The theme this year is “Living Courageously.”

As usual, there will be fishing and golfing, boating and canoeing, high ropes course and zip-line. More importantly, there will be great fellowship, lots of good food, and time for worship and inspiration.

The retreat this year will extend through lunch on Sunday. The cost is estimated to be about $50.00.

To sign up, or for more information, speak with Ken Wilson or contact him here.

A: We are proud of our facility and encourage the use the use of available spaces. Here are a few things to consider:

Contact the church office to check for availability & get a rental request form. A refundable security deposit of $150 is required with all booking requests. Canada Revenue Agency requires that the same fee be charged to members and non-members.

Fees vary depending on the type or purpose of event, some of the standard fees are as follows:

• Sanctuary, $300 (includes sound person and custodian)
• Social Hall, $300 (includes Kitchen)
• Lounge $100 (up to 4 hours) or $150 for up to 8 hours

Contact the office for more information if you are planning a special event.

On Good Friday, it was great to open the service with wonderful Good Friday hymns, such as “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Lead Me To Calvary”.

Pastor Darrin shared the “Stations of the Cross, a tradition found in Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic churches. Pastor Darrin and Pastor Howard recited all 14 Stations of the Cross, set to images of Children’s artwork. It was a beautiful way to walk through the story of the crucifixion!

Ann-Marie Smith once again graced our stage along with Maheli Carrasco and Ayanna Olver. Her piece was about “The Blood” and the song and movement came together beautifully.

One of our favourite moments of the dance was when Ann-Marie had her dancers lift a large red sash over the congregation. It so powerfully represented the blood of Jesus covering us all.

On Easter Sunday, the congregation gathered early in the the morning for Easter Breakfast. Our worship team opened with songs of Celebration and Praise. Sharon Lindsay and a team presented a drama skit called “These Hands”. It was beautifully done and everyone related well to the message!

Pastor Howard spoke on “Living in the Joy of Easter”; what a great reminder about our victory over death and how the Cross confirms the joy of Jesus’ sacrifice!

What an honour to glorify Christ as a church body through two amazing Easter services. Looking forward to Easter 2013 – Sunday, March 31, 2013.

On May 12th, following the men’s breakfast, we’ll work for a few hours on bikes and have a BBQ lunch.

You don’t need to know how to fix bikes to help, everyone is welcome, men, women, youth & kids.

Bring your own tools if you have them, since we have a limited supply! If you’d like to join us, let Pastor Darrin know.

Our youth leaders are trying to foster this environment among several of the FM youth groups in the GTA.

Last fall we joined with 8 other Ontario congregations at the Muskoka Bible Centre for an inaugural event called The Source; a weekend of worship, learning, fun and fellowship, in what we hope will be an annual or bi-annual gathering of FM youth groups.

More recently, we got together with the Assyrian Gospel youth group at E-Zone for an afternoon of games and a bible discussion on The Armour of God.

And on Palm Sunday, almost 100 youth and leaders (from Bramalea FMC, Assyrian Gospel, Gospel of Love, and Kingsview) joined together to attend a Raptor’s game, and of course, Bible teaching time.

Last month another church joined Kingsview’s youth group for the 30-Hour Famine. They kicked off the time on Friday, April 20 with a worship service at which Howard was speaker. About 30 youth from the 2 churches were in attendance, and had an awesome time. This year there are four areas that funds raised are going toward:

• Clean drinking water in Mauritania
• Life-saving nutrition in Cambodia
• Education in North Sudan
• Protection from sexual exploitation in India

We’ll keep you posted on how much was raised to help in these important ministries to children, their families and their communities around the world.

Please join us or continue to pray for the young people that connect through the youth groups of the FMCiC, and the leaders that give so generously of themselves!

†For more on the values of the FMCiC visit www.fmcic.ca under Who We Are and Values.

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the Motor Registration office, was asked by the counter clerk to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the counter clerk, “do you have a job or are you just a …?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mum.”

“We don’t list ‘Mum’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the clerk emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Medicare office.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, “Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.

“I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.” . The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in mid air and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.  “Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,

“I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mum.” Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there’s a title on the door!

Does this make grandmothers “Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations” And great grandmothers “Executive Senior Research Associates?”  I think so!!! I also think it makes aunts “Associate Research Assistants.”

Where does it come from?  Where do the gifts and graces to be a mother come from?  Where does the ability to love sacrificially and selflessly come from?

It can come from only one place, the source of all life and love, the God who made us all, and HE promises to love us like a mother loves her child.

Everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting has made me feel extremely welcome, so thank you.  I am also thankful to have such a great team of staff to work with, you have all helped in making my transition easier.

I anxiously look forward to getting connected with the congregation and supporters of Kingsview.  This is such an exciting journey to be on and I anticipate great things ahead!

Since it will take a fair bit of time for me to meet most of you here is a picture of me.  If you happen to see me around at least you can say, “hi”.

Nina