Weekly Update

 

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Advent begins - Between a rock & a hard place: How do we continue on?

Communion Service

 

Worship Leader: Jacques P
Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Donelda F

Musician: Rayne D
Reader: Lynne W

Tech Team: Heather P, Shelley K

Ushers: Ben R, Paul W, Lynne W

Counters: Heather P, Erin W

Coffee Host: Alvin M

 

11:00am Second Hour

Upstairs: Congregational Meeting, Notice:

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notice from the Canadian government that the refugee sponsorship application approved to proceed in 2021 has been withdrawn and the file closed.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!

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

Snack Host: Elma & Tim F

Children s Sunday School (JK-Gr 4) Teacher: Kristibeth K & Maria P
Junior Youth (Gr 5-7) Teacher: Lanette FW

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

 

 

Tuesday, December 3:

7:00pm Narrative Budget Meeting, in-person at the church

***REMINDER*** Committee Chairs & Members invited to provide input, please join the Board of Directors, Church Council and Pastor for a joint session to discuss the budget at an in-person meeting on Dec 3 @ 7:00PM-9:00 PM.

 

Thursday, December 5:

7:30pm - Male Chorus Rehearsal

 

Friday, December 6th, 6:30pm 9:30pm

🍽 Youth Progressive Dinner

Youth, our gathering this month will be a progressive dinner! We will start at the Miles house (near the church) for appetizers, then walk to the Henderson s for a main course and then walk to the Hall s for dessert. Dress warm and come hungry!

Drop off 6:30pm
Pick up will be at 9:30pm

*Addresses to follow. (check youth email)

RSVP by Wed Dec 4th - Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.

Hope to see you there,

Allison and David, Maria and Jacques

 

 

Saturday, December 7th, 5:00pm - 7:30pm

🎉Valleyview Intergenerational Christmas Party🎄

Come join us for an intergenerational Christmas event which will include pizza and ice cream sundaes, a gingerbread making contest and carol sing. Get ready to be creative and have fun!

When: Saturday, December 7^th

Time: 5:00pm 7:30pm

RSVP by Dec 1st: Please let Susan (baxterpeace@gmail.com) know if you plan to attend, to help organizers plan enough food and supplies. Thank you.

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Advent 2 - Opening hearts: What do we ask for?

 

Worship Leader: Linda W
Speaker: David Friesen-Waldner

Song Leader: Maggie P

Musician: Krisanne N
Reader: Katriel FW

Tech Team: Heather P, Gary G

Ushers: Paul A, Innocent M, Henry J

Counters: Terry Z, Heather P

Coffee Host: TBD (Sign up sheet on Library counter)

11:00am Second Hour

Christmas Hymn Sing for all

 

 

During this season of Advent and Christmas through Epiphany, we are invited to join together on a journey, travelling toward a deeper understanding of our faith.  Our visuals and children's time will take us along a path of discovery where we will encounter smooth, easy sections as well as parts that are rough and challenging.  As we explore the themes of hope, joy and faithfulness, we will be reminded of the loving God who walks with us on this journey.

 

Dec 1, Advent 1:  Between a rock & a hard place:  How do we continue on?

Second Hour: Meeting of the Congregation (Refugee Support Proposal)

Dec 8, Advent 2:  Opening hearts:  What do we ask for?

Second Hour: Christmas Hymn Sing for all

(There is no potluck meal in December)

Dec 15, Advent 3:  Anointing for justice:  Who belongs?

Second Hour: Sharing Faith Story

Dec 22, Advent 4:  Embodying God's spirit: Who lends a hand?

Second Hour: Members of Board/Council/Committees will share stories of their work.

Dec 24, Christmas Eve @ 6:30 pm:  Celebrating Christ's birth

Dec 29:  Keeping promises:  Who sees it?

Jan 5, Epiphany:  Nurturing faith:  From whom do we learn?

 

 

 

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

 

Total donations received Year-to-Date: $272,174
2024 Annual donations target: $289,897

 

Amount required to meet target: $17,723

 

Announcements

New and updated announcements are marked with purple font.

 

* Item collection last day Sunday, 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

 

 

 

 

Mail delivery this Christmas will likely be impacted by the postal strike
While this creates uncertainty for many Canadians, we want to reassure you that MCC s work continues. Your generosity makes it possible for us to bring Christ s love to those in need and we re here to ensure you can stay engaged with the issues you care about. If you usually send your donations through the mail, here are some secure alternatives to consider:

💻Donate Online: Make a secure donation anytime on our website. It s quick, easy and safe. To support MCC this Christmas season, go to https://mcc.org/christmas.
☎️Call-In Donations: Prefer to donate by phone? Call us at 1-888-622-6337, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Our team will be happy to assist you.

This Christmas, we re grateful to partner with you in spreading warmth, hope, and Christ s love around the world. Thank you for your continued support during this season of giving.

 

Menno Youth Ensemble is excited to present our Christmas concert: For the Beauty of the Earth, on December 13^th at 7pm at Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church. The concert will explore the wonders of nature and the joys of the Christmas season through choral music, original compositions, and carols. Admission is by donation. www.mennosingers.com

 

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp

Winter and Spring Retreats Registration Opens December 1 at 12pm: Come to Silver Lake in 2025 for fun camp experiences! On the calendar are Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19), Women s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2), Winter Camp for Grown-Ups (Feb 28-Mar 2), Staff Alumni Retreat (Mar 21-23), Music Retreat (Mar 28-30), Family Camp (May 16-18). Go to slmc.ca/retreats for more info.

Summer Camp: Registration for overnight camp and day camp opens February 1 at 8am. Outtrip registration opens Jan 7 sign up before Jan 30 to get $100 off! Visit slmc.ca/summer-camp to have a sneak peek at the 2025 schedule.

 

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

November edition of On the Level:  https://conta.cc/3ANNKy8

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.