Weekly Update

 

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: To Hope and Act with Creation Series #5 - Birth

 

Worship Leader: David J

Speaker: Larry Cornies

Song Leader: Henry B

Scripture Reader: Mary Faye St.L

Musician: Rayne D

Tech Team: Heather P, Shelley K

Ushers: Don T, Tim F, Helen D

Counters: Russ S, Heather P

Coffee Host: Helen D

 

Order of Service

 

11:00am Second Hour

Upstairs: Coffee Hour, Guest speaker Arden Shank, Semilla

Our guest will be Arden Shank, Chair of the Friends of Semilla Board (and brother of Ruth A. Martin).

SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary, located in Guatemala City, provides biblical, theological and leadership training to over 700 adult students annually throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

 

Through SEMILLA s CASAS programs and Casa Ema s guesthouse and event center, thousands of students and visitors travel to the SEMILLA campus each year. There, they develop Spanish language skills, deepen their cultural understanding, conduct university research, volunteer, explore religious studies or simply relax and enjoy the beauty of the country.

 

Friends of SEMILLA is a United States-based IRC 501(c)(3) public charity. The Friends generate unrestricted and special financial support for SEMILLA Latin American Anabaptist Seminary and assists with promotion of SEMILLA s CASAS (Central American Study and Service) program throughout North America.

Lower Level: Youth Meetup, and Children/Junior Youth Sunday School Class

Snack Host: Kristibeth K

Children s Sunday School (JK-Gr 4) Teacher: Deb G
Junior Youth (Gr 5-7) Teacher: Lanette FW

Youth Meetup (Gr 8-12) Leader: Jacob M/Sarah D

 

 

Wednesday, November 20:

10am 12pm(noon) - Seniors Group Gathering

The Seniors Group will be gathering at the church. The focus for this gathering is "A Spotlight on Your Hobbies". You are invited to come and share a hobby you enjoy.

 

Thursday, Nov 21:

7:30pm - Male Chorus Rehearsal

 

 

Sunday, November 24^th Sunday Lunch Bunch

This month's Lunch Bunch gathering will be at noon a week from this Sunday on November 24th. Dave and Gloria Janzen will be hosting us this month. The meal is potluck, so please bring something to share. Drinks will be provided.

If you plan to attend Lunch Bunch on the 24th, please RSVP to gloria.janzen@yahoo.ca.

 

Saturday, December 7th, 5-7:30pm - Valleyview Intergenerational Christmas Party

            An Announcement and further details with RSVP information will follow.

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Eternity Sunday

 

Worship Leader: Maggie P

Song Leader: Heidi W

Musician: Krisanne N

Tech Team: Heather P, Tom P

Ushers: Tim F, Brian C, Mary Faye St.L

Counters: Ben R, Heather P

Coffee Host: Tom P

 

11:00am Second Hour

Upstairs: Coffee Hour (fellowship time)

Lower Level: Youth Meetup, and Children/Junior Youth Sunday School Class

Snack Host: TBD Please contact office@valleyviewmc.ca if you can help be Snack Host. This role currently needs to be filled on Nov 24, Dec 1, 15 & 22.

Children s Sunday School (JK-Gr 4) Teacher: Erin W
Junior Youth (Gr 5-7) Teacher: Lanette FW

Youth Meetup (Gr 8-12) Leader: Jacob M/Sarah D

 

 

December 1: Advent Begins, Communion service

Second Hour: Meeting of the Congregation, re: Refugee Support Proposal

December 8: Advent 2

Second Hour: Fellowship Time, No Children s Sunday School

***New: There is no potluck meal in December

December 15: Advent 3

Second Hour: Sharing Faith Story

December 22: Advent 4

Second Hour: Sermon Discussion

 

 

For ways to donate please visit www.valleyviewmc.ca/Give.

 

Donations received in November: $21,949

Monthly donations target: $24,703

Total donations received Year-to-Date: $265,687
2024 Annual donations target: $289,897

 

Announcements

New and updated announcements are marked with purple font.

 

Nov 17^th Announcements Include:

   Dec 1^st Congregational Meeting Notice

   MCC School Kits

   Speaking Christian Second hour Book Series

   Student in a Box (Shoebox) Gifting Program

   Rejoice! Devotional Annual Subscriptions

 

* Proxy vote forms due Nov 29th

Congregational Meeting Dec. 1 during Second Hour

We invite you to attend the Congregational Meeting of Members which will be held on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The purpose of the meeting is to review an application for the sponsorship of a refugee. Mission and Social Concerns have received notice from the Canadian government that the refugee sponsorship application approved to proceed in 2021 has been withdrawn and the file closed. 

 

We have funds in the Refugee Support Fund that were allocated for this sponsorship, and we now need to discuss how to proceed. Mission and Social Concerns have put together a proposal to support a new refugee family and would like to make a recommendation to the congregation.

 

Non-members are welcome to attend and participate in all discussions; however, non-members are not eligible to vote. Please see the meeting notice, agenda, budget, and proxy attached. If you are not able to attend, please send your proxy to the Church Office (office@valleyviewmc.ca) by Friday, November 29th. (The meeting Agenda and Proxy Forms will be attached to the announcement email sent to the congregation/members on Sunday, November 17th.)

 

Please join us to learn more about this opportunity to sponsor another refugee family!

 

* Item collection Sundays Nov 17, 24 & Dec 1

MCC School Kits

Mennonite Central Committee provides tens of thousands of kits and comforters each year to those in need globally. In times of crisis, this sends a tangible message to people in places like Ukraine and Haiti that their needs matter.

 

This year, Valleyview's Children's Mission Fund will be used to purchase supplies for MCC School kits. The Sunday School children will have the opportunity to learn about MCC and how items as familiar to them as notebooks and pencils are treasures for families who struggle to access or afford school supplies. MCC school kits are often requested after disasters as they help bring a sense of normalcy to children whose families have been forced to flee their homes. During Sunday school on December 1st children will help assemble the kits and place them under our Christmas tree.

 

We have purchased supplies for 50 kits with money from the general budget (Children's Mission Fund). If you would like to make a donation of further supplies please consider any of the following items (it doesn't have to be a full kit!). Children will collect your contributions with the coin offering November 17, 24 and December 1.

 

Contents of each kit (NEW items only)

   4 spiral notebooks (21.5 cm x 27 cm) with 140 pages

   8 new unsharpened pencils

   1 ruler (flat, good quality; must indicate 30 cm)

   12 coloured pencils (in packaging)

   1 large eraser

   4 new black or blue ballpoint pens

   1 all metal sharpener

 

Thank you in advance for supporting this worthwhile project and hands on learning opportunity for our children.

 

Blessings,

Deb G & Lori N

 

* RSVP to paperback book order by Nov 24

Speaking Christian Second Hour Book Series

 

Student In A Box (Shoebox) Gifting 
Our college and university students are finishing essays and preparing for final exams in a month. We seek to help them feel God s love and remind them their church family is thinking about them at this time of year.   

 

In the upper lobby beginning Sunday November 10, you will find boxes with a Valleyview student s name on them. Please consider picking one (or more), filling it, and arranging delivery by the first week of December.  Let s let our students know we care!  

 

Ideas to fill the boxes and remind them of home & Christmas: 
-Home-made goods (soup mix, cookies, etc.) 
-Gift cards (coffee, convenience food, retail, etc.) 
-Seasonal greeting card or postcard 

-Favourite snacks or candy 

-Inspirational/d cor (coasters, magnet, photo frame, festive lights, mug, etc.) 
-Fun (fidgets, a magazine, a book for summer reading, etc.) 
-Practical (hygiene items, school supplies, cozy socks, etc.)   

 

* Order Deadline: Nov 24

Rejoice! Magazine Annual Subscription Renewals

The Rejoice! devotional magazine is a quarterly Mennonite publication, written from an Anabaptist perspective. It is a daily devotional offering encouragement for individuals, families, and groups. Each day's entry includes a Bible reading, a short inspirational message, and a prayer of response. The magazine also includes inspirational stories and poems, and daily prayer requests representing Mennonite mission workers, schools, and church agencies.

 

The cost of the Rejoice! subscription averages $55 per household and is paid for by the Pastoral Care Team s budget. It is sent to the church and will be placed in your church mailbox each quarter for you to pickup.  

 

Please email the church office at office@valleyviewmc.ca if: 

1.           You wish to renew your current subscription for 2025 

2.           You wish to be added to the subscription list for 2025 

3.           You wish to be removed from the subscription list 
 

Please let the church office know by Sunday, November 24. The new order will be submitted by November 29th, after which time no additional subscriptions will be added for this next year.

 

 

Menno Singers:
Sunday, December 8, 7:30pm (Trillium Lutheran Church, 22 William St, Waterloo): Menno Singers with Artistic Director Brandon Leis invites you to a service of Lessons and Carols, with choral music for the season, plus readings and congregational singing. Tickets $25, Child/Student $5 at the door or from choir members.

 

MCC/MCEC:

Lunch and Listen: An MCC Journey through Uganda
December 10, 2025 at 12 p.m., Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or online
Join us for an inspiring presentation as MCC staff Lynda Lynch and Debbie Siertsema share their experiences from a recent learning tour in Uganda, where they explored MCC s impactful programs across the region. Join us in-person in the Community Room, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener or watch the livestream on Facebook.

 

For the latest news and volunteer opportunities, visit links below:

 

MCC (Mennonite Central Committee): mcccanada.ca

MCEC (Mennonite Church Eastern Canada): mcec.ca

MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service): mds.mennonite.net

October edition of On the Level:  https://conta.cc/3UdoIih

MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates): www.meda.org

 

Attendance Practices at Valleyview

 

Scent-Free Zone: Severe Scent Allergy

Valleyview is a scent-free zone as many participants have strong reactions to scented products. Please refrain from using all scented products: cologne, perfume, hairspray, hand and body lotion.

No Peanuts: Allergy Alert

Some members in attendance experience serious peanut allergy. Please refrain from bringing, eating, or serving any food labelled as containing peanuts or with warning May contain peanuts .

Masking Policy at Valleyview

Please wear a facemask if you feel more comfortable and remember to stay home if you are not feeling well.