Stanley & Monica Groothof

Hi Melissa! I'm looking forward to your contributions to the Network! (And your link to our classis website reminds me of my summer project to complete it! Did you try clicking on Links or Contacts?) ~Stan

I'm thankful you did this, George.  I appreciate your take on things and how you help us reflect on and engage what's happening at synod.  I'd love for you to do this again next year!  =)  Stan

This is indeed a great idea. Thank you for helping clean up my email inbox!

~Stan

...So are these young adults actually interested in synod  now, or does synod remain kind of hokey or irrelevant for them, as if it's something only for the "old guard" of the church?  Just curious.  I DO think it's a fun video and very well done. Stan

You write so clearly, George!

=) Stan

"One Small Child" by David Meece (written when he was 14 years old!) is becoming a favourite at Telkwa CRC.

"Mary, Did You Know?" by Mark Lowry is a personal favourite, not sure if I've sung it with a congregation yet.

– Stan

By the way, Reformed Worship has a MIDI file for "How Many Kings" (a song I recently discovered and am quite enjoying), but I suggest listening to it with this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UyiAnUE53U .

– Stan

Telkwa CRC has been encouraging giving testimonies during worship for a while now. We have the philosophy that professing our faith is something we're called to do regularly -- daily in whatever context we find ourselves! -- and not solely on one formal occasion.

At the front of the sanctuary, we're creating a "monument" made of rocks, following the lead of the Israelites after they passed through the Jordan River (Joshua 4; they did this at other times, too). When someone gives a testimony, they're invited to take a rock (either from our stash in a corner or one they found themselves) and add it to the growing pile. Each rock represents a specific example of God at work in a person. A while ago, whoever was interested went on a "field trip" after a morning service to the nearby river bank to collect some rocks for our stash; this was a great way to involve the kids!

We don't do this every week, but at least a couple times a month, people are invited to come forward to share how they've recently encountered God. Sometimes it's connected with the message -- e.g. "How have you experienced for yourself what we've been talking about this morning?" People are invited to just come up as they feel led during a time of quiet reflection/silent prayer; that way, everyone has something to "do" regardless of whether they choose to come forward to share something.

We are being encouraged by hearing how God is active in our church in the lives of individuals and groups. The stones pile is a good, visible reminder of this.

Dear George (fellow synodical delegate in 2006),



I'm happy to see you leading the conversation in the synod section of the Network!  You are very well qualified, imo!  Blessings to you.



Stanley Groothof

Telkwa BC  |  Classis BCNW

Thanks, George. I had a conversation about this a couple weeks ago with someone wondering about the "authority" of synod. I didn't use the word "broadest," but I think I nevertheless captured your perspective. Next time, that word will be included in my vocabulary on the subject.



~Stan

Thank you Marcel for your excellent work and contributions to the Network! I appreciated it. =) Stan

Typically the elders of Telkwa CRC serve the bread and juice to the people in the pews; a few weeks ago, we invited people forward.  My personal preference is to alternate between these two methods.  When people are served in the pews, it reminds me of how God blesses us even before we "get up" and do anything; when the elders come to the people and serve them, it reminds me of how Jesus comes to us (Immanuel!) not to be served but to serve.  On the other hand, when people come forward, it reminds me of how we are called to respond to God's grace in our lives; the Holy Spirit prompts us to "get up" and do something with the gifts God gives us.



I think both (and other) methods of partaking in the sacrament can be meaningful... We just need to sometimes stop to think about them and what they signify.



~Stan