Update Tuesday-Peace

This story actually begins months ago, back in the fall toward the beginning of the school year.  One morning I received a text from a student in Calgary.  She is part of a student ministry that my colleague Paul Johnson works with.  She informed me that while on a trip to China over the summer she had met a Chinease student named Roy.  As it turned out Roy would be coming to Hamilton to study at an international college.  She asked if I could connect with him.  

Fast forward to last Wednesday, and Roy arrived on my front  porch with four other friends and bags of groceries.  They had come to make dumplings (from scratch!) for our Fellowship gathering that evening.  Roy, who had been coming to Fellowship when studies were not too heavy, but who I was afraid was having trouble making connections being the only Mandarin speaker, seems to have found a place with us.  Not only that, but he is proving to be a real Person of Peace.

It seems fitting that as a Person of Peace begins to emerge, that our advent lesson for the evening would be Peace.  We looked closely at Peace as it relates to Christ and Christmas.  We looked at the Peace offered through Christ-Peace with God, Peace within from God, and Peace with others.  We continued our international focus by working together on a Haiku poem for peace as well as having two of our Japanese members teach us how to make oragami Peace Crane ornaments for our Christmas tree.  

It has been a great two weeks studying advent themes and watching people getting involved in a more in depth and intentional way.  I am really looking forward to this week's Fellowship meetings!

Update Tuesday - Hope

What does it mean to have Hope?  What does it mean to find hope in Jesus?  As we celebrated the first week of advent this past week, this was the theme that we explored.  Sharing thoughts over a meal together, songs of worship, an experiential learning activity for the kids (that the adults also shared was helpful for them!) and time in the Word we unpacked the idea of Hope so associated with our celebration of Jesus at Christmas.  We also had the opportunity to put into practice many of the things we observed and learned as we prayed for Gerry (my dad) who began chemotherapy and radiation this past Monday to treat esophageal cancer.  The truth of Christmas is that Jesus broke into the darkness; the hope and expectation of a lost, hurting world awaiting deliverance.  The same is true today.  There is darkness, despite "the Christmas feeling," but Jesus can still break in today to provide hope and comfort to a broken and hurting world.  My prayer is that we might recognize Jesus breaking in this season, that we might see lives transformed, that those around us who do not know Jesus might "see a great light" and awake to the reality of who Jesus is.
Yes,
there is darkness-there is illness around us, there are broken lives, poverty and addiction and many without a saving knowledge of Jesus- but Jesus is greater still and thus we have Hope. This is part of the beauty of Christmas.  Would you join us in praying for healing, restoration, transformed lives and salvation this season.

      

Update Tuesday - Christmas Wish List

Dear Lord,

Since I am uncertain about the validity of the man in red's actual existence, and since these things would not fit neatly into a stocking anyhow, I thought that perhaps You were the one to whom I would write my Christmas list this year.  When I think about our work here in Hamilton there are three things in particular that I would like to ask from You.

1)  Prayer - I thank you for all those who continually hold up this ministry in prayer.  I would ask that you might continue to bring us to the heart and mind of individuals and groups who would continue to turn to You on our behalf.  We truly covet the prayers of the saints.  Help us grow as people of prayer as well.   Everything else that we do or ask for is contingent upon prayer so this is my first request.

2)  Power - Again this does not fit into a stocking and it certainly is beyond the scope of the jolly, red jiggly one.   Would you grant that the power of your Spirit would become obvious and tangible in our ministry, that we might see lives truly transformed.  I am asking to see Your power, a power that is the gospel unleashed, God's power for salvation.

3)  People - We , of course, are always looking for new people to join us, but my Christmas request is a bit more specific.  There are two people in particular that I am hoping for, people who would help to complement what I am doing by covering some of the areas in which I am personally a bit weaker.

1. An Outgoing Type - although You have shown much grace and provided opportunities thus far, I am not naturally that outgoing and am not the best at meeting new people.  I could really use someone who is great at meeting people to get excited about our ministry and want to plug in.  Moving forward this would be such a valuable person to ensure we continue to grow and reach out.  
2.  An Administrative Type - apparently these type of people exist, people who love to organize and make little details happen.  I would be very appreciative to be able to benefit from the help of someone like this.  As the coming year approaches, and I think to all the things that could be accomplished, someone who loves to fulfill this type of role would be such a blessing.  

So that is my list.  I have no chimney for anyone to come down, and these things may not fit under a tree, but never the less, we would be so grateful should You see fit to bless us in this way.   

Weekly Update-Snow

We woke this morning to a thin dusting of snow across our urban landscape.  It is by no means deep, but enough to paint our streets white and remind us of the changing of the season.  Tonight we have our Fellowship @ Locke meeting, but after that is over I just may head over to Locke St.  The Cristmas wreaths are already hung, and when evening falls, the wreaths and street lamps glow, reflecting off the newly fallen snow.  With a cool, crisp bite in the air, the warm glow, and the slight crunch of snow under foot a late night stroll in the calm and peace could be a beautiful easing into the Christmas season; a needed dichotomy from the loud brash intro thrust upon us by the marketing machines. 

With December so quickly approaching, we have a lot in the go!  We are planning our next LoveLoud street outreach for Dec. 15 and are busy collecting blankets, coats, hat and gloves.  We are also beginning to prepare our annual gift baskets for our friends at The Beer Store.  If you are interested in participating or donating to either of these initiatives please send me a message.  

We are also planning a few things for Christmas Eve.  We will be hosting an open house, Dec. 24th from 4-7.  This is a drop in event especially for those who may not have family close by to spend Christmas with.  If you know of anyone in Hamilton without plans on Christmas Eve please invite them!  We will follow our open house with a small initmate Christmas Eve service at 9:00pm.  

Although December is quickly approaching, I don't want to forget the rest if November!  Tonight is Fellowship @ Locke's game night so if you are in the area please feel free to drop by!

On a more personal note.  My dad starts cancer treatment on Dec. 9, so we appreciate your prayers as he goes through this time.  The doctors are encouraged and going for a cure, but there will be some challenging days ahead.

Update Tuesday-thanks Milton!!

Ecclesiastes 4:9 says:

Two are better than one because they have a a good return for their labour.

I recognized this again on Sunday as folks from our sending church, The Sanctuary Milton, helped us by providing sandwiches for our latest LoveLoud outreach.  We had plenty of food (enough to cover the next few weeks of Beer Store Church as well) and we had some extra labourers join us on the street.

The Sanctuary has been a huge blessing to us in so many different ways.  We are so greatful for their continued support!!

I am looking forward to the opportunity to go back and visit Milton this Sunday where I have the priviledge of giving the message.  If you are in Milton this Sunday come on by, we would love to see you.

A big thanks also goes out to those of you who continue to pray and support our work, we could not do it without you.

As Christmas approaches I am often asked about donations to the ministry.  The easiest way is to visit www.hamiltonfellowships.com and follow the on-line giving link.

9 

Update Tuesday - The Inevitability of Storms

I have grown up on the Great Lakes.  While in Oakville, and now in Hamilton I have lived on Lake Ontario, I worked at a camp on Lake Eerie and five generations of my family have enjoyed summers at a cottage on Georgian Bay (a part of Lake Huron).  Just recently, I had the opportunity to visit Lake Superior on a cold, rainy, grey and ominous day.  As well as a love for the water, I have also developed a healthy appreciation for its power.  The thing about the Great Lakes is that they are huge, it looks more like looking out over the ocean than a lake, and when a storm comes in it can be ferocious.  I have only been caught on the water in one storm, and really only the beginning of a storm, but I can tell you that it was terrifying.  The combination of the driving wind and rains and the white caps that it produces can be awe inspiring.  Perhaps the most incredible things are the waves.  They waves are huge, they roll and rock back and forth and the grand heights are made that much more spectacular by the dramatic depths  to which the waters drop in between each cap.  From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a matter of seconds makes trying to ride out one of these storms exhilaratingly terrifying.

Jesus spoke of storms, using them as a metaphor for the challenges in life.  I have been looking at the parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 as I prepare to preach in Milton next week.  I was struck by the inevitability of the storms; two builders, two homes but they both face the storm.  I was reminded again of the inevitability of storms in my own life recently, and like the waves produced by the gales of November on the great lake the call Gitchegumee (Lake Superior) I have seen the ups and downs.

Late October saw my family head out on a two day road trip to New York City where we had the awesome privilege of seeing my brother preform on Broadway in the hit music Once.  A few weeks later and we again took a road trip north to Sault Saint Marie Ontario where my daughter T.J. is shooting a film entitled A Masked Saint.  On this film she has had the privilege of working with such greats as Tony and Golden Globe winner Diahnn Carroll.  In between these highs, however, we have had a fairly dramatic low as my dad has just been diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  He has consultations with specialists this week to determine the best coarse of action.  So, we face another storm of sorts.  The history of our work here in Hamilton seems marked but such occurrences.  Liam's brain tumour that really began the journey that led us to Hamilton, our first year that saw two separate breast lump scares for Kim and T.J. (both thankfully were not cancer) and the subsequent struggle to find a doctor so we could address them and mental health issues that took up most of the previous two years.   We come to the close of another year with another health storm to weather.  We have learned much over the last few years, the least of which is not that God is good in everything.  He loves us and He is here with us.  It does not always feel like it, and I have not always recognized it day in and day out, but non the less, that is the truth.  We can take comfort in Him.

Towards the beginning Sermon on the Mount we have the call to let our light shine in the darkness that men might see our good deeds and give glory to the Father.  The teachings that follow are among the things that we do to let our light shine.  They are also the things we do to secure our building on the strong foundation to withstand the inevitable storms.   I am praying that we as a family, and as a ministry, continue to do those very things Jesus called us to do, and that our witness might be that much stronger by the ways in which we weather the storms.  We would appreciate your prayers in the days and months ahead. 
 

Update Tuesday - The Art of Church Planting

One of the most daunting things about creating a new artistic expression is the blank white page upon which to write, the blank white canvas upon which to paint or the block of wood or stone to carve.  The possibilities are endless but they are also intimidating and sometimes paralyzing.  We often, therefore, start with an idea, or image and even create an outline, model or template from which to begin.  In other fields we might fashion detailed and specific blueprints from which to create an exacting and precise structure.  In artistic endeavors, however, often (although not always) the exercise is a little less defined.   Though we begin with an idea, image or model, there is a lot of room for the process itself to influence the direction of our final work.  The medium in which we have chosen to work,  the style in which we will work and the materials themselves all have a huge role in determining how our work of art may turn out.  Carvers, for example, are always in a dynamic relationship, responding to the particular whims and natural forms within the stone or wood  as they bring their vision to life.  Art is a dynamic, evolutionary process and beauty seems to emerge from the reaction between the image or vision and the process. 

Sometimes I think Church Planting can be similar.  Yes, one could take an existing model or blueprint and recreate it with exacting precision.  Maybe because I have an artistic bent, I see it a bit differently.   I had an image in my mind, and a very clear but general framework.  What we have begun is a process of bringing the image to life in which some of the specifics are now beginning to emerge.  It has seemed at times like carving, where slowly but surely specific shapes and images have begun to appear from the block of stone.   Or perhaps like a painting for which we began by prepping a canvas,  painting an undercoat and blocking in the basic forms.  At each step we learn something new, sometimes learn some new skills or techniques, we respond to the raw materials God has provided including people - and let's face it, we are all unique, flawed and idiosyncratic.  And of course there are mistakes from which we learn and try to see new opportunities arise.  Slowly, however, each step brings us clearer and more refined images as we come closer to the beautiful work of art we are creating.

As we continue to work on bringing this beautiful work of art that God has laid on our hearts to life, we so appreciate your prayers and financial contributions.  In particular I am sensing that this next year will see some more specific, detailed images emerge.  Join us in praying specifically that our means to grow disciples would become even clearer.  I am excited to continue to refine our notion of "interdependence" and to see some clarity in our idea.  We also continue to see beautiful things appear around our sense of community.  I am also optimistic about some focused insight into how we might continue to best be on mission here in our communities.  Thanks again for your continued love, support and prayers. 

The Brule-a painting

 

I have a bit of a fascination with old signs.  I also have a bit of a fascination with the historical figure of Brule.  He was perhaps the first person of European descent to see all the Great Lakes, perhaps the first to touch the shores of what is now Hamilton, and spent much time with the Ouendat (Huron) people in the regions around   Georgian Bay where my family cottage is.  Likely illiterate, he never wrote anything himself and thus he is a bit mystery, appearing only in the writings of a few notable figures such as Champlain and the Jesuit missionaries like Brebeuf.  Some of the things they share are not particularly flattering but none the less we cannot deny his historical significance.

The bar and hotel over which this sign hangs is in Penetanguishene and has been closed as long as I can remeber.  Apparently it has quite an infamous history itself.  Currently the building is under renovation and I don't know what will happen with the sign.  It seemed a good time to try to capture it.  

Update Tuesday - Come Together

It was a pretty amazing experience last week.  I wish I could say that it was very intentional and that I had better planned it.  The truth of the matter is that it was a bit of a last minute idea.  Our Wednesday night Fellowship had planned a Thanksgiving dinner together; I would cook a turkey and others would bring sides.  On Monday, I casually invited a few from our Beer Store Fellowship to join us.   Our Thursday group had planned to postpone due to some scheduling conflicts and so I invited anyone who could make it to just join our Wednesday gathering instead and have a combined event.  What transpired was a Thanksgiving dinner for which I truly give thanks.  For the first time ever, we had an event at which members of each of our three Fellowships were together in one place.  Many of them were meeting each other for the first time.  In particular it was the first time that any of the guys from our Beer Store Fellowship were at an event with members of either other Fellowship.  We talked a lot, we laughed a lot, and we ate a lot...all in all a very memorable evening. 

I have been thinking lately about words spoken by God in Jeremiah 23:7-8

“The days are coming”—the Lord’s declaration—“when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the land of the north and from all the other countries where I had banished them.’ They will dwell once more in their own land.”

 

Speaking to His people in exile, God tells them that not only will they have ancient stories from their past but that He plans on doing new things and that they will celebrate and recount these new stories of God's ongoing activity on behalf of His people.  One of the key things about last week's meal  for me is the excitement I have to begin to look ahead to the new year.  What is God planning, what will He be doing and what are the stories that we will have to celebrate?

 

We will be spending some time over the next month or so doing strategic planning for the coming year.  One of the areas that we will be exploring, and one that our Thanksgiving dinner has got me excited to think through, is the interdependent piece to our network of Fellowships.  We are now up to three Fellowships, and we continue to pray and plan for further addition and multiplication.  We can also now begin to ask what it looks like to be an interdependant network of Fellowships.  What will we have in common, how will we relate to each other, what will we do together? Our Thanksgiving dinner gave me a small glimpse of some of the things that may be to come as we gather together  as a larger whole and celebrate what God is doing in each of Fellowships and we are inspired by the bigger picture that each of our groups is a part of.  

For those of you who continue to pray we thank you and would ask that you would join us in seeking the Lord for the next steps that He has planned for the coming year. 

Update Tuesday - Thanksgiving

This past Monday marked Canadian Thanksgiving.  We have a lot to be thankful for, the least of which is not our thanks for you.  We have friends, family, prayer partners and financial supporters who all are integral to the ongoing ministry we have here in Hamilton.  Without you we would not be able to do what we do.  We are also grateful to be able to do what we do in this great city that we have come to love.  Hamilton is a great place to be.  Just recently there was an article that appeared in a paper from the big city down the way, Toronto, remarking about how many positive things are happening in the city.  I thought I would include it here as a part of this week's update so you could have a read for yourself.   Although some in Hamilton might be surprised to hear the Mayor being the one touting and taking credit for some of the things the article mentions, it is an interesting read especially from a Toronto perspective. 

The Toronto Star

Update Tuesday - Knitting Club

We now have a knitting club and I love it!  Here is why I love it so much...

Firstly, it wasn't my idea...obviously.  I would never have dreamed of starting a knitting club but someone else in our group did and when they brought up the idea we said "sure, go for it how can we help?"

Secondly, I did not have to organize it.  Yes, it was held in my house but aside from that I had little to nothing to do with it.  I won't be the bottle neck that another program with all its details need to pass.  It happened naturally, and organically when someone had an idea to build community, asked a few others, and agreed upon a time to get together.

Thirdly, it is simple.  As noted above, it happened rather organically.  There was not a lot of details, not a lot of organizing, not a lot of time and energy and not a lot of financial resources needed.   This is something that could easily be done almost anywhere, by anyone (as long as at least one person knows how to knit!) at any time.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it has been extremely successful!  After only one night it has had a great impact and promises to continue.   In terms of building community, it was a great opportunity.  As people begin to get a bit more proficient at the actual knitting, then conversations begin to flow.  Young and old gathered together chatting and sharing.  We also had some members invite friends and, although not an intentional aspect, is a great outreach.  After sharing some funny tweets and Facebook posts, we also had a number of people express interest in joining us for the next one!

So we will see what happens next.  At the very least it is a great initiative towards our community building, our inward expression, but perhaps it will also be a great impact on our outward expression.  Up, In and Out!!

Update Tuesday - Two Groups

I once heard a colleague say that there are always two groups we need to be mindful of as we seek to serve in our communities, those we serve directly and those who are watching how we serve.  I was reminded of this fact this past Monday as we met for Beer Store Church. 

We were meeting as we usually do, outside of the Beer Store, serving those who have been out for hours, making their way through the cool damp streets collecting recyclables to return for deposit.  It was wet and cold and so the group was made up of mostly the regulars who, week in and week out, work the streets for money.  We had grabbed a coffee, had a sandwich and cookies and just finished gathering for our prayer time when I looked up to see one of the friends of our ministry, coming over to say hello.  This is the same neighbour who, a few months ago, was so taken by what we were doing that she called the newspaper and had them come and do a story about our Monday morning group.  We have seen her a few times since then, and she always makes sure to stop, say hello, and see how things are going.  This week, however,  when she came over we did more than just make small talk.  She shared with us about a friend who is searching and searching for a community to call her spiritual home.  It provided the opportunity for us tho share in a bit more depth about who we are, how we do things and why we think we are here in the city.  She also shared a bit about her own personal spiritual journey.  Acknowledging that coming into any church, whether it be a church building or a living room, can be intimidating I suggested that perhaps we should all meet together face to face over coffee to get to know one another a bit better and to go from there.  I am hopeful and excited for this upcoming conversation.

So again, I was reminded about the two groups, those we serve directly and those who watch how we serve.  If we are sincere in our serving, and if we are intentional about working for the good of our communities, it should have an affect on those Kingdom Seekers (to borrow a phrase Kingdom Matrix by Jeff Christopherson) - those with eternity in their heart,  searching for their connection to the eternal and who respond to impulses of truth when they see them.

Update Tuesday - Its getting chilly!

It is a little after nine in the morning as I write this post and I am on the front porch with a blanket over my legs and in my peripheral vision I see the steam from my coffee cup rising over the screen of my laptop.  On a very cool morning like this morning, the steam is especially noticeable.  In fact, earlier this morning, as I headed out for an early morning appointment, I was struck by the fact that for the first time this year I could see my breath.  Autumn in certainly in the air, and although this might be a short blast of unseasonably cooler weather, it is certainly a prelude of things to come. 

This cooler weather has been a great reminder to me that as winter quickly approaches, we need to begin to get things organized for our winter outreaches.  Over the past few years we have been blessed by donations of hats, mitts, warm socks, winter scarves, winter coats and warm blankets that we have been able to take out to the streets to hand out to the homeless and others unlikely to be able to afford such necessities for their families.  We are, once again, beginning to collect these items in preparations for the winter months.  If you are able to donate any such items then please contact me directly.  Your past support has been so helpful and encouraging, and we look forward to serving many of our neighbours agin this year.

On a similar note, I would ask you to join with me in celebration, as well as continued prayer for one of my friends from the Beer Store Church who is scheduled to move into an apartment October 1.  He has been homeless since I have known him and this is the first time he has secured a permanent residence.  I would ask for your prayers that everything would go smoothly and that this would be a positive step towards him finding more stability.  He has been gathering stuff now and storing it with us, and we have a number of donations in preparation for such a transition to help him get the best start possible.  He still faces many issues and challenges, but I pray that this is a significant step forward.

Lastly, if you are looking for something to do tonight around 10 ET, then my daughter is going to make her television debut as the new ABC drama Lucky 7 makes its premiere.  She plays Emma, the daughter of one of the main characters.  In the Toronto area you can find it on City TV, and you can see it across the states on any ABC affiliate.  You can see a sneak preview here:

Number 7 Preview

Doors

One of my favorite #HamOnt artists, Julia Veenstra,  recently tweeted a picture of a purple door in the neighbourhood exclaiming, "I must paint this." I can relate to that sentiment.  I actually went through a bit of  door phase a while back.  They had to be old, they had to be unique, and other than that a door.  I can't really explain why my attention was captivated, but it was.  It does, however, remind me to slow down a bit and to be attentive.  There is so much that we walk by everyday and just take for granted.  But if we begin to look a bit more closely then there are amazingly fascinating things all around us all the time. 

So there they are...doors of Hamilton (except for the red barn door...that is a shout out to Milton!)

Update Tuesday - Jackson Street

Just yesterday I had the opportunity to send a note to a faithful prayer partner who, along with others from her church, have been faithfully praying for one street in our neighbourhood.  They had the opportunity to visit this past summer and did some work and a lot of praying on the street.  Since their visit, there have been some interesting developments.

One of the tasks I gave them was to spend some time on a lot which holds an abandoned building awaiting rezoning.  It is an eyesore situated on one of the main intersections and the lot is left uncared for and full of weeds.  The ladies spent a morning weeding the side of the lot that faces Jackson St., the street they have been praying for.  Since their visit, the weeds had begun to creep back and I was just about to organize a time to go and weed it again.  When I passed the property the other day, however, someone had already attended to it.  I am not sure whether it was the owner (who I met while weeding the property with the team) or some other neighbours who did it.  Regardless,  I am confident that whoever did it were inspired by the team of ladies (as well as a team from the summer before who also helped us work on the property) who would see a need and step up to meet it.  Our teams have helped us to help our neighbours recognize that we can all be a part of chipping in and contributing to the good of our neighbourhood and city.

A very similar thing occurred on another abandoned lot that our teams from the summer worked on.  One of our teams helped us to weed and plant flowers in an abandoned planter on the corner of a very busy intersection while another team helped us to weed the rest of the property a few weeks later.  Since that time there has begun a weekly event at which Food Trucks use the abandoned lot to host a charity fundraising event each Saturday.  Colourful pic-nic tables now adorn this once derelict property where a lively food extravaganza takes place each week in support of local causes.  Although I cannot say for certain that we had anything to do with it, I like to think that as we tried to see the potential in the spot, and to bring the beginnings of redemption to the lot, it may have inspired others to see things differently and see a once overrun, forgotten spot as usable space for the good of the city.

Lastly, and on a more personal level, I was able to report about one of the residents that our team of ladies met, who has since recognized a need for help to treat an addiction.  He is a neighbour of some of our Fellowship members, and our members  have been loving and caring for him for some time.  He has now decided to take steps towards addressing his addiction.   There have been many ups and downs, and there will continue to be ups and downs, steps forward and steps backward, but we would ask you to also consider joining us in prayer for his journey towards health.

So those are some of the reports since our busy summer.  Now we take time looking forward as we prayerfully consider what God has for us in the next few months and, importantly, the upcoming year.  Kim and I had a great opportunity to attend a leadership boot camp last week and I am eager to begin to apply some of what we learned to our work here in Hamilton. 

Update Tuesday-Boot Camp

Try not to be jealous, but this is my view this morning.  

And to be honest, this picture does not do it justice at all.  I am in Cochrane, AB attending a Finish Well Boot Camp hosted by my friend and colleague Bob Shelton.  I so appreciate his heart to see leaders thrive...to enjoy the journey, stay the course and finish well.  It has been an intense few days, but there have been some powerful moments.  I am excited to get home, continue to process and begin to implement some of the insights into our ministry.  

Before I do that, however, Kim and I will be spending our 15th anniversary in Banff!  

Alright, break is over so back to work! 

Looking for your help...

September, with the start of school here in Canada, in many ways marks a new beginning.  Schedules begin, routines are re-established, and life begins to come as close to getting back to normal as it gets.  It is often a time that I find myself looking ahead to the year to come, thinking about what rhythm our ministry should be living out and how to best do that.  With that in mind, I thought I would once again solicit some help from you, friends and partners of our ministry.  

As we look to the coming year our goal is always to see our network of fellowships growing.  If we are to see this happen it means developing future hosts and leaders for further fellowships.  Here is where I need your help.  I have been hosting and leading groups for some time now.  Sometimes it is hard to remember back to how I felt before doing it.  What were the questions and concerns I had that kept me from stepping out to host or lead?  I remember to a certain extent, but I could really use your input as I plan for the coming year.  So let me pose this question and ask that you give it some thought and let me know what you come up with:

What would you need to feel encouraged challenged, and equipped to host and/or lead a simple fellowship in your home or other public space?

Your feedback will be very helpful as I think through training possibilities.  Reply here, e-mail me at jason@hamiltonfellowships.com , or comment at twitter or Facebook.  

Thanks!!!

Painting as Rest

 love to paint.  I only really began a few years ago but have really fallen in love with the process.  I have always had a creative side, but it has most often been expressed through music and, in particular, songwriting.  I have come to realize, however, that I approach painting and songwriting differently.  

Songwriting tends to be one of the ways that I work through thoughts, ideas, feelings, people, places and issues that I am facing.  Although creative, it is not particularly restful for me.  It is a time of emotional or mental wrestling, and one way that I process much of my ministry.

Painting on the other hand, provides a break and a rest from the everyday.  I personally don't tend to use painting as a way of grappling with the issues around me everyday.  I tend to paint landscapes or architecture which provides a mental break where I focus on things other than that which usually occupies my mental energy.  What painting does is gives me opportunity to pause, to focus, to observe things around me often taken for granted, and spend a concentrated time of solitude (an important bit of rest for an introvert).  I tend to save painting for when I have a day off.  As well as seeking spiritual refreshing, painting is one of the ways I seek rest on those precious days, a break from the everyday.  Of course, when observing creation, standing in awe of its detail and being led to create in imitation of The Creator, it is often a part of the spiritual refreshing.  

Here is a painting I did on a recent day off as I experimented with techniques for capturing movement in water.

 

Do you create art?  How do you think about it?  I would love to hear about it.

Update Tuesday - A Few Fun Quotes

The last two week's at Beer Store Church have offered up some pretty juicy quotes that certainly brought a smile to my face, and I thought might bring one to yours as well.
Two week's ago I was greeted by Kelly who I used to see quite regularly, but who has not been around for quite a few months.  As it turns out he was both collecting bottles for a bit of extra cash, but he had also come specifically to see me.  He was having some relationship and some apartment trouble and was wondering if I could help.  He gently pulled me aside and asked if we could talk.  His actual words went something like this:

"I wanted to talk to you about these things because you are the only normal person that I know."

This made me laugh right out loud!  It is not often that I am accused of being "normal."  I guess he does not actually know me very well.  But I think I understand his point, those individuals from our Hamilton Fellowships who meet on the street corner each Monday are among the only relatively stable people with whom our recycling friends have relationships.  Those relationships are based on love and respect and have begun to foster trust.  I was able to listen and to share a bit, and with regards to his apartment situation, to steer him towards the agency who can best address his situation.  I also gave him my number to call if he needed any help because he had lost his phone and i cannot call him.   I did not hear from Kelly and I did not see him this past Monday.  That is another lesson that I am trying to learn-our role.  I would love to be able to share with you the very exiting and linear story of someone we met, helped, prayed for and shared Jesus with who finds housing, gets his life on track and comes to faith.  More often than not we meet broken people who are in and out of our lives week by week, suffer with mental illness, disability, addiction issues and are from crazy environments.  We cannot make choices for people, but rather encourage them.  We can love and listen, but do not own their circumstances.  What we aim to be is a consistent loving influence, and a source of unconditional love and service where they might experience dignity and respect.  We can also pray, and ask you to pray, because only with God moving mightily can we ever see life transformation.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to offer Brian a sandwich and, as he was passing, in a slightly mumbled tone, he said:

"I don't look forward to anything in a week as much as this sandwich.  I am starving by the time I get here and this is just great."

Again, it was heart warming to hear that our small gestures are so appreciated.  It is also special for us to hear because Brian was one who would rarely, if ever, acknowledge us let alone talk with us.  He would walk by and keep to himself, and he did this for months.  Only recently have we begun to intentionally go over to him and offer a sandwich and try to chat a bit.  We are beginning to see him warm up...just a bit.

Let me end this update with a thank you to those of you who have contributed financially to our work here in Hamilton.  I recognize that without your support there would be no Beer Store ministry.  Working with the poor and homeless is obviously not going to become a self sustaining ministry.  But to anyone who has contributed to our work, those funds go both towards keeping me in full time ministry, which allows me to be there every Monday morning, as well as to all the supplies that we use to feed our friends.  So, thank you very much.

If you have ever considered helping and were wondering how, there are a few great ways.  Firstly, consider joining one of our Fellowships.  We can always use people with a heart for Jesus and a heart for the city to join what we are doing spiritually, emotionally, physically and financially.  If you are not from the city but wanted to contribute financially, then you can follow the link below to The Hamilton Fellowships website and click on the online donation tab.

www.hamiltonfellowships.com

    

Penetanguishene Painting

Here is a quick painting I did on a day of at the cottage.  

Georgian Bay, Giants Tomb (the island in the background ) and a canoe, some of my favourite things.

Update Tuesday

Well it has certainly been a bit if a crazy few days for our family as we have been driving around getting people to where they have to be.  This morning Liam and Caroline begin a week at their grandparents cottage and Kim and TJ are getting ready to head back to the set of Lucky 7 for a reading this afternoon. I woke up in Penetanguishene and am already on the road to Barrie where we are helping my grandma move into a retirement residence.  I should be back in the Hammer late this afternoon ready to get back to work.  Below are a few things I will be working on this week about which I would appreciate your prayers.

I continue to make preparations for a new work at Mohawk college .  I have a few contacts that our interns helped us to make that I continue to meet with.  I am also currently inviting other students interested in joining me for a Missional Discipleship experience.  If you know anyone who might like to join us, have them contact me.

I am also in the midst of kickstarting the next level of our discipleship initiative.  This level includes identifying a few select individuals in whom to invest some personal and intentional time and energy for a year.   My intention is that these people will eventually feel encouraged and equipped to be able to invest in others.  I am excited about the opportunity to spend this time over this year, and to see what God will do with it.

So those two of my focuses for this week.  I would appreciate your prayers.

  

New Painting

I am mixing things up this week and so here is a new painting on Wednesday.  This is the third and final work in my "gift for my interns" series.

Update Tuesday-a busy week so far

Well it is only Tuesday and it has been a full and busy week already!  

Sunday was a special day for The Hamilton Fellowships as we had the privilege of performing our first Baby Dedication.  We celebrated with the Qua-Enoo family as they had Matthias dedicated to the Lord.  We took the opportunity to hold a special service on Sunday morning at Pier 4 Park down at the lake.  Along with members of our Fellowship, George and Alison invited friends and family and we all celebrated, as well as covenanted together to support the Qua-Enoos in their desire to bring Matthias up in the knowledge and fear of the Lord.

Monday morning saw us back at the Beer Store.  It was a very busy morning with lots of new faces making it a bit chaotic as everyone crowded onto the sidewalk out front of the shop.  It was also a bit of controlled bedlam because so many wanted to pull Kim or I aside to a brief side conversation.  Some wanted to thank us and to say that after being together on Monday they leave happy and feeling better.  Some wanted to complain about others, and still others were sharing some deep concerns about evictions and challenges finding suitable places to live for their family.  Perhaps the most encouraging moment was when one of the regular guys was the one to remind me of our prayer time.

In between These events we have been making hospital visits as well as a bunch of arrangements for all of our kids.  They are each managing to have an incredibly fun, exciting and full week of their own.  Somehow they have all managed to be working at different places across the GTA!!  

As for the rest of the week, I have a number of follow up conversations to have  already, a wedding consultation,  some discipleship opportunities and some meetings that I am excited about not to mention our standing Fellowships gatherings!  Praying for a fun, full and productive week.

Friday Art - Cigar Box Blues

Here is a short ditty sent to me by my brother.  While on vacation at the cottage he was playing around with a guitar made from a cigar box that my uncle has.  Here is a song that he wrote and recorded while experimenting with it. 

Cigar Box Blues

Update Tuesday-Your Help

Well, we just finished a Civic long weekend here and so today is the first day back at things.  We are keeping busy maintaining our ongoing work while investigating next steps and adventures.  While we do that, we thought we would ask you for some help, or feedback at least, for this week's update.  

Every week we share thoughts, ideas, happenings and prayer requests revolving around our ministry here in Hamilton.   We try our best to share highlights and keep you up to date.  I do realize however, that there may be times that we don't share enough info, that we don't update about a specific prayer request or that there are just ideas or topics you would like to hear more about.   So here is where you can help.  We would love to hear from you.   Is there a name or event or prayer request that you would like to have us follow up on?  Is there something we do that you would like to ask a question about or want more info about why and how we do what we do?  Or is there a topic that you would like to hear from us about?  If you answered yes to any of these, or have something else on your mind that we have not mentioned we would love for you to drop us a line.  Leave a comment here, email me at jason@hamiltonfellowships.com or contact me through Facebook or Twitter. We will see what we can do to help keep you best informed!

Friday Art-Iconic Canadian Brand

After seven weeks of serving in Canada, and in particular in Hamilton, I wanted to be able to give the interns who had been with us this summer something to remember the experience by.  I was fairly certain this sign would not be seen very often in Louisiana, Virginia or Malaysia.  It is, after all, very Canadian. Hamilton also boasts the very first location so there is a #HamOnt connection as well.  

I did these sketches based on an incredible photo by George Qua Enoo that was taken while we were out together shooting by the old Motor City Hotel, on Queenston Rd.  

Rachel...yours is still coming!  (Being from Brampton a Tim Horton's sign is not particularly unique, so a Gore Park Fountain is in the works).

Update Tuesday

Well after seven weeks, we finally said goodbye to our team of summer interns yesterday.  I am hoping that  it was a challenging, stretching, eyeopening and equipping experience for each of them.  I pray that there were things that they learned and principles that they will take with them wherever they go, feeling both challenged and equipped to be on mission.  

So what is next for us here in Hamilton?  Well one of the things we had asked of our interns was to help us find people of peace, in particular students, in the city.  They were able to introduce a number of students to our family of faith.  Prayerfully we will be able to walk with these students to see a new Fellowship begin.  

Similarly, after having a team of interns serving, and a number of mission teams we will need to use the rest of the summer to transition from teams to our own people.  This is actually one of my weaknesses to be frank.  When I have mission teams I find it easy to come up with ideas and initiatives and be intentional about seeing them happen.  What we need to be doing now is taking some similar ideas and initiatives and seeing them being accomplished, in a very intentional way, by our own people here in the city.  In this way the teams over the summer will have been a very important stimulus and push forward that  led to a prolonged engagement in our community.  

I would also ask that you might be in prayer for the Send North America conference going on as I write.  Very soon our Toronto gang will be hosting a Send Toronto break out session sharing about what God is doing in the region and helping others to get involved.  Pray that God would move for the sake of His work here in the area and for the sake of His Kingdom.  

Friday Art-18-22 King St E

There has been a lot of discussion of late about 18-22 King St E in Hamilton.  It was going to be torn down, then it wasn't, then fences went up and machinery moved in and then once again it was stalled.  A lot of discussion then turned to the facade facing Gore Park and how much (or little) could be saved to satisfy the heritage question.  I will leave those discussions for others, but will only say that the back of the building is my favourite part.  Above, is a painting that I did a few years ago.  For some reason it was always the architectural features of the back that caught my eye and captured my imagination.  A slightly different, and more shocking view is scene below.

Photo taken from www.raisethehammer.org

Update Tuesday-writing from West Virginia

Well this is one of the views that I am enjoying this week as we have the privilege of joining Missions Camp hosted by the West Virginian Baptist Association.  We are representing North American missions, sharing about our work in Hamilton.  We will be sharing about the lessons we have been learning as we seek to minister to the diversity-both ethnic and socio-economic, that we see in the city.  I am particularly excited about introducing some of the experiential learning activities that our friend Lance Wright from Scene Change (www.scenechange.ca) helped us developed.  I am excited to help kids make the connection between their faith, their call to missions, the nations and justice.  

In the meantime, back in the city,our faithful   team of interns continue to plug into the city helping us to continue to love our neighbours well.  

Friday Art-Brad Germain of The Dinner Belles

It was inevitable I suppose, although probably a rarity, that a person would make it into one of my paintings.  It is certainly a first.  But when a guitar player shows up in pink plaid while under a giant sea foam green bandshell, who could resist.  Here is a painting of Brad Germain of The Dinner Belles performing as part of the Seven Sundays in Gage at the George R. Robinson Bandshell.

Update Tuesday - Did You See Us In The Paper?

An interesting thing happened while we were meeting at the beer store last week.  A lady from the neighbourhood, just returning her empties (not one of the recycler crowd at all) stopped to ask about what we were doing.  She seemed very intrigued by the idea, and being a bit early for the store opening, decided to hang around with us until the store opened.  After the store opened and she had finished inside, she made a point of coming back to see us before leaving and got some contact info.  As it turns out, she was so taken by what we were doing that she thought others should know about it and took it upon herself to contact the local paper.  Yesterday, we were joined by a reporter who came along for the experience and to write a story about our Monday morning ministry.  We were also joined by our new friend, who was there early again and was intentional about joining us for our prayer time.  

Below is a link to the article that appeared on page 4 of today's Hamilton Spectator.  Although we would never refer to ourselves as "angels," and the numerous (and I mean numerous) references I made to Jesus somehow missed being reported, it was encouraging to think that someone would think enough about what we are doing to want to share it.

The Hamilton Spectator

As I write this post, it is about 7:45am on Tuesday, and I have already received an e-mail from someone who read the article, visited our web site and is asking to check out one of our Fellowships meetings.  I am reminded that there are always two groups that we serve, those we serve directly and those who are watching us serve.  We never know who may respond and how!

Friday Art-A Georgian Bay Sunset

We have a running joke in our family about "another Georgian Bay Sunset"

photo.  We probably have thousands between us.  Why is it that we always feel compelled to take another ?  It may be that they all seem to be unique and thus every sunset is a new work of art and a new experience.  It may be that every experience is like being enveloped in a brilliant work of art being created in that moment by the Master artist Himself and thus we try to capture that moment.  There is also the reality that no photo can ever fully capture the experience, although a few have come close, and thus we continue to seek after that elusive capture.  

I know I have personally taken photos, written songs and painting pictures and still don't feel that I have exhausted the well, nor quite done it justice.  And so, the effort continues.  Here is a recent contribution   from a few weeks back.  It is a sketch done on a cut off board from a construction project next door, painted at the beach on Georgian Bay.  It now hangs in the Edie Gallery just outside Penetanguishene, Ont...ha ha ( inside joke).

Update Tuesday-Meet the Interns

Well, I have been referencing these individuals for a number of weeks now so I thought it would be appropriate to officially introduce them.  Pictured above is our fearless team of summer interns, (from left to right) Blake, Diane and Rachel.  Our team's diverse backgrounds span the globe with Blake joining us from Louisiana, Diane from Malaysia via Virginia and Rachel from Pakistan via Brampton.  This makes them perfectly suited to ministry in our  region.  As Blake says "my partners hail from Malaysia and Pakistan and yet I am the one who hears -You're not from around here are you?"   So true, welcome to Hamilton!

I am really excited about all the exploratory work they have been engaging in throughout the city and on the Mohawk campus, and for the groundbreaking efforts they have been accomplishing on our behalf.  

As I look at the many struggles and obstacles that had to be overcome to see this team assembled here in Hamilton I am thankful for the effort and willingness to be stretched that each has demonstrated.  I also see the hand of God in bringing this team together.  I am very much looking forward to see what God does through them.  

Update Tuesday - Guerrilla Gardening

Our crew from Fairlawn Baptist, WV

We had no agenda, no plan and no intention of organizing an ongoing initiative.  The reality is that I had a mission team in, I had some extra time to fill and I drove by a vacant property in my neighbourhood overrun by weeds.  I asked the team if they would mind helping to clean it up.  As it turns out, it was one of the cheapest things we have ever done and it garnered us some of the most positive attention we have ever received.  The neighbours really responded with gratitude to the simple effort and it lead to some great conversations even with the owner of the property.  That was last summer, and now this summer, each time we have a team I aim to do a bit of Guerrilla Gardening, where we find a piece of property that could use some attention, and clean it up a bit.  We have also begun to try and spruce things up further by planting some plants.  It is nothing earth shattering, and we are just taking small steps but for some reason it really resonates with many in our city. In the end, it is funny the things that surprise you, the things that have the greatest impact and lead to the best conversations.  I would never have thought that weeding a vacant lot would end up being one the the most cost effective and noticeable things we could do in the community, the biggest bang for the buck.  Bang for the buck, however, is not the only reason, nor perhaps the key reason, to do Guerrilla Gardening. 

Ask me why I love being involved in Guerrilla Gardening and my answer goes a bit deeper than low cost, high impact.  The reason I love to do it, is for the picture that it leaves.  For me, our efforts are about creating a visual symbol, or a 3D parabolic image.  Guerrilla Gardening is about finding a spot that is abandoned or has not been cared for and investing a little bit of TLC.  Thus, we are taking something that was once designed with care, purpose and often beauty, that has become overrun, infected and abandoned and reinvesting in order to remove that which has overrun, re-establish some beauty and return it to purpose.  To me, this is a picture of the Gospel.   God, through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus, provides a means by which the sin that has come to overrun his beloved creation since the Fall, might be dealt with and beauty and purpose might be restored.  This is true both on a personal and individual level for all those who come to faith, as well as for the redemption of all creation that finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth.  Each time we restore an abandoned planter I am thinking about what God has done for me in Jesus, and  I am thinking about the hope of a future where all things are made new and made right.  Granted, when someone drives by one of the lots that we have worked in, they certainly don't come to an understanding of the gospel out of the blue.   People do, however, seem to respond.  Maybe it is that there is an inherent recognition and hunger that leads us to respond to ideas and images of redemption when we see them.  Whatever the case, people take notice and we have the opportunity to express our hope in the final restoration of all things.   If we are intentional and always ready to share a reason for our hope, maybe we can help to connect the dots for people. 

The AFTER shot

 

Update Tuesday

We are having a great time serving the city of Hamilton with our friends from from Fairlawn Baptist Church of Parkersburg, WV.  As we hit the streets to love our city through LoveLoud projects like feeding the homeless, guerrilla gardening, and praying - sharing Jesus in word and deed, I thought I would leave you with this video to watch.  This is a great video that tells the story of one homeless man here in Hamilton.  It reminds us of the many similar stories that we hear from our neighbours in the city, as well as gives some really interesting insights into Hamilton in general.  Enjoy, and don't forget to check back next week for some stories and pictures of our adventures with Fairlawn! 

Watch it below or follow the link.

Jed the Dancing Guy

Update Tuesday

It was a bit awkward.  It was the first time that anything like that had ever happened.  I had to explain to her that what had transpired was not exactly what we had in mind by the term LoveLoud.  They assured me, however, that Shirley had not done anything to bring on the marriage proposal, it just happened.  There was not a flirt-and-convert strategy being employed by the teams octogenarian!   

All kidding aside, we had a great week with our team from Woodville Baptist Church Hertford, NC.  They were real troopers and I worked them to the bone loving, serving and praying for Jackson St.  We prayer walked, did some

Guerrilla Gardening and even went door to door.  We also spent time feeding the homeless downtown.

This week our intern Blake has been exploring the city as well as the campus of Mohawk College as we get to work laying groundwork for new groups.  We are also getting ready to host our next group from Fairlawn Baptist, Parkersburg WV.  Looking forward to another great week next week.

Trains...

It has been a while since I have posted any art on a Friday but here is a recent work.  It is from the CN rail grounds at Longwood and Aberdeen in Hamilton.

Update Tuesday - Jackson Street

Shortly after we arrived in Hamilton and got settled in our neighbourhood, we began a prayer initiative in which we got individuals or groups to pray for a particular street in the area.  One of the groups who signed up for this initiative was a small group of ladies from Woodville Baptist Church in Hurtford, North Carolina.  For approximately two years now, this group has been faithfully praying for the street and its residents.  Yesterday, after two long days of driving this past weekend, a group of ladies from the church finally had the chance to visit the street in person.  We spent the afternoon prayer walking the street, in the rain, as they got to put sight, sound, taste and smell to the street that they have so faithfully been lifting to the Lord.  I realized yesterday morning, as I spoke about the street and began to see tears in the eyes of some of the team, just how fortunate we are, and how fortunate the residents of Jackson St. are to have such faithful prayer partners.  We will be returning again today to do some "Gorilla Gardening" as we spruce up some empty lots along the street.  We will also be doing some door to door survey work trying to hear from our neighbours regarding what they think are the best things and the biggest needs within our community.  I am looking forward to another great day.

I am also happy to say that one of our interns, Blake Williams, has arrived, and we are expecting the other hopefully this week.  I am excited about all that they will be able to help us accomplish over the next few months.  

I am also excited to share with you that our new web site is in the final stages of completion.  We would love for you to have a sneak peak.  You can check it out at:

www.hamiltonfellowships.com

A big thanks to Jeff Boulton, George Qua-Enoo, Michael Wilson and Gerry McGibbon who all contributed art, ideas, design, tech. skills, editing and lots of time.

Update Tuesday

Well this is going to be short as I am preparing to welcome some interns tomorrow and a mission team on Monday.  I am looking forward to the opportunities these next weeks will bring.  

If you would like to pray along with us next week, and for the coming weeks of summer in general, then please read and pray through Matthew 9:35-38, and Luke 10:1-12.  We will be mining these passages for some principles to be applying to our time here in Hamilton.  

We will be thinking through things like how to:

Be Present

Be Prayerful

Be Proclaiming

Be Praying and Providing for needs

Be searching for People of Peace

If you read, think and pray along with us I would love to hear your thoughts, observations and insights.

Update Tuesday -and they called the police

A part of  what we really hope to do as we serve here in Hamilton is help people to learn some missional principles that they can bring into their everyday lives.  For Kimberley, God has been teaching her about justice and opening her eyes and heart to the vulnerable on the fringes of society.   It is no wonder then that when Kimberley arrived in the small town of Penetanguishene (our son is currently performing there in a production of Oliver) she would come across maybe the only homeless guy in town.  Charlie, along with his big German Shepherd, approached her in the Tim Horton's parking lot (it is literally the only business open after 5:00pm!) asking for change. Kim said that she did not have any change but that she would buy him dinner if he would join her.  He did not want to leave his dog, and so they ate together on the curb outside the restaurant.  As a police cruiser entered the parking lot Charlie began to murmer "oh no...oh no." Kim assured him that they were not there for him, it was a Tim Horton's, they were just there for a coffee and doughnut.  She was wrong, they were there for them and they, very politley, came right over to ask if everything was OK.  Kim kind of laughed and assured them that everything was fine and that she and Charlie were just having dinner.  As it turns out, someone saw Charlie and was worried that he was  coercing Kimberley into giving money.   Kimberley learned very quickly that Penetanguishene is not Hamilton!  On the one hand, it was nice to think that someone was concerned enough for her safety to call.  On the other hand, it was strange to think they were that concerned over one homeless man.  

Kimberley finished dinner at which point she tried offer Charlie help to find a shelter or place to stay, but he "had places to go."  It is strange, but they always have somewhere to go and somewhere to be...I have no idea where or for what...but they do.  

Although the two places that Kimberley finds herself in these days are very different, there is one thing they have in common.  When we look more closely, and our hearts, as well as our eyes are open, we can see the vulnerable on the fringes of society.   I think that God calls us to such places and people as we join him on mission.  Will we have the heart and eyes to see?

Oh Canada - Canadian Tire, a case study

On the surface the following story that appeared in The Hamilton Spectator is just a local story of a store re-opening.  Read a little closer however, the story provides a fascinating study of Canadian culture, including some history, rural vs. urban vs. suburban demographic trends, a iconic Canadian brand and more.  Have a close read and see what you can pick up.

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/2882359-old-is-new-again-the-main-and-victoria-canadian-tire-gets-a-facelift/

Update Tuesday - on a personal note

I hope that it is OK with you, but I am going to share a few really neat things that have happened of late within our family to begin this week's update.  We just recently returned from a visit to my parents cottage for the May long weekend, Victoria Day here in Canada.  We were actually visiting my wife Kimberley and our son Liam.  Why were we visiting them?  This was the first interesting turn in our summer schedule.  There is a professional theater company that has a summer theater in the town where my parents have a cottage.  Liam auditioned for the musical Oliver, with the hopes of gaining some audition experience.  As it turns out, he got cast as a part of the orphan chorus, so, Kimberley and Liam have moved to the cottage for about six weeks while Liam rehearses every night until June when the show opens.  We are excited for Liam and proud of him as we watch him make the most of this opportunity.

Meanwhile, while visiting at the cottage, we were informed by a friend that the trailer for a new ABC program entitled Lucky 7 that will be premiering this fall, was available for viewing online.  Now, ordinarily we would pay no attention to a trailer especially since we don't even have TV here at home.  This one, however, was different as it is the trailer for a TV show in which our daughter T.J. will be appearing as a principle role!   T.J. got a role for a TV pilot that shot this past spring.  We just heard last week that the pilot was picked up and will be a part of the fall lineup.  You can view the trailer below or follow the link:

http://youtu.be/DwVUhQFZKnw




Now that we are back here in the city, life continues on and there is still also a lot going on with the church stuff.  We are getting closer to the arrival of our summer student interns as well as our first mission team.  I am also excited to announce that we are currently working on the details and content for a web site.  As we grow a somewhat decentralized network of fellowships this will serve as an important centralized point at which to engage with The Hamilton Fellowships.  As soon as it goes live I will be sure to let you know!

Lastly, for those who are interested in learning more about the city, I thought I would share the link below which is from our local newspaper.  You may remember that in the past I have linked to articles from the Hamilton Spectator that were a part of its Code Red series, which highlights different areas or issues facing the city.   They have recently begun another investigation in the Code Red Series focusing on Barton Street.  This one time thriving economic artery running right through the city, in many ways represents some of the impact of the recent hard times the city has gone through.  The link is below.  Feel free to check back online with the paper as there are a number of days worth or articles in the series.

http://m.thespec.com/news-story/2878775-barton-street-s-lost-promise/