Our Spiritual Development Ministry On this page . . . Adult Spiritual Development Children's Prgrams Funding Stewardship Youth Programs Adult Spiritual Development At Northwood we seek to grow and deepen in our spiritual life at every age and stage of life. This leads us to offer opportunities to question theology, develop active prayerful lives, seek to make a loving difference in the world, and understand the presence of God in our neighbours. This fall we are holding several opportunities for adults: Thursday Morning Bible Study: Based on the scripture readings for the coming Sunday worship, this small group meets Thursdays at 10:30am for coffee and study. Led by Diane Onno and supported by Will Sparks A Bird’s Eye View of the Bible An Introduction to the Bible ~ Nine Sessions for Newcomers or Renew-comers on Tuesday nights at 7pm from September 22 through November 17th. Led by Will Sparks and Scott Reynolds It has been said that the Bible is more of a library than a book- filled with stories, poems, songs, legal documents, history. It puzzles, inspires, calms and infuriates. If you have never read the Bible but are curious, if you have dabbled in the Bible as a child but wondered, if you have read it and want to know more, come to “A Bird’s Eye View of the Bible.” We will scan the entire Bible in nine sessions, touching down on each major section. Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your longing to know more. An introduction to Centering Prayer A Video Series with Fr. Thomas Keating For newcomers to Centering Prayer or renewing your prayer life led by Chritine Wolff on Mondays 7pm -Starting Soon Coming this fall as well: A Biblical Dinner: Philippians “Taste and Hear” November 24th share a meal and hear Paul’s entire letter to the Philippians as if you were there. Come and experience what it might have felt like to hear these writings before they became part of the Bible. A place for children Children are very important to us We welcome children to our worship services prior to their Sunday School sessions. Children three years and older are invited to go to their Sunday School classes after the first section of the service. Most services have a theme conversation time when the children are invited to the front to be introduced to the theme for their lesson (and our sermon time) by one of our ministers. You may register for Sunday School during the coffee hour at the kiosk in the Gathering Place on Sunday or at the church office during the week. Children and youth are an important part of the whole people of God. We need them in our midst. A special word is shared with the children during each worship service before they go to their "Seasons of the Spirit" graded classes for ages 3 and up. Our nursery area is located just off the south side of the sanctuary so that parents are able to care for their younger children while still being able to participate in the worship service. Youth Activities We strive to provide a safe and loving environment where youth may explore and grow in their own spirituality, leadership abilities and church involvement; as well as to share these experience with others. Two active groups of youth at Northwood participate in a variey of activities: Friday night senior and junior youth groups meet Sunday morning classes for junior and senior youth Leadership training for youth Presbytery events - dances, retreats Confirmation and membership classes Fellowship events ~ hockey games, movie nights, swimming, roller blading Junior Youth Group All children aged 9 - 12 are most welcome to join the Junior Youth group at Northwood. Our group normally meets twice per month, usually on the 2nd and 4th Friday nights from 7- 9:15pm. During the summer the schedule usually changes to once per month. Through our group kids learn to recognize and celebrate each other's gifts and similarities, while also learning to accept each other's differences and interacting together as an inclusive community. Many of the planned games and activities have this focus and there are a variety of activities for the Jr. Youth on the church site, and out in the community. Some of these activities include: Indoor and outdoor games Small and large group programs Group community building games and activities Recreation and sporting activities Spiritual exploration opportunities Food and fellowship Group sleepovers, retreats and camping Outreach projects and activities Group Fundraising activities Our group is open to any kid that would like to join in the fun, not just those that come to our church. For more information please contact Christine Wolff Senior Youth Group All youth aged 13- 18 are invited to join the Senior Youth group at Northwood. Our group normally meets weekly on Friday nights from 7- 10 pm. Our Senior Youth group provides a safe and fun opportunity for youth to meet and get to know others. Group members learn to recognize and celebrate each other's gifts and similarities, while also learning to accept each other's differences. In this way, members learn to interact with each other as an inclusive community. Many of the planned activities and games have this focus, and there are a variety of activities for the Sr. Youth on the church site, and out in the community. Some of these activities include: Recreation and sporting activities Small and large group programs Group community building games and activities Indoor and outdoor games Creative opportunities Spiritual exploration opportunities Food and fellowship Movie Nights Group sleepovers, retreats and camping Community outreach projects and activities Group Fundraising activities Our group is open to any youth that would like to join in the fun, not just those that come to our church. For more information please contact the church office. What is Christian Stewardship? Stewardship is everything we do after we say, "I believe." "Stewardship is about making choices, as individuals and in community. It is more than giving money to the church. Stewardship is about being faithful disciples, caring for and managing all that God has given us." James Hudnut-Beumler Christian stewardship is: our grateful response to the love of God as revealed in Christ and expressed in terms of the management and care of all resources available for the sustenance and enrichment of life. A Christian steward: is one whose life, abilities and resources are committed to God's purposes so that the spirit of God flows through such a person in a blessing to the world feels a responsibility for the well-being of all people, giving them the opportunity to develop their full potential as well accepts the family as a trust from God and seeks to provide the atmosphere in which each member can realize his or her fullest potential accepts the church (as the fellowship of the committed ones) as a trust from God, and seeks to assure through this fellowship the extension of God's mission into the community and into the world accepts the gospel as a trust from God, seeking to understand it, and endeavor to be faithful custodians of its liberating and reconciling truth accepts material resources as a trust, from maximizing the use of these resources to increase the productivity of the world without exploitation and to make it possible for others to share in this bounty accepts power and influence as a trust from God endeavoring to administer them according to the purposes of God accepts this world with its tremendous resources as a trust from God, seeking to understand what God is doing in the events of history and through technological developments, and endeavoring to be involved in the decisive issues facing society strives to penetrate the arena of secular society with the good news of the gospel. Spiritual Development Funding Sources For all ages from Northwood's Spiritual Development Ministry Participants in the life and work of Northwood can apply for financial assistance to attend events, conferences and retreats. Contact for this fund can be made through the church office. Fraser Presbytery Youth Ministry Bursary Fund is available for youth 13-18 for events taking place in Fraser Presbytery. Applications are available from the youth office. The Anne White Memorial Bursary Fund is available for BC Conference sponsored events. For information contact 604-431-0434. The Baxter Fund provides for young adults 18-30 to maintain involvement in the church. Personal support, program initiatives and developing world education grants all available through the Youth Ministry.