Blessings Residents of 220 Viewmount AND Blessing Carleton U. Students during exams - Carleton Exam Pause Table

Soooooo, 

Two more events that Calvin has had the privilege of blessing others with. 

The first was our youth group going to bless the residents of 220 Viewmount (a co-op housing development that many CRC's are part of) this past Sunday.  

We arrived at 3:30 p.m. and residents, youth, youth leaders, and mentors sang together the ancient Christmas Carols.  

We had some readings, shared favourite Christmas traditions as well, and then sampled some Christmas baking and socialized.  

It was a nice time, and the residents were very thankful. Thanks to all who came out to be a blessing.   

Yesterday, Megan, Jack, and myself were part of something called the 

"Carleton Exam Pause Table"

This is an initiative that has been run by Trinity Anglican Church here in Ottawa for quite some time, and before that run by the Carleton Chaplaincy. 

The Pastor at Trinity, as well as Pastor Nick (who served as Calvin's Specialized Transitional Pastor several years ago when we were vacant - a.k.a. "quick Nick" because his sermons were quite succinct : ) ) headed this one up. 

I had never heard of this initiative before, but since I'm helping out Pastor Ryan at Carleton every Wednesday co-leading a small student Bible Study group, I was included in an email thread that talked about this. 

Here's a bit more about the history and present day.

The Pause Table was a welcomed presence at Carleton during exams for many years, providing free food and drinks and an opportunity for conversation for students at a stressful time of year.  

It stopped during COVID, but was revived for one day last April. For this December exams, we want to try to hold this for three days.  Nick, who is a member of my parish of Trinity Anglican, and was in the past a chaplain at Brock University, is coordinating this for us.  

Well, when I saw this email, I was intrigued so inquired some more.  Eventually, I committed Calvin to participate.  How could I not? : )   This was a great way to spread the love of Jesus in a very simple way. 

Before we get to the pictures, just some facts to give the pictures context.  

After putting out a request to Calvin's congregation we received donated items as well as cash donations amounting to $510. 

In total, I was able to purchase $750 of items (itemized below) and take them with other donated items. 

I wasn't sure exactly what to expect, never having done this before, so on Monday I took a trip to Carleton to check out the Monday of the Pause Table. 

Here's a set of churches set up and handing out items to students.  They had more baked goods than we did. 

I went on a shopping spree and got lots of items.  

Purchased with cash donations 

• 576 Earl Gray tea
• 162 Merci finest assortment of European chocolates
• 40 little bites from Sara Lee chocolate chip
• 112 packets of trail mix
• 600 Ziploc bags
• 108 bear paws
• 2 boxes of Lindor chocolates 
• 100-dole fruit salad 
• 132 microwave popcorn
• 198 assorted oatmeal packets
• 96 chocolate fudge brownies not the ones that Sonja makes
• 144 sesame snaps packages
• 108 rice crispy squares
• 120 assorted juice boxes
• 90  hot chocolate packets
• 60 bagels 
• 300 paper sandwich bags
• Peanut Butter and Jam and Margarine

Donated items

• 4 dozen chocolate chip cookies 
• 60 individual strawberry jam 
• Assorted boxes of herbal tea 
• 288 Red rose tea packets. 
• 166 assorted juice boxes = 286 juice boxes total
• 40 assorted oatmeal packages
• 8 fruit snacks 
• 20 granola bars 
• 4 chocolate pudding
• 8 yogurts 

Borrowed from Calvin - more or less :) 

• Toaster and extension cord
• Paper plates 
• Cutting knife for the bagels 
• Plastic Cutlery 

Provided by Carleton

• Coffee
• Tea
• Ciders of different Kinds

Once Megan and I got there, we had to cart all the goodies to the tables.  

There, all set up by 9:45 a.m. and ready to receive students.  

Megan helped make sure we stayed stocked up at the tables and chatted with students about how their exams were going.  She did an awesome job!! 

Some close-up pics of the items and signs.  

Jack came soon after and stood at the bagel section.  I didn't realize until a bit later that this was the perfect spot for Jack.   It takes time to toast a bagel.  A perfect moment to engage in conversation with students about life..... faith...and life : ) 

Jack is a master at this and was able to share the gospel message several times with students who were very open to having conversations. 

Next year he gets this job again : ) 

Students came in waves.  

Different exams ended at different times.  

Stephon, a student helper also helped make sure the tables stayed stocked.  He was also our official "student counter" : )  In total 350 + came by for free snacks and chats.  

There were also two other churches present, but it seemed like we provided 90 % of the food items today, which was good because we would have been done in 30 minutes if we hadn't, so THANK YOU to all who donated funds or goods!!! 

Some pics of the tables and students.  

We even had a couple of lineups. 

Whoot!!!!!  

It's great fun seeing the reactions of students as we call out "free snacks to help you get through exams!"  : ) 

Many were very thankful. 

Some were leary. 

One cried because she was so stressed and thankful. 

My love language of Acts of Service was thriving today :) 

As we approached 12:30 p.m. our supplies dwindled. 

But students still came by.  

Who doesn't want free tea bags by the dozen : ) 

Right Jack?? : ) 

Jack talked the whole time pretty much.  

At 12:45 p.m. I had to leave and things were winding down. 

This was a hoot!!!!  

Another "Pause Table" is to be held in April. 

I will definitely be signing Calvin up for another round : ) so stay tuned for a request for your help so we can be a blessing and ray of hope to students who are really searching for that hope in ways they don't even realize.  

But first, our care package prep and giveaway in January : )  

Yahoo!!! 

I love it when a plan comes together!!!!!!