Welcome to the August edition of the Village Green newsletter. It is hard to believe that August is already upon us and in this edition, we have a number of updates and news items to not only prepare you for this month but for all the happenings coming in September as well.
Getting Back to Nor…?!?
Okay, I just could not bring myself to using the word in the title but you know what we are getting at. With government restrictions being eased and a sense that the worst may be over, we are all looking forward to some normalcy to life again.
The same is true for the church, especially our Sunday morning gatherings. We continue to be well below capacity so we have lots of room. If you are considering returning simply let the office know at office@villagegreenchurch.com and we will have a spot for you.
Here is the challenge. As the month of September approaches, we are going to be in need of volunteers so that we can return to full programming at the church. Without volunteers, we will have no choice but to limit what we can offer here at the church. This affects our worship ministry, youth ministry, kids ministry and so much more. We will be sharing more in this newsletter of what we are planning in terms of re-opening.
So, if you are looking forward to returning then why not consider signing up today! Remember, masks and physical distancing still apply.
Coming this Month!
We have been blessed with a number of guest speakers and it continues into August as well. We have already heard from Matthew Burkholder on August 1st but here is the lineup for the remainder of the month.
August 8 – Jason Snelgrove
August 15 – Brad Alcox
August 22 – Jon Korkidakis
August 29 – Jon Korkidakis (New Series Starts)
Starting August 29th is a new 3-part series entitled, Why Do I Feel Like This? The past year and a half have been a perfect storm with a global pandemic, economic melt-downs, rotating lockdowns, all of which have added to a state of anxiety, conflict, and conspiracies. Is it any wonder that many of us are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. We are going to hear from some front-line experts on how we can navigate the impact this pandemic season has had on all of us.
Theology Jam – A New Village Green Podcast
Matthew Burkholder and Jon Korkidakis have started a new podcast called Theology Jam (Just like musicians who jam together they jam on theological topics – also stands for Jon and Matthew). You can catch it on your favourite streaming platforms like Spotify or iTunes, or simply go to our website and find it on our resources page. You can also grab the page here
A new podcast will be released every 2 weeks and some of the topics we will be discussing are, Christian deconversions, How to respond to other faith groups, and the new sexuality just to name a few. If there is a topic you want us to tackle just email us at theologyjam@gmail.com.
Moving On
As many of you know, our Youth Coordinator, Ben Brown, is going back to school this September. He is starting teacher’s college and will be resigning from his position as of August 18th.
Ben has been with us for a little over a year and a half and has helped to maintain our youth program during a difficult season. We want to thank Ben and bless him as he looks to a new season for him and his family.
In the meantime, we are diligently looking for a new coordinator and already have contingencies in place. The ministry is too important so we are doing our best to keep moving forward. Please take a moment to bless and encourage Ben, Liz, and Charlotte as they move north. Also, be in prayer that the Lord will supply the right person for this ministry.
Kids Connection Family Events
During August we are offering times when families can reconnect with the ministry and each other. On Tuesdays from 1-2 pm and Wednesdays from 7-7:45 pm, you can come as a family and participate in crafts, games, and other family-affirming events.
Take time for you and your family to reconnect in an environment that is safe and welcoming. Isn’t it time to re-engage again? The list of dates are as follows:
Tuesday, August 10th, 1:00-2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 11th, 7:00-7:45 pm
Tuesday, August 17th, 1:00-2:00 pm
Wednesday, August 18th, 7:00-7:45 pm * last evening one for the summer. Would love to see everyone out!
Tuesday, August 24th, 1:00-2:00 pm *last daytime one.
Next YFC Barbeque
The next YFC Barbecue is coming on August 25th. The food is free and the event is open to one and all. It runs from 4:30 to 6 pm so look forward to seeing you there. We did mention the food was free, right?
Coming in September!
September is already a much anticipated month, especially considering that many are looking at this month as getting back into regular routines such as school and work. The same is true for us here at Village Green as we plan for ministries to start up again. Here is the outline for the month:
September 5 – Communion Sunday
September 12 – This announcement may be premature but we are considering this date as an official “Back to Church Sunday!” Stay tuned!
September 19 – Re-opening of Kids Connection. Based on volunteers and attendance numbers, we will begin offering this ministry on Sunday morning again.
September 19 – Life Group session begins – New sermon series, Believe 101.
As noted above, a brand new sermon series, entitled, Believe 101 starts on September 19 and will also launch the next session of Life Groups. The series looks at what makes Christianity unique and what it means when you come to believe in Jesus. This is a great introductory series to invite a friend, colleague, or anyone who you think would benefit from such a series. Hope you’ll consider joining us for the journey of belief.
In Closing
As we move into the fall season we will continue to monitor government requirements and make sure your visit to Village Green complies with the protocols as mandated. Not only that, we want to make sure you feel safe when you attend so we continue to adapt and implement protocols when necessary.
In doing so, we anticipate many groups (Life Groups, Youth, Bible Studies), will likely want to meet in person but expect others to want to continue with the online platform. As we move closer to the fall season we will be releasing protocols for all meetings in order to be clear on expectations.
I want to thank you for continuing to support the ministry of Village Green Community Church. Through your partnering with us, we are continuing to change our little part of the world by loving God and loving others. You are truly making a difference!
Blessings – Stay safe and stay healthy.
Jon Korkidakis