Weekly Update

 

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

We welcome Anna K into membership during today s worship service.

 

Theme: Advent 4 - Embodying God's spirit: Who lends a hand?

 

Worship Leader: Rachel C
Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Derek M

Musicians: violin ensemble

Reader: Gloria J

Tech Team: Heather P, John S

Ushers: Tim F, Brian C, Mary Faye S

Counters: Ben R, Heather P

Coffee Host: Eleanor G

 

11:00am Second Hour

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

 

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

Snack Host: Lynne & Paul

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

 

 

 

6:30pm Christmas Eve Worship at Valleyview

An evening of Lessons & Carols

 

Sunday School children are invited to attend the Christmas Eve worship and will be singing a song together during the service.

 

Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies or treats to share during fellowship time after the service.  Due to allergies, no sesame or peanut products.

 

Theme: Celebrating Christ s Birth

 

Worship Leader: Tom P

Song Leader: Henry B

Musician: Elenor T, violins: Henry, Andrea, Derek

Tech Team: Heather P

Ushers: Don T, Innocent M, Helen D

Counters: Helen D, Erin W

 

 

Holiday Office Hours:

Tuesday, Dec 24: 9:00am 12:30pm

Wednesday, Dec 25: Closed
Thursday, Dec 26: Closed

Friday, Dec 27: 9:00am 12:30pm (Pastor Marv will be off)

 

Tuesday, Dec 31: 9:00am 12:30pm

Wednesday, Jan 1: Closed

Thursday, Jan 2: Closed

Friday, Jan 3: 9:00am 12:30pm

 

 

10:00am Worship at Valleyview

 

Theme: Keeping Promises Who Sees It?

 

Worship Leader: Pastor Marv
Speaker: Pastor Marv

Song Leader: Henry B

Musician: Elenor T
Reader: Susan BP

Tech Team: Heather P, Tom P

Ushers: Ben R, Paul W, Lynne W

Counters: Terry Z, Heather P

Coffee Host: Eleanor G

 

11:00am Second Hour

Fellowship Time

Sunday School will return January 5th

 

 

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 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: $301,292
2024 Annual donations target: $289,897

 

As you consider your end of year donations, please note the following:

 

1.       Due to the Canada Post strike, we will not be able to accept postage marked donations this year.  As a result, the last in-person offering in 2024 will be on Sunday Dec 29^th at the 10am service.   Any cheques or cash received after that service, will be deposited, and receipted in 2025 financial year.

2.       Digital/online donations by e-transfer, PayPal or the Valleyview website can be made up until Dec 31 at end of day.

3.       If you are expecting the donation to be included in your 2024 tax receipt (issued January 2025), please ensure your donation meets these timelines.

 

I want to express much gratitude for your stable and consistent giving to our church in 2024.   As you can see from the weekly updates, we have tracked well and will be exceeding our annual donation target as of mid-December.  Thank-you.

 

As you consider your end of year donations, I would like to highlight the following additional needs:

1.       Refugee Fund:  To support the refugee sponsorship application.  (Designation: Refugee Fund)

2.       Capital Improvement Fund: We anticipate an increase in property repairs and improvements in 2025 and beyond, including projects such as brickwork and repairs, replacing the broken dishwasher, carpet repair or replacement, and addressing the expiration of the AED machine. These projects will be discussed as a congregation in the new year and during our upcoming AGM. However, it is clear that additional funding for capital improvements will be necessary to complete all these essential projects.

3.       Any incremental giving to the General Fund in 2024, will give the congregation flexibility to decide how to allocate those dollars at our upcoming AGM.

 

Thank-you again for your generous giving to Valleyview s programs.

 

John Spenler

Treasurer

 

Announcements

New and updated announcements are marked with purple font.

 

Christmas Day Invitation

Don and Elenor Taves would like to invite anyone who is alone on Christmas Day or would like to meet up with others to join them on December 25, between 2:00 and 5:00pm. for a drop-in and some snacks. No need to bring anything but yourselves.

Please do let us know if you plan to come. We look forward to having you here.

Email: elenortaves@gmail.com

Text: 519-670-5180

 

 

Hope Starts at Home: An evening with Phyllis Webstad
March 24, 2025 at 6 pm, Bingemans Conference Centre, 425 Bingemans Centre Dr, Kitchener
Join us on March 24 along with author and speaker, Phyllis Webstad, the founder and ambassador of the Orange Shirt Society. Phyllis will share her childhood of healing and reconciliation in Canada as we seek to restore justice, foster belonging and address poverty in Ontario. Funds raised at the event will supply MCC Ontario s new meat cannery. To learn more and order your tickets, go to mcc.org/evening-with-phyllis-webstad.

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp 
Winter and Spring Retreats registration now open. Go to slmc.ca/retreats for more info. Coming up soon are:

Fathers & Kids Retreat (Jan 17-19) A weekend of snow fort building, snowshoeing through the woods, roasting smores over the campfire, and playing games in the dining hall! Dads enjoy free-time Saturday morning while staff provide programming with kids.

Women s Retreat (Jan 31-Feb 2) Come, experience the beauty of camp in winter. Be nourished by the relaxed pace, good food and meaningful conversation. Play in the snow, breathe deeply in yoga, cross country ski, go on a snowshoe hike through the woods. Reflection time led by Wendy Janzen.

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 look at the 2025 schedule.

 

Silver Lake Mennonite Camp is seeking a Fundraising & Communications Manager. This is a permanent, half-time, hybrid position in Kitchener. If you would like to inspire and engage SLMC's generous community, read more at slmc.ca/about/board-of-directors and apply soon!

 

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

December edition of On the Level:  https://conta.cc/3BJdOe3

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.