Westminster's Youth                                           May 2009
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
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Greetings!

Well, isn't the year just flying by so quickly!  So many exciting things are happening and we hope the children are enjoying their time in Sunday School. 
 
For our enviromental friends...
*Make Orangeville Shine starts at Rotary Park tomorrow morning
*Scouts tree planting
*Westminster hosts "Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream" workshop. Bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually filling, and socially just human presence on Earth. This event is FREE. Registration & Coffee: 8:30-9:00am. Workshop: 9:00am to 1:00pm. To register please call 519-941-0381 or email marysarginson@hotmail.com
www.awakeningthedreamer.org
 
Vacation Bible School is being planned for August 10-14.  We'll never turn down someone who wants to help.  Registration will be open soon... mark your calendars!
 
Let the Youth know about Silverlane... a band who will be playing at St. Timothy's R.C. Church on May 9th at 7:30 p.m. 
 
Have you heard?  Barbara Cooper and Janet Jones are up to something... they're collecting used, disposable Tim Horton cups.  We hear their project is top secret, but need a whole bunch of them. 
 
We welcome Deb Hopper, who leads worship upstairs on Sunday.  Youth are invited to experience her form of service.  The Sunday School will be gathering downstairs. 
 
Summer Sundays are in the planning phase.  We are looking for parents who don't mind taking one Sunday over the summer to teach a lesson, already planned and set out for you.  Email Karen for more details.
 
Don't forget... those Campbell Soup labels you're putting into that box outside the Friendship Room benefit the Sunday School and Youth and help to keep our budget down.
  
And if you have something to share with us... send us an email and we'll spread the word! 
 
With thanks to our many volunteers!
Your Christian Education Action Group.
 
Parents' Porch
Your Faith in Your Child
            Children love to learn about God.  They learn about someone who loves them immensely and can solve any problem.  The stories are great!  Younger kids believe what you tell them, and they want to be like you.  They're happy to fold their hands and pray and sing songs about Jesus.  It's normal for kids to mimic the adults in their lives, especially the ones closest to them.
            Elementary age kids love to hear stories of when their parents were children.  When you tell the stories, you share what's important in your life - what you value, what you believe, the foundations of your faith.  By the time they're teenagers, kids know what their parents believe and are sorting out for themselves what they believe.
            Your kids are watching your faith, trying it out.  They watch how you respond to stress or to bad news or a new challenge or a strained relationship or a financial crisis.  Do you pray?  Do you ask God what to do?  Do you answer God's call?  Do you take the first step to forgive?  Do you give generously when it seems you have nothing to give?
            Passing on your faith is not about telling Bible stories and imparting flawless doctrine.  It's showing kids how to be more like Jesus every day, in any situation, in every situation.  Put your faith to work so your kids can see what God can do.
            "By faith we eagerly await through the Spirit of the righteousness for which we hope"  (Galatians 5:5).
Copyright 2007 by Susan Martins Miller
Youth Group Retreat at Five Oaks
Nov. 13-15, Fri. 7:30pm-Sun. 12:30 with lunch games, worship, drama, outdoor activities & crafts for grades 7 & up. Cost: $175
http://www.fiveoaks.on.ca
 
Fishing Tournament & Family Camping Weekend ~ July 10-12, 2009
Hosted by the Friends of Island Lake at Island Lake Conservation Area!  $80 registration includes: Two nights of camping (family of 6), Entry in the fishing tournament (no fishing license required); Evening campfire with live entertainment; Children's activities and nature games; Guided hikes; BBQ and refreshments. $4500 in cash prizes!  (Longest bass - $2500; 2nd place - $1000; 3rd place - $500; plus $100 cash prizes for longest pike, crappie and perch)  Early bird prize - register by June 28th for your chance to win $250 cash. 
To register, or for more information, please call Friends of Island Lake at 1-800-367-0890
 
COMING EVENTS
 
Friday, May 1 ~ Ham Dinner at Westminster
 
Saturday, May 2 ~ Make Orangeville Shine ~ 9 a.m. to noon: 
Register at Rotary Park at 9:00 a.m. to get your clean-up assignment and kick the day off with coffee, juice and Timbits courtesy of the organizers.  Everyone involved is encouraged to meet back at Rotary Park for 12:00 noon to enjoy a BBQ & refreshments.  The first 100 individuals to register will receive Clean-up T-shirts and gloves.  For more information contact Fred Murphy at 519-941-3945
 
Saturday, May 2 ~ The 4th Orangeville Scouts invite everyone to join them in tree planting.  High School students can earn volunteer hours.  For information please contact Chuck Heron at 519-941-4491
 
Saturday, May 2 ~ A Dufferin-Peel Presbytery Green Event: Our experienced Workshop Leaders will present their Symposium "Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream" as a profound inquiry into a bold vision: to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on Earth. This event is FREE. Registration & Coffee: 8:30-9:00am. Workshop: 9:00am to 1:00pm. To register please email marysarginson@hotmail.com

Sunday May 3 ~ Sunday School - class sessions
 
Wednesday, May 6 ~ Day Away at FIve Oaks 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The bulk of the day is for you to tend practices that deepen relationship with the Divine. Cost: $45 includes lunch. ($60 includes lunch and Spiritual Accompaniment for one session) http://www.fiveoaks.on.ca
 
Friday, May 8 to May 10 ~ Prayer of Heart & Body: Yoga & Meditation Retreat at Five Oaks (Cost: $390)
 
Saturday, May 9 ~ Orangeville's Farmer's Market kicks off for the season, at Town Hall. Runs until October 24th.
 
Saturday, May 9 ~ Silverlane plays at St. Timothy's R.C. at 7:30 p.m. $10 admission
 
Sunday, May 10 ~ Sunday School - Children will be making flowers for all ladies in congregation 

Sunday, May 17 ~ Sunday School - no Sunday School, but children & youth are encouraged to participate in Worship!  Sign up sheet will be posted in the auditorium.
 
Monday, May 18 ~ Victoria Day (No School!)
 
Saturday, May 23 ~ Grand Valley Lions' Duck Race Day (events begin at 8 a.m.; Duck races begin at 2 p.m. $5 per duck - first six ducks that cross the finish line win prizes.)  More information: www.grandvalleylions.com  
 
Sunday, May 24 ~ Sunday School - class sessions
 
Sunday, May 24 ~ Caledon KOS Triathlon and Family Fun Races for children ages 3+ and events for adults
 
Monday, May 25 ~ Journaling as Spiritual Practice at Five Oaks from 7-9:30 p.m. Explore how we can express ourselves before God through words and images.  (Cost: $25)  http://www.fiveoaks.on.ca

Saturday, May 30 ~ Stride for Life:  1K walk/run and 5K trail run.  For more information, visit: http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=4375

Sunday, May 31 ~ Sunday School - Sunday School & Youth will be making special token for Anniversary Sunday
 
Sunday, June 7 ~ Sunday School Closing AND Church Picnic!  Church picnic will take place at the Smith residence and will have games and more...