important for long-term capital planning and get information about available subsidies and grants to help fund energy audits and retrofits.

David Patterson Greening Sacred Spaces/Faith and the Common Good:The Green Audit- A holistic, general audit for faith groups who want something other than the complete audit.

RSVP: Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko

bekoko@faith-commongood.net

905 549 0900

Growing Greening: Sustainability, Your Faith Community and You

gregreader — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:56:16 +0000

Four speakers will give you tips on how to build ’sustainability’ action within your faith home and amongst faith community members.

Convincing the Custodian:How a school that put out 90 bags of garbage a week went down to 1 bag weekly. Brenda Johnson of Environment Hamilton tells you how to make your work easier and lighter.

Staying Relevant to the Community: techniques. Denise Neutel is a community activist and member of Meadowlands Christian Reformed Church in Ancaster.

Engaging Youth: The ins and outs. Cathedral High School eco team will talk about motivational methods. They will show a 5 minute film.

Sustaining Sustainability: Jody Van Dorp heads the eco-team at Redeemer University College. She will talk on the methods she uses to get the next generation of leaders interested in stewardship.

Tuesday November 17th, 2009

Stanley Ave Baptist Church, 115 Stanley Avenue, Hamilton

7-9pm

All Welcome!

Contact Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko at 905 549 0900 or email bekoko@faith.commongood.net

A Joint Project of Faith and the Common Good and Environment Hamilton, supported by Ontario Trillium Foundation

a Day with Stuart Murray-Williams and Juliet Kilpin

gregreader — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:34:37 +0000

On the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 16th, Forge Missional Training Network, The Mennonite Church of Canada and Tyndale Seminary will be hosting a Day with Stuart Murray-Williams and Juliet Kilpin.

These two people are creative leaders and practitioners in the area of Church planting and urban ministry. They bring a wealth of experience and study on what it means to be the Church in the post Christendom urban European world, which is of particular relevance to our Canadian situation.

If you are not familiar with their work, the following links will provide you with an introduction.

Background on Stuart Murray Williams with books published.
Online Articles by Stuart Murray Williams:
* Church after Christendom: Belonging/Believing/Behaving
* Snapshots of post-Christendom
* After Christendom: Study Guide
* Post-Christendom, Post-Constantinianism, Post-Christian…does the label matter?
* Translocal Ministry after Christendom
* The Lost Message of Jesus?
* Emerging Church – Stuart Murray Williams -Notes

See Eflyer with details and registration information.

Driving Instructions

The Bayview campus is situated on east side of Bayview Ave., between Cummer Ave. and Steeles Ave. East. When traveling north on Bayview, turn right at the first gate. Travelling south on Bayview, turn left at the 3rd gate.

Parking. Drive past the church, continue to the right, around the bend, and you will find the Tyndale parking lot. Enter the building on the left, facing the parking lot. Look for the blue Tyndale sign. Parking is limited, please car pool where possible.

Mirrors in Space: What Can be Done About Climate Change

gregreader — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:48:55 +0000

On November 17th Redeemer is hosting a lecture by Dr. Edward Berkelaar titled, “Mirrors in Space: What Can Be Done About Climate Change?”. The lecture is from 7 -9 p.m. and pre-registration is required. The evening costs $15 and light refreshments are included. To register, please call 905-648-2139, ext. 4224 or sign up online at www.redeemer.ca/clear We hope you can encourage people to come out to learn more about this important topic!

Transformational Preaching – Darrell Johnson at MacDiv

gregreader — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:11:42 +0000

Darrell Johnson is the featured speaker at this year’s “John N. Gladstone Festival of Preaching” at McMaster Divinity College.

Fri Oct 30, 2009
8:45 am – 4:00 pm

Here’s an excerpt from the brochure:

We have all experienced the transforming power of words in some way. Yet, for those who are called to a ministry of proclamation and teaching, it is crucial that we understand how words work in the art of preaching. This conference is designed to expand our understanding of transformational preaching so participants will be better equipped to fulfill the ministry to which they are called. Each session is deliberately designed to assist participants in embracing their transformative preaching.

This conference is a must if you are:
• a pastor whose primary ministry is proclamation and teaching
• a lay person eager to strengthen the church’s proclamation ministry
• an alumnus looking for vital continuing education and opportunity to network with colleagues
• a current student looking for inspiration toward your own ministry of transformative preaching

Discernment Process at Mount Hamilton Baptist

gregreader — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:10:01 +0000

In this video, Leanne and Dallas Friesen, pastors at Mount Hamilton Baptist Church, describe benefits from the discernment process they have been involved in.

A Day With Alan Hirsch

gregreader — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:33:54 +0000

On Fri Oct 30, from 9:30 to 3:30 pm, Tyndale Seminary is hosting a day with Alan Hirsch, a creative and energetic contributor to the global “missional church” conversation. He is the author of a number of challenging books (see the following links):

Alan Hirsch links
* Intro and Ch. 1, The Forgotten Ways
* (with M. Frost), ReJesus: A Wild Messiah for a Missional Church (2009)
* www.theforgottenways.org (Hirsch’s blog); also Shapeline blog 2
* Alan Hirsch video interviews

For more information on this gathering, click on Alan Hirsch poster

go2learn:LEADING WITH CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE

refugees — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:53:04 +0000

There is a great learning opportunity coming up on OCTOBER 23-24th 2009. International Teams is hosting a 2 day leadership conference on “glocal” (global and local) training for missional leaders.

DAVID LIVERMORE, will be the keynote speaker. He is a gifted communicator with a wealth of knowledge in the whole area of cultural intelligence. (If you haven’t read his book “Serving with Eyes Wide Open” you need to!) This year he will introduce us to best practices for connecting across any cultural divide including national , ethnic, and organizational cultures.

There will also be several breakout sessions including:

churches working together “glocally”
embracing cultural diversity
resourcing and fundraising missional activities
preparing fora successful short term team
planning for long term impact

I think it will be great learning day for all those interested in cross-cultural ministry. Please consider joining us.

For full event details and to register online visit: go2learn.iteams.ca or call International Teams Canada at 1 -800-465-7601 (toll free) . The conference is being held in Waterloo, ON. The registration deadline is October 16th and the cost is $50.

There will be a group from Hamilton going so if you are interested and need a ride let us know. Email alisonjillwitt@gmail.com

Countdown to the Ride

refugees — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:23:08 +0000

IF you haven’t signed up yet- it’s not too late. The 6th annual Ride for Refugees happens here in Hamilton in just a couple weeks (Oct 3rd). The Ride for Refugees is a growing worldwide movement of people riding bikes, raising money, and advocating for refugees. Register yourself, lead a team, give generously or volunteer. Go to www.rideforrefugees.com for more info.

Missional Job Description Resources

gregreader — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:56:42 +0000

“So what do we do now?” That’s the question which the missional conversation inevitably leads to and almost never answers. Too often this results in frustration and disillusionment. But now the conversation is shifting into the practical realm of actual job descriptions. Tyndale seminary has made available three excellent resources which may well prove to be of huge help to congregations in bringing clarity to the shared expectations of their leaders. Here’s the link: Missional Job Descriptions

Manufactured Landscapes – A Film by Jennifer Baichwal

gregreader — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:07:07 +0000

STORY Umbrella & IMAGO

In partnership with Trinity College

Present

Manufactured Landscapes

A Film by Jennifer Baichwal

Thursday September 24^th 2009

7:00 p.m.

George Ignatieff Theatre – Trinity College

16 Devonshire Place (south of Bloor east of St. George)

A Unique Opportunity to see an Extraordinary Film

Followed by a discussion with Director Jennifer Baichwal

Hosted by Professor Stephen Scharper

And audience Q & A

Tickets: $10 – at the door

This film is a documentary on the work of renowned artist Edward Burtynski focusing on his work on “manufactured landscapes”. The film follows him through China as he views the effects of a massive industrial revolution. It is a film that can shift our consciousness about the world and the way we live in it….

AWARDS
Best Documentary Feature – Toronto Film Critics Association
Best Canadian Feature – Toronto Film Critics Association
Best Canadian Feature – Toronto Film Festival
Best Documentary – Genie Awards

www.storyumbrella.org or www.imago-arts.on.ca

Canning Workshop

gregreader — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:43:17 +0000

2009 Sept 14, Monday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

St Augustine’s RC Church
58 Sydenham & Melville St, Dundas, ON

Greening Sacred Spaces and The Hamilton Fruit Tree Project (projects of Environment Hamilton), along with DO-iT are teaming up to offer a canning workshop. We will be canning pears.

All ingredients and equipment will be supplied by the Hamilton Fruit Tree Project.

Bring yourself and your eager hands (and tummies)!
Contact Beatrice or Juby at 905 549 0900 to reserve your space

Space is limited!

A Celebration of Local Food

gregreader — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:39:12 +0000

Join “Greening Sacred Spaces” for a tasty brunch of locally produced foods. Local food consumption is a vital form of stewardship and creation care. Learn how you can make eating locally a part of your everyday lifestyle from seasoned speakers in the movement. This is an opportunity for members of the Hamilton and area faith groups to network together and to share in the bounty of our community.
When: The morning of Saturday August 8th 2009
Where: St James Anglican Church, 137 Melville St, Dundas
Time: 10-12am
cost: $12 per person
For more information contact Rebecca Birtch at
rebeccabirtch2@hotmail.com
To order tickets email Beatrice or call Environment Hamilton at 905 549 0900

Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton is a joint project of Environment Hamilton and Faith & the Common Good. It is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Poster for “Worship Without Your Car”

gregreader — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:53:49 +0000

Here’s the poster for the Worship Without Your Car event:

without car poster

Worship Without Your Car

gregreader — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:29:51 +0000

Here’s an initiative which a wide range of faith groups are participating in. Perhaps it would be something your church could consider?

Worship Without Your Car: Get To Your Faith Centre A Greener Way

Traveling green is an important way we can be stewards of our planet.

Over the weekend of July 17th, 18th and 19th, Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton invites people of all faiths to travel to worship that Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on foot, by bike, by public transit or carpool.

Your faith group will be competing against other Hamilton faith groups for a chance to win a prize for your place of worship.
The groups with the highest percentage of participants get the prizes.

Be part of the fun while promoting active transportation. Register your place of worship to participate and promote active transportation by emailing Beatrice at bekoko@faith-commongood.net or by calling Environment Hamilton at 905 549 0900. Once you register participants from your group can join your team.
Let’s celebrate ‘a greener way to worship’ together!

A joint project of Faith & the Common Good and Environment Hamilton with generous support of the Trillium Foundation.

Note- there will be more information and a poster to follow.

World Refugee Sunday-June 21st

refugees — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:44:07 +0000

June 21st has been designated World Refugee Sunday by the World Evangelical Alliance.

We encourage you to consider including the forcefully displaced in our world today in your worship that day. Some ideas:

Consider including them in your prayers during your worship service(s)
Consider having your Sunday morning educational classes (aka Sunday School) to explore a biblical story about forcefully uprooted people (see “Refugees in the Bible” below for some ideas).
Consider raising awareness of this global issue during your worship using one or more of the following resources:
- Refugees in the Bible (27 kb)
- Snapshot of Refugee Realities on the Refugee Highway Today (216 kb)
- Understanding the Basic Terminology of Forced Displacement (519 kb or 77 kb)
Consider asking a refugee or former refugee that is part of your fellowship to share their story of displacement with the church
Consider including a note about World Refugee Sunday in your bulletin and other church publications
Consider downloading and playing Hold On – a 5 minute musical prayer for uprooted people in the world during your offetory, prelude or postlude. Download Hold On by choosing a resolution and clicking a link below. QuickTime player required to view:
- high resolution (126 MB)
- medium resolution (42 MB)
Consider downloading and playing “The Orphan, Widow and Alien“, a 3 minute interview from International Teams about the mandate of God’s people to love the refugee. Note: .mp4 file -QuickTime or iTunes Player required to view.
Consider encouraging other pastors and churches you know about World Refugee Day
Consider coming up with some better ideas and resources!

Take a look at www.refugeehighway.net, the official website of the Refugee Highway Partnership (WEA) for more resources to help churches observe this day.

Creation Care Crossroads Spring 2009 Newsletter

gregreader — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:26:04 +0000

To view an excellent newsletter from Mennonite Central Committee’s Creation Care Crossroads, simply click on mcc.org/ontario/creationcare

MDP has been a great help to Mount Hamilton Baptist

gregreader — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:17:21 +0000

As a Pastor attempting to lead a congregation through the excitingly murky waters of missional living, I am always looking for resources to aid in that journey. It is one thing to read the latest book on missional or kingdom living, but translating those concepts from theory to practice is tough for even those most seasoned in ministry. So last year when I became aware of the Missional Development Project of True City I took notice. And I am glad that I did.

The Missional Development Project became an opportunity to lead, first our leaders and then the whole congregation, through a process of discernment, envisioning and strategic implementation. The process of bringing people together through dialogue was vital. People experienced a heightened sense of community which translated into a collective deepening of dependence on Christ and a call to service. People looked for ways that they could be about solutions and took ownership.

Through interaction with Greg Reader and Andrew Zantingh we were able to personalize an approach to congregational change that took into consideration the dynamics of our context. Not only has this process been helpful for the church but it has also been transformational in my own leadership, particularly in how I lead meetings.

We have been blessed to be able to interact with the Missional Developmental Project and I believe it truly is a Kingdom thing.

Peace.
Rev. Dallas Friesen

Hamilton Ride for Refugees- Oct 3rd 2009

refugees — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:42:12 +0000

Mark your calendars now! This October 3rd, join your friends and community in the 6th annual Ride for Refugees. It’s a growing worldwide movement of people riding bikes, raising money and advocating for refugees.

Keep checking the website rideforrefugees.com for more details. As the time gets closer there will be more up-to-the-minute news and resources posted there. By participating in the Ride for Refugees, you can involve your friends, family, church or work-mates in raising much needed dollars for the unique needs of refugees along the refugee highway, including refugee resettlement in Hamilton.

FRWY Screening “A Crude Awakening”

gregreader — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:32:33 +0000

This Wednesday May 6 at 7pm, generously hosted by Environment Hamilton, we will be screening A Crude Awakening at The Freeway. A volunteer from Environment Hamilton will be there for discussion and questions after the film – it covers issues such as the geological reality of peak oil, its global impacts, its causal role in relation to the present recession, its relationship to climate change, two scenarios for societal collapse, and mitigation. Hope to see you there! Jeanette

A Crude Awakening Poster

Tyndale’s On-line Reading Rooms and other missional resources

gregreader — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:43:48 +0000

Tyndale Seminary’s In-Ministry program has developed an excellent missional resource site, with book reviews, job descriptions, reading rooms, arts, and links to a wide selection of pertinent on-line texts. This clear and easily navigable site offers not only a comprehensive overview of missional resources, but also the possibility of searching and reading the texts on-line. It’s a great help to those exploring these themes here and, particularly, in parts of the world in which these resources are otherwise unavailable. Thanks Tyndale!

Launch of “Greening Sacred Spaces”

gregreader — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:41:00 +0000

Greening Sacred Spaces is a cooperative effort of Environment Hamilton and Faith and the Common Good. Check out the program launch this coming Monday Apr 20 at Temple Anshe Shalom (215 Vline Ave N, Hamilton) 9 – 10:30 am.

greening-sp-poster-3

Christopher Wright Speaking at Tyndale

gregreader — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:14:00 +0000

Christopher Wright, author of The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative, will be the guest speaker at a symposium at Tyndale Seminary on Saturday April 18, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm in the chapel.

This is a free event so it’s a good opportunity to bring others along as well.

The Gospel is Good News to the Poor

gregreader — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:08:19 +0000

Raineer and Mila Chu have been friends and mentors to my wife, Helen, and me for many years. Raineer is an attorney and Mila is a medical doctor. Both could have pursued highly lucrative careers but, instead, they have devoted their knowledge, their skills, and their lives to forming community among the poor of their native Philippines, community which is a sign and a witness of the reality and presence of Christ. Raineer and Mila have thought long and hard about the dynamics of wealth and poverty, power and voicelessness, and they have explored these dynamics not so much in theory, but in the sweat and joys and pain of everyday life. The text of one of Raineer’s recent sermons captures a core perspective of the gospel with a clarity, depth and breadth which I have seldom encountered. I’ve posted it here because I believe that the church of the northern hemisphere often equates “missionality” with helping those in need by making strategic use of “our” resources. This message from the other side of the world is a timely corrective to that assumption. Just click on the link below …

gospel-is-good-news-to-the-poor

Greg Reader