I am teaching at toh today.

It is the first time since the middle of January. That is 3 months.

I used to teach 7 times out of 8 weeks on average. Not anymore. I burned out from that.

I guess you could say that Jude saved my life (my son, not the book). I was running on empty.

But today I am excited. Teaching on Luke 9. I feel nervous, like it’s my first time. And I wonder if anyone will show up. It’s funny. (And there is a Canucks game on). But it doesn’t matter to me, because I am in a good place.

Thank you toh for you care, support and for the time off. I am renewed.

But….

I don’t plan on teaching as often anymore (7/8 is too much). It’s time to share the load. It’s time to explore discipleship. It’s time to know each other. It’s times for Sneezes, Burps and Farts.

So I look forward to seeing everyone. I look forward to sharing a meal. I look forward to sharing communion.

And…

I look forward to hearing more of your voices on Sunday nights.

While enjoying our morning coffee this morning, a traffic jam ensued of porpoises.

There is a really cool event that Grandview Baptist Church is sponsoring May 2nd on New Monasticism (read below an email from Pastor Tim Dickau).

I like to believe that the open house is creating a different type of monastic community by the way we are quite interactive with the world as a church and in our work lives and I would like to send 2 people to the conference, so if you are interested let us know.

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Hi friends,

I want to let you know about an event we are co-sponsoring with Carey Theological College at our church on Saturday May 2nd. The conference is on New Monasticism. If you are unfamiliar with that term, new monasticism is the name given to the many small communities sprouting up around North America where people are choosing to live together, share resources, welcome others and especially the poor, pursue a life with rhythms of prayer etc.

We are offering this conference in order to help others pursue these practices. We believe that the practices embraced by these communities, practices which many people in our church are pursuing also, are practices that can transform individuals and communities. A number of people from our church and from other churches around our city will be presenting workshops on that day.

There is limited space so people who preregister by sending an e-mail to newmonasticism@gcbchurch.ca will be given first priority.

The cost ranges from $20 – $50, depending on when you register and if you are working.

Schedule: The day looks like this
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 9:30 Gathering and worship
9:30 – 10:30 Jonathan Wilson speaking about the sprouting of New Monastic communities across North America
10:45-11:45 Workshop #1.
11:45-12:45 – Lunch
12:45-1:45 – Workshop #2
2:00 – 3:00 Panel Discussion
3:00 – 3:30 Tom Wuest / Communion

Speakers include:
Jonathan Wilson (Carey Theological College) – understanding New Monasticism
Craig Greenfield (Servants Vancouver) – Relocating to Abandoned Neighbourhoods
Tama Ward Balisky (Kinbrace Community) – Racial Reconciliation
Dave Diewert (Streams of Justice) – Sharing Economic Resources / Seeking Justice
Tim Dickau (Grandview Calvary Baptist) – Inhabiting a Neighbourhood
Aaron White (24/7 Prayer & 614) – Prayer / contemplation and Action
Amy Wilson-Roberts (Nieu Communities) – Intentional Formation of Disciples
Joy Banks. (Crossroads Community Project – Radical Hospitality
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Here is an article provided by Grandview and here is an insert if you want to pass it around.

Hey everyone,

the open house is now on twitter.

Follow us for updates on the open house.