Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Update from France
Marie-Angelique and Jean-Pierre Picard are delighted to announce the birth of their second daughter, Estella, on September 9. Estella weighed 3.9 kg and was 51 cm long.
Here is a picture of four-year-old sister, Electra Christina Picard, holding her new sister, Estella.
Canada
Update from Gary Moore
My son, Daniel Moore, was married to Julia Cercone on September 5 at the Faculty Club on the campus of Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. Daniel and Julia are both finishing their doctorates in English at Queens.
Wendy, Rachel, Kylie and I flew into Toronto, picked up my mother and drove her down with us. Karl, Brigitte and their children drove down from Montreal, and other relatives and friends came from several provinces and U.S. states. It was a wonderful family celebration. The setting on the campus of Queen’s University was perfect for the occasion. This picture of Daniel and Julia was taken during the photo session that followed the ceremony.
Pastoral Internship Program
The Pastoral Internship Program is offered for potential GCI U.S. church pastors or planters. It includes hands-on training with a seasoned pastor and development of an education plan. Pastoral internships are part-time paid or volunteer positions and last 12-18 months. Those who successfully complete an internship will be considered for ordination as an elder and appointment as a GCI church pastor or planter.
Though paid pastoral internships are limited, volunteer internships are readily available for qualified candidates, including college and seminary students who need an internship for class credit.
For more information visit http://www.wcg.org/MinDev/internships.htm or contact Greg Williams at greg.williams@gci.org
Trinitarian Worship Blog
If you are looking for help with your congregation’s worship singing and special music, a good place to start might be the online discussion at GCI’s Trinitarian Worship Blog (http://trinitarianworship.blogspot.com/). Blog moderator Mike Hale notes that there is no one “right way” to design the music in a worship service. Much depends on the demographics of the congregation, available resources, circumstances, and what God is doing in the congregation. The blog is a good place to share your thoughts, experiences and ideas with others.
SEP Florida
From Camp Director Marty Davey:
Due to changes in Florida’s school calendar this year, we could only rent a camp facility for Aug. 15-17, when about half the kids had gone back to school. Although it cut our camper enrollment in half, we were still blessed with a wonderful 3-day camp enjoyed by 13 teens, 13 preteens, 10 young adult staff, and another 10-12 adults who served in the kitchen, arts and crafts, first aid, and helping out with the dorms. The camp we used has some great facilities, including a large pool, canoes on the lake, a zip line and climbing wall, BB and archery ranges, volleyball and basketball courts, and air-conditioned cabins and dining hall.
Our daily chapel service focused on the acronym CHILD, and what it means to be a child of God and a beloved friend of Jesus. Of the 26 campers, several were new this year with no previous church affiliation. It is our belief, hope and prayer that each one was able see the reality of our God, and has been inspired in the quest for a real and continuing relationship with him. Although our camper enrollment was small this year, each one is precious in Jesus’ sight.
We are planning a cruise-mission-camp for teens this winter, beginning December 27. For more information visit <www.sepflorida.com>.
Philippines
From National Director Eugene Guzon:
In May, a number of us from GCI Philippines attended the Tokyo 2010 Global Missions Consultation participated in by about 1200 delegates from around the world. This event was organized by the different mission agencies, including the Philippine Mission Association, which is now headed by our own Dr. Rey Taniajura. Aside from learning more about trends in world missions and the opportunity to visit our few members in Japan, we were also able to network with potential mission partners.
One of those contacts, Dr. Shingo Karazaki of Osaka Mission Center, visited us in the Philippines last June. We had meetings to explore the possibility of a partnership in sending a Filipino missionary couple/family to Japan, hopefully before the end of the year.
Also last June, we were able to conduct leadership retreats for pastoral team leaders in Bacolod and Baguio. These gatherings have become opportunities to help our leaders assess their ministry and become better equipped for service. Another focus has been to have a better understanding of the practical aspects of our Christ-centered theology. We also got to discuss upcoming activities, such as our festivals.
Prayer request
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
