Epiphany is a Finger Pointing Towards the Light

Each week, at the beginning of our gathering, we light the Christ candle as a visual reminder that we worship in the presence of the Risen Christ. We are not alone. This Presence  is the light in whatever darkness we are facing. We are held by Presence at all times. Even when we cannot see or feel this Presence, God is with us, closer than our breathe.  As we light the Christ candle, it is as if  we are pointing our fingers at this reality for each other.  We are reminding each other of the Light. This helps us reorient our hearts back towards God and prepares us for worship.

This Epiphany, we are speaking out these words as we light the Christ candle:

ONE:  God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Jesus Christ was born, a small steady light shining in our darkness. He is like the light at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after the rains. Darkness is passing, the true light is already shining.

ALL:  “Arise, shine, for our light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon us.

In Epiphany, we declare that the object of our deepest desires is very near. And in Epiphany we receive the invitation to rise up and go to the One we desire, the one who is already with us, and has  been with us since the moment we were conceived on this earth.  Turning towards the light, we turn towards our true selves. In this light we find home, even if we are traveling under a star struck night towards a place whose name we do not yet even know.

PIZZA PARTY FOR NEWBIES!

Sunday, Feb 3rd, after church.

Are you new-ish to Southpoint? Want to hear a bit more about us?  Meet a few more folk? Twice a year we hold a pizza party after church just for you and a few families on our leadership team. This gives us a chance to tell stories, answer questions, and help you feel more at home.  If you haven’t been to a pizza lunch before and would like to join us, we would love to have you. Please let Anne know:  RSVP to aksmith64@gmail.com or office@southpoint.ca

Community Connections

One of our core images is the NET. As a church, we want to build and restore relational connections within and around our community, which includes being involved in good things happening around us. Here are a few offerings for you from the wider community…

An Invitation from Roland Balzer on behalf of Soulstream:

The Kairos Blanket Exercise

“The KAIROS Blanket Exercise™ program is a unique, interactive and participatory Canadian-Indigenous history lesson, developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators for reconciliation.  Canada is in a season of reconciliation between “settlers” and its indigenous peoples and we are being invited to participate. Reconciliation requires understanding and a common memory.  This SoulStream-sponsored event will help us on the journey together.

The event is Sunday, Feb 10 @ St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church. The fee is $40. Register at https://soulstream.org/blanket-exercise-february-2019/.”   For more info contact Roland Balzer (rbalzer@telus.net)

Next Life App:

January 18th, 7:30-9:30, Chief Sepass Theater.   Theme:  “Relationships: What Makes or Breaks Them?” for more info. https://www.lifeapp.ca/calendar/relationships2019

Interested? Contact Anne

ALL IN & Potluck Next Week!

After our ALL IN service next Sunday we will be joining together for a potluck. If you are able please come bearing yummy food for everyone to share. 🙂

SEEDS UPDATE:

News about Kids and Youth at Southpoint

Turning 13??

We have a ritual at Southpoint that honours that passageway from childhood to adulthood.  When a child turns 13 we offer them a blessing and they have a symbolic “crossing over” from childhood to adulthood – recognizing that this is a process but honouring that there is a transition.  This is not something that Anne or Angela initiate. Rather, we rely on parents to let us know your child is turning 13 and would like to participate in this ritual.  Some have chosen not to because they are shy. However, we are happy to explore ways of making it more comfortable for your child if they would like to consider this.  It can be quite meaningful for us as a congregation and the individual.  So – if we’ve missed someone – or if you child is coming up to 13 – please let us know – we’d love to include them in this ritual.

Interested in Baptism?

We have baptisms at Southpoint when a youth or adult expressing a desire to be baptized. To prepare youth for baptism, Anne takes them through journey of preparation by meeting weekly for the weeks following Easter. Two youth have expressed a desire to be baptized. Are there any other youth/children/adults interested? If so, please communicate with Anne so she can follow up and explore this with you.

Saplings

We’re off to a great start with our Older Saplings group.  The kids have welcomed being together as “older” kids and have enjoyed the first 2 storytellers and the interaction/hot chocolate part!  We are grateful to Katie and Dan, Cheryl, and Loree for facilitating this group and for Adam, Jarrett Wall, David Wayne Morrison, Crista, and Rheagan for being willing to come and tell a piece of their story.

January Calendar

Epiphany 2019: “In Search of Light”

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who set their hearts on pilgrimage.”

– Psalm 84:5

Throughout the Sundays of Epiphany and up until Lent begins, we will listen those in our community who have set out on a journey this year and returned with stories of epiphany.  What would it look like if we too said yes and set our hearts on pilgrimage anew this new year? What if we began to listen, seriously listen, to our own holy hunger?  What if we began to seek for the manifestation of God wherever our feet take us? Where would we find Christ?

Sunday, Jan. 20th:  Stories from the Road –  Art’s Epiphany

Sunday, Jan. 27th:  ALL IN

Sunday, Feb. 3rd: Stories from Himalayan Life in Nepal – Markku’s Epiphany

Sunday, Feb. 10th:  Stories from  Nagaland – Craig’s Epiphany

Sunday, Feb. 17th: Stories from Australia – Jarret’s Epiphany

Have an Announcement?

If you have an addition you would like included in this newsletter, please send a prepared announcement as you would like it to appear to: office@southpoint.ca by Tuesday and we will get back to you.

Prayer

Please pray for Ruth DesCotes as her Father is in his last days.

If you have a need for prayer that you would like to pass on to the prayer chain, please contact John Hardy.