Two Rivers Church

Join us on Sept. 3 for an End of Summer BBQ & Potluck.

Pop by the Hyde House anytime between 4pm and 8pm for a time of connecting and socializing before the long weekend. Check your weekly 2RC email or message here for the address.

Bring swim gear if you want to jump in the pool. And bring something yummy to share if you can (if you can’t, come anyway). A potluck dinner will commence around 5pm.

Anyone in the 2RC orbit is welcome - even friends of friends, or folks who wanna check 2RC out.

Lamenting the death of Sliman Mansour this week - Palestinian artist of Christian faith, whose work lifted up themes of resiliency, liberation, and human dignity.

For many of us, art is something we get to pursue as a hobby or leisure activity. It’s good to be reminded, however, that in other contexts art is a means of persevering and holding onto scant hope.

Maybe take some time this week to sit with the work of artists whose work bears witness to the power of divine love to withstand all forms of oppression. Hear what the Spirit might be saying to her people.

You know how Guelph’s downtown looks beautiful all lit up for Christmas time? The reason we’re able to enjoy that spectacle is because some brave soul - with institutional forethought - checks on the lightbulbs in the summer.

It feels like there’s a bit of spiritual wisdom in that, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

What piece of inspired goodness might we be called to put in place this day, even as we anticipate the new creation God has promised? Or the future goodness we long to realize in our communities? Or the kinda planet we want to leave for our grandkids? Or whatever new manifestation of incarnational love God might long to reveal to us in the coming seasons?

Speaking of which, please hold our Leadership Team in prayer as they begin reaching out and interviewing candidates for our Children’s Ministry coordinator position.

Little lightbulbs, tended in faith, anticipating future wholeness. What a privilege.

Sabbatical Check-in…

This week 2RC’s pastor Andrew has been taking part in the Guder Pastoral Leadership Retreat at St. Andrew’s Hall, the Presbyterian seminary at UBC in Vancouver. It’s been a rich time of learning, connecting, and imagination.

The keynote speaker has been Keis Keisler, an academic from Friends University, who’s written extensively about integrating the Spiritual Formation and Missional Church movements, and the writings of Dallas Willard.

Retreat participants also got to visit Artisan Church | Vancouver and Jacob's Well - two communities in Vancouver’s DTES with lessons for our own hopes at 2RC.

Expect to hear more about this experience, Andrew’s learnings and takeaways, and the rich network of leaders and ministries gathered at St. Andrew’s Hall for this gift of time together, when Andrew returns from sabbatical in September.

And check out Centre for Missional Leadership and the learning opportunities they offer for churches like ours. They’re a real gift to the Church.

Anyone notice the name of the new high school being built in the south end of town? Let’s hold our namesake in prayer - teachers, admin, students, families - as this new addition to our community takes shape.

Culture Making is one of the practices we value at 2RC. How are you leaning into creativity and the arts this summer?

Over the months of July and August we are taking a break from Sunday liturgies, and instead inviting all to meet up on Wednesday evenings for a time of Lectio Divina in the community.

Gazebo Divina meets every Wednesday at 7pm in different covered/outdoor locations around town. Listen for what the Spirit may speak through some of the stories of real people encountering Jesus in the gospels.

All are welcome.

Two Rivers Church is hiring a part-time Children’s Ministry Coordinator to help guide, support, and form our youngest community members.

Check our website or the link in our bio for more info. www.tworiverschurch.ca

Applications will be accepted until August 15, with an eye towards a September start.

Our prayers and best wishes are with everyone celebrating Pride Month is June.

May it be a wonderful and healing, affirming and uplifting season, especially for those who’ve been hurt by the homophobia and transphobia of our society.

We are all beloved children of God.

Join us this Sunday afternoon for a contemplative experience in the Arboretum led by Fran Westwood. Meet at the pavilion by the Arboretum Centre.