FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th, 2009 - Eight years ago today - do you remember where you were?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th, 2009 - Heather Chappell and group will be playing at the Junction Arts Festival - for details go to www.junctionartsfest.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th, 2009 - We return to Sunday services; join us at 10.30 for renewal and communion. Rev. Matt McKay will lead.

MISSION CAPSULES: Our gifts to Presbyterians Sharing ... support Cariboo Presbyterian Church, a house church ministry that reaches out to people in rural and remote areas in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. The Revs. John Wyminga and Shannon Bell-Wyminga minister with house church fellowships in Nazko, Quesnel, Kluskus and Punchaw. Shannon writes, "there are continuing struggles in our region. The downturn in the economy, the continuing struggle of cattle ranchers to make ends meet and the ongoing crisis of addiction, poverty and despair among many First Nations people are only a few. These struggles only show how harassed and helpless we can be and how much we continue to need the overwhelming compassion and love of Jesus." Let us pray for house churches in the Cariboo region as they journey together, discovering and sharing God's love.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2009 - John Bell of the Iona Community will lead a retreat - "Encounters with Jesus" at St. John's Convent Guest House, 233 Cummer Avenue, Toronto - 416-226-2201 - 305 email: guesthouse@ssjd.ca

John Bell is a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland and lives in Glasgow. He is a theologian, hymn-writer, author, and broadcaster whose passion is for congregational song. He does not have a cell phone, driving license, camera, i-pod or wife. He has never eaten a Big Mac! The retreat begins at 4:00 pm Monday and ends at 1:30 pm Wednesday - the fees are $250.00 residential, $150.00 commuters with a $50.00 deposit.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND - SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD, 2009 - Beaches Womens Retreat. Please join us for the Women's Day Away, a 24 hour retreat for the women of Beaches. The retreat is scheduled from 7:00 pm Friday evening to 7:00 pm Saturday evening. We will gather at Ganaraska Woods, a little bit of wilderness, not too far from the city. We will be led by Rev. Emily Bisset, for a time of reflection, study, laughter, prayer, junk food (and healthy food of course) and community. The cost will be confirmed based on our numbers but should be within the $60.00 - $80.00 range. Please sign up on the list in the church hall or contact Mary Rae Shantz mrs_504@hotmail.com if you are interested, (or even just curious). We will need to confirm our numbers ahead of time, so please let Mary kmow if you think you might be able to attend. Babes in arms are welcome, too.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 2009 - The Lost Pilgrims - an evening concert at Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church - for details call 416-261-4037


"GOOD ANSWERS"

In France, at a fairly large conference, Steven Harper was asked by a French cabinet minister if Canadian involvement in Afghanistan was just an example of "empire building".


He answered by saying, "Over the years, Canada has sent many of it's fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return."

...

A Canadian Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the Canadian, U.S. English, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, "whereas Europeans learn many languages, North Americans generally learn only English." He then asked, "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"

Without hesitating, the Canadian Admiral replied, "maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German!"

Have a good week - Marlene Barnett